The X-Ray
The history of medical technology has been shaped by a series of groundbreaking discoveries.
At a time when we had no understanding of infectious diseases, mortality rates for simple conditions were high, and cancer was a death sentence. But in the past 150 years, the medical community has made a number of incredible advancements.
Notable, the discovery of X-rays by German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895 had a profound impact on the field of medicine and medical engineering.
For the first time, X-rays allowed doctors to visualize the internal structures of the human body without invasive and often dangerous procedures. This transformed diagnosis by enabling the detection of fractures, tumors, and other abnormalities. X-ray images became an essential tool for physicians, and remain so 125 years later. Röntgen’s invention remains one of science’s greatest achievements – having impacted countless millions of lives worldwide.
Before X-rays, diagnosing internal issues often required exploratory surgery. But then, with the invention of X-rays, doctors could ‘peek’ inside the body painlessly and non-invasively – significantly reducing patient discomfort and risks associated with surgery. And accurately plan corrective procedures, including in orthopedics and dentistry, where we all takeX-raysfor granted, with most not even knowing the name Röntgen.
X-rays also aid in treatment planning. Physicians can assess bone fractures, joint conditions, and organ positions, leading to more informed decisions about treatment options. Over time, X-rays have allowed doctors to track both the surgical and healing processes – and observe bone mending, lung conditions, and other changes through follow-up X-ray images.
X-rays play a crucial role in detecting cancers. By visualizing tumors and their growth, doctors today intervene early and dramatically improve patient outcomes.
In 1901, Röntgen received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking discovery. His refusal to patent X-rays demonstrated his commitment to advancing medical science for all.
While X-rays remain vital today, their discovery paved the way for other imaging techniques including MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, and more. These technologies continue to evolve, providing even better diagnostic capabilities with every passing generation.
Today, the use of X-rays in diagnosing patients has progressed even further as we enter the era of artificial intelligence. Researchers are experimenting with AI driven algorithms to interpret X-rays and other imaging results.
In our novel Adam in Taoland, Adam employs AI for early diagnosis of terminal diseases, with a focus on previously incurable neurological brain diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, ALS, Huntington’s Disease and MS.
Adam had grown up in a land where all constraints on AI had been removed, and the unleashed force of this technology had destroyed all human purpose. Adam knew full well of the potential good of AI, but he always remained aware of the inherent dangers of allowing it to become out-of-control, and invented totally secure constraints on AI..
We write in part to warn of the risks of AI, while celebrating the potentials of AI. Just as the world did after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we must come together once again and as a world body make sure AI, like nuclear technology, is used only for only good. That is the challenge; that is what we write about in our novels.
