QUALITY CONTROL FOR X-RAY

EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

INSTRUCTOR: JOSEPH ISRAEL J. TUBALLES, RRT
 TABLE OF CONTENTS:
A. ROOM LOG
B. QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENTS
-CONTROL CONSOLE
-HIGH TENSION TRANSFORMER/GENERATOR
-X-RAY TUBE, TUBE ASSEMBLY AND HIGH TENSION CABLES
-GRIDS
-BUCKY MOVEMENT
 ROOM LOG
A room log should be maintained for every x-ray unit in a
facility. This room log must be kept at a convenient place
where anyone using the facility (physicians, technologists,
physicist, service engineers) can get ready access. The log
should contain the following.
 ROOM LOG CONTENTS
◦ 1.0 Equipment data specifications
◦ 1.1 Technical specifications including tube rating and cooling charts.
◦ 1.2 Equipment operating instructions.
◦ 1.3 Detailed identification of the equipment’s major components including brand name,
serial and model numbers, and date of installation.
2.0 An outline of the applicable quality assurance program
3.0 A log of the quality assurance and quality control tests results
4.0 The equipment’s service record including a description of what service carried out. The
service record should also include the name of the person who performed the service and the
date when the service took place.
 ROOM LOG
This quality control room log provides information on the
operating conditions of the equipment, equipment failures,
preventive maintenance, and activity that may influence the
performance of the equipment.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
CONTROL CONSOLE
1. Clean the control console unit with a dry cloth.
2. Check the physical condition of the switches, control knobs, and buttons.
3. Check the line voltage meter before making an exposure.
4. Check the function of kVp and mAs meter.
5. Set the control knobs, switches and buttons at the minimum values when the equipment is
not in used.
6. When not in use, turn off the main switch on the control panel and fuse box when the
equipment is not used.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
HIGH TENSION TRANSFORMER/ GENERATOR
1. Clean the High Tension (HT) Transformer box regularly.
2. Check transformer for oil leaks.
3. Monitor the oil level of the HT Transformer.
4. Check that the equipment is earthed either by a cooper tape attached to the metal covers of
the unit by an earth conductor carried in the main cable of a mobile unit.
5. check the consistency of the generator output.
 HIGH TENSION TRANSFORMER/ GENERATOR
It is important to check whether the generator produces the
same photographic density every time the same exposure
factors are selected. This test should be performed every
three (3) months as part of the program. If the patient’s film
show unexplained differences in density during the day, this
test should be performed several times during the day to
show whether inconsistent equipment performance is the
cause.
 QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
X-RAY TUBE, TUBE ASSEMBLY AND HIGH TENSION CABLES
1. Check the physical condition of the x-ray tube (i.e. oil leaks on housing)
2. Check if the x-ray tube is securely attached to its support.
3. Check the function of locking mechanisms (i.e. vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal travels)
4. Check locks for x-ray tube rotation.
5. Check the physical condition of high tension cables, high tension cables should never be pulled, bent, or twisted
which will cause serious damage to the electrical conductors they contain and their electrical safety.
6. Warm up the unit by using the low exposure technique before beginning any radiographic procedure.
7. Check the collimator head rotation and locking mechanisms.
8. Check the function of the light beam diaphragms.
9. Check the alignment of the tube and the x-ray table.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
TEST FOR GRIDS
A loose (stationary) Grid
◦ Inspect the grid for damage or deterioration and see if it is clearly marked with it’s tube side and the
direction of the lead slats.
Test for grid uniformity:
Purpose: To check whether the grid gives a uniform density over it’s area.
Equipment needed:
-Grid to be tested
-Loaded cassette the same size as the grid
-Meter ruler
-Metal marker
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
1) Test for a grid fitted in a bucky
◦ Place the cassette on the cassette tray
◦ Place the metal markers on the cassette to indicate the film’s position on the cassette tray.
◦ Center the x-ray tube to the center of the table and bucky using the normal focus-film
distance.
◦ With the grid in stationery position expose the film.
◦ Process the film the usual way.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
1) Test for a loose stationary grid
◦ Inspect the grid for obvious damage.
◦ Place the cassette under the grid
◦ Identify with the metal marker the position of the grid in the film.
◦ Center the x-ray tube too the cassette using normal FFD.
◦ Expose the film and process the usual way.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
INTERPRETATION OF TEST 1 AND 2
Examine the processed film to see whether the density is even over it’s area. If not, any of the
following may be the cause:
◦ 1. the grid was fitted upside down.
◦ 2. the grid was used at an incorrect distance.
◦ 3. the x-ray beam was angled across the lead slats.
◦ 4. The grid is damaged distorting it’s shape.
ACTION:
Correct any of the faults given above and then repeat the test to see if the fault has been
corrected. Report any fault which can not be corrected. A distorted grid can rarely be corrected
so it is important to store the grid correctly to avoid damage.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
TEST FOR BUCKY MOVEMENT
Purpose: To check that the grid in the bucky is moving throughout the whole exposure.
Equipment needed:
-Cassette loaded with film
-Meter rule
Procedure:
-Place the cassette on the cassette tray.
-Center the x-ray tube on the center of the table over the grid using normal focus-film distance.
-Collimate the beam to the size of the film.
-Set the exposure factors and select the bucky.
-Expose the film and process the usual way.
QUALITY CONTROL OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT
ACTION:
-Check the electrical supply of the grid.
-Repeat the test after setting the generator for a grid exposure.
-Check if there is something obstructing the grid movement by removing the cassette and
looking at the underside of the grid.
-Sometimes, a lead marker or some other object jams the movement of the grid over the
cassette.
- if the exposure time is too short, use a longer exposure time and reduce the mA and/or kVp
setting.
 CONCLUSION

Quality control and preventive maintenance checks are

needed to determine the present performance of the x-ray
unit and accessories. Should the machine show any sign of
malfunction or deficiency, corrective action must be
performed by an x-ray engineer or equipment technician.