RADIOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE VI (RGYS21)

DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

BY [Link]. E.

([Link], [Link], [Link])

DEPARPMENT OF MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY

COLLEGE OFMEDICAL SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
Digital Radiography
Computed
Radiography

CR DR
OUTLINES
Introduction

Definition

Computed Radiography
Direct Digital Radiography

Digital Fluoroscopy (READ UP THIS)

INTRODUCTION
The evolution ofdigital radiography technology has been

characterized by continuous innovation. Advances in image

sensors, processing algorithms and storage solutions have

collectively contributed to enhanced diagnostic capabilities.

It is known that the first digital radiography systenms started

appearing in the 1970s, ofering advantages like immediate

imageavailability and the ability to manipulate images. These

carly systemswere initially expensive and complex, limiing their

widespread adoption.
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INTRODUCTION
CONTINUESnsenn
Over time,the technology improved, becoming more
affordable and accessible. The introduction of computed
radiography (CR) systems, followed by direct radiography

(DR)systems, marked key stages in its evolution. These

advancements have greatly enhanced diagnostic capabilities

and patient care by reducing radiation exposure and

providing improved image quality.
DEFINITION 1H

Digital Radiography is an advanced radiographic

imaging that uses detectors (clectronic) and not

film-screen system,to acquire X-ray images,which

are processed and then displayed on a computer

[Link] enables manipulation of

radiographicimages for better diagnosis.

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There are basically three known types of Digital

Radiography, and they are:

Computed Radiography
Direct Digital Radiography

Digital Fluoroscopy.
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY (CR):
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY (CR)

Is a digital filmless Kray imaging system that

makes use of re-usable photo-stimulableplate to

capture images of patient body parts.

This allowsdigital archiving, post-processing, less

radiation dose to patient unlike in normal

conventional film-screen cassette radiography.
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COMPONENTS OF COMPUTEDRADIOGRAPHY

Image acquisition system (CR cassette and

imaging plate).

> Scanner machine/ image plate reader.

>Computer monitor/ image display system.

> Image storage system

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PRINTERS
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CR CASSETTE

Rectangular and square in shapes.

Lightly weighted
Made of plastic.
Front side is made of low attenuation carbon fibre..

Back side is made of highatomic number to reduce

back scatter.

Ithides and protects the imaging plate and as well

prevent dust from reaching the imaging plate.
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CR IMAGING PLATE.
Also called photo-stimulable phosphor plate and made up of thin
shect of plastic.

imm thick.
It is usually

LAYERS OF CR IMAGING PLATE.

1S Layer- Protective layer

2nd Layer- Phosphor layer or Active layer.

3rd Layer- Reflective layer.

4th Layer Conductive layer.

sh Layer- Support and Basc layer

Gh Layer- Backing Layer

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O PROTECTIVE LAYER PHOSPHOR LAYER (ACTIVE

LAYER)

Made up of polymer material.

. Has thickness of about0.3mm
Made up of curopium activated
Thin,tough,clear plastic and Barium fluorohalid crystals (BaFxi
transparent in appearance Eu 2-) mostly either BaFBr (8590)

•
or BaFl(1596) Eu. :
Protect the phosphor layer.
.
It raps
cxposures
the electron during

This layer has the property of

storing radiation energy for a
while.
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REFLECTIVE LAYER O CONDUCTIVE LAYER

• This layer reflect s the light Itis light absorbing layer
to the reader.
This layer absorbs lightas
Increases the intensity of wellas any clectrical
light being emitted from charge.
this crystal by reflecting it
back towards the reader
instead of it being
absorbed.
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O SUPPORT LAYER (BASE O BACKING LAYER.

LAYER).
Isa protective layer made
Made from a polycester up from a soft polymer
material. that prevents scratching
when the plates are stacked
Gives structural rigidity
during the manufacture.
and a base for the coating
of all of the other layer. Protect the back of the

. This polyester has excellent

imaging

Are
plate

stability as well as of different sizes

durability and flexibility. 14x14inches, 14x17inches
and 8x10inches.
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NOTE:
r Theimaging plate within the cassette looks similarto a conventional
intensifying screen but is coated with a phosphor such as a europium
activated barium fluorohalide.

7 Imaging plate construction are available in a range of familiar sizes from 18

x 24cm to 35x 43 cm and in two grades corresponding to regular/Standard

and high-definition conventional intensifying screens. The standardgrade

imaging plate has a 210 pm thick phosphor layer with a reflective backing

on a polyester base. The surface of the phosphor layer has a protective

transparent supercoat [Link] high-resolution imaging plate possesses

a thinner (140 pm)phosphor layer and smaller phosphor particles which

cffectively reduce its quantum detection efficiency.

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PRINCIPLE OF CR OPERATION.
During radiographic examination, the radiographer exposes the full-sized
cassette containingthe imaging plate in the normal way. When exposed to
Xradiation, the phosphor stores the pattern of cnergy absorbed from the
Xray beam as a latent image.

After exposure, the imaging plate is unloaded from its cassette into an
image reader unit where its phosphor is scanncd by a 100 pm diameter
light beam from a red emitting (633 nm) helium-neon laser. Under here,

che phosphor is stimulated,the stored energy is released as visible light in

themanner of athermo-luminescent phosphor. Exposure to the laser

beam stimulates thephosphor to release its stored energy,luminescing in
the blue part of the visible spectrum with a brightness proportional to the

original Xray exposure it received.

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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION CONTINUES...

imageon the phosphor is scanncd, a photomuliplier
As the latent

system monitors the lumincscence and generates an clectrical

signal which is amplified and then digitized. The digital signal is

used to construct a grey-scale image which is computer processed,

displayed on a TV monitor, and recordcd as hard copy with a laser
imager. Image data can be permanently stored on a high-capacity
optical disk; c.g. a 3.6 Gb (gigabyte) optical disc can hold about
1800 images from a 35 x 35 cm imaging plate.

When the imaging plate has been scanned,any residual latent

image is erased by further exposure to red light. The plate is then
loaded into its cassette ready for reuse.
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Advantages of CR
Disadvantages of CR
(1) Objectiveand subjective evaluations have shown
thatCR is capable of image quality comparable to that (1)High initial cost.
produced by conventionalrare carth screen-film
systems. (2) Slowerprocessing time
than conventional screen- film
(2)CR is far more tolerant of over- or underexposure.
The system compensates automaticallyfor exposure systems.
variations so that images of optimum density' are
consistently produced butthere is adisadvantage (3) Radiographers receive no
associated with this in the part of a Radiographer. direct feedback on the accuracy
LOOK AT DISADVANTAGEPARAGRAPH 3. BELOW.
of their exposure selection
(3) Significant reductionsin exposure factors without
because the resulting CR
loss of density have been reported with CR, but these
may be accompanied by an increase in quantum noise. images are of consistent density
regardless of the Xray exposure
(4) Computer processing of raw imagedata can
provide an image of conventionalappearance (looking used. This may lead to
like a 'normal'radiograph), or with contrast or undesirable and undetected
sharpnessenhancement
over exposure of the patient.
(5)A CR system is compatible with most conventional
X-ray units and cantherefore be introducedwithour
the need to replace existing equipment.
DIRECT DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY(DDR) 22

As the name suggest,it is a radiographic medical

imaging technology that converts Xray energy

directly into a digital signal and displays it ona

computer. To achieve this, it has a digital sensor placed

directly under a patient's body part(s), and exposures

are made with the xray beam attenuating the patient

before hitting these digital sensors.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION: 23

It is made of TFT lat pancl detcctor madeof

amorphous scleniumn (otherwisecalled the digital

sensorswhich is a direct-conversion detector).This was

introduced in 1995 and can portable be usedas a

wircless deviceor some can come with wire-cords.

This amorphous selenium has S00micro-mete

thickness for basically for Radiography.

This TFT flat pancl is made of capturearca,storage area

and TFT gatc.

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The Capture arca has thrce layers . Capture Area

Top Electrode

Detection layer made of

AmorphousSelenium or Top Electrode (+)

Amorphoussilicon
Amorphus selenium
Detection lLyer
amorphausslicon
Bottom Electrode. or

Bottom Electrode (-)

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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION CONTINUES...
When the flat pancl is exposed to radiation like xray,the xray

strikes thecaptured area,then ionizes the molecules in the

captured area and frees up electrons. The Top charge electrode

takes the electron up while the negative bottom charge

electrodetakes thepositive charge ionized molecules called the

holes created by the free electrons down.

This drawn down ofthe holes create a positive charge at the

bottom of the captured area which is stored in the storage

capacitor. Once theCharge hit certain level, the TFT gate

release electrical charge when the DELs is read out.
SIMPLE SUMMARY OF OPERATION. 29

During xray exposures,X•rays strike this amorphous

[Link] selenium layer directly converts
the X•ray photons into electrons and holes, creating an
Imoge
electric charge based on the attenuation of the xray beam.
Rocogtor
A voltage across the detector draws the electrons to a
collection area within a thin-flm transistor (TFT)array. This

Thin-film transistor acts as electronic switch,assigning

values to cach detector pixel and releasing the stored AD
electrical charges to an analog-to-digital converter.
The analog electrical signal is converted into digital data by Anolog to Comouter

Dgtal
Analog-toDigital Converter (ADC) which is then processed
Canvorson Dsciay
and displayed as a visible image on a computer monitor.
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Top Electrode (+)

Detection Layer

Bottom Electrode (-)

Storage Capacior

TET Gate
ADVANTAGES 30

Fast image acquisition specd.

No necd for hangers for film/radiographs as the digital image is

stored on computers and archived electronically.

Hashigh image quality due to a wide range of details,and images

contrast can be adjusted on the computer to enhance a good
diagnostic quality.

Digital images can be casily shared with other medical professionals

via PACS, RIS,Electronic Health Records (EHRS)ctc.

Digital systems can be more dose-efficient, nmeaning they can
produce a good image with a lowerXray exposure to the patient.
DISADVANTAGES
31

V High Cost: Actually,the cost of digitalsystems is

so high.

/Overexposure Risk: The wide dynamic range of

digital detectors always mask overexposure,

making it harder for a Radiographer especially

onethat doesn't havea good knowledge of

exposure factors to recognize when too much

radiation is used.