In Recognition of the 60th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Laboratory of X-Ray Receivers, Russian Scientific Center for Roentgenoradiology. Part I: From Birth to Recognition

Abstract

By the early XXth century X ray diagnosis had become a dominant medical diagnostic method both nationwide and worldwide. Therefore, domestic produc tion of X ray diagnostic equipment should be manufac tured in a country with population over 270,000,000. This equipment should include intensifying screens for roentgenography, roentgenoscopy, and fluorography, which are the simplest phosphorous detectors and con vectors of X ray radiation.This idea was implemented in 1943 in the Molotov State Scientific Research Institute for Roentgenoradio logy (GNIRRI), where the Laboratory of X Ray Screens and Films was established [14]. A workshop for X ray screens was opened at the same time at the Semashko Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant. In fact, the two organi zations were integrated and the Laboratory fulfilled the function of scientific coordination and representation of the medical society. The Laboratory also played an important role in development and manufacture of domestic X ray films and processing materials. The duties of the laboratory are consistent with the duties of the Institute in general [26].It should be noted that certain domestic X ray screens were produced by the time of foundation of the laboratory. These were screens based on zinc silicate and calcium tungstate. The first domestic research in this area was performed at the Research Institute of Chemical Pharmaceutical industry (NIIKhFI) under supervision of Prof. Bundel'. Later this group worked at GNIRRI.Collaboration between engineers, physicists, chemists, physicians, and roentgenographers gave rise to a unique scientific society capable of perceiving the spe cific requirements of this area of medicine. Also, there are definite advantages of such collaboration.There have been four stages in the history of the lab oratory. These stages are associated with the main requirement for X ray apparatuses: imaging at low radia tion load. This requirement became more demanding because of the wide dissemination of X ray examination of the population and deep understanding of the conse quences of human body exposure to X ray radiation. Indeed, in the 1980s virtually every adult was examined by X ray at least once a year, and more than 70% of addi tional radiation load above natural background was due to medicine.On the other hand, these stages represented new technologies of X ray imaging and, certainly, humanistic and social factors: changes in personnel, equipment, accommodation, etc. The Laboratory was staffed with skilled specialists, graduated from leading domestic uni versities: Prof. Bundel', Prof. Gurvich, and Candidates of Sciences Rusanova, Rudiger, Leonova, Il'ina, Golovkova, Tombak, Katomina, Shamanov, Myagkova, and Birman. The Laboratory worked in collaboration with leading domestic institutes: Physical Institute,