<title>Computer Based Direct Digital Film Recording For Hard Copy Of Medical Images</title>

Abstract

With the introduction of digital medical imaging modalities and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) the necessary and desirable capabilities of a film recorder for hard-copy output will vary from the specifications of the current video-based recorder. Image data can be presented to the film recorder in a digital rather than analog video format. The resulting film image is no longer subject to degradation due to nonlinearities in the video portion of the recorder. Spatial resolution is also greatly enhanced (4096 x 4096 pixels). The inherent data processing capabilities of the digital film recorder allow a number of additional functions to be performed internally. Features of the system to be discussed include automatic calibration, automatic failure diagnosis, data compression and expansion, data error detection and correction, gamma and exposure compensation, alphanumeric and graphic frame identification, graphic image recording (EKG, EEG, EMG), color capability, data format conversion, multi-format multi-modality sequences, print spooling from multiple image sources and direct connection to a PACS network.