1. Background of DR generation
Since the invention of X-ray by Roentgen in 1895, people have seen the bones in the body for the first time with the help of X-rays, setting a precedent for imaging diagnosis of the human body. And the original X-ray machine is analog X-ray imaging, using screen-chip system imaging, but because it is analog imaging, once the image is generated, its image quality can not be further improved, and because the information it collects is analog data, can not be processed by computer, and is not convenient for the storage, management, transmission of images, so its development has been obviously limited. With the development of computer digital imaging technology, CR and DR have gradually emerged, laying the foundation for our medical imaging to move from analog to digital.
Second, the old wave DR form - static DR
Static DR can only be used for two-dimensional plain film photography, for patients who need contrast examination, they need to use a gastrointestinal machine to solve, and at the same time, static DR shows more projection images of organs, and it is difficult to find subtle lesions from a single angle and a single time point.
Third, the development trend of DR under the wave of new technologies - dynamic, three-dimensional, functional, portable
Dynamic. In 2009, Shimadzu, a foreign imaging manufacturer, combined the gastrointestinal machine with the mature tablet DR to create the first multi-functional dynamic DR. In 2013, Anjian Technology independently developed China's first dynamic DR, and China began to gradually enter the era of dynamic DR development.
In terms of function, dynamic DR is a multi-functional DR, which can perform digital radiography, digital radiography, digital X-ray fluoroscopy, etc., compared with static DR, dynamic DR has more clinical application scenariosFrom the technical aspect: Dynamic DR is a direct digital radiography system that uses a multi-function dynamic digital detector for imaging;From the clinical aspect: dynamic DR has (17inch 17inch) high-definition filming, large-format (17inch 17inch) fluoroscopy, millisecond-level high-definition dot film, visual imaging, whole-body splicing, real-time storage and playback and other functions to support accurate diagnosis. (The first image is a clinical image of occult lesions diagnosed by dynamic DR, and the second image is an upper gastrointestinal imaging image).
Three-dimensionalization. Three-dimensional is achieved on a dynamic basis. So why move dynamic DR to 3D?The reason is that the current routine ambulatory DR has certain clinical application limitations. Traditional two-dimensional plain film is very susceptible to the influence of illumination angle and positioning, resulting in missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, while three-dimensional examination can comprehensively present the three-dimensional image information of the inspected part at multiple angles, and can provide accurate and intuitive quantitative measurement data to assist clinical diagnosis and treatment. (3D Scan Reconstructed Image).
Of course, some people will ask why 3D examination is not performed on CT and MRI. According to research, the morphology of the spine and joints of the human body will change in the supine and upright positions, so the clinical images taken in the supine position are difficult to reflect the bone and joint information of the human body in the normal weight-bearing state, so there are also limitations in clinical application.
In the direction of three-dimensional research, the technology of these manufacturers is currently leading in the industry. The first is the WR-3D, which is the first in China to realize 3D scanning and reconstruction under the weight position. The WR-3D is realized through the principle of CBCT, and achieves the largest FOV in the industry through innovative non-isocentric scanning, which solves the shortcomings of other manufacturers in the industry that can include bilateral hip joints and both lower limbs in a single scan. The second is the French EOS, of course, the principle of its three-dimensional scanning is very different from that of Anjian, it is through two sets of vertically placed detectors from top to bottom scanning, to obtain the positive and lateral images, in the positive and lateral images to do template matching, fitting the three-dimensional image. Finally, there is Taoying, which is similar to the principle of G-arm, through the dual-plane system scanning, the dual-plane image is imported into the bone and joint 3D analysis workstation to obtain 3D images. However, it is worth mentioning that only the WR-3D of Anjian Technology is a true 3D scan of the three manufacturers. (The image on the left is the WR-3D of Anjian Technology, and the image on the right is EOS of France).
In general, 3D photography not only has all the functions of dynamic DR, but also can provide better clinical images and accurate bone and joint parameter information than 2D scanning of dynamic DR, and can also complement CT and MRI to achieve 3D scanning and reconstruction under the weight bearing position that CT and MRI cannot satisfy, and at the same time, compared with CT, 3D DR also has the advantage of lower dose than CT.
Functionalization. Of course, with the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of diseases in the future, the development of functionalization will inevitably be the development trend of DR. The application of lung function can intuitively display the abnormal ventilation area of patients during breathing through the measurement of respiratory flow rate, flow analysis, lung ventilation function analysis, etc., and provide a new technical means for imaging diagnosis of patients with abnormal ventilation and COPD. Perfusion analysis of the lungs to enable the assessment of pulmonary embolism in the absence of contrast. It can also be applied to the study of the direction of bone movement, such as the imaging of cervical spine motor function, the evaluation of healing status after fracture repair, etc. (The first image on the left is imaging of blood perfusion in the lungs, and the two images on the right are imaging of cervical spine motor function).
Portability. With the development of the times, DR is gradually becoming more portable. For example, mobile DR can be easily pushed and pulled to achieve joint use by multiple departments and increase the use of equipment. Portable mobile DR has the advantages of small size, light weight, flexible movement, and convenient operation, which can solve the disadvantages of small and inaccessible operation of the machine when bedside photography is carried out in ICU wards or special patient wards.
FourthThe outlook for the future of the DR industry
The development process of the DR industry is full of innovation and progress, from the initial static DR, to today's dynamic DR, three-dimensional DR, multi-functional DR, portable DR, and the technical level of DR continues to improve, providing more accurate, safe and efficient services for medical imaging diagnosis.