5: Fluoroscopy Equipment

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and details from the lecture on fluoroscopy equipment and principles of radiographic exposure.

What is fluoroscopy?

A real-time X-ray imaging technique that allows doctors to view the inner workings of the body, similar to watching a video.

What are the main components of a fluoroscopic imaging chain?

The components include the X-ray tube, image intensifier, and TV monitor.

How does fluoroscopic imaging differ from static diagnostic radiographic exams?

Fluoroscopy provides dynamic, real-time images, while static examinations provide still images.

What advantages does image intensified fluoroscopy offer?

It enhances image brightness, reduces radiation exposure, and allows for better visualization of structures.

What is total brightness gain in fluoroscopy?

Brightness gain refers to the overall increase in image brightness achieved by the image intensifier.

What is magnification mode in fluoroscopy?

A setting that allows for increased detail and resolution by reducing the active area of the input phosphor.

What are common applications of fluoroscopy?

Common applications include imaging of the GI tract, spine and joint injections, angiograms, and various surgical procedures.

What was one impact of early fluoroscopic technologies on radiologists?

Radiologists developed health issues such as leukemia due to high levels of radiation exposure in early fluoroscopy.

What is Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) in fluoroscopy?

Electronics that maintain optimal image quality by adjusting mA and kV in real-time based on patient anatomy.

What are the three types of gain in fluoroscopy?

Flux gain, minification gain, and brightness gain.

What is minification gain?

The increase in image brightness caused by electrons from a larger input phosphor concentrated onto a smaller output phosphor.

How is brightness gain calculated?

Brightness gain is calculated by multiplying minification gain by flux gain.

What is the significance of the image intensifier tube?

It enhances the brightness of the image and allows for clearer visualization of internal structures.

What is the role of the output phosphor in the image intensifier tube?

It converts the accelerated electron energy into a bright light image.

How does the magnification mode affect patient dose?

Switching to magnification mode increases patient dose due to reduced light from the input phosphor and compensation adjustments made by ABC.

What does the term 'flux gain' refer to in fluoroscopy?

The ratio of light photons at the output phosphor to those at the input phosphor, indicating the image intensifier's efficiency.

What is the importance of cesium iodide in the input phosphor?

Cesium iodide is crucial for converting X-ray energy into light, enhancing image quality.

What are the main components of a fluoroscopic imaging chain?

The components include the X-ray tube, image intensifier, and TV monitor.

What advantages does image intensified fluoroscopy offer?

It enhances image brightness, reduces radiation exposure, and allows for better visualization of structures.

What is total brightness gain in fluoroscopy?

Brightness gain refers to the overall increase in image brightness achieved by the image intensifier.

What is magnification mode in fluoroscopy?

A setting that allows for increased detail and resolution by reducing the active area of the input phosphor.

What are common applications of fluoroscopy?

Common applications include imaging of the GI tract, spine and joint injections, angiograms, and various surgical procedures.

What was one impact of early fluoroscopic technologies on radiologists?

Radiologists developed health issues such as leukemia due to high levels of radiation exposure in early fluoroscopy.

What is Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) in fluoroscopy?

Electronics that maintain optimal image quality by adjusting mA and kV in real-time based on patient anatomy.

What are the three types of gain in fluoroscopy?

Flux gain, minification gain, and brightness gain.

What is minification gain?

The increase in image brightness caused by electrons from a larger input phosphor concentrated onto a smaller output phosphor.

How is brightness gain calculated?

Brightness gain is calculated by multiplying minification gain by flux gain.

What is the significance of the image intensifier tube?

It enhances the brightness of the image and allows for clearer visualization of internal structures.

What is the role of the output phosphor in the image intensifier tube?

It converts the accelerated electron energy into a bright light image.

How does the magnification mode affect patient dose?

Switching to magnification mode increases patient dose due to reduced light from the input phosphor and compensation adjustments made by ABC.

What does the term 'flux gain' refer to in fluoroscopy?

The ratio of light photons at the output phosphor to those at the input phosphor, indicating the image intensifier's efficiency.

What is the importance of cesium iodide in the input phosphor?

Cesium iodide is crucial for converting X-ray energy into light, enhancing image quality.

What is the function of the photocathode in the image intensifier?

It converts the light photons emitted by the input phosphor into electrons using the photoelectric effect.

What is the role of the electrostatic lenses within the image intensifier?

They focus the accelerated electrons from the photocathode onto the output phosphor.

What is the purpose of the accelerating anode in an image intensifier?

It attracts and accelerates the electrons from the photocathode towards the output phosphor, imparting kinetic energy.

What material is commonly used for the output phosphor in an image intensifier?

Zinc cadmium sulfide.

How does the X-ray tube typically operate during fluoroscopy?

It operates in a continuous mode at a lower mA than static radiography to provide real-time imaging, though pulsed fluoroscopy is also common for dose reduction.