FLUOROSCOPY

Analogue and Digital Fluoroscopy Systems

Analogue and Digital Fluoroscopy Systems

Introduction

Fluoroscopy is a modality of radiology is to acquire instantaneous dynamic images of the interior structures.

A fluoroscopy system consists of an X-ray generator capable of emitting X-rays for several minutes of continuous or pulsed manner. The image was acquired using an image intensifier, or some plane sensors capable of operating in continuous acquisition. The images were repatriated to a screen snapshot from which the operators are analyzing. The technique is mainly used in medicine for real-time tracking of surgical operations, for some tests where we follow the evolution of products injected into the patient's body, or the precise positioning of patients in apparatus for radiotherapy or proton. (Geijer , Jonsson , Andersson and Persliden , 2001)

Dynamic Imaging

Fluoroscopy is a special application of dynamic imaging, where a fluorescent screen and image intensifier tube is connected to a closed circuit television system. This allows real-time imaging of structures in motion or supplemented with a radio-contrast agent. Radio Contrast agents are administered, often swallowed or injected into the body of the patient, the anatomy and functioning of blood vessels, the genitourinary system or the gastrointestinal tract to delineate. Barium (as BaSO 4) can be administered orally or rectally for evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. Iodine, in multiple proprietary forms, may be provided by oral, rectal, intra-arterial or intravenous routes. This radio contrast agents strongly absorb or scatter X-ray radiation, and combined with the real-time imaging allows demonstration of dynamic processes such as peristalsis in the digestive tract or blood flow in arteries and veins. Iodine can be concentrated in abnormal areas more or less than in normal tissues and make abnormalities (tumors, cysts, inflammation) more conspicuous. Moreover, under specific conditions air can be used as a contrast agent for the gastrointestinal system and carbon dioxide can be used as a contrast agent into the venous system in these cases, the contrast weakens the X-ray radiation less than the surrounding tissues.

Fluoroscopy as a diagnostic imaging tool enables professionals to visualize different body systems, including skeletal, digestive, urinary, respiratory and reproductive systems. Fluoroscopy may be performed to evaluate specific areas of the body, including bones, muscles and joints as solid organs like the heart, lungs or kidneys. (Geijer , Jonsson , Andersson and Persliden , 2001)

Fluoroscopy is used in many tests and procedures such as barium x-rays, cardiac catheterization, arthrography (visualization of a joint or joints), lumbar puncture, intra-or peri-articular injections, intravenous catheters (hollow tubes inserted in the veins or arteries), intravenous pyelo spelling, hysterosalpingogram, biopsies, minimally invasive surgery of the foot, etc. (Hanas and Ostberg ,2000)

Discussion

The advantage of digital fluoroscopy (DF) compared with conventional fluoroscopy, the speed of image acquisition and editing support to image contrast.

A matrix is how many pixels are used as described to create your image. Imagine a pixel a bucket of water, and now you need a barrel to fill present your final image. Instead of using a digital image in the volume as a barrel of water, you ...