Digital Radiography & PACS :- Nag Nath P.K.Popli R.S.Kapoor

The Advantages:- Minimal Space demand. Reduces radiation dose. Facility of post-processing. Simultaneous availability of image. Cost savings. Enhanced teaching and research opportunity.

How can it reduce radiation dose ? Decreased rate of repeat. (post processing) Wide latitude of CCD. Increased tube life*

Cost savings:- Elimination of films. The Advantages Cost savings:- Elimination of films. Elimination of chemical and processors. Reduction in maintenance cost. Less requirement of staff. Reduction in space.

Conventional film Vs CCD Features:- Film CCD Radiation dose:- Higher Lower Generation of visible image:- Chemical Computer Image viewing:- Delayed, on view box Real time, on monitor Resolution:- 16-20 lp/mm 10-15 lp/mm

Conventional film Vs CCD Features:- Film CCD Construction:- Thin, flexible Thick, rigid Life span:- Single use Reusable, >10000 exposure. Image enhancement:- Fixed (unchanged) Multiple operations Storage:- Patient record Variety of archiving methods.

Reporting on monitor, how reliable it is? Monitor luminance- 200 to 800 cd/m². View box luminance- 2000 cd/m². Hard copy image have fixed gray scale and relatively limited dynamic range. Monitor have the option of changing window and level in real time and therefore getting access to the higher contrast resolution.

Reporting on monitor, how reliable it is? The printed radiographic film is typically associated with a pixel array of about 4,000 × 5,000 for a 35cm × 43cm. For monitor with 30cm × 36cm size 2,500 × 3,000 pixel is sufficient and combined with a regional zoom function provides a magnificent appreciation of image.

Requirements fulfilled by PACS:- Images must be acquired reliably and at high speed. System & network must be able to handle the heaviest anticipated work load. Network must be expandable for recent development. Must follow DICOM standards.

Components installed in PACS:- The Advantages Components installed in PACS:- RAID (redundant arrays of inexpensive discs) and RAID server. Deep archive and deep archive server. Patient data base server. Work list generator. RIS interface. Image distribution cluster server.

Challenges:- Initial high equipment cost. Massive data storage requirements of radiographic images. Physician & radiologist reluctance to interpret from monitor. Staff resistance. Security. System crash.

Manipulation & display Imaging device Voice Work station RIS HIS Data base management system Non local communication Long term archive Hard copy Remote Tele radiology

Why India needs it:- Lower cost. Less time per patient. High through put. Better environment for medical research. A step ahead towards globalization. Future compulsion.

Thank you.