Basic Knowledge of Radiography

and X-ray System

X-Ray Fundamentals and Physical Principles

Product Lineup
• Mobile X-Rays
• Floor Mounted X-Rays
• C-Arm
• R/F Systems
• Angiography
X-Rays Definition

X-rays represent a form of ionizing electromagnetic radiation. They are

produced by an x-ray tube, using a high voltage to accelerate
the electrons produced by its cathode. The produced electrons interact with
the anode, thus producing x-rays.
X-Ray Tube
Two principal elements:

1. Filament (cathode) – boils off electrons by thermionic

emission
2. Target (anode) – electrons strike to produce x-rays

Other components:

• Tube envelope
• Tube housing
• Cooling
• Tube window
X-Ray Tube
Anode:

Target (anode) is made of a Tungsten (W) disc.

Tungsten is used due to its high melting point
(~3400°C) so it can withstand high tube currents
without deforming.

Rotating anode allows the electron beam to

interact with a much larger area of the target and
its rotational speed allows for heat dissipation.
Its average rotation speed is 3200RPM. The
heating capacity is further enhanced with an
increased RPM (up to 10.000RPM)
X-Ray Tube

Cathode:

Contains the focusing cup, where:

• Supports the filaments (focal spot sizes)
• Controls the trajectory of the electrons

There are a small and a large filaments:

Small: is designed to be used with relatively
small and detailed parts of the body (extremities
bones, infant patients)
Large: is used when larger body parts are being
x-rayed (thorax and abdomen)
X-Ray Tube Heat Capacity

Heat is produced in the focal spot area by the bombarding electrons from the cathode.

The total heat delivered during an exposure is the product of the power and the exposure
time, which is measured in Heat Unit (HU).

Tube Heat capacities varies according to equipment type and workflow.

X-Ray Tube Specifications
Heat Unit (kHU)
• Higher kHU dissipates more heat
• Radiograph: 200kHU is adequate
• RF: 400kHU is adequate
• DSA: 750kHU or more
• Cardiology: 1.5MHU or more
Focus Spot (mm)
• Smaller size gives sharper image
• Smaller size generates more heat per
unit spot size
• For large structure: 0.6mm or more
• For small vessel: 0.6mm or less
Target Angle (degrees)
• Must be adequate to cover Field-of_View
• 12°: suitable for chest with long SID
• 16°: RF table with limited Tube-IA distance
Rotation Speed (RPM)
• Anode with higher speed dissipates more heat
quickly
• Normal speed (3000 RPM) and high speed
(9000 RPM)
Generating X-Rays

• Vacuum

• Electrons

• Accelerations

• Decelerations
Generating X-Rays

X-rays are produced in a standard way:

by heating a filament, which releases
electrons by thermionic emission,
accelerating electrons with a high
voltage and allowing them to collide with
the focal spot on the target/anode. X-
rays are produced via two interactions in
the anode.
 X-Ray Penetration and Absorption

• Depending on the object

thickness and density
will determine the
penetrability of x-rays,
producing variable
degrees of attenuation
that is responsible for
producing a radiographic
image.
 X-Ray Attenuation

• The higher the atomic weight of

the substance through the
photons are passing, the
“denser” it appears to photons.

• The principal densities visible in

a radiograph are metal, bone,
water (including soft tissue as
muscles), fat and air.
Radiological Protection

The broad concept of radiological protection addresses the prevention of possible damages
caused by ionizing radiation.

Basic principles of radiation protection.

•Time – The shorter the time taken to radiate a body, the less biological damage to this
body will be produced.
• Shielding - material must be suitable in such a way that the radiation that will interact with
it is attenuated to its maximum level.
•Distance - Knowing that radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance,
that is, the greater the distance from the radiation source from the body to which it will have
to interact, the lower its penetration power, so the lesser the biological damage caused in it.
Radiological Protection
The International Commission on Radiological Protection proposes three
fundamental principles guiding radioprotection care:

ALARA - As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Justification - benefit vs risk principle

Optimization - medical radiation exposures should always be kept as low as achievable to

ensure it is employed optimally

Dose limitation - ensure that the individuals are not exposed to an unnecessarily high
amount of ionizing radiation
Radiological Protection

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Lead aprons
• Skirts
• Vests
• Thyroid collars
• Googles
• Gloves
X-Ray Imaging System
 Imaging Systems
Mobile X-Ray System RF
Designed for radiographic Designed for radiographic This type of combination
examinations of patients who examinations of trauma radiography-fluoroscopy
are in bed, on stretchers or patients, musculoskeletal system is commonly used
who have difficulty walking, system, standing acquisitions for gastrointestinal
and also for patients in the for thorax and panoramic procedures and dynamic
emergency room. view of lower limbs and procedures such as
vertebrae. swallowing.
The most common exams
performed are thorax and
abdomen.
 Imaging System
❑ Mobile
 Imaging System
❑ Radiography ❑ RF
Examination Room
Image Acquisition
Film x CR
Flat Panel Detector
Detector

Bucky or Grid
Reduces effect of scattered radiation
on detector.

AEC (Phototimer Pick-up)

X-ray energy detection device for
Automatic Exposure Control

Cassette Tray
For insertion of the Film Cassette for
recording of image exposures
 Detector - Grid
• Grid is a device that can reduce the
amount of scatter X-ray reaching the
film to improve the radiographic image
contrast.

• The two main components of grid

construction are interspace material
(aluminum or plastic fiber) and grid
material (lead strips).

• Bucky is Moving-Grid that oscillates

during exposure to blur the gridlines.
Detector - AEC

• X-ray passes through body and reaches

Photo-timer Pick-up

• Phototimer Controller measures X-ray

energy accumulating on Phototimer Pick-up

• When X-ray energy reaches pre-set level

• Photo-timer Controller signals Generator to

cut-off X-ray.
 Automatic Exposure Control

• Pick-up fields can be activated or Chest A-P

de-activated by the Generator
Interface (Photo-timer controller) Chest Lat
• Selection of fields is according to
region of interest of the patient.
Abdomen, etc.

AEC purpose: To achieve Optimum Quality Images

 High Frequency Generator

• High-frequency voltage generation uses inverter circuits. Inverter circuits

are high-speed switches to convert into square pulses.

• HF generator uses a high-frequency circuit to convert 60Hz into higher

frequency ranging 1,000 to 100,000Hz (1~100kHz).

• It can produce a nearly constant potential voltage waveform as shown

which results in improved image quality at lower patient dose.
 High Frequency Generator

High Frequency Generator produces remarkably Better X-ray Quality:

• Stable kV produces uniform stable X-ray energy

• Reduces X-ray exposure time substantially, improving image quality
• Reduces unwanted soft X-ray substantially, leading to lesser skin dose
 Generator Rating

kV : Range upto 150kV mA : Range upto 1250mA

• Thicker Body : higher kV required • Radiography
• Thinner Body : lower kV can do - Static Exposure
• Too much kV : Over expose - Normally use higher mA
• Too low kV : Under-expose • Fluoroscopy
• Enough kV to penetrate & still provide - Screening / Dynamic Study
Contrast to differentiate morphology - Normally use lower mA

mAs: mA x Time (mA x sec)

 Generator Classes

Mid Range Generators High Range Generators

Low Range Generators
• Example : Around 50kW • Example : 80~100kW
• Example : Less than 20kW
• For General Purpose • For long time exposure
• Limit to Radiograph
• Include Fluoroscopy • For high mA Fluoroscopy
• 20kW : 100kV @ 200mA
• 50kW : 100kV @ 500mA • Include DSA, Cardiology
*630mA @ 80kV • 80kW : 100kV @ 800mA
High Voltage Generator Console
• Allow user to set requested kV, mA,
time.

• Generates high voltage based on set

parameters
 Product Lineup
❑ Mobile

MobileArt Eco MobileArt Evolution MobileDarRt Evolution

 Product Lineup
❑ Radiography

RADspeed fit RADspeed PRO MF/MC

 Product Lineup
❑ R/F

Flexavision HB Flexavision F3 Sonialvision G4

 Product Lineup
❑ C-Arm

Opescope Acteno
 Product Lineup
❑ Angiography System

Trinias – Floor Type Trinias – Ceiling Type

ananda.godoi@shimadzu.com.br