Digital Radiography Systems: Principles of Operation, Clinical Applications, and Quality Control
摘要
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR), focusing on their historical development, classification, working principles, instrumentation, and clinical relevance. Divided in two sections, It begins with CR, discussing CR system installation, including infrastructure planning and technical prerequisites. The historical evolution of CR is traced alongside its core components such as cassette, imaging plate, and digitizer and detailing their function and integration within the imaging workflow. Emphasis is placed on CR’s dynamic range, clinical applications, system advantages, and commonly encountered image artifacts. Quality control practices are explained in depth, including routine maintenance, uniformity testing, and cleaning protocols, concluding with a brief overview of leading CR system manufacturers. In the DR section, the chapter explains the transition to fully digital systems, beginning with the essential components of a DR setup. The classification of flat-panel detectors (FPDs) both direct and indirect is discussed, highlighting technological differences such as Thin Film Transistor (TFTs), and Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) detectors. Detailed comparisons between detector types are discussed by their working principles and performance characteristics. The section also examines common DR artifacts, their subtypes, and appropriate mitigation strategies. QC protocols specific to DR systems are outlined, alongwith recommended tools and testing procedures. Finally, the chapter concludes with insights into recent innovations and the future of digital radiography.