Technological innovation has fast been adopted in medicine in an effort of providing the best medical intervention for patients. Medical images such as non-invasive techniques that have little or no stress to the patient are quickly becoming popular. Other interventions include image-guided biopsies and invasive procedures.
Medical imaging equipment are categorized into six broad segments namely:
- Ultrasound equipment
- X-Ray Imaging equipment
- Nuclear Imaging equipment
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Mammography equipment
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment
Other medical imaging equipment that are growing and will soon find space on this platform are:
- 4Dimaging technology
- Multimodality trend
- Cloud-based imaging
The development of medical imaging has not only seen the growth of manufacturers but also of researchers, scientists and clinicians. The need for imaging was highly propagated by radiologists who largely introduced MDCT,1.5 and 3-tesla magnets and 64-detector-row CT.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN
The CT scanner has grown from the16-detector row scanner to 64-slice CT that has been motivated by coronary imaging. The consumers for top-of-the-range CT scanners readily embrace new technologies that give improved results in the ballooning medical tourism industry in countries that have the capacity.The manufacturers challenge is the supply of medical images meeting demand.
A CT scan is majorly used for people with internal injuries because it visualizes nearly all body parts. It is also used to diagnose illness, plan medical, surgical or radiation treatment.
2. ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT
Ultrasound machine uses high frequency sound waves that infiltrate the body to make images of organs for examination. A computer connected to it receives the waves and produces an image for interpretation. A reliable ultrasound is one that will provide quick reliable accurate diagnostic feedback.
Consumers of imaging equipment are tech-savvy and are looking forward to a time when medical SEO helps with image visibility online. These include potential clients, researchers and physicians.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING EQUIPMENT
This is a non-invasive imaging technique used in radiology to produce 3 dimensional detailed images of the body. MRI scanner is used for diagnosis of disease and monitoring of treatment. It is best suited to image soft body tissues such as the brain, spinal cord and nerve muscles, ligaments and tendons. It differs from the CT scan in that it does not use ionizing radiation.
A MRI of the bones and joints for instance looks for:
- Cancer
- Bone infections
- Disc problems in the spine
- Neck or lower back pain
MRI also checks the state of health of various body organs such as the breast and ovaries for women, prostate cancer for men. MRI has gained popularity in healthcare in the recent past because it provides physicians with information on treatment response and they are to make decisions that have not been commonly addressed in the past.
X-RAY IMAGING EQUIPMENT
X-Ray is a kind of radiation that uses electrionic waves to create picture of the body part in focus. X-Ray imaging is used to:
- Support medical and surgical treatment
- Procure non-invasive diagnosis of diseases
- Guide medical practitioners to insert devices inside a body.
