  fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses x-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope. in its simplest form, a fluoroscope consists of an x-ray source and fluorescent screen between which a patient is placed. however, modern fluoroscopes couple the screen to an x-ray image intensifier and ccd video camera allowing the images to be recorded and played on a monitor. the use of x-rays, a form of ionizing radiation, requires the potential risks from a procedure to be carefully balanced with the benefits of the procedure to the patient. while physicians always try to use low dose rates during fluoroscopic procedures, the length of a typical procedure often results in a relatively high absorbed dose to the patient. recent advances include the digitization of the images captured and flat panel detector systems; modern advances allow further reduction of the radiation dose to the patient. ==history== the beginning of fluoroscopy can be traced back to 8 november 1895 when wilhelm rÃ¶ntgen, or in english script roentgen, noticed a barium platinocyanide screen fluorescing as a result of being exposed to what he would later call x-rays (algebraic x variable signifying "unknown"). within months of this discovery, the first crude fluoroscopes were created. these experimental fluoroscopes were simply cardboard funnels, open at the narrow end for the eyes of the observer, while the wide end was closed with a thin cardboard piece that had been coated on the inside with a layer of fluorescent metal salt. the fluoroscopic image obtained in this way was quite faint. even when finally improved and commercially introduced for diagnostic imaging, the limited light produced from the fluorescent screens of the earliest commercial scopes necessitated that a radiologist prior sat in the darkened room, where the imaging procedure was to be performed, to first accustom their eyes to increase their sensitivity to perceive light during the subsequent procedure. the placement of the radiologist behind the screen also resulted in significant dosing of the radiologist. red adaptation goggles were developed by wilhelm trendelenburg in 1916 to address the problem of dark adaptation of the eyes, previously studied by antoine beclere. the resulting red light from the goggles' filtration correctly sensitized the physician's eyes prior to the procedure, while still allowing him to receive enough light to function normally. the development of the x-ray image intensifier by westinghouse in the lat
Fluoroscopy