The future of digital imaging

For most applications, conventional film based methods may be replaced by digital imaging. This trend is influenced technically by the advent of more efficient detectors, improved image processing methods, faster computers, brighter and sharper displays and larger systems for image storage and archiving. The evolution of digital imaging reflects the fast development of information technology. Work in radiology departments will change. Information systems will organize the registration and administration of patient data, the scheduling of examinations, management of work flow and the generation of reports. Images will be taken without film cassettes and will be directly displayed on monitors for reporting. Digital imaging provides greater flexibility in processing, transmitting and displaying images. A larger dynamic range and improved contrast resolution lead to a consistently high image quality. This must lead to new rules of diagnosing images and quality assurance. Interfaces are interrelating imaging modalities, displays, the administration and the archive system to each other. The resulting net has to be safe, stable and fault-tolerant. Digital imaging systems will depend much more on the proper function of the interrelated systems in the network.