Imaging Science, Informatics, and Computer Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from imaging science, informatics, computer history, PACS, memory, programming, and radiology workflow.

Imaging Science

Multidisciplinary field focused on generating, analyzing, and visualizing data detectable or undetectable by the human eye.

Computer Science (in Imaging)

Discipline that supplies algorithms and computational techniques to convert raw image data into diagnostic images.

Information Technology (IT) in Radiology

Application of RIS, PACS, networks, and storage systems to store, retrieve, and manage medical images.

Imaging Chain

Sequence from subject → capture device → processor → display → human visual system.

Medical Imaging Informatics

Sub-field of biomedical informatics that studies image generation, manipulation, management, and integration once images are digital.

1980s: Medical Imaging & Development

Computed Radiograph (CR), MRI, Ultrasonography (US), Digital Radiography (DR), WS, storage, networking

Late 1980s: Imaging Systems Integration

PACS, The American college of Rdiology and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (ACR/NEMA), DICOM, high-speed networks

Early 1990s: Integration of HIS/RIS/PACS

DICOM, HL7, Intranet and internet

Late 1990s-present: Workflow and application servers

Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), ePR, Enterprise PACS, Web-based PACS

2000s-present: Imaging Informatics

• Computed-aided diagnosis (CAD), image contents indexing

• knowledge base, decision support

• image-assisted diagnosis and treatment

Image Generation

Creating images and converting them to digital form if not natively digital.

Image Manipulation

Pre- and post-processing methods that enhance, visualize, or analyze digital images.

Image Management

Storing, transmitting, retrieving, displaying, and organizing medical images.

Image Integration

Combining images with other patient information for clinical interpretation and management.

PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)

Centralized computer system for storing, distributing, and displaying digital medical images.

RIS (Radiology Information System)

Database system that manages radiology orders, scheduling, reports, and billing.

HIS (Hospital Information System)

Enterprise system managing patient registration, billing, and other administrative hospital data.

DICOM

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine; standard for image formatting and transfer among medical devices.

HL7

Health Level 7; messaging standard for exchanging clinical and administrative data.

IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise)

Industry initiative to improve interoperability of healthcare systems like PACS and EHR.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD)

Software that assists clinicians by automatically detecting abnormalities in medical images.

Digital Biomedicine

Use of digital technologies (e.g., CT, MRI, PACS) to acquire, store, and analyze biomedical data.

Antikythera Mechanism

First-century B.C. analog computer used to predict astronomical events.

Abacus

Ancient counting aid of beads and rods; early manual calculator.

Analytical Engine

Steam-powered programmable computer conceived by Charles Babbage; featured an ALU and punch-card control.

Logic Gates

Electronic switches implementing Boolean logic, fundamental to digital circuits.

Mark I

Electro-mechanical computer (1944) capable of five arithmetic operations per second.

ENIAC

First general-purpose fully electronic digital computer (1946) using 18,000 vacuum tubes.

Vacuum Tube

Early electronic component that controlled current flow; basis of first-generation computers.

EDVAC

Stored-program computer (1949) incorporating John von Neumann’s architecture.

Transistor

Semiconductor switch (1948) that replaced vacuum tubes, revolutionizing computer design.

UNIVAC I

First mass-produced, commercially available electronic computer (1951).

Computer Generations

1st: Vacuum tubes; 2nd: Transistors; 3rd: Integrated circuits; 4th: Microchips/LSI & VLSI.

Binary System

Base-2 numeral system (0,1) used internally by all computers.

Bit

Single binary digit (0 or 1).

Byte

Group of 8 bits, typically encoding one character.

Kilobyte (KB)

1,024 bytes (2^10).

Megabyte (MB)

1,024 KB (2^20).

Gigabyte (GB)

1,024 MB (2^30).

Assembler

Program that converts symbolic assembly language into machine code.

Compiler

Translates an entire high-level program into machine code, producing a fast executable.

Interpreter

Executes high-level code line-by-line, easing debugging but running slower.

Application Program

Software written in a high-level language to perform a user task (e.g., Excel, imaging viewer).

Algorithm

Step-by-step procedure for solving a problem; core of any computer program.

FORTRAN

High-level language (1956) for scientific and engineering computation.

BASIC

Beginner-friendly language (1964) widely used for teaching and simple apps.

COBOL

Business-oriented language emphasizing data processing and reporting.

Pascal

Structured language (1971) developed for teaching programming concepts.

C

General-purpose language combining low-level access with portability.

C++

Extension of C supporting object-oriented programming for large software projects.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Paradigm that organizes software around objects containing data and methods.

Visual Programming Language

Environment (e.g., Visual Basic) enabling GUI creation with minimal coding.

Macro

Recorded or scripted sequence automating repetitive tasks within an application.

LOGO

Educational language featuring turtle graphics for teaching programming to children.

ADA

DoD-approved language designed for reliable, large-scale software systems.

Java

Portable, object-oriented language (1995) used heavily in web and enterprise apps.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language; standard for structuring web pages.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

‘Brain’ of the computer that interprets and executes instructions.

Control Unit

CPU component directing operations and data flow between memory and I/O.

Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)

CPU section performing arithmetic and logical operations.

System Clock

Oscillator that sets the pace of CPU operations, measured in MHz or GHz.

Register

Small, high-speed storage location inside the CPU for immediate data.

MIPS

Millions of Instructions Per Second; metric of CPU performance.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Fast, volatile memory storing active data and programs.

DRAM

Dynamic RAM; common, inexpensive, but requires refresh cycles.

SRAM

Static RAM; faster, retains data without refresh, more expensive.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Non-volatile memory containing firmware such as the bootstrap program.

Cache Memory

Small, very fast RAM that stores frequently accessed data to speed processing.

Primary Memory

Essential, fast memory (e.g., RAM) required for system startup and core functions.

Secondary Memory

Long-term, slower storage (e.g., HDD, SSD) for OS, programs, and data.

Volatile Memory

Loses data when power is removed (e.g., RAM).

Non-Volatile Memory

Retains data without power (e.g., ROM, SSD).

Internal Memory

Memory located inside the computer’s processing unit; provides immediate access.

External Memory

Storage outside the CPU, used for backup or large data volumes.

Modem

Device that modulates and demodulates signals to transmit digital data over analog lines.

Broadband

High-speed, always-on internet access via DSL, cable, fiber, wireless, satellite, or BPL.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Broadband technology delivering data over telephone lines.

Cable Modem

Broadband connection using cable TV infrastructure.

Fiber-Optic Line

Glass strands transmitting light signals for ultra-high-speed data communication.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network; digital transmission over ordinary phone lines.

Teleradiology

Remote transmission of medical images and reports for interpretation.

World Wide Web

Global system of interconnected hypertext documents invented by Tim Berners-Lee (1990).

Data

Raw, unorganized facts without context or meaning.

Information

Data that has been processed, organized, and given context.

Information Science (Informatics)

Social science studying how information is collected, managed, and used, including its technology.

Information Technology (IT)

Study and application of computer and telecommunication systems for handling information.

Biomedical Informatics

Interdisciplinary science of biological and medical information—its structure, acquisition, and use.

Medical Imaging Informatics

Composite field converting medical image data into clinically actionable information.

Health Information Technology (HIT)

Area overseeing technology systems that manage healthcare data while safeguarding privacy.

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Provider-controlled digital record of a patient’s clinical data shared across settings.

Personal Health Record (PHR)

Individual-controlled collection of personal health information, digital or paper.

Electronic Prescribing

System where physicians send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy.

Radiology Workflow

End-to-end process of ordering, acquiring, interpreting, and reporting imaging studies.

Spatial Resolution

Ability of an imaging system to reveal small detail; linked to pixel/voxel size.

Contrast Resolution

Ability to distinguish small intensity differences; determined by bits per pixel.

Temporal Resolution

Time needed to create an image; critical for dynamic studies.

Image-Guided Surgery

Minimally invasive procedures directed by real-time medical imaging.

CAD Indexing / Knowledge Base

Databases and algorithms that catalog image content to support decision making.