11 TOMOGRAPHY

This unit is equipped with a tomographic device that allows the operator to perform planigraphies in
which, as known, the focus/image receptor distance vary with the incidence angle and the X-ray tube
focus and the receptor move along parallel planes.

NOTE:

The operation described in this section is referred to the remote console lay out of the next page.
In this figure all keys are numbered and, in case a signalling Lamp is present, its identification number
is the same of the key one.

11.1 TOMO ANGLES SELECTION.

There are 4 different tomographic angles that can be selected pressing on the Remote Console one of
the following buttons:

27 tomo angle = 8°
28 tomo angle = 20°
26 tomo angle = 30°
29 tomo angle = 40°

When the operator selects the required tomo angle, the related signalling Lamp is set on and the system
automatically enters Tomo mode; this condition is indicated on the remote Console display by the
indication “ TOMO “ followed by the exposure time calculated for the actual tomo layer.
Starting from this moment, the tomo layer modification buttons 35 and 36 are enabled; please refer to
section 11.4 for further details.

The tomography mode can be abandoned in any time pressing the button corresponding to the selected
tomo angle.

SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved
11.2 PRELIMINARY CONDITIONS.

Tomography can be executed only if some conditions have been satisfied, and in particular:

The FFD must be set at the minimum ( 105 cm ).

In case, when the operator enters tomo mode selecting the desired angle, the FFD is not in its minimum
position LAMP 43 starts flashing to indicate to the operator that the FFD must be driven to the
minimum.
Lamp 43 stops flashing as soon as the tube reaches such position.

The compression cone must be in parking position.

In case, when the operator enters tomo mode selecting the desired angle, the compression cone is not in
its parking position joystick led 40 starts flashing to indicate to the operator that the compression cone
must be parked.
Joystick led 40 stops flashing as soon as the compression cone reaches the parking position.

The SFD and the Tube must have space enough to terminate the Tomo sweep

When the operator enters tomo mode the system CPU reads the actual position of the SFD and the
Tube and verifies that, for the selected tomo layer, there is space enough to correctly terminate the
Tomo sweep. In case this condition is not satisfied, one of the joystick Lamps 44 will flash to indicate
to the operator in which direction it is necessary to move the SFD/Column assembly to allow the
tomographic movement.
When Lamp 44 stop flashing, it means that a correct position has been reached.

SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved
11.3 COLUMN PREPARATION.

When all conditions described in the previous section have been satisfied, LAMP 31 starts flashing to
indicate that the column is ready to be driven to its starting position.
Pressing and holding button 31 the column will move to the calculated starting position in the head
direction.

NOTE:

If the column is angled, the system will drive it to the closest calculated starting position in the head or
feet direction.

Pressing and holding button 31 the column will move to the opposite calculated starting position.

Joystick 40 and button 46 are still active and can be used in any moment in case the operator needs to
release fluoroscopic exposures.
In case the column is moved out its starting position Lamp 31 will start flashing.

NOTE:

The column will automatically move to its starting position if the operator press and hold the
preparation button 48.
The tomographic exposure follows the same rules explained in section 8 of this manual.

SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved
11.4 TOMO LAYER MODIFICATION.

The tomo layer can be increased by the operator, in steps of 1 mm, pressing button 36, as well as it can
be decreased, in steps of 1 mm, pressing button 35.

The actual tomo layer value can be read on the Remote Console display.

NOTE:

The exposure time depends on the selected tomo layer and, in particular, at high tomo layer the
exposure times are shorter than at lower tomo layer.
Be sure that at the generator control desk the correct back up time has been set; refer to the generator
Operator manual for further details.

SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved
11.5 AUTOMATIC TOMO LAYER MODIFICATION.

This option allows the operator to obtain an automatic tomo layer increment or decrement at the end of
each tomographic exposure.
The required sequence must be pre-set using the following procedure:

Select the Tomo angle;

Select the starting position of the Tomo layer;
Press button 32; the related signalling Lamp 32 will start flashing;

On the alphanumeric display the information concerning the SID are cancelled and replaced by
informations regarding the number and the value of the increments/decrements of the tomo layer.
The information will appear with the following format:

LAYER 120 mm +00 mm N =0

Using buttons 35 and 36 set the tomo layer increment/decrement desired after each tomographic
exposure.
Increments will be indicated by the [+] symbol, while decrements will be indicated by the [-] symbol.
The information will appear with the following format:

LAYER 120 mm -10 mm N =0

Confirm the selected sequence pressing button 34; Lamp 32 will be set on.
At the end of each tomographic exposure, the tomo layer will be increased/decreased of the pre-set
value, and the counter [N] will be increased of one unit.

The Automatic Tomo layer increment/decrement mode can be abandoned pressing button 32; the
signalling Lamp 32 will be set off.

When the automatic tomo layer modification mode is selected, the previous chosen data are proposed
to the operator; it is possible to insert new values or to confirm the old ones pressing button 34.

SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved
SUPERIX RL180N USER MANUAL - UM – 18005 0698 MECALL srl 1998 All rights reserved