Pioneers of X-Ray Technology

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Questions and Answers

Who is one of the authors of the book 'Patient Care in Radiography'?

Ruth Ann Ehrlich

What is the main focus of 'Patient Care in Radiography'?

Radiographic Techniques

Medical Imaging

Patient Care (correct)

Healthcare Management

Patient Care in Radiography is primarily centered on the well-being of radiographers.

True

Who is credited with the discovery of x-rays?

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen Signup and view all the answers

Chapter 2 of the book contains new information about __________ radiography.

digital Signup and view all the answers

When and where were x-rays discovered?

November 8, 1895; University of Würzburg Signup and view all the answers

What did Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen notice when he placed various materials between the Crookes tube and the fluorescent plate?

The plate fluoresced in relation to its distance from the tube, becoming brighter when the plate was moved closer. Signup and view all the answers

What material did Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen use to cover the Crookes tube in his initial experiment?

Black photographic paper Signup and view all the answers

What is the material used for the target in an x-ray tube, known for its high melting point?

tungsten Signup and view all the answers

When fast-moving electrons collide with the target in an x-ray tube, the kinetic energy of their motion is converted into _____ and x-rays.

heat Signup and view all the answers

Which type of radiation is ionizing because it has sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atomic orbit?

Gamma rays Signup and view all the answers

X-rays and visible light both travel in curved lines.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the imaginary perpendicular ray at the center of the x-ray beam called?

central ray Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the collimator in radiography?

To control the size of the radiation field Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of primary radiation, scatter radiation, and remnant radiation?

Primary radiation leaves the tube and is not attenuated; Scatter radiation is created as a result of the attenuation of the primary beam; Remnant radiation is what remains of the primary beam after attenuation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the timer in a collimator?

To control the collimator light and turn it off after a certain length of time (usually 15 to 30 seconds) Signup and view all the answers

The x-ray tube is located inside a protective __________ housing.

barrel-shaped Signup and view all the answers

Detents are mechanisms that stop a moving part in any location.

False Signup and view all the answers

Grids and buckys are devices used to prevent scatter radiation from reaching the image receptor.

True Signup and view all the answers

The grid is usually made of tissue-thin lead strips with _interspacing material.

radiolucent Signup and view all the answers

Match the following tube motions with their descriptions:

Longitudinal = Motion in the length of the table Transverse = Motion perpendicular to the length of the table Vertical = Upward or downward motion Signup and view all the answers

Who demonstrated the radiographic use of fluorescent screens?

Idvorsky Pupin Signup and view all the answers

H.C.Snook developed the interrupterless transformer for efficient use of electricity in radiography.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the hot cathode x-ray tube to work with Snook's improved electrical supply?

William Coolidge Signup and view all the answers

William Coolidge designed the __________ tube.

hot cathode x-ray Signup and view all the answers

Match the individual with their contribution to radiography:

Thomas Edison = Invented the first fluoroscope Clarence Dally = Assistant who got severely burned during x-ray experiments George Eastman = Invented photographic film using cellulose nitrate William Coolidge = Designed the hot cathode x-ray tube Signup and view all the answers

Where is the control console located?

control booth Signup and view all the answers

What function does the 'Off/On' button on the control console serve?

Controls power to the control panel Signup and view all the answers

Who determines the exposure factors and initiates the exposure using the control console? The ______________ determines the exposure factors and initiates the exposure.

radiographer Signup and view all the answers

Fluoroscopy allows viewing of dynamic images and is usually performed by radiologists only, without the assistance of radiographers.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the x-ray pioneers with their contributions:

Snook = Invented the interrupterless transformer Eastman = Made the first x-ray film Signup and view all the answers

X-rays were discovered in 1895 in which country?

The United States Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the hot cathode x-ray tube?

Coolidge Signup and view all the answers

The majority of radiography education programs are based in/on:

Colleges Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a basic requirement for the production of x-rays?

A photostimulable phosphor Signup and view all the answers

What happens when fast-moving electrons collide with the target of an x-ray tube?

Their kinetic energy is converted into x-rays and heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the collimator in radiography?

To restrict the size of the x-ray beam Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the primary x-ray beam being attenuated by solid matter?

Production of scatter radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of fluorescent intensifying screens?

To reduce the quantity of radiation needed to produce images Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of the largest focal spot?

A few millimeters in diameter Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of scatter radiation?

It has less energy than the primary x-ray beam Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the x-ray tube housing?

To protect the radiographer from radiation Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of Clarence Dally serving as a subject for many of Edison’s x-ray experiments?

He had to undergo arm amputations due to radiation exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the conversion of kinetic energy into x-rays?

Production of x-rays Signup and view all the answers

What was the material used by George Eastman as a substitute for glass in photographic plates?

Cellulose nitrate Signup and view all the answers

What has replaced the conventional use of film and intensifying screens?

Digital technology Signup and view all the answers

Why did manufacturers of photographic plates turn to George Eastman for help during World War I?

They couldn't obtain high-quality glass from suppliers in Belgium Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Clarence Dally's death in 1904?

He was the first recorded x-ray fatality in the United States Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of World War I on radiography education?

Colleges became involved in radiography education Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of radiation injuries, such as skin burns, hair loss, and anemia, appearing in doctors and patients?

Measures were taken to monitor and reduce radiation exposure Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with designing the hot cathode x-ray tube?

William Coolidge Signup and view all the answers

What was Roentgen's innovation in creating the first radiograph?

He used a glass plate coated with photographic emulsion Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of scatter radiation in terms of its direction and control?

It has an unpredictable direction and is difficult to control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the remnant radiation also known as?

Exit radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the tube housing in radiography?

To provide support and mobility for the tube Signup and view all the answers

What determines the pattern of the radiographic image?

The pattern of density in the matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of primary radiation in terms of energy?

It has more energy than the scatter radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the attenuation of the primary beam by matter?

The production of remnant radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the tube stand in radiography?

To provide support and mobility for the tube Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of remnant radiation in terms of its travel pattern?

It travels in all directions Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the kinetic energy of fast-moving electrons colliding with the target in an x-ray tube?

production of x-rays and heat Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the control console in radiography?

to determine exposure factors and initiate the exposure Signup and view all the answers

What type of electromagnetic energy has the shortest wavelength?

Gamma rays Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a fluoroscope?

to view real-time x-ray images Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of OID in radiography?

Object-to-Image Distance, crucial for image quality Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a collimator in radiography?

to control the x-ray beam Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the conversion of kinetic energy into x-rays?

production of heat and light Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of scatter radiation?

is deflected by solid matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a fluoroscope?

To view and record x-ray images in motion in real time Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the timer on the control console of an R/F unit?

To remind the radiologist to reduce fluoroscopy time Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of an R/F unit over a basic radiography unit?

It can be used for both radiography and fluoroscopy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of 'spot films' in fluoroscopy?

To record the image as seen on the fluoroscope Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using an image intensifier in fluoroscopy?

It reduces the radiation exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the radiologist during fluoroscopy?

To view and record x-ray images in motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of the timer on the control console of an R/F unit?

5 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using an R/F unit over separate radiography and fluoroscopy units?

It is more convenient because it can be used for both radiography and fluoroscopy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Radiography

History of Radiography

Discovery of X-Rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895
- Röntgen discovered X-Rays on November 8, 1895, in Würzburg, Germany
X-Ray Pioneers:
- Working with Röntgen, Wilhelm Jaeger developed the first X-Ray detector
- Antoine Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896
- Pierre and Marie Curie isolated radioactive elements in 1898
Early Radiographers:
- Dr. Emil Grubbé, first to use X-Rays in medical practice
- Dr. John T. MacIntyre, first to demonstrate X-Rays in Scotland
Radiography Education:
- First radiography course established in 1903 at the University of Pennsylvania

Overview of Radiographic Procedure

Four essentials for producing X-Rays:
1. X-Ray tube
2. X-Ray generator
3. Control console
4. Image receptor

X-Ray Production

Electromagnetic energy
- Types: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-Rays, gamma rays
Characteristics of Radiation:
- Wavelength, frequency, and velocity
- Velocity is a constant (approximately 300,000 km/s)
Scattering of X-Rays:
- Coherent scattering (no energy transfer)
- Compton scattering (partial energy transfer)
Primary X-Ray Beam:
- Produced in the X-Ray tube
- Characteristics: high energy, directional, and intense
Scatter Radiation:
- Produced by interactions with matter
- Characteristics: low energy, non-directional, and less intense

Radiographic Equipment

X-Ray Tube:
- Consists of filament, cathode, anode, and target
- Produces X-Rays through electron acceleration
X-Ray Tube Support:
- Collimator: regulates X-Ray beam size and shape
- Grid: reduces scatter radiation
- Bucky: grid in a moving grid device
Radiographic Table:
- Adjustable for patient comfort and imaging
Control Console:
- Regulates X-Ray production and exposure factors
Fluoroscopy:
- Real-time imaging for guiding procedures
- Fluoroscope: consists of image intensifier and image receptor### Introduction to Radiography
Medical imaging department guided by learning through a series of layers, with each layer building upon previous knowledge and experience.
Radiography education involves learning topics in a spiral manner, with each subsequent layer providing a deeper understanding of the subject.

Discovery of X-Rays

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, discovered x-rays on November 8, 1895, while working with a Crookes tube at the University of Würzburg.
Roentgen noticed that a plate coated with barium platinocyanide crystals began to glow when placed near the Crookes tube, even though the tube was shielded by black photographic paper.
Roentgen identified the properties of x-rays, including their ability to penetrate solid objects, and was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

X-Ray Pioneers

Early radiography pioneers, such as Thomas Edison, experimented with x-rays and developed the first fluoroscope.
Idvorsky Pupin demonstrated the use of fluorescent screens to create visible images.
William Coolidge designed the hot cathode x-ray tube in 1910, which became the prototype for modern x-ray tubes.

Early Radiographers

The first radiographers were physicists who learned to operate Crookes tubes and generate x-rays.
Physicians learned to take radiographs and developed techniques to demonstrate various anatomic structures.
Assistants to physicians became skilled in radiography and were called x-ray technicians.

Radiography Education

On-the-job training of x-ray technicians in hospitals evolved into hospital-based educational programs.
Formal classes and clinical experience were combined to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to take radiographs and assist with radiation therapy.
As the fields of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology became more complex, education for radiographers became more specialized.

Overview of Radiographic Procedure

Educational preparation provides radiographers with the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain a patient's radiographic images.
Radiographers position the patient's anatomic area of interest over the image receptor (IR) and adjust the x-ray tube to align the x-ray beam with the IR.
During the exposure, x-rays pass through the patient, and the resulting pattern of varying intensity is recorded on the IR.

X-Ray Production

Four basic requirements for x-ray production:
- A vacuum
- A source of electrons
- A target for the electrons
- A high potential difference (voltage) between the electron source and the target
The x-ray tube, also known as the glass envelope, is evacuated to remove air molecules that could interfere with x-ray production.
The source of electrons is a wire filament at the cathode end of the tube, which is heated to produce an electron cloud.
The target is at the anode end of the tube, where the electrons collide and produce x-rays.

Electromagnetic Energy

X-rays are a type of electromagnetic energy, or electromagnetic wave radiation.
Electromagnetic energy has both electrical and magnetic properties.
Characteristics of x-rays include:
- Amplitude: the height of the wave
- Wavelength: the distance between crests of the wave
- Frequency: the number of times per second that a crest passes a given point### Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum includes x-rays, gamma rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, television, radio, and radar
The frequency of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength (v = λ × f)
The energy of a wave increases with its frequency and decreases with its wavelength
Ionizing radiation has a wavelength shorter than 1 nm and can remove an electron from an atomic orbit
X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation with a wavelength between 0.01 and 10 nm

X-ray Characteristics

X-rays travel in straight lines and have a biologic effect
X-rays cause changes in living organisms, but their effects are not directly detectable by the human senses
X-rays can penetrate matter, but their penetration is differential, depending on the density and thickness of the matter
X-rays can cause certain crystals to fluoresce, producing light

Primary X-ray Beam

The primary x-ray beam is formed within a very small area on the target (anode) called the focal spot
The x-ray beam diverges into space, forming a cone-shaped beam
The cross section of the x-ray beam at the point where it is used is called the radiation field
A photon in the center of the primary beam is called the central ray

Scatter Radiation

Scatter radiation is formed when the primary x-ray beam interacts with matter
Scatter radiation has less energy than the primary x-ray beam and is not as easily controlled
Scatter radiation is the principal source of occupational exposure to radiographers

Radiographic Equipment

X-ray rooms vary in design, depending on their purpose
A typical room designed for general radiography has a radiographic table, an x-ray tube and its support system, an upright IR cabinet, and a shielded control booth
The x-ray tube is the source of the radiation
Modern multipurpose x-ray tubes are dual focus tubes with two filaments, one large and one small
The large filament provides more electrons and is used for larger exposures, while the small filament provides finer image detail

X-ray Tube Housing

The x-ray tube is located inside a protective barrel-shaped housing
The housing incorporates shielding that absorbs radiation that is not part of the useful x-ray beam
The housing protects and insulates the x-ray tube while providing a base for the attachments that allow the radiographer to manipulate the x-ray tube and control the size and shape of the x-ray beam

X-ray Tube Support

The tube housing can be attached to a ceiling-mounted tube hanger or mounted on a tube stand
The tube support provides support and mobility for the tube
The tube support can be moved in various directions, including longitudinal, transverse, and vertical motions

Collimator

A collimator is a boxlike device attached to the tube housing
The collimator allows the radiographer to vary the size of the radiation field and to indicate the size, location, and center of the field with a light beam

X-Ray Tubes

William Coolidge designed the hot cathode x-ray tube in 1910, which became the prototype for modern x-ray tubes.
The Coolidge tube introduced improved electrical supply and was the first x-ray tube to work with Snook's improved electrical supply.

Radiation Injuries

Early in the 20th century, radiation injuries such as skin burns, hair loss, and anemia began to appear in both doctors and patients.
Measures were taken to monitor and reduce exposures, a process that is still ongoing.

Radiography Education

Colleges were first involved in radiography education because hospital-based radiography programs took advantage of the academic offerings at local colleges.
Radiography students often attended college part-time to learn basic science subjects such as anatomy and physiology.

X-Ray Beam

X-rays are formed within a very small area on the target (anode) called a focal spot.
The actual size of the largest focal spot is no more than a few millimeters in diameter.
From the focal spot, the x-rays diverge into space, forming a beam that can be restricted by the size of the port.

Scatter Radiation

Scatter radiation is created as a result of the attenuation of the primary x-ray beam by matter.
It has less energy than the primary x-ray beam and is not as easily controlled.
Scatter radiation emanates from the source (usually the patient) in all directions, causing unwanted exposure to the image receptor and posing a radiation hazard to anyone in the room.

Remnant Radiation

Remnant radiation is what remains of the primary beam after it has been attenuated by matter.
Its travel pattern is a continuation of the primary beam.
Because the pattern of densities in the matter results in differential absorption, this pattern creates the radiographic image.

X-Ray Tube Support

The tube housing can be attached to a ceiling-mounted tube hanger or mounted on a tube stand.
Both types of mountings provide support and mobility for the tube.

Fluoroscopy

A fluoroscope is an x-ray machine designed for direct viewing of the x-ray image.
The control console of an R/F unit is more complex than that of a basic radiography unit.
The radiologist activates the fluoroscope intermittently during an examination.
When the fluoroscope is activated, a timer on the control advances and an alarm sounds after a preset period, usually 5 minutes.

Image Quality Factors

OID (Object/Image Distance) is significant with respect to radiographic quality.
OID affects the magnification of the image and therefore its quality.

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Description

Learn about the pioneers of X-ray technology, including Idvorsky Pupin and Thomas Edison, who made significant contributions to the development of radiography.