Teknologi Computed Radiography (CR)
Teknologi Computed Radiography (CR)
A computed radiography system primarily consists of the cassette, imaging plate (IP), image reader, image console, and image recorder. The cassette protects the imaging plate and facilitates exposure. The IP stores X-ray energy for image capture. The image reader processes the latent image on the IP, converting it into digital form. The image console allows for image manipulation, quality control, and patient data management. Finally, the image recorder outputs the final processed image for storage or printing .
In computed radiography, the image console serves as the interface for managing and processing images. It is where the digitized image data from the image reader is sent for review and manipulation. The image console allows for patient data entry, determining the radiology workflow, image processing according to the examination type, quality control, and image distribution. It supports storing images, outputting them to printers, and distributing them via networks like RIS/HIS for clinical use .
In computed radiography, the latent image stored on the imaging plate is extracted using an image reader. A laser scans the phosphor layer, stimulating it to release stored energy as visible light. This emitted light is collected and converted into an electrical signal by a photomultiplier tube (PMT), which multiplies the number of electrons generated by the incoming photons. The PMT boosts the signal which is then converted from an analog to a digital form by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for processing and display on computer monitors .
The laser plays a critical role in reading the imaging plate in computed radiography. It stimulates the photostimulable phosphor layer of the imaging plate, causing it to release stored X-ray energy as visible light. This light represents the latent image which is then collected and converted by the photomultiplier tube (PMT) into an electronic signal. The precision and intensity of the laser directly influence the quality and clarity of the digital image produced .
Image erasure is an essential step in the computed radiography process as it clears the residual latent image from the imaging plate, allowing it to be reused. Erasure is achieved by exposing the plate to a high-intensity light, which excites the phosphor layer and releases trapped energy, removing any remaining latent image data .
The Cassette ID Scanner-Barcode reader in the image console enhances the efficiency of computed radiography workflows by ensuring accurate tracking and matching of cassettes with corresponding patient and examination details. This minimizes errors in image-patient data pairing, streamlines the identification process, and ensures that the correct images are processed and associated with the right patient records, which is crucial for maintaining consistency and accuracy in clinical diagnostics .
A significant challenge in computed radiography is the potential for overexposing patients due to the system's ability to compensate for overexposure. This can lead to increased radiation doses for patients, potentially causing harm. Despite this risk, the imaging system can adjust the resulting image quality by enhancing the exposed radiographic details, sometimes masking the amount of exposure. It is essential for radiographers to carefully manage exposure settings and utilize correct protocols to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure .
The protective layer of an imaging plate is crucial as it safeguards the sensitive phosphor layer beneath from physical damage, such as scratches and impacts during handling and transfer. Additionally, it helps protect against environmental factors like temperature fluctuations and humidity, which could potentially degrade the imaging quality or lifespan of the phosphor material .
The Imaging Plate (IP) in computed radiography functions by capturing and storing X-ray energy. It is composed of photostimulable phosphor, specifically Europium-doped Barium Fluorohalide (BaFX;Eu2+), which captures and stores X-ray energy when exposed. This phosphor layer then forms a latent image by undergoing a semi-stable transformation, which is scanned by a laser in the image reader to produce a digital image .
Computed Radiography offers several advantages over traditional film-based radiography including lower repeat rates, higher contrast resolution, elimination of a darkroom, enhanced image quality, and easier image storage in both hard copy and electronic forms. However, it also has limitations such as high costs for imaging plates, reader units, hardware, and software, lower spatial resolution, potential artifacts from improper deletion of the imaging plate, and increased risk of overexposing patients due to CR's ability to compensate for overexposure .