Facilities Design in Diagnostic Imaging

Hi there!!! Today we will share about the facilities design in diagnostic imaging. Advances in X-ray imaging technology, together with developments in digital technology have had a significant impact on the practice of radiology. This includes improvements in image quality, reductions in dose and a broader range of available applications resulting in better patient diagnosis and treatment. However, the basic principles of X-ray image formation and the risks associated with X-ray exposures remain unchanged. X-rays have the potential for damaging healthy cells and tissues, and therefore all medical procedures employing X-ray equipment must be carefully managed. The need for radiation protection exists because exposure to ionizing radiation can result in deleterious effects that manifest themselves not only in the exposed individuals but in their descendants as well. Let’s find out more about this…

MACHINE & APPLICATION OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING FACILITIES

As a discipline and in its widest sense, it is part of biological imaging and incorporates radiology which uses the imaging technologies of X-ray radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, medical ultrasonography or ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography, medical photography and nuclear medicine functional imaging techniques as positron emission tomography (PET) and Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

General Xray

MRI Machine

CT Scan Machine

Nuclear Medcine Machine

Ultrasound Machine

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Except for those persons whose presence is essential, all persons must leave the room when the irradiation is carried out.
• Personnel must, at all times, keep as far away from the X-ray beam as practicable. Direct radiation exposure of personnel by the primary X-ray beam must never be allowed.
• Deliberate irradiation of an individual for training purposes or equipment evaluation must never occur.
• All personnel must use available protective devices provided by the institute.
• All personal dosimetry records must be maintained for the lifetime of the facility.
• All entrance doors to an X-ray room should be kept closed while a patient is in the room and must be closed while making an X-ray exposure.
• X-ray machines which are energized and ready to produce radiation must not be left unattended.

SHIELDING

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING ROOM DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Do you know that  LEAD is the dominant material used in x-ray and radiation shielding applications?? Lead shielding refers to the use of lead to shield you from scatter radiation. Lead and some of its alloys are generally the most cost effective radiation shielding materials to protect against the effects of gamma rays and x-rays. The properties of lead shielding which make it an excellent shielding material are its density, high atomic number, high level of stability, ease of fabrication, high degree of flexibility in application, and its availability.

Data required include consideration of: 

•  Type of X Ray equipment-
  
  • Where the X Ray beam will be directed.
  • The number and type of procedures performed.
  • The location of the radiographer (operator).
  • The energy (kVp) of the X Rays.
•  Positioning
  
  • Distances are measured from the equipment (inverse square law will affect dose).
  • The directions the direct (primary) X Ray beam will be used depend on the position and orientation

How we manage the source?

 

RADIATION SOURCE MANANGEMENT

From our previous post we already mention about International Commission on Radiological Protection and its big function in radiation protection specially. ICRP proposed a system of radiation protection with its three principles of justification, optimization and individual dose limitation in publication

① The principle of JUSTIFICATION: Any decision that alters the radiation exposure situation should do more good than harm

② The principle of OPTIMIZATION of protection: the likelihood of incurring exposures, the number of people exposed, and the magnitude of their individual doses should all be kept as low as reasonably achievable, taking into account economic and societal factors.

③ The principle of application of DOSE LIMITS: The total dose to any individual from regulated sources in planned exposure situations other than medical exposure of patients should not exceed the appropriate limits recommended by the Commission.