CR represents the first generation transition from film to digital radiology. It essentially follows the same work flow of film, but replaces the film cassette with a cassette containing a phosphorous imaging plate. Rather than the exposed film being transferred to a chemical film processor, the plate goes into a digital reader that extracts the images, processes and archives them, then erases and reinserts the plate into the cassette for reuse.
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Digital, also called "Direct," Radiography (depending on the manufacturer) replaces the removable cassette/plate configuration with an electronic plate or "receptor" that is hard wired or tethered inside the x-ray unit. Once the receptor is exposed the image is immediately processed by the unit's internal computer and deleted from the receptor for reuse within about 6 seconds. This rapid turn with no manual manipulation of a cassette is very fast and efficient. It represents the next generation of digital x-ray from CR. It also comes at considerably higher cost.
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CCD systems rely on a high mega-pixel camera to capture the x-ray generated image from a reactive illuminated imaging plate mounted under the x-ray table, replacing the typical cassette. The image is then imported directly into a software program for manipulation and storage, as with other DR systems. CCD is one of the most cost-effective types of digital imaging.
PACS is the data handling, archiving and transmission system, or the "back room," of digital radiology. It processes and organizes digital x-ray images according to the universal dicom 3.0 ("digital imaging and communications in medicine") medical standard software/system that all PACS use for storage, viewing, archiving and transmission of data and images.
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Fluoroscopy is essentially live motion x-ray. It's application includes things like following the progress of barium as it moves down the esophagus in an upper GI test, or observing the movement of a patient's vertebrae as they flex their neck.
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