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Rethink on medical imaging radiation to cut risks

A COMPUTER program that aims to make radiography imaging safer for patients by minimising their radiation exposure is expected to be tested in a clinical environment next year.

Developed by researchers at Western Australia’s Curtin University of Technology, the program will help hospitals monitor the amount of radiation patients are exposed to in Computed Radiography treatment.

While CR, which uses X-ray technology to create computer images of the patient, is considered a highly effective way to create internal body images, it requires the use of precise levels of radiation.

Curtise Ng, of Curtin’s Department of Imaging and Applied Physics, said there were concerns too much radiation was used to get an acceptable image, which could harm the health of patients.

“Radiographers or medical imaging technologists could use a higher radiation dose than normal because it can guarantee they can get the image outcome,” Dr Ng said…………….

Dr Ng said the program could solve the dose creep problem.

The technology was expected to be trialled in a clinical environment from early next year.

Rethink on medical imaging radiation to cut risks | Australian IT

October 27, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, health | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, radioactive