What would Wilhelm Roentgen, the father of X-ray, say about the technological discoveries in radiology today? Since the start of X-rays in 1895 significant advancements have revolutionized the field of radiology. One illustrates how different scanners have improved, in addition how picture archiving communication system can assist doctors, and finally the outlook on the future of radiology.
To begin with, how has technology changed the field of radiology? Since the discovery of X-radiation there has been a need and desire for studying the human body and the diseases without actually any intervention. Over the past fifty years there has been a revolution in the field of radiology affecting medicine profoundly. “The ability to produce computers powerful enough to reconstruct accurate body images, yet small enough to fit comfortably in the radiology department, has been the major key to this progress”(Gerson 66). The core of radiology’s vast development consists of four diagnostic techniques: computed tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods of diagnostic imaging provide accurate information that was not seen before. Amid this information advancement, radiologists have broadened their role of diagnostician. Gerson writes, “With the advent of computer-enhanced imagery and new interventional techniques, these physicians are able to take an active part in performing therapeutic procedures”(66). A radiology breakthrough in 1972 was computed tomography discovered by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack. Unlike standard radiography, computed tomography would spin the X-ray tube 360 degrees and inversely another 360 degrees while the patient ta...
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The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
During the cold winter of 1895, a German scientist by the name of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was working with a cathode-ray tube when he noticed nearby crystals were glowing. When Roentgen reached for the crystals he was amazed when the shadow cast on the crystal was not of his whole hand, but just his bones. Roentgen covered the tube with heavy black paper and saw that the crystals still glowed and the shadow of his hand bones still shown through, he then determined that a new ray was being emitted that could penetrate through thick materials. (1.) He later found that the rays could pass through most anything, but would cast a shadow of solid objects; these shadows could then be captured on film. Among the solid objects Roentgen shot with these rays was human tissue, the rays would penetrate the tissue, but the bones would cast a shadow, which could then be caught on film. One of Roentgen’s first experiments with X-rays was on his wife’s hand where, on the film, you could see her hand bones and her wedding ring. (1.) While the discovery of x-rays was a huge advancement in medical technology, they were not used in the medical field at first. Instead the mystical invisible rays that could penetrate solid objects were used in the industrial field.
The person accredited with the initial discovery of x-rays is Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895 in Germany. However, Dr. Otto Walkhoff, a dentist in Germany took the first dental radiograph, and Dr. C. Edmund Kells from New Orleans took the first intraoral radiographs in the United States in April 1896.
One of the most recently new advances in radiology is the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has been around for the past century. It was at first called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and then it changed to MRI once there was an available image. Walter Gerlach and Otto Stern were the first scientists to start experimenting with the magnetic imaging. Their very first experiment was looking at the magnetic moments of silver by using some type of x-ray beam. The scientists then discovered this was by realizing that the magnetic force in the equipment and in the object itself. In 1975, the first image was finally created using and MRI machine. The scientists used a Fourier Transformation machine to reconstruct images into 2D. The first images ever use diagnostically was in 1980. This is when hospitals began to use them. At first the images took hours to develop and were only used on the patients that needed it most. Even though MRI has been around for a long time, it has advanced and has been one of the best imaging modalities recently (Geva, 2006).
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, have the job of performing diagnostic imaging examinations; among many other tasks. The typical radiographer must be able to interact with patients by taking their medical history, administering oral or injected contrast media, explaining procedures and safety measures, and observing and monitoring them. Radiologic technologists also have to correctly position and immobilize their patients for examination; along with assisting patients that are unable to move (i.e. disabled, sick, injured patients). If a radiologist finds any abnormalities while handling a patient they must report it to the physician. Along with that, a radiologic technologist must be capable of operating all equipment required for the job including x-ray generators, ultrasound scanners, and fluoroscopes. They must be able to use radiation safety guidelines and proper protection materials to keep everyone (including themselves) safe and comply with government regulations. A radiologic technician has to process and review film and other information to evaluate whether or not it is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes and
The first modality this video discussed was x-ray. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered x-rays in 1895. The first x-ray was of Roentgen's wife's hand. This new founding was extremely beneficial in the medical world. It showed doctor's what was going on inside their patient's body without them having to open the patient up.
Today's technology helps routine screening measures be extremely accurate compared to past years. A new MRI, for instance, diagnoses heart disease in patients as far ahead as 10 years before they will be at risk of suffering a heart attack. Medical professionals are trained better today on what to be on the lookout for with routine screening tests and procedures.
Once the study was published X-rays were being advertised for a wide range of uses. Within one month of Roentgens published study, Dr. Gil...
Radiology technology is a science of using radiation to produce images. There are many jobs you can perform in diagnostic imaging usually a radiologic technologist will oft...
Did you know that the very first x-ray done was of Roentgens wife’s hand, complete with her wedding ring in 1894? His wife was less than impressed and declared “I have seen my death!!” Some people think that x-rays are harmful and can ruin DNA. But the x-ray has truly hade a long and useful history. In my opinion the x-ray is the world’s greatest invention ever. It impacts are everyday life. It also makes society a better place!
the X ray was invented, a device having the same purpose as today's iron lung,
CTscans stands for “Computed Tomography”. It is a way of looking inside your body using a special camera. It is an advanced scanning x-ray and computer system that makes detailed pictures of horizontal cross-sections of the body, or the part of the body that is x-rayed. A CT scan is a diagnostic test that combines the use of x-ray with computer technology. A series of x-beams from many different angles are used to get these cross-sectional images of the patient’s body. In a computer, these pictures are assembled into a 3-dimentianal picture that can display organs, tissues, bones, and any such thing. It can even show ducts, blood vessels and tumors. One of the advantages of CT is that it clearly shows soft tissue structures (such as brain), as well as dense tissue structure (such as bone). The pictures of a Ctscanner are a lot more detailed than the pictures of a regular X-ray machine. It can make pictures of areas protected or surrounded by bones, which a regular X-ray machine can not. Because of this, a CT scanner is said to be 100 times as affective and clever as an ordinary X-ray, and can therefore diagnose some diseases a lot earlier and quicker. It is recent technology that has made it possible to accurately scan objects into a computer in three dimensions, even though the machines and ideas were developed in the 1970s. In the 70s doctors started to use this new type of machine that could give detailed pictures of organs that the older type of x-ray, machine could not give.
Before the discovery of X-rays in 1895, it was impossible to look inside human body, without causing harmful side effects. The famous quote of Anna Bertha Ludwig - “I have seen my death” is a testimony to this. In ancient times, the only way to study internal human organs was the dissection of dead bodies. Additionally, this was also subject to availability or religious beliefs. Leonardo da Vinci made 240 detailed sketches between 1510 and 1511, which were way ahead of their time. Unfortunately, it could not be published, except for a small amount in 1632. Images aide in visualization of illnesses (e.g. a malignant tumor), which are impossible to observe from outside of the body. A surgeon must know the various attributes of the tumor like location and size, before she can operate on it. Similarly an oncologist needs this information to decide the course of treatment e.g. tumor size and metabolic activity may be needed to determine the number of chemotherapy sessions. With images, all this information can be obtained without cutting open the patient. And what’s remarkable is that u...
Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen, radiology has contributed substantially to the medical field. Today, X-rays are still considered to be one of the most important tools in diagnostic imaging. Further advancements in imaging have combined the use of nuclear science and radiography and is known as nuclear medicine.
But In November 8, 1895 a moment that revolutionized the world of Science, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen had discovered what he called X-rays. He was working in his laboratory operating one of Crooke’s tube which is the main source of cathode rays. The room was dark and when he exposed the rays he noticed that a paper made of barium platinocyanide was glowing. Rontgen try the experiment several times until he concluded that it was a new kind of ray rather than just light or electricity emitting from Crooke’s tube. He also concluded with his experiments that different kind of materials had a different degree of penetration depending on the density of the material. As he continued with his experiments he placed his wife’s hand on a image receptor and exposed the hand with the x-ray. The image was developed and was another proof of the discovery of x-rays when her hand showed the bones along with a ring she was wearing. During this time, Rontgen and his fellow colleagues didn't know about the fatal consequences of radiation. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen died in Munich, Germany in February 10, 1923. The reason of his death was carcinoma of the intestines. Coincidence, probably