Descriptive (diagnostic) monitors

A descriptive monitor is, by definition, a device for presenting DICOM files from a PACS system for clinical interpretation of medical images*. Broadly speaking, these are monitors that reproduce the details of images from any type of diagnostic equipment in the most precise manner possible. Descriptive monitors are both monochrome and color monitors with matrices ranging from 1 MP to 5 MP, in single- or dual-monitor configurations, and 4 MP, 6 MP, 8 MP, 12 MP in single-panel configurations. In recent years, we see a strong trend of replacing monochrome monitors with color monitors, which allow the display of images from multiple modalities, as well as replacing traditional dual-monitor stations, with single monitors with large (equivalent) resolutions. Key features of these monitors include:

• DICOM Part 14-compliant precision hardware calibration function;
• circuits to ensure even illumination of the entire matrix;
• circuits that stabilize the brightness of the matrix at the desired level, immediately after the monitor is turned on (coming out of sleep state), as well as over the long term between monitor calibrations;
• Wide image viewing angles with perception of only minimal color changes for extreme viewing angles;
• Relevant certificates confirming compliance with the requirements of diagnostic medical devices.

Dedicated medical graphics cards, and entire diagnostic stations are offered along with the monitors.
The warranty for BARCO and Jusha descriptive monitors is 5 years and is provided on a door-to-door basis.

The use of descriptive monitors - practice in Poland

We should add, however, that there are still many doctors who prefer to work on monochrome monitors, especially when diagnosis is based on images that are precisely monochrome (radiology, mammography). Why?

Any color monitor can display a monochrome photo. The problem is that all gray levels are obtained from "mixing" the three primary colors: green, red and blue. Such is the "physics of the process" a color monitor must "fold" gray. This carries with it a number of potential problems. The main one is the dominance of one of the primary colors (most often red), so the gray is not neutral and this can affect the doctor's perception of the image. This symptom is usually due to inaccurate pre-calibration of the monitor at the manufacturing stage. A second problem can be a slight "border" of one of the primary colors along letters or dividing lines. This is due to the way the matrix displays.

So, a huge advantage of monochrome monitors from the point of view of performing diagnostics is that they do not have color coatings applied to the LCD screen. The image they display is "clean" and accurately reproduced. It gives a sense of greater image depth. The gray is natural, with no discoloration or banding.

To meet these expectations, Jusha will continue to produce monochrome monitors: 2 MP, 3 MP and 5 MP, for years to come, while BARCO will produce 5 MP monitors.

Barco Coronis Fusion MDCC-6530 - 6 MP

Compliance of monitors with the regulation of the Ministry of Health

The current requirements for monitors used to display radiological images are formulated in the Decree of the Minister of Health dated January 11, 2023.

The general requirements define two groups of monitors:

1. descriptive monitors

2. overview monitors

While noting that "Radiological digital images obtained by both
indirect (CR) and direct (DDR) digital radiography can only be interpreted using
dedicated descriptive workstations." And, "Each descriptive and review station must be equipped with a computer workstation with a dedicated graphics card supporting monitors..."

A monitor pairing certificate issued by the monitor manufacturer (factory pairing certificate) is required for dual-monitor stations. The aforementioned factory pairing certificate is not required if two active imaging areas are defined on the same panel (for single-monitor stations, where the traditional pair of monitors is replaced by a single monitor with an imaging area equal to/larger than the traditional two monitors).

Specific requirements for medical monitors

*These requirements do not apply to dental intraoral radiographs.

The requirements do not apply to additional monitors for operating the workstation, which may be equipped with a descriptive workstation, such as monitors for textual description of studies in an editing program. The specific requirements also specify conditions relating to the room in which the test descriptions are made, as well as the software.

Conditions allowing medical descriptive monitors to work

A basic requirement for monitors to be approved for both descriptive and review workstations is its "match to the DICOM GSDF gray curve function," which is a precision hardware calibration function that complies with DICOM Part 14 guidelines.

The monitors must pass specialized and acceptance tests when installed at the workstation (after purchase), as well as annual DICOM curve compliance and matrix backlight uniformity tests. The tests must be performed by accredited companies.

Requirements for 2017 descriptive monitors.

However, we would like to refer to the Ministry of Health Ordinance of 2017, in which the requirements for display parameters were more specific. They referred to: minimum screen brightness after calibration, minimum contrast and minimum working diagonal. These parameters are still the informal guideline for most ongoing inquiries or purchases.

 * Ryszard Kowski, chairman of the PLTR Technical and Legislative Affairs Committee.

Barco Coronis Fusion MDCC-6530 - 6 MP

This group of products is based on the companies' solutions:

BARCO | Yusha