Recorded Detail Flashcards
March 13 = physics exam
Recorded detail
detail definition or sharpness in film/screen radiography
Known as spatial resolution in DR
The sharpness of structure lines in a radiograph
4 factors affecting recorded detail
Geometric
motion
IR
Object
Geometric factors
Focal spot size
SID
OID
Heel effect
Deal with the arrangement in space of xray beam, part being radiographed, and IR
Motion factors
X-ray source
IR
Patient
IR factors
Film speed
Intesifying screen
Quantum mottle
Object factors
Size
shape
Focal spot size
Smaller focal spot size, the greater the recorded detail and vice versa
Small focal spot range: 0.3mm to 1.0mm
Large focal spot range: 1.0mm-2.5mm
2 ways to describe focal spot size
Actual focal spot size - the actail area being bombarded by electrons
Effective, apparent, projected, or nominal focal spot - the way the actual area appears from the perspective of the IR
Line focus prinicle
effective focal spot will always appear smaller than the actual focal spot
Relationship between the actual and effective focal spot size is governed by this
Size of affected focal soot is affected by 2 factors
- Size of actual focal spot - smaller the actual, smaller the effective
Size of actual focal spot is governed by size of filament in cathode - Anode angle - smaller the anode angle, smaller the effective focal spot size
Dual focused xray tube
Required to give radiographer a choice of either a small or large focal spot,
Advantages + disadvantages of focal spot size
Small - better detail
use at less than 50 mAs
Lower heat capacity
Reduces tube life
Large- Detail not as sharp
use at any mAs
Higher heat capacity
Increases tube life
Effect of focal spot size on recorded detail
Umbra (shadow) – the distinctly
sharp area of a shadow or region
of complete shadow.
This will be the true image of the
object being radiographed.
Penumbra - the imperfect, unsharp shadow surrounding the
umbra.
It can also be referred to as
unsharpness, edge gradient or
geometric unsharpness.
Penumbra
As focal spot size increases, so does the size of the penumbra
Recorded detail decreases
Focal spot blooming
Over time or with increase in mA used, size of the focal spot can increase from its stated nominal value
Focal spot size evaluation
to determine if focal spot blooming has occured
Focal spot size testing can be performed by one of three devices
Pinhole camera - tiny hole of a specified shape is cut into a plate of metal allloy
Focal spot test tool - series of slits is radiographed, corresponding chart is used
Star or slit resolution patterns - chart if various shapes and/or lines that can
estimate focal spot size.
Effect of SID
Short SID’s will decrease recorded detail because the penumbra size increases
Long SID’s will increase recorded detail because penumbra is smaller
SID and recorded detail have a direct relationship
Effect of OID
Larger OID will cause larger penumbra before reaching IR, thereby reducing recorded detail
Shorter OID will increase recorded detail
Inverse relationship for OID and recorded detail