Computerized tomography: Dilemma of health care technology

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-149
Author(s):  
H. V. Fineberg

Computerized tomography (CT) is a remarkable technological triumph whose significance has been likened to the development of the X-ray itself. The CT scanner projects a narrow beam of X-rays across the head or body and uses a computer to convert sequential readings of tissue X-ray absorption into a cross-sectional view of the anatomical part examined. A CT scan entails radiation doses which are comparable to those from conventional X-ray studies, but is capable of distinguishing smaller differences in tissue radio-density. The only significant operational disadvantage to CT is the need for the subject to remain motionless during the time required for the scan, which often necessitates sedation or general anesthesia in restless children and infants.

Author(s):  
W. Brünger

Reconstructive tomography is a new technique in diagnostic radiology for imaging cross-sectional planes of the human body /1/. A collimated beam of X-rays is scanned through a thin slice of the body and the transmitted intensity is recorded by a detector giving a linear shadow graph or projection (see fig. 1). Many of these projections at different angles are used to reconstruct the body-layer, usually with the aid of a computer. The picture element size of present tomographic scanners is approximately 1.1 mm2.Micro tomography can be realized using the very fine X-ray source generated by the focused electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (see fig. 2). The translation of the X-ray source is done by a line scan of the electron beam on a polished target surface /2/. Projections at different angles are produced by rotating the object.During the registration of a single scan the electron beam is deflected in one direction only, while both deflections are operating in the display tube.


Author(s):  
R. L. Stears

Because of the nature of the bacterial endospore, little work has been done on analyzing their elemental distribution and composition in the intact, living, hydrated state. The majority of the qualitative analysis entailed intensive disruption and processing of the endospores, which effects their cellular integrity and composition.Absorption edge imaging permits elemental analysis of hydrated, unstained specimens at high resolution. By taking advantage of differential absorption of x-ray photons in regions of varying elemental composition, and using a high brightness, tuneable synchrotron source to obtain monochromatic x-rays, contact x-ray micrographs can be made of unfixed, intact endospores that reveal sites of elemental localization. This study presents new data demonstrating the application of x-ray absorption edge imaging to produce elemental information about nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) localization using Bacillus thuringiensis as the test specimen.


Nano Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alevtina Smekhova ◽  
Alexei Kuzmin ◽  
Konrad Siemensmeyer ◽  
Chen Luo ◽  
Kai Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractModern design of superior multi-functional alloys composed of several principal components requires in-depth studies of their local structure for developing desired macroscopic properties. Herein, peculiarities of atomic arrangements on the local scale and electronic states of constituent elements in the single-phase face-centered cubic (fcc)- and body-centered cubic (bcc)-structured high-entropy Alx-CrFeCoNi alloys (x = 0.3 and 3, respectively) are explored by element-specific X-ray absorption spectroscopy in hard and soft X-ray energy ranges. Simulations based on the reverse Monte Carlo approach allow to perform a simultaneous fit of extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra recorded at K absorption edges of each 3d constituent and to reconstruct the local environment within the first coordination shells of absorbers with high precision. The revealed unimodal and bimodal distributions of all five elements are in agreement with structure-dependent magnetic properties of studied alloys probed by magnetometry. A degree of surface atoms oxidation uncovered by soft X-rays suggests different kinetics of oxide formation for each type of constituents and has to be taken into account. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism technique employed at L2.3 absorption edges of transition metals demonstrates reduced magnetic moments of 3d metal constituents in the sub-surface region of in situ cleaned fcc-structured Al0.3-CrFeCoNi compared to their bulk values. Extended to nanostructured versions of multicomponent alloys, such studies would bring new insights related to effects of high entropy mixing on low dimensions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongwook Choi ◽  
Eun-Yeong Park ◽  
Sinyoung Park ◽  
Jong Hyun Kim ◽  
Chulhong Kim

AbstractX-ray induced acoustic imaging (XAI) is an emerging biomedical imaging technique that can visualize X-ray absorption contrast at ultrasound resolution with less ionizing radiation exposure than conventional X-ray computed tomography. So far, medical linear accelerators or industrial portable X-ray tubes have been explored as X-ray excitation sources for XAI. Here, we demonstrate the first feasible synchrotron XAI (sXAI). The synchrotron generates X-rays, with a dominant energy of 4 to 30 keV, a pulse-width of 30 ps, a pulse-repetition period of 2 ns, and a bunch-repetition period of 940 ns. The X-ray induced acoustic (XA) signals are processed in the Fourier domain by matching the signal frequency with the bunch-repetition frequency. We successfully obtained two-dimensional XA images of various lead targets. This novel sXAI tool could complement conventional synchrotron applications.


2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Kitago ◽  
Nobuhisa Watanabe ◽  
Isao Tanaka

Use of longer-wavelength X-rays has advantages for the detection of small anomalous signals from light atoms, such as sulfur, in protein molecules. However, the accuracy of the measured diffraction data decreases at longer wavelengths because of the greater X-ray absorption. The capillary-top mounting method (formerly the loopless mounting method) makes it possible to eliminate frozen solution around the protein crystal and reduces systematic errors in the evaluation of small anomalous differences. However, use of this method requires custom-made tools and a large amount of skill. Here, the development of a device that can freeze the protein crystal semi-automatically using the capillary-top mounting method is described. This device can pick up the protein crystal from the crystallization drop using a micro-manipulator, and further procedures, such as withdrawal of the solution around the crystal by suction and subsequent flash freezing of the protein crystal, are carried out automatically. This device makes it easy for structural biologists to use the capillary-top mounting method for sulfur single-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing using longer-wavelength X-rays.


Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 544
Author(s):  
Andrei Rogalev ◽  
Fabrice Wilhelm ◽  
Elena Ovchinnikova ◽  
Aydar Enikeev ◽  
Roman Bakonin ◽  
...  

Absorption spectra of two orthogonal linearly polarized x-rays in a single CeCoGe3 crystal were measured at the ID12 beamline of the ESRF for the energies near the K-edges of Ge, Co and near the L23 edges of Ce. The X-ray natural linear dichroism (XNLD) was revealed in the vicinity of all the absorption edges, which indicates a splitting of electronic states in a crystalline field. Mathematical modelling in comparison with experimental data allowed the isotropic and anisotropic parts of atomic absorption cross section in CeCoGe3 to be determined near all measured absorption edges. The calculations also show that the “average” anisotropy of the cross section close to the Ge K-edge revealed in the experiment is less than the partial anisotropic contributions corresponding to Ge atoms in two different Wyckoff positions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Muchui Thambura ◽  
Jeanette G.E du Plessis ◽  
Cheryl M E McCrindle ◽  
Tanita Cronje

Abstract Introduction Anecdotal evidence suggests that medical professionals in trauma units are requesting additional regional images using conventional x-ray systems, even after trauma patients have undergone full-body Lodox scans. Patients are then exposed to additional radiation, additional waiting times and an increased medical bill. This study aimed at investigating the extent to which Lodox systems were used in trauma units (n=28) in South Africa. Method In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the researcher invited one radiographer from the 28 hospitals in South Africa that use Lodox systems. Radiographers who were most experienced in using the Lodox system completed an online questionnaire. Results Twenty (71.43% n=20) out of twenty-eight radiographers responded. Most hospitals (90%, n=18) were referring patients for additional conventional x-ray images. Radiographers indicated that conventional x-rays were requested for the chest (27.80%, 10/36), the abdomen (16.67%, 6/36), the spine (13.89%, 5/36) and the extremities and skull (19.44%, 7/36). Additionally, radiographers reported using Lodox to perform procedures and examinations usually performed on conventional x-ray systems when conventional x-ray systems were not operational. Conclusion Currently, it is not clear if the use of conventional x-ray imaging following Lodox is necessary, but the results suggest that the practice is commonplace, with healthcare workers in most hospitals (90%, n=18) requesting additional x-ray imaging. The researcher thus recommends that an imaging protocol for Lodox imaging systems should be developed to guide the referral of the patients for further imaging.


1999 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Kawai ◽  
Shinjiro Hayakawa ◽  
Yoshinori Kitajima ◽  
Yohichi Gohshi

2021 ◽  
pp. 1537-1549
Author(s):  
Raed Sabeeh Karyakos ◽  
Ilham M. Yacoob ◽  
Muna Y. Slewa ◽  
Amal M. Banoosh

The dependence of the cross-section of the coherent and incoherent radiation peaks in the X-ray absorption experiment of different energies (20-800 Kev) was investigated. Cross-sectional dependence on the atomic number Z was included from the published data for (8) elements, ranging from carbon to silver (C-Ag). The proportional constant K was obtained between (σc/σi), with the atomic number Z from (6-47). The results show that the value of K exponentially changes with energy.


1998 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Schofield ◽  
G. van der Laan ◽  
C. M. B. Henderson ◽  
G. Cressey

AbstractThe Fe 2p X-ray absorption spectra of single crystal gillespite, BaFeSi4O10, show a strong linear dichroism, i.e. a large difference in the absorption when measured with the polarization of the X-rays either parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the FeO4 group. The isotropic spectrum, obtained from measurement at the ‘magic angle’, and the polarization dependent spectra have been compared to atomic multiplet calculations and show an excellent agreement with theory. Analysis of the branching ratio, the linear dichroism, and the detailed peak structure confirms that the 5A1 level is the ground state at room temperature and pressure. The 5B2 level is sufficiently low in energy that a distortion of the electronic charge density, induced by increased pressure, may result in a 5B2 ground state.


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