Mobile Radiography Review

Name the 3 types of mobile radiography units.

1) Battery-powered, battery-driven; 2) Standard-power/capacitor-discharge (plugged in during exposure); 3) Mobile C-arm fluoroscopy.

Battery-powered portable—power and speed basics.

Has 10–16 rechargeable 12-V batteries; recharged from 110/120 V; ~8 hours from full discharge; typical speed ~2.5–3 mph; max incline ~7°.

Standard-power/capacitor-discharge portable—two key features.

Must be plugged in during exposure; lighter and cheaper than battery-powered units.

Two-stage exposure switch—what happens at each stage? ::

Stage 1: rotor spins up the anode; Stage 2: exposure.

Mobile C-arm—why is it ideal for surgery? ::

Tube and image intensifier rotate to obtain PA/oblique/lateral without moving the patient; flexible, maneuverable; dual monitors; images saved/archived.

Digital portables—two advantages.

Rapid image access and wide exposure latitude (DR) reducing repeats; quick transfer to radiologist/other facilities.