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New X-ray source that could revolutionize medical scanning technology🩺

  • Writer: Martian to be
    Martian to be
  • Jul 21, 2023
  • 2 min read


The International Space Station (ISS) has been a valuable platform for conducting scientific research for over 20 years. In recent years, the ISS has been used to develop new technologies that have the potential to benefit people on Earth. One such technology is a new X-ray source that was developed by a team of researchers from the ISS and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).


It can be turned on and off very quickly, making it ideal for use in CT scans. Traditional CT machines are large, heavy, and consume a lot of power, making them difficult to deploy in remote areas or disaster zones. The new source is small, lightweight, and uses less power, making it more portable and affordable.


Additionally, the new source can deliver X-rays in a more controlled way, which reduces noise and artifacts in the images, resulting in better image quality.


🟣Methods


The new X-ray source is based on a technology that was originally developed for the NICER telescope, which is used to study neutron stars. The NICER telescope uses a modulated X-ray source that can be turned on and off very quickly. This allows the telescope to image neutron stars with unprecedented detail.


The team from the ISS and MGH adapted the NICER technology to create a new X-ray source that can be used for medical scanning. The new source is made up of a ring of small X-ray emitters that can be fired individually or in groups. This allows the source to deliver X-rays in a very controlled way, which reduces noise and artifacts in the images.


🟣Results


The new X-ray source has been shown to produce images with better quality than traditional CT scans. Additionally, the new source can deliver X-rays with less radiation, which is important for patients, especially children and pregnant women.


The new X-ray source has the potential to revolutionize medical scanning technology. It is smaller, lighter, and more affordable than traditional CT machines. Additionally, it can deliver X-rays with less radiation and produce images with better quality. The new source could be used to make CT scans more accessible to people in remote areas or disaster zones. It could also be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.


🌐Reference


1️⃣NASA. (2023, March 😎. Study of neutron stars helps improve CT scans. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.nasa.gov/.../study-neutron-stars-helps...


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