DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
BY; Melkamu W (MSc in medical
Radiology Technology
Course objective
Enabling students to recognize concepts related to X-ray
tube and X-ray production
Identifying the general remarks on radiographic technique.
(crex-for particular medical/surgical dx)
Apply basic concepts related to Radiographic interpretation .
Recognize hazards of radiation with respect to monitoring.
X-RAY TUBES & X-RAY
PRODUCTION
X-ray tube: It is a relatively simple electrical device w/c
converts energy from one form into another.
Function; It receives electrical energy from the main supply and
converts it into two other forms: x-radiation and heat.
Conti..
Components of x-ray tube
Major components are:
Cathode
Anode
Rotor/stator
Glass (or metal) envelope
Tube housing
Cathode
The cathode is the negative terminal of the tube assembly and
includes ;
the filament
focusing cup
and connecting wire.
Conti..
The basic function of the cathode is to expel the electrons
from the electrical circuit and focus them into a well-defined
beam aimed at the anode.
Anode
It is the positive side of the x-ray tube that connects to the
positive side of the electrical circuit
receives the electrons which bombard it
Tungsten (W, Z = 74) is the most widely used anode material
because of its high melting point and high atomic number
Molybdenum (Mo, Z = 42) and rhodium (Rh, Z = 45) are
used as anode materials in mammographic x-ray tubes
Conti..
It serves three important functions:
1. It provides a complete circuit for accelerating the electrons.
2. It houses the target material.
3. It helps to cool the tube.
Conti..
The radiation is produced in a very small area on the
surface of the anode known as the focal spot.
In most x-ray tubes, the focal spot is approximately
rectangular.
The dimensions of the focal spot are determined by the
dimensions of the electron beam arriving from the
cathode.
x-ray Tube Housing
The apparatus containing the oil, tube and electrical
connections is known as the tube housing, and has a small
window at the bottom to allow the X-rays to leave.
The x-ray tube housing supports, insulates, and protects the x-
ray tube insert from the environment
Between the x-ray tube insert and housing is oil that provides
heat conduction and electrical insulation
Conti..
X-rays are emitted isotropically (Invariant with respect to
direction).
useful beam through the window.
leakage radiation-through protective housing
Conti..
Tube housing has the function of
Controlling leakage and scatter radiation
Isolating high voltages
Providing means to cool the tube
x-ray Generators
The principal function of an x-ray generator is to provide
current at a high voltage to an x-ray tube.
Electrical power available to a hospital or clinic provides up to
about 480 V, much lower than the 20,000 to 150,000 V needed
for x-ray production
Transformers are principal components of x-ray generators;
they convert low voltage into high voltage through a process
called electromagnetic induction
Operator Console
For radiographic applications, a technologist at the operator’s
console can select the tube voltage (kV), the tube current
(mA), the exposure time (s)
Heat dissipation
If dissipation of heat were not taking place, the melting point
of tungsten would soon be reached.
The process by which heat is dissipated are:
conduction – which takes place in solids
Covention- which takes place in liquids & gases
Radiation-which can occur in a vacuum
Conti..
Conduction is for the heat to be removed from the target
From tungsten wire to copper block.
The target also conveys a small part of its heat by radiation
across the vacuum of x-ray tube to the glass envelope.
Conti..
Heat is conveyed or setup in the oil and the heat is conveyed
to the metal casing.
The metal casing then losses heat by convention and by
radiation to the air surrounding the x-ray tube.
X-RAY PRODUCTION
Two kinds of X-Rays are produced:
“Bremsstrahlung”
“Characteristic
Bremsstrahlung X-Rays
Bremsstrahlung = breaking radiation (in German), white
light.
An electron may have one or more bremsstrahlung
interactions.
The bremsstrahlung photon may have any energy up to the
initial energy of the electron.
Electron hits atom and slows down, losing kinetic energy
Energy emitted as photon
Electron hitting atom makes many photons (X-Rays),all with
different energy.
Many different wavelengths
Characteristic X-Rays
Electron knocks one of the two K shell (ground state)
electrons out of an atom.
L (n=2) or higher shell electron falls down to K shell (ground
state) and x-ray photon is emitted
Recommendations for Extending Tube Life
[Link] up the anode following manufacturer's
recommendations.
2. Do not hold the rotor switch unnecessarily. Double-press
switches should be completely depressed in one motion.
Dual switches should have exposure switch depressed first,
followed by the rotor switch.
3. Use lower mA stations when possible.
Conti..
4. Use lower-speed rotor when possible.
5. Do not make repeated exposures near tube loading limits.
6. Do not rotate the tube housing rapidly from one position to
another.
7. Do not use a tube when you can hear loud rotor bearing
THANK YOU