Definition: refers to several different technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions.
The father of medical imaging is Wilhelm Rontgen, pictured above! In 1865, he invented the x-ray which allowed us to see inside the body based on the principle of passing ionizing radiation through the body and having the images projected on a photosensitive plate placed behind it. The different densities of the tissues within the body will be detected when the plate is developed and will be able to show abnormalities that may be present.
During the early 1900s, it was discovered that by using pharmaceutical contrast agents it would be possible to see organs and blood vessels.
Right around the 1950s, nuclear medicine was utilized as a way to diagnose pathology in the body. Patients are infused with radionucleotides that are combined with pharmaceutical compounds which will find their way to organs or groups of cells that are more active than others.
During the 1960’s sonar was beginning to be used after having been used for many years as a war time tool to detect enemy boats.
In the 1970’s, Computed Tomography (CT scan) was developed. The concept of this technology is to take a series of images slicing the body and to then putting them back together with a computer to visualize internal structures of the body.
Also in the 1970’s, the MRI was developed which works on the principle of nuclear magnetic relaxation times. With the very powerful magnetic forces that are used, the alignment of protons in the cells will be examined to determine if there is a problem with tissues in the body.
Medical Imaging is integral scientific inovation within our society. It has saved countless lives and made medical breakthroughs in multiple fields. Disease diagnoses is much more accurate than ever, and the technology continues to develop even more to this day! We owe a lot to Wilhelm Rontgen and the chain of events he started!