Medical Imaging Equipment Technical Specifications

Medical imaging equipment encompasses a diverse range of technologies used to visualize the internal structures of the human body for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This technical specification document covers the major imaging modalities including X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine systems.

Digital Radiography (DR) Systems

Digital radiography systems have largely replaced traditional film-based X-ray imaging, providing immediate image availability, post-processing capabilities, and integration with PACS networks.

X-ray Generator Specifications

Parameter	General Radiography	Fluoroscopy
Power Rating	50-80 kW	30-80 kW
kVp Range	40-150 kVp	40-125 kVp
mA Range	10-1000 mA	0.5-6 mA (fluoro) / 10-800 mA (spot)
mAs Range	0.1-600 mAs	Varies
Exposure Time	1 ms – 6 seconds	Continuous
Automatic Exposure Control	3-5 field AEC	Automatic dose rate control

Digital Detector Specifications

Parameter	Flat Panel (a-Si)	Flat Panel (CMOS)
Active Area	35×43 cm (14×17 in) typical	24×30 cm to 43×43 cm
Pixel Pitch	139-200 µm	76-150 µm
Matrix Size	2048×2560 to 3072×3072	2400×3000 to 4096×4096
Bit Depth	14-16 bits	14-16 bits
DQE (0 lp/mm)	65-75%	70-80%
Read-out Time	<1 second	<0.5 second
Weight (portable)	2.5-4 kg	2-3.5 kg

Computed Tomography (CT) Specifications

CT scanners provide cross-sectional imaging through X-ray transmission measurements from multiple angles, reconstructed into volumetric datasets.

Scanner Configuration

Parameter	Mid-Range	High-End
Detector Rows	64-128 rows	256-640 rows
Detector Elements	896-1344 per row	896-1792 per row
Gantry Rotation	0.35-0.5 seconds	0.25-0.35 seconds
Gantry Aperture	70-80 cm	70-90 cm
Z-Axis Coverage	4-8 cm per rotation	8-16 cm per rotation
Spatial Resolution	0.35-0.5 mm	0.25-0.35 mm
Temporal Resolution	175-250 ms	66-135 ms

CT X-ray Tube Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Power Rating	80-120 kW
Anode Heat Storage	5-20 MHU
Anode Cooling Rate	1-3 MHU/min
kVp Settings	70, 80, 100, 120, 140 kVp (typical)
mA Range	10-800 mA
Focal Spot Size	0.5-1.2 mm (small/large)
Tube Current Modulation	Angular and longitudinal

Dose Reduction Technologies

• Automatic Tube Current Modulation: Angular and z-axis modulation based on patient attenuation
• Iterative Reconstruction: Advanced algorithms reducing image noise at lower doses
• Spectral Shaping Filters: Tin filtration for specific low-dose protocols
• Organ Dose Modulation: Reduced exposure to radiosensitive organs
• Intelligent Collimation: Precise beam shaping to minimize overranging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Specifications

MRI systems provide exceptional soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation, using strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses.

Magnet Specifications

Parameter	1.5T System	3.0T System
Field Strength	1.5 Tesla	3.0 Tesla
Homogeneity (40 cm DSV)	<1 ppm peak-to-peak	<1 ppm peak-to-peak
Bore Diameter	60-70 cm	60-70 cm
Bore Length	145-175 cm	145-175 cm
Patient Weight Limit	200-250 kg	200-250 kg
Fringe Field (5 Gauss)	3-5 m radius	4-6 m radius
Helium Consumption	Zero boil-off technology	Zero boil-off technology

Gradient System Specifications

Parameter	Standard	High-Performance
Maximum Amplitude	33-45 mT/m	45-80 mT/m
Slew Rate	125-180 T/m/s	180-200 T/m/s
Linearity (45 cm DSV)	<5%	<5%
Rise Time (to max)	250-350 µs	200-250 µs
Duty Cycle	100% at rated specs	100% at rated specs

RF Coil Specifications

• Body Coil: Integrated transmit/receive, whole body coverage
• Head Coil: 8-64 channels, dedicated neuro imaging
• Spine Coil: Multi-element phased array, integrated with table
• Cardiac Coil: 18-32 channels, flexible design
• Breast Coil: Dedicated bilateral imaging coil
• Surface Coils: Various anatomical configurations (shoulder, knee, wrist)

Ultrasound System Specifications

Diagnostic ultrasound systems use high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images without ionizing radiation.

System Platform Specifications

Parameter	Cart-Based	Portable/Handheld
Display Size	21-24 inches	7-15 inches
Image Depth	Up to 40 cm	Up to 30 cm
Active Transducer Ports	3-5	1-2
Cine Memory	10,000+ frames	1,000-5,000 frames
System Weight	60-100 kg	0.5-15 kg
Battery Operation	Optional UPS	1-5 hours

Transducer Specifications

Transducer Type	Frequency Range	Application
Curved Array (Convex)	2-6 MHz	Abdominal, OB/GYN
Linear Array	5-15 MHz	Vascular, MSK, breast
Phased Array	2-5 MHz	Cardiac, transcranial
Endocavity	4-10 MHz	Transvaginal, transrectal
Transesophageal (TEE)	3-8 MHz	Cardiac surgery, ICU
Intraoperative	4-12 MHz	Laparoscopic, neurosurgery

Imaging Modes

• B-Mode (2D): Gray-scale anatomical imaging
• M-Mode: Time-motion display for cardiac structures
• Color Doppler: Blood flow direction and velocity mapping
• Power Doppler: Flow detection without direction information
• Spectral Doppler: Pulsed wave (PW) and continuous wave (CW)
• 3D/4D Imaging: Volumetric and real-time 3D acquisition
• Elastography: Tissue stiffness assessment (shear wave, strain)
• Contrast-Enhanced: Microbubble contrast agent imaging

Nuclear Medicine/PET-CT Specifications

Nuclear medicine imaging detects gamma radiation from radiopharmaceuticals to assess physiological function. PET-CT combines positron emission tomography with CT for hybrid imaging.

Gamma Camera (SPECT) Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Detector Type	NaI(Tl) crystal or CZT solid-state
Crystal Dimensions	40×54 cm (rectangular) or 50 cm (circular)
Crystal Thickness	9.5-16 mm (NaI) / 5 mm (CZT)
Intrinsic Resolution	3.5-4.5 mm (NaI) / 2.5-3.5 mm (CZT)
Energy Resolution	9.5-10.5% at 140 keV
Energy Range	40-400 keV
Count Rate Capability	>200,000 cps (20% loss)

PET Scanner Specifications

Parameter	Standard PET-CT	Digital/SiPM PET-CT
Detector Material	LSO, LYSO, BGO	LSO/LYSO with SiPM
Axial FOV	15-22 cm	20-26 cm
Transaxial FOV	70 cm	70 cm
Spatial Resolution	4-5 mm FWHM	3-4 mm FWHM
Sensitivity	7-10 cps/kBq	10-20 cps/kBq
Timing Resolution	500-600 ps	200-350 ps (TOF)
Energy Resolution	11-14%	9-12%

PACS and Image Management

Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) provide digital storage, retrieval, and distribution of medical images.

PACS Infrastructure Requirements

Component	Specification
Storage Capacity	2-5 TB/year per modality (varies)
DICOM Compliance	All modality-specific SOP classes
Network Bandwidth	1 Gbps minimum (10 Gbps recommended)
Display Resolution	3MP (general) / 5MP (mammography)
Redundancy	RAID storage, failover servers
Archive Retention	7-10 years (adult) / 21+ years (pediatric)

Related Resources

For additional information on medical imaging and related topics, explore these resources:

• Documentation Hub – Technical equipment specifications
• Medical Device Cybersecurity
• FDA Medical Device Regulations
• Compliance Standards Hub – Regulatory requirements
• Knowledge Base Hub – Healthcare equipment guides