CHAPTER 1

CONCEPTS OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE

NATURE OF OUR SURROUNDINGS
Matter
Anything that occupies space & has mass
Atoms
The building blocks of matter
Mass
The quantity of matter as described by its
energy equivalence
The distinguishing characteristic of matter
Weight
The force exerted on a body under the
influence of gravity

Thermal/Heat Energy
The energy in motion at the molecular level
Nuclear Energy
The energy that is contained within the
nucleus of an atom
Electromagnetic Energy
The type of energy that is used in an x-rays
Theory of Relativity
Albert Einstein
States that matter
interchangeable

and

energy

are

Matter-Energy Equivalence
Formula: E=mc2

MATTER AND ENERGY

Energy
The ability to do work
SI Unit: joules (J)
In Radiology: electron volt (eV)
Potential Energy
The ability to do work by virtue of position
Kinetic Energy
The energy in motion
Chemical Energy
The energy released by a chemical reaction
Electrical Energy
The work that can be done when an electron
moves through an electric potential
difference (V)
STEWART C. BUSHONG

Visible Light
Radiated by the sun
Exposed/Irradiated
Matter that intercepts & absorbs radiation
UV Light
It causes sunburn
Ionizing Radiation
Any type of radiation that is capable of
removing an orbital electron from the atom
with which it interacts
Examples: x-rays, gamma rays & UV light
Ionization
The removal of an electron from an atom
Particulate-type Ionizing Radiation
Examples: alpha & beta particles

SUMMARIZED BY: MEYNARD Y. CASTRO

Atoms & Molecules

The fundamental, complex, building blocks
of matter

Radiation
The energy emitted & transferred through
space

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Matter
Material substance with mass of which
physical objects are composed

CHAPTER 1
CONCEPTS OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE
SOURCES OF IONIZING RADIATION
Natural Environmental Radiation
Annual Dose: 300 mrem/yr
Cosmic Rays: emitted by sun & stars
Terrestrial Radiation: deposits of uranium,
thorium & other radionuclides
Internally-deposited Radionuclides:
potassium-40 (natural metabolites)
Radon: largest source
Man-made Radiation
Annual Dose: 60 mrem/yr
Diagnostic X-rays: largest
mrem/yr)

Fluorescence
The emission of visible light only during
stimulation
1901

Roentgen received Nobel Prize in Physics

February 1896
He published and produced the first medical
x-ray image
The first x-ray examination
DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN RADIOLOGY

source (39

NCRP
National Council on Radiation Protection &
Measurements
MSCT
Multislice Spiral Computed Tomography
Medical Applications of Ionizing Radiation
Annual Dose: 50 mrem/yr

Radiography
Uses x-ray film & x-ray tube mounted from
the ceiling
Provides fixed images
Fluoroscopy
Conducted with an x-ray tube located under
the examination table
Provide moving images
X-ray Voltage
Measured in kVp

DISCOVERY OF X-RAYS

Wilhelm Roentgen
He discovered x-rays
November 8, 1895
Discovery of x-rays
Wurzburg University in Germany
Barium Platinocyanide
The fluorescent material used by Roentgen

STEWART C. BUSHONG

X-ray Current
Measured in mA
Image Blur
Caused: long exposure time
Michael Pupin (1896)
He demonstrated the use of radiographic
intensifying screen
Charles L. Leonard (1904)
He demonstrated the use of double emulsion
film
SUMMARIZED BY: MEYNARD Y. CASTRO

Sir William Crookes

He invented crookes tube

To provide an x-ray beam that is satisfactory

for imaging, you must supply the x-ray tube
with a high voltage & sufficient electric
current!

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Cathode Rays
Electrons

CHAPTER 1
CONCEPTS OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE
Thomas A. Edison (1898)
He developed fluoroscope
Original Fluorescent Material: Barium
platinocyanide
Most Recent: Zinc cadmium sulfide &
calcium tungstate

William Rollins
He demonstrated the first application of
collimation & filtration
H.C. Snook (1907)
He introduced interrupterless transformer
Snook transformer

Radiology emerged as a medical specialty

because of the snook transformer & the
Coolidge x-ray tube!
Gustav Bucky (1913)
He invented stationary grid
glitterblende

MRI become an accepted modality

Always practice ALARA: keep radiation

exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable!

Collimation
It restricts the useful x-ray beam
It reduces scatter radiation
It improves image contrast
Example: adjustable light-locating
collimators (common)

Protective Apparel
Lead-impregnated material
Examples: gloves & apron

Telephone

1950

Light amplifier was adapted for fluoroscopy

1960

Diagnostic UTZ & gamma camera appeared

Gonadal Shielding
It is used with all persons of childbearing
age
Protective Barriers
Lead-lined with a leaded-glass window
Example: radiographic control console
ARRT
American
Registry
Technologists

of

Radiologic

SUMMARIZED BY: MEYNARD Y. CASTRO

Bell

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Potter-Bucky grid was introduced

at

Because of effective radiation protection

practices, radiology is now considered a safe
occupation!

Intensifying Screen
It reduces x-ray exposure by more than 95%

Hollis Potter (1915)

He invented moving grid

STEWART C. BUSHONG

1980

Filtration
It absorbs low energy x-rays
Aluminum or copper

William D. Coolidge (1913)

He introduced coolidge x-ray tube

Light Amplifier (1946)

He demonstrated
Laboratories

PET & CT were developed

MEG
Magnetoencephalography

Clarence Dally (1904)

The first x-ray fatality

1921

1970

CHAPTER 1
CONCEPTS OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF RADIATION PROTECTION
1. Understand & apply the cardinal principles of radiation control: time, shielding & distance.
2. Do not allow familiarity to result in false security.
3. Never stand in the primary beam.
4. Always wear protective apparel when not behind a protective barrier.
5. Always wear an occupational radiation monitor and position it outside the protective apron at
the collar.
6. Never hold a patient during radiographic examination. Use mechanical restraining devices
when possible. Otherwise, have parents or friends hold the patient.
7. The person who is holding the patient must always wear a protective apron and, if possible,
protective gloves.
8. Use gonadal shields on all people of child bearing age when such use will not interfere with
the examination.
9. Examination of the pelvis and lower abdomen of a pregnant patient should be avoided
whenever possible, especially during the first trimester.

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10. Always collimate to the smallest field size appropriate for the examination.

STEWART C. BUSHONG

SUMMARIZED BY: MEYNARD Y. CASTRO