Medical imaging

This article is about imaging techniques and modalities for the human body. For imaging of non-human animals in research, see Preclinical imaging.
Medical imaging
One frame of a CT scan of the chest showing the heart and lungs
ICD-10-PCSB
ICD-987-88
MeSH003952 D 003952
OPS-301 code3
MedlinePlus007451

Medical imaging is the technique and process of imaging the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues (physiology). Medical imaging seeks to reveal internal structures hidden by the skin and bones, as well as to diagnose and treat disease. Medical imaging also establishes a database of normal anatomy and physiology to make it possible to identify abnormalities. Although imaging of removed organs and tissues can be performed for medical reasons, such procedures are usually considered part of pathology instead of medical imaging.[citation needed]

Measurement and recording techniques that are not primarily designed to produce images, such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and others, represent other technologies that produce data susceptible to representation as a parameter graph versus time or maps that contain data about the measurement locations. In a limited comparison, these technologies can be considered forms of medical imaging in another discipline of medical instrumentation.

As of 2010, 5 billion medical imaging studies had been conducted worldwide.[1] Radiation exposure from medical imaging in 2006 made up about 50% of total ionizing radiation exposure in the United States.[2] Medical imaging equipment is manufactured using technology from the semiconductor industry, including CMOS integrated circuit chips, power semiconductor devices, sensors such as image sensors (particularly CMOS sensors) and biosensors, and processors such as microcontrollers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, media processors and system-on-chip devices. As of 2015, annual shipments of medical imaging chips amount to 46 million units and $1.1 billion.[3]

The term "noninvasive" is used to denote a procedure where no instrument is introduced into a patient's body, which is the case for most imaging techniques used.

  1. ^ Roobottom CA, Mitchell G, Morgan-Hughes G (November 2010). "Radiation-reduction strategies in cardiac computed tomographic angiography". Clinical Radiology. 65 (11): 859–67. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2010.04.021. PMID 20933639.
  2. ^ "Medical Radiation Exposure Of The U.S. Population Greatly Increased Since The Early 1980s" (Press release). National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements. March 5, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Medical Imaging Chip Global Unit Volume To Soar Over the Next Five Years". Silicon Semiconductor. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2019.