Forgotten electrical accidents and the birth of shockproof X-ray systems.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To commemorate victims of electrical accidents that occurred in the first decades of radiology and relate these accidents to the evolution of the X-ray apparatus.

Methods

Digitised newspapers, scientific journals, books and reports of legal procedures were searched for electrical accidents involving X-ray systems. Information on the historical systems was retrieved from the scientific literature and brochures from manufacturers.

Results

We found 51 fatal and 62 non-fatal but serious electrical accidents. Most of them occurred between 1920 and 1940 and involved transformers that provided output currents well above the threshold for the induction of ventricular fibrillation. The accidents led to recommendations and regulations to improve safety for operators

SUBMITTER: Kemerink GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3731463 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature