Imagine having a problem happening internally in your body and doctors have no way of telling. Until the development of radiologic imaging, including X rays, doctors were limited to only looking for external signs of injury or damage (Childs and Kansagra, M.D). Medical imaging has led to improvements in diagnoses and treatment options of numerous medical conditions in children and adults today (U.S Food & Drug Administration). Ultimately X-rays create a medical advancement by evolving and helping professionals diagnose and treat patients more efficiently. In this essay, we will closely examine the developments of x-rays over time, how they are used today, and how they will be used in the future.
In the late 1800 s Wilhelm Roentgen, a German professor of physics, was the first person to discover electromagnetic radiation (Explorable.com). Many people had observed the effects of x-rays beams before, but Roentgen was the first to study them. He was already working on the effects of cathode rays before he actually discovered X-rays. Roentgen was experimenting when he observed a certain ray were emitted during the passing of a current through a tube which resulted in the emission of rays that illuminated a barium platinocyanide covered screen. He continued experimenting using photographic plates to capture the image of objects placed in the path of rays. He generated the first roentgenogram by developing the image of his wife s hand and analyzed the variable transparency as showed by her bones, flesh and her wedding ring; shown in the picture below. For his remarkable achievement, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. With Roentgen discovering the X-rays, it led to greater advancements over time, most of them happening in the 1900 s.
The discovery of x-rays was one of the firsts of many achievements leading to the development of picture-making devices that today support all manner of endeavors, for example in the military, medical, computer technology, space exploration, etc. (Greatest Achievements). With the use of radiographic imaging we have been able to achieve great advances such as Mammography, Ultrasounds, and many more. Mammography originated about a century ago when a German surgeon, Dr. Albert Salman, x-rayed mastectomy samples and found differences between cancerous and normal tissue (Niesel and Herzog). Although it was difficult to detect cancerous tissue in the breast because of the various of tissue and image quality was poor. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women, but it can also affect men. Mammography is X-ray imaging of the breast to detect cancer. In many cases it can detect tumors while they are still small and easily treated. Salomon used X-ray photography on breast tissue that was already removed to see the difference between healthy and infected tissue. When reviewing these pictures, he discovered that there were different types of breast cancer. Salomon later published his finding in 1913, but never used the technique in his own practice (Advameg, Inc.). Another development was the ultrasound; sound waves have been studied for many reasons for hundreds of years, but the development of ultrasound had its beginning in 1790 with the finding of echolocation which are used by bats. Biologist, Lazzaro Spallanzani, was the first to document the ultrasonic ranging as their mode of flight, using their hearing to move through the air by listening for the return of high-frequency sound they emit to detect objects and food. The high-frequency sound waves set the stage for the future development for ultrasonic technology and they were first used in the medical field as a form of therapy to treat diseases and disorders affecting tissue in the body. The 1940 s brought a great advancement of ultrasonic treatments to the medical world, treating plenty of ailments such as the following: Rheumatic arthritis, Gastric ulcers, Hemorrhoids, etc. The growing claim of ultrasound as a cure-all therapy diminished as concerns of tissue damage became wider spread. It however, maintained its favor in physical therapy, rehabilitation and pain relief (APC). The development has achieved much awareness and benefited the medical field and other places as well. Technology is growing every day and the techniques that were discovered in the 19th century advanced in the 21st, which helps our professionals diagnose and give more efficient treatment options today.
Mammography has allowed us to see today with the eyes of tomorrow, said Edward Lewison. Medical imaging has advanced rapidly in the early years of the twenty-first century. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Selenia Dimensions digital breast tomosynthesis system (Dimensions 3-D), which was a major event for the oncology arena. (Adele Lubell). Breast tomosynthesis is a form of digital mammography in which breast images are taken at different angles and then digitally resynthesized and reproduced as 3-D images. Breast tomosynthesis has proven to be particularly useful for imaging of the radiographically dense breast when the structures were difficult to visualize. The potential advantages of breast tomosynthesis include better detection of cancer, few callbacks and fewer positives with less radiation exposure. Another advancement with mammography in oncology is the BSGI with 99mm_Tc-sestamibi. This is a promising modality that be of value to the oncologist and team members in detecting breast cancers and distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors. Sestamibi accumulates in the active mitochondria of breast malignancies that have high mitochondrial metabolism compared to the adjacent tissues. Preliminary studies have shown that BSGI has a greater specificity and the same sensitivity as MRI for the diagnosis of breast malignancies. This technique however has the advantage of lower cost, more rapid interpretation (fewer images), and patient comfort.
Ultrasounds and radiographic imaging have advanced immensely into our time today. Doctors can now observe events at the molecular level, examine the characteristics of individual heartbeats, and study processes in the brain in minute detail tasks all but impossible a decade ago. Much of the progress has evolved from improvements in existing technologies, such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (Gwynne). CT, or CAT scans, are special X-ray tests that produce cross-sectional images of the body using X-rays and a computer. CT was developed independently by a British engineer named Sir Godfrey Hounsfield and Dr. Alan Cormack. It has become a mainstay for diagnosing medical diseases. They have vastly improved patient comfort because a scan can be done quickly. Improvements have led to higher-resolution images, which assist the doctor in making a diagnosis. CT has revolutionized medicine because it allows doctors to see diseases that, in the past, could often only be found at or surgery or autopsy (WebMD, Inc). Another advancement in radiographic imaging with the ultrasound is sonographic technology. There have been numerous reports of ultrasound devices becoming smaller, more portable and mobile. This allows a patient to be in comfort and the technique to be performed almost anywhere. Another is a development called OxSonics established in 2013 that developed the SonoTran, a specialized ultrasound technology that helps chemo drugs access solid tumors. This allows the ultrasound waves to expand and contract the particles by forming bubbles then collapsing. The collapsing of the bubble creates the pumping action and forces the drug into the tumor (Brunet). The last advancement that came in the 21st century was the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This type of imaging is a test that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures inside your body. Your doctor uses this test to diagnose how you responded to a treatment. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, an MRI doesn t use radiation. Already it s an advancement because without using radiation is it allowing less radioactive waves to harm your body. In today s time the most recent advances have been on the software side, enabling faster contrast scans, simplified cardiac imaging workflows, and allowing MR scans of the lungs. Also a few new MRI scanners have entered the market in the past year (Fornell). With the growing of technology all around us happening every day, the medical field is the fastest in helping humans today to efficiently treat and diagnose today.
In today s world, we use radiographic imaging in just about every place you could imagine like: the military, airports, and border patrol. Today s military requires the highest quality products with no tolerance for failure. The newest advancement for the radiographic imaging in the military is the X-ray gun. These guns can see through fabric, rubber and aluminum to find drugs, money, explosive liquids and even people (Tucker). This invention allows to military to take extra precaution and make sure they aren t letting in any foreign objects that shouldn t be allowed or could be dangerous to others. The advantage of the X-ray gun is that it allows for a quick, multiple scan from different angles. In the military, they work fast pace and they need technology that will work at that same motion. The company, MINI Z, that created the X-ray gun also created the toll-booth like backscatter X-ray scanners you walk through at airports. They work in the same way as a regular x-ray will, how the photons pass through the soft tissue to a film, which is then developed to reveal fractures, car keys, staples or other abnormalities. With the ability to scan these abnormal objects it eliminates the possibility of something dangerous happening in the air or being crossed over between destinations. U.S law enforcement agencies are exposing people to radiation in more settings and in increasing doses to screen for explosives, weapons and drugs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is in the process of deploying dozens of drive-through X-ray portals to scan vehicles at the border while the passengers are still inside (Grabell). With the help of radiographic imaging we have the power to prevent abnormal objects and foreign things from coming into our area.
Improvements are happening every day and in the next decade, X-rays will result in reductions of radiation doses to the point where the issue will no longer be of discussion or concern. Phase contrast X-ray imaging is likely to be the next new imaging method to be explored clinically. Phase contrast has the theoretical potential to reduce radiation doses (James H. Thrall). Radiology led the way into the era of digital medicine. Professor Phil Butler and his team at the University of Canterbury are looking to make X-ray detectors that give images in true color and far greater detail than conventional X-rays and current CT scans. In September 2014, the University of Canterbury was give $12 million to build the world s first human color X-ray scanner. The technology involves a special chip called Medipix. The Medipix chip is similar to the chip used in a digital camera, but instead of detecting light, it detects X-rays. This new technology could be used for better cancer detection because it can provide images that show whether a tumor is more vascular or more fatty tissue. It could also be used to give greater detail in bone density scans. As well to quickly diagnose internal injuries after a car crash, so doctors can distinguish whether to operate immediately or not (Science Learning Hub). Improvements in the medical field are very demanded as they need the most current method of technology to diagnose and treat efficiently.
The purpose of this review was the view how X-rays have developed and advanced overtime and how they benefitted our professionals and military in today s time. It is clear from the research reviewed that X-rays have changed the medical field for the better and it is advancing pretty quickly. Along with this, it is also clear that with future research and experiments we can develop new technology that will benefit how we do radiographic imaging in the future. More research and testing will need to be done as professionals need the top technology to diagnose and treat patients as well as keep foreign objects from entering our area as our military uses X-rays for. It is important that we are being treated with the most effective techniques in order to heal.