VL

VL (visible light) describes images acquired using devices sensitive to the visible spectrum and that use an external light source.

Devices that capture VL images include digital and video cameras, microscopes, ophthalmology equipment, and endoscopy equipment.

These modalities often have their own mini-PACS with a modality archive and printer. Most of these systems are still in their own proprietary domain with regard to interfacing; however, this is rapidly changing. Integrating these system allows for improved physician access, making the images part of the EMR (electronic medical record) and centralizing image storage.

There are several DICOM IODs for different types of VL images.