Which device converts analog radiographic film into digital images for electronic archiving?

• A. Film Digitizer
• B. Digital Radiography System
• C. X-Ray Computed Tomography Unit
• D. Computed Radiography Reader

Answer: (A)

Converting analog radiographic film into digital images for electronic archiving is accomplished with a film digitizer. It works by illuminating the radiographic film and sensing how much light passes through or reflects from the emulsion. The varying densities on the film translate into digital pixel values by a sensor array (such as CCD or CMOS or a laser scanner). The resulting digital image can then be stored, processed, and archived in digital systems like PACS, making legacy films accessible without keeping the physical film.

This is different from a digital radiography system, which captures images directly as digital data during exposure using flat-panel detectors, so no digitization of film is needed. A computed radiography reader, on the other hand, reads imaging plates from CR systems rather than traditional film. An X-ray computed tomography unit produces cross-sectional 3D images, not simple digitized films for archival. So for turning old analog film into digital for storage and sharing, the film digitizer is the appropriate device.