X-ray machines have been around for more than a century, utilizing radiant energy waves, known as X-rays, to provide imaging of solid objects and materials. These machines continue to use essentially the same technology today, but their range of applications has increased dramatically.
Early Machines
William Crookes invented a cathode ray capable of generating highly concentrated light, which led German physicist Conrad Roentgen to experiment further in this field. In 1895, he used the first actual X-ray machine, taking a picture of his wife's hand. The invention quickly spread, and the first industrial machines arrived by the turn of the century.
Function
X-ray machines generate highly concentrated electromagnetic energy through the use of special tubes. The energy is then directed using lenses, similar to many other cameras. However, X-rays are highly penetrative and can take images of the insides of solid objects--including the human body.
Components
The main part of any X-ray machine are its tubes, which generate the electromagnetic energy. They're basically very intense light bulbs, capable of producing the ionizing effect of X-rays. Shielding is also important in an X-ray machine, because the spread of X-rays needs to be controlled to minimize any harmful effects. Shielding uses dense metals and other thick materials that hamper X-ray penetration. The shielding begins around the tubes themselves.
X-ray machines also have development kits if they use film, but most have switched to digital storage, acting as regular scanners.
Subsequent technologies
As a result of the success of X-ray imaging, more-advanced methods associated with it took root--including PET, CT and MRI scans. These all use the fundamentals first applied by Roentgen, with higher resolution and output.
Regulation
Because of their high energy capacity, X-ray machines are regulated by in most places. In the United States, in addition to local regulations, the Food and Drug Administration has strict controls for all X-ray machines made after 1974.
X-ray machine safety
There are three principles to maintaining safety around X-ray machines. Time (reducing the duration of exposure); distance (keeping away from the tubes and sources of emanation); and shielding. These principles apply to all X-ray machines, regardless of use.
Applications
X-rays have proliferated society and science across many disciplines. Although early machines were put to use in general medicine and simple surgical procedures, better resolutions and imaging technologies have made them valuable in other fields--including dentistry.
In recent decades, X-ray machines have become popular security measures at airports and other public venues, detecting potential threats in luggage and otherwise hard to open items.
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