Finals | Automatic Processor Flashcards
A device designed to move medical X-ray films from one solution to the next, without human intervention, except to insert a film or cassette.
Automatic Processor
When and who introduced the first automatic x-ray film processor?
1942, Pako
The first commercially available model could process (1) with the use of (2).
- 120 films/hour
- special film hangers
Dunked from one tank to another
Film hangers
Appr. total cycle time for processing one film using the first automatic x-ray film processor
Approximately 40 minutes
When and who intrpduced the first roller transport system for processing medical radiographs?
1956, Eastman Kodak Company
Wight and length of the 1956 Eastman Kodak roller transport sytem
about 10 feet long
weighed nearly three quarters of a ton
When and who introduced the 90-second rapid processing?
1965, Eastman Kodak
Rapid processing was possible because of the development of new (1) and (2), as well as the faster drying permitted by a (3).
- chemicals
- emulsions
- polyester film base
Rapid processing was possible because of the development of new chemistry and emulsions, as well as the faster drying permitted by a polyester film base.
90-second rapid processing in 1965
When and who introducedd the automatic film processor with a processing cycle of approximately 45 seconds?
1987, Konica
Why is the 45 seconds automatic film processor least used even with its faster application?
It requires special films and chemicals manufactured by Konica themselves
Automatic processor history timeline
1942: First automatic x-ray film processor (Pako)
1956: First roller transport system (Eastman Kodak)
1965: 90-second rapid processing (Eastman Kodak)
1987: 45-second automatic film processor (Konica)
Most preferred automatic processor
Eastman Kodak’s 90-second rapid processing
AUTOMATIC PROCESSOR PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS
- TRANSPORT SYSTEM
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM
- CIRCULATION SYSTEM
- REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM
- DRYER SYSTEM
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRANSPORT AND CONTROL TIME OF
IMMERSION
- Film is inserted through the feed tray.
- Entrance rollers grip the film and begin its trip through the processor.
* Microswitch is then engaged to control the replenishment rate of the processing chemicals. - From the entrance rollers, the film is transported by rollers and racks through the wet chemistry tanks and the drying chamber, and is finally deposited in the receiving bin.
TRANSPORT SYSTEM: SUBSYSTEMS
- Roller assembly
- Transport rack assembly
- Drive subsystem
Subsytems of the ROLLER ASSEMBLY
A. Main Transport Roller
B. Master roller (solar roller)
C. Planetary rollers and metal or plastic guide shoes
Convey the film along its path.
Main Transport Roller
Positioned opposite one another in pairs or are offset from one another.
Main Transport Roller
Main transport roller (roller assembly) diameter
1 inch
Used when the film makes a turn in the processor
Master roller
Other term for Master roller
Solar roller
Master roller (Roller assembly) diameter
Diameter of 3 inches (7mm)
Usually positioned around the master roller.
Planetary rollers and metal or plastic guide shoes
Biggest roller assembly
Master roller (solar roller)
TRANSPORT RACK ASSEMBLY
(1): most of the rollers in the transport system are
positioned on a (2).
These racks are easily removable and provide for convenient (3) and efficient (4) of the processor.
- Transport rack subassembly
- rack assembly
- maintenance
- cleaning
Curved metal lip with smooth grooves guides the film around the bend
Guide shoe
TRANSPORT RACK ASSEMBLY
For a 180-degree bend, the film is positioned for the turn by the (1), is propelled around the (2) by (3) and its planetary rollers, and leaves the (2) by entering the next straight run of rollers through the (4).
- leading guide shoe
- curve
- master roller
- trailing guide shoe
What comprises the Turnaround assembly?
Master roller
Planetary rollers
Guide shoes
Where is the turnaround assbemly located?
Bottom of the transport rack assembly.
When the film exits the top of the rack assembly, it is guided to the adjacent rack assembly through a —.
cross-over rack
What consists of the smaller crossover rack?
Rollers
Guide shoes.
Power for the transport system is provided by a fractional —.
horsepower drive motor
Transfers power to the transport rack and drive the rollers.
Chain, pulley, or gear assembly
The three principal mechanical devices
- belt and pulley
- chain and sprocket
- gears.
- These mechanical devices connect the (1) of the (2) to the (3) of the (4).
- mechanical energy
- drive motor
- drive motor mechanism
- rack assembly
Most critical temperature
Developer temperature
Developer temperature
Maintained at 35C (95F).
Wash water is maintained at — lower than developer temperature
3C (5F)
Temperature is monitored at each stage by a (1) or (2) and is controlled thermostatically by a controlled heating element in each tank.
- thermocouple
- thermosistor
What can a high chemical temperature do?
Transport rollers which are made of rubber can melt and chemicals cannot be efficiently soaked
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Why is agitation necessary?
- To continually mix the
processing chemicals - To maintain a constant
temperature throughout the processing tanks, - Aid exposure of emulsion to the chemicals
Continuously pumps the developer and the fixer
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
The developer circulation system requires a filter that traps particles as small as approximately (1) to trap flecks of (2) that are dislodged from the emulsion.
- 100 micrometer
- gelatin
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Water must be circulated through the (1) to remove all of the (2) from the (3) of the film before drying; this ensures (4).
- wash tank
- processing chemicals
- surface
- archival quality
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
(1) is piped into the tank at the bottom and overflows out the top, where it is
collected and discharged directly into the (2). The minimum flow rate for the wash tank in most processors is (3).
- Fresh tap water
- sewer system
- 12L/ minute (3 gal/ minute)
Meters the proper quantities of chemicals into each tank to maintain volume and chemical
activity.
REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM
REPLENISHMENT
SYSTEM maintains (1) and (2). Wash water is not recirculated and therefore is continuously and
completely (3).
- volume
- chemical activity
- replenished
Replenishment rates are approximately (1) of developer and (2) of fixer for every (3) of film.
- 60 to 70 ml
- 100 to 110 ml
- 14 inches (35 cm)
Usually, if the replenishment rate is
increased, radiographic contrast is (1). If the rate is too low, contrast (2) significantly.
Thus, replenishment rate and radiographic contrast is (3) proportional to each other
- slightly increased
- decreases
- directly
DRYER SYSTEM consists of:
Blower
Ventilation Ducts
Drying Tubes
Exhaust System
Dryer system function
Extracts all residual moisture from the processed radiograph, so it drops into the receiving bin dry.
A processor should be run at a (1) air pressure so that air is continually being sucked in and
the (2) moist air vented externally.
- negative internal
- fume-laden
The (1) is a fan that sucks in room air and blows it across heating coils through (2) to the (3). Therefore, room air should be (4) and (5)
- blower
- ductwork
- drying tubes
- low in humidity
- free of dust.
Sometimes, as many as (1) heating coils of appr. (2) capacity are used. The
temperature of the air entering the drying chamber is (3).
- three
- 2500 W
- thermostatically regulated
Provided in the thermal and mechanical components of each systems.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Each major electrical
component will be fused, and the (1) is the only part of the electrical system of importance to the (2).
- fuse box
- technologists
Most processing faults leading
to damp film are due to
—
depletion of glutaraldehyde
