RADIOGRAPHIC FILM & PROCESSING THE FILM Flashcards
What are image-forming X-rays?
X-rays that exit the patient and interact with the image receptor.
What is the exit beam?
X-rays that remain as the useful beam exits the patient.
The medium that converts the x-ray beam into a visible image.
Image receptor
What are the basic parts of radiographic film?
Base and emulsion.
What are the additional parts of radiographic film?
Adhesive layer and overcoat.
What is the thickness range of radiographic film?
150-300 μm.
What is the purpose of the adhesive layer in radiographic film?
To allow the emulsion and base to maintain proper contact and integrity.
What is the purpose of the overcoat in radiographic film?
To protect the emulsion from scratches, pressure, and contamination, allowing rough manipulation before exposure.
What is the base of radiographic film designed for?
To provide a rigid structure for the emulsion.
Describe the characteristics of the base in radiographic film.
Flexible, fracture-resistant, maintains size/shape (dimensional stability), uniformly lucent, tinted with blue dye to reduce eyestrain.
What was the original film base made from?
Glass plate.
What is cellulose nitrate, and what characteristic does it have?
It is the standard base for radiographic film, and it is flammable.
What base was introduced in the mid-1920s as a safety alternative?
Cellulose triacetate, which is less flammable than cellulose nitrate.
What is the film base of choice in radiographic film today, and why?
Polyester, because it is more resistant and has superior dimensional stability.
What are the two main components of the emulsion in radiographic film?
Gelatin and silver halide crystal.
What is the thickness of the emulsion layer?
3-5 μm.
What is the principal function of gelatin in the emulsion?
To provide mechanical support for silver halide crystals.
What are the characteristics of gelatin?
Clear and sufficiently porous.
What is the active ingredient of the emulsion?
Silver halide crystal.
Why is a high atomic number significant in silver halide crystals?
It contributes to the crystal’s high sensitivity to radiation, aiding in image formation.
What are the two primary chemical components of silver halide crystals
Silver bromide (98%) and silver iodide (2%).
List the possible shapes of silver halide crystals.
Tabular (mostly used), cubic, octahedral, polyhedral, and irregular shapes.
What is double emulsion film?
Film coated with emulsion on both sides.
What is silver sulfide’s role in silver halide crystals?
Acts as a chemical contaminant that creates physical imperfections in the crystals.
What are the main factors affecting radiographic film performance?
number of sensitivity centers per crystal
crystal concentration in the emulsion,
size/distribution of the crystals.
Why is radiographic film manufactured in total darkness?
To prevent exposure and ensure the integrity of the film’s sensitivity.
An invisible change induced in the silver halide crystal.
latent image
What is the photographic effect in radiographic film?
The formation of the latent image.
The accepted, although incomplete, explanation of latent image formation.
Gurney-Mott Theory
An inherent defect in the structure of silver halide crystals.
Frankel Defect
How does photon interaction with silver halide crystals contribute to the latent image?
Through photoelectric (total absorption) and Compton (partial absorption) interactions.
What are the steps in latent image production?
1) Radiation releases electrons,
2) electrons migrate to the sensitivity center,
3) atomic silver forms,
4) silver buildup creates the latent image.
What is the latent image center?
A cluster of silver atoms within the emulsion crystal.
List the types of film used in medical imaging.
Screen-film
laser printing
copy/duplicating
dental
radiation monitoring
dry transfer films.
What are the characteristics of screen-film in radiography?
Dual emulsion, blue or green sensitivity, used in general radiography, reduces technique and dose, but causes some image blur.
Single emulsion with antihalation backing, pre-exposed to Dmax, and used for duplicating radiographs.
copy/duplicating film
Dual emulsion packed in a sealed envelope with lead foil to reduce backscatter;
dental film
Dual emulsion packed in a sealed envelope; one emulsion can be removed to adjust the optical density scale; used for radiation monitoring.
radiation monitoring film
Single emulsion, thermally sensitive, used for “dry” printers.
dry transfer film
What must be considered when selecting screen-film?
Contrast, speed, spectral matching, anticrossover/antihalation dyes, and safelight requirements.
What is contrast in radiographic film?
degree of difference between the light and dark areas of a radiograph.
Describe high contrast film.
Produces black and white images with smaller grains.
Describe low contrast film.
Produces images with shades of gray and has larger grains.
What is latitude in radiographic film?
The range of exposure techniques (kVp and mAs) that produce an acceptable image.
The sensitivity of the screen-film combination to x-rays and light.
film speed
What determines film speed for direct exposure?
Concentration and number of silver halide crystals.
What determines film speed for screen-film?
Silver halide grain size and shape.
The efficient use of silver in the emulsion.
covering power
Exposure of one emulsion by light from the opposite radiographic intensifying screen, leading to image blur.
crossover
What are ways to reduce crossover?
Tabular grain emulsions, light-absorbing dyes, and IS that emits short-wavelength light (Blue or UV).
What are the three critical characteristics of crossover control layer?
Absorbs most crossover light
doesn’t diffuse into emulsion
is removed during processing.
The color of light emitted by the screen must match the response of the film.
spectral matching
States that optical density is proportional to the total energy imparted to the film
reciprocity law
What is the formula for the reciprocity law?
Exposure = Intensity x Time = Constant Optical Density.
Provides enough light to work without exposing the film, composed of an incandescent lamp with a filter.
SAFELIGHT
Film used without intensifying screens, thicker emulsion, higher silver halide concentration, and a clear gelatin coating on the backside.
direct-exposure film
Single emulsion with antihalation backing.
mammography film
Reflection of screen light transmitted through the emulsion and base.
halation
An absorbing dye that reduces reflection of screen light, used in single emulsion screen-films.
ANTIHALATION
Silver halide film sensitized to red light emitted by lasers, with single emulsion and antihalation backing; used in CT, MRI, and ultrasound printers.
laser film
What is the purpose of laser beam modulation in radiographic film?
To vary the laser beam intensity in direct proportion to the strength of the image signal.
What is cine film, and what is its application?
35mm film used in cinefluorography.
Static image in small-format intensifier screen taken during fluoroscopy, with sizes ranging from 70 to 105 mm.
spot film
What are artifacts in radiographic film?
Marks or spurious images that sometimes appear on processed radiographs.
An artifact caused by creasing of the film.
line artifact
An artifact caused by dirt on the hands or on the intensifying screens (IS).
specular artifact
An artifact caused by a dry environment.
static
What are the ideal storage temperature conditions for radiographic film?
Less than 20°C (68°F) for regular storage and 10°C (50°F) for refrigeration.
Caused by high temperatures, leading to reduced contrast on the film.
fog effect
What is the recommended humidity range for film storage?
Between 40% and 60% relative humidity.
What happens if humidity falls below 40% during film storage?
It can cause static artifacts on the film.
What happens if humidity exceeds 60% during film storage?
It can cause fog on the film.
How does light exposure affect film fog?
Low-level, diffuse light exposure increases fog, while bright light exposure can cause artifacts or partial exposure of the film.
How does radiation exposure affect stored film?
It increases fog and reduces contrast on the film.