X-Ray Machines and Collimators Quiz

Conventional Radiological Techniques Equipment

• Medical imaging began in 1895 with the invention of the X-ray by Wilhelm Röntgen.
• Contrast agents were discovered in the early 1900s, allowing visualization of organs and blood vessels.
• Nuclear medicine became utilized in the 1950s for diagnosing body pathologies.
• Sonar technology, previously used in wartime, began clinical use in the 1960s.
• Computed Tomography (CT scan) was developed in the 1970s.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, based on nuclear magnetic relaxation times, was also developed in the 1970s.

X-Rays

• X-rays are electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths.
• X-rays can travel in a vacuum.
• X-rays travel in straight lines and don't carry an electric charge.
• High voltage is required to produce X-rays.
• X-rays are used to capture human skeletal defects.

X-Ray Machine Components

• Primary Components:
  • X-Ray Tube: Contains a cathode (electron source), anode (target), vacuum, and glass.
  • Operating Console: Controls X-ray tube current and voltage for proper beam quality and quantity.
  • High Frequency Generator: Provides power to the X-ray tube, optimized for single-phase operation with low voltage ripples.
• Secondary Components:
  • Collimator: Minimizes the X-ray field of view using lead shutters.
  • Grid: Filters deflected X-rays to enhance image clarity.
  • X-Ray Film: Turns black where X-rays interact and stays white where X-rays are absorbed.

Types of X-Ray Machines

• Fixed: Large, stationary machines for use in clinics and hospitals.
• Portable: Lighter, mobile machines to suit specific needs, often for emergency settings.
• Mobile: Often on wheels to serve various locations, with high output. These tend to be heavier and bulkier.

Fluoroscopy

• Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures using continuous X-ray beams.
• The image is transmitted to a TV-like monitor.
• Fluoroscopy displays real-time processes and motion.
• Uses in diagnostic imaging include swallow studies to diagnose issues with swallowing, checking for potential blockages in cardiac procedures, evaluating spine or joint conditions.
• Fluoroscopy is similar to radiography and computed tomography in using X-rays to create images. However, radiography produces stationary images on film, while fluoroscopy provides live moving images.

C-arm X-ray

• C-arm systems are used for intraoperative, orthopedic, and emergency procedures.
• C-arms are shaped like the letter 'C' linking the X-ray source and detector.

OPG X-Ray

• Orthopantomograms (OPG) provide a panoramic view of the jaw and teeth.
• Information about teeth, bone loss, mandible trauma, and dental pain can be diagnosed.

Dental X-rays

• Dental X-rays, or radiographs, are used to assess oral health.
• These images utilize low radiation levels for better visualization.
• X-rays aid in detecting cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.

Mammography

• Mammography is a specialized breast imaging technique using low-dose X-rays.
• A mammography machine employs two plates to compress and flatten the breast tissue.
• Tissue flattening is essential for clear visualization in the study.

Bone Density Scan

• Bone density scans, or densitometry, measure bone density.
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or DEXA is a primary technique in this assessment.
• Bone density scans are vital in diagnosing osteoporosis, which causes bone weakening and an elevated fracture risk.