1.

Perform an investigation to observe images from magnetic resonance image

(MRI) scans, including a comparison of healthy and damaged tissue

To perform your investigation you will need to obtain a number of MRI

images. These are available in texts, journals or from an Internet search.

Gather observational data to support your comparisons. You need to assess the
images for their ability to give you valid and reliable comparisons between
healthy and damaged tissues. Having a number of images with the same pulse
sequence will assist in this regard.
Your observations can be made for a range of image properties. What
information is included with the scan? Check that images have the same pulse
sequence, indicated by terminology such as T1 weighted, or T2 weighted or
proton-density weighted. The quality of the image includes its resolution and
contrast (grey scale). Now look at what is being imaged. What do the various
shades or colours imply? Can you make any generalisations about the
appearance of various tissues/structures?
Your comparison of images of healthy and damaged tissue could be a list of
features such as any change in greyscale, contrast and resolution. Your
investigation could be concluded with a number of summary statements such
as:

On a T2 weighted image bone appears dark whilst different soft tissues

appear as pale shades of grey. Numerous different tissues can be identified.
Boundaries between tissues appear to be very sharp, indicating a resolution of
less than 1mm. Damaged tissue with a high water content, such as a cyst, is
imaged as a uniformly bright region surrounded by a much darker boundary.

2. identify data sources, gather, process and present information using available
evidence to explain why MRI scans can be used to:
 o detect cancerous tissues
o identify areas of high blood flow
o distinguish between grey and white matter in the brain

The data needed could include written explanations, sequences of diagrams,

animations or video material.
Your data sources could include a variety of texts, journals or an Internet
search. You should choose sources that provide sufficient detail to give an
explanation that makes sense, yet are not overly detailed. MRI operation is
very complex and a full understanding can become a very large task.
As you peruse your data sources you will begin to develop an understanding
of the explanations required. You will need to check that each new source of
data contributes to these explanations. This is a process of evaluation.
Your explanations will need to be communicated in an appropriate manner.
Complex explanations can often be presented using a combination of short and
succinct text statements (bulleted points) and a series of diagrams.
Explanations of processes will often become a series of cause and effect
statements. You are explaining a complex process that depends on the laws of
nature (physics) and the behaviour of a biological system and our ability to
exploit this knowledge. We can give a valid and reliable explanation because
of our confidence that nature behaves in a repeatable way.

3. gather and process secondary information to identify the function of the

electromagnet, radio frequency oscillator, radio receiver and computer
in the MRI equipment
 Information about how MRI works can be found from a range of sources.
Texts, popular science and technology magazines and material from an
Internet search could all be useful.

MRI is a very complex process. Be sure that your sources provide enough
depth to give a complete answer. As the process involves a number of cause
and effect relationships you can evaluate the data sources by asking if they
give enough information at one step to allow the next one to follow.
You are asked to identify a number of MRI components. You can recognise
them from a description of their role, in the context of their technical terms or
form a diagram or photograph. Common symbols and diagrams are regularly
used for a magnet and magnetic field, a radio pulse and a computer.

4. identify data sources, gather and process information to compare the

advantages and disadvantages of X-rays, CAT scans, PET scans and
MRI scans.
 Your can choose from a wide variety of data sources. Texts, popular and
scientific journals and medical reference books can be used. An Internet search
will reveal many other data sources

The information you need may be widespread and so efficient summarising

and collating will be required.
Information about medical technology is of great interest to the general public.
You will need to check that your data sources are valid. Critically consider the
data source for its unbiased and complete presentation of facts and issues.
The most efficient way to present this comparison is probably to prepare a
table. Comparisons show how things are similar or different so a table of
advantages and disadvantages may be accompanied by a number of statements
that highlight these

5. Gather, analyse information and use available evidence to assess the impact of
medical applications of physics on society

The information you gather could come from a wide variety of sources. Apart
from scientific texts and journals you could search a wider variety of current
 social issues media such as newspaper articles and popular magazines. There
is a range of medical industry journals as well.

Your data will be quite wide-ranging and it would be appropriate to classify

the impacts into a number of categories about which you could make
generalisations. You could choose to categorise on the basis of a particular
medical imaging technology or on the basis of a list of impacts. Any
generalisations you make should contribute towards your assessment.
Your information will come from a variety of sources. You will need to apply
critical thinking to ensure that the assessment you make accurately reflects the
information you obtained
Your assessment should make a judgement and then providing supporting
evidence. The supporting evidence could be presented in many ways:
o A number of succinct paragraphs, each addressing a different impact
o A set of bulleted statements under separate impact headings
o A table of medical imaging technologies, each with a list of impacts

6. Perform an investigation to compare an image of bone scan with an X-ray

image

You will need to obtain your two images by practising efficient data collection
techniques. Your images could come from a variety of sources including texts,
journals or the Internet. Medical imaging facilities may also be of assistance.
 To perform your investigation you should first make a list of the properties of
the images for comparison. Image factors such as resolution, contrast, colour
and clarity could be included. Issues such as the ability to show a range of
tissues and the variability of image with bone density or bone thickness should
also be considered. Include the ability to show a range of bone abnormalities.
To compare the images you could tabulate your list and record your
observations in order to produce a summary paragraph.

7. Gather and process secondary information to compare a scanned image of at

least one healthy body part or organ with a scanned image of its
diseased counterpart

Images may be obtained from a range of sources. For example, an Internet

search will reveal a number of sources of scanned images. Other sources may
include texts, journals and medical imaging facilities.
 You should consider whether the images have been enhanced in any way. This
may be done to improve image quality or may have been done for commercial
reasons. Although you are asked for at least one, using a number of images
will improve the reliability and validity of your comparisons. Your assessment
of the quality of your gathered images should also include a consideration of
the sources of the material. Be aware that such material may have issues of
copyright or may have a commercial purpose which should be considered.
You should first make a list of the properties of the images for comparison.
Image factors such as resolution, contrast, colour and clarity could be
included. Include the ability to show a range of disease. To compare the
images you could tabulate your list and record your observations in order to
produce a summary paragraph.