The computed tomography (CT) scan is a technology that uses a blend of series of X-rays images captured from various angles around the body and uses computer processing to make cross-sectional images of the bones, blood vessels, and tissues inside the body. Sir Godfrey Hounsfield is an English electrical engineer credited with inventing X-ray computed tomography. He invented the computed tomography (CT) scanner in 1972 in the United Kingdom (UK). Sir Godfrey’s influential inventions brought a significant change in the healthcare and medicine sector, especially in providing diagnosis and treatment solutions. The diagnosis is possible because the CT scan can provide differences in density of abnormalities and atomic structures. Therefore, in this post, we will expound on the social and cultural reasons that triggered the inventions of CT and the impacts it brought on American society.
Sir Godfrey’s inventions were triggered by the Electromagnetic interference laboratory (EMI) desire to create something that could make a pattern recognition. The desire to have a pattern of recognition could significantly help in retrieving information, computer graphics, statistical data analysis, image analysis, and machine learning (Hermena & Young, 2021). Arguably, having the above knowledge and capabilities would quickly help analyze patients’ conditions. As such, the Electromagnetic interference laboratory (EMI) pushed Sir Godfrey to develop a system with a pattern of recognition. Therefore, it is the desire to develop this pattern of recognition that led Sir Godfrey to create the computed tomography (CT) scanner.
Additionally, Sir Godfrey created the computed tomography (CT) scan to achieve his desire of reconstructing a 3D picture of a box. Sir Godfrey saw that in order to rebuild a 3D picture, he should re-imagining the object as a series of slices (Williams & Newby, 2021). Arguably, his quest to develop this technology was that it could be possible to evaluate what was in the box by taking notes or readings at all angles. Later, Sir Godfrey realized that there could be a way that a computerized system would be used to process hundreds of x-rays beams that would be possible to create a two-dimensional display of the bones or tissues inside a living organism. Initially, his inventions were not associated with medicine, but the technology would later significantly help in the healthcare sector to detect internal issues, especially in the joints, bones, and blood vessels.
The introduction of computed tomography (CT) scan gained rapid acceptance in the United States (US). The coming of the CT scan was influential in American society, such that it was adopted entirely by the medicine and the healthcare sector (Lim et al., 2018). The CT scan made it possible to detect a condition, abnormality, and treatment. For example, it was hard to detect cancer until the CT scan came, making it possible to make a diagnosis and conduct treatment. This was made possible by the technology of the scanner that was able to see through the internal organs and analysis that could be done at all angles. Therefore, the introduction of the CT scan was arguably the most influential for American society because it was possible to detect certain diseases or abnormalities and improve treatment.
The invention of the technology was also influential in American society because it made it possible to determine the stage at which surgery might be required. The CT scan provided the ability to see through the blood vessels, body tissues, and bones (Meyer et al., 2019). This provision made it possible to determine the severity of the condition or abnormality in the various body parts. The analysis of these abnormalities or conditions made it possible to evaluate what point should surgery be made. As opposed to the previous technology used, it was hard to determine when surgery was appropriate, and sometimes it was overdue, which posed a threat to patient health. As such, it is proper to conclude that the introduction of the CT scan was influential in America as it was easy to determine at what stage surgery would be appropriate.
In conclusion, Sir Godfrey Hounsfield was one of the most influential figures for his incredible work creating the computed tomography (CT) scan. His invention was motivated by several factors, such as the Electromagnetic interference laboratory (EMI) desire to create something that could make a pattern recognition and personal desire of reconstructing a 3D picture of a box. Sir Godfrey’s invention was mainly adopted in the United Kingdom, and soon the US rampantly embraced the use of this technology. Arguably, the CT scan soon became a common feature around the American medicine and healthcare sector. The technology was influential because it was used to diagnose diseases such as cancer, and also it was easy to determine when surgery was appropriate. It is undoubtedly clear that Sir Godfrey’s invention of the CT scan is largely used around hospitals worldwide.
References
Hermena, S., & Young, M. (2021). CT-scan Image Production Procedures. StatPearls.
Lim, W., Le Gal, G., Bates, S. M., Righini, M., Haramati, L. B., Lang, E., & Mustafa, R. A. (2018). American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for the management of venous thromboembolism: diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. Blood advances, 2(22), 3226-3256.
Meyer, M., Ronald, J., Vernuccio, F., Nelson, R. C., Ramirez-Giraldo, J. C., Solomon, J., & Marin, D. (2019). Reproducibility of CT radiomic features within the same patient: influence of radiation dose and CT reconstruction settings. Radiology, 293(3), 583-591.
Williams, M. C., & Newby, D. E. (2021). Prognostic value of fractional flow reserve from computed tomography. Heart.
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