The use of x-ray imaging as a diagnostic tool in medicine dates back to 1895, after Wilhelm Rontgen’s discovery that x-rays may be used to create images of internal bone structures. Within days of this German physicist’s discovery, the technique was being embraced by physicians to help diagnose patient’s health complaints quicker and more accurately than ever before. X-rays provide a fantastic view of internal areas of the body that cannot be observed from the outside. They are easy to take and do not cause pain to the individual. Today there are known to be more than 5 billion diagnostic clinical tests performed each year, of which two thirds involve the use x-rays demonstrating the massive medical importance of the discovery and its continuing significance in medicine to this day.
- Advances in Radiology
There have been various improvements in technology because Rontgen’s discoveries, even though it was not till the 1960’s the first digital x-ray pictures were produced. Digital imaging apparatus and the accompanying computer hardware and software to store and view images were developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and now, today xrd analysis are being provided in hospitals and major medical clinics all over the world.
- Benefits of Digital X-Ray Imaging
There are numerous Benefits to some digital x-ray over photographic film way of recording an image. From a patient’s perspective the advantages are substantial. The most recent device enables pictures to be produced in less time and it can be transmitted immediately to a referring physician. This greatly speeds up the time required to diagnose injuries and disorders. However, the biggest advantage to the individual is that the dose of radiation received. Photographic film necessitates exposure to high intensity pulses of x-rays to be able to create sufficient contrast in the image and uses much lower doses of radiation, while generating images of superior quality with higher diagnostic value. Radiographers may also subject a digital picture to a variety of picture enhancing techniques to enhance image clarity, which leads to better quality images with higher diagnostic value. There is also a significant cost advantage, as the graphics do not need expensive photographic film and chemicals to create the picture.
- Digital X-Ray
Many clinics and Hospitals throughout the nation now offer electronic x-ray services to patients. However, the price of new scanners could be prohibitively expensive for some smaller practices and access to the newest low-dose digital x-ray scanners might be impossible without making a visit to a big city. Luckily some private radiology practices are currently offering state of the art apparatus to residents from the suburbs, with firms like Insight Radiology currently offering digital X-ray. Residents no longer have to travel long distances to get the safest imaging tests done and may benefit from scans taken on state of the art apparatus utilizing a fraction of the dose of x-rays utilized to create photographic images.