GROUP 1 RT 100

X- RAY FILM
AND
CASSETTE
X-RAY FILM

Is a double emulsion film

composed of a
transparent base with
coating on both sides with ·On the other hand, the emulsion
a photo-sensitive emulsion But, between the emulsion and the
base is a thin coating of material is enclosed by a protective
such as silver bromide
crystals. called the “adhesive layer”(to ensure covering of gelatin called the
a uniform adhesion of the emulsion “supercoating” which is about 5
·Radiographic film to the base). micrometer thick.
basically has two parts, This adhesive layer allows the ·This supercoating protects the
the “base and emulsion”. emulsion and base to maintain its emulsion from scratching,
proper contact during use and pressure, and contamination
processing. during use and during
processing.
The thickness of a
sheet of
radiographic film is
about 0.25mm.

Most film has

emulsion coated on
both sides, and
therefore it is called,
“double-emulsion
film”.
BASE ( Film Base)

The Base is the foundation for the

radiographic film it is flexible and
unbreakable to allow easy handling. It also
maintains its size and shape during use and
processing, so that it does not contribute to
image distortion.
The base has also a uniform lucency,
nearly transparent to light, so that there is
no unwanted pattern or shading on the film
caused by the base.
Also during manufacturing of the base, dye
is added to slightly tint the film base blue
which results in less eyestrain and fatigue
for the radiologist, and therefore, it is
conducive to more efficient and accurate
diagnosis.
EMULSION

Is the heart of the x-ray film which is

about .001 of an inch thick.
It is the material in which x-rays or
light photons from intensifying
screen interact and transfer
information.
It is composed of a homogenous
mixture of gelatin and silver halide
crystals.
§This gelatin present on the x-ray
film is just similar to that used in
salads and desserts, but is much
higher quality.
§The principal function of the
gelatin is to “provide mechanical
support for the silver halide crystals
by holding them uniformly dispersed
in place.
Silver-Halide Crystal
– is the active
ingredient of the
radiographic
emulsion.

In the typical emulsion,

95% of the silver halide is
silver bromide, and the
remainder is usually silver
iodide.
 TWO BASIC TYPES OF X-RAY FILMS USED IN MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY:

1. Screen film

-It is the most commonly

employed film, and is faster
when used with IS, and slower
when exposed by direct
exposure.
 2. Direct exposure
film/Non-screen film

Is more sensitive to
direct x-ray exposure,
and should not be used
with IS.
It is dependent on direct
exposure because of its
thicker emulsion, and
increase in silver-
bromide crystals.
 Types of Films according to speed:
1. Fast or High speed -
Has thick emulsion and large grain of silver-halide crystals, and needs
less exposure factor time, but gives less detail.

2. Medium or Par speed -

Medium sharpness of detail.
3. Slow or Low speed - Has thick emulsion and small grain of silver-halide crystals,
and needs more exposure factor, but gives a better detail.

English Units Metric Units (cm)

14 x 17 35 x 43 cm.

14 x 14 35 x 35 cm.

11 x 14
27.9 x 25 cm.

10 x 12 25.4 x 30.5 cm.

8 x 10 20.3 x 25.4 cm.

RADIOGRAPHIC CASSETTE

Cassette – is a rigid holder that contains the screens and film.

The front surface ( the side facing the x-ray tube) is made up of radioparent material such
as Bakelite or Carbon fiber materials because they have low atomic number. Magnesium
which is the lightest structural metal can be used.
The backside contains a thin lead foil sheet to absorb the backscatter to prevent fogging
of film caused by secondary rays.
 Backscatter – term used to describe the rays that are generated when the x-
rays capable of penetrating the object strike the surface upon which the film
holder lies.
 
Likewise a compression device is also included in a cassette to maintain
proper film-screen contact when the cassette in closed or latched.

INTENSIFYING SCREEN
Radiography as we know today would not be a viable preposition
without the use of intensifying screen. Without IS, exposure factors
would be too long, and that, the amount of radiation dose required to
produce an image of most part of the body would be too high.
 Intensifying Screen – are radiolucent cardboard or plastic coated screens with a
layer of chemical material suspended in a suitable emulsion that will fluoresce
when penetrated by radiation.

-Is a device that converts the energy of the x-ray beam into visible light. When this
visible light interacts with the radiographic film, “latent image” is formed or
produced.
Latent Image
-is an image on the film but not visible yet.
Four Distinct Layer of IS:
1. Protective Coating
Is the closest layer of an IS to
the film, with a thickness of 15-
25 micrometer.
It is applied to the face of the
screen to make it resistant to
abrasion and damage caused by
rough handling.
It also helps eliminate the build-
up of static electricity, and
provides a surface for routine
cleaning without
disturbing/damaging the active
phosphor.
2. Phosphor

- Is the active layer of the IS which emits light during stimulation by x-rays.
- The active substance of most phosphors before 1980 was “crystalline calcium tungstate”
embedded/fixed in a polymer matrix. “Rare earth” are the newest phosphor material and it is
faster screen.
The purpose of phosphor is to convert the energy of the x-ray beam into visible light

(this action of the phosphor can be demonstrated by viewing an opened cassette in a darkroom,
and exposing it to radiation. Once this screen will be stimulated by x-rays, the screen will glow
brightly.)
3. Reflective Layer

Is approximately 25
micrometer thick made of a
shiny substance such as
“magnesium oxide” or
“titanium dioxide” which is
interposed between the
phosphor and the base.

This reflective layer intercepts

light headed in other directions,
and re-direct it to the film,
thereby increases the efficiency
of the x-rays, nearly doubling
the numbers of light photons
reaching the film. Titanium dioxide Magnesium oxide
4. Base
Is the farthest layer of the screen from the film.
Is about 1mm thick and serves principally as a mechanical support
for the active phosphor layer.
Made of high-grade cardboard, polyester or metal

Polyester – is gaining popularity as a

base material in screen construction
just as it is a base material for
radiographic film.
 Requirements for a Base Material:

1. It must be rugged and moisture resistant.

2. It must not suffer radiation damage nor discolour with age
3. It must be chemically inert (inactive)
4. It must be flexible
5. It must not contain impurities/dirt that would be image by x-rays.

Intensifying Screen contains phosphor that causes “luminescence”.

Luminescence – is the emission of light when substance like phosphors is hit by x-

rays.
 Two Types of Luminescence

1. Fluorescence
It is the emission of visible light as a result of absorption of radiation.
It is the output from I.S. persisting for no longer than a few seconds.
Will continue as long as the stimulation from radiation is present.

2. Phosphorescence/Afterglow/Screen Lag
Is the glow of light after exposure has stopped.
 Four Characteristics of an Intensifying Screen:

1. The phosphor should have a high atomic number so that the probability
of x-ray interaction is high. This is called; “the quantum detection
efficiency”.

2. The phosphor should emit (give off) a large amount of light per
interaction. This is called; “x-ray conversion efficiency”.

3. The light emitted by the phosphor must be of proper wavelength (color) to

match the sensitivity of the x-ray film. This is called; “spectral matching”

4. The continuing emission of light after stimulation of the phosphor by x-

rays should be minimum. This is called; “phosphor afterglow”
Materials Used as Phosphor:

2. Calcium tungstate 2. Zinc sulphide 3. Barium lead sulfate

4. Rare earth
a. Gadolinium
b. Lanthanum
c. Yttrium