1. Chapter 8 The X-ray Imaging System
The Console is the part of the machine that the operator controls the operation of the x-ray machine.
All machine console are a little different but there are always similarities. The console is where we control x-ray tube current and voltage.

2. The Console Controls The console will have controls for:
mA and time or mAs
kVp
Focal Spot
Line Voltage Compensation
Automatic Exposure Control

3. Symbols Used to Draw Circuits
We will be using the symbols to define the circuits in the x-ray machine

4. Console Circuits

5. Line Compensation
At the bottom left is the controls for line voltage compensation.
Most machine are designed to operate at 220 volts while some will work with 110 volts or 440 volts

6. Line Compensation
The power company often cannot provide exactly 220 volts at all times.
Elevators and Air Conditioners may reduce the voltage available for the x-ray unit.

7. Line Compensation
Older machine have a meter to monitor the line voltage attached to the autotransformer.
The operator can adjust the taps on the transformer to account for low or high incoming voltage.

8. Line Compensation
More modern units automatically adjusts for the incoming power so a meter is not provided.
Often over looked by the operator.
Results in improper exposure.

9. Autotransformer
The autotransformer is designed to supply voltage of varying magnitude to several different circuits of the x-ray machine including both the filament circuit and high voltage circuits.

10. Autotransformer The autotransformer has only one winding and one core.
The single winding has a number of connection or electric taps.

11. kVp Adjustment
Most consoles will have one or two knobs that change the taps on the autotransformer for major and minor kVp.
Modern units have a LED readout of kVp.

12. kVp Adjustment
Setting the desired kVp will determine the voltage applied to the step-up transformer in the high voltage section of the machine.

13. kVp Adjustment
If a meter is provided, it is placed across the output terminals of the autotransformer and therefore it reads voltage and not kVp. The scale will read in kVp.

14. mA Control
The tube current, the number of electrons crossing from the cathode to anode per second is measured in milliapmeres (mA).
The quantity of electrons is determined by filament temperature.

15. mA Control
The filament normally operates at currents between 3 and 6 A.
The Tube Current is controlled through a separate circuit called the filament circuit

16. mA Control
Voltage is provided by taps of the autotransformer. This voltage is reduced with precise resisters to a value corresponding to the mA stations available.

17. mA Control
Tube current is usually not continuously variable, usually only currents of 50, 100, 150, 200 & 300 mA and higher are provided.
Newer units are continuously variable.

18. mA Control
The voltage is then delivered to the filament transformer. The filament transformer lowers the voltage so it is called a step down transformer.

19. mA Control
The selection of the small or large filament is connected to the mA selection or as a separate control.

20. Exposure Timers
For any given radiographic examination, the number of x-rays reaching the image receptor is directly related to the tube current and the time that the tube in energized.
The timer circuit is separate from the other main circuits.

21. Exposure Timers
It consists of a mechanical or electronic device whose action is to make and break the high voltage across the tube on the primary side of the high voltage section.

22. Types of Timers There are five types of timers: Mechanical Timers
Synchronous Timers
Electronic Timers
mAs Timers
Phototimers

23. Mechanical Timers Very simple device that has a clock mechanism.
Operator turns the dial to the desired time. As it unwinds, the exposure is made.
Can be used for exposure time longer than 250 milliseconds.
Very old machine and dental units.

24. Electronic Timers
Most sophisticated, complicated and most accurate timer.
Consists of complex circuit based upon the time required to charge a capacitor through a variable resister.
Depending upon the incoming power accurate to 1 ms. Most units have this type timer.

25. mAs Timers
Most modern machine are designed to accurately control the tube current and exposure time.
The product of mA and time (mAs) determines the number of x-ray photons emitted and the density on the film.

26. mAs Timer
A special type of timer monitors the product of mA and terminates the exposure when the desired mAs has been attained.
This is a mAs timer.

27. mAs Timer
Designed to provide the shortest exposure and the highest safe tube current for the given filament.
Some have the ability to change mA manually.

28. mAs Timer
Since it monitors the actual tube current, it is on the secondary side of the H.V. Circuit
Units here have mAs timers.

29. mAs Timer
APR or Anatomically Programs Timers have computers that store the technical factors in the machine.
Select the view and enter the patient size and the machine is ready!!!!

30. Phototimers
A phototimer that measures the quantity of radiation reaching the receptor and terminates the exposure when sufficient radiation needed to produce the correct density on the film.
Offered in addition to a manual timer.

31. Phototimers There are two types of phototimers:
1. Photomultiplier tube that reads a fluorescent screen behind the film.
2. Ion chamber between the grid and film.

32. Phototimers Ion Chambers is used on most modern x-ray units.
It is flat and radiolucent so it will not interfere with the image. Multiple chambers can be used to optimize the image.

33. Phototimers Commonly referred to as Automatic Exposure Control or AEC.
Widely used in Medical Radiography.
Used at our Benton Clinic.

34. AEC Console With AEC, the operator can select:
Where to read the radiation.
The desired film density
kVp and backup mAs

35. AEC Console
Many operators do not measure the patient and set a arbitrary back up mAs or time.
Ideally, the patient is measured and the back up mAs is set at 2X the normal mAs.

36. AEC Console
This allows the AEC to adjust exposure for the patient’s habitus and area density.
Radiation is measured at the center of the film or off to the sides of the film.

37. AEC Console
The center is read for most radiography and especially for the spine.
The sides are read for PA chest, abdomen and rib radiography.

38. Other functions on the Control Console.
The console will also have the exposure button or buttons.
The prep button is depressed to prepare the tube for exposure.
The rotor will spin up to 3400 RPM.

39. Exposure Button
A green light will let you know that the machine is ready to make the exposure.
The exposure button is then depressed and the exposure is initiated.

40. Exposure Button
The button must be held down until the exposure is complete.
If your finger slips off the button, the exposure is terminated.

41. Exposure Button
The exposure control buttons are referred to as a”Dead man Switch”
After the buttons are released, the rotor motor reverses and the rotor reduces speed.

42. Exposure Button
During the exposure you will hear an audible tone so you will know that the exposure is in progress.

43. Chapter 8 High Voltage Section
The high voltage section converts low voltage from incoming power to kilo-voltage of the correct wave form.
It is usually enclosed in a large metal container in the x-ray room.

44. High Voltage Section It consists of three primary sections:
High voltage step up transformer
Filament Transformer
Rectifiers ( Diodes)
All components immersed in oil.

45. High Voltage Transformer
The high voltage transformer is a step-up transformer.
There will be more winding on the secondary side compared to the primary side.
The ratio of windings is referred to as the turns ratio.

46. High Voltage Transformer
The only difference between the primary and secondary waveforms is the amplitude.
The turn ratio for most x-ray high voltage transformers is between 500 and 1000.
Incoming Volts converted to output: Kilovolts.

47. Voltage Rectification
Transformers operate with alternating current.
Remember that x-ray tubes operate on direct voltage ( electron moving in one direction).
To convert AC to DC we use rectifiers.

48. Half-Wave Rectification
Sometimes the x-ray tube alone will work as the diode this is called self-rectification.
When one or two diodes are placed in the circuit that stops the negative flow of electrons it is called Half Wave Rectification.
60 pulses per second.

49. Full-Wave Rectification
Full wave rectified x-ray machines contain at least four diodes.
It changes the polarity of the negative half of the wave.
This allows 120 pulses of x-ray per second.
The exposure time can be cut in half compared to half-wave systems.

50. Three-Phase Power
If three phases of power are combines with the phase off by one step, the normal reduction of voltage back to zero is removed. Commonly called the Ripple.
Technical factor cut in half due to more efficient power.
Too expensive got office use.

51. High Frequency Generator
By changing the frequency from 60 Hz to a higher frequency of 500 to 1000, the ripple is reduced to less than 1%.
Single phase machine operating on 220 volts and even 110 volts are more efficient that machine operating on three-phase power.

52. Types of X-ray Generators
The type of generator will determine the efficiency of the machine.

53. Wave Forms of Different Generator Types
As the ripple effect decreases, the efficiency increases.
There is one more type of generator. It uses is called stored energy.

54. Stored Energy Generators
If 220 volt power is not available, the operator may choose a stored energy machine.
A battery charger is powered by typical house hold current.
If produces direct current.

55. Stored energy or Capacitor Discharge Generators
There is a short charging time before the exposure can be made.
The disadvantage to the design is a drop in power at the end of the exposure of about 1 kV/mAs. This is called a falling load generator.

56. Generator Types Pros & Cons
Single phase half or self rectified: Cheap but not efficient. Full wave rectified better.
Three phase: Expensive to install but cheaper to maintain. Too costly for most offices. 6 pulse less costly than 12 pulse
High Frequency: very efficient and works with single or three phase power.
Stored energy: works on conventional 110 volt power but batteries must be replaced.

57. The Basic X-ray Circuits
Circuits that make up the basic x-ray machine.

58. Other Parts of the X-ray Room
The tube is suspended on the tube stand.
The tube stand may be wall and floor mounted or ceiling suspended.Locks are provided for horizontal and vertical movement.

59. Other Parts of the X-ray Room
When the tube is angled toward the wall grid holder, the horizontal lock allow us to set the distance between the tube and the film (SID).

60. Other Parts of the X-ray Room
When the tube is aimed at the table, the vertical lock allows us to set the SID.
Hanging on the wall grid cabinet is the non-Bucky film holder.
It allows erect non-grid films.

61. Other Parts of the X-ray Room
X-ray tables may be bolted to the floor or mobile. The table will also have a grid cabinet for grid radiography.
We will discuss grids in greater detail next week.

62. Collimator and Angle Indicator
The tube stand also has an angle indicator attached parallel to the tube.
There are views that will require tube angles.

63. Collimator and Angle Indicator
The Collimator is attached to the x-ray tube below the glass window where the useful beam is emitted.
Lead shutters are used to restrict the beam.

64. Collimator and Angle Indicator
A mirror and light source allows us to restrict the beam to the area of interest.
Collimation is our greatest tool in keeping patient exposure as low as possible.

65. Other items that may be in a x-ray room.
Fluoroscopy Equipment: Allows dynamic imaging of the body.
Consists of:
Image intensifier with television camera and monitor.
Spot-film device for making radiographs or
Motion picture camera or digital imaging.

66. Image Intensifier & Fluoroscopy
Thomas Edison invented the fluoroscope in Early units consisted of a fluorescent hand held viewer that the doctor held in from of the patient during continuous exposure.
This resulted in the first x-ray death.
Dose is still relatively high compared to plain film radiography.

67. Image Intensifier & Fluoroscopy
Plain film radiography uses up to several hundred mA and fractions of seconds.
Fluoroscopy tubes operate at less than 5 mA but for minutes. 2 to 4 mA is normal.
In California Fluoroscopy is beyond the chiropractic scope of practice.

68. Image Intensifier & Fluoroscopy
Shortly after WW2, Bell Laboratories invented the photomultiplier tube. This was developed into the modern image intensifier.
The multiplication of the light emitted by a input fluorescent screen is picked up by a cesium photocathode and converted into electrons.

69. Image Intensifier & Fluoroscopy
A potential of about 25,000 volts is maintained between the photocathode and the anode.
There are electronic optics and electrostatic focusing lenses between the photocathode and output phosphor.

70. Image Intensifier & Fluoroscopy
The output phosphor can be viewed via mirror optics or a video monitoring system.
A Videotape recorded can be placed into the video chain.
Fluoroscopy allows the evaluation of the internal structures in motion. Normal uses include:

71. Uses of Fluoroscopy
Dynamic spinal imaging of range of motion and with contrast called myelograms.
Dynamic studies of joints with or without contrast media.
Studies of the digestive system.
Studies of arteries and blood flow called angiography.

72. Uses of Fluoroscopy
When connected to a computer, for digital fluoroscopy and spot films.
With digital fluoroscopy, digital angiography is possible.
By over-lapping an image without contrast, digital subtraction angiography is performed where the bone is removed.

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