Gamma cameras
Classroom Activity
for 14-16
The gamma camera is an imaging technique used to carry out functional scans of the brain, thyroid, lungs, liver, gallbladder, kidneys and skeleton. Gamma cameras image the radiation from a tracer introduced into the patient’s body.
The most commonly used tracer is technetium-99m, a metastable nuclear isomer chosen for its relatively long half-life of six hours and its ability to be incorporated into a variety of molecules in order to target different systems within the body. As it travels through the body and emits radiation the tracer’s progress is tracked by a crystal that scintillates in response to gamma-rays.
The crystal is mounted in front of an array of light sensors that convert the resulting flash of light into an electrical signal. Gamma cameras differ from X-ray imaging techniques in one very important respect; rather than anatomy and structure, gamma cameras map the function and processes of the body.
Resources
These teaching notes include lesson notes for each presentation slide and the mark scheme for the student worksheet.
Gamma camera teacher notes.pdfThe student worksheet can be adapted to the needs of your class.
Gamma camera worksheet.docThis ZIP file contains teacher notes (PDF), videos (WMV), worksheet (doc) and presentation (ppt). Once downloaded please save all files in a single folder to ensure PowerPoint links work.
All resources for Gamma Camera.zip
