GE Healthcare

Alpha ST
Technique Guide
Mo/Mo Film: Kodak Min R 2000, Screen: Kodak Min R 2000 and Min R 2190 Film: Fuji AD-M, Screen: Fuji AD Mammo Fine Film: Agfa HDR and HDR-C, Screen: Agfa HD and HD-S Compressed breast thickness kVp
< 3 cm 4 - 5 cm 6 - 7 cm > 8 cm Manual Techniques Small breasts Implants Specimens (non-mag and mag) 23 24 - 26 27 - 29 30 - 32

Technique Filter
Mo Mo Mo Mo mAs 16 - 40 80 - 175 4 - 16

Density
0 0 0 0 kVp 23 - 25 26 - 29 20 - 23

NOTE Implant displaced views and specimens may be phototimed if sufficient breast tissue covers the photocell closest to the chest wall. Comments: 1 Maintain exposure times between 0.5 and 2.5 seconds. Decrease kVp if times are less than 0.5 seconds and increase if they are more than 2.5 seconds. 2 If exposure times are within indicated times, use + or - density settings to achieve optimal film density. 3 Your technique may vary from those indicated above depending on film density preferences, processor or film irregularity, or different film/screen combinations. 4 Magnification views - increase technique by 2 - 3 kVp, depending on breast density. 5 C.dE-error - for very small breasts use manual techniques.

32756-IMG rev 3

Alpha ST Check code guide Check code in timer display

C.CA C.CH C.CO

Reason for error

Corrective action

The film cassette is not inserted or has not been replaced since the previous exposure. The cassette holder is not installed or fully engaged. The diaphragm is not properly in place or has wrong size for the film format.

Insert or replace the film cassette. Install or re-attach the cassette holder. Push the diaphragm lever properly in place or reattach the diaphragm in collimator. Use the right diaphragm.

C.dE

The technique selected resulted in too short an Press Auto exp to clear the error code. Decrease exposure time. The detector was not fully covered the selected kV and/or reposition the detector. by the breast. Back-up timer. The technique selected resulted in Press Auto exp to clear the error code. Increase too long an exposure time or the detector is the kV and/or reposition the detector. covered by other tissue than breast tissue. Exposure terminated early because calculated Press Auto exp to clear the error code. Increase exposure time would have exceeded the back-up the kV and/or reposition the detector. time with the selected technique. The exposure button was released too early. The system has reset. Press Auto exp to clear the error code. Press Auto exp to re-initialize the unit.

O.Fl

O.Fl and flashing kVdisplay r.EL r.ES U.FL C.bU C.Cn C.ES C.PS C.br

Direct exposure to the cassette holder or radiation Press Auto exp to clear the error code. Check the is totally blocked to the detector. object and/or the diaphragm. Increase kV. The bucky grid is not in starting position. The bucky grid is not moving properly. Switch the unit off and on, re-attach the bucky. If the code re-occurs call for service. Switch the unit off and on, re-attach the bucky. If the code re-occurs call for service.

The exposure switch was pressed when the power Switch off the power. Check the exposure switch was turned on. and turn on the power. IQC system limit reached. Brake released during exposure. Call for film processor service. Check that patient has not pressed the brake release button.

Term Alpha ST in this guide refers to Alpha ST MGF-101 unit. If any other error code appears, consult the error message section in the Operation Instructions (37079-IMG).

For more detailed information on the subject, please refer to operation instructions of the unit, code 37079-IMG. General Electric Company reserves the right to make changes in specification and features shown herein, or discontinue the product described at any time without notice or obligation. Contact your GE representative for the most current information. Copyright 1995 by General Electric Company Inc. All rights reserved. GE Healthcare Finland Oy, a General Electric company, going to market as GE Healthcare. 32756-IMG rev 3 10/2007

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