A high-quality imaging study is a vital part of medical care. However, it isn’t always easy to achieve.
Quality control aims to ensure that the equipment used for diagnostic imaging remains operational at a safe and reliable level. It involves a series of standardized tests designed to detect equipment performance changes and allow prompt corrective action.
High-quality X-ray Film
The quality of an X-ray image depends on many factors. The most important is contrast, which allows the visibility of detail. It is affected by film speed, density, and processing.
Another factor is the distance from the X-ray tube to the film or source to image distance (SID). This varies according to the type of equipment and the patient.
X-ray films are composed of an emulsion and base that contain radiation-sensitive silver halide crystals. These are coated on both sides of the ground in thin layers.
High-quality X-ray Tubes
X-ray tubes are the heart of any imaging system. They can provide many years of active service when operated, handled, and maintained properly.
A tube can fail in one of four ways:
- Normal aging
- Application mismatch
- Improper power supply setup or operation
- Issues with the tube enclosure
1. Normal Aging – A hot tungsten filament inside the tube loses mass as material evaporates from its surface. As a result, the wire thins more quickly at “hot spots,” which eventually burn through it and cause failure.
2. Application Mismatch – High kVp can reduce image quality by producing a beam too dark or too light for the anatomy being imaged. Positioning the cathode side of the x-ray beam over the thickest part of a patient’s anatomy can maximize image contrast.
High-quality X-ray Detectors
The X-ray detector is an electronic device that detects absorbed X-rays and converts them to digital signals. The quality of the X-ray detector can have an impact on how accurately and efficiently images are formed.
Several X-ray detectors exist, including photographic film, imaging plate, and flat panel detector (FPD). All have their pros and cons.
New generations of X-ray detectors from Imaging Supplies Sterling VA, coming from scientific research and exploiting the progress in microelectronics, offer many advantages over previous sensors. They are highly efficient (direct conversion, crystalline semiconductor), noise-free, and have a wide dynamic range.
High-quality X-ray Generators
X-ray generators are the heart of most fluoroscopy systems. They comprise a metal target (anode), an electron gun or cathode, a vacuum chamber with an X-ray window, and a power supply/controller.
They are designed to produce high-quality images by accelerating and impinging electrons on the target surface. They are commonly used in medical imaging because they can have a clearer picture of the patient’s anatomy than traditional X-rays.
Most X-ray generators also contain anti-scatter grids to minimize scattering. These grids are typically circular or rectangular and are removable by the operator.
High-quality X-ray Accessories
When you want to get the most out of your x-ray system, it’s essential to have quality imaging supplies. This includes x-ray accessories, such as aprons, thyroid collars, gloves, and mobile barriers.
Standard left/suitable x-ray lead markers help radiology technicians record essential information, such as the patient’s name and the exam date. These markers also record the patient’s position during the x-ray.
X-ray personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protecting patients and radiology professionals from the harmful effects of scatter radiation. These aprons, collars, and gloves are designed to shield the user from scattered radiation while performing x-ray procedures. They can be worn during both open-beam and closed-beam x-rays. These protective garments are made from a seamless, tear-resistant material that does not leak radiation.
