Lecture 2

X-Ray Imaging System

Objectives Equipment
Describe various diagnostic and ancillary
equipment configurations
State incoming line current characteristics
Describe differences between single-phase and
three-phase power
Discuss differences between single-phase, three-
phase, six- and twelve-pulse, and high frequency
waveforms on generator output
Objectives Timer
Differentiate phototimers from ionization chamber
automatic exposure controls (AECs)
Describe placement and function of phototimer
Describe potential problems that could be caused
by minimum reaction times
Justify use of backup time when using AECs
Objectives Cathode
Understand complete dual-focus cathode
assembly
Discuss necessary characteristics of filament
metals and construction
Describe control of thermionic emission from
filament
Objectives Anode
Explain line-focus principle and its effect on
anode target design
Explain anode heel and its effect on primary
beam intensity
 Objectives Tube
Describe function of rotating anode induction
motor, stator, and rotor
Discuss construction of envelope and protective
housing
Calculate safe exposures when provided with tube
rating chart, anode cooling curve, and housing
cooling curve
Types of X-Ray Equipment for Medical
use
Two types:
Diagnostic and therapeutic

 Diagnostic ranges
 10-1200 milliamperes (mA)
 0.001 to 10 seconds
 25-150 kilovoltage peak (kVp)

 Therapeutic ranges
 Much higher
 Medical X-Ray Machine
Therapeutic
Treatment of disease
 Kill Cancer Cells

Diagnostic
Procedure Specific
 Fluoroscopy
 Cardiac Cath
 Chest
 C-Arm
 Diagnostic Ranges X-ray control
10-1200 mA

.001-10 seconds

25-150 kVp
 X-Ray Imaging System

3 main parts:
Operating System
High voltage Generator
X-ray tube
Designed to provide a large number of electrons with high
kinetic energy focused to a small spot on called the anode
in the x-ray tube
3 main parts
X-ray Table
 X-ray Table
Strong
Artifact free
Movement Assistance
Tables
Uniform radiolucent surface
Must be:
Easy to clean
Free of crevices that could collect contrast media
Difficult to scratch
Bucky tray
Tables
Fixed and tilting models
90-15 tilt
Footboard
Shoulder supports and handgrips
Compression bands
Fixed vs Tilting
Ancillary Equipment
Footboard
Shoulder supports
Hand grips
Compression bands
X-ray Console
Operating Console

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Operating Console
Allows technologist to control the tube current (MA)
and voltage (KVP)
Quantity and quality of the x-ray is controlled
Meters monitor the mas and kvp
Most are based on computer technology
Digital
Touch screens
 Tube Support
Permit movement of the
tube

Configurations
OTC
FTC
Wall
Upright
C-arm
X-ray Power supply
Power for X-Ray Generation
Incoming line current
Single-phase power
Three-phase power
Incoming Line Current
60 Hz alternating
current
Root mean square
(rms) voltage of 200-
240
Nearly all x-ray
equipment operates
on 210-220V
Single-Phase Power
Multi-Phase Power or Three-Phase
Power
X-ray Circuit
A Basic X-Ray Circuit
Main x-ray circuit
Exposure switch
Timer circuit
Filament circuit
Exposure Switch
Deadman switch
Depress in one motion to maximize tube life
Separate anode and rotor switches also used
Mobile equipment requires 6-foot cord
Timer Circuit
Electronic timers
Milliampere-second (mAs) timers
AEC timers
AECs
Phototimers
Antiquated term
Ionization chambers
Minimum reaction time
Backup time
Ionization Chambers
Located in front of
image receptor (IR)
5 mm parallel plate
chamber
 Backup Time
Equipment often allows technologist to set backup
Should be set at 150 percent of anticipated manual
technique
Maximum exposure per U.S. Public Law:
600 mAs
Generators
Single-phase
Multi-phase
High frequency
Capacitor discharge mobile units
Battery-operated mobile units
Falling load
X-ray Generator
High voltage generator
High voltage generator may be housed in an
equipment cabinet against a wall

Located near x-ray tube

Usually in x-ray room

Single-Phase Generators
Full-wave rectified
2 pulses per Hz
120 pulses per second
Voltage ripple 100 percent
Multi-Phase/Three-Phase Generators
Full-wave rectified
6 pulses per Hz
360 pulses per second
Voltage ripple 13-25 percent
Multi-Phase/Three-Phase Generators
Full-wave rectified with 12 diodes
12 pulses per Hz
720 pulses per second
Voltage ripple 4-10 percent
High Frequency Generators
AC and DC power converters and inverters
Full-wave rectified unit can produce 12-13 kHz
waveform
Voltage ripple of 3-4 percent
Battery-Operated Mobile Units
Supply nonpulsating direct current
Similar to three-phase 12 pulse unit
Falling Load Generators
Start at high amperage and allow it to fall during
exposure
Maximize use of tube limits
Shorten exposure times
The X-Ray Tube

Chapter 6
 How do we produce these
x-rays?
 X-Ray Tube

 Consists of an Internal structure

 External component
1. Support structure
2. Protective housing
3. Glass or metal enclosure
Production of X-Rays
Source of electrons
Target
High-voltage
Vacuum
 Diagram of the X-ray tube

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Tube Components
Internal Structure
Two principle parts
The rotating anode
Cathode

Any tube that has two electrodes is called a diode.

Glass housing can withstand large amounts of heat
Cathode Assembly
Filament
Focusing cup
Associated wiring
Filament
Coil of thoriated tungsten
0.1: 0.2 millimeter (mm) thick
1: 2 mm wide
7: 15 mm long
Filament length and width impact recorded detail
Filament Material
Tungsten selected due to:
High melting point
Difficult to vaporize
Rhenium and molybdenum
Also good choices
Dual Focus Arrangements
Thermionic Emission
Filament heated
Causes electrons to be released from filament
Tube Failure
Tube arcing
Vaporized tungsten collection on envelope
Filament breakage
Boost and hold
Focusing Cup
Composed of nickel
Low negative potential applied
Compresses thermionic cloud
Biased focusing cup
Space charge effect
Saturation current
Focusing Cup
Anode Assembly
Three functions:
Target surface
Conducts high voltage
Serves as primary thermal conductor
Anode Assembly
Components:
Anode
Stator
Rotor
Stationary versus Rotating Anode
Glass Enclosure of the X-ray Tube

www.superiorxraytube.com/pages/SXR-130-15-1.2.htm
Rotating Anode
Tungsten-rhenium alloy
High atomic number
High melting point
Heat-conducting ability
Anode Layering
Assists with heat
loading
Backed with
molybdenum and/or
graphite
Mammographic Equipment
Molybdenum target material
Creates needed lower energy photons
Beryllium tube window
Normal Anode Wear
Warm-Up Procedure
Gradually warms
anode
Prevents cracking
Helps maintain
vacuum
Stress relieved anode
Target Area
Portion of anode that electron stream contacts
Target
Focus
Focal point
Focal spot
Focal track
Point source of x-ray photons
Anode Heat Loading
Rotating anode
Revolutions per minute (rpm)
Diameter of disk
Target material
Actual versus effective focal spot
Line Focus Principle
Effective focal spot
Controlled by:
 Actual focal spot
 Target angle
Anode Heel Effect
Stator
Located outside
envelope
Bank of
electromagnets
Stator failure
Rotor
Copper cylinder connected to anode disk by
molybdenum stem
Turns when stator energized
Ball bearings
Bearing failure
Envelope
Pyrex glass or metal
10” long
6” central diameter
2” peripheral diameter
Window
Vacuum
 External Components
The glass is joined to the metal of the cathode and
anode
vacuum
longer tube life
Window segment is where primary beam exists as a
narrow beam
Thinner section of glass
Metal enclosures maintain constant electric potential
between electrons and tube current and the enclosure
The beam passes through a series of filters on its way
to the patient.
Protective Housing
Controls leakage and scatter radiation
Isolates high voltages
Provides means to cool tube
Control of Leakage Radiation and
Scatter Radiation
Housing made of lead-lined cast steel
Leakage radiation limit
100 milliRoentgens per hour (mR/hr) at 1 meter (m)
High-Voltage Isolation and Tube
Cooling
Dielectric oil
Insulates
Promotes cooling
Sometimes circulated through heat exchanger
Air fan
Rating Charts and Cooling Curves
Tube rating charts
Anode cooling curves
Housing cooling curves
 The Newest Tubes

Partial metal envelope

Higher target heat storage
Rugged construction
Metal window has uniform thickness