Final answer:
In digital fluoroscopy, a flat panel detector can replace an image intensifier/CCD combination. It offers advantages like a larger field of view, better image quality, and reduced radiation exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
A device that can be used in lieu of an image intensifier/charge-coupled device (CCD) combination in digital fluoroscopy is the flat panel detector (FPD). This technology employs a matrix of sensors that convert X-rays into electrical signals, which are then used to create the final image. Unlike traditional image intensifiers, flat panel detectors are more compact and offer a larger field of view, better image quality, and reduced radiation exposure.
The FPDs use a scintillator material that absorbs X-rays and emits light, which is then detected by a photosensitive array, usually made up of amorphous silicon. The array converts the light into an electrical signal that is processed by the computer to generate a digital image. This method boasts a higher dynamic range and allows for improved digital processing compared to the older CCD technology.
Additionally, technologies such as Single-photon-emission computer tomography (SPECT) and the Anger camera (or gamma camera) are also alternatives but are typically used for nuclear imaging and not for fluoroscopy. The flat panel detector represents the latest advancement in digital fluoroscopy, providing convenient and efficient image capture for medical diagnostics.