3.

The tube stand

 This term is used to denote the apparatus to support the X-ray tube during the performance of

radiography.

 It can include many different forms of suspension, and vary from small table top stands or

larger mobile floor stands, to overhead ceiling mountings.

 It is a separate unit connected electrically to the X-ray machine (Fig 3-20). It contains meters
and switches to select kVp, mA and exposure time. The control panel vary with the type of X-
ray machine but most often following components, or some of them exit.
 On-off switch: It is a main switch to turn the unit 'on'. The switch permits flow of current to the
tube at 'on' position and prevents the same at 'off ' position. For the safely of the X-ray tube
and also to avoid an accidental exposure, the switch should remain in 'off ' position when
machine is not being used.
 Voltmeter and voltage compensator control: Most X-ray machines are designed to operate
on a 220 voltage power source. A voltmeter measures the voltage of electric current and
voltage compensator allows adjustment of voltage. In most machines these days such a
system is automatic.

 Kilovoltage selector: It allows precise selection of desired kV. In some machines this control

is automatically linked to a certain milliamperage (mA) value. In such a case, a high kVp is

available at a relatively low mA and vice versa.

The effect of kilovoltage

 As already stated .it is the passage of a high voltage current across an x-ray tube which

results in a production of X-rays . The higher the kilovoltage employed for this purpose , the

more rapidly the electrons travel , the greater the amount of energy released on impact , and

the shorter the wave –length of the X-rays produced .

 x-rays of short wave – length are sometimes described as " hard X-rays " while those of

longer wave –length may be spoken of as " soft " .

The kilovoltage Selector

milliamperge the kilovoltage control will be directly calibrated (usually in ascending 5 k V

values) so that the described value can be easily selected.

Milliammeter and milliaimperage control:

 A milliammeter is placed within the high tension circuit. It indicates the current passing through

the tube during an actual X-ray exposure.

The effect of Milliamperage

 The amount of current which travels across an X-ray tube during an exposure depends on the

number of electrons available to carry that current, which in turn depends on the number of

electrons available to carry that current, which in turn varies with the current supplies to the

filament in the cathode.

 The tube turn varies with the current supplied to the filament in the cathode. The tube current

(measured in milliamperes) is directly related to the amount of X-rays produced.

 The above effect are often summarized by stating that kilovoltage affects the quality and the

miiliamperge (more correctly the mAs) the quantity of the X-ray produced by a particular

apparatus.

The Milliameter and the Milliamperge Selector

 It will be found that the small and medium sized X-ray apparants cannot be set to operate at

maximum milliamperge and maximum kilovoltage simultaneously.

 The significance of the milliamperge is that it affects the amount of X-rays produced and a

level has to be selected which is sufficient to produce an easily recognizable image on the X-

ray film without obliterating that image by over exposure.

 However the amount of radiation is also controlled by the length of the exposure and is best

expressed in milliampere-seconds (i.e., the milliamperge multiplied by the time in seconds).

Timer and exposure button:

related lo the X-ray tube current and the time for which the tube is energized i.e. the exposure

time.

 The range of exposure time in available machines is large with minimum setting being as

short as 0,001 second. An exposure device mostly consists of a two-stage exposure button of

which first half depression rotates the anode and a complete depression, after a short pause,

causes actual radiographic exposure.

Fluoroscopy control:

 Most diagnostic X-ray machines are supplied with a special radiographic-fluoroscopic change-

over switch so that machine can be used either for conventional radiography or for

fluoroscopy.

Safety devices

 Certain safety devices are incorporated in an X-ray equipment to overcome electrical hazards

and are discussed below briefly:

 Switches: Three switches mainly operated by the technician are: the main switch, on-off

switch and exposure switch. By operating the main switch, one can isolate whole X-ray

machine from the electrical supply. The on-off switch, provided in the control panel, energizes

the autotransformer and many auxiliary circuits such as of meters, filament etc. The exposure

switch needs constant pressure in order to help it on 'ON' position.

 Fuses and circuit breakers: A fuse is a thin wire encased in a glass tube with sealed metal

ends which are in contact with the electrical circuit. The thin wire of the fuse melts if a current

higher than that required for a part flows through. Fuse is included either in the casing of main

switch or in X-ray circuit immediately before the autotransformer.

The Timer and Exposure Button

 The exposure button should be attached to the control panel by a length of cable so that the

person making the exposure may position himself at a safe distance from the primary beam.
  It is necessary that the cathode filament should be activated and heated to produce electrons

for a brief period before the exposure is actually made.

 For this reason, the exposure device in many modern units consists of a two-stage button-

depression of the first half activates the filament and, after a short pause, complete

depression closes the circuit and makes the radiographic exposure.

Fluoroscopy Control

 Most X-ray machines are fitted with a switch (often combined with the on/off switch) which

permits the apparatus to be either for conventional radiography or for fluoroscopy. when

switched to fluoroscopy the timer is by-passed and the machine is operated for prolonged

periods by depressing the exposure button (or by substituting a foot switch).

 The purpose of fluoroscopy is the immediate visualization of radiographic image by allowing

the X-ray beam to impinge on a suitable fluorescent screen.

 A number of auxiliary devices are necessary for the proper operation of an X-ray machine.

These can be described under two main heads: sources of electricity, and main X-ray circuits.

Sources of electricity

 Most X-ray units work from a power source of 220 volts, 60 hertz though some units can

operate on 110 volts or 440 volts.

 An X-ray tube requires electrical energy for two purposes: to elicit electrons from the filament

and to accelerate these electrons from the cathode to the anode.