Digital-image technology has been invented that will allow doctors or technicians to view a high-resolution X-ray, MRI or CT Scan from a computer.

The technology, called dynamic transfer by its maker, only shows the user the needed amount of information at any particular time. This significantly reduces the amount of computing power needed as well as the cost of the equipment needed to view images.

For example, a CT Scan may include 1,000 images, but a person can only look at one image at a time. So the technology only sends one image at a time, rather than taking the time to send all 1,000.

The technology also works according to what the user looks at. A doctor can zoom in on a specific detail of an image, and the technology won’t use up memory on parts of the image that are not being used.

In the past, workstations to handle the 100 MB generated by some medical images could cost $80,000. With this new technology images can be viewed from a standard PC.

A potential downside to the technology is that the images can easily be shared. However, researchers say that the system is protected with access passwords and includes a feature that automatically removes identifying information from an image if it is copied for use in a presentation.

The market for medical imaging technology is growing 15 percent annually, according to experts.

Wired News February 10, 2003

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The above-described system will clearly improve the administration of these tests, but please be wary of your radiation exposure. CT scans will induce considerable levels of ionizing radiation into your body, and you will need to be concerned about the health consequences of that radiation exposure. MRIs are less dangerous and are clearly preferable if clinically practical. If you are unfamiliar with the health concerns surrounding radiation exposure please review the links below. I especially warn you of the new Ultrafast CT scans that are widely promoted to screen for heart disease. Please understand that I do not recommend them at all. There are far better ways to determine your risk for heart disease that will give you specific detailed instructions on how to implement a plan to treat or correct the problem. The CT scan will not do that. Related Articles: X-Rays, Cancer and Heart Disease CT Scan Radiation Risk Even Concerns Conservative FDA Officials Ultrafast CT scans - Godsend or Scam? Do You Have Low Back Pain? Forget the X-rays