Radiation Physics and Image Production in Computed Tomography

Brandon Hirsch, M.S. CMD, R.T. (R)(CT)(T)

Jennifer Walker, M.S. Ed, RT(R)(CT)(MR)

1.0 Credit

Category A

This course will be helpful in fulfilling structured education and CQR credits

Course Description

This presentation will begin with a focus on the various generations of CT scanners, then will move into data acquisition, image reconstruction and image display. The differences in generations of CT scanners will be used to highlight the technical limitations and abilities of tomographic image display. Tradeoffs are discussed, such as the relationship between data acquisition and patient dose.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this presentation, the audience will be able to:

Describe the differences between generations of CT scanners
Describe the differences between a pencil, fan & cone beam
Describe how pitch affects patient dose and image quality

Course Details

Completion Time: 60 minutes
Course Expires: 5/1/2024 at 12:01 am CST

Speaker Bios

Brandon Hirsch, M.S. CMD, R.T. (R)(CT)(T)

Brandon Hirsch is an assistant professor in radiologic sciences at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He primarily instructs in the radiation therapy program, but also helps some with radiography and online degree completion programs.

He has worked in radiography, computed tomography and medical dosimetry for almost 10 years, and has been at SIUC since 2014. He enjoys being involved with students at various levels in their academic careers and being able to help educate the next generation of medical imaging professionals.

Jennifer Walker, M.S. Ed, RT(R)(CT)(MR)

Jennifer Walker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in the Radiologic Sciences program (CT/MRI) in 2001 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. In 2008, she attained a Master of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development. She is currently a doctoral student in the Higher Education program at SIU.

She started teaching at SIU in the Fall of 2014 as a part time NTT clinical instructor. In February 2018, she started teaching in a full time NTT clinical instructor role. In August 2020, she started as a tenure track assistant professor.