What exactly is CR & DR, and what’s the big deal?
CR stands for “Computerized Radiography.” What CR does is allow you to create digital images with your existing x-ray equipment. This is done by using a photostimulable phosphor imaging plate that takes the place of your conventional x-ray film and cassettes. Once x-ray strikes the phosphor imaging plate and the plate has been processed through the CR unit, a digital image is displayed on a computer workstation allowing the technician/physician to manipulate the image to their liking (i.e. window/level, zoom, measure distances & angles, make notations, etc.). DR stands for “Direct Digital Radiography.” A DR system replaces your existing x-ray room altogether. As opposed to CR, DR creates the digital image as soon as the x-ray has been taken. Once the image appears on the workstation, it has the ability to be manipulated (i.e. window/level, zoom, measure distances & angles, make notations, etc.) and archived digitally. The plus for both CR & DR is the fact that A) You’re creating a digi
