6. Cassettes

Question 1

is any type of holder used to
protect and transport the radiographic film as it travels
through the medical imaging department & other parts
of the medical facility.

Answer 1

radiographic cassette

Question 2

CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY CASSETTES

Answer 2

conventional or computed

Question 3

use standard radiographic film

Answer 3

Conventional cassettes

Question 4

use no film

Answer 4

Computed radiography cassettes

Question 5

With conventional cassettes, an image is projected onto

a sheet of film, and for this reason the process is referred to as

Answer 5

projection radiography (or sometimes as
conventional radiography)

Question 6

Conventional cassettes can be either

Answer 6

grid or nongrid

Question 7

A grid in the ____ of the cassette absorbs
scattered & secondary radiation emitted from the
patient

Answer 7

front panel

Question 8

are the most common type

found in medical imaging departments

Answer 8

Conventional cassettes

Question 9

Since the sensitivity of radiographic film to direct x-ray exposure is ____, a very large exposure and
radiation dose to the patient is necessary to produce an adequate image

Answer 9

very low

Question 10

The x-rays coming from the x-ray tube, carrying
anatomical information from the patient, either are
converted into _____ the film

Answer 10

light energy or directly expose

Question 11

Approximately ____ of the image is produced from light exposure, and less than ____ is produced by direct x-ray exposure

Answer 11

90-99%,

1-10%

Question 12

Cassettes have 3 main purposes:

Answer 12

1. ) Keep the intensifying screens and film in close contact with one another
2. ) Protect the screens and film from physical damage
3. ) Protect the film from being exposed externally

Question 13

X-ray cassette parts

Answer 13

• Lead blocker
• Front intensifying screen
• Sliding shutter for use with patient identification cameras
• Back intensifying screen
• Lead foil
• Foam pressure pad
• Hinge

Question 14

In a typical radiographic cassette, the frame is

made of ____, or in some models, heavy ____

Answer 14

aluminum, steel,

plastic

Question 15

The front & back panels are ___ on one side to allow the cassette to be opened and closed, similar to a book.

Answer 15

hinged

Question 16

Common front panel materials include ______ of the x-rays

Answer 16

absorption

Question 17

•Common front panel materials include

Answer 17

plastic, carbon fiber, bakelite, aluminum & magnesium

Question 18

The back panel of the cassette is commonly made of

Answer 18

aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic

Question 19

The inside wall of the back panel is lined with a ____ that allows primary x-rays to exit from the tube but inhibits the entry of weaker, scattered x-rays emanating
from objects behind the cassette

Answer 19

lead foil

Question 20

That the primary beam can pass through this lead shield is apparent when the cassette is inadvertently placed in
its holder _____ when a radiographic image is
produced, generally during portable radiography.

Answer 20

upside down

Question 21

This incorrect positioning of the cassette produces some rather obvious _____ on the radiographic image,
showing the structural components of the back of the cassette within the anatomical image

Answer 21

artifacts

Question 22

Causes _____: Poor processing conditions, improper

film handling, patient clothing and jewelry, and dirt or other foreign matter on cassette screens and film

Answer 22

artifacts

Question 23

There are 2 types of conventional radiographic cassettes:

Answer 23

Dual-screen and single-screen

Question 24

are designed for use with

radiographic film having 2 emulsions, or dual-emulsion film

Answer 24

Dual-screen cassettes

Question 25

are designed for use with film having 1 emulsion, or single-emulsion film.

Answer 25

Single-screen cassettes

Question 26

the front and back panels are lined with a felt, plastic foam, or rubber material that serves as a backing to which the screens are attached

Answer 26

Dual-screen cassette

Question 27

there is only 1 screen attached | to the inside of the front panel

Answer 27

Single-emulsion cassette

Question 28

Another function of the _____ material is to exert a gentle, even pressure on the screens as they touch the film

Answer 28

backing

Question 29

A small door that slides open and shut is commonly located in __ corner of the back panel of the cassette

Answer 29

1

Question 30

The device opens the door & flashes a light that passes through the patient’s identification card, exposing that corner of the film to the _____

Answer 30

pertinent information

Question 31

The area of the sliding door is completely devoid of _____ material, as it must allow visible light from the patient identification camera to enter and expose the film

Answer 31

screen

Question 32

To avoid light exposure to this corner of the film from the front screen during a radiographic exposure, the corresponding corner of the front screen is devoid of _____ & is covered instead by a small strip of the _____

Answer 32

phosphor material, | lead

Question 33

Radiographers should orient the cassette in such a way so as to avoid placing the ____ under important anatomy or identification markers.

Answer 33

lead blocker

Question 34

Instead of a sliding door, some cassettes have a small slot in one corner into which is inserted the illuminating tab, covered by an ______ , of a light flashing device

Answer 34

identification card

Question 35

Cassettes that are loaded with film in a darkroom have _____ to allow the cassette to be opened or closed

Answer 35

metal hinges

Question 36

the speed at which the screens or screens convert x-rays to visible light

Answer 36

screen speed

Question 37

Cassettes are usually labeled to indicate their

Answer 37

screen speed

Question 38

To provide easy identification of speed, some manufacturers provide a _____ on cassettes used for specific applications such as extremity radiography

Answer 38

colored edge

Question 39

Other labeling includes the size of the cassette and an ______ to produce a radiographic image, the technologist sees to it that the cassette’s identification number is repeated on the film used to record the image

Answer 39

identification number

Question 40

_____ the film this way is accomplished either by placing adhesive numerals corresponding to the cassette’s identification # on the front screen of the cassette or handwriting the numerals on the screen using a permanent black marker

Answer 40

Marking

Question 41

Characteristics of a Good Cassette

Answer 41

1. ) Lightweight, durable 2. ) Smooth, washable surfaces 3. ) Not easily bent 4. ) Lightproof 5. ) Capable of maintaining good screen-film contact 6. ) Can be opened and closed easily 7. ) Smooth, rounded edges and corners

Question 42

are designed to decrease the distance between a body part and the film when the body-part plane & film plane are not parallel

Answer 42

Curved Cassettes

Question 43

a curved cassette includes a convexly curved ______ | and a concavely curved

Answer 43

front panel, | back panel

Question 44

are used with rotational dental units to provide a | panoramic view of the entire mandible and teeth

Answer 44

Flexible Cassettes

Question 45

The cassette is actually a black plastic envelope with a flap at one end that is fastened with plastic snaps or Velcro

Answer 45

Flexible Cassettes

Question 46

Are those that are used with daylight film systems

Answer 46

Daylight Cassettes

Question 47

Needs special type of cassettes, which can be opened by the mechanical system of the machine

Answer 47

Kodak daylight processor

Question 48

Has a barcode attached to indicate the size of the film to be used

Answer 48

Kodak daylight processor

Question 49

The construction of a ______ is similar to that of a cassette that must be handled in a darkroom

Answer 49

daylight cassette

Question 50

are generally used with a daylight film-loading unit attached to a wall inside or directly outside a radiographic room

Answer 50

Daylight cassettes

Question 51

This type of cassette is inserted into an automatic | daylight-processing unit, the cassette is mechanically opened, the film retrieved, and a new film inserted

Answer 51

Daylight cassettes

Question 52

In some daylight cassettes, small release buttons located | on the end corners allow the film to ______

Answer 52

slide out

Question 53

Differ from all other types of conventional nongrid | cassettes in one respect: have only 1 screen

Answer 53

Mammography Cassettes

Question 54

Some mammography cassettes have a ______ front panel to minimize absorption of the x-ray beam

Answer 54

polycarbonate-polystyrene

Question 55

Another unique characteristic of mammography cassettes is the _____ of their frames

Answer 55

width

Question 56

Another less commonly used type of mammography cassette is called a

Answer 56

vacuum cassette

Question 57

the air is drawn out of the cassette after the film has been inserted to provide optimal screen-film contact

Answer 57

vacuum cassette

Question 58

There are 2 types of vacuum cassettes:

Answer 58

1.) It has a built-in vacuum valve and an internal envelope that holds the film 2.) The second type of vacuum cassette is polyethylene bag that can be loaded with a film, evacuated, and heat-seated

Question 59

The ____ of conventional grid cassettes is similar to | the design of conventional nongrid cassettes with 1 main exception

Answer 59

design

Question 60

A grid of lead strips, arranged either ______ in the front panel is used to absorb wide angle scattered and secondary radiation coming from the patient

Answer 60

linearly or crosshatched

Question 61

Grids are classified according to their

Answer 61

ratio, frequency, & focal range

Question 62

are typically heavier & slightly deeper | than nongrid cassettes

Answer 62

Grid cassettes

Question 63

Most _____ do not provide a way to flash patient identification data on the film while it is still in the cassette

Answer 63

grid cassettes

Question 64

can also be used with nongrid cassette

Answer 64

Slip-on grids

Question 65

These grids have a slotted frame into which a cassette is inserted

Answer 65

Slip-on grids

Question 66

is a relatively new technology that has been adopted by | many health care facilities throughout the world

Answer 66

Computed Radiography Cassettes

Question 67

A cassette is used, but there are no screens or | radiographic film

Answer 67

Computed Radiography Cassettes

Question 68

A cassette is used, but there are no screens or radiographic film -Instead, a ______ is used

Answer 68

photostimulable-phosphor image plate

Question 69

The main purpose of the cassette is to

Answer 69

protect the image | plate from damage

Question 70

The frame of the computed radiography cassette is made of

Answer 70

lightweight aluminum, plastic or steel

Question 71

With ______, radiographic | cassettes can provide many years of service

Answer 71

proper handling & treatment

Question 72

If handled in a ____, the frame may be dent, | the hinges may be sprung or bent, and the front or back panel may be dented

Answer 72

rough manner

Question 73

There are several causes of poor screen-film contact, which presents on the finished radiograph as an area of ______

Answer 73

poor detail or a blurred area

Question 74

The cause is usually misuse or dropping of the cassette, resulting in either a sprung frame or in loosened or broken hinges or latched

Answer 74

poor screen-film contact

Question 75

Other causes are a warped front panel, warped screens due to excessive moisture, worn screen backing, and foreign particulate matter between the screens & film

Answer 75

poor screen-film contact

Question 76

Some causes of poor screen-film contact are

Answer 76

transient

Question 77

Included in this category : air trapped between the film and a screen & the temporary bending of the cassette under the weight of heavy patients

Answer 77

transient poor screen-film contact

Question 78

Air may be trapped between a screen & the film as a radiographer hurriedly loads a film & slams the cassette shut

Answer 78

transient poor screen-film contact

Question 79

Bending of the cassette under a heavy patient is | _____ because once the cassette is removed, it will return to its normal shape

Answer 79

transient

Question 80

Cassettes may be tested for poor screen-film contact using a _____ enclosed in a thin sheet of _____

Answer 80

``` wire mesh (usually 3/16 in. squares), Plexiglas ```

Question 81

The radiographic image of the wire mesh will appear _____ in areas where screen-film contact is poor

Answer 81

ill-defined (unsharp)

Question 82

If the screens are damaged, they can be _____ and the cassette salvaged

Answer 82

replaced

Question 83

Another problem encountered with cassettes is radiographer error in selecting the ______

Answer 83

correct speed