...Nuclear Medicine Radioactive tracers is the form of radiation they use within the human body when doing procedures such as CAT, MIBG, MRI, PET, and Gallium scans. Patients who undergo radioactive procedures are first given a small amount of radioisotope one of two ways oral or by injection. This radioisotope is pertinent to the procedure because it enhances the visualization on vascular structures and organs. The preparation is varies upon ordering physician however are relatively similar in protocol. For vascular patients it is recommended that the patient not have any caffeinated beverages 12 hours prior to the procedure and nothing to eat at least 4 hours before a procedure. Nuclear Vascular stress tests take approximately 3 hours to complete. All patients should wear comfortable lose fitting clothing and tennis shoes for comfort ability due to the nature of the testing which is done on a treadmill. The treadmill however, does not always provide enough information pertaining to the heart and hearts circulation. Nuclear stress tests then become the next phase which includes putting an IV into the arm and injecting a dose of radioisotope. The radiologist will then have you wait approximately 30 minutes and then take you down for pictures of your heart. After this is done the patient will begin walking on the treadmill and right before the procedure is over the radiologist will inject the patient again with radioisotope and then eat. After about a half...
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...Future of nuclear energy, what countries use it most, other uses for nuclear energy (bombs) Future of nuclear energy: Increasing energy demand, plus concerns over climate change, dependence on overseas supplies of fossil fuels and the security of supply are coinciding to make the case for increasing use of nuclear power. Nuclear energy is the perfect way for the demands of electricity. It seems that Nuclear energy will become a much bigger source of energy in the future, many countries such as India and China are planning on building many nuclear power plants. China is embarking upon a huge increase in nuclear capacity to 58 GWe( Gigawatts of electricity) by 2020; India's target is to add 20 to 30 new reactors by 2030. A WNA projection shows at least 1100 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2060, and possibly up to 3500 GWe, compared with 373 GWe today. Countries that use it most: Most of the increased capacity (over 80%) will be in countries which already use nuclear power. Currently there are 436 Nuclear reactors in the world, and 73 under construction. Of the thirty countries in which nuclear power plants operate, only France, Belgium and Slovakia use them as the primary source of electricity. United States has 104 Nuclear reactors, and 5 under construction, France has 58 Nuclear reactors, and 1 under construction, Russia has 33 Nuclear reactors, and 10 under construction, Japan had 54 Nuclear reactors however after Fukushima Japan shut down all of its 54 nuclear reactors...
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...Running head: NUCLEAR MEDICINE 1 Concepts of Nuclear Medicine NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2 Concepts of Nuclear Medicine * What type of radiation is typically exploited in most nuclear medicine procedures? Nuclear Medicine is a specialty used to diagnose and treat diseases in a painless and safe manner, which uses a pharmaceutical (medicine) that’s attached to a small amount of radioactive material (a radioisotope). The procedures can often identify disease in an early stage, thus allowing for treatment to be started sooner. The most common of nuclear enhanced medical procedures involve the use of x-rays — a type of radiation that can pass through our skin. X-rays and other forms of radiation also have a variety of therapeutic uses. When used in this way, they’re intended to kill cancerous tissue, reduce the size of a tumor, or reduce pain ("Medicinal Radiocompounds). * How are patients prepared for nuclear medicine procedures? For a nuclear medicine exam, the patient is given a small amount of radioisotope, either orally or by injection, to enhance the visualization of selected organs or vascular structures. * What are the advantages and limitations of nuclear medicine? Advantages Nuclear medicine is a tool for physicians and scientists to diagnose several diseases. Nuclear Medicine is already being used as the most effective treatment for many cancerous diseases and conditions. X-rays used in nuclear medicine can scan the most sensitive...
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...This essay argues why nuclear technology used in medicine is beneficial and the advancement of nuclear medicine should continue in the future. Nuclear medicine uses radioisotopes for both treatment and diagnostic purposes. Radioactive tracer molecules are emitted to produce images, which can then be used to examine and diagnose a patient to provide further treatment. Radiation is also used to treat cancer by eradicating cancerous cells. Further advancements of nuclear technology is conducted in trials and is progressing to hopefully treat different types of disease, all using radionuclides. Radionuclides are chemical elements that are radioactive with short half-lives. Although they can be found in nature, all radionuclides used in nuclear...
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...Radioactive elements are unstable and emit radiation in the form of alfa, beta and gamma rays. The radiations can be used in nuclear medicine imaging, treatment, drug testing and sterilization in hospitals. Nuclear medicine imaging provides information about function and structure, using safe, not invasive, and cost-effective techniques for diagnosis and therapy. A number of radioactive substances have been used for the different purposes depending on their suitability. One of the most informative imaging techniques available in medical diagnostics is positron emission tomography (PET). A positron-emitting radionuclide is introduced, usually by injection, and accumulates in the target tissue. As it decays it emits a positron, which promptly combines with a nearby electron resulting in the simultaneous emission of two identifiable gamma rays in opposite directions. These are detected by a PET camera and give very precise indications of their origin. It is a very powerful and significant tool which provides unique information on a wide variety of diseases from dementia to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Organ malfunction can be indicated if the isotope is either partially taken up in the organ (cold spot), or taken up in excess (hot spot). If a series of images is taken over a period of...
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...Chemistry Research Assignment Part A – The Production of Materials: 1. Use available evidence to gather and present data from secondary sources and analyse progress in the recent development and use of a named biopolymer. This analysis should name the specific enzyme(s) used or organism used to synthesise the material and an evaluation of the use or potential use of the polymer produced related to its properties. a) Name a biopolymer (eg. Biopol) outlining how it’s produced. Biopol: Made in the 1960s In an American company. This biopolymer is a PHA and is produced industrially by growing it in tanks with bacteria such as Alcaligenes eutrophus along with a carbon based food source. It is then isolated from the tank to be purified by various methods such as dissolving the PHB in trichloromethane and then removing all its waste to create Biopol. b) Construct a table, relating its uses/possible uses to its properties. Uses Properties related Act as a carrier for slowly releasing insecticides and herbicides and fertilizers Biodegradable – able to break down in the natural environment Use as containers for plastics as well as shampoo containers and cosmetics insoluble in water and relatively high tensile strength Medical applications Biocompatibility and biodegradable Non toxic c) Evaluate the importance of this biopolymer now and its potential for use in the future based on part b. Biopol is quite an important biopolymer as a future resource because firstly, there...
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...Ventilation/perfusion scans: Ventilation/perfusion scans, sometimes called a VQ (V=Ventilation, Q=perfusion) scan, is a way of identifying mismatched areas of blood and air supply to the lungs. It is primarily used to detect a pulmonary embolus. The perfusion part of the study uses a radioisotope tagged to the blood which shows where in the lungs the blood is perfusing. If the scan shows up any area missing a supply on the scans this means there is a blockage which is not allowing the blood to perfuse that part of the organ. Myocardial perfusion imaging: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a form of functional cardiac imaging, used for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. The underlying principle is that under conditions of stress, diseased myocardium receives less blood flow than normal myocardium. MPI is one of several types of cardiac stress test. A cardiac specific radiopharmaceutical is administered. E.g. 99mTc-tetrofosmin (Myoview, GE healthcare), 99mTc-sestamibi (Cardiolite, Bristol-Myers Squibb now Lantheus Medical...
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...releasing radiation in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Some radioactive isotopes include: Carbon-11, Copper-64, Fluorine-18, and Oxygen-15. These isotopes have different properties and are used to detect and cure health issues through the use of radioactive pharmaceuticals such as PET scans and radiation therapy. PET scans, or Positron Emission Tomography scans, are used to determine what kind of diseases may reside in the body; this is done by introducing a positron- emitting radionuclide, which gathers in the target tissue. As this radionuclide decays it emits a positron, which combines with a nearby electron; this in turn results in the simultaneous emission of two identifiable gamma rays in opposite directions (Radioisotopes in Medicine, 2013). These gamma rays are then detected by the use of a PET camera. Some radioactive isotopes; such as Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, Oxygen-15, Fluorine-18, and Copper-64, are used in PET scans as positron emitters. PET’s are used mostly in the field of oncology (the study of tumors and cancers) and most commonly use the isotope Fluorine-18 as the tracer. Fluorine-18 is most often used because of its half- life, which is approximately 110 minutes. This is certainly a lot longer than the half-lives of Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, or Oxygen-15 which have half-lives of twenty, ten, and two minutes respectively. The long half-life of Fluorine-18, coupled with the fact that as it decays by emitting positrons with low positron energy and generates...
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...Medical Imaging is a vital part of today’s medical industry as technology and the understanding of nuclear medicine has been able further provide diagnosis for thousands of diseases and injuries. The beginning of medical imaging occurred in 1895 when the first ever x-ray was taken by German Physics Professor, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (Imaginis, 2008). Since then the expanded knowledge of the atomic nucleus and discovery of radioactive isotopes have expanded the ability enabling us to image soft tissue, inflammation, abnormal growths and circulation. The atomic nucleus is essentially the number of electrons, protons and neutrons within an atom which determines the characteristics of the element. Within the atom, strong nuclear forces hold the neutrons and protons inside the nucleus, preventing the atom from breaking apart which provides stability for the smaller elements, such as oxygen and carbon (J. Lucas, 2014). To produce stability for heavier elements, the ratio of neutrons to protons must increase as the repulsion forces between the protons increase. This increase in neutrons decreases the space between the protons and prevents the repulsion forces from overcoming the strong nuclear forces. Isotopes are identified by the varying number of neutrons within the nucleus (Khan, 2014)...
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...Nuclear power definitely isn't something to play around with. It has the power to kill people and also harm the economy greatly. Although these facts are true, it can still be used to do numerous great things that help people’s lives daily. Due to the amount of positive effects that nuclear power has on the earth and the people inhabiting it, I strongly believe that it is something that should continue being used and manufactured. Nuclear power plants do cost a fair amount of money to build, but once built, they can help the world tremendously. These power plants which produce nuclear power and electricity, don’t depend on fossil fuels, meaning that they aren't affected by changing and fluctuating oil and gas prices. With their fuel source being a non-fossil fuel, the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that they emit into the atmosphere is minimal. To put that into perspective, nuclear power plants have prevented 219 million tons of sulfur dioxide and 98 million tons of nitrogen oxides from being discharged into the atmosphere since 1973. This is just one of the many, many reasons that nuclear power is a good thing and should continue to be used throughout the world....
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...JUSTIN GATES PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, MI United States Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Dec 2003 – Oct 2013 • Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff. • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan. • Operate or oversee operation of radiologic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes. • Position and immobilize patient on examining table. • Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories. • Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready. • Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician. • Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists. • Demonstrate new equipment, procedures, or techniques to staff and provide technical assistance. • Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals. • Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician. • Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription. • Perform quality control checks on dose calibrator, uptake probe and gamma cameras. • Maintain and calibrate equipment. • Dispose of radioactive materials...
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...Nuclear Chemistry Assessment Task Name: Joshua Sheedy Teacher: Mr Vogel Subject: Chemistry Task: HSC Chemistry -Task 1 Due Date: 21-11-2014 Task A: Scientists have always marvelled at the idea of making larger and heavier atoms. As Uranium, at an atomic weight of 92, is the heaviest naturally occurring atom, scientists have had to think of creative ways to force protons and neutrons into the nuclei of pre-existing elements to create elements of larger molecular weights. These elements are called transuranic elements, because they are found after uranium on the periodic table. The most recently discovered transuranic element that has been synthetically made and accepted by IUPAC (The International Union of Pure...
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...With the booming of physics and technologies, the demand for medical use is increasing rapidly, and radiation therapy is one of the most widely used technologies. Doctors and hospitals monitor, diagnose, and treat diseases and metabolic processes in humans by using a variety of nuclear materials and technologies. The research indicates that the radiotherapy plays an really important role in the area of medicine. But what is the physics theory behind it? And what is the concept of the technology? When particles are emitted from nuclei, the nucleus will experience the intense conflict between the two strongest forces in nature (strong nuclear force and electromagnetic force), then many nuclear isotopes will become unstable and emit radiation;...
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...IQMS – At a Strategic Turning Point? IQ Medical Services (“IQMS”) A Live Case Prepared for Florida Intercollegiate Graduate/MBA Business Case Competition Laura Kozloski Steve Barnett Executive Summary IQ Medical Services (“IQMS”) is based in Miami, Florida, and was founded in 2007. It is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company that operates globally in collaboration with major healthcare corporations such as General Electric (“GE”) Healthcare. IQMS’ purpose has been to design, construct, and service best-in-class turnkey cyclotron facilities for healthcare systems and academic institutions worldwide; their vison – how they “see” they can accomplish this mission – has been to partner with cyclotron manufacturers such as GE and Siemens. Cyclotron facilities produce contrast media drugs known as FDGs (FluoroDeoxyGlucose) that are injected into patients to detect and diagnosis serious medical conditions. The most common usage is for PET studies, which are diagnostic procedures to determine the extent to which cancer may have spread within a patient’s body. IQMS has partnered with a variety of cyclotron equipment manufacturers accounting for 80% of the 65 projects IQMS has completed in over 30 countries worldwide since 2007. IQMS’ core expertise includes: PET/SPECT Radiopharmaceutical contrast media injection production Equipment selection, procurement and installation, start-Up and qualification with integrated multivendor warranty and service solutions FDA and equivalent regulatory...
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...IQMS – At a Strategic Turning Point? IQ Medical Services (“IQMS”) A Live Case Prepared for Florida Intercollegiate Graduate/MBA Business Case Competition Laura Kozloski Steve Barnett Executive Summary IQ Medical Services (“IQMS”) is based in Miami, Florida, and was founded in 2007. It is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company that operates globally in collaboration with major healthcare corporations such as General Electric (“GE”) Healthcare. IQMS’ purpose has been to design, construct, and service best-in-class turnkey cyclotron facilities for healthcare systems and academic institutions worldwide; their vison – how they “see” they can accomplish this mission – has been to partner with cyclotron manufacturers such as GE and Siemens. Cyclotron facilities produce contrast media drugs known as FDGs (FluoroDeoxyGlucose) that are injected into patients to detect and diagnosis serious medical conditions. The most common usage is for PET studies, which are diagnostic procedures to determine the extent to which cancer may have spread within a patient’s body. IQMS has partnered with a variety of cyclotron equipment manufacturers accounting for 80% of the 65 projects IQMS has completed in over 30 countries worldwide since 2007. IQMS’ core expertise includes: PET/SPECT Radiopharmaceutical contrast media injection production Equipment selection, procurement and installation, start-Up and qualification with integrated multivendor warranty and service solutions FDA and equivalent regulatory...
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