Rad Tech's Guide to Equipment Operation and Maintenance

Euclid Seeram, PhD, MSc, BSc, FCAMRT, has academic appointments in Medical Imaging and is Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Radiology of the University of Sydney, Australia. In addition, he is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences at Monash University, Australia; Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Science, Charles Stuart University, Australia, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia.

1. X-Ray Imaging Systems for Diagnostic Radiology.Imaging Systems Overview.

Main Components of an Imaging System.

Quality Management: An Overview.

Nature of Quality Control.

2. Radiographic Imaging Systems.

Major components of a Radiographic Imaging System.

Image Receptor: Film-Based Radiography.

Film Processing.

Radiographic Image Quality.

3. X-Ray Generators.

Purpose of the X-Ray Generator.

X-Ray Generator Circuit.

Rectifiers and Rectification.

Types of X-Ray Generators.

Power Rating of an X-Ray Generator.

4. X-Ray Tubes for Diagnostic Radiology.

Production of X-Rays.

Components of X-Ray Tubes.

Metal-Ceramic Tube with Double Bearings.

X-Ray Tube Heat Capacity.

Preventing X-Ray Tube Failure: Practical Considerations.

5. Filtering the X-Ray Beam.

What is a Filter?.

Types of Filtration.

Effects of Filtration on X-Ray Tube Output.

Heavy Metal Filters.

Compensating Filters.

Image Dose Dodging.

6. Exposure Timers for Radiographic Systems.

Location of the Timer Circuitry.

Main Function of the Timer.

Types of Exposure Timers.

Automatic Exposure Control.

Practical Considerations.

Advantages of Automatic Exposure Control.

Quality Control for Exposure Timers.

Exposure Time and Radiation Protection.

7. Equipment for Controlling Scattered Radiation.

Origin of Scattered Radiation.

Factors Affecting the Amount of Scatter Production.

Sources of Scattered Radiation.

Improving Contrast: Antiscatter Techniques.

Antiscatter Grids: Design and Performance.

Scanning Slit Assemblies.

8. Fluoroscopic Imaging Systems.

Elements of a Fluoroscopic Examination.

Conventional Fluoroscopy: Equipment Components.

X-Ray Image Intensifier Tube.

Closed-Circuit X-Ray Television.

Automatic Brightness Control.

Recording the Fluoroscopic Image: Spot-Filming.

Digital Fluoroscopy.

9. Mobile Imaging Systems.

Radiographic Systems.

Accessory Equipment.

Fluoroscopic Systems.

Mini C-Arm Fluoroscopic Systems.

Equipment Maintenance: Continuous Quality Improvement.

Definitions.

Format of a QC Test.

Tools for QC Testing.

Parameters for QC Monitoring.

Acceptance Criteria-Tolerance Limits.

Control Charts.

Basic QC Tests for Radiography.

Basic QC Tests for Conventional Tomography.

Basic QC Tests for Fluoroscopic Systems.

QC for X-Ray Film Processors.

Repeat Film Analysis.

Record Keeping.

Benefits of a CQI Program