X-rays is that the properties of the X-ray, mechanism types, sources, human dose, flow rate, wavelength protection in medicine, the discovery and characteristics

X-ray radiation is the basis of important diagnostic method, which is used in all branches of modern medicine. It reveals the pathology of the musculoskeletal system, bone, soft parenchymal tissue. This directional beam of electromagnetic waves, which occur during acceleration of the charged particles.

What are X-rays and rays

X-ray radiation consists of electromagnetic wave directional spectrum. This energy photons, which extends between the flow of ultraviolet and gamma radiation. Electromagnetic waves are generated in interaction point cathode electrons charged with the solid surface of the anode which are in the vacuum tube cavity.

When word stress electrons on an anode, is an allocation of a large amount of kinetic energy.

In the conditions of the closed space and the rapidly flowing physical process - the energy potential is transformed into particles of quanta (photons). Because the wave spectrum is obtained with the positively charged elements by which to shine through the human body, as well as articles having a low degree of density.

The following types of X-ray:

• with a broad spectrum - occurs when a large-scale dispersion flows electromagnetic waves that form peaks and irregular line form (most often found in conditions of uncontrolled physical processes between the electrons and the surface anode);
• narrow spectrum - a focused stream of electromagnetic waves with the positively charged particles - photons, which used in medicine to determine pathological conditions of individual parts of the body and internal authorities.

X-rays of all types have a shell, or else they are called energy levels. They are marked with symbols - M, K and L as a function of proximity to the center of an electromagnetic shell.

History of the discovery of X-rays

X-rays - a diagnostic method for studying the human body, which was discovered quite by accident. It happened in 1895, during the tests the German physicist, Professor of the University of Würzburg - V. Roentgen.

The scientist was in the laboratory of the institution, where he was head of the department. He experimented with the physical properties of the cathode rays (stream of positively charged electrons within the discharge tubes).

In operation, the professor noted that the surface of the screen which was covered with a layer of crystals of barium tsianoplatinita began to glow bright light. In this case the subject is in close proximity to the vacuum tube where there is a movement of positively charged particles.

This reaction is very surprised scientists, because the vacuum tube was closed by a dense layer of cardboard, painted black.

In its opinion the unique laboratory experiment B. X-rays indicated that they were unknown to science radiation is already open. For scientific notation professor identified them as X-rays. Scientists have found that the degree of light permeability depends on the density of the object structure, from which the flow is directed electromagnetic waves.

On the same day V. Roentgen placed his hands between the brush screen tsianoplatinitom barium and discharge tube, which allocates the cathode rays. Thus was produced the first primitive X-ray of the bones of the upper limb. Following the opening of the German scientist was followed by new research in this direction.

Great contribution to the history of the study and application of X-rays, have scholars such as Friedrich, Knipping, Laue. These showed the world physics properties of X-ray beams in the interaction with the crystalline substances. In 1913 Professor G. Moseley could establish a direct relationship between the wavelength of the radiation and the atomic number of the chemical to which the rays are directed.

In the same year the scientist built the first X-ray tube, which was a high vacuum, and also worked with the heated cathode. This device made it possible to obtain more powerful X-ray radiation, which had a greater length of the electromagnetic waves.

In 1915 L. physics Bragg was able to go further, and he was able to develop a scientific basis for X-ray analysis, which was the basis for using X-rays as a diagnostic procedure in the field medicine. For his work in the same year the scientist received the Nobel Prize.

Properties of X-rays

X-rays - are invisible to the human eye, electromagnetic waves, which are actively used in medicine and engineering.

Allocate the following physical properties of X-rays, which have been established by long-term scientific research:

• able to penetrate soft tissue, bone, muscle fibers, which are not translucent rays of natural light, making X-rays irreplaceable in medicine (in the process of identifying pathologies of bones and internal authorities);
• cause fluorescence of individual chemical compounds and substances that are also used for laboratory research;
• have unique photochemical properties, since the decomposed compounds on ion the basis for a short period of time silver, blackening provide layers of photographic film, forming the anatomical image on the surface of X-ray image;
• when propagation environments, the electromagnetic waves cause molecules and ionisation atoms of other substances present in the spectrum of their actions (this is a negative side effect radiation);
• in tissues and human cells that have undergone even a slight X-ray irradiation are accelerated metabolism, but this effect is short-term (when receiving large doses, the reverse result, the risk of increased radiation disease);
• Electromagnetic waves used for the treatment of cancer (radiation of this type destructively effect on tumor tissue, destroying its cellular division, but this treatment is not suitable method for all cancers diseases).

All of the above properties of X-rays in demand in instrumental and laboratory diagnosis of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and organ tissues.

As the process takes place improvement of medical equipment, provides a synthesis of the electromagnetic wave directional spectrum with positively charged photons.

The mechanism of action of X-rays

After the formation of charged particles and discharge of electromagnetic waves, they pass through the object, which is located on the way of their spectrum of action. If it is a medical device, the flux of X-rays is directed at a specific target.

Due to the physical properties of the charged photons shine and surface structural fabric with low density, there is a ray passing through the human body and other objects. Soft tissue of internal organs, which have no morphological changes are healthy, well-rayed photons without display defects.

If there are sections of tissue having pathological conditions (e.g., light affected by tuberculosis stick) they appear as dark spots. This enables the physician to determine the extent of inflammation and lesions localization of pathogenic microorganisms or foreign formation of neoplasms.

The bones are more dense structure. Therefore, they are almost translucent X-ray radiation. Clearly shows only elements of the skeleton without the hollow structure.

If for some reason there was a bone fracture or a crack, a large number of photons penetrates the defective portion of tissue. This allows you to determine the location of the destroyed part of the bone and to take urgent measures of treatment of the patient.

Types of X-rays

X-ray radiation - electromagnetic waves and charged particles which are classified by types based on their purpose, structures, nature of origin and the type of the anode. The table below shows the types of X-rays, as well as a brief description.

View X-ray	Characteristic
Diagnostic-agency	Used in medicine to detect bone diseases and internal organs. Electromagnetic rays produced by radiological devices. In the laboratory, radiation is used to generate fluorescence effect.
Therapist-agency	X-rays are commonly used as one method of complex treatment of malignant tumors. Electromagnetic therapy cancers is suitable only if its cells exhibit a positive trend to impact ionization.
Structurally-analytical	Widely used in mechanical as well as the study of the structure objects. For example, the method of structural analysis by X-ray, to verify the integrity demanded volume parts manufactured by casting.
monofocal	Is produced in the case of the cathode has only one spiral and on the anode is no more than 1 of the focal spot.
bifocal	X-ray radiation is produced as a result of the fact that the cathode is set once spiral 2 of different sizes, and at the anode surface is two focal spots.
stationary	The anode of the vacuum tube is fixed and the range of positively charged particles moving in the same direction.
rotating	Characterized by movable anode, through which ensures dissipation of the electromagnetic spectrum.
synchrotron	This type of X-ray radiation is also produced artificially, but only has a special apparatus, which accelerate the movement of electrons. Length synchrotron electromagnetic waves is greater than that obtained under conditions of a vacuum tube using the cathode and the anode.

X-ray sources

The main source of X-rays is a vacuum tube, which is mounted cathode and anode. Occurs cathode heating and generation of electrons which are accelerated by the formation of an electromagnetic field, and then strike the surface of the anode.

Such devices are equipped with X-ray machines, the functional purpose of which is the study of human soft tissue and its elements of the musculoskeletal system.

In the laboratory, X-ray source may be special lamps which are used in carrying out biochemical reactions, requiring the use of the fluorescence method. Further devices designed for human X-rays for medical purposes, there are sources which form the electromagnetic wave of this type.

They are:

• radioactive metals during their decomposition;
• space objects, which overcame the dense atmospheric layers and have reached the surface of the Earth;
• mineral rocks and minerals, containing in its composition admixture of radioactive metals.

Natural sources of electromagnetic waves such as X-ray found in the environment are extremely rare, and frequency of radiation is much lower than in the artificially created vacuum tube based on the cathode and anode.

Features of X-rays

X-rays - a physical phenomenon, which is characterized by a beam of rays emanating from the vacuum tube for a specific period of time. In this regard, the electromagnetic wave of this type have their own physical characteristics, which is classified by the following parameters.

Intensity

This value is measured in units of beams - milliamps. In fact the intensity of X-ray radiation - is the number of rays generated during the reaction of the anode and cathode of the vacuum tube.

Each electron entering the anode, produces one or more light particles - quanta. In this connection, the intensity of the radiation is regulated by reducing the amount of generation of electrons at the cathode.

Rigidity

A quality value of X-rays. It is measured in kilovolts, depending on the magnitude of the electrostatic voltage inside the vacuum tube. The stiffness determines the degree of light permeability in the fabric structure and dense objects. stiffness adjustment process performed by the transformer, which increases or decreases the voltage within the tube.

There is a direct relationship between the potential difference across the electrodes of the tube and the speed of motion of the electrons.

The higher the voltage and the resonance electrodes, the faster the electrons move from the cathode and strike an anode surface. Such radiation is considered to be hard, since the length of the electromagnetic wave becomes shorter, but very penetrating. The rays of this type are used in medicine for X-ray examination of bone tissue and internal organs.

The oscillation frequency of x-rays is 1,5-3h10-3 nm. For the human body is safe, if the radiation is near the skin at the focal distance of 30 to 150 cm, provided that the voltage within the vacuum tube will be in the range 180-400 kV.

It figures that are characteristic X-ray and fluorography apparatus at the time of their work and photographic images of individual parts of the body. In radiation therapy using electromagnetic waves that are generated at a voltage of 20-60 kV and a focal distance from the skin surface of 3 to 7 cm.

This technique is widely used in the treatment of a tumor, the cells of which are destroyed under the influence of X-rays, or else significantly slow down its growth.

The use of X-rays in medicine

The first X-ray machines were allowed only doctors to study the structure of bone, determine their integrity, as well as areas of possible damage. The development of technical progress has led to a reduction in the duration of exposure for photographic images, and also improved the quality of recording.

Modern X-ray equipment allows doctors to study even the soft tissues in a timely manner to determine their disease and start treatment. In medical practice, electromagnetic waves such as X-ray used in the course of the following diagnostic procedures:

Fluorography

This examination provides photographic images of the shadow image. The patient takes an initial position between the radiation source and the special screen whose surface is made of cesium iodide. Under the influence of electromagnetic radiation illuminates said element.

Tissue of internal organs, trapped in the beam path, creates a shadow effect which have varying degrees of darkness. Radiologist who conducts examination of the patient, captures a snapshot on a luminescent screen enlarges the image and determines the areas of the pathological state of the lungs and heart tissue.

Modern equipment allows to increase the photograph to the maximum limit, the doctor did not rely solely on the sharpness of vision. Also, computers are used to store data about the history of a particular patient.

radiography

This image recording process on X-ray film. In this case, the body portion is located between the monitoring ionizing radiation source and the film which is fixed in the machine. The charged particle beams pass through the patient's body, then the image of the internal organs, soft tissue or bone, is transferred to the picture.

As is the case with fluorography, the doctor performs a study of the information obtained. This method is particularly useful in the diagnosis of cracks, fractures, dislocations, determination of inflammatory processes in the bone.

contrast agents

Separate internal organs of the human body have a hollow structure, or become colorless under exposure to ionizing radiation, do not create shadows on the image (eg, bowel, bladder, kidney).

In this case, a contrast substance, a patient who uses the gastrointestinal tract (Barium salt), or he administered intravenously (iodine-containing solution). Thereafter, the X-ray fixing the internal organ, which has symptoms of the disease.

CT scan

It was developed in 1970 This kind of X-ray diagnostics. The principle of the survey with the use of this method is that the patient is placed in a special box, and medical equipment performs full-body shot. This X-ray computer tomography.

Allows detection of tumoral processes in the tissues of internal organs and bones detect sluggish and acute inflammation, internal bleeding. The advantage of this method lies in the fact that the patient is not required to introduce contrast media and other solutions.

Protection against X-rays

Due to the fact that the excess of X-ray radiation is able to disrupt the epithelial cells and tissues of internal bodies, the following measures of protection against ionizing radiation, which necessarily apply medicine.

The list of measures:

• Filter-plate - is mounted on the outlet of the vacuum tube in order to ensure absorption of soft rays which harm the top layer of skin;
• prosvintsovanny apron - consists of rubber, within which are lead plates, which do not pass through the ionizing radiation (Worn on-radiologist, as well as using it are protected areas of the patient, which is not examined);
• metal tube - recorded directly on a vacuum tube where there is a physical reaction (provides effective control of the X-ray beam, and prevents their chaotic ionization);
• prosvintsovannoe glass - is located on the front surface of the screen to protect the body from excessive amounts of ionizing radiation;
  
• mobile screen - a wooden structure, in which the lead plates are used as the mobile barrier against radiation (dimensions protectant - 1,5 m height and 1 m width).

The use of the above funds intended for protection against X-rays (in the process of examination of patients) - this is a mandatory condition for the preservation of health-radiologist. Permissible exposure rate, which is not dangerous to health and does not entail negative consequences - is 0.03 roentgen per day.

X-ray radiation is a natural phenomenon, the discovery of which has changed the life and the subsequent history of mankind. It is up to now used in medicine to diagnose serious pathology of bone tissue and internal organs.

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

Video of the X-ray radiation

History of X-ray and how it works: