History of X-rays

Summary

This episode explores the accidental discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895, which revolutionized medicine, genetics, and manufacturing. The script delves into the history of X-rays, their initial use for entertainment, and the technological advancements that transformed them into an essential medical tool. It also discusses the physics behind X-ray production, their role in imaging, and Roentgen's decision not to patent his discovery, emphasizing his significant contribution to science and society.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The discovery of X-rays revolutionized medicine and other fields like genetics and manufacturing.
• 🏥 Halifax Medical Center houses the Halifax Radiology Museum, showcasing original radiology equipment from 1928.
• 📸 X-rays are now a common part of society, used in security, manufacturing, and medical diagnostics.
• 🧬 X-ray diffraction was key to understanding the DNA molecule's structure by scientists like Rosalind Franklin, Watson, and Crick.
• 🌟 The first American medical X-ray was performed at Dartmouth College in 1896, marking a significant milestone.
• 🎭 Early X-ray technology was used for entertainment, with 'bone portrait' studios offering X-ray images of body parts.
• 🏬 The inventor of X-rays, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, worked at the University of Würzburg, where he made his groundbreaking discovery.
• 🔋 The Crookes tube, an early experimental device, was used by Roentgen to produce X-rays and led to the first human radiograph.
• ⚙️ Modern X-ray tubes have evolved with a rotating anode and improved cathode design for more efficient X-ray production.
• 🛠️ The voltage (kVp) and current (mA) settings on an X-ray machine are crucial for adjusting the image quality and penetrating power.
• 🌌 Roentgen's discovery has had a profound impact on our understanding of the world, from genetics to material science and beyond.

Q & A

What significant discovery is discussed in the video script?

The video script discusses the discovery of X-rays, which revolutionized the field of medicine and transformed other fields such as genetics and manufacturing.

Where is the Halifax Medical Center located?

The Halifax Medical Center is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, approximately 2 miles from the world's most famous beach and a half a mile from the Daytona International Speedway.

Who made the Halifax Radiology Museum possible?

The Halifax Radiology Museum was made possible by Mr. Bud Hinkle, who was the Radiology manager from 1985 to 1995.

How did X-rays contribute to the understanding of DNA?

X-rays contributed to the understanding of DNA through the work of PhD scientist Rosalyn Franklin, who used X-ray diffraction to examine the DNA molecule, and later Watson and Crick used this information to define the double helix structure of DNA in 1953.

What was the term used to describe the initial public fascination with X-rays?

The initial public fascination with X-rays was termed 'X-ray Mania', where people were eager to get their hands on this new technology.

What was the first American Medical X-ray performed on?

The first American Medical X-ray was performed at Dartmouth College on February 3rd, 1896, and it was an image of a student's hand with a fractured distal phalanx.

Who was responsible for the discovery of X-rays?

Professor Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a physics professor at the University of Würzburg in Germany, is credited with the discovery of X-rays.

What was the Crooks tube and how was it used in the discovery of X-rays?

The Crooks tube was a device that produced cathode rays and was used by Roentgen in his experiments. It was a high-powered light bulb-like device evacuated of air with an anode and cathode connected to a high voltage DC power supply. Roentgen used it to discover X-rays when he noticed a faint glow from a piece of paper covered in phosphorescent material.

What was the purpose of the black box that Roentgen constructed during his experiments?

Roentgen constructed a black box to cover the Crooks tube to block any light that might interfere with his experiment to detect other types of rays.

How did the early X-ray technology lead to misconceptions about its capabilities?

Early X-ray technology led to misconceptions because people were afraid that it could be used for inappropriate purposes, such as seeing through clothing, due to its ability to see through walls and human bodies.

What was the first radiograph of a human taken by Roentgen?

The first radiograph of a human, purportedly of Roentgen's wife's hand, was taken by Roentgen after six weeks of characterizing the new X-ray. This image showed her hand with a wedding ring and is considered the first radiograph of a human hand.

Outlines

00:00

📡 The Discovery of X-rays

This paragraph discusses the accidental discovery of X-rays which revolutionized medicine, genetics, and manufacturing. The narrator stands in front of Halifax Medical Center, highlighting the Halifax Radiology Museum established by Bud Hinkle. The script describes the museum's collection of original radiology equipment from 1928 and the significant role X-rays play in modern society, from airport security to medical imaging. The historical context of X-ray's discovery in 1896 is provided, including the phenomenon of 'X-ray Mania' and early uses for entertainment. The first American medical X-ray is noted to have been performed at Dartmouth College in 1896, marking a milestone in medical imaging.

05:01

👨‍🔬 The Birth of X-ray Technology

The paragraph narrates the story of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the physics professor who discovered X-rays at the University of Würzburg. The narrator recounts a visit to Würzburg to see the site of the discovery. Röntgen was experimenting with a Crookes tube, a high-vacuum tube through which a current was passed to produce cathode rays. His curiosity led him to block the tube's light to search for other types of rays. He noticed a faint glow from barium platinocyanide paper, which led to the discovery of X-rays. Röntgen conducted experiments to understand these new rays, observing how different materials affected their passage. His discovery was initially shared with the public in late 1895, and he is credited with taking the first human radiograph of his wife's hand.

10:03

👟 Early X-ray Applications and Risks

This section delves into the early applications of X-rays, such as shoe fitting fluoroscopes, which were popular in the 1940s but discontinued due to radiation exposure risks. The paragraph explains how Röntgen's Crookes tube produced X-rays and the phenomenon of bremsstrahlung, where high-speed electrons hit a surface and release X-ray energy. The inefficiency of the Crookes tube is highlighted, with most energy being lost as heat. The paragraph also discusses how the voltage between the tube's poles affects the energy of the produced X-rays, which is crucial for adjusting the power of modern X-ray tubes.

15:03

🔍 Advancing X-ray Technology

The paragraph outlines the evolution of X-ray technology from the basic cathode ray tube to more advanced designs. It describes how the anode was moved to directly face the cathode to focus X-rays in one direction, reducing the time needed to produce a radiograph. The transition from a single disc cathode to a heated element increased electron emission, improving X-ray production. Technologists learned to adjust voltage and current for optimal image quality. The paragraph concludes with the introduction of a rotating anode to distribute heat and prolong the life of the tube, essential for modern imaging techniques like CT scans.

20:05

🌌 X-rays in Medicine and Beyond

The final paragraph discusses how X-rays work, their place in the electromagnetic spectrum, and their ability to penetrate different tissues to varying degrees. It explains how X-rays create radiographs by casting shadows and how knowledge of normal radiographic anatomy aids in diagnosing diseases. The paragraph also reflects on Röntgen's decision not to patent X-rays, viewing his discovery as a gift to humanity for the benefit of medicine and industry. The script concludes by celebrating the impact of X-rays on our understanding of genetics, material science, and the universe.

Keywords

💡X-ray

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than gamma rays. They have the ability to penetrate many materials, which makes them useful for medical imaging. In the video, X-rays are discussed as a revolutionary discovery in medicine, allowing for the first time the visualization of the inside of the human body without invasive procedures. The script mentions the historical use of X-rays for medical diagnostics like chest and skull radiographs.

💡Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was a German physicist who is credited with the discovery of X-rays. His work in the late 19th century led to a significant breakthrough in the field of diagnostic medicine. The script describes Röntgen's accidental discovery of X-rays while experimenting with cathode rays in a Crookes tube, which he was investigating for the possibility of other types of radiation.

💡Crookes tube

A Crookes tube is an early experimental electrical discharge tube, which contains a cathode and an anode in a mostly evacuated glass bulb. It was used by Röntgen during his experiments that led to the discovery of X-rays. The script describes how Röntgen used a Crookes tube to generate X-rays and how he noticed a glowing effect on a nearby screen, which initiated his investigation.

💡Radiology

Radiology is a medical specialty that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases. It plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, providing visual representations of the body's interior. The script discusses the establishment of radiology departments in hospitals, such as the one at Halifax Medical Center, and how radiology has evolved from its early days to become an integral part of medical diagnostics.

💡DNA molecule

The DNA molecule is the double helix structure that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. In the script, it is mentioned that X-ray diffraction was used to study the structure of the DNA molecule, leading to the discovery of its double helix form by Watson and Crick, which was a monumental achievement in genetics.

💡Fluoroscope

A fluoroscope is a device that was used to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of the body利用X射线. The script references a handheld fluoroscope designed by Thomas Edison, which allowed people to see the bones in their hands. This illustrates the early fascination with X-rays and their use for both medical and entertainment purposes.

💡Radiation

Radiation refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles. In the context of the video, it specifically refers to the ionizing radiation produced by X-rays, which can be harmful in high doses. The script discusses the early use of X-rays for entertainment, such as shoe fitting fluoroscopes, without understanding the risks of radiation exposure.

💡Mania

In the script, 'mania' is used to describe the frenzy and excitement that surrounded the discovery and application of X-rays. People were eager to use this new technology for various purposes, including entertainment, without fully understanding its potential dangers. This term captures the cultural impact of X-rays when they were first introduced.

💡Bremsstrahlung

Bremsstrahlung, German for 'braking radiation,' is the process by which X-rays are produced when high-speed electrons are rapidly decelerated. The script explains that this occurs when electrons hit the glass of a Crookes tube, releasing energy in the form of X-rays. This concept is fundamental to understanding how X-rays are generated.

💡Anode

In an X-ray tube, the anode is the positively charged electrode towards which electrons are accelerated. The script describes the evolution of the anode's design, from an off-centered position to a rotating anode, which improved the efficiency and focus of X-ray production. This is crucial for modern imaging techniques that require precise and powerful X-ray beams.

💡Cathode

The cathode is the negatively charged electrode in an X-ray tube, which emits electrons when heated. The script mentions the transition from a simple disc cathode to a heated element, which increases the number of electrons available for X-ray production. This advancement improved the efficiency of X-ray tubes and is essential for modern radiology.

Highlights

The discovery of X-rays revolutionized the field of medicine and other diverse fields such as genetics and manufacturing.

Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, houses the Halifax Radiology Museum showcasing the history of radiology.

The original radiology equipment from 1928 is on display at the Halifax Radiology Museum.

X-rays are now an integral part of modern society, used in security, manufacturing, and medicine.

Rosalyn Franklin used X-ray diffraction to examine the DNA molecule, contributing to the discovery of its structure.

The first American medical X-ray was performed at Dartmouth College in 1896.

Early X-rays were used for entertainment, with 'bone portrait' studios offering X-ray images of hands and skulls.

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a physics professor, is credited with the accidental discovery of X-rays.

Röntgen's discovery took place in a small laboratory at the University of Würzburg in Germany.

The Crookes tube, a high-powered light bulb-like device, was central to Röntgen's X-ray experiments.

Röntgen noticed a faint glow from barium platinocyanide paper, leading to the discovery of X-rays.

Röntgen spent six weeks characterizing the new form of radiation, which he named 'X' for unknown.

The first human radiograph was allegedly taken by Röntgen of his wife's hand.

The physics community immediately recognized the potential of X-rays to revolutionize medicine.

X-ray technology was used in shoe stores to fit shoes, a practice that was later discontinued due to radiation concerns.

The production of X-rays involves high-speed electrons hitting a glass tube, a process called bremsstrahlung.

Modern X-ray tubes have evolved with a focus on efficiency and safety, including the use of a rotating anode.

Röntgen's decision not to patent X-rays has had an immeasurable impact on medicine and industry.

X-rays have provided a deeper understanding of genetics, material science, and the universe.

Transcripts

on today's episode we're going to

discuss a discovery that basically

revolutionized the field of medicine

overnight over the following decades

this same Discovery also transformed

Fields as diverse as genetics and

Manufacturing and the most amazing part

of all this is that the discovery was

completely accidental join us for this

next half hour as we discuss the history

of the X-ray

I'm standing in front of the fountain

building entrance to Halifax Medical

Center in Daytona Beach Florida this

historic building opened its doors for

operation in 1928 and has been witnessed

to the Great Depression multiple Wars

and a strategically located

approximately 2 miles from the world's

most famous Beach and a half a mile from

the world famous Daytona International

Speedway but we're not here to soak up

the Rays or watch the races what we're

interested in is right through those

doors so come on take a walk with

me as you walk in the front entrance of

the fountain building of Halifax Medical

Center a few feet in on the left is this

place right here this is the Halifax

Radiology Museum

made possible by Mr Bud Hinkle who was

the Radiology manager from 1985 to 1995

and the great thing about bud is he was

a bit of a pack rrap never threw

anything away which is great for us you

got a little bit of a Americana behind

us as I said previously Halifax opened

its doors in 1928 complete with a

radiology department some of the

equipment behind me right now is the

original equipment from that original

radiology department and it's

interesting to look at the Radiology

equipment from that eror and compare it

to what we have

today x-rays are an intrinsic part of

our modern society so much so that we

take them for granted we've all been to

the airport and had our luggage scan

during the security process in

manufacturing x-rays are absolutely

imperative to examine for defects in

Structural Materials in Airplane Wings

in years past a PhD scientists Rosalyn

Franklin use x-ray defraction

information to examine the DNA molecule

Watson and Crick used the same

information to define the double helix

structure of the DNA molecule in

1953 and of course there's medical

x-rays we've all been to the hospital

and had a chest or a skull radiograph no

big

deal but let me take you back over a 100

years ago the years 1896 and the newly

discovered x-ray has now become a

absolute phenomenon x-ray Mania has

gripped the world people couldn't wait

to get their hands on this new

technology you got to remember at the

end of the 19th century electricity was

first coming into the households you got

machines that are doing work for us and

all of a sudden there's this new Ray

this x-ray that can see through walls it

can see through the human body and

everybody wanted a piece of it and a lot

of the early X-rays were for

entertainment purposes as a matter of

fact you could go up into the studios in

New York that were called bone portrait

studios and get a radiograph of your

hand or your head or possibly even your

chest get it framed and hang it up on

the wall there was a lot of paranoia of

course people were afraid that goggles

at the Opera would have x-ray potential

and you could look through a woman's

skirt in the Opera so a lot of

misconceptions about what the x-ray

could actually

do however there are a few level-headed

individual ual who recognize the

advantages of this new discovery and the

first American Medical x-ray was

performed at Dartmouth College on

February 3rd

1896 if you look at the image that's on

the screen right now there's a picture

memorializing that whole event there's a

student sitting in the chair and there's

two gentlemen on either side of the

table the one on the right is a

physicist who's actually timing the

X-ray exposure the gentleman to the left

was the patient's physician and this was

the first radiograph very very primitive

by today's standards but you can clearly

see the patient had a fracture of his

distal

owna now this is a classic you're not

going to find these anymore this was

called a handheld fluoroscope actually

designed by Thomas Edison and when

X-rays were first developed they were a

bit of an enigma people were just

enthralled x-ray Mania everyone wanted

to see a picture of their own hand and

you could go mail order buy this little

fluoroscope and they would send it to

your home and if you could find someone

to set up a Crooks tube for you and

produce x-rays you could take a look at

your own hand and basically what you

would do is walk up to one of those

tubes put your hand out raise the

fluoroscope up to your eyes and actually

see the bones of your own hand or you

could look at your brother's face or

your mom's foot it didn't matter it was

great entertainment the problem of

course is not only exposing your hand to

a lot of excessive radiation your eyes

were getting a pretty good dose also

you're not going to find these anymore

the man responsible for the discovery of

x-rays was Professor wilhem Conrad renin

a physics professor at the University of

Wartburg in Wartburg Germany I took a

trip to Wartburg myself a couple of

years ago to check out where X-rays were

actually discovered and looking at the

picture that you're looking at right now

I was able to recognize the building

where Professor renen had his office on

the first floor and we get out of the

car and we go up to one of the students

there my wife who speaks fluent German

asks him where Professor rin's museum is

and he had no idea and everyone we

talked to had no idea where the physics

department was or more specifically the

renen museum was in the building we were

standing in front of which was

absolutely amazing to me here was a

discovery that completely revolutionized

the world medicine manufacturing as we

discussed before and he couldn't tell us

where the museum was but we eventually

found it very unassuming small little

room on the first floor of the Wartburg

physics uh building in Wartburg Germany

inside of that office inside that

laboratory renken was working with a

small device called a Crooks tube the

crooks tube was a device that was

essentially like a high powerered light

bulb it was completely evacuated of any

air and on one side was the anode and on

the other side was the cathode the

cathode was connected to the negative

pole of a DC voltage high voltage you're

talking hundreds of thousands of volts

of course the anode was then connected

to the positive side of the high voltage

when this device was appropriately

connected the tube itself would glow

with this bluish green light and these

were referred to as cathode rays there

were theories at the time that these

devices would actually produce other

types of Ray yet discovered and renken

was interested in possibly looking at

some of these other types of rays to

that end he set up his experiment in his

first floor laboratory in the Wartburg

University Physics Department on

November 8th of

1895 in this animation you see how we

set that up all the way to the right he

had a coil which would Supply the high

voltage to the crooks tube which was

sitting right in the middle of the table

this was connected again the cathode to

the negative pole the anode to the

positive

pole once the tube was appropriately

connected again it glowed with that

bluish green light now renen was trying

to find other Rays possibly admitted

from the tube so he didn't want the

bluish green light interfering with his

experiment to that end he constructed a

black box that would fit perfectly over

the tube and block any of the light that

possibly was emanated when the tube was

turned on he went over to the laboratory

light switch and he flipped it off went

back over to the power supply and

flipped that on and while he was looking

around the box to see if there was any

light that was emanating from the tube

itself his eye caught a faint glow from

a piece of paper that was sitting about

8 ft away on another table he walked

over to that piece of paper and looked

down at the barium platinos cyanide of

phosphorescent material and saw that it

was now glowing with this Eerie greenish

light and he wanted to see if the

discharge from the tube was actually

responsible for the glow so we went back

over to the tube turned the power supply

off the light from the barium platina

cyanide paper went away flipped it back

on again the light came back so he was

absolutely convinced that whatever was

going on inside the tube was causing the

paper 8 ft away to Glow being a great

scientist he decided not to stop there

he picked up that piece of barium

platina cyanide paper and he put it

right next to the tube and he started

sticking objects between the tube itself

covered in the black box and the piece

of barium platinos cyanide paper paper

and he noticed stuff like paper really

did nothing to block those Rays whereas

if he took a key a metallic key and put

it between the tube in the paper it

would completely block those Rays

eventually while holding an object

between the tube and the piece of paper

he saw the eery outline of the bones of

his hands he wasn't really sure if

that's what he was actually seeing he

thought it might have been some trick of

the eye or or some kind of physics uh

phenomenon that he had yet to really

delineate and work out to that end he

spent the next six weeks characterizing

this new Ray since he had never seen

anything like it before he decided to

call it X for the algebraic symbol of

the unknown over the next 6 weeks renen

purportedly took the first human

radiograph of a hand which is shown here

this is purportedly Mrs renen he brought

her into the laboratory and he said

honey sit down let me take a picture of

your hand and this is supposed to be

that radiograph showing her wedding ring

there's no absolute proof that that was

Miss renen or that it was the first

radiograph but that's how history has

dubbed it and we consider this the first

radiograph of a human hand after his six

weeks of Exquisite characterization of

this new Ray he gave his first Public

Presentation just before Christmas of

1895 to the Wartburg physical medic

society and during that presentation he

brought up the renowned anatomist

Rudolph Albert Von CER to the front of

the room and he sat him down under the

crooks

and he took this now famous radiograph

of Professor Ker's hand at the end of

that presentation the crowd was

absolutely amazed they had never seen

anything like it Professor Von Kiker

renowned anatomist thought that this was

going to revolutionize mankind the field

of medicine and immediately declared

that the new Ray should be labeled Rin

in honor of the

discoverer what we're looking at now is

a classic piece of equipment and if you

had a father or mother or possibly

grandfather or grandmother who lived in

the

1940s uh they probably recognized this

particular piece of equipment you would

find it in just about any shoe store

that you went to and this was great

because what you would do as a kid you'd

come up and you'd step up on this

platform and you would stick your feet

right through the little hole that you

have right in the front here and if you

look at the top of the machine there's

basically three viewports one two three

one for you one for your mom and

probably one for the salesman he's

trying to sell you a new pair of shoes

and as you're standing here they turn on

a radiation Source underneath of your

feet and it would show you the bones of

your feet relative to the shoe and the

salesman could say hey they fit

perfectly look how those bones fit right

inside that shoe great great stuff the

kids loved it they'd stop on their way

home from school and stop at the local

shoe store just to see the bones of

their feet of course we finally realized

that this overexposure to radiation was

probably not a good thing and this

particular device was discontinued by

the 19

60s so how was rin's Crooks tube able to

produce x-rays you got to remember an

electron is a negatively charged

particles so the electrons would fly

from the negative sided cathode across

the tube towards the positively charged

anode okay Opposites Attract so a

negatively charged electron is going to

want to go towards the positively

charged anode these electrons would pick

up so much force because this was a a

high high voltage uh power supply so the

potential was tremendous and they would

fly across so fast that often they would

bypass the anode and actually hit the

backside of the glass with this

particular configuration once those

electrons hit that glass they gave up

all that energy just like a bullet being

fired from a gun you shoot the bullet

from the gun it comes out the end if

it's a lead bullet it hits something

hard and all the energy in that bullet

basically is dissipated at once it heats

the lead up and the lead becomes flat

just like the bullet the electron gives

up its energy most of the energy that

the electron gives up is in the form of

heat approximately 1% or less of the

electrons when they give up their energy

they give it up all at once instead of

producing heat they actually produce an

x-ray and like I said very very

inefficient device most of the energy is

dissipated in the form of heat 99% but

every now and then one of these

electrons will hit the right way and

produce an x-ray this process is called

brem strolling and brem strolling is

German for breaking radiation now the

energy of the electron depends

tremendously on the voltage potential

between the two poles so the higher the

voltage the more energetic the x-rays

coming out of the tube and that's the

way we adjust the power of the X-ray

tube even today you increase the voltage

the x-rays coming out are more powerful

so they'll be able to penetrate more but

the crooks tube itself is a very

inefficient way to produce x-rays if you

look at it again the anode was actually

positioned off center at the base of the

tube so when the x-rays were produced

they basically bounced off in all

directions the two produced x-rays all

over the

place if you look at this picture here

this actually shows a couple of

scientists or average guys in the

physics department using a crook tube

and both looking at their hand one

gentleman is looking at his hand on a

standard radiographic plate the other

one has got a handheld fluoroscope and

he's holding it up and looking at his

hand in front of the crooks tube and the

reason they're able to do that is

because the crooks tube basically bathe

the whole room in x-ray light okay it

was unfocused it didn't go in any

particular direction the problem with

that is if you're trying to make an

x-ray you don't an x-ray image you don't

have a lot of the x-rays available to

take a picture if you look at this

picture an x-ray of a foot in a shoe

this picture was fabulous it showed up

in a popular Journal right around the

turn of the century people always like

to see these new radiographic images but

it took almost 20 minutes to make this

single image so the person that posed

for this radiograph had to sit still for

20 minutes to make this simple

photograph the first major development

for the Improvement in the X-ray tube

from the basic cathode ray tube or

Crooks tube was the movement of the

anode from an off-centered position on

the bulbas side of the tube to directly

across from the cathode itself that way

all the electrons that are being

admitted from the cathode go directly

into the anode the anode was then

beveled and that bevel basically focused

the x-rays in One Direction so instead

of having x-rays produced all over the

room now you had X-rays that were

essentially coming out in One Direction

and because they were coming out in One

Direction you could significantly reduce

the amount of time that it needed to

produce a single radiograph uh the next

major advancement was on the cathode

side of the tube and on the cathode side

we went from a single basic disc to a

heated element just like the heated

element inside of a light and when you

turn on the light bulb you'll notice

that the filament glows with this

reddish glow eventually producing a

tremendous amount of light and lighting

up the room but the glowing element

actually boils electrons off of the

metal and they kind of rotate or Cloud

around the filament itself this is

called thermionic emission the hotter

you make that particular element the

more of these electrons are boiled off

so once you heat that element off you

will see the electrons boiling around

and when you connect the tube to the

high voltage power source you will have

more electrons available for x-ray

production in summary even on a modern

x-ray tube the adjustable settings are

the voltage or kvp and the current or

Mas increasing the voltage increases the

average strength or power of each

individual x-ray coming out of the

tube increasing the current makes the

cathode filament hotter B boils more

electrons off and allows the tube to

produce more x-rays over a set time

period the Radiology technologist is

trained to adjust these settings and

maximize image quality for each patient

depending on the body part being imaged

and the overall size or thickness of the

patient

themselves the final design change

involved the anode if you look at a Old

Tube like the one you see behind me here

with the angled anode and the element

for the uh the element for the cathode

over time this constant bombardment of

these high energy electrons would cause

the anode to basically pit and if that

got bad enough then the x-rays would

start spreading out they wouldn't be

focused in One Direction and the anode

would be considered blown the whole tube

would be considered bad the final design

involved a rotating anode so instead of

depositing all of that heat energy right

into one point into that angled anode

you basically have a disc that was

angled and spun around to deposit that

heat and uh and basically uh spread out

the heat energy over a wider area and

have the tube last longer and longer we

couldn't do our modern Imaging without

some kind of rotating anode because the

energies that's produced in the CT scan

is so tremendous it would completely

melt any known metals that we have so

absolutely imperative and when you go

and get an X-ray done the first thing

you'll hear is a little motor start up

and that little rotating motor is the

anode that's spinning around in

preparation for the production of x-rays

now it's interesting I've describe to

you what an anode is and what a cathode

is and what an x-ray tube actually is

itself if you look at a cathode ray tube

or the tube that was inside your old TV

set it's basically an electron gun and

the electrons just like in the X-ray

tube are fired from the back of the gun

and then they're shot onto a fossil

fluorescent screen just like rin's

screen that he was using in his

experiment and this is what produces the

picture on the TV screen and you can

remember your mom or your dad telling

you back away from that TV there's

radiation coming out of that thing

they're absolutely right it's basically

an x-ray tube and the X-ray radiation

that's produced is minimal but there is

a finite amount of x-rays that are

produced from the front of a standard TV

tube with the new LCD screens or or the

new technologies that we have to make

TVs that's not an issue anymore but the

older TVs if you still have a tube if

you sit close enough you'll actually get

some x-ray

exposure we've looked at the process of

making an x-ray from high-speed

electrons the next step is to make an

actual radiographic image x-rays are

part of the electromagnetic spectrum

just like the light that allows you to

see this image on the screen right now

in fact what we humans refer to as

colors actually make up a very small

portion of that Spectrum moving from one

end to the other we start off with low

energy waves like AM radio the visible

portion of the spectrum is actually a

small slice almost right in the center

at the far right end there are the high

energy X-rays and gamma rays while these

Rays can cast Shadows just like visible

light their higher energies make them

capable of passing through some objects

as well are bodies are made up of many

tissues that can block these Rays to a

varying degree depending on their

thickness and density as seen on this

image the air filled lungs block very

little X-rays and allow most of the

energy to pass through and expose the

sheet of film The Heart on the other

hand is a dense muscle and blocks more

x-rays than the air filled lungs but

less x-rays than the hard calcium-rich

bones of the

chest putting these all

together an x-ray exposure allows us to

produce a composite anatomic image of

X-ray Shadows that we refer to as a

radiograph with a firm knowledge of

normal radiographic Anatomy we can use

x-ray images to actually diagnose

disease processes like this pneumonia in

the right

lung Ron died in 1923 despite urging

from friends and family he never pursued

patent protection on x-rays he felt that

any scientific discovery needed a stay

with the scientific Community to be

thoroughly investigated and developed by

Future Generations his generosity to

humankind is absolutely immeasurable in

terms of lives saved both in medicine

and Industry from a scientific

standpoint x-rays have provided us a

clear understanding of the world around

us from genetics Material Science and

even the universe itself pretty amazing

credits for a chance Discovery in a

small German laboratory in November of

1895 thanks for watching

e