FLUOROSCOPE

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Direct viewing of X-ray images, including moving images, has been achieved using a fluorescent screen placed in front of the patient. The X-rays cause the screen to glow in response to the X-ray intensity so that the image can be seen in very low light. Later developments on this idea have been to transfer the image on to cine film, on to to a television picture or video recorder. In these cases the screen and translation mechanism is known as an image intensifier, which is an electronic device for increasing the brightness of the image to a level suitable for photography or video. Fluoroscopy now refers to the whole process of presenting a moving X-ray picture on a television screen or on to cine film. The term 'screening unit' is often applied to X-ray apparatus with fluoroscopic capability. These may be mobile units, or major static units.

Although fluoroscopy is extremely useful for many procedures, the sharpness of the image is poor compared with direct imaging on film.