Final answer:
The PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) connects digital image acquisition devices with a system for storing, retrieving, and displaying digital images in medical facilities. It is widely used in modern medical imaging techniques, supported by technologies such as CCD that enable digital conversion and storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The device that connects digital image acquisition devices with a system capable of storing, retrieving, and displaying digital images within and outside the facility is the PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). PACS is a medical imaging technology which provides economical storage and convenient access to images from multiple modalities. Electronic images and reports are transmitted digitally via PACS; this eliminates the need to manually file, retrieve, or transport film jackets, which was a prevalent method in the past. The system is designed to streamline the workflow in radiology departments and other image-heavy environments, supporting digital records sharing among health providers, with the potential to improve the quality and reduce the cost of healthcare in the U.S.Recent medical imaging techniques, such as CT scans, MRI, PET scans, and ultrasound, rely heavily on the ability to process and store images digitally, as highlighted in FIGURE 1.19. Furthermore, technology such as a charge- coupled device (CCD) described in Figure 2.34, plays a crucial role in converting light signals into electronic signals, permitting these electronic images to be manipulated and stored by computers. Ensuring the privacy of electronic health records is also paramount when dealing with digital images in medicine.