Radiologic Technology History & Timeline (PDF)

INTRODUCTION TO RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY WITH HEALTHCARE FACILITATOR’S GUIDE TRIGGER 5 HISTORY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was born in Lennep, Germany on March...

INTRODUCTION TO RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY WITH HEALTHCARE FACILITATOR’S GUIDE TRIGGER 5 HISTORY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was born in Lennep, Germany on March 27, 1845. He was a German physicist married to Anna Bertha Ludwig with one adopted daughter. In 1888, Roentgen began working at the University of Wurzburg in the physics department. During the 1870s and 1880s, many physics departments were experimenting with cathode rays, electrons emanating from the negative (cathode) terminal of a tube. During his discovery, Roentgen worked with a Crookes tube. Sir William Crookes used a large, partially evacuated glass tube that encompassed a modern cathode and an anode attached to an electrical supply. His tube is the forerunner of the fluorescent light. Crookes actually produced x-rays during experimentation in the 1870s but failed to grasp the significance of his finding. He then found that photographic plates stored near his work table were fogged. He even returned fogged photographic plates to the manufacturer, claiming they were defective. Many physicists created X-rays during the time, claiming they were rays, but Roentgen was the first to appreciate the significance of the penetrating rays. The actual day that the significance of Roentgen's finding became clear to him is the subject of much debate. However, Friday, November 8, 1895, is believed by historians to be the day that Roentgen created the famous image of his wife's hand. On Saturday, December 28, 1895, Roentgen submitted his first report, entitled On a New Kind of Rays, to the Wurzburg Physico-Medical Society. Through his investigative methods, Roentgen identified the properties of x-rays. His methods were so thorough that no significant additions have been made to his work. For his efforts, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was honored, in 1901, with the first Nobel Prize in physics. He refused to patent any part of his discovery and rejected many commercial company offers. As a result, he saw little financial reward for his work. He died on February 10, 1923, of colon cancer. Throughout the twentieth century, the use of x-rays advanced significantly to include the imaging of almost all aspects of the human body and the treatment of diseases with radiation therapy. In addition, radioactive substances came into use for both imaging and treatment. By the 1970s, imaging had further advanced to include diagnostic medical sonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). OPPORTUNITIES IN RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY Radiologic Technology is the technical science that deals with the use of x-rays orradioactive substances for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in medicine. Radiologic technologist is a general term applied to persons qualified to use x-rays (radiography) or radioactive substances (nuclear medicine) to produce images of the internal parts of the body for interpretation by a physician known as a radiologist. Radiologic technology also involves the use of x-rays or radioactive substances in the treatment of disease (radiation therapy). In addition to using x-rays and radioactive materials, radiologic technologists are also involved in using high-frequency sound waves (diagnostic medical sonography) and magnetic fields and radio waves (MRI) to create images of the internal anatomy of the body. Timeline of Advances in Radiology The practice of radiology has come a long way! Here is a snapshot listing of key developments in medical imaging: 1895 X-rays are discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895, Germany. The first image captured was of his wife’s hand, showing its skeletal outline with a ring on one of her fingers. 1896 X-ray applications are being used as early as January. Concurrently, French physicist, Antoine-Henri Becquerel, discovers radioactivity. 1914–1918 Radiological equipment is used in field hospitals during World War I. 1918 George Eastman introduces film, replacing radiographs made onto glass photographic plates.  1946 Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is discovered independently by American physicists, Edward Purcell and Felix Bloch. 1955 Ian Donald, a Scottish physician, endeavors ultrasound in gynecology. Together with engineer Tom Brown, he develops a portable ultrasound machine. 1961 The first single-plane positron emission tomography (PET) scan is built by American James Robertson. 1972 English electrical engineer, Godfrey Hounsfield, develops first clinical prototype of CT scanner. 1973 The first NMR image is published by American chemist, Paul Lauterbur. 1975–1980 “Real-time” ultrasound machines are introduced.  1977 American physician, Raymond Damadian, completes the first MRI. Early 1980’s MRI scanners are installed in hospitals. 1990’s Ultrasound becomes a routine procedure in pregnancy as a means of monitoring the development and health of the fetus. 1991 The first functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain is conducted by Belliveau et al. 2000 The PET-CT scanner, attributed to David Townsend and Ronald Nutt, is named by TIME Magazine as the medical invention of the year. 2012 The International Day of Radiology (IDoR) is introduced. It is recognized on November 8 annually