Lecture 12

Question 1

What are important labels that must go on an X-ray?

Answer 1

• Clinic name - Date - Animals name or number - Owners name

Question 2

What are two things that a cassette will support?

Answer 2

1. Intensifying screens 2. X-ray film

Question 3

What is essential for a good cassette?

Answer 3

1. Must be light proof when closed 2. Radiolucent front 3. Lead back to decrease backscatter 4. Pressure foam pad to ensure good contact between a film and the screen

Question 4

Briefly explain how the intensifying screen functions:

Answer 4

1. Intensifying screen will absorb the transmitted X-rays 2. The luminescent crystals (phosphors) fluoresce visible light when irradiated 3. This fluorescence exposes the X-ray film (95% exposure = visible light and only 5% is actual X-rays)

Question 5

What is meant by screen speed and what are the three different types of it that will occur?

Answer 5

• Speed = the relative exposure required to give an optical density on the film - FAST = a lower exposure will be required - MODERATE = moderate exposure is required - SLOW = higher exposures required

Question 6

What factors affect the amount of X-ray energy that is able to be absorbed by the screen and converted to visible light?

Answer 6

• screen phosphor type and screen properties (construction)

Question 7

What is the effect of a larger crystal size in the intensifying screen?

Answer 7

• greater absorption efficiency (fewer X-rays needed) - greater screen speed = overall effect of a fast but poor grainy quality image

Question 8

What is the effect of an increase layer thickness?

Answer 8

• larger volume of light = greater absorption efficiency and a greater screen speed

Question 9

What problem with the intensifying screen would cause small white dots and what would be the solution to this?

Answer 9

Caused by dust and hair between the film and the screen. The resolution would be to clean the screens

Question 10

What problem with the intensifying screen would cause. multiple small white dots spread diffusely throughout a screen background? What is the solution?

Answer 10

An issue that is caused by old phosphors that are no longer able to fluoresce light? The resolution to this would be to replace the old screen and to purchase a new one.

Question 11

What are some important considerations when cleaning film screens?

Answer 11

1. The screen cleaning product used 2. Lint free cloth (prevent lint artefact) 3. Upright to dry (preventing dust)

Question 12

What are the two different types of film structure that can be used?

Answer 12

Single of double sides AgBr

Question 13

On a density/exposure curve what is the effect of a steeper curve?

Answer 13

Steeper curve = greater contrast

Question 14

What is meant by film latitude? What is a consequence of having higher latitude, what is a benefit?

Answer 14

Film latitude = the range of exposures with acceptable densities. A wider latitude means lower contrast

Question 15

What are some important considerations when designing film screen combinations?

Answer 15

1. Film = sensitive to different colour ranges 2. Correct mix of screen colour and also film sensitivity will mean a greater level of efficiency

Question 16

What are the two basic systems that are required at any practice?

Answer 16

1. Detailed system - small parts, extremities (less than 10 cm thickness) with no grid used 2. Fast system - for use with grids (much thicker - greater than 10 cm thicknesses)

Question 17

Fill in the diagram below:

Answer 17

Question 18

What is a latent image?

Answer 18

The film after exposure has a latent image. Latent centres will act as a catalyst for silver formation. The silver deposits will form the black areas of the film

Question 19

What is involved in the film processing phase?

Answer 19

The developer solution contains a reducing agent and is alkaline. Converts the AgBr areas on the film to silver

Question 20

What factors influence the developer time of an image?

Answer 20

1. Time in developer
2. Temperature of the developer solution
3. Age of developer solution
4. Inactivation of the developer solution

Question 21

How often should developer solution be changed?

Answer 21

Every 4 to 6 weeks

Question 22

True or false:

“It is ok to replenish developer solution with water”

Answer 22

Wrong must use a specialised replenisher solution

Question 23

What is the issue with the developement of this film?

Answer 23

This film has been underdeveloped. Low image density and poor detail. Poor contrast. The background also has very poor density

Question 24

What is the issue with the developement of this film:

Answer 24

• high peripheral film density
• high background film density
• high image film density
• poor contrast and poor detail

Question 25

What is the clearing time?

Answer 25

• time it takes to visibly clear all of the undissolved AgBr
• transform from milky opaque appearance to clear transparent apperance
• undeveloped silver halide (AgBr) is dissolved in emulsion

Question 26

What is the fixing time?

Answer 26

Time to completely dissolve all of the AgBr and to harden the emulsion. The fixing time normally 2x clearing

Question 27

What is a consequence of severe underfixing?

Answer 27

Not cleared- so it will appear milky or opaque after processing

Question 28

What is a consequence of moderate to mild underfixing?

Answer 28

• Initially normal in appearance
• After time film discolours pink to brown
• No hardened you will get damage on the surface of the film

Question 29

What is the purpose of washing?

Answer 29

• removes chemicals (including fixer), water soluble complexes and Br complexes
• running water is required (8 complete water changes per hour)
• poor washing = dirty streak surface, smells of chemicals, discolouration from yellow to brown on storage