1. Processing the Image Chapter 8

2. Learning Objectives
Understand the purpose of the various chemicals used in x-ray processing
Distinguish between manual and automated processing
Be able to list the steps of film processing
Understand labeling of radiographs

3. Before Processing: Markers
Right (R) and Left (L) markers are essential to identify size and position of image on radiograph.
May need to label both the front and rear in large animals
If label was forgotten, can add later with marker, or scratch into film while still wet.

4. Before Processing: Film Identification
Proper labeling is vital
All labels should include:
Name/address of hospital or veterinarian.
Date radiograph was taken
Patient identification including name of the owner and patient name, age, sex, and breed.
Can be done via lead lettering, lead impregnated tape, or photo- imprinting labels.

5. Film Processing Turning the latent image on exposed x-ray film
into an actual image
Two ways to process film:
Manually
Automatically
Both require the same steps:
Developing
Washing
Rinsing

6. Film Processing Techniques
Manual
Automatic

7. Film-Processing Steps
1. Developing 2. Rinsing (stop bath) 3. Fixing 4. Washing 5. Drying

8. 1. The Developer Converts latent image to visible image
Chemicals convert exposed silver halide to black metallic silver.
Amount of metallic silver on film is amplified
Little to no effect on the unexposed silver halide crystals
Developer temperature affects developing time
Consists of mostly water with 2 developing agents
Also, activators, preservative, restrainers, hardener
Should be kept around 68° F
Alkaline solution

9. 2. The Rinse Bath Water Purpose: Stop the developing process
Rinses excess developer from the film
Prevents carryover contamination to the fixer
*If film went straight from developer to fixer, then the alkaline developer would neutralize the acid of the fixer.

10. Over-rinsed film

11. 3. The Fixer Purpose: Mostly water with a fixing agent Acidic solution
Removes unexposed silver halide crystals from the film
Leaves developed image intact & permanent
Hardens the image to the base
Mostly water with a fixing agent
Acidifier, hardener and a preservative
Acidic solution
If exhausted fixer is used:
Leaves a white/pinkish, blotchy appearance to the film

12. 4. The Wash Bath Flowing water Removes all waste chemicals from film
____________ – fixer is diffused into the wash water
Removes all waste chemicals from film
If not washed properly, image will eventually discolor and fade.
Referred to as _________________.
Wash in circulating water so both surfaces of film receive water continuously.

13. Under washed film

14. 5. Drying Must be completely dry before storage
Drying completes the process
Emulsion will not be 100% dry
Would become brittle and crack
May use a film drying rack or a drying cabinet
Drying rack should be dust free.
Drying cabinet is a heated forced- air unit that hastens the drying process
Must be completely dry before storage
Two wet films will permanently stick together
Drying Cabinet

15. Manual Processing Low volume/low cost clinics Requirements:
Stainless steel stir sticks
Protective eye wear
Film hangers

16. Manual Processing: Steps
Developer: 4 minutes total
Should be agitated at the beginning, middle, and end
Wash: Agitated several times
Fixer: 8 minutes total
Can turn on the light after 2 minutes
Agitate again throughout
Wash: 12 minutes with flowing water
Dry: Several hours
Film hangers must be immersed in each solution!

17. Automatic Processing Advantages over manual method:
Standardized & consistent
Produces radiograph faster
Reduces labor time
Safer for staff
Smaller darkroom space required
Film is transported through processor by rollers
Rollers can cause damage to film

18. Automatic Processing
The film is placed in the _________ tray and advanced into the processor slowly
It must be evenly placed
Once excepted, do not pull the film back out!
If air is dry, can build up static electricity
The film will be guided through the rollers via the __________ system
The fewer the rollers, the better
Work in an undulating pattern

19. Automatic Processing
The chemicals are constantly refreshed via the ____________ system
Based on the amount/size of film being processed
Developer and fixer have their own pumps
Machine dries the film too!
Solutions are kept at ________
Dryer is around 131°F

20. Silver Recovery _________ removes unexposed silver halide
Placed along the waste lines
1. Glass jar with a steel wool cartridge
Metallic silver will fuse to the iron in the wool
2. Electrolysis
Metal plates with current flowing
through them
Metallic silver binds to the plates

21. Automatic Processor Chemicals need to be checked daily
Processor takes time to warm up
VTI time = _________
Feed films one at a time
Will be signaled by the processor to feed the next film
Don’t forget to turn on vent fan!

22. Stuck in rollers of the processor

23. Film Filing
Organized film filing system is needed in veterinary practice
Must be placed in individual envelope and filed appropriately
Should be labeled, numbered if necessary and filed correctly for future reference
Should be stored ___________
X-ray logs can also help with film identification

24. Chemicals Usually concentrated and need to be diluted
Correct preparation matters, or resulting solution may adversely affect the image.
Maintain at 68°F
Use caution:
One drop of fixer splashing into your eye can cause blindness!

25. Solution Replacement
Used/old chemicals are primary cause of poor-quality radiographs.
“Exhausted”
Exposure to air causes oxidation
Check chemicals PRIOR to development of film.
Developer may turn from brown to green.
In general, chemicals should be changed
q 4-6 weeks.