Analog vs Digital Mammography Machine
This article has been updated 24-09-2024
Mammography is used to detect and examine changes in the breast tissue.
This is why mammography systems are so important in women’s health care.
Analog mammography machines were the standard for many years. However, in 2000, the FDA approved the first full-field digital mammography machine, which improved image quality dramatically.
Since then, 3D mammography has become superior when it comes to image quality.
This is why we recommend and only offer digital mammograhy machines.
To learn more about tomosynthesis in mammography, just scroll to the end – you will find our blog about it.
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Differences Between an Analog and Digital Mammography Machine
So, what is the difference between analog and digital mammography?
Analog mammography uses low dose radiation that produces X-rays to detect tissue changes.
It captures the X-ray beams on film cassettes, and the outcome is a film showing the breast from different angles, which can be examined on film or translated by a CR to a digital image.
On the other hand, a digital mammography machine captures X-ray beams on a digital detector. This detector then converts the X-ray beams into electronic signals, which are transferred to a computer.
In the end, the computerized images are available for review on a specialized high-resolution monitor.
Furthermore, the digital images can be analyzed by radiologists using the options and tools of the console/workstation.
For instance – magnifying, masking of light, inverting (negative of the image), and comparing them to previously obtained mammograms.
Do you want to know more about advantages and disadvantages of analog mammography machines? Just keep scrolling.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Analog Mammography
Analog mammography is no longer common on the market.
Today most clinics and hospitals view the digital mammography machine as the new standard for breast imaging.
This does not mean that you can no longer use an analog system, but the digital mammography machine is the preferred option. However, the analog mammo is a more affordable choice if your budget is low.
But then, what are the advantages of analog mammography?
- One of their few advantages is that they are cheaper than digital mammography. However, as the digital machines have become the most common the price gap has become smaller as well.
- Maintenance costs are also generally cheaper than for digital.
Then what about the disadvantages?
- Though the analog system is cheaper, you will need an extra piece of equipment if you want to convert to digital images – a CR machine. This adds another expense on top of the mammo.
- Furthermore, there is a reason that the digital mammography machine has taken over. While the analog system can deliver okay images, the digital image quality is superior.
- At the same time, handling, analyzing, and archiving images is much more difficult and time consuming with an analog machine than with a digital mammography machine.
As you can tell, there are many factors why the digital mammo is the better choice. Unless your budget does not allow it, we highly recommend you get a digital machine.
We list more reasons below.
Try our Profit and Break-even Calculator
If you’re not sure whether it’s financially sustainable for your clinic or hospital to upgrade to a digital mammography machine, try our calculator.
With this, you can find out your yearly profit and see how fast you would earn back your investment.
It’s a simple tool, but it provides you a helpful overview of your options. Check out our Profit and Break-even Calculator.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Digital Mammography Machine
What are advantages of digital mammography?
Some of the main advantages of digital mammography machine are, for example, the 30-40% lower radiation dose exposure, the ability to detect cancer at an even earlier stage, and the increased workflow. However, there are many advantages and we’ll go over a few more of them here.
Main advantages:
- More efficient workflow as the images are available immediately on the computer. This means that your patient throughput will increase significantly.
- A monitor in the room instantly displays the image, which allows for repositioning of patients if necessary and therefore leads to fewer retakes
- The digital detector provides crisp images, even of larger breasts
- You can easily transfer images electronically to a central location for diagnosis (utilizing Picture Archiving and Communications System – PACS)
- Easy analysis of images
- Radiation doses are 30-40% lower for a digital mammography machine than for an analog system
- Earlier detection of cancer, also in those with denser breasts
- Finally, it works very well with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) devices
One of the disadvantages of digital mammography is that they are a bit more expensive. However, you can find some used digital mammography machines at an affordable price.
For example, the Fuji Amulets have a good price. You can read more about mammography pricing in our blog.
Upgrading to a digital mammography machine
– Customer success story from Guinea
When our customer at Cabinet d’Imagerie Médicale d’Explorations (CIMED), a Guinea clinic, upgraded from their analog Siemens Mammomat 1000 to the digital Fuji Amulet S, they experienced a significant transformation.
CEO Ibrahima Bah noted, “The upgrade has more than doubled our patient throughput.”
Moving to digital eliminated the need for cassettes and printers, streamlined the workflow, and dramatically improved efficiency.
The quality of care also increased significantly, as Mr. Bah explained, “We are now the only center offering contrast exams, providing clearer images and a higher value service to our patients.”
This upgrade enhanced not only operational speed but also the clinic’s market positioning, setting them apart from competitors.
Additionally, the quieter, more modern system improved both staff and patient experiences, making the transition smooth and highly beneficial.
This case highlights how transitioning from analog to digital mammography machine delivers both efficiency and superior care, reinforcing the benefit of investing in advanced systems.
Sum Up – Analog vs Digital Mammography Machine
Of course, when choosing which type of mammography machine you want, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages and weigh them up against your needs.
You cannot deny the many added benefits of the digital mammography machine.
So even though analog might be slightly cheaper both in purchasing and maintenance cost, our clear recommendation is to get your hands on a digital system.
Furthermore, with analog you will need a CR to get your images digitalized. This is an extra piece of equipment to purchase and maintain. An additional cost.
Have we convinced you to look into purchasing a used digital mammography machine?
Then do not hesitate to reach out.
We have many amazing machines in stock.
What is the difference between analog and digital mammography?
One of the main differences is that analog mammography uses low dose radiation that produces X-rays to detect tissue changes. The images will be analyzed on film, or you can use a CR to digitally translate the images.
However, the digital mammography machine captures X-ray beams on a digital detector. The detector then helps you convert the X-ray beams into electronic signals, and these are transferred to a computer.
What are the advantages of analog mammography?
Analog mammography systems are usually cheaper than a digital mammography machine – both when it comes to the purchasing price and the cost of maintenance.
So, buying an analog system will save you some money. However, we strongly recommend digital mammography machines if your budget allows it.
Is digital mammography better than traditional analog?
There are many advantages of a digital mammography machine, which is why these systems are often preferred compared to the traditional machines.
Some of these reasons are due to its more efficient workflow as it offers the images immediately. This allows for easy analysis. Also, the detector helps provide crisp images, even of the largest breasts. This is a huge advantage of digital mammography as this improves early diagnostics.
Of course, it is also highly convenient that you can transfer images electronically to a central location for diagnostics, using the PACS system.
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You can also get to know us better on our Youtube channel. We have quite a few videos talking about mammos and other modalities.
And if you ever need a spare part for your digital or analog mammography machine, just reach out to us.