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ADC™ (AUTOMATIC DIGITIZER CALIBRATION).
(VIDAR’s automatic calibration software recalibrates
the digitizers every five seconds, ensuring superior grayscale
reproduction and optimum image quality with every image scanned.
Unique to VIDAR’s digitizers, ADC results in a digitized
image that is the most accurate representation of the hard-copy
film.
CAD (COMPUTER AIDED DETECTION).
A system that incorporates advanced pattern recognition and
image analysis capabilities to aid radiologists in the detection
of abnormalities on digitized mammography images. CAD systems
provide a targeted second review for busy radiologists in
order to improve the early detection of breast cancer. A requirement
for effective CAD systems is a film digitizer capable of providing
exceptional image quality and a high level of reliability.
CCD (CHARGE COUPLED DEVICE) FILM DIGITIZER. A photoelectric
device that converts light information into electronic information.
CCD digitizers employ of an array of sensors that collect
and store light as a buildup of electrical charge. The resulting
electrical signal can be converted into computer code and
reconstructed to form an electronic image. CCD digitizers
deliver exceptional image quality, reliability, and affordability.
CENTRAL READ. An application of teleradiology in which
x-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI images are transmitted to alternate,
central locations, allowing primary diagnosis to be made from
the scanned or digital image, rather than the film itself.
Central read allows radiologists to more quickly review and
evaluate images and provide more timely diagnoses without
the added delay and expense of traveling to a hospital or
clinic or waiting for films to be mailed or shipped to their
offices. This is also known as remote primary diagnosis.
CONTINOUS LOADING (CL). The need for immediate processing
of multiple mammography studies has resulted in film feeders
that can accommodate continuous loading of cases. Ideally,
this feature allows film digitizers to scan films without
interruption. However, most batch feeders require the digitization
process to be halted or paused in order to load new cases,
reducing productivity and creating reliability problems with
the digitizer and feeder. Furthermore, additional cases often
must be loaded on the bottom of the stack and films must be
sorted by size. VIDAR has developed a new category of continuous
loading film feeder that reduces the typical four-step loading
process to just one simple step.
DICOM (DIGITAL IMAGING AND COMMUNICATIONS IN MEDICINE).
A standard for interconnection of medical digital imaging
devices developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR)
and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
DICOM improves interconnectability of equipment on a network
and interactivity with other communications standards.
DIGITIZE. The process by which analog (continuous value)
film is converted into digital (discrete value) information.
This process is a necessary function for computer imaging
applications because visual information is inherently in analog
format and most computers use only digital information.
DOSIMETRY. The accurate measurement of exposures or doses
of x-rays, gamma rays, or other radioactive emanations used
for the treatment of cancer.
DPI (DOTS PER INCH). The common expression for film digitizer
resolution. In conventional radiology, resolution is expressed
in line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm). The larger the DPI,
the higher-resolution image produced.
GRAYSCALE. The number of different shades or levels of
gray that can be stored and displayed by a computer system.
Grayscale is directly related to the number of bits used in
each pixel.
HIGH DEFINITION CCD (HD-CCD®). A hallmark of VIDAR’s
digitizers, the company’s proprietary HD-CCD technology
was developed for the critical performance of scientific color
imaging applications. VIDAR’s HD-CCD digitizers have
been clinically proven to deliver excellent image quality
when compared with more expensive laser systems.
IMRT (INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY). Rather than
having a single large radiation beam pass through the body,
with IMRT the radiation is broken up into thousands of tiny
beams, which enter the body from many angles and intersect
on the tumor. As a result, IMRT allows precise external beam
radiotherapy treatments, resulting in a higher dose to the
tumor and a lower dose to the surrounding tissue.
LASER FILM DIGITIZER. A device that uses a laser beam
to convert an image on x-ray film into digital image data.
While laser digitizers produce excellent image quality, their
high expense, low reliability, and cumbersome maintenance
requirements contrast sharply with advanced CCD-based film
digitizers such as those produced by VIDAR.
MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURE (MTBF). A measure of product
reliability that usually is given in units of hours. The higher
the MTBF, the more reliable the product will be. For example,
VIDAR digitizers feature a MTBF of 50,000 hours, the equivalent
of nearly six years — the highest reliability in the
industry.
OPTICAL DENSITY (OD). For a given wavelength, an expression
of the transmittance of an optical element. The optical density
(OD) range and grayscale accuracy delivered by VIDAR’s
digitizers provide unmatched diagnostic quality.
PACS (PICTURE ARCHIVING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS).
Systems that facilitate image viewing at diagnostic, reporting,
consultation, and remote computer workstations, as well as
archiving of pictures on magnetic or optical media using short-
or long-term storage devices. PACS allow communication using
local or wide-area networks, public communications services,
systems that include modality interfaces, and gateways to
healthcare facility and departmental information systems.
PIXEL (PICTURE ELEMENT). The smallest piece of information
that can be displayed on a computer monitor. It is represented
by a numerical code within the computer and displayed on the
monitor as a dot of a specific color or intensity. An image
is composed of a large array of pixels. The pixel size in
a high-end computer monitor’s screen (a 1K x 1K monitor)
is approximately 0.28 mm x 0.28 mm. The pixel size for diagnostic
teleradiology monitors (2K x 2K) is much smaller. Other factors
being equal, the smaller the pixel size, the greater the resolution
of the image.
RADIOLOGY INFORMATION SYSTEM (RIS). A system comprised
of patient registration, film/chart tracking, scheduler, management
reports, and other tools designed to increase the efficiency
of radiology offices.
REMOTE PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (RPD).
An emerging application of teleradiology in which x-ray, CT,
ultrasound, and MRI images are scanned into computer systems
and transmitted to alternate locations, allowing primary diagnosis
to be made from the scanned image, rather than the film itself.
RPD allows radiologists to more quickly review and evaluate
images and provide more timely diagnosis without the added
delay and expense of traveling to a hospital or clinic or
waiting for films to be mailed or shipped to their offices.
Also known as central read.
RESOLUTION. The level of detail,
measured in pixels, which can be captured or displayed on
a computer monitor. A high-resolution image is a requirement
of medical film digitizers.
ROC (RECEIVER OPERATOR CHARACTERISTIC) CURVE.
A commonly used index of accuracy in medical imaging trials.
Equivalent to the probability of correctly classifying a random
pair of cases in which one is positive and one is negative.
Possible values for the area under a ROC curve range from
0.50 (random guessing) to 1.00 (perfect diagnostic performance).
TELEMEDICINE. Defined by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration as the delivery and provision
of healthcare and consultative services to individual patients
and the transmission of information related to care, over
distance, using telecommunications technologies. Telemedicine
incorporates direct clinical, preventive, diagnostic, and
therapeutic services and treatment; consultative and follow-up
services; remote monitoring of patients; rehabilitative services;
and patient education.
TELERADIOLOGY. Refers to the
electronic transmission of radiological images, such as x-rays,
CTs, and MRIs, from one location to another for the purposes
of interpretation and/or consultation. Digital images are
transmitted over a distance using standard telephone lines,
satellite connections, or local area networks (LANs). Teleradiology
also is beginning to include the process of interfacing with
the HIS/RIS systems in the transporting of digital images.
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