Today, computers have become ubiquitous in every aspect of society. However, over 30 years ago, the successful research of computed tomography (CT) machines marked a revolutionary change in the field of medical imaging, significantly contributing to the early detection and treatment of many chronic diseases.
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Prof. Godfrey N. Hounsfield |
The achievements in CT technology earned two scientists, one British and one American, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979.
Nobel Laureates: Prof. ALLAN M. CORMACK & Prof. GODFREY NEWBOLD HOUNSFIELD
The 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Prof. Allan M. Cormack and Godfrey N. Hounsfield for their contributions to the development of computed tomography, which created a revolutionary advancement in radiotherapy and the diagnosis of neurological conditions.
Allan M. Cormack was a leading professor of physics at Tufts University (Massachusetts, USA). He was the first to analyze the conditions necessary to produce clear cross-sectional images within biological systems, publishing his findings in 1963-1964, which contributed to the theoretical foundation of CT technology based on X-ray usage.
Godfrey Hounsfield was the head of the electrical and music industrial research department in Middlesex (UK) and developed the first CT scanner used in medicine in 1968. The patent was granted in 1972. Hounsfield’s system helped diagnose brain images, laying the groundwork for the development of future CT systems with technical enhancements for faster image analysis.
Research Contributions
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Prof. Allan M. Cormack |
X-rays passing through internal organs produce images on film. These images depend on the tissue structure of the organs the X-rays traverse and are often unclear at depth, necessitating additional frontal or lateral imaging. Moreover, the interpretation of these images relies on the expertise of the person conducting the imaging and the nature of the underlying pathology. Thus, X-ray results inevitably carry a degree of subjectivity and can be misleading. As a result, the technology of computed tomography has evolved to isolate images of diseased organs. Despite advancements, early diagnostic imaging needs remained unmet.
Additionally, X-rays have limitations, such as being unable to use more than 25% of the X-ray capacity, and X-ray films lack the necessary sensitivity corresponding to tissue thickness. This led to the idea of integrating computers to assist in tomography to address these issues. Within just six years, it became a groundbreaking event in medical imaging. By scanning multidimensionally through cross-sections of the organ in question, images are captured by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device and then analyzed by a computer. The computer is pre-programmed to quickly reconstruct clear images of each part of the surveyed organ in matrix form on the screen. These reconstructed images do not interfere with other images, preventing confusion. Thus, computer-aided tomography can detect subtle changes in the tissue structure being examined, greatly enhancing accuracy compared to traditional X-rays.
Value of the Research
The first CT machine was created for diagnosing neurological diseases of the brain due to its sensitivity and accuracy. This facilitated the detection of neurological disorders and changes in brain structure. The location, size of changes, and the nature of lesions can be determined, allowing for the identification of suspicious areas for magnification and display on the screen. This technology has made it possible to determine the nature of many conditions, such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, cerebral ischemia, tumors, encephalitis, cerebral edema, and brain malformations. This invention is invaluable as it serves as a foundation for developing surgical methods for brain tumors, with all details recorded in memory during neurosurgery.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology |
This technique is entirely non-invasive for patients during imaging and can also facilitate collaboration with CT diagnostic centers for joint diagnoses, treatments, and studies of neurological diseases. The development of digital diagnostics will be further enhanced by higher techniques in the future, such as ultrasound and radioactive isotope diagnostics with gamma cameras. The most significant application area is the advancement of radiotherapy for brain tumors.
To date, the most challenging aspect of radiation therapy has been accurately determining the location, size, and formation of tumors in the deepest regions of the brain or body, distinguishing tumors from surrounding tissues. With computed tomography, treating physicians can easily identify where to direct radiation with optimal beam quality. When a tumor shrinks during treatment, this can also be clearly observed on the computer screen, allowing for adjustments in the radiation beam’s positioning to maximize exposure to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Thus, computed tomography has opened a new avenue for radiation therapy in cancer treatment.
Current Applications in Medical Imaging Diagnosis
From the research efforts of the 1960s that led to the Nobel Prize in the 1970s, the field of medical diagnostic imaging has made remarkable advancements thanks to the support of computing technology.
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Compact Computer Radiology Machine |
Three-dimensional images of bodily functions provided by spiral scanner methods are stored on CD-ROMs for detecting abnormal structures within the body. A new technique for diagnosing breast cancer using digital ultrasound displays true color images, showing blood flow through tissues and assisting in early detection of breast cancer without the need for biopsies for confirmation.
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique continues to advance, with information stored in computers, allowing for the reconstruction of images of internal organs with high accuracy and significant contrast. As a result, internal bodily activities, such as heartbeats and tumors in the ovaries, uterus, etc., are clearly visible. The flashing imaging technique with radioactive substances provides dynamic images of moving organs, while digital ultrasound helps radiologists clearly distinguish the shape and structure of tumors, showing real color to indicate blood flow through tissues…
In Vietnam, compact computer radiology machines (CR-Computer Radiology) have reduced the time from imaging to photo retrieval to just 70 seconds, using only 50% of the previous radiation dose. Images are retrieved by scanning phosphor plates and processed by computers.
With these benefits, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded in 1979 for research using computers in diagnostic imaging is regarded as a groundbreaking leap in the treatment of chronic diseases.
