Medical Imaging Systems

X-ray imaging forms projection images by differential attenuation of photons in tissue. This topic balances image quality with radiation dose through parameter selection such as kVp, mAs, and scatter control.

CT and MRI provide cross-sectional imaging through fundamentally different physics: X-ray attenuation versus nuclear magnetic resonance. This topic tests your ability to compare reconstruction, contrast mechanisms, and parameter control.

Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency acoustic waves to produce real-time images without ionizing radiation. It is highly operator dependent, so understanding physics and artifact behavior is crucial for engineering support.

Nuclear imaging visualizes physiological function by tracking radiotracer distribution rather than only anatomy. This chapter is important for understanding PET/SPECT instrumentation and quantitative tracer kinetics.

Image reconstruction converts raw measurement data into interpretable spatial images. This topic compares analytic and iterative methods while emphasizing noise-artifact trade-offs in clinical systems.