| X-Rays have been in use as a medical imaging | | | | Until recently, the power source required to |
| technique since 1895 when Wilhelm Roentgen | | | | create the right strength laser beam for this |
| found that he was able to make photos of body | | | | application was so enormous that it was |
| structures like tissues and bones by putting | | | | unrealistic to even try. Nevertheless, due to |
| electromagnetic waves through the body. He | | | | new technology, researchers at the University |
| named the project ?X? because he did not | | | | of Colorado in Boulder have created a way to |
| initially know the composition of the ?rays?. | | | | make powerful laser beams from a reasonably |
| X-Rays have been the building block upon | | | | sized source of power. This makes laser X-Ray |
| which medical imaging technology and medical | | | | technology a reachable reality. |
| imaging equipment have been made. | | | | |
| | | | The research team used a laser beam to send |
| Although the X-Ray (or radiograph) has been a | | | | out atoms from argon. Argon is a stable |
| fundamental tool for medical imaging, this | | | | chemical element. The ejection of X-Rays was |
| approach has always had the down side that | | | | too weak to be useful. The group then hurled |
| the photos created are not exact, which makes | | | | the atoms right back at the argon which made |
| it so it requires very careful examination | | | | a bigger, more smooth stream of X-Rays of |
| and interpretation. Scientists have long | | | | sufficient size to be of use. This |
| searched for a way to enhance the quality of | | | | ?boomerang? method is now being manipulated |
| radiographic images. | | | | to generate a highly regular, very powerful |
| | | | source of X-Rays, coupled with laser beams. |
| Recent breakthroughs in the growth of laser | | | | |
| X-Ray's have led to advancements that have | | | | The method is not yet ready for use in the |
| the potential to change the quality of | | | | medical field. Further studying is necessary |
| radiographic images. The light generated by a | | | | to expand the method into the hard X-Ray area |
| laser would be very bright, so bright it | | | | of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once that |
| could make distinct and strong contrasts on | | | | task has been accomplished, the commercial |
| radiographic images. Furthermore, grouping | | | | laser X-Ray will follow. |
| the candle power of a laser beam with X-Rays | | | | |
| can improve photos by a factor of around one | | | | NOTE: Use of this article requires links to |
| thousand. Medical imaging that could make the | | | | be intact. Author Jesse Fisher loves |
| picture that much better might give us the | | | | writing articles for his clients which |
| resources to find abnormalities and cancers | | | | includes Transamerican Medical, a business |
| that you can not detect right now with our | | | | that buys and sells Philips Medical equipment |
| technology. | | | | and parts. See also Imaging Centers online |
| | | | directory. |