X-ray imaging is the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging for the entire body.
Preferred Imaging Centers offer X-Rays for patients in Chicago (and nearby areas) for fast diagnosis of bone, heart, liver and other related issues. An X-ray scan is a painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat various conditions such as determining whether a bone has been fractured, locating foreign objects, and assisting in the detection and diagnosis of cancer.
An X-ray machine is a medical imaging device that uses electromagnetic radiation to produce images of internal structures in the body. The machine sends X-ray beams through the body and captures the radiation that passes through to create images of bones, tissues, and organs. X-ray machines are commonly used to diagnose broken bones, detect infections, and screen for lung cancer.
X-Rays Can Be Used For Diagnosis Of:
- An enlarged heart
- Blood vessel blockages
- Bone fractures
- Cancers and tumors
- Digestive problems
- Dislocated joints
- Fluid in lungs
- Infections
X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light, and an X-ray machine is essentially a camera. Instead of visible light, however, it uses X-rays to expose the image.
To make an X-ray (radiograph), a part of the body is exposed to a small quantity of X-rays, and since bone, fat, muscle, tumors, and other masses all absorb X-rays at different levels; you see different shaded structures on the digital image that is produced.
When properly used by a radiologist and technologist specially trained to minimize exposure, X-rays are safe and no radiation remains afterward.
How were X-rays invented?
X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895. While experimenting with cathode rays in his laboratory at the University of Würzburg, Germany, Roentgen observed that a nearby fluorescent screen started to glow even though it was shielded by heavy black cardboard. He realized that invisible rays, which he termed “X-rays” due to their unknown nature, were emanating from the cathode ray tube. These rays could penetrate various materials, including human tissue, but were absorbed by denser substances like bone. Roentgen conducted further experiments and produced the first X-ray images, including a famous image of his wife’s hand, revealing her bones and wedding ring. This groundbreaking discovery revolutionized medical diagnostics and was awarded Roentgen the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Following Wilhelm Roentgen’s discovery X-rays were widely adopted in the medical field within a few years of their discovery and have continued to evolve and expand in use ever since.
Digital X-rays
X-ray technology has advanced tremendously since it was discovered back in 1895. Today’s leading medical imaging companies like Preferred Imaging Centers use digital X-rays, which represents a significant advancement over traditional film-based X-rays. Here’s an explanation:
Technology
- Digital Detectors: Instead of using photographic film, digital X-ray systems use digital detectors (such as flat panel detectors or digital sensors) to capture X-ray images.
- Digital Radiography (DR): This is the most common form of digital X-ray, where images are directly captured and processed by a computer.
- Computed Radiography (CR): This uses a cassette-based system with an imaging plate that captures the X-rays, which is then scanned by a special reader to produce a digital image.
Advantages
- Immediate Results: Digital X-rays provide almost instantaneous images, allowing for quicker diagnosis and treatment.
- Enhanced Image Quality: Digital systems offer high-resolution images that can be enhanced, magnified, and manipulated for better clarity and diagnostic accuracy.
- Reduced Radiation: Digital X-rays typically require less radiation exposure compared to traditional film X-rays.
- Storage and Accessibility: Digital images can be easily stored, retrieved, and shared electronically, facilitating better patient management and communication among healthcare providers.
- Environmental Impact: Eliminates the need for film processing chemicals, making it more environmentally friendly.
Applications
- Medical Diagnostics**: Used in hospitals, clinics, and dental offices for diagnosing various conditions such as fractures, infections, and dental issues.
- Industrial Use**: Employed in non-destructive testing to inspect materials and structures for quality control and safety.
Process of Digital X-ray
- Exposure: The patient is positioned, and the X-ray machine is set to the required exposure settings.
- Capture: X-rays pass through the body and are captured by the digital detector.
- Processing: The detector converts the X-rays into digital signals, which are processed by a computer to create a digital image.
- Viewing: The image is displayed on a computer monitor, where it can be adjusted for contrast, brightness, and other parameters to enhance diagnostic capability.
- Storage: Images are stored in digital format, often in a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), for easy access and sharing.
Digital X-rays represent a significant improvement in medical imaging, offering numerous benefits in terms of efficiency, image quality, and patient safety. Modern X-ray machines are widely used not only in the medical field but in Airport security screening systems, veterinary clinics, dental offices and in manufacturing, construction, and quality control processes.
Preferred Imaging Centers is proud to offer cutting-edge X-Ray equipment and professional radiologists for patients in Chicago (and nearby areas such as Elgin, Illinois) for fast diagnosis of bone, heart, liver and other related issues.
