In digital radiography, what does "image acquisition" refer to?

Image acquisition in digital radiography refers specifically to the process of capturing the image data. This stage involves converting the x-ray photons that are transmitted through the patient into a digital signal that forms an image. The image acquisition includes the functioning of the imaging receptor, which can be a flat-panel detector or a computed radiography system, and the subsequent conversion of the detected data into a usable format for interpretation.

This process is critical because the quality of the captured image directly impacts subsequent steps, such as interpretation, storage, and presentation. Without the correct image acquisition, all other phases would be compromised, illustrating its fundamental importance in the overall workflow of digital radiography.