Digital imaging equipment
All equipment in the digital imaging chain must function correctly to gain images to support diagnostics as safely as possible.
The use of digital imaging equipment is also getting more common in veterinary imaging. Compared to earlier film technology, digital imaging poses new challenges for maintaining the appropriate functioning of the system and monitoring image quality, for example.
In veterinary imaging, the equipment supplier’s instructions for different imaging sections, which the operating staff use in their practical work, can be used as the starting point for monitoring the operability of digital imaging technology. The most important sections include the condition of the image plates, appropriateness of the device used to read the images, faultless functioning of the workstations and monitors and, as the end result of the entire imaging chain, image quality.
As regards the image plates, it is advisable to consider their general condition, cleanness and image stability. It is also necessary to monitor the appropriate storage and erasure of image plates.
The inspection of the equipment used to view the images is aimed at ensuring that the taken X-ray retains the correct dimensions, for example, and that the image is not distorted due to the viewing. This can be checked simply by imaging a metal ruler, for example, and checking the geometric correctness of the image.
As regards workstations and monitors, it is advisable to pay attention to their appropriate placement, lighting of the workplace and the operating environment. Their condition can also be monitored using test programmes, which are available from the equipment suppliers. If a film printer is used, its condition should also be monitored.
When monitoring image quality, special attention must be paid to image resolution, noise, contrast and possible scale errors. The comparison image taken by the equipment supplier after maintenance, which can be kept as a preference for assessing image quality during operation, is a good starting point for the monitoring of image quality.
For more information about the quality control of equipment, read STUK’s guide Terveydenhuollon röntgenlaitteiden laadunvalvontaopas (Quality control of X-ray equipment used in health care).