X-RAY

Prepared By:

M.Sc.. Mays Ibrahim

X-ray
■ X-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths shorter than visible
light.
■ They have wavelengths in the range of 10-8 m to 10-11 m
X-ray
 X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Röentgen

This is traditionally known as “the first X-ray picture” and

“the radiograph of Mrs. Roentgen’s hand”
X-ray equipment
All diagnostic x-ray equipment have three basic components:
■ The x-ray tube
■ The operation console
- Located behind lead barrier
- Operated by technologist
■ The high-voltage generator
- Convert low energy to high energy necessary for x-ray production
Operator Console
Operator Console

 The operator selects the peak kilo voltage (kVp), the tube current (mA), exposure
time and the focal spot size
 The kVp determines the x-ray beam quality (penetrability), which plays a role in
subject contrast
 The x ray tube current (mA) determines the x-ray flux (photons per square cm)
emitted by the x-ray tube at a given kVp
mAs = mA x sec (exposure time)
 Low mA selections allow small focal spot size to be used, and higher mA settings
require the use of large focal spot size due to anode heating concerns.
X-ray tube
■ An X-ray tube is a vacuum tube that converts electrical input power into X-rays.
■ containing two principle elements: a cathode and an anode.
Anode
■ Represents the component in which the X-radiation is produced. It is a piece of metal,
shaped in the form of a beveled disk with the diameter between 55 and 100mm, 7mm
thick, connected to the positive side of electrical circuit.
The anode converts the energy of the electrons into X-radiation and dissipates the heat.
■ Most X-ray tubes are nowadays built of tungsten (Z=74). Tungsten has the high atomic
number Z and has a high melting point of 3370C with the low rate of evaporation.
■ The two categories of X-ray anodes are stationary and rotating
■ Anodes are designed as beveled disks attached to the large copper rotor of the electric
motor, rotating them at the speeds up to 10000 RPM. The purpose of the rotation is to
dissipate the heat.
The anode angle
■ is defined as the angle of the target surface with respect to the central ray in the x-ray
field .
■ Anode angle range: 7° - 20°
The cathode
■ The cathode is the negative side of the x-ray tube. serves to expel the electrons from the
circuit and focus them in a beam on the focal spot of the anode. The electrons are
produced by heating the filament. It consists of the filament (or filaments), the focusing
cup and all the associated wiring.
The cathode
■ Filament
The filament is actually a very tightly wound coil of wire. When an electric current is passed
through the filament, it heats up to such an extent that some of the electrons have enough
energy to break free of the attractive forces holding them inside the filament. The amount of
electrons that "break free" of the filament (or are emitted) is directly proportional to the
amount of electrons flowing inside the filament (i.e., the current). The filament current is not
quite the same as the mA that the radiographer controls, but they are related.
■ Focusing Cup
The focusing cup (made of Molybdenum nickel alloy) is a shallow depression in containing
the filament. The focusing cup is a negatively charged housing that providing electrostatic
focusing of the beam on the anode.
X-ray tube
■ Envelope
The cathode and anode are housed inside a glass "tube" and contained within a vacuum.
All gasses are removed from the envelope resulting in a vacuum. The vacuum permits
electrons to flow from the cathode to the anode without encountering gas atoms and
greatly increases the tube efficiency. The window is the part of the envelope where the
primary beam exits the envelope.
■ Housing
The housing is a protective barrier against leakage and scatter radiation. It additionally
isolates high voltages and aids in tube cooling.
Collimation
■ Collimator is a device used to minimize the field of view, avoid unnecessary exposure
using lead plates.
■ Lead shutter are used to restrict the beam. The collimator is attached to the X-ray below
the glass window where the useful beams is emitted.
X-ray Absorption or Attenuation:
■ The probability is proportional to
■ IO is the energy of the incident photon before pass through the material
■ I is the energy of the incident photon after pass through the material
■ μ is linear attenuation coefficient
■ x is depth of material
X-ray Absorption:
 Attenuation is the reduction in the number of photons as the pass through matter;
– Occurs in different ways:
● Some photons are absorbed by matter;
● Others change course in matter (scatter).
– High density bone attenuates (light areas);
– Low density majority of the photons will reach the x-ray film.
X-ray tables:
■ The radiographic table is designed to support the patient in a position that will
enhance radiographic procedure.
■ Foam pads may be used for lengthy examination to offer comfort.
■ The tables are commonly made of Bakelite or similar surface except for specialized
procedures as such angiography, carbon graphite fiber is used to reduce absorption
of photons.

The tabletop must be uniformly

radiolucent. Why?
--To easily permit x-rays to pass
through.
■ Grid is similar to a collimator except they have different positions. Grid is placed right
after the patient. It is made up of lead strips, which is used to eliminated scattered light.
These strips only allow rays at 90º to pass through.
x-ray film
■ It is film that is placed after the bucky. It turns black when X-rays interact with it and stays
white where the X-rays are absorbed. This causes an image to be formed that is in black, grays
and white.
■ X-ray film is a gelatin-covered polyester base. An emulsion coating both sides of the film
contains ting silver halide crystals that are sensitive to such things as visible light ,X-rays,
gamma rays, heat, moisture and pressure. X-ray film should not be used if outdated as it may
fog and markedly compromise its diagnostic usefulness.

Emulsion is composed of a
homogenous mixture of
gelatin and silver halide
crystals.
x-ray film
■ The composition of x-ray film is similar to that of a photographic film. Radiation
sensitive emulsion is coated on both sides of a transparent base (double emulsion film).
■ A thin layer of adhesive is used to achieve firm attachment between the emulsion and
base.
■ The emulsion is protected from scratches, pressure or contamination during use by a thin
layer of gelatin called super coating. Thickness of a radiographic film is about 0.25mm.
Have a great day