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X-Ray Imaging System
X-Ray Imaging System
X-Ray Imaging System
SYSTEM
FUNDAMENTAL OF X-RAYS
PRODUCTION
X-rays are produced by electrons
accelerated by103 to 106V
electrons with high speed strike a
metal target x-rays.
observed by Röntgen in 1895 and
named as Röntgen rays .
• X-rays are electromagnetic waves
• Their interaction with matter is
governed by quantum theory.
• The energy of x-ray photons is E =
hv.
• Wavelengths of x-rays is 0.001 to
10nm and measured quite precisely
by crystal diffraction techniques.
Conditions of X-ray production:
Autotransformer:
-- Self-induction (1 coil) with adjustable
input (for LVC) and output taps
-- Provides adjustable down) voltages to
primaries of kV and mA circuits
-- Step-up (~ 2:1 max) or step down
mA
Circui
ts
Regulates mA by controlling filament current (i.
filament heating) and thus thermionic emission
Selector: separate rheostat for each mA station,
calibrated to yield current (3-5 amps) for desired mA
m
crossing tube
Transformer: Step down to ~10 volts
mA Meter: Must be in secondary to measure mA
mA
Circui
ts
Regulates mA by controlling filament current (i.
filament heating) and thus thermionic emission
Selector: separate rheostat for each mA station,
calibrated to yield current (3-5 amps) for desired mA
m
crossing tube
Transformer: Step down to ~10 volts
mA Meter: Must be in secondary to measure mA
kV
Circui
t
X-ray tube
milliammeter
Step-down transformer
Step-up transformer
X-RAY TUBE HOUSING ASSEMBLY.
20
ANODE
The heating of the anode limits the voltage,
current, and exposure time
An exposure rating chart gives these limits
ANODE CHARACTERISTIC
1 : anode track
2 : anode pits
caused by
electron beam
being stationery
on the anode
ROTATING ANODE
1. Rotating anode tube consists of a
large disc of tungsten or an alloy of
tungsten "tungsten-rhenium alloy" →
better thermal characteristics than
pure tungsten and does not roughen
with use as quickly.
2. Typical disc diameters measure 75,
100, or 125 mm.
3. Diameter of the tungsten disc
determines the total length of the
target track→ affects the maximum
permissible loading of the anode.
4. Anode rotates at a speed of about
3600 revolutions per minute (rpm)
using single phase mains supply.
5. High-speed anodes are energized
with three-phase mains & rotate at
about 9000-17000 rpm.
6. The tungsten disc has a beveled
edge. The angle of the bevel may vary
from 6 to 20°.
ANODE ANGLE (II)
Angle ‘ Angle
Film Film
Mammography 0.3
Radiography 0.6-1.2
Fluoroscopy 0.6
500
400 70
kV 50
kVp
p
300 9 Unacceptable
120 k 0 kVp
Vp
200
100
100
220 H
0
10 0
200 IMPUT CURVE
EC
180 HU/S
50 0
160
140
120 U /SEC
350 H
100
SEC
80 250 H U /
60 CO
OL
ING
40 CU
RV
20 E
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
transformer
high voltage (step up)
filament
low voltage (step
down)
electronics cabinet
support circuitry
Radiographic Rooms
RADIOGRAPHIC TABLE
Tables
Tables are fixed or tilting
Fixed rooms are designed for diagnostic
radiographic work only
• The table can usually be raised or lowered to
accommodate the patient and
the technologist.
TABLES
Fluoroscopy is a technique for obtaining "live" (30 frames per second) x-ray images of
a living patient. The radiologist uses a switch to control an x-ray beam that is
transmitted through the patient. The xrays then strike a fluorescent plate that is
coupled to an "image intensifier" that is (in turn) coupled to a television camera. The
radiologist can then watch the images "live" on a TV monitor.
Fluoroscopy
DIGITAL FLUOROSCOPY EQUIPMENT
FLUOROSCOPY TABLES: TUBE IS UNDER THE TABLE,
IMAGE CAPTURE IS ABOVE THE PATIENT
Bucky slot cover
During fluoroscopy the Bucky tray
is moved to the end of the table
X Ray tube
Uses an ionization Collimator
chamber or solid state
Detectors
Beam
Technologist sets
kVp, mA, back-up
time & sensors
1. PRIMARY
(CONTROL
PANEL)
yellow
2. SECONDARY
(HIGH
VOLTAGE)
blue
3. FILAMENT
(LOW
CURRENT)
purple
High
Rectifier
Voltage
Circuit
Timer Transformer
Circuit
Auto-
Line trans-
former
+
mA Filament
regulator Transformer
Autotransformer
•High voltage Transformer has fixed ratio
•Autotransformer has variable ratio
•Autotransformer needed to provide variable kilovoltage to tube
Functional Position
Control Console Transformers Tube
Line Compensation
Most imaging systems are designed to operate
on 220 V. (some 110 V or 440 V)
However power from the wall is not always
accurate continuously
Line Compensation
• Other connections
allow for variations
of voltages
Autotransformer
minor kV
Line
selector
to filament
transformer
primary
mA
regulator
Line
Compensation Autotransformer does line compensation &
kVp selection
kVp selection
X-ray tube current or
Filament circuit
A separate circuit crossing from cathode
to anode
Measured in milliampers (mA)
Autotransformer
provides variable voltage to primary
of high voltage transformer
Auto High Voltage
Transformer Transformer
Timer
Power Circuit
Line
Exposure Timers
The timer circuit is separate from the other
main circuits of the imaging system
Made radiolucent
Or step up transformer
Or step down
transformer
Reduces the
current to the
filament
High-Voltage Generation – converts
220 volts of AC to kilovolts of DC
The generator is a FIXED component of the
imaging system, not under the control of the
technologist
• Computed Radiography
Memory storage
Digital
Reader (laser) Display monitor
data
X-ray photons
exiting pt.
Laser printer
Photostimulable
phosphor
Digital
Display monitor
data
X-ray photons
exiting pt. Laser printer
Fixed imaging plate
Digital Image Characteristics
It is a simple matter to
reconstruct the pixel value
data into a similar size grid.
At resolving extremely
minute details…
• Dynamic Range
– The ability of the system to accurately reproduce both very light
and very dark objects in the same image.
• Contrast
– How well does the sensor differentiate 2 adjacent areas of subtly
different densities
Spatial Resolution aka ‘Line Pairs’
This is a radiograph of a
‘line pair’ phantom.
22 or 23 lp/mm = must be a
‘theoretical value’
Spatial Resolution aka ‘Line
Pairs’
Why so much confusion about this specification?
• It’s easy to ‘visualize’.
– Companies that promote this specification use it to convince a doctor of image
quality without taking a single live image in their office.
• FACT - ‘High resolution’ sensors require more radiation to get good images – due to
the increased in noise they generate.
• FACT – 12.5 lp/mm sensors can resolve to 0.04mm. How small do you need to see?
• FACT - The difference between the resolving power of 20 lp/mm and 12.5 lp/mm is
negligible – 0.015 mm.
DIRECT DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
Direct Digital Radiography
Dynamic Range and Contrast
• They are not exactly the same thing…
– Dynamic Range refers to the amount of different grays that the pixel
can generate. This is important.
– Contrast refers to how well light and dark objects are differentiated on
the computer screen.
• Contrast can be manipulated by software – Dynamic range is an inherent
function of the sensor and cannot be manipulated.
4. Dose Rate: Measure of how fast a radiation dose is being received. Dose
rate is usually presented in terms of R/hour, mR/hour, rem/hour,
mrem/hour, etc.
Roentgen: Measurement of energy produced by Gamma or X-Ray radiation
in a cubic centimeter of air. It is abbreviated with capital "R".
RAD: Radiation Absorbed Dose. Original measuring unit for expressing the
absorption of all types of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, neutrons,
etc) into any medium. One rad is equivalent to the absorption of 100 ergs of
energy per gram of absorbing tissue.
Shielding requirement
depends on:
Workload
Distances
Exam Types
Use of adjacent
space
Questions on imaging systems?