Medical imaging is collection of techniques that are used to create images of the human body for medical purposes. Oftentimes, these purposes are for clinical diagnosis or examination. Other times, medical imaging is used for medical research purposes. Medical imaging utilizes a number of techniques including radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, medical ultrasonography or ultrasound, endoscopy, elastography, tactile imaging, thermography and medical photography to achieve its ends.

One of the most common and well known types of medical imaging is radiography. Radiography is the use of X rays to examine a non uniformly composed material such as a human’s body. X rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation. They get their name because the radiation used was previous unknown, hence it was called “X.” They were discovered by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895. When working with X rays, patients and doctors will often wear protective X ray accessories such lead aprons and lead glasses. This is because while X rays are generally safe in low doses, they can increase the chance of an individual getting cancer.

Radiographers now also often do more than just X rays, including fluoroscopy, computed tomography, mammography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging. Modern medical imaging uses Picture Archiving and Communication Systems, also know as PACS, to reduce the physical and temporal barriers associated with conventional film based imaging. PACS images are displayed on PACS monitors, rather than developed on film. Thus, PACS workstations offer doctors much more flexibility when using medical imaging to diagnosis and examine a patient.

If you would like more information about PACS computers and PACS monitors, contact the nearest PACS system vendors. You can find PACS system vendors by searching online.