Proses dan Komponen Computed Radiography
Proses dan Komponen Computed Radiography
The digitalization process in Computed Radiography enhances clinical operations by allowing for dynamic image manipulation, storage, and transmission. Digital formats enable clinicians to adjust images for better diagnostic clarity, rapidly share images across networks for consultation, and maintain comprehensive digital records. This results in streamlined workflows, faster diagnosis, and enhanced collaboration among medical teams, increasing overall operational efficiency compared to analog systems .
The imaging plate in Computed Radiography serves to capture and store X-ray energy during exposure. Made up of a photo stimulable phosphor layer, it enables the capturing of a latent image. Its ability to be erased and reused after each capture by the IP reader contributes to efficiencies by reducing the need for constant replenishment of consumables, unlike traditional film-based systems .
An advantage of Computed Radiography (CR) over conventional radiography is its higher contrast resolution and wider exposure latitude, allowing for improved image quality and reduced repeated scans due to technical errors . However, a disadvantage is the high cost associated with purchasing and maintaining imaging plates, CR readers, and necessary software and hardware for workstations .
Both Computed Radiography (CR) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan imaging utilize digital image processors to optimize image contrast and density. In CR, the spatial frequency response controls the contrast between structures of different densities, and the gradation process adjusts the density range used to display the image. This is similar to the window setting adjustment in CT scans, where different window levels optimize the visibility of various tissue densities to enhance diagnostic utility .
Patients may be at risk of higher radiation exposure in Computed Radiography (CR) because the system can compensate for overexposure through digital adjustments. This capability might lead radiographers to use higher radiation doses to ensure image clarity, under the assumption that it does not impact the patient thanks to the adjustment capabilities .
The high cost associated with Computed Radiography (CR) systems, including imaging plates, readers, and workstation software, can be a significant barrier to adoption, especially in smaller medical facilities with limited budgets. While CR offers technological and operational advantages, the initial capital investment and ongoing maintenance costs might limit its accessibility, compelling facilities to weigh this against potential improvements in diagnostic capabilities and patient throughput .
Image manipulation in Computed Radiography (CR) is possible because images are captured and stored in digital formats. This allows users to adjust characteristics such as magnification, rotation, and inversion to enhance visual clarity and focus on specific anatomical features. These adjustments enable clinicians to highlight structures of interest and improve diagnostic accuracy by tailoring the visual presentation to specific medical needs .
Computed Radiography (CR) differs from conventional radiography in that it replaces the traditional film and screen system with an imaging plate. The imaging plate (IP) contains a photo stimulable phosphor (PSP) that stores X-ray energy, and this information is subsequently converted into digital data. In CR, the IP is scanned with a laser to release stored energy as blue-violet light, which is then converted into a digital image by a photosensor and an analog digital converter (ADC). This process allows for digital manipulation and optimization of images, unlike the fixed analog nature of conventional radiography .
In the Computed Radiography (CR) workflow, the imaging reader is responsible for extracting and processing the latent image on the imaging plate by using a laser scan to release the stored energy as light. The memory capacity of the imaging reader impacts the speed of image processing; larger memory allows for faster processing times and greater storage capability, enhancing efficiency during high-volume operations .
Potential artifacts in Computed Radiography (CR) imaging include those caused by improper erasure of previous images on the imaging plate, leading to ghosting effects. Such artifacts occur when residual charge or information from a prior exposure is not entirely removed, potentially interfering with new image quality. Thorough erasure of the imaging plate before reuse is crucial to prevent these artifacts and ensure accurate diagnostic outputs .