Beam limitation and filtration pt 1 ( This one is about standards for the equipment)

A lead-lined metal diagnostic-type protective tube housing protects patients and imaging
personnel from leakage radiation by restricting x-ray emission to the area of the primary (useful) beam.

State-of-the-Art Equipment

X-ray equipment is designed with many features that help radiologists and technologists optimize image quality and reduce patient radiation exposure.

Built-in safety features

New x-ray machines include components to ensure radiation safety and meet enhanced federal regulations.

Accessories

Additional tools are available to further lower radiation dose to the patient.

Radiation safety measures

Protect both the patient and anyone else in the room; equipment must include safety mechanisms like protective tube housing and a functioning control panel.

Protective tube housing

Made of lead;

absorbs off-focus photons and prevents leakage radiation from escaping the x-ray tube.

Leakage radiation

Produced by off-focus or stem photons that escape the x-ray tube in random directions or angles.

X-ray tube standard

At 1 meter from the source, leakage radiation must not exceed 100 mR/hr when operating at maximum settings.

Control panel (control console)

Must be located behind a protective barrier and positioned so scatter radiation must pass through barriers at least twice before reaching it.

Exposure indicators

Visible or audible indicators (lights or sounds) must alert personnel that an exposure is in progress.

Control panel functions

Allows the technologist to set kVp and mA before exposure; displays digital readouts; emits a tone during exposure that stops when the exposure ends.

X-ray table

The table supports 400–500 pounds and often has a floating tabletop for easy patient positioning after aligning the tube and bucky.

Table requirements

Table must be radiolucent (low attenuation) and have uniform thickness throughout.

Table material

Frequently made of carbon fiber for strength and radiolucency.

Source-to-Image Distance (SID)

The distance from the focal spot (anode target) to the image receptor; must be accurate within 2% of the indicated SID.

SID indicator

A physical tape measure or digital display that allows manual verification of the SID.

Centering indicator

Must be accurate within 1% of the indicated SID.

Distance indicator

Must be accurate within 2% of the indicated SID.