Photostimulable Phosphor Image Capture

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to photostimulable phosphor image capture, its equipment and processes, and important terms for understanding digital imaging in radiography.

Photostimulable Phosphor (PSP)

A type of imaging plate that captures images using layers of phosphor materials that store energy from x-ray exposures.

Imaging Plate

A thin sheet constructed of several layers that captures and stores images in a photostimulable phosphor system.

kVp (Kilovoltage peak)

A measure of the peak voltage applied across the x-ray tube, critical for penetration and tissue type determination.

mAs (Milliamperage seconds)

A measure of the total amount of radiation produced over a given time; used to control image density.

Digital Signal Processing

The conversion and enhancement of signals collected from the imaging plate into digital images.

Exposure Indicator

A numerical or graphical representation indicating the amount of radiation exposure received by the image receptor.

Quantum Mottle

Graininess in an image resulting from insufficient exposure or low photon count.

Collimation

The restriction of the x-ray beam area to minimize scatter radiation and enhance image quality.

Moiré Pattern

A wavy artifact that occurs when grid lines align with the laser scanning motion.

Bit Depth

The number of bits used to define the shade of a pixel; affects the number of gray levels displayed in a digital image.

Linear Array Photodetector

A device in line-scan systems that detects photostimulated luminescence emitted from the imaging plate.

Preprocessing

The processing steps that prepare the image data for final display, including collimation and histogram adjustment.

Barcode Label

A label used to identify the imaging plate and match it with the patient record during the examination.

Static Electricity

A buildup of electric charge that can cause artifacts on the imaging plate if not controlled.

Erasure Cycle

The process of exposing imaging plates to light to remove residual stored energy before re-use.

Spatial Resolution

The ability to distinguish small details in an image, dependent on phosphor layer thickness and pixel size.

Photodetector

A device that converts light emitted from the phosphor layer back into an electrical signal during image reading.