Digital X-Rays Services Questions and Answers

X-ray imaging is the most commonly used technique in radiology. It creates a radiograph; a part of the body is exposed to a small quantity of X-rays, the X-rays pass through the tissues, striking a film or detector to create an image to review. X-rays are safe when properly used by radiologists and technologists who have been specially trained to minimize exposure. No radiation remains after the radiograph has been obtained.

Digital x-ray is a form of x-ray imaging where digital x-ray sensors are used instead of the traditional x-ray film. The advantages of using digital x-ray over traditional methods are increased efficiency by eliminating the need for chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Also, there is less radiation being used to produce an image of similar caliber to that of conventional radiography.

X-rays can be used to take an image of every part of your body and are mainly used to look for fractures. They are also commonly used to examine your chest, abdomen, and superficial soft tissues. X-rays can identify many different conditions the body might be dealing with, and they are often a fast and easy method for our doctors to make a diagnosis.

Digital X-rays are an advanced form of the traditional X-ray inspection we have come to know which produces a digital radiographic image instantly on a computer. This technique uses x-ray-sensitive plates to capture the data during the examination, which is then immediately transferred to a computer without the use of an intermediate cassette which is done with traditional X-ray methods. The X-ray radiation is then converted into an equivalent electric charge that is then turned into a digital image through a detector sensor.

Digital X-rays offer multiple advantages to traditional X-ray methods including:

– Shorter exposure times
– Real-time applications
– Use of an analysis tool and defect-recognition software
– Improved detailed detectability
– Enhanced SNR and linearity
– Reduced inspection time, with no chemical processing required
– Eliminates the process of chemicals, hence making it safer for all
– Digital imaging enhancement and data storage
– Higher productivity
– Portability
– The increased dynamic range enables multiple thicknesses to inspect all in one shot
– Immediate feedback
– Easy to transfer to customers electronically or back to the doctor who has requested the images

Traditional X-rays have been around and have been used since the early 1900s, using film to capture images of the body’s internal structures. Traditional X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, the same as visible light but traditional X-rays emit higher energy that can pass through objects such as your body.

Medical X-rays are used generally in emergency rooms, urgent care, or labs that offer ultrasounds and X-ray technology to generate images of structures and tissues inside the body.

For X-rays to be able to take an image, the specified part of the body that needs to be captured will be positioned between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

When the X-ray machine passes through the body, it’s readily absorbed by different organs and structures. Structures like bones with higher atomic numbers will readily absorb the X-ray energy causing the image on the radiograph to seem whiter than the black background it is in front of. The X-ray easily passes through less dense substances like fat and muscle. These typically appear as shades of gray in the film.

Digital x-rays are like digital cameras, as they still use the standard X-ray with the only difference being the sensors that are connected to a computer and not a film. This helps the modern X-ray to capture a much clearer and more accurate image as compared to the traditional method.

Digital X-rays produce 80% less radiation than classic X-rays, even though traditional X-rays are still safe, digital X-rays offer an even safer method.

Digital x-rays also offer a better environmental impact as they develop on a computer to produce images instead of a film that needs to be disposed of, which increases waste.

The images taken by digital x-rays offer a clearer high-resolution image compared to the traditional method and also offers the ability to store the images virtually, bringing down the storage issue and the need to have a well-maintained filing system in hospitals, urgent cares, and laboratories. Since it can easily be found on a shared drive it can easily be sent to any medical professionals that might need access to the digital x-ray.

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