| X-Rays have been in use as a medical imaging | | | | |
| technique since 1895 when Wilhelm Roentgen | | | | Until recently, the power source needed to |
| found that he was able to create images of | | | | generate the appropriate strength laser beam |
| internal bodily structures such as bones and | | | | for this invention was so enormous that it |
| tissues by passing electromagnetic waves | | | | was impractical to even try. Nevertheless, |
| through the body. He labeled the phenomenon | | | | due to new technology, researchers at the |
| "X" because he did not fully understand what | | | | University of Colorado in Boulder have |
| made up the "rays". From that time forward, | | | | developed a way to generate powerful laser |
| X-Rays have been the building block upon | | | | beams from a reasonably sized source of |
| which medical imaging technology and medical | | | | power. This makes laser X-Ray technology a |
| imaging equipment have been built. | | | | practical goal. |
| | | | |
| Even though the X-Ray (or radiograph) has | | | | The research team used a laser beam to set |
| been a crutial tool for medical imaging, this | | | | forth atoms from argon, a highly stable |
| approach has always had the down side that | | | | chemical element. The resulting eruption of |
| the images produced are indistinct. The | | | | X-Rays was not strong enough to be of use. |
| images require very careful study and | | | | The research group then threw the atoms back |
| interpretation. Scientists have long searched | | | | into the argon, causing a larger, more smooth |
| for a way to enhance the quality of | | | | stream of X-Rays of big enough size to be |
| radiographic images. | | | | useful to be emitted. This "boomerang" method |
| | | | is now being manipulated to make a highly |
| Recent discoveries in the growth of laser | | | | regular, very powerful source of X-Rays, |
| X-Ray's have led to advancements that have | | | | grouped with laser beams. |
| the ability to fully change the quality of | | | | |
| radiographic images. The light distributed by | | | | The method isn't prepared for use in the |
| a laser would be bright enough to create | | | | medical field. More studying is needed to |
| strong, distinct contrasts on radiographic | | | | expand the method into the hard X-Ray region |
| images. Also, grouping the candle power of a | | | | of the electromagnetic spectrum. When the |
| laser beam with X-Rays might produce better | | | | task at hand has been overcome, the |
| pictures by a factor of around 1,000. Medical | | | | commercial laser X-Ray will come next. |
| imaging that could make the picture that much | | | | |
| better might give us the resources to find | | | | NOTE: Use of this article requires links to |
| abnormalities and cancers that you can not | | | | be intact. |
| detect right now with our technology. | | | | |