Notebook #15

Detailed X-Ray Production

1. Incoming power supply: turns the unit or/off. This is connected to the power
supply to the main facility.
2. Line compensator: monitors electric power and adjusts for incoming voltage
fluctuations to the imaging system (reduces variations in voltage).
This is wired to the autotransformer, at least 220V.
3. Circuit breaker: protects against shorts and electrical shock.
4. Autotransformer: this is the 1st stop for incoming power and is controlled by kVp
selector on the operating console; this transformer is adjusted when kVp is
manipulated. Determines voltage going to X-ray tube from the step-up transformer.
This is a single coil of wire with iron windings.
5. Exposure switch (control): connection that controls moment of exposure.
Also activates the anode that rotates from the turning armature.
6. kVp selector (control): choses the level of kVp applied to the exposure.
7. Step-up transformer: steps up the incoming Volts from autotransformer to
kilovolts. Dividing portion of primary and secondary circuits (low voltage to high
voltage).
Split between primary and secondary side.
Primary side: Volts and Amps. Secondary side: kV and mA
-As voltage is increased, current is decreased.
8. mA/ground: reference point in a circuit.
9. Four-diode rectifier: converts AC to pulsating DC power and is always found in
pairs. Protects the tube by only allowing current to flow in one direction. Controls
flow of the current.
10. Filament circuit variable resistance: after incoming line power to create
thermionic emission.
11. X-ray tube: holds cathode (-) and anode (+)
12. Cathode: via thermionic emission, electrons are expelled from circuit and focuses
them into a beam which shoots electrons to the anode.
13. Tungsten anode: converts energy in X-ray radiation; photons.
14. Step-down transformer: device used to decrease the voltage on the primary to the
secondary coil (from amperes to milliamperes). Found in the filament circuit and
controls the selection of mAs.
15. Exposure timer (control): primary circuit (low voltage side)
3 types: synchronous- no longer common, mechanical timer based on
synchronous motor.
Electronic: very accurate, determines how long it takes for capicitator
to become fully charges. Once charged, this terminates
exposure.
mAs: used with falling load generator.

16. Rheostat: device that regulates current flowing to filament. Variable resistor that
radiographer adjusts at the control panel (mA selector).
Current from X-ray tube is regulated through this and reflects the rate
of e- through the tube.
17. Rotor stator: electric coil that controls the speed of the rotating anode.
18. Cathode: (+) electrons are expelled from circuit and focused into a beam, which
shoots electrons to the anode.
19. Anode: (-) made of tungsten and has a high atomic number. There is a high
potential difference between the anode and the cathode due to the velocity of the
electrons striking the anode. This velocity in turn increases the energy of the
emitted x-rays
Focal spot is the area where the electrons strike the anode. The
smaller the focal spot, the greater the image detail is.
20. Filtration: located at the x-ray port to selectively absorb low-energy (soft) photons
that would then be absorbed by the patient. This would increase patient dose and
not contribute to the image.
21. Beam/ X-rays: are created/produced due to interactions of electrons crossing from
the cathode to the anode inside the tube. Heat is 99% of this interaction and the
other 1% is turned into usable diagnostic x-ray photons. 2 types of
photons/radiation are generated:
Bremsstrahlung radiation: occurs when an electron passes near the
nucleus; this causes it to slow down/break and its path is deflected
and it changes direction. AS it changes direction, energy is lost and
this creates the Brem photon. Nearly 80% of beam consists of this
type of radiation.
Characteristic radiation: occurs when a high-energy electron collides
with an electron form an inner shell. Both are ejected from the atom
(tungsten) leaving a hole in the inner layer. This is then filled by an
outer shell electron (cascade effect) and the loss of energy results in a
lower power x-ray photon.
22. X-ray spectrum: created by the characteristic and Brem radiation.
Spectrum can be manipulated by the changing of the x-ray tube current or
voltage settings.
Filtration will also affect the spectrum and prevent low-energy x-rays from
reaching the patient this aiding in lowering patient dose.