Quiz 1 Flashcards
Radiology
X-Ray
Photons
Branch of medicine aiding in visulizing interior of body
Electromagnetic Radiation
- Particles
- Waves
Bundles of energy in x-ray beam. Rides the wave. Has no mass or electrical charge
Electromagnetic spectrum
Radiowaves - Microwaves - Infrared - Visible Light - Ultraviolet - X-rays - Gamma rays
X-ray properties
- Invisble
- cannot be felt
- type of electromagnetic radiation
- interacts with electrons
- penetrates matter
- ionizes atoms
Wavelength vs Frequency
Wavelength: Distance from point A to point B
Frequency: cycles per second
Longer the wavelength = Frequency decreases
Shorter the wavelength = Frequency increases
X-ray tube
Anode:
- Positive
- (Tungsten target)
- Temp. can exceed 1000 C. Use of copper base and oil to conduct heat away
Types:
- Stationary: Low xray production, can’t take a lot of heat.
- Rotating: Disk shape
Cathode:
- Negative
- (Filament)
Cathode + Anode = 99% Heat & 1% X ray
** Cathode side x ray beam is more powerful. Place thicker body parts on cathode side.**
Waves
Absorption
Longer the wavelength = Frequency decreases = has less energy = travels shorter/does not penetrate well
Shorter the wavelength = Frequency increases = has more energy = travels further/penetrates deeper
Absorption varies on:
- Atomic number
- Density of the object
- Enerrgy of the x ray
Postive vs Negative
Positive
Invisible images that is made visible via chemical or digital processing
Negative
Damaging and altering living tissue via:
- Excitiation - Photon strikes and excites electron in orbit causing it to move to a higher orbit causing biological changes
- Ionization - Photon displaces an electron in orbit by striking it and also causing biological changes.
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen
Credited in discovering X rays
Used vaccum tubes to pass electrons from cathode to anode
Milliamperage (mA)
Kilovoltage (KVP)
Santes’ rule
mA
- Milliamperes
- measures the circuit that heats up the filament
- measures electric current
mA x 1/sec = mAs (milliamperage-seconds)
increase in mA allows shorter exposure time
KVP
- Kilovoltage peak
- mA is boosted by KVP to produce enough speed
- Measures pressure
Santes’ Rule: used to estimate KVP
(2 x thickness cm) + 40 = KVP
**increase kVP by 10 allows you to half the mAs or maintain mA with half the exposure time**
Focal Spot
Hits the target area
Smaller the focal point = Sharper the picture
** too small and it can’t stand the heat**
Failures
Electrical Components
Failures
Cathode Failure
- Filament evaporates if exposed to too much heat and time of use
- Does not get hot until you hit “pre exposure” button
- Turn off machine if not using.
- mA meter doesn’t move = filament is gone
Anode Bearings
- holding “pre-exposure” button down to long can overheat bearings
- Unusual noise is a problem
- no noise is sign of failed bearings
Target Damage
- Use low mA settings and high KVP to keep heat low.
Glass Envelope
- If air gets into
Electrical Components
High Voltage Circuits
Provides High electrical potential to move electrons from cathode to anode
- Autotransformer
- Step up transformers
Low Voltage Circuits
Provides electricity to heat filament
- Step down transformers
Collimator
Prevents scatter radiation
Restricts beams
Retification
Changes alternating to Direct current
so that constant electron flow is maintained
Control Panel
- On/Off button
- Voltmeter
- Kilovolt selector
- Milliampere selector
- Timer
- Exposure button
Radiation Damages & Exposure
Somatic
Damges to body tissue within person’s lifetime
Genetic
Damage to reporductive cells via genetic mutation
Hereditary damages
MPD (Maximum Permissible Doses)
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
Measured in Grays. 1 Gys = 100 rads (Radiation absorbed doses)
Absorbed Dose X Quality factor = Sieverts (Sv)
- Occupational - 0.05 Sv/yr
- Non Occ. - 0.005 Sv/yr
Use Lead Apron: 0.5mm Lead
Use 2.5 mm aluminum filter b/t window and collimator
Vet Tech role
Knowledge of
- x ray machine
- film
- cassettes
- film processor
- Safety requirments
- Proper techniques for production of diagnostic radiograph
- Evaluation of diagnostic quality
Rapidly dividing cells
Reporductive cells
Epithelial cells
Lymphoid cells
Hemopoietic
Fetal tissues
Density vs Contrast
Density
- Degree of blackness
- # of x rays reaching the film
- penetrating power of radiation
- development time/temp
- High mAs = High density
- High kVP = High density
High tissue thickness = less xrays reaching film = less density
Too Dark:
Decrease mAs: 30%-50%
Decrease kVp: 10%-15%
Too Light:
Increase mAs: 30%-50%
Increase kVp: 10%-15%
Contrast
- Difference in brightness in 2 neighboring areas
- High contrast = Short scale
- Low contrast = Long scale = more grays