APPLICATION OF RADIATION DURING AN X-RAY OPERATION IN A HEALTH

EMISSION OF X-RAY RADIATIONS
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APPLICATION OF RADIATION DURING AN X-RAY OPERATION IN A HEALTH CENTRE
INTRODUCTION
Radiation which is composed of x-rays is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X -rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers. This corresponds to frequencies in the range of 30 petahertz to 30 exerhertz and energies in the range of 120 ev to 10 kev. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma rays. The invention of this has been instrumental in the medical as will be discussed in the main body.
Definition of terms used in an X-ray operation
Radiation refers to a process in which energetic particles or waves travel through a medium or space. There are two types of radiations namely ionizing and non-ionizing. On the other hand emission is a term that refers to the process by which a higher energy quantum mechanical state of a particle becomes converted to a lower one through a photon, resulting in production of light. Finally X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, which is just like visible light. (Allen, 1973).
X-RAY OPERATION IN A HEALTHY CENTRE
In a health care setting an x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles known as photons during an X-ray operation. These particles pass through a body and a computer or some special film is used to record the images created during the exercise. For the structures which are dense such as bones will block most of the x-rays particles, and appear white. Metals and contrast media like special dye used to highlight areas of the body also appears white while those structures containing air will be black, and muscle ,fat and fluid appears as shades of gray (Saunders,2005)
The typical stationery radiographic x-ray machine also includes an ion chamber and grid. This ion chamber is basically a hollow plate located between the detection medium and the object being imaged. It determines the level of exposure by measuring the amount of X-rays that have passed through the electrically charged, gas-filled gap inside the plate. This allows for minimization of patient radiation exposure by both ensuring that the image is not underdeveloped to the point the exam needs to be repeated and ensuring that more radiation than needed is not applied (Rodgers, 2008).
The grid is usually located between the ion chambers and objects and consists of many aluminum slats stacked next to each other resembling a Polaroid lens. In this manner, the grid allows straight x-rays to pass through to the detection medium but absorbs reflected x-rays. This improves image quality by preventing scattered (non-diagnostic) x-rays from reaching the detection medium, but using a grid creates higher exam radiation doses (Eastman, 2007).
Operation of the test
The X-ray operation test is performed in a health centre radiology department or in a health care provider`s office by an x-ray technologist. The positioning of the patient X-ray machine and film depends on the area of interest and specialization by a particular health care centre. For example some may specialize in bone fractures scanning or general body parts (Mertz 1967).
Similar to the conventional process of photographing, motion causes blurry images on radiographs, and thus, patients may be asked to hold their breath or not move during the brief exposure for about one two seconds (Saunders,2005).
Preparation for the test
Before undergoing the X-ray operation test, the patient has to be examined and give details of the previous medical treatment record. First, by informing the health care provider about the status of the body parts. For example if pregnant or have an intra uterine contraceptive device (IUD) inserted for the women. This is important as it guides the technician on the appropriate type of test to carry out during the X-ray operation (Rodgers, 2008).
The expert should also be notified if the patient might have had a barium contrast study such as barium enema, upper GI series, or barium swallow incase abdominal x-ray operations are to be done. Also if the patient could have taken medications containing bismuth such as Pepto-Bismol in the last four days the care provider needs to be aware so as to delay the test until the contrast has fully passed (Eastman, 2007).
Secondly during the test the patient is advised to remove all the jewelry and wear a hospital gown because metal and certain clothing can obscure the images during the x-ray examination thus need for repeat of the studies and yet it is costly. Lastly, though there is no discomfort from x-ray exposure the patients may be requested to stay still in awkward positions for a short period of time (Saunders, 2005).
USES OF X-RAYS
The x-ray technology is applied widely in the field of medicine and they include the following:
Radiology which is a specialized field of medicine employs radiography and other techniques for diagnostic imaging.
Secondly X-rays are used in detection of pathology of skeletal system, and also detecting some disease processes in soft tissue. Examples are the chest x-ray which can be used to identify lung diseases such as pneumonia, lung cancer or pulmonary edema.
Thirdly abdominal x-ray are used to detect intestinal obstruction, free air from visceral perforations and free fluids in ascites (Wyman, 2005).
Some imaging alternatives for soft tissues are computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scanning), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound which does not subject the patient to ionizing radiation (Eastman 2007).
Another use of x-ray is in the administration of a medical contrast material orally, intravenously or via enema by fluoroscopy methodology. The examples for this include cardiac catheterization for coronary artery blockage examination and barium swallow for examination of esophageal disorders.
X-rays are also used to guide orthopedic surgery and in diagnosing conditions, such as arthritis and abnormal bone growths, and locate foreign objects in the body (Wyman, 2005).
They are used by dentists for producing images of teeth and diagnosing periodical disease.
ADVANTAGES OF USING X-RAYS
The application of x-rays has got several advantages as they can be used to produce an image of any part of the body, easily available as they are portable, less costly as compared to other imaging modalities like the MRI or CT. The x-ray machines are more readily available as compared to other imaging devices thus giving faster results and reference standards for defects are available (Mertz 1967).
PRODUCTION OF RADIATION
There are two sources of radiation namely X-radiation and Gamma radiation. X-rays and Gamma rays only differ in their source of origin. X-rays are produced by an X-ray generator and Gamma radiation is the product of radio active atoms (Sliney 1973).
Production of X-rays
During the production of x-ray photons there are two different atomic processes involved. One process produces K-shell or characteristic emission and the other produces Bremsstrahlung radiation. Both processes involve a change in the energy state of electrons. X-rays are always generated when an electron is accelerated and then made to rapidly decelerate, usually due to interaction with other atomic particles (Rodgers, 2008).
A large amount of electric current is passed through a tungsten filament in an X-ray system. This heats the filament to several thousand degrees centigrade to create a source of free electrons. A large electrical potential is established between the filament (the cathode) and a target (the anode). The two, cathode and anode are enclosed in a vacuum tube to prevent the filament from burning up and to prevent arcing between the cathode and anode (Saunders, 2005).
The electrical potential between the cathode and the anode pulls electrons from the cathode and accelerates them as they are attracted towards the anode or target, which is usually made of tungsten. X-rays are generated when free electrons give up some of their energy when they interact with the electrons or nucleus of an atom. The interaction of the electrons in the target results in the emission of a continuous Bremsstrahlung spectrum and also characteristic X-rays from the target material (Eastman, 2007).
Production of Gamma Rays
This is another form of x-ray emission and the radiation results from radioactive atoms. This depends upon the ratio of neutrons to protons within its nucleus; an isotope of a particular element may be stable or unstable. With time, the nuclei of unstable isotopes spontaneously disintegrate, or transform, in a process known as radioactive decay. Various types of radiation may be emitted from the nucleus and or its surrounding electrons when an atom experiences radioactive decay. Nuclides which undergo radioactive decay are called radio nuclides. Any material which contains measurable amounts of one or more radio nuclides is radioactive material (Javan, 1984)
Mostly man-made radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes are used for industrial radiography. These man-made sources are produced by introducing an extra neutron to atoms of the source material. An example is that one for Cobalt-60 which is produced by bombarding a sample of cobalt-59 with an excess of neutrons in a nuclear reactor (Sliney, 1973).
The Cobalt-59 atoms absorb some of the neutrons and increase their atomic weight by one to produce the radioisotope Cobalt-60 through a process known as activation. As the material rids itself of atom...