2️⃣the tubehead, what’s inside it, and how it’s kept safe/cool 2️⃣

Tubehead

protective tightly-sealed metal covering (housing)

that encases the X-ray tube and helps shield against radiation. It also contains insulating material to keep the tube cool during operation.

Contains:

• X-ray tube, where x-rays are produced.

• High/low-voltage transformer alters the voltage of incoming electrical current.

Tubehead (the "container")

• A metal housing that protects everything inside.

• Filled with oil to absorb heat (because 99% of the energy turns into heat, only 1% becomes X-rays!).

• The tubehead seal (leaded glass or aluminum) keeps oil in and filters out weak X-rays.

Which material in the tubehead keeps the insulating oil contained and allows X-rays to exit?

Tube head seal either Leaded glass or aluminum seal!

What is the X-ray tube, including its lead-glass vacuum housing, size, and purpose, and how does the vacuum help produce strong, focused X-rays?

where x-rays are produced. It is enclosed in a lead-glass vacuum housing, which is about 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. The vacuum contains no air, allowing electrons to travel freely without bumping into air particles, resulting in strong, focused X-ray production.

Copper stems pull the heat away!

1. Tungsten target gets hot

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2. Insulating oil absorbs the heat next

3. Metal housing releases it last

Position Indicating Device

It’s that tube that sticks out of the X-ray machine — the part you point toward the patient’s face.

Its job is to aim, shape, and clean up the X-ray beam before it hits the patient and the image receptor.

• The PID attaches to the opening of the

• opening of the metal housing (the end of the tubehead).

final pathway for the X-rays to reach the patient.

• Shapes: Cylinder or rectangle (rectangle = less exposure).

• Collimator: Lead plate limits beam size.

• ALUMINUM filter: Inside BEFORE PID; removes weak, long-wavelength rays.

• Placement: Open end rests on patient’s face during exposure.

• Length: Long PID = less scatter, clearer image.

Aluminum filter in PID

• removes weak, long-wavelength rays