Medical Imaging

Diagnostic imaging systems such as X-ray and ultrasound have been in use for decades. Other systems, which include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear or positron emission tomography (PET), are newer. These new diagnostic imaging systems are complex and image-processing intensive, forcing manufacturers to continuously introduce more advanced features and improved performance.

Semiconductors play an important role in developing these cutting-edge diagnostic imaging systems. With increases in image resolutions and bandwidth, video optimized memory provides capabilities and lower cost of development to drive next-generation imaging systems.

Figure 1: Solutions for typical Diagnostic Imaging Equipment

The medical and scientifc industry faces many issues and challenges in terms of offering high quality imagery, real-time digital processing, and providing high performance, high-speed A-D and D-A conversion.

As shown in Figure 1, a typical diagnostic imaging system consists of three sets of cards: data acquisition, data consolidation, and image/data processing cards.

The data acquisition card, which filters incoming data, is the most cost-sensitive system card. Usually a diagnostic imaging system will consist of multiple data acquisition cards (in some cases, up to 20 cards per system). Once the data is compensated and filtered, it is sent to the data consolidation card for buffering and data alignment. For CT and PET scanners where the detectors rotate around the body, the data is serialized and sent across a slip ring electromechanical subassembly. Once the data has been collected, it is sent to the image/data processing cards. These cards perform heavy-duty filtering and the most algorithm-intensive image reconstruction. Once completed the final imaging and scaling functions for display are usually done on a single board computer (SBC).

Related links:
- Video Synchronization
- Frame Store