Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics

E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

MEDICAL ELECTRONICS

ABSTRACT
Biomedical instrumentation deals with the physiological as well as engineering principles
underlying the working of a wide variety of medical instruments. During the last two decades there has
been tremendous increase in the use of electronic equipments in the medical field for research and clinical
purpose.

Today the need of medical imaging techniques is increasing. Most of the surgeries done
today are basically for correcting malfunctioning of organs that are detected by modern imaging machines.
The method of imaging helps the doctor to get idea of patient’s problems without actually opening the body
of the patient. Imaging techniques are also helpful for medical studies.

Electro medical equipments based on imaging techniques is a fast growing field. Medical
imaging techniques such as X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Sonography, M.R.I (Magnetic
Resonance Imaging), P.E.T (Positron Emissions tomography), e.t.c., are widely used by the doctors all over
the world.

Here my sincere efforts to throw light on basic principle, operational details of CT with
simplified block diagram and different imaging scanning patterns of CT scan with their advantages.

Biomedical instrumentation is all set to develop at a still faster rate. It serves mankind in
huge way and provides new technologies for betterment of our health and life. In short, biomedical imaging
techniques are joint venture between doctors and engineers.

INTRODUCTION
The application of bio medical electronic equipments has increased
leaps and bounds and has almost become a norm for any diagnostic procedure
around the world.
There are many different biomedical electronic equipments using the
biomedical imaging techniques available world wide but some of the widely used
techniques are described as follows:

1. X-RAY:
It is the primitive and foremost form of medical imaging using electronic
engineering. In 1895, Welhelm Conard Rontgen discovered X-rays quite
accidentally. The X-rays are created by passing high voltage radiation through a
special tube, and these rays penetrate through almost all substance and give
impression of the substance that it cannot pass, on photographic plate placed on
opposite side. It gives only 2-dimensional image of bones or hard tissues.

2. ULTRA SONIC IMAGING OR SONOGRAPHY:

It is also known as ultra sound imaging and is basically used for
visualization of soft tissues. Sound waves are directed towards the tissues and

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

with the reflection 2-D images are created, though with the help of skilled doctors
3-D images can be formed by scanning from different angles.
A new technique known as ‘sonography’ has been developed using ultrasound, in
which a transducer is placed on the contact of the body being investigated. A high
frequency sound wave penetrates the body and strikes the organ within and
reflects back to the surface, where the transducer acts as a receiver. The time of
these returning signals sketches the image.

3. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING:

M.R.I is a radiation free technology in which radio frequency waves
cause hydrogen atoms in the body to move. An intense magnetic field is created
in the body and magnetic spin of electrons is detected and an image is created.
The MRI is useful for detecting flowing liquids in bones and tissue structures and
in blood. It also discriminates between healthy and diseased cells.

4. POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY:

An image is created by tracing the path of radio active positron
emitting pharmaceutical agents in the body detecting the scan out data using
positron cameras, computers and display terminals.
PET scanning is useful for diagnostic chemical or electrical problem in the
brain. PET has not gained worldwide acceptance because of its poor resolution
and difficulty in interpreting the data.

5. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY:
It is also known as CAT (Computed Aided Tomography). It produces different
type of imaging called cross imaging. The origin of word Tomography comes from
Greek word ‘Tomos’meaning slice or section and ‘Graphe’means drawing.

CT involves an X-ray source, which rotates around the patient at a very fast
rate, taking scores of picture, which are recorded and stores electronically. These
pictures are then used to create 3-D images of underlying anatomy. It is
particularly useful in studying the bony structures and hard tissue.

ABOUT CT SCANNING OF BODY

CT was invented and developed by G.N. Hounsfield at the central
research laboratories of EMI Ltd., U.K, and introduced on commercial scale
in1972.
CT uses x-ray to perform its work. These x-rays come from x-ray tube
which is placed inside a square are called gantry. The part of the body to be
scanned goes inside a hole in this gantry. X-rays are generated which goes
through the body pare to be scanned. The information is gathered in detector
.The data which is collected is then processed to construct an image.

CT SCAN’S USAGE
Because it gives detailed cross-sectional view of all type of tissue, CT is
one of the best tool for studying chest and abdomen. Besides it is also useful for
the following:

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

 It is often the preferred method for diagnosing many different types of

cancers including liver, lung and pancreatic cancer since the image
confirms the size and presence of tumor.
 CTI images can also be used to measure bone mineral density for
detection of osteoporosis.
 In case of trauma, CT can quickly identify injuries to liver, spleen,
kidney and other internal organs.
 CT can also play a significant role in detection, diogonosis and
treatment of vascular diseases.

ADVANTAGES OF CT
CT scan is considered to be the mother of all imaging techniques
because it has brought resolution in the history of imaging. The advantages of CT
scan are as follows:
 It can visualize extremely small pathology which may not be possible in
conventional films.
 It is non-invasive and radiation levels applied to the patient are extremely
low.
 It is extremely accurate in the specificity of diagnosis that can be made,
based on the data it can provide.
 One of the most exciting applications of 3-D CT imaging is in the field of
reconstructive surgery.
 CT is becoming the choice for rapidly screening trauma victims to detect
internal bleeding or other life threatening.
 CT is the only method which provides detailed images of bones, tissues
and blood vessels.

BASIC PRINCIPLE AND OPERATIONAL DETAILS OF CT

SCAN
CT is based on the same principle as of an x-ray. As in an x-ray,
the x-rays pass through the body and the image of the organs or bones are
acquired on photographic plate placed behind the organ or bone. But in case
of CT a banana shaped detector, which captures the image, replaces the
photographic plate or film.
Inside the CT scanner is a rotating gantry that has an x-ray tube
mounted on one side and an arc shaped detector mounted on opposite side.
In this arrangement x-ray tube and detector are placed in synchronism. An x-
ray beam is emitted in a fan shape as the rotating frame spins the x-ray tube
and detector around the patient. Each time the x-ray tube and detector a 360º
rotation and x-ray passes through the patient’s body. During each rotation,
the detector records about 1,000 images or a profile of expanded x-ray
beam.A dedicated computer is then used to reconstruct the profiles.

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

Figure 2.4.1, notice that the x-ray tube and detector rotate
around the patient. For each direction of x-ray beam, the scanner records the
x-ray absorption by the patient’s body. A computer program then computes
the brightness of each pixel from all of these separate recording. Since the CT
scan requires so many x-rays exposure, the amount of radiation used to make
a CT scan is typically greater than that used to make a traditional x-ray.

COMPONENTS OF CT SCAN
SCANNING SYSTEM
The purpose of scanning system is to acquire enough
information to reconstruct a picture for an accurate diagnosis. Sufficient
number of readings must be taken to allow picture reconstruction.

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

X-RAY SOURCE
In CT scanner, the highest image quality, free from disturbing
blurring effects is obtained with the help of pulsed x-ray radiation. During
rotation, (120 kV) is applied all the times. A grid in the tube prevents the
electron current from striking the anode except when desired, allowing the x-
rays to be emitted in bursts As the gantry rotates, an electrical signal is
generated at certain positions of the rotating system; each pulse turns on x-
ray for a short period of time. The number of pulses, the pulse duration and
tube current determines the dose to the patient. The operator can select
these factors in the same way as they are selected in conventional method.

IMPROVEMENTS IN CT SCAN
Today’s scanner can image the entire abdomen and pelvis of
most adults, making a total of 80 CT images, in less than 30 seconds. The
amount of details has increased to six-folds since 1970.

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

ADVANCES OF CT SCAN
Original CT scanner(1974 to1987) would spin 360° in one
direction and make an image then spin 360° in other direction to make a
second slice. In mid -1980’s an innovation called the “power slip ring”allowed
scanner to rotate continuously. This development led to anew type of CT
called “spiral”or “helical” scanning. The new types of scanners are as follows:

 SPIRAL OR HELICAL CT
A spiral scanner has become the primary imaging technique for
chest, lungs, abdomen and bones because of its ability to combine fast
data acquisition and high resolution.

 MULTI-SLICE OR ULTRA FACT SCANNERS

This scanner can take multiple image of heart within the time of
single heartbeat, thus providing more information about heart and about its study.

 VIRTUAL REALITY IMAGING OR 3-D SCAN

New computer software and advanced computer systems combine
with spiral CT to produce 3-d images that enable a growing number of non- invasive”
virtual endoscopy”procedures to be performed.Endoscopy involves the use of
endoscope-tiny camera at the end of thin tube to visualize the inside of certain
organ, such as colon. Virtual endoscopy performed with CT allows visualization of
these same organ interiors without using an invasive endoscope.

RISKS PERSISTING WITH CT SCAN

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Name Of Student: Prakriti Bhowal Topic: Medical Electronics
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in

 CT does involve exposure to x-ray radiation. The effective radiation

dose from the procedure is about 10 msv which is about the same as
the average person receives from background radiation in 3 years.

 Special care is taken during x-ray examinations to ensure maximum

safety for the patient by shielding abdomen and pelvis by lead apron,
with the exception with those examinations in which the abdomen and
pelvis are being imaged.

 The risk of serious allergic reaction to iodine-containing material is a

possibility, but radiology departments are well equipped to deal with
them.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of cancer involves destruction of cancerous cell growth

using radiation therapy. Identification of the exact spot of the cancerous tissue is
very critical so that the radiation renders minimum damage to the tissue. Three –
Dimensional CT and MRI scanner make it possible to pin point the exact location of
cancerous cells.

From:-
Prakriti Bhowal
E- Mail: prakriti_bh@yahoo.co.in
Mobile: 09822502864.
4TH YEAR;
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
AISSMS, WCOE,
PUNE - 01.

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