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