Topic > The effects of a computed tomography (CT) scanner on the human body

A computed tomography (CT) scanner consists of 3 main elements; a scanning portal, a data management unit and an archive. A patient is surrounded by a portal composed of several components. The scanning gantry consists of 4 main components: X-ray tubes, collimator, anti-scattering grids and detectors. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay A large voltage will be applied between two electrodes in a vacuum. The filament, which is the cathode, is the source of the electrodes while the tungsten target, which is the anode, is the target area of ​​the electrons. The filament is heated to produce electrons and these are accelerated towards the anode. On the tungsten target, the kinetic energy of the electrons is converted into X-rays. A collimator is used to allow all the X-ray beams to pass through in the same direction. Their main purpose is to provide good quality images. They are placed between the X-ray source and the patient. Large quantities of X-rays may undergo scattering before reaching the detector. To allow the maximum amount of the X-ray beam to reach the detector, an anti-scattering grid is placed between the patient and the X-ray detector, allowing unscattered photons to pass through the grids without attenuation. The grid is made of high-Z material, such as tungsten, to avoid scattering when X-rays pass through. There are various detectors such as multiple detector array, xenon detector and solid state detectors. CT scanning is performed using several components, namely a specific scanner, an X-ray system, a patient bed and a computer workstation. The CT scanner is available in two designs: a large square or ring shape with a hole in the center. X-rays are produced by X-ray tubes in the form of a beam that rotates around the patient to obtain a 3D image. During a CT scan, the patient's table is passed through the central hole so that the X-ray beam can pass through the patient's body. The X-rays are converted into a series of binary images in color - black and white, with each representing a "slice" of the anatomy. After a complete revolution of the X-ray source around the patient, the CT computer uses advanced mathematical techniques to establish a 2D image slice of the patient. The depth of tissue depicted in each section of the image may vary depending on the CT machine used. However, the thickness generally varies from 1 to 10 millimeters. Once a full section is completed, the image is stored and the motorized bed is moved incrementally forward into the gantry. To accumulate the desired number of slices, the scanning process is repeated several times to provide layered images. CT scans can be used to detect diseases or injuries located in different parts of the body. CT scans are commonly used in clinical applications. CT scans are crucial for determining potential skull fractures or an underlying injury to the brain in TBI patients. In addition to brain scans, CT scans are necessary in lung diseases. This is due to the severe difficulty in imaging organs of the pulmonary circuit, such as the lungs, using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. In this application category, it can detect many diseases related to the pulmonary circuit such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema and so on. Besides that, CT scans are usedin abdominal imaging. CT scans are capable of displaying images on a three-dimensional platform, where they are used to detect compound fractures in organs, such as those in the pelvic region, which typically occur in elderly patients. Additionally, CT scans are used to identify tumors in the abdomen and ulcers in the liver. An electrosurgical unit consists of 3 compartments; generator, inactive patient pad and active electrode to allow current flow. The electrosurgical generator provides electron flow and voltage. ActiveThe electrodes are known as electrosurgical handpieces and can be controlled with the hand or foot. The electrical current is returned to the generator via the inactive patient pad placed on the patient. The electrical current is returned to the generator via the inactive patient pad placed on the patient. In a monopolar ESU, electrical current flows from the generator to the active electrode and passes through the patient to the cauterizer dispersive pad, completing the circuit. Monopolar modes are usually used for cutting, coagulating, drying, electrocuting or mixing and involve the use of two electrodes. The first electrode, called the active electrode, is fixed on an entry point with the help of a pencil tool. This allows tissue tearing and blood clotting as the active electrode has a relatively small contact area which results in a very high current density achieved at the surface. A second electrode, which is a large area patient pad, also known as a neutral or return electrode, is placed in a correct position on the patient's skin. A high-frequency current is then emitted, causing a surgical crack or freeze on the active electrode that heats the tissue in contact with the patient's pad. The patient will hardly notice the heat emitted by the high frequency current. However, if there is poor contact or a small contact area between the patient's paddle and the skin, burns may occur. Less energy is needed in a bipolar electrosurgical unit as they operate at a lower voltage. However, they only cut and coagulate larger bleeding areas. The current in the patient is confined between the electrodes of the forceps ensuring more appropriate control over the area to be treated, minimizing any tissue damage. Does not require a patient plate. Bipolar electrosurgery prevents patient burns. Although bipolar has greater safety, it cannot be used for many applications compared to monopolar. The electrosurgical unit has a wide range of applications during surgical interventions. They are used to easily make surgical cuts with minimal bleeding using a blunt electrode, they prevent bleeding in large areas, devitalization and tissue shrinkage. There are few surgical techniques that utilize an ESU. The most consistently used method is cutting and homeostasis. Bipolar forceps and clamps are used on large blood vessels in the tissues to be sealed. Devitalization and shrinkage tend to tumors, lesions and hyperplastic tissue. Tissues can be eradicated with an electrode loop. Computed tomography (CT) emits ionizing radiation that causes cancer in humans. A CT scanner uses X-rays which are a form of ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum. When this ionizing radiation passes through the human body, two main risks can occur; deterministic or stochastic effects. Deterministic effects cause damage to cells. Examples of this effect are skin redness, swelling or burns, haematological depression,.