Notebook #2 ‘Types of Grids: 1. Focused Grid * Designed so centrally located lead grid strips are parallel and as the strips move away from the center, they angle in an outward direction (fan like), % Designed to match the divergence of the x-ray beam. * For the grid to be properly focused, tube must be centered over convergence line. + Come in short, medium, or long focal ranges (distances); patient must be positioned properly. * More common in clinical practice and best employed at shorter SID. Fetal distante, 2. Parallel Grid: + Lead strips run parallel to one another and never “criss-cross” or intersect, + Primary disadvantage Is grid cut-off occurs along outside edges, especially at shorter SIDs. Best employed at long SIDs. + Used in fluoro and portables. 3. Crosshatch Grid: + Designed when two linear grids are placed on top of one another at right angles to make a “criss-cross” pattern, + Due to pattern of lead strips, this grad “cleans up” and absorbs more scatter but patient must be perfectly positioned so grid lines do not appear on image, creates higher patient dose, and does not allow for any angulation of tube (perfectly positioned beam). EEETypes of Grid Errors: Off-level: occurs when the tube is angled across (side to side) the long axis of the grid strips. When this occurs, there is a decrease in exposure and grid cut-off in resulting image. Off-center: occurs when the grid is shifted laterally (left or right) to the central ray. It could also occur when the tube is not positioned to the center of the IR. This causes a decrease in exposure as well as grid cut-off in the resulting image. Off-focus: occurs when the wrong SID is employed for the grid in use. Grid cut-off will occur with incorrect SID usage. Upside-down: occurs when the grid is placed upside down or opposite of the correct tube side. When this error occurs, peripheral grid cut-off will be seen on resulting image. Definitions: Grid ratio: ratio of the height (h) of lead strips to the distance (D) between the strips, also known as interspace width. The higher the grid ratio (ie. 16:1, 12:1) the less scattor radiation passes through to the IR. Exc when height is kept constant and the distance between the lead strips is decreased, then the grid ratio will increase as there is an inverse relationship between the two factors. Formula: Grid ratio= h/D Grid frequency: defined as the number of grid lines per inch or cm. Most grids are made with a frequency form 60-200lines/inch. Generally, grids with higher frequencies have thinner lead strips. Grid conversion factor (GCF): mAs with grid/mAs without grid Air gap: is a radiographic technique that reduces scatter when a grid is needed but unavailable. A reduction in scatter radiation reaching the IR is achieved by increasing the distance between the patient and the IR. The increased distance decreases the chance that scatter will reach the receptor and subsequently reduce image contrast. K factor: as the amount of scatter radiation increases, the lower the contrast will be and the lower the contrast improvement factor (K). The K factor can be measured using the following: k= radiographic contrast with grid/radiographic contrast without the grid © IF K=1, then no improvement in contrast has occurred, Most grids have K factors between 1.5 and 3.5. © The higher the K factor, the greater the contrast improvementGrid Ratio mAs Wp No grid 1x +0. Bel 2x +8-10 [en ax +13-15 (2a 5x +20-25