A comparative study of X-ray based medical imaging devices

Abstract X-rays are very high energy ionizing radiation used in the field of medical imaging to produce images of diagnostic importance. To effectively diagnose a patient using X-ray imaging devices, ionizing radiation is sent into the patient’s body and a medical image is obtained. There are many models of these devices and some are very advanced. In this chapter, we will assess and evaluate fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), mammography, X-ray, and angiography machines. These devices have the important criterion of image quality that needs to be assessed to show the efficiency, potentiality, and negativity of each device. The criteria include sensitivity and specificity, the dose of radiation given to the patient, the cost of treatment and the machine. The listed criteria are significant in that they directly affect the patient and the radiation specialist. To evaluate the X-ray imaging devices, we employ an important decision-making tool called TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution elimination). The outcome of the study shows that mammography is the most preferred X-ray-based medical imaging device with X-ray, fluoroscopy, CT, and angiography coming second, third, fourth, and fifth. The result could, however, differ, depending on the weight assigned to each criterion considered. This is an effective decision-making tool that can improve the efficiency of a decision-making process.