Topic 5: X-ray tube life cycle

Question 1

how long is the average life cycle of an XR tube

Answer 1

5 years

Question 2

what are the 8 stages of the life cycle in order?

Answer 2

1. procurement and installation
2. critical examination
3. acceptance testing
4. commissioning
5. maintenance
6. routine use
7. routine QC
8. end of life

Question 3

what does procurement deal with?

Answer 3

sourcing activities, negotiation and strategic selection of goods and services

Question 4

whose duty is critical examination

Answer 4

duty of installer

Question 5

what does critical examination entail

Answer 5

• check all radiation safety features of installation are working
• required whenever replacement of major part

Question 6

what does acceptance testing entail

Answer 6

• check equipment works properly
• verifies that contractor has supplied equipment as specified
• adequate tests to demonstrate performance meets specifications

Question 7

What does commissioning involve

Answer 7

• tests performed to ensure equipment is ready for clinical use
• test the established baseline values against which regular QA/QC can be compared

Question 8

routine tests (QC)

Answer 8

• conducted on a regular basis
• should include corrective maintenance to eliminate problems revealed
• parameters to be monitored

Question 9

who should abnormal results be sent to

Answer 9

Medical physics expert

Question 10

what test tool is commonly used for radiographer QC

Answer 10

leeds test tool

Question 11

what is checked during physics performance testing

Answer 11

• x ray tube output and beam energy
• x ray beam alignment
• dose indicator accuracy
• pt doses
• AEC
• image receptor efficiency
• image quality measures

Question 12

what is beam energy and power related to

Answer 12

contrast and dose

Question 13

what is the purpose of beam alignment

Answer 13

reduce unnecessary dose

Question 14

what tool is used for beam alignment

Answer 14

beam alignment test tool

Question 15

what is DAP

Answer 15

dose area product

Question 16

purpose of DAP meter

Answer 16

• DAP is a quantity used in assessing radiation risk from XRs exams and interventional procedures

Question 17

purpose of AEC function

Answer 17

• maintain image quality

Question 18

image receptor efficiency

Answer 18

• distortion
• ghosting
• radiation damage
• detector response to radiation

Question 19

4 things to check for image quality

Answer 19

• uniformity
• threshold contrast
• spatial resolution
• dynamic range

Question 20

why is it important to complete a hand over form

Answer 20

• updates if there is any change to engineers local rules
• records work which may impact on dose
• indicates if needs physical testing before use