Korean J Med Phys.  2011 Sep;22(3):155-162.

Setting Up a CR Based Filmless Environment for the Radiation Oncology

• Kim DY
• Lee J
• Kim M
• Ha B
• Lee C
• Kim S
• Ahn S
• Lee R

Abstract

The analog image based system consisted of a simulator and medical linear accelerator (LINAC) for radiotherapy was upgraded to digital medical image based system by exchanging the X-ray film with Computed Radiography (CR). With minimum equipments shift and similar treatment process, it was possible that the new digital image system was adapted by the users in short time. The film cassette and the film developer device were substituted with a CR cassette and a CR Reader, where the ViewBox was replaced with a small size PC and a monitor. The viewer software suitable for radiotherapy was developed to maximize the benefit of digital image, and as the result the convenience and the effectiveness was improved. It has two windows to display two different images in the same time and equipped various search capability, contouring, window leveling, image resizing, translation, rotation and registration functions. In order to avoid any discontinuance of the treatment while the transition to digital image, the film and the CR was used together for 1 week, and then the film developer was removed. Since then the CR System has been operated stably for 2 months, and the various requests from users have been reflected to improve the system.

Keyword

Computed Radiography; Filmless; Viewer; Digital medical image; Radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Particle Accelerators
Radiation Oncology
X-Ray Film
Organothiophosphorus Compounds