RADIOGRAPHIC FILM

PROCESSING
Module 2

DARKROOM

Dexter R. Rodelas,RRT,
MAEd
 Objectives

• List and identify the various tools employed in QA

test.
• Explain and demonstrate QAQC procedures for
darkroom , radiographic equipment , and
accessories.
• Demonstrate the methods of evaluating screens for
undesirable aspects and film screen contact : and
• Evaluate the results of basic QC test.
 DARKROOM

• A darkroom is used to process radiographic film,

to make prints and to carry out other associated
tasks. It is a room that can be made completely
dark to allow the processing of the light-sensitive
photographic materials, including film and 
photographic paper.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdYaKN0ZDLM
 DARKROOM
A darkroom is a room that can be made completely dark
to allow the processing of light sensitive photographic
materials, including photographic film and photographic
paper. Darkrooms have been created and used since the
inception of photography in the early 19th century.
Darkrooms have many various manifestations, from the
elaborate space used by Ansel Adams to a retooled
ambulance wagon used by Timothy H. O'Sullivan. From
the initial development to the creation of prints, the
darkroom process allows complete control over the
medium
THE PROCESSING AREA

VIEWING AREA

PROCESSING AREA
 Darkroom and Processing
• The development of the image is
dependent upon the temperature of the
developer, it’s concentration and how long
the film is in the developer.
• The film is sensitive to variations in the
environment and processing from the time
it is manufactured until it is processed.
• Darkroom and Processor QC is the key
process of Quality Control.
 Processing
• Processor densitometry is performed daily
before the first patient is exposed.
• A sensitometer is used to produce a step
wedge image on the film that is evaluated
with a densitometer.
• The densitometer reads the optical
density of the processed image.
• A digital thermometer is used to test the
chemical temperatures in the processor.
 Processing
• Key densities on the processed film are
measured and then graphed.
• Base plus Fog is measured on an area of
unexposed film to check the darkroom
environment.
• Speed is tested at the level of exposure that
produces a density of 1.25OD
• Contrast is tested at the level that produced a
density of 0.40 OD and one that produced a
density of 2.20.
 Processing
• By monitoring these densities, problems
with film processing can be detected
before image quality deteriorates.
• In 9th Quarter we will cover how to perform
processor QC and problem solve.
 Waste Records
• Since used fixer is classified as a
hazardous waste material, it is important
to maintain accurate records of usage and
disposal.
• The extent of records vary by city, county
and state. You are responsible for the
proper disposal of the waste. Some
regions include developer as hazardous
waste.
 Performance standards for film
processor and darkroom equipment
Measurement Frequency Tolerance CA Tolerance US

Sensitometry Daily B+F: ±0.05 B+F:±0.08 OD

MD:± 0.10 OD MD± 0.15 OD
Contrast ±0.10OD Contrast ±0.15 OD
Safelight Semiannual < 0.05 OD in 2 n/a
minutes
Darkroom temp Monthly 70ºF ± 5º n/a

Darkroom Monthly 50% ± 10% n/a

humidity
Developer temp Daily ± 0.5ºF 2-3º

Replenishment Daily ± 5%

Transport Annual ±3% ±3%

 VIEWING STATION

A radiologist typically sees a viewing station, a

technologist a QA workstation.
 VIEWING AREA HOT
LIGHT

Have a hot light

available to see
overexposed areas
 MOST OF MODERN MEDICAL
IMAGING DEPARTMENTS USE
AUTOMATIC PROCESSORS—
MOST OF THOSE ARE
DAYLIGHT PROCESSORS
 MEDICAL IMAGING
DEPARTMENTS USE
AUTOMATIC PROCESSORS
• Automatic —MOST
film processors,OF THOSE
• Daylight AREAn
processing.
sometimes called film
DAYLIGHT
processing systems, PROCESSORS
automatic system that
accepts radiographic film,
typically have six main inserts it into the
subsystems: film transport, processor, and refills the
temperature, circulation, cassette without the need
replenishment, drying and for a darkroom.
electrical control. There are
several automatic film
processors; they can be
differentiated by the time
required to develop a film
(the dry-drop time).
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=jIQuN7ZVB48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIQuN
7ZVB48
AUTOMATIC DAYLIGHT
PROCESSORS
AUTOMATIC DARKROOM PROCESSORS
 MANUAL PROCESSING
Manual development of radiographs is more complicated and more
time consuming than automatic processing. Most practices now have
automatic processors, but manual development; old fashioned as it is,
may still well crop up in the examinations. It is therefore important to
be familiar with both techniques - not just the method employed at
your own practice.
BASIC COMPONENTS OF
DARKROOM

STORAGE SHELVES

WORKBENCH
 BASIC
COMPONENTS:PROCESSOR
 BASIC COMPONENTS: CHEMISTRY
MIXING TANKS

Components Developer:
1. Developer Hydroquinone (for high contrast) + Metol or
phenidone (for low contrast)
the developer itself gets oxidised and in the process reduces the
exposed silver in the film to form metallic silver (black)
2. Metol was originally a brand name, and is short for "N-methyl-p-
aminophenol"; it is not related to the word "metal" 2
3. alkali: to maintain the pH (at 10-11) of the solution for optimum
work of developer
4. preservative: sodium sulfite, to reduce the oxidation rate of
developer and dissolve the products into sulfonates (colourless)
thereby increasing its life
5. restrainer: potassium bromide, prevents the developer from
acting on unexposed silver (thus preventing fog formation)
Optimum temperature (20-22 oC) is required for developing.
 BASIC COMPONENTS:
CHEMISTRY MIXING TANKS
• Optimum temperature (20-22 oC) is required for developing.

• if low temperature: increase the developing time to obtain a proper

image
• if high temperature: reduce the developing time
• Usual developing time is 5 minutes at 29 oC, when done manually.
In automatic film processors, these factors are taken care of by the
processor and thus the image quality is more consistent.
• Developing is followed by rinsing in water (for about 30 seconds)
to remove the chemicals etc. before the film is fixed. This is
followed by washing under running water and then drying.
 Fixer Solutions

• Fixing solution is used in the darkroom to fix (i.e. remove

unexposed silver) the developed and rinsed x-ray film in
conventional radiography.
• Components
• 1. Fixing agent: sodium/ammonium thiosulfate, dissolves
unexposed silver
• 2. Hardener: potassium alum, to harden the gelatin emulsion in
film
• 3. Acidifier: sulfuric/acetic acid, to remove any residual
alkalinity from previous developing
• After fixing, washing under running water is done, which is then
followed by drying of the x-ray film.
 FILM BIN

The film bin is a light-

tight storage area
where opened boxes
of film are available
for reloading empty
cassettes.
 FILM BIN ANATOMY

CONTAINS INDIVIDUAL SLOTS

THAT HOLD FILMS OF DIFFERENT
SIZES
TYPICAL DARKROOM FILM BIN

OTHER FILMS

8 x 10

10 x 12

11 x 14

14 x 17

FRONT
 RADIOGRAPHIC FILM SIZES
• 14 X17 • 35 x 43
• 11 x 14 • 28 x 35
• 10 x 12 • 25 x 30
• 8 x 10 • 20 x 25
• 7 x 17 • 18 x 43
• 6 x 12 • 15 x 30
• 14 x 36 • 35 x 91
 DARKROOM LIGHT
• WHITE LIGHTS
• SAFELIGHTS
WHITE LIGHT IS USED FOR:

EQUIPMENT REPAIR AND DARKROOM

CLEANING
 SAFELIGHTS USED
DURING FILM PROCESSING
Darkroom Safelights*
In radiography, the term “safelight” describes darkroom illumination
that does not fog or otherwise cause a visible change to light-
sensitive material when it is correctly handled and processed. The
word “safe” is relative. Most sensitized materials will become fogged
if you expose them to safelight illumination for an extended period
of time. Because radiographic materials vary in speed and sensitivity
to different colors of light, the recommended bulb wattage and
colors of safelight filters also vary.
 Safelight

• Important facts about safelights:

• No safelight provides completely safe exposure for an indefinite period
of time.
• Safelight filters are designed for specific types of film and paper.
• Safelight filters fade with use.
• Some photographic materials require handling in TOTAL darkness.
• Poor safelight conditions can produce a loss in photographic quality
before actual fogging is visible.
• Therefore, you should:
• Test your safelight conditions regularly.
• Replace your safelight filters when necessary.
• Follow all safelight recommendations for your film or paper. See
product instructions for recommended safelight filter, bulb wattage,
and minimum safelight distance.
 SAFELIGHT BULBS INCANDESCENT
RECESSED WITHIN METALLIC LIGHT
FIXTURE
• RED FILTER-- KODAK GBX-2 OR GS-1
• AMBER FILTER --WRATTEN 6B

Kodak Safelight Lamp with Model

6B Filter Wratten Series

This safelight filter is a 5-1/2" - No.GBX-2

Dark Red Filter for use with blue-sensitive x-
ray film, & green-sensitive medical x-ray
film.
 SAFELIGHTS
• RED—GREEN LIGHT SENSITIVE FILM
ORTHOCHROMATIC
• AMBER –BLUE LIGHT SENSITIVE FILM
• TOTAL DARKNESS FOR PANCHROMATIC
FILM
AT LEAST 3 FEET FROM
THE WORKING PLACE

Developing Tank
AT LEAST 4 FEET FROM
THE WORKING PLACE

Developing Tank
DARKROOM DESIGN
 LEAD SHIELDING IF
ADJACENT TO X-RAY ROOM

• 1/16 INCH OF LEAD IN THE

WALLS ALL THE WAY TO
THE CEILING.
 IF ADJACENT TO X-RAY ROOMS

• The Pass
Box (Cassette Transfer EXPOSED UNEXPOSED

Cabinet) allows
cassettes to be
transferred to and from
the darkroom without
the worry of light or
radiation entering.
• 40-60%Humidity is the concentration of water
vapour present in the air. Water vapour, the
gaseous state of water, is generally invisible
to the human eye. Humidity indicates the
likelihood for precipitation, dew, or fog to be
present.

• > 60%--FILM FOG

• <40% STATIC ARTIFACTS
 TEMPERATURE

• 50-70 º F FOR FILM STORAGE– TO

SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS
OF THE FILM
WOULD YOU STORE IT LIKE
THIS???
STORE YOUR FILMS STANDING ON
THE EDGE TO AVOID PRESSURE
MARKS. USE FILM STORAGE
CARTS OR SHELVES