Evaluation of a CCD-based film digitizer for digital mammography

Film digitization is the process of mapping the optical densities of a radiographic film into a digital matrix. In this work, a Film digitizer based on charge-coupled devices (CCD) was evaluated and optimized for digital mammography applications. The characteristics of the digital output were determined for various spatial resolutions and dynamic ranges. Furthermore, the reproducibility of the system was tested as needed for computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) applications. Practical and relevant to the application quality control procedures were established for the system that will allow early troubleshooting and close monitoring of image quality for consistent performance. Overall, the characteristics of the scanner matched the properties of the rested screen/films and its performance generally met digital mammography and CAD requirements.