Bart Horsten

Direct thermal hard copy system for medical diagnostic applications

A new dry system based on a direct thermal technology with diagnostic properties has been developed. This paper discusses the major improvements in printer and film required to achieve the image quality needed to meet the diagnostic requirements. The concept of the printer and the film rate both explained. The image quality achieved in terms of contrast, resolution, noise and other parameters is discussed. The results of archivability and shelf life testing and the physical properties of the material are also presented. To validate the technology for diagnostic purposes, a hospital test has been performed for ultrasound, CT, MRI, R and F and vascular studies. The method and results of this testing are presented in the paper. The hospital tests showed that the images obtained with the dry system materials can be used for diagnostic purposes.