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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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