Performance Specifications From The Radiologist's Perspective

James Christie

doi:10.1117/12.954603

25 March 1976 Performance Specifications From The Radiologist's Perspective

James Christie

Proceedings Volume 0070, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine IV; (1976) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.954603
Event: Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine, IV, 1975, Atlanta, United States

Abstract

There are few jobs in the lives of radiologists which equal the frustrations encountered in the purchase of new equipment. The objectives of the purchase from the radiologist's point of view are quite simple; that is to produce radiographs of excellent image quality with great efficiency and reliability built into the machine at the lowest possible cost. Unfortunately, most of these objectives are diametrically opposed to one another. While most salesmen would have us believe that image quality is directly proportional to cost, I am not convinced that this is true, since radiographic image quality seems to have changed very little over the decades, while the cost has continuously and steeply increased. I realize of course that the fluoroscopic image has improved considerably with image amplification. Efficiency and convenience of operation certainly are inversely proportional to the reliability of any piece of equipment. I cannot ever remember anything going wrong with the bracket on the wall which held up the 14 x 17 cassette for a chest x ray, while the transport mechanisms in the automated chest units periodically strike, because the humidity in the room makes the films too sticky, or, if the film is alright, the microswitches stick. On the other hand, the number of patients which can be accommodated per unit time with an automated chest unit is truly astronomical. This example of course is an absurd one, and I use it only to emphasize the incompatibility of objectives, which we attempt to meet in purchasing equipment.

Citation Download Citation

James Christie "Performance Specifications From The Radiologist's Perspective", Proc. SPIE 0070, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine IV, (25 March 1976); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.954603

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available