Running head: TECHNICAL REPORT FOR EQUIPMENT 1

Technical Report for Medical Equipment: X-ray

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Institution
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Technical Report for Equipment
Introduction

Recently, there has been a rise of demand of technology advancement in the field of

medicine to improve on disease diagnosis and treatment. However, this has been a challenge

because the involved equipments are expensive in terms of purchase, power consumption,

maintenance and servicing the medical equipments. This report focuses on the medical

equipment for radiography, which is X-ray equipment. Medical equipment is apparatus or an

instrument used in conjunction with the related softwares for efficiency and proper application.

Therefore, the report entails an x-ray medical device, its principles, functions, environmental

impacts and its applications. Medical equipment is acquired or obtained for the purpose of

disease investigation, deterrence, monitoring, treatment and eventually eradication from the

human body.

X-ray Equipment

X-ray apparatus is a medical imaging instrument applied in the health sector and it is of

diverse models. Some models tend to consume low power voltage while others consume high

voltage power. This equipment is majorly used for a whole patient cycle for examination,

treatment and monitoring the patient with the help of a radiographer or medical practitioner. It

radiates rays towards the patient’s body especially the affected parts like fractures for diagnosis

of a defect (for example bone fracture). There exist several models of which some are manual

while others are automated. Figure 1 shows a pictorial representation of the X-ray machine

showing the physical and internal composition (model: AAA84-115298).

Figuren1: High voltage and x-ray tube filament circuit, and physical automated appearance

Equipment acquisition

Purchase of an x-ray machine should take into consideration of the procurement that is

sustainable to the public. This reason calls for consideration of the following factors while

purchasing an x-ray machine; social-ethical machine performance, environmental risks,

durability of the equipment as well as the reliability in diagnosis. These factors should be taken

into account because the apparatus involves direct service delivery to the public thus their

consideration is real essential. It then means that the procurement process should be a green

public procurement (GPP). GPP is acquisition of a service or equipment which has minimal

environmental effect in its existence with respect to public demand. The implication here is that

the X-ray model should consume reasonable power and maintenance cost, should be common

and most procured for sustainability.

Equipment Installation

Once the X-ray instrument has been acquired, then installation commences immediately

of course with stipulated standard instructions. For instance in the case of this model (AAA84-

115298), the x-ray head is put on the ground by a pulley and gradient as the trailer leaves. Water
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tubes and electrical cables joining the X-ray head to other parts of the equipment are unwinding

automatically while put on the ground as the trailer is leaving. Usually the allowed standard

distance between the trailer and the head of the x-ray should be 300 feet. When trailer setting is

completed, the control console is installed 150 feet away from the trailer as the control cable

joining the control panel to the trailer is winding down from its towline drum.

Figure 2: A fully x-ray machine set up and its medical application in scanning

X-ray equipment shown in figure 2 makes an electrical or physical contact with the patient body

to ensure good passage of radiations or energy transfer for effective examination.

Principles of X-ray equipment

The instrument comprises of the cathode and the anode. Once the power supply is

initiated through the x-ray tube, electrons starts flowing from the cathode to the anode. As the

electrons are in motion they tend to lose energy and eventually generate an x-ray beam

(radiation). In general;

E = hʋ (1)

Where E is energy, h is Planck’s constant and ʋ is the radiation frequency.

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When an electron moves from point 1 to point 2 then the energy involved becomes;

E0 – E1 (2)

Figure 3: Generation of the x-rays

The x-rays produced are characteristic of the sample under study or diagnosis.

Economic aspect of x-ray

X-ray as medical equipment is necessary in our hospitals. This implies that the costs

related to its operation must be reasonable to hospitals and the public. It consumes higher energy

voltage during intensive examination or imaging as a result high costs are required to meet the

daily operation. This brings to attention that any engineer should use his/her skills well for

minimization of the related expenses.

Environmental impact of use of the x-ray

Environmental aspects of the x-ray machine are important because it identifies the

benefits and hazards that may brought about by use of the equipment. The x-ray is good, safe and

reliable medical equipment if it is used appropriately with an experienced person (Radiographer).

However, if the equipment is mishandled, it can cause a menace to both the user and others.

Beryllium is used in the tubing system and is believed to be toxic chemical to organic tissues

thus qualifying to be a cancer causing agent (carcinogenic). The materials used in the x-ray are

mostly recyclable and hence they can be reused (about 95% material can be reused as well as
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3.9% energy value). This calls for an aware, knowledgeable man power for effective usage of the

equipment. However, medical engineers are still on a run to find a better replacement of this

element and its compounds to curb the negative effect that is associated.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that application of X-ray as equipment in the medical field is

necessary for fast and better imaging and diagnosis. This is because x-ray only requires proper

maintenance and few chemicals (only beryllium). Environmental assessment and economic

aspects are also basic considerations before purchase of the machine.

Recommendations

Government and other stakeholders should step forward in support of every hospital to

acquire x-ray equipment with expertise. Installation of the x-ray medical equipment should be

done under stipulated instructions.

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Reference list

Martz, H. E., Logan, C. M., Schneberk, D. J., & Shull, P. J. (2016). X-ray Imaging:

fundamentals, industrial techniques and applications. CRC Press.

Shealy, A. (2019). U.S. Patent No. 10,172,576. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark

Office.

Whitaker, J. C., & Mancini, R. K. (2018). Technical documentation and process. CRC Press.