CAMRT Review: Apparatus And Image Flashcards

1
Q

Principle components of x-ray equipment?

A
  • Operating Console
  • X-ray tube assembly
  • High voltage generator
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

2 types of tables?

A
  1. Tilting: fixed height, but tilts

2. Fixed: adjustable height, but no tilt

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Types of X-ray tubes?

A
  1. Crookes: no vacuum, gas filled, 1mA station

2. Coolidge: vacuum, glass/metal envelope, various mA stations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Function of the tube housing?

A
  • hold and protect tube: structure and support
  • dissipate heat
  • reduce leakage radiation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Function of the glass/metal envelope?

A

-maintain a vacuum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which kind of envelope (glass or metal) extends tube life by preventing arcing?

A

Metal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Function of the cathode?

A

Provide a source of electrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Parts of the cathode?

A
  • Filament

- Focusing cup

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Purpose of filament? What is it made out of?

A
  • Boils off electrons through thermionic emission

- thoriated tungsten

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why is the filament made out of thoriated tungsten?

A
  • high atomic # (74)
  • high melting point (3410)
  • thorium increases thermionic emission and extends filament life
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Function of the anode?

A
  • Electrical conductor: some electrons interact, the rest continue as current and flow through the circuit
  • Mechanical support for target
  • Thermal dissipator: overheating will cause pitting, cracking, melting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Types of anodes?

A
  • Stationary: doesn’t rotate, electrons hit the same spot and heat builds up faster (only small exposures)
  • Rotating: focal track (500x bigger target area)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the anode target made out of?

A
  • molybdenum core with tungsten coating
  • would be too heavy if all tungsten
  • tungsten adds mechanical strength
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the anode shaft made out of?

A
  • molybdenum with a copper coating
  • copper is a good thermal and electrical conductor
  • molybdenum has a low thermal conductivity and is light weight
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Parts of an induction motor?

A
  1. Stator: electromagnets outside of the envelope, energized in opposing pairs to induce a current in the rotor with a magnetic field
  2. Rotor: iron core surrounded by a copper cuff inside the envelope
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens when the exposure switch is pressed halfway down?

A
  • Rotor is accelerating

- filament heats up and begins to boil off electrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happens when the exposure switch is pressed halfway?

A
  • voltage goes to cathode and anode

- created potential difference between the cathode and anode

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

4 ways to extend tube life?

A
  1. Minimize exposure factors
  2. Utilize faster image receptors
  3. Warm up anode (small exposures)
  4. Use shortest exposure time possible
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the main factor/cause of tube failure?

A

Heat (vaporization)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the line focus principle?

A

Relationship between the actual and effective focal spot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does the line focus principle allow?

A

Allows for a larger area for heating while maintaining a small focal spot (angling target)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Are the actual and effective spot directly or indirectly related?

A

Directly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the actual focal spot controlled by? (4 things)

A
  • Filament length, size, shape
  • Target angle
  • Charge on focusing cup
  • Depth of filament in focusing cup
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a bi-angle target?

A
  • 2 focal tracks = 2 target angles

- filaments are stacked

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Limitations of the line focus principle?

A
  • heat

- too small of an angle = too small field size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What causes the anode heel effect?

A

Line focus principle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the anode heel effect?

A

The intensity of the beam on the anode side is less than on the cathode side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Min and max of anode heel effect beam% from anode to cathode?

A

Anode: as low as 75%
Cathode: as high as 120%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

The anode heel effect is most apparent with what 2 things?

A
  • Large IR size

- Shorter SID

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is an atom?

A

The smallest particle that has all of the properties of an element

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is contained in the nucleus of an atom?

A
  • Neutrons

- Protons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is ionization?

A

When an atom gains or loses an electron, becomes charged, and is now an ion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

2 forces holding electrons in orbit around an atom?

A

Centripetal: inward pulling, center seeking
Centrifugal: outward pulling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is the binding energy?

A

Strength of an attachment of an electron to the nucleus, the closer to the nucleus = higher binding energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What happens to the binding energy with a higher atomic number?

A

Increased atomic number = increased binding energy because there are more protons in the nucleus and that makes a stronger positive pull

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is excitation?

A

When an electron is infused with energy and jumps to a different shell, it releases energy (non-ionizing)when is returns to its original spot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

2 types of radiation (interactions) produced at the anode?

A
  1. Characteristic

2. Bremsstrahlung

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is characteristic radiation?

A

When an incident electron hits an INNER SHELL electron and removes it (if energy is greater than binding energy). An OUTER SHELL electron drops in to fill the vacancy and gives off characteristic radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is Bremsstrahlung radiation?

A

When an incident electron misses the orbital electrons and gets close to the nucleus. It is influenced by the positive charge of the nucleus. It slows down (releases energy = Brems radiation) and changed direction
-more change in direction = stronger radiation given off

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What is the emission spectrum?

A

-a graph of the number of x-ray photons and the range of energies the photons possess at a given exposure setting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is keV?

A

Killoelectron volt is used to measure binding energies and the energy of the incident photon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is kVp?

A

-the forced with which incident electrons interact with the tungsten target

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What controls keV?

A

kVp

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

A majority of the electrons have what percentage of the peak energy (kVp)?

A

Majority of electrons are 30-40% of peak energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

At what energy level can Brems radiation be produced?

A

Any level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

At what energy level can Characteristic radiation be produced?

A

Only occurs between certain energies (must be higher than binding energies)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What does the spike on the characteristic emission spectrum represent?

A

The binding energies of the target material

Ex. Tungsten = 69.5keV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What is mA?

A

The quantity of electrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

How does mA affect the spectrum?

A

Increase mA = increase amplitude of spectrum because increase in # of xrays

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What is mAs?

A

The number of x-rays sent across the tube in 1 second

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What is kVp in regard to x-rays?

A

Quality/strength of radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

How does kVp affect the emission spectrum?

A

-Increased kVp = curve moves up and to the right because the average energy is increased and more x-rays are being produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What do we do to kVp to double the amount of photons?

A

Increase kVp by 15%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What happens to characteristic radiation if we increase the atomic number of the target material?

A

Increases the efficiency of characteristic radiation because the binding energy for each shell increases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

What happens to Brems radiation when we increase the atomic number of the target material?

A

Increases Brems radiation because there is a more positive pull from the nucleus’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Image quality factors: photographic properties? (2)

A
  1. Radiographic Density

2. Optical Density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What is radiographic density? What effects it?

A

The amount of overall blackness on an image

-affected by prime exposure factors (kVp, mA, time, SID)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What is optical density? How is it measured? What is it affected by?

A

Degree of blackening on a radiograph

  • measured from 0-4 (human vision is 0.25 to 2.5)
  • > 3 = black
  • <0.2 clear
  • affected by mAs (direct relationship) and SID
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

What is the reciprocity law?

A

Any combination of mA and time that results in the same mAs will produce the same density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

In what situations is the reciprocity law useful?

A
  • motion (trauma/peds)
  • focal spot size
  • breathing techniques
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

By what % must mAs be changed for us to notice a visible difference on the image?

A

30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

What does kVp control?

A

Contrast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

What does mAs control?

A

Density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

Decreased kVp = _________ density?

A

Decrease kVp = decreased density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

How to double and halve the density by changing kVp

A

Double: kVp x 1.15
Half: kVp x 0.85

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

The 15% rule for kVp is most effective at (higher or lower) kVps?

A

Higher kVps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What is a latent image?

A

The image before its processed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

What is differential absorption?

A

The process where some of the beam is absorbed and some is transmitted
-different body parts absorb the beam differently depending on what they are made up of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

Beam attenuation consists of what 3 things?

A
  1. Absorption
  2. Scatter
  3. Transmission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

Types of beam absorption?

A
  1. Photoelectric effect
  2. Pair Production
  3. Photodisintegration
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

Types of scatter?

A
  1. Compton Scatter

2. Coherent Scatter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

What is the photoelectric effect/photoelectric absorption?

A
  • Complete absorption of an x-ray photon by inner shell electron
  • INNER SHELL electron ejected (photoelectron) after if absorbs x ray photon
  • outer shell electron drop in to fill the spot (characteristic radiation)
  • atom is ionized
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

The probability of photoelectric interactions increases when…?

A

The energy levels of the incoming x-ray photon and the binding energy of the electron are closer together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

What is Compton Scatter?

A
  • Incoming x-ray photon ejects an OUTER SHELL electron and the electron is scattered (compton electron, secondary electron)
  • photon loses energy and changes direction, can leave the body and interact with IR
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What happens to absorption and scatter with a higher kVp?

A

Less overall interactions, but more of them are scatter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

Why are is scatter and issue?

A
  • Degrade image
  • Contribute nothing useful to the image
  • Also known as image fog
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

Increased kVp = ________ # of interactions?

A

Increased kVp = DECREASED # of interactions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

Increased kVp = _____ # of transmitted photons

A

Increased kVp = INCREASED # of transmitted photons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

Increased kVp = ________ compton scatter?

A

increased kVp = INCREASED compton scatter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

Increase kVp = increased fog = ________ overall density?

A

Increased kVp = increased fog = INCREASED overall density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

Increase kVp = _________ contrast?

A

Increased kVP = DECREASED contrast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

Increased kVp = ________ patient dose

A

Increased kVp = DECREASED patient dose (more photons transmitted, but if scatter is absorbed by the body it contributes to patient dose)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

What is exponential absorption?

A

For every increment of thickness, x-rays decrease in number by a certain percentage (never reaches 0)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

What is SID?

A

The distance between the focal spot and the image receptor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

Increased SID = _______ density?

A

Increased SID = DECREASED density because you have the same number of photons, but a larger area to cover (flashlight)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

Inverse Square Law?

A

I1/I1 = D2^2/D1^2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

Density Maintenance Formula?

A

mAs1/mAs2 = SID1^2/SID2^2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

In what situations would we use the density maintenance formula?

A
  • portables
  • to fit larger parts to a receptor
  • patient condition
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

What is OID?

A

Object to image distance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

Increased OID = __________ scatter = _______ density?

A

Increased OID = DECREASED scatter = DECREASED density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

Types of body habitus?

A
  • Sthenic
  • Asthenic
  • Hyposthenic
  • Hypersthenic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

2 types of pathologies?

A
  1. Destructive: increases radiolucency

2: Constructive: increased radiopacity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

3 types of filtration?

A
  1. Inherent: can’t be adjusted, built it, glass/metal envelope
  2. Added: can be adjusted, aluminum most common, must adjust techniques to compensate
  3. Compensating: balance intensity to deliver a uniform exposure across IR
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

How does filtration affect the beam?

A
  • Increased beam quality
  • Increased penetrability
  • Removes low energy photons
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

Increased filtration = ________ scatter = ______ contrast?

A

Increased filtration = INCREASED kVp = DECREASED contrast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

What is a beam restrictor?

A

A device that attaches to the x-ray tube housing to regulate the size and shape of the beam
Controls and minimizes scatter by limiting the x-ray field soze

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

3 pros of beam restrictors?

A
  1. Limit patient exposure
  2. Reduce scatter
  3. Increase contrast
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

What is off-focus radiation? What does it cause?

A
Electrons that stray and hit the anode in a different spot
Causes penumbra (fuzzy edge of image)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
99
Q

Increased beam restrictor distance from tube = _______ off focus radiation and penumbra

A

DECREASED

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

Types of beam restrictors?

A
  1. Aperture Diaphragm
  2. Cones/Cylinders
  3. Variable Aperture Collimator
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

What is an aperture diaphragm?

A
  • flat piece of lead of lead lines material that fits onto the tube head
  • field size controlled by the size of the opening, shape of opening, and SID
  • inexpensive/easy to use
  • must have multiple diaphragms
  • large penumbra (close to focal spot)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
102
Q

What is a cone/cylinder?

A
  • extension cone/cylinder on aperture diaphragm
  • field size is determined by the size and position of the distal end
  • inexpensive and easy to use, decrease penumbra
  • fixed field size, shape is round, doesn’t restrict primary beam
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

What is a variable aperture collimator?

A

-2 sets of shudders: entrance control off focus radiation and 2nd stage, light and mirror

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
104
Q

What is Positive Beam Limitation?

A

Automatic collimators adjust to the size of a cassette put in tray to ensure field size isn’t larger than IR
does not replace manual collimation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

3 factors affecting scatter?

A
  • kVp
  • field size (smaller field size = less matter = less scatter)
  • patient thickness (more matter more scatter)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
106
Q

Decreasing field size = _______ density

A

Decreasing field size = DECREASED density because there are fewer photons hitting the IR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
107
Q

If you increase collimation, you should ________ exposure factors?

A

INCREASE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
108
Q

What is the most effective way to reduce scatter?

A

Grids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

What is grid frequency?

A

The number of lead lines per unit length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
110
Q

Will a high frequency show more or less grid lines on an image?

A

Less because the strips are thinner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
111
Q

What is grid ratio?

A

The height of the strips vs the distance between them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
112
Q

Grid ratio formula?

A

Grid ratio = h/d

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

Increased grid ratio = __________ contrast?

A

Increased grid ratio = INCREASED contrast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
114
Q

3 things about higher ratio grids

A
  • they remove more scatter
  • require accurate positioning
  • prone to grid errors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
115
Q

What is grid cut off?

A

Absorption of the primary beam by the lead strips

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
116
Q

How does grid cut off affect density?

A

Decreases density

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
117
Q

Grid patterns?

A
  1. Linear (parallel and focused)

2. Crossed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
118
Q

What is a parallel grid?

A
  • lead strips run parallel
  • can’t avoid grid cut off
  • decreasing density towards the sides
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
119
Q

What is a focused grid?

A
  • lead strips are angled to match diverging rays
  • less grid cut off
  • even density
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
120
Q

What is a crossed grid?

A
  • lead strips cross
  • tube can’t be angled
  • precise positioning required
  • clean up lots of scatter
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
121
Q

What is a convergent point?

A
  • where imaginary lines drawn up from the strips on a focused grid would meet
  • if the points were connected: “convergent line”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
122
Q

What is focal distance/grid radius?

A

The distance between the grid and convergent point/line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
123
Q

What is a focal range regarding grids?

A

Recommended range of SIDs that can be used with a focused grid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
124
Q

Types of moving grids?

A
  1. Reciprocating

2. Oscillating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
125
Q

Why do we use moving grids?

A

Prevent grid lines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
126
Q

Moving grid disadvantages?

A
  • requires bulky mechanism that can fail
  • increased OID
  • motion can be transferred from to cassette holding device
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
127
Q

Moving grid errors?

A
  • incorrect grid installation

- grid movement with grid lines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
128
Q

Stationary grid errors? (4)

A
  1. Off level: grid/tube is angled, loss of density over entire image
  2. Off-center: CR is not aligned side to side with center of focused grid, overall loss of density
  3. Off-focus: SID out of focal range, increased cut off with increased grid ratio, loss of density along edges
  4. Upside down: grid upside down, severe grid cut off on edges
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
129
Q

Another name for off-center grid error?

A

Lateral decentering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
130
Q

Grid Conversion Formula?

A

mAs1/mAs2 = GCF1/GCF2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
131
Q

When do we use the grid conversion formula?

A

Used when converting to a grid with a different ratio

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
132
Q

Grid (Bucky) Factors?

A

No grid: 1

5: 1:2
8: 1:4
12: 1:5
16: 1:6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
133
Q

Contrast Improvement Factor Formula?

A

K= image contrast with grid/ image contrast without grid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
134
Q

If you have a contrast improvement factor of 1, what does that mean?

A

No improvement seen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
135
Q

What is the air gap technique?

A

Method to reduce scatter, move part 10-15cm away from IR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
136
Q

Disadvantages of the air gap technique?

A
  • magnification of part
  • image blur
  • not effective with high kVps
  • increase technique to maintain density
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
137
Q

What are exposure timers for?

A

Make or break high voltage across the tube

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
138
Q

4 types of exposure timers?

A
  1. Synchronous
  2. Electronic
  3. mAs
  4. AEC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
139
Q

How does a synchronous timer work?

A
  • electric motor drives a shaft at 60rpm
  • exposure time determines the time it takes to move from the on switch to the off switch
  • has to be reset in between exposures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
140
Q

How does an electronic timer work?

A
  • most sophisticated, expensive, accurate
  • complex circuitry based on time it takes to charge a capacitor through a variable resistance (shorter exposure times charge faster)
  • capacitor takes a preprogrammed charge, once it is charges the exposure stops
  • ex. 1 seconds exposure: the resistance is increased so that it takes 1 second to charge the capacitor
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
141
Q

How does an mAs timer work?

A
  • monitors current going through tube and will terminate the exposure when the set mAs is achieved
  • located in the SECONDARY circuit in order to measure actual tube current
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
142
Q

How does an AEC timer work?

A
  • only controls time
  • measures the quantity of radiation reaching the IR and will terminate exposure when require radiation quantity has been received
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
143
Q

2 types of AEC?

A
  1. Photodiode/Phototimer

2. Ionization Chamber

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
144
Q

How does a photodiode/phototimer version of AEC work?

A
  • exit type (behind IR)
  • converts light to electrical energy
  • once certain charge is reached, exposure is terminated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
145
Q

How does an ionization chamber type of AEC work?

A
  • entrance type (between patient and IR)
  • air inside cell becomes ionized when hit with radiation
  • created an electrical charge
  • when predetermined charge is reaches, exposure is terminated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
146
Q

What happens when more than 1 AEC cell is selected?

A

The average signal is used

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
147
Q

What does a backup timer do?

A

Protects the patient from overexposure
1.5 times the expected length of exposure
Max 6 seconds (may need to override for larger body parts)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
148
Q

What does density control do?

A

Regulates radiographic density of image

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
149
Q

Steps of density control? How much change is there between steps?

A

-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3

Increase/decrease 0.1, about a 25% change from step to step

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
150
Q

What is APR?

A

Anatomically Programmed Radiography

151
Q

What is the most common cause of repeats with AEC?

A

Improper centering

152
Q

What happens if collimation is too big when using AEC?

A

Too much scatter will reach the cell and AEC will shut off prematurely

153
Q

What happens if the field size is too small when using AEC?

A

Cell will take longer to receive enough radiation to end exposure

154
Q

Optimal use of AEC?

A
  • appropriate kVp
  • precise centering
  • appropriate collimation
  • appropriate selection of cell
155
Q

What is the min kVp for grids?

A

70kVp

156
Q

What is electrodynamics?

A

The study of electric charges in motion

157
Q

What is the flow of electric current in relation to the flow of electrons?

A

Opposite

158
Q

2 types of electric current?

A
  1. AC

2. DC

159
Q

2 parts of the general x-ray circuit

A
  1. Main x-ray circuit

2. Filament circuit

160
Q

Components of the main x-ray circuit? (Primary side)

A
  • Main power switch
  • Line compensator
  • Circuit breakers
  • Autotransformer
  • Step up transformer
  • Timer circuit
161
Q

Components of the main x-ray circuit? (Secondary Circuit)

A
  • mA meter to monitor tube current

- Rectifiers

162
Q

What does the line compensator do?

A

Automatically adjusts the power supply to 200V

163
Q

What do the circuit breakers do?

A

-protect against short circuits and electrical shock

164
Q

What does the autotransformer do?

A
  • controlled by kVp selector
  • provides voltage
  • depending on what kV is set, different combinations of the secondary connections allow for increasing or decreasing voltage
  • step up: increase number of coils used
  • step down: decrease number of coils used
165
Q

What does the step up transformer do?

A
  • dividing line between primary and secondary circuits
  • increases voltage from the autotransformer to the kV needed for x-ray production (not adjustable, increases by fixed amount)
166
Q

What does the timer circuit do?

A
  • “makes or breaks” voltage across the tube, breaks the circuit when its time to end the exposure
  • located in the primary circuit because its easier to control a low voltage
167
Q

What do rectifiers do?

A
  • converts AC to DC because anode is not constructed to emit electrons
  • diode will not conduct when AC cycle reverses
168
Q

4 types of rectification?

A
  1. Unrectified: x-rays not made during negative 1/2 of cycle
  2. Half Wave: inverse voltage removed, gaps when current not being conducted, wastes half of power supply
  3. Full Wave: inverts negative half so that it is always positive, 0-100% ripple
  4. Three Phase Power: uses 3 AC waveforms at the same time, but out of sync, 3phase, 6 pulse (4-12% ripple). 3phase, 12 pulse (4% ripple)
169
Q

Components of the filament circuit?

A
  • Rheostat

- Step down transformer

170
Q

What does the rheostat do?

A

Controls filament temperature and rate at which electrons are boiled off and the time determines the duration of the process
-the higher the mA number, the lower the resistance

171
Q

What does a step down transformer do?

A

Reduces voltage and increases current going to the filament so that it doesn’t break

172
Q

2 types of generators?

A
  1. High frequency

2. Falling Load

173
Q

High frequency generators?

A
  • less then 1% ripple
  • smaller, lightweight
  • less costly
  • better exposure reproducibility
174
Q

Falling load generators?

A
  • initial tube load is higher and drops during exposure

- achieves mAs in a shorter exposure (good for interventional)

175
Q

Advantages of less ripple?

A
  • greater radiation quality and quantity
  • quantity of photons is higher because of efficiency of x-ray production is higher and higher energy photons are produced
  • increased energy of x-rays
  • increased efficiency of x-rays
176
Q

More high energy photons = ________ # of interactions

A

More high energy photons = INCREASED number of reactions because photons can break electrons free of binding energy

177
Q

Path of the circuit?

A
  1. Line compensator
  2. Circuit breaker
  3. Autotransformer
  4. Step up transformer
  5. Rectifier
    (Meanwhile filament circuit also going)
  6. Line compensator
  7. Autotransformer
  8. Rheostat
  9. Step down transformer
  10. Filament
178
Q

3 types of tube rating charts?

A
  1. Radiographic Rating Chart
  2. Anode Cooling Chart
  3. Housing Cooling Chart
179
Q

Which is considered the most important x-ray tube rating chart?-

A

Radiographic rating chart

180
Q

Radiographic rating chart

A
  • provides info about which radiographic techniques are safe for the x-ray tube
  • for any given mA, any combination of kVp and time that lies below the curve is safe
181
Q

Anode cooling chart

A
  • chart shows thermal capacity and heat dissipation characteristics of the anode: how much time is required for the anode to be completely cooled and the max heat capacity of the anode
  • does not depends on filament size of speed of rotation
  • the rate of cooling is rapid at first and then slows down
182
Q

More heat is generated with what type of units?

A
  • 3phase

- high frequency

183
Q

How to calculate heat units?

A

HU= kVp x mA x time x modification factor

184
Q

Modification factors?

A

Single phase: 1.0
3 Phase: 1.4
High Frequency: 1.4

185
Q

Which will reach its heat limit first- the anode or the housing?

A

Anode

186
Q

What is radiographic contrast?

A

The difference in optical density between adjacent structures, or the variation in optical density on an image

187
Q

Radiographic contrast is a result of what?

A

Differential absorption

188
Q

High contrast

A
  • aka short scale
  • few densities, great difference between them
  • sharp image
189
Q

Low contrast

A
  • aka long scale
  • large number of densities, but small differences between them
  • lots of grey
190
Q

Radiographic contrast is the PRODUCT of what 2 things?

A
  • image receptor contrast

- subject contrast

191
Q

The only time radiographic density affects contrast is when the image is _______ or ______?

A

Overexposed

Underexposed

192
Q

Increased OID = _______ density

A

Increased OID = DECREASED density because less scatter, less photons hitting IR

193
Q

3 subject factors to consider when selecting radiographic techniques?

A
  1. Anatomy
  2. Thickness
  3. Composition
194
Q

What can help when a part is super thick rather than increasing kVp?

A

Compression devices and positioning (PA)

195
Q

For anatomy with lower subject contrast, we want ______ (high/low) contrast?

A

Higher contrast

196
Q

Will tissues with high atomic numbers absorb more or less?

A

Absorb more

197
Q

Are digital IRs more sensitive to scatter than film screen receptors?

A

Yes

198
Q

What is the primary purpose of radiographic imaging?

A

To transfer the information from the x-ray beam to the eye

199
Q

Layers of Film? (4)

A
  1. Film Base/Base layer
  2. Adhesive Layer/Substratum layer
  3. Emulsion
  4. Supercoat/Overcoat
200
Q

What is the purpose of the base layer? What is it made out of?

A
  • polyester to plastic
  • allows us the handle the film
  • lucent, but has a blue dye/tint to reduce strain
201
Q

What is the purpose of the adhesive layer?

A

-holds the emulsion and base layer together

202
Q

What is the purpose of the emulsions layer? What is it made out of?

A
  • radiation and light sensitive
  • silver halide crystals suspended in gelatin
  • x-ray film double emulsion
  • mammo single emulsion
203
Q

What is the purpose of the supercoat? What is it made out of?

A
  • protective layer
  • made of hard gelatin
  • to protect emulsion
204
Q

How is the latent image formed?

A
  • invisible change in the halide crystals

- film processing changes the latent image into a manifest image

205
Q

Where are intensifying screens found?

A

In cassettes

206
Q

What does an intensifying screen do?

A
  • contain phosphors that convert x-rays into light which then exposes film
  • only 1-10% of energy reaching film is film is from x-rays when using a screen
  • purpose is to lower patient dose
207
Q

Layers of an intensifying screen? (4)

A
  1. Protective coating
  2. Phosphor layer
  3. Reflective layer
  4. Base layer
208
Q

Purpose of the phosphor layer? What is it made out of?

A
  • converts x-rays to light
  • used to be calcium tungstate, now rare earth metals
  • faster screen = lower patient dose, less load on tube (shorter exposures)
209
Q

Purpose of reflective layer?

A
  • between phosphor and base

- redirects light towards film to enhance efficiency

210
Q

What is spectral matching?

A

-film sensitivity must be properly matched to the spectrum of light emitted by the screen

211
Q

What happens if there is no spectral matching between the film and intensifying screen?

A
  • IR speed is greatly reduced
  • increased patient dose
  • higher exposure time needed to get image
212
Q

What is a cassette?

A

-container for intensifying screens and film

213
Q

Limitations of film (6)?

A
  1. Limited dynamic range
  2. Cost
  3. Time
  4. Film processors -equipment/maintenance costs
  5. Processed film is permanent
  6. Storage
214
Q

Purpose of a cassette in a CR system? Why is it lined with felt? What is the backing made up of?

A
  • to contain the PSP plate (photostimuable phosphor)
  • lined with felt to prevent static buildup
  • back made of aluminum
215
Q

Layers of the PSP plate? (5)

A
  1. Protective layer
  2. Phosphor layer
  3. Reflective layer
  4. Conductive layer
  5. Support layer
216
Q

What is the purpose of the phosphor layer of a PSP plate? What is it made up of? How does it work?

A
  • image forming layer
  • barium fluorohalide and europium activated
  • traps electrons during exposure
217
Q

2 types of phosphor layers

A
  1. Turbid: random distribution of phosphor crystals

2. Structured: columnar phosphor crystals resembling needles stacked on ends

218
Q

Purpose of reflective layer of a PSP?

A

-redirect light released during “reading phase” towards the photodetector

219
Q

Purpose of conductive layer of a PSP?

A

-reduces and conducts away static electricity

220
Q

How do CR cassettes acquire an image?

A
  • PSP plate is exposed and phosphor atoms are ionized
  • electrons are excited to a metastable state (50% return to ground state immediately and emit visible light)
  • remaining metastable electrons are what create latent image
  • light released during “reading phase” proportional to radiation received
221
Q

What is the purpose of europium in the active layer of a PSP?

A
  • used as an activator for the phosphor
  • traps electrons and keeps them in the excited stage
  • no europium = no latent image
222
Q

When the energy of the trapped electrons is released by exposure to a laser, it is called?

A

Photostimulable luminescence

223
Q

3 stages of photostimuble luminescence

A
  1. Stimulation
  2. Reading: light released detected by photodetector
  3. Erasing
224
Q

2 ways the image plate can be removed from the cassette? How do they work?

A
  1. Horizontal: IP fits into drive that moved it along at a constant pace along the long axis (slow scan), mirror is used to deflect the laser beam across the IR (fast scan)
  2. Vertical: IP barely leaves cassette and is less likely to be damaged
225
Q

CR reader optical components? (5)

A
  1. Laser
  2. Beam shaping optics
  3. Light collecting optics
  4. Optical filters
  5. Photodetector
226
Q

Why are beam shaping optics needed in a CR reader?

A

-they keep the size, shape, and intensity of the laser correct across the plate

227
Q

What are the light collecting optics for?

A

-they filter the light before it reaches the photodetector so that none of the stimulation light goes through and swamps the emitted light signal

228
Q

2 types of technique charts?

A
  1. Fixed mAs/variable kVp

2. Fixed kVp/variable mAs (most common)

229
Q

Advantages of the fixed kVp/variable mAs chart?

A
  • lower dose (high kVp settings)
  • adequate penetration of all anatomic parts
  • consistent image contrast for exams
  • greater latitude with exposures
  • measurement of part is not critical
230
Q

How does a variable kVp/fixed mAs chart work?

A

+2 kVp for every additional 1cm thickness

  • measurement for this is critical
  • only effective for peds and small extremities
231
Q

What does an outcomes assessment include?

A
  • repeat analysis: to avoid future repeats
  • artifact analysis: to identify the cause of the repeat
  • accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity analysis: analysis of the combination of image quality and correct diagnosis
232
Q

3 advantages of repeat/reject analysis?

A
  1. Improved department efficiency
  2. Lower costs
  3. Lower patient dose
233
Q

Causal repeat rate formula?

A

(# of repeats from a specific cause / total # of repeats) x 100

234
Q

With a QC program in place, most repeats are due to what?

A

Positioning errors

235
Q

Total repeat rate formula

A

(# of repeats / total # of views) x 100

236
Q

Repeat rate is affected by? (6)

A
  • quality of equipment
  • staff skill level
  • patient type
  • data collection method
  • shift
  • radiologist
237
Q

Acceptable repeat rates?

A

General: less than 4-6%
Mammo: less than 5%
If repeat is greater than 10-12%, needs to be investigated
Any repeat rate less than 2% should be skeptical

238
Q

What is a reject film?

A

Anything film that did not require a repeat exposure on a patient

  • test images
  • scout films
  • QC
  • green
  • clean-up films
239
Q

2 types of detectors?

A
  1. Direct Conversion

2. Indirect Conversion

240
Q

What is a direct conversion detector made out of?

A

Amorphous selenium

  • a semi-conductor with excellent ability to detect x-rays
  • sandwiched between 2 charged electrodes
241
Q

How does a direct conversion detector work?

A
  • just before the exposure is taken, a charge is applied to the top surface of the selenium layer
  • x-ray photons are absorbed by the amorphous selenium and immediately converted to an electric signal (Photoconductor)
  • selenium atoms release electrons when they become ionized
  • free electrons are collected bu the electrode at the bottom of the selenium layer
  • charge is collected by a storage capacitor and read out line by line by the TFT to the computer for processing
242
Q

How does an indirect conversion detector work?

A

-x-rays converted to light by a scintillator
-light converted to electric signal by a photodetector
-TFT isolates each pixel and acts as a switch to send the electrical charges to the image processor
OR
-CCD converts light to electric charge and stores it in a sequential pattern, stored charge is released to ACD, electric signal is sent to computer for image processing

243
Q

2 materials that an indirect conversion detector can be made out?

A
  1. Cesium Iodide (CsI)

2. Gadolinium Oxysulfide (Gd2O2)

244
Q

Characteristics of Cesium Iodide?

A
  • x-ray interactions are high
  • thin, structured crystals perpendicular to detector surface = high spatial resolution, directs light to detector = less light spread
  • can be used portably, although delicate, because of advanced in technology
245
Q

Characteristics of Gadolinium Oxysulfide?

A
  • x-ray interactions are high
  • turbid phosphor, unstructured = light can escape laterally before reaching TFT = decreased efficiency and spatial resolution, more scattered light
  • good for rugged applications, not delicate
246
Q

What is a CCD?

A

Charged couple device

-photodetector and electronics embedded in a silicon chip

247
Q

What is fill factor?

A
  • the % of pixel face that is sensitive to x-rays
  • detector electronics aren’t x-ray sensitive and take up a certain amount of space
  • approx. 80% 20%
248
Q

Direct conversion summary (components)

A

Directly converts x-rays to electrical signal

  1. Photoconductor (amorphous selenium)
  2. TFT
249
Q

Indirect conversion summary (components)

A

Converts x-rays to light to electrical signal

  1. Scintillator (cesium iodide, gadolinium oxysulfide)
  2. Photodetector (amorphous selenium)
  3. TFT or CCD
250
Q

Advantages of direct conversion (2)?

A
  • no light spread from phosphor material

- no loss of spacial resolution

251
Q

Advantage of indirect conversion (1)?

A

-high quantum detection efficiency (can absorb more x-rays and lower the patient dose) (you are using not just the x-rays, but the light as well to produce the image)

252
Q

Advantages of film?

A
  • CR equipment compatible with existing x-ray equipment
  • excellent image quality
  • improved diagnostic range
  • wide dynamic range
253
Q

Advantages/disadvantages of digital?

A
  • wide exposure latitude
  • reduction in repeats
  • can compensate for over/underexposure
  • environmentally friendly
  • initial capital costs high, but can be recovered quickly
  • DOSE CREEP
254
Q

Main reason for intensifying screens? Pros/cons?

A

Reduce patient dose

  • Pro: decreases patient dose
  • Con: decreases resolution
255
Q

What is DQE?

A

Detective quantum efficiency

  • % of x-rays absorbed by screen
  • high atomic # is important
256
Q

What is CE?

A

Conversion efficiency

-amount of light emitted for each x-ray absorbed

257
Q

2 types of luminescence? How do they work?

A
  1. Fluorescence: light emitted only while being stimulated

2. Phosphorescence: light continues to be emitted after stimulation

258
Q

4 phosphor composition characteristics that affect the image?

A
  1. Material composition: efficiency (calcium tungstate vs rare earth)
  2. Thickness of layer
  3. Concentration
  4. Size of phosphor
259
Q

Thicker phosphor layer = ___________ DQE?

A

Thicker phosphor layer = INCREASED DQE

260
Q

________ concentration of phosphor layer = higher screen speed?

A

INCREASED concentration = higher screen speed

261
Q

The large the phosphor, the _______ light produced per x-ray interaction?

A

More: larger crystals “catch” x-rays better

262
Q

Intensification factor formula

A

IF = exposure without screen / exposure with screen

263
Q

Increased intensification factor = _______ dose

A

Increased IF = DECREASED dose

264
Q

What does screen speed describe?

A

The efficiency of x-ray conversion (x-rays to light)

265
Q

What is used as a basis of comparison for screen speed?

A

Calcium tungstate (assigned value is 100)

266
Q

Increased speed = ________ detail of image

A

Increased speed = DECREASED detail of image

267
Q

Uncontrolled factors that affect speed? (6)

A
  1. Phosphor composition
  2. Phosphor thickness
  3. Reflective layer
  4. Dye in phosphor layer
  5. Crystal size
  6. Crystal concentration
268
Q

Controllable factors that affect speed? (3)

A
  1. Radiation quality: high kVP = high IF due to atomic # of screen
  2. Processing: film processing/development
  3. Temperature: high IF at low temperature
269
Q

The relationship between optical density and radiation exposure?

A

Sensitometry

  • characteristic curve
  • H & D curve
  • sensitometric curve
270
Q

What is the toe and shoulder of the characteristic curve?

A

Toe: bottom
Shoulder: top

271
Q

Where is the ideal density range on a characteristic curve?

A

Between the toe and shoulder

272
Q

On a characteristic curve, what are the X and Y axis?

A

X axis: LRE: log relative exposure

Y axis: optical density

273
Q

Does unexposed film have an optical density? Why/Why not?

A

Yes

  • because of base + fog
  • base: colour added to the film base
  • fog: any exposure during storage, contamination, or processing
274
Q

How do we find degree of contrast from a characteristic curve?

A

Slope (rise/run)

-steeper angle = high contrast

275
Q

How do you find the average gradient on a characteristic curve?

A

-line drawn between the points corresponding to 0.25 and 2 above base and fog densities

276
Q

Increased latitude = _______ contrast?

A

Increased latitude = DECREASED contrast

277
Q

Speed formula?

A

RS2/RS1 = mAs1/mAs2 (indirect)

278
Q

Image receptor speeds affect what 3 things?

A
  1. Radiation sensitivity
  2. Density
  3. Dose
279
Q

Increased speed = _______ density?

A

Increased speed = INCREASED density

280
Q

4 factors that affect radiographic image quality? (2 main, 2 other)

A
  1. Photographic: optical density and contrast

2. Geometric: detail and distortion

281
Q

Define recorded detail

A

-degree of sharpness or distinctness of structural lines on a radiograph

282
Q

Synonyms of detail?

A
  • recorded detail
  • definition
  • sharpness
  • blur
  • resolution
283
Q

Define resolution. How is it measured?

A
  • the ability of the imaging system to differentiate between two adjacent structures
  • measure in line pairs per millimeter
284
Q

Increased line pairs = _______ resolution?

A

Increased line pairs = INCREASED resolution

285
Q

What 3 factors control detail?

A
  1. Geometric unsharpness
  2. Motion unsharpness
  3. Image receptor unsharpness
286
Q

Factors that affect geometric unsharpness?

A
  1. Focal spot

2. SID and OID (distance)

287
Q

Normal range of a focal spot?

A

0.1 to 3.0mm

288
Q

Is focal spot blur smaller or larger on the anode side?

A

Smaller

289
Q

How can we decrease focal spot blur?

A
  • small focal spot
  • large SID
  • small OID
290
Q

What has the greatest effect on the amount of geometric unsharpness?

A

OID

291
Q

What is the most detrimental effect on recorded detail of the radiographic image?

A

Motion unsharpness

292
Q

Smaller pixel = ______ resolution?

A

Smaller pixel = INCREASED resolution

293
Q

High fill factor = ________ resolution?

A

High fill factor = HIGHER resolution

-high active area

294
Q

2 types of distortion?

A
  1. Size: magnification

2. Shape: elongation/foreshortening

295
Q

Distortion is directly related to ?

A

Positioning

296
Q

Longer SID = _____distortion?

A

Longer SID = DECREASED distortion because of straighter rays hitting the part

297
Q

Magnification formula?

A
MF = SID/SOD
MF = Image size/object size
298
Q

SOD formula?

A

SOD = SID-OID

299
Q

Inaccurate alignment of the part = ?

A

Foreshortening

300
Q

Inaccurate alignment of the IR = ?

A

Elongation

301
Q

More irregular shape of object = ________ distortion?

A

INCREASED distortion due to beam divergence

302
Q

What is a bit?

A

A single unit of data

303
Q

What is a byte?

A

Made up of 8 bits

304
Q

What does a data recognition program do?

A

Works by finding the collimation edges and eliminating the scatter outside of the collimation

305
Q

What is a histogram?

A

Graph representing the optimal densities within the collimated area

306
Q

Values at the left on a histogram represent (black or white)?

A

Black

White = right

307
Q

What is the nyquist theorum?

A

When sampling a signal, the sampling frequency must be greater than twice the frequency of the input signal so that the reconstruction of the original image will be as accurate as possible

308
Q

Too few sampled pixels = ______ resolution?

A

DECREASED

309
Q

What is aliasing?

A

Produces an image that looks like 2 superimposed images just slightly misaligned
-moire effect

310
Q

What is responsible for dose creep?

A

Automatic rescaling

311
Q

Does a look up table change the raw data?

A

No

312
Q

Why do we need LUTs?

A
  • due to the wide dynamic range and response of the digital receptors, the image recorded is usually very low contrast because every density is displayed
  • increase contrast and make it look like film
313
Q

What is an EI?

A

The amount of exposure received by the IR

314
Q

A computer basically consists of what 3 things?

A
  1. Input devices
  2. Output devices
  3. Processing devices
315
Q

2 main types of monitors?

A
  1. CRT

2. LCD

316
Q

What is the refresh rate of a CRT monitor?

A
  • how fast the monitor rewrites the screen or the number of times the image is redrawn on the display/second
  • higher refresh rate = less flicker
317
Q

What is the response rate of an LCD monitor?

A
  • the amount of time for crystal to go from off state to on and vice versa
  • slower response rate will cause blurring during viewing of dynamic images
318
Q

What is the aspect ratio?

A

Ratio of the width to the height of the monitor

319
Q

How does a CRT monitor work?

A
  • consists of a cathode and anode in a vacuum tube
  • electrons sent to the anode which is a sheet of glass coated with phosphors
  • electrons beam starts in the upper left corner and scans across the glass from side to side top to bottom
320
Q

How does an LCD monitor work?

A
  • images are produced by shining or reflecting light through a layer of liquid crystal and a series of coloured filters
  • two pieces of polarized glass with a liquid crystal layer in between
  • light passes through the first layer and when a current is applied to the crystal layer, it aligns and allows light in varying intensities through to the next layer
321
Q

What is an array processor?

A

Uses its own memory to perform simultaneous mathematical operations at extremely high speeds (puts all the info together into image)

322
Q

Critical characteristics of a digital image (4)?

A
  1. Spatial resolution
  2. Contrast resolution
  3. Noise
  4. Dose efficiency (of the IR)
323
Q

Smaller pixel = ________ detail

A

Smaller pixel = INCREASED detail

324
Q

How to calculate the number a greys a pixel can display?

A

Bit depth: a 5 bit pixel = 2^5 = how many greys

325
Q

Increase matrix = _________ resolution?

A

Increase matrix = INCREASE resolution

326
Q

Larger matrix = ________ pixels (when the IR size stays the same)

A

Larger matrix = SMALLER pixels

327
Q

What is dynamic range?

A

The ability to respond to varying levels of exposure

  • the range of grey values that can be displayed
  • human eye can only differentiate about 30 shade of grey
328
Q

X-Ray: window width and level: 1 shows up as (white or black)?

A

White

329
Q

Window level controls what?

A

Brightness

330
Q

Decrease window level = ________ brightness

A

Decrease window level = INCREASED brightness

331
Q

Window width controls what?

A

Contrast

332
Q

Large window width = ________ contrast?

A

Large window width = DECREASED contrast because more shades of grey

333
Q

Is shuttering/masking meant to replace manual collimation?

A

No

334
Q

Two types of post processing magnification?

A
  1. Magnifying glass: enlarges portion of an image like a magnifying glass
  2. Zoom: enlarges entire image
335
Q

2 types of spatial frequency filtering? What do they do?

A
  1. High pass filtering: frequencies amplified, increased contrast, edge enhancement
  2. Low pass filtering: frequencies are suppressed, decreased contrast, smoothing, reduce noise
336
Q

4 main types of artifacts?

A
  1. Imaging plate artifacts
  2. Plate reader artifacts
  3. Image processing artifacts
  4. Printer artifacts
337
Q

What is an imaging plate artifact?

A
  • usually due to aging or wear
  • plate can become prone to cracks due to the constant removal and replacement within the reader
  • cracks show up radiolucent
  • static
  • backscatter (dark line)
338
Q

What are image processing artifacts?

A

Can occur because of incorrect part selection or incorrect sampling
-poor technique and positioning can cause misrepresentation of the image

339
Q

What are plate reader artifacts?

A
  • line patters than appear randomly (not regularly) can be issue with electronics
  • white lines parallel to the direction of plate travel caused by debris on the light guide
  • multiple IPs loaded into a single cassette
  • insufficient erasure can result in residual info being on the IP before the next exposure
340
Q

What are printer artifacts?

A

-fine white lines may appear on the image die to debris in the laser printer

341
Q

Human error that leads to artifacts?

A
  1. Collimation
  2. Cassette use/orientation
  3. Technical factors
342
Q

Flat panel artifacts? (4)

A
  1. Dead pixels
  2. Incorrect gain calibration
  3. Image lag
  4. Offset correction
343
Q

What is gain calibration? How does it work?

A

Used for the correction of flaws in the detector

  • if there is any area with many dead pixels or poor connections between the layer and the array, the gain calibration will correct this
  • creates a mask of the defects so that when the image is taken, the software uses the mask to removed unwanted densities (fills in white spots with grey)
344
Q

What is image lag?

A

If there is an image taken before the detector has finished releasing all of the signal for the previous image, there may be a faint image of the previous image still visible

345
Q

What is image lag caused by? (3)

A
  • taking images in rapid succession
  • over exposure
  • areas with little beam attenuation (marker)
346
Q

What is offset correction?

A

Determines the amount of signal inherent in the detector, creates a mask of the residual signal
-if this is done before the residual signal has left the pixels, the info can be stored as inherent and cause a negative image of the signal: inverse image

347
Q

What is a network?

A

A group of 2 or more computers linked together

348
Q

2 network classifications?

A
  1. LAN: local area network: linked computer close together

2. WAN: wide area network: computer further apart connected by telephone lines, cables, or radiowaves

349
Q

2 types of network connections?

A
  1. Wired

2. Wireless

350
Q

What is a client-server based network?

A

Client: used to request information
Server: facilitates communication between and delivers info to other computers, passive (does not request, waits for request)

351
Q

3 types of computers found on a network?

A
  1. Server
  2. Thin client: requires server for tasks
  3. Thick client: can work independently
352
Q

Geometric arrangements of computer systems? (4) (network topologies)

A
  1. Star (most common)
  2. Bus
  3. Ring
  4. Mesh (most commonly used to connect network to other networks)
353
Q

What is DICOM?

A

A set of standards for medical imaging interchange

  • allows medical images to be exchanged among networked devices
  • base standard of images so that they can be viewed
354
Q

What is HL-7?

A

Health level 7

-universal standards used for most clinical and administrative data

355
Q

3 fundamentals of PACS?

A
  1. Image acquisition
  2. Display workstations
  3. Archiving
356
Q

Types of workstations?

A
  • Review workstations (most interactive part of PACS)
  • Radiologist workstation
  • Technologist workstation
  • Image management workstation
357
Q

Common functions of workstations? (4)

A
  • Navigation
  • Image manipulation/enhancement
  • Image management
  • Advanced
358
Q

Advance workstation functions? (4)

A
  • Multiplanar reconstruction
  • Max and Min intensity projection
  • Volume rendering
  • Shaded surface display
359
Q

What is a mirrored database?

A

-two identical databases are running at the same time, so if one fails, the system can call on the mirror and continue to run as normal

360
Q

What does the database contain?

A
  • only image header info not the image data

- pt name, ID, exam date, etc.

361
Q

3 tiers of storage?

A
  1. Short term
  2. Mid term
  3. Long term
362
Q

What type of storage is RAID? What level of RAID does PACS use?

A

Short term

-level 5 commonly used by PACS

363
Q

3 types of optical disks?

A
  • Magneto-optical disk (MOD)
  • Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)
  • Ultra Density Optical
364
Q

What is the least expensive method of optical disk?

A

DVD

365
Q

Why are tape libraries good?

A

Because they provide the greatest ability to expand: can continually grow and expand storage limits

366
Q

Disadvantages of Tape?

A
  • can become unreliable over multiple uses
  • can wear out with heavy use
  • longer access time
367
Q

Types of magnetic disks?

A
  • DAS
  • NAS
  • SAN
368
Q

2 types of image compression?

A
  1. Lossy: reduces storage by eliminating some information: not diagnostic quality
  2. Lossless: exact replica of the original
369
Q

2 types of film digitizers?

A
  1. Laser film digitizer

2. CCD film digitizer

370
Q

What is considered the gold standard for film digitizers?

A

Laser

371
Q

Why are digitizers needed?

A
  • Teleradiology
  • comparison
  • duplication
  • computer aided diagnosis
372
Q

2 types of printers (imagers)

A
  1. Wet imager: uses chemicals, needs darkroom

2. Dry laser imager: uses heat, exposed with laser, slightly lower quality

373
Q

Why are printers needed?

A
  • Backup if PACS is unavailable
  • outside physicians
  • legal cases
  • teaching purposes