[Digital radiography. Experiences with the SP system].

Digital radiography which would have to replace conventional radiography with equal or improved quality is the still missing link in the development of a fully digital imaging department of the future. Various attempts have been made to close this gap. This article describes the SP system, a large area detecting digital imaging system, originally designed by Fuji. Its components are the imaging plate, coated with a stimulable phosphor (SP), which is used like a conventional film-screen cassette, a laser-based image reader, the image processor and a laser-based image printer. After a six months' test in hospital routine, the advantages, shortcomings and possible improvements are discussed.