"The surgical imagination can pleasurably lose itself in devising endless applications of this wonderful process," 

Abstract

Medical imaging has has allowed for the advancement of medical and surgical care for patients during the past century.  William Conrad Rotgen, a German physicist, was the first individual to quantitatively produce a wavelength of radiation that is consistent with the modern day X-ray [9], and helped set in motion the rapid technological advents in medical imaging.  After the ability to harness these radioactive wavelengths was accomplished, it become possible for chemists and physicists to understand the power behind the energy in which they possessed at their fingertips.  It was not long until it was discovered how large of an impact these imagining technologies could have in the field of medicine.  The advent of imaging techniques that displayed a pictorial representation of the internal environment and condition of the human body eventually led to technologies that allow for numerical measures of internal human dynamics.  

Discovery of X-Rays

Wilhelm Roentgen began his educational career in a manner unbecoming of a dedicated student, but disciplined himself to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering followed by a doctorate one year later [1].  His dedication towards his work led him to the development and discovery of wavelengths of radioactive material that were similar to modern X-rays.  The discovery began with him working meticulously with cathode rays in his laboratory he filled one tube with air, added unknown quantity of gas, and passed an electrical current through it [10].  After ensuring that light could not escape, the electrical current was introduced into the gas filled tube.  To Wilhelm's surprise, he noticed a fluorescent ambiance coming from a cardboard screen when placed close to the apparatus [9].  Wilhelm decided that the results and his theories on this newly discovered wave emission need to be reproduced.  On November 8, 1895, he constructed an apparatus similar to the one he previously used.  The experiment began with him covering the gas filled tube with cardboard and turned down the lights to ensure no light would pass through.  Once the lights were down, the electrical current was applied to the tube, and Wilhelm noticed a flickering light coming from the same screen used earlier coming from across the room [11].  This original screen was painted with a substance named Barium platinocyanide, which was the target for the emission of the invisible rays which Wilhelm had stumbled upon [9].

 Wilhelm had discovered a form of wavelength which possessed the ability to pass through materials.   

References

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[3] Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Professions(8^th ed.). (2009). St. Louis, MO: Mosby’s, Inc.

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[5] Niederer, P. F. Diagnostic Medical Imaging: X-Ray projection technique, image subtraction method, direct digital x-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT). Technology and Health Care. (17), 2009

[6] Purves, D., Augustine, G.J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W.C., LaMantia, A., McNamara, J.O., & White, L.E. Neuroscience Fourth Ed. Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer Associations, 2008

[7] Saldin, K.S. Human Anatomy Second Ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2008

[8] Zollman, D., McBride, D., Murphy, S., Aryal, B., & Kalita, S. Teaching About the Physics of Medical Imaging. International Conference of Physics Education, 2009.

[9] "Wilhelm Rontgen" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 29, November 2012, 17:52 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_R%C3%B6ntgen>

[10] NDT The Discovery of X-Rays. <http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Radiography/discoveryxrays.htm>

[11] Frame, P.W. Tales from the Atomic Age. Health Physics Society Newsletter. <http://www.orau.org/ptp/articlesstories/invisiblelight.htm>