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Rte 141 Notebook 15 Done
Rte 141 Notebook 15 Done
Rte 141 Notebook 15 Done
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.