EXAM #4 Flashcards
Sensitometry
Expose the film with a step wedge and plot it, measures the response of a system to exposure and processing in a sinusoidal line on the graph
CR/DR is linear line on the graph
applying a histogram corrects linear line to look more like film
applying a histogram
replots the data in sensitometry
Define contrast
Contrast of receptor is _____ proportional to its exposure latitude
the amount of gray shades available
Contrast of receptor is inversely proportional to its exposure latitude
Reciprocity Law
No matter what the mA and time, as long as the mAs is equal, the exposure should be the same, the amount absorbed will be the same
fails under two scenairos: when we use a scintillation at long or short exposure times
Where is your diagnostic range in a sensitometry graph
the straight line portion increasing
Define speed
ability of an IR to respond to low exposure measures, its sensitivity or speed
less exposure to get image = faster
more exposure to get image = slower
What are the primary factors influencing scatter
from most significant to least significant
patient or part thickness (more chance for scatter)
(large) field size
(extremely high) kVp
Increasing kVp INCREASES/DECREASES the percentage of Compton’s vs. Photoelectric interactions.
Increasing kVp INCREASES the percentage of Compton’s vs. Photoelectric interactions.
It would seem from a stand point of scatter reduction, all cases should be done at the HIGHEST/LOWEST possible kVp; however operating in such a manner would cause patient dose to increase due to increases in mAs values.
It would seem from a stand point of scatter reduction, all cases should be done at the LOWEST possible kVp; however operating in such a manner would cause patient dose to increase due to increases in mAs values.
Tools CAN/CANNOT be used to reduce scatter when high kVp values are used.
Tools CAN be used to reduce scatter when high kVp values are used.
_____ determines field size
Collimation determines field size
Increasing field size INCREASES/DECREASES scatter
Increasing field size INCREASES scatter
Increasing the thickness of an object provides for and INCREASE/DECREASE in interactions that create scatter.
Increasing the thickness of an object provides for and INCREASE in interactions that create scatter.
[CLICKER?] Which of the following does not affect the production of scatter?
A. kVp
B. mAs
C. FoV
D. Part thickness
B. mAs
What are four tools that are available to assist in the prevention of scatter and decreasing the affects on image quality?
Aperture Diaphragms
Cones/Cylinders
Collimators
Grids
[*] What is the simplest beam restrictive device?
Aperture Diaphragm
What is an aperture diaphragm ?
lead plate with opening to expose specific area only.
Provides a square, rectangular, circular or oval exposed area.
Whenever we collimate the beam farther from the target or focal spot, the BETTER/WORSE the collimation is going to be.
Whenever we collimate the beam farther from the target or focal spot, the BETTER the collimation is going to be.
Penumbra = _____
Penumbra = blur
two different edges of x-ray creating the same image (focal spot blur)
Benefit of using a cylinder over an aperture diapgragm
tighter collimation and decrease of penumbra
decreases field, brings scatter down, helps with contrast
decreases penumbra = Gives better spatial resolution/detail
[*] As I increase collimation, my field size is getting BIGGER/SMALLER and my scatter goes UP/DOWN
[*] As I increase collimation, my field size is getting SMALLER and my scatter goes DOWN
Collimators _____ radiation field.
Thus _____ the number of interactions possible to make scatter.
Also _____ patient dose by restricting area irradiated.
Collimators reduce radiation field.
Thus reducing the number of interactions possible to make scatter.
Also reduces patient dose by restricting area irradiated.
[CLICKER?] Which of the following is the best beam restrictor?
A. cone
B. collimator
C. cylinder
D. aperture diaphragm
C. cylinder
(always better because farther away from focus)
(Aperture diaphragm is the worst)
(Cones are comparable to aperture diaphragms)
[*] Which of the following does not prevent scattering?
It is always this answer…
Grid
Purpose of grids
Reduce the amount of scatter radiation incident on the IR. Thus decreasing scatter’s affects on image quality.
Are used to increase the contrast displayed on the image.
When do we use a grid?
When don’t we?
part is more than 10cm thick
a lot of soft tissue and bone
kVp is above 65
We don’t use grids for extremities or nasal bones
Grid ratio
gives use the most info on how a grid works
(h/d) height of grid strip vs how far apart they are located
increasing the height = higher ratio
increasing the depth = higher ratio
What is the most common grid design?
linear (what we work with)
What is the most specialized grid design
crosshatched
Can crosshatched grids be used with angulation?
no
Can linear grids be used with angulation?
yes
Which grid is more flexible (forgiving)? Linear or crosshatched grids?
linear
If I have taller or more dense grid lines, can I have more or less angulation of the x-ray beam?
less angle
What is a focused grid?
has a set focal range for _____
Always in _____
Not in _____
center grid line is parallel with CR and all other grid lines of grid are congruent with the angulation of the diverging beam
(set focal range for SID)
Always in the table
Parallel in the wall buckey and portables
[*] Higher ratios allow LESS/MORE scatter to reach the film, the STRAIGHTER/ the scatter must be to reach film.
Higher ratios allow LESS scatter to reach the film, the STRAIGHTER the scatter must be to reach film.
[*] Whenever we use grids, we always need to INCREASE/DECREASE technical factors
Whenever we use grids, we always need to INCREASE technical factors
Do grids increase patient dose?
yes because of increased technical factors (increasing mAs)
What is grid frequency?
Common grid frequency?
Number of grid lines per inch/centimeter, 60-196 ln/in
Common frequency = 85-105 ln/in
The more lines per given area, the thiner they are (less noticeable on image = good!)
The less lines per given area, the thicker they are (more noticeable on image = bad!)
[* CLICKER?] Grids reduce the production of scatter
TRUE/FALSE
FALSE (they don’t produce scatter, decrease already produced scatter)
[CLICKER?] Crosshatch grids are acceptable for use on portable examinations
TRUE/FALSE
FALSE (it’s parallel)
[CLICKER?] Grid frequency is the most useful descriptor of a grid
TRUE/FALSE
FALSE (it’s ratio)
Grid cutoff happens in what area of parallel grids
more often in short/long SIDs?
periphery rather than center (grid cutoff = bad!)
happens more often at shorter SIDs
[*]Stationary
Either a grid cassettes or snap on grid. Used for _____ exams.
Grid lines are quite _____ on image, more so with low frequency grids.
Moveable
AKA the Potter-Bucky. The grid moves during exposure in order to _____ _____ grid lines. Movement must be perpendicular to grid lines for _____ to occur.
[*]Reciprocating- moves side-side 2-3cm, uses _____
[*]Oscillating-moves in circular motion, uses _____
[*]Stationary
Either a grid cassettes or snap on grid. Used for PORTABLE exams.
Grid lines are quite evident on image, more so with low frequency grids.
Moveable
AKA the Potter-Bucky. The grid moves during exposure in order to blur out grid lines. Movement must be perpendicular to grid lines for blurring to occur.
[*]Reciprocating- moves side-side 2-3cm, uses motor
[*]Oscillating-moves in circular motion, uses electromagnet
Using a grid requires an increase in mAs, and therefore an increase in dose.
Using a grid requires an INCREASE in mAs, and therefore an INCREASE in dose.
What does a grid conversion factor formula do?
A Grid Conversion Factor formula will assist in selecting the appropriate mAs, this will provide the correct exposure to the IR and prevent noise.
(How the mAs without a grid compares to mAs with a grid)
GCF INCREASE/DECREASE w/ increasing ratios and kVp
GCF INCREASE w/ increasing ratios and kVp
What is selectivity?
If a grid absorbs more scatter vs. primary it is said to have _____.
As scatter is absorbed by grids, so to is primary beam.
If a grid absorbs more scatter vs. primary it is said to have hi-delectability.
[What is contrast improvement factor?]
Grids main purpose is to _____ contrast, it is important to remember that kVp has a controlling influence over contrast as well as the grid used.
Most grid have an improvement factor between __ - __
[What is contrast improvement factor?]
Grids main purpose is to increase contrast, it is important to remember that kVp has a controlling influence over contrast as well as the grid used.
Most grid have an improvement factor between 1.5 - 3.5
What are artifacts?
Unwanted entities in our image
What are off-level grid errors?
What is the result?
Either the tube or grid is angled along so that the beam crosses the parallel grid lines.
Result = decreased density
What are off-center grid errors?
What is the result?
Seen with focused grids. Central ray must be at center of grid.
Result = greater off center = greater cutoff.
What are off-focus grid errors?
What is the result?
Seen with focused grids that are used at greater SIDs than designed.
Result = cut off at periphery
What are upside-down grid errors?
What is the result?
Seen with focused grid that is placed tube side down.
Result = center will be exposed, with ~all being absorbed towards periphery.
[What is the purpose of air-gaps]
Alternative to grid, used in _____ exams. OID is _____, causing air gap between patient and receptor.
Causes the amount of scatter that reaches the film to _____.
Disadvantage is loss of _____ from increased OID (more magnification)
[What is the purpose of air-gaps]
Alternative to grid, used in magnification exams. OID is increased, causing air gap between patient and receptor.
Causes the amount of scatter that reaches the film to decrease.
Disadvantage is loss of sharpness from increased OID (more magnification)
Common digital imaging systems high-frequency grids
103-200 lines/in
41-80 lines/cm
What is Moire effect?
Scan lines in the image (artifacts/patterns)
When grid lines are parallel to scan lines
High frequency grids can prevent this phenomenon
What is Positive Beam Limitation (PBL)
Sensors in the Bucky that know the size of the IR and collimates to correct size (auto-collimation)
What is tomography
Images the body into slices/planes
Can do different thicknesses
Tomography focuses on one plane within the part thickness, while blurring all other, those above and below.
Tomography employs a moving x-ray tube and image receptor that move in unison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZNJ-1v2-f8
What is the most simple and common tomography type?
Linear/curved-linear is most simple and most common
In tomography, more movement in the tube = MORE/LESS blurring
In tomography, more movement in the tube = MORE blurring
[Linear tomography]
Tube movement is in _____ direction(s), with receptor motion _____ to it.
Commonly a general purpose x-ray tube/receptor are connected for use in tomography.
Fulcrum is the _____ _____ or _____ where the imaginary line connecting tube + receptor at start and end positions cross.
Object plain is the area surrounding the pivot point and tissue in this area is imaged ”_____ _____”
[Linear tomography]
Tube movement is in one direction, with receptor motion opposite to it.
Commonly a general purpose x-ray tube/receptor are connected for use in tomography.
Fulcrum is the pivot point or point where the imaginary line connecting tube + receptor at start and end positions cross.
Object plain is the area surrounding the pivot point and tissue in this area is imaged ”in focus”
Adjusting the pivot point or focus may be accomplished by adjusting _____ or _____.
Adjusting the pivot point or focus may be accomplished by adjusting tube height or table height.