Presented By:: Sudil Paudyal

mobile
radiographic
unit
Presented by :
 Sudil Paudyal
 B.Sc .MIT 2nd yr
 IOM MMC
Introduction
• Machines used for severely ill and unable patients,
who cannot be brought in the radiology department.
• Can be broadly divided into two types:

 Portable and
 Mobile equipment.
3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 2

Portable unit
• Portable - can be carried by one able bodied person
at a time.
• Can be taken around the hospital, some place distant

from hospital or even to a patient’s home.
• Simple
• Can be dismantled for transfer.

Components
1. Tube head:
(A)X-ray tube: Self-rectified, Stationary
anode, single focal spot of 1.0mm.
(B) High-tension generator:

 Tube and generator are enclosed in one oil filled
tank, described as tank construction and the whole
enclosure called the tube head.

2. Tube stand:
• support for the tube head,
3. A small control unit:

• Rheostats: to vary the mA and kV.
• Timer (s).
• Exposure switches.

Fig: Schematic diagram of components of portable unit

Advantages
• permit radiographic examination in locations limited by
the availability of a standard electrical supply.
Disadvantages
• Low output a typical maximum is 80 KVp at 15 mA
for 1 second.
• Difficult to maintain aspects of radiation protection.

Mobile
• Mobile means capable of being moved.
• Mounted on wheels with the motion brake provided.
• Larger and heavier than portable sets and need to be

motorized or pushed by human power.
• Motorized units require less effort but add to weight

and cost of the unit.

Components
• Tube
• Tube stand
• High tension transformer
• Control unit

Tube:
• Dual focus rotating anode x ray tube .
• Focal spot
 About 1.0mm for fine focus
 2.0 mm for broad focus.

Tube stand:
• A strong vertical column mounted on the base that

supports the cross arm which carries the x ray tube.
• Range of movements:
 Can be split into five major components.
To prevent damage to cables movements
should have mechanical stops.

 Rotation around the centre of the column, (R)
 Cross arm movements the extension of the tube head away from the centre
of the column ,(A)
 Rotation around the axis of the cross arm, (D)
 Angulations across the long axis of the tube head,(B)
 Vertical movement up and down main column (H)

High tension generator:
• Gives a max output of 300mA and 125KVp.
• Includes full wave rectification provided by means of

selenium rectifiers .
• The H.T. generator, its rectifiers and filament

transformer for tube enclosed in one oil
filled earthed steel tank.
• Connected to the x ray tube by means of high

tension cables.
Control unit:
• Located behind the generator tank on the base of

unit.
• It consists:
 Mains on/off switch
 mAs selector
 kV selector
 Focal spot selection
 Body part selection
 Exposure indicator

Mobile classification
By two ways:
1. By power supply:
• Capacitor discharge unit
• Battery powered unit
2. By output:
 Low Power Mobiles: 10 to 30mA and 40 to 90 kVp.
 Average Power Mobiles:100 to 150 mA and 40-95
kVp.
 High power mobiles : upto 300 mA and 125 kVp.
Capacitor Discharge Mobile Unit
Principle:
• When charge circuit is activated, voltage from HTT charges
a capacitor up to the kilo voltage required for the exposure.
• The capacitor becomes source of power for x ray

exposure. It is disconnected from the charging circuit and
connected to the x ray tube for exposure.
• Its discharge through tube constitutes the mAs of the

radiographic exposure factors.

Fig : showing the working of capacitor discharge unit
CONTD…
• When the charge button is pressed ,the capacitor is

charged through high tension source by connections at
G1andG2.
• when required kV is reached ,charging is automatically

stopped and the lamp indicates ready.
• After charging has stopped when exposure button is

pressed, capacitor is connected to tube at X1 and X2.it
discharges through the tube and constitutes the x ray
exposure.
kV drop:
• In a 1μf design the kV drop is around 1 kV per
mAS used and the effective voltage is 1/3 of the
voltage drop lower than the starting voltage.
• Hence the equivalent kV=Starting kV-1/3 x mAS
• Example for an exposure of 87Kv and 20mAS:
• 87-(1/3 x 20)= 87-6.6 = 80Kv Effective.

X-ray Tube:
• Rotating anode tube with single focal spot size of 1.2mm
and heat storage capacity of 80,000 HU.
+
Grid controlled:
• Uses a third electrode i.e. focusing cup to control flow of
electrons from filament to target.
• Voltage across filament-grid produces electric field along
path of electron beam that pushes e-s closer.
• Exposure start & stop controlled by voltage on grid.
• Large enough negative voltage on grid blocks tube current
from cathode to anode.
Control Unit
• Automatic charging circuit for charging the capacitor.
• The kV range is from 30kv to 125kv. If pre selected Kv is
altered after charging, the tube voltage is automatically
adjusted to the new value.
• A single mAs control, rather than mA and exposure time
being selected separately. The units are usually designed
to operate at a high, fixed mA value, so that exposure
time becomes the main variable by default.
• mAs control has 15 steps range from 2 mAs to 60 mAs.

Advantages:
• less bulky and easily controllable.
• No need for special installations as power is only required

to charge the capacitor.
• The voltage waveform across x ray tube is uniform rather

than pulsating. It has no relationship with ac mains.

• Shorter exposure time by use of grid controller.
Limitations:
• Limited mAs output.
• The maximum output range is 30-50mAs so cannot
be used for heavy body part such as spine and
abdomen.

Battery Powered Mobile Unit
• Also called cord less mobile unit.
• Ni-Cd batteries are used as a source of energy for x
ray exposure .
• The generator is referred to as constant
potential generator (CPG).
• Power supply is used to charge the batteries.
• The batteries produces low voltage DC charge.

Major Components of battery
Powered X Ray machine
25
Advantages
• Stores considerable energy to generate x rays.

can store 10,000 mAs.
• Make exposures independent of power supply.
• Supplies constant output of KV and mA through out

the exposure.
• Used in case of emergency power failure.

Disadvantages
• Batteries must be charged
• Requires regular batteries

maintenance
• Heavy

Care and maintenance:
• The unit should be left connected to the

mains power supply of (200v or 115v):
– Every night. – During weekends.
– At all times when the unit is idle (not being
used).
• Naked flames or lighted cigarettes should not be

held near the batteries when they are being charged.
• The acid level in the batteries should be

checked every 2 weeks.
Mobile Image Intensifiers Units
• Used in operating theatre for fluoroscopy examination.
• This reduces the number of radiographs taken and saves

the time during surgery.

Essential features of mobile unit
for fluoroscopy
• The x ray tube
• The image intensifier
• High tension generator
• Control consol

The x ray tube and image intensifier:-
• Mounted opposite to each other at the end of C –arm.
• X ray tube head is at the lower end of C arm and the

image intensifier is at the upper end with input phosphor
facing towards the x ray tube.
• The tube head houses the x ray tube.
• The x ray tube is stationary anode and two focal spots.
• A small focal spot of size 0.6mm is used for fluoroscopy

and a large focal spot of size 1.8mm is used for
radiography.
• The C arm is mounted on a cross arm which extend from
a carriage carried on a vertical support rising from the
control console.
• The x ray tube and the image intensifier are held directly
opposite to each other with x ray beam permanently
centered to the input phosphor.
• At the back of I.I. is the television pick up tube, so that

image can be viewed on monitor.

• The input phosphor of the image intensifier is
cesium iodide which gives good contrast.
• A secondary grid of grid ratio 5:1 is used.

Movements
• The vertical support can be raised and lowered and the

cross arm can be extended through the carriage.
• The x ray tube and image intensifier are attached to the

c arm and move together.
• The c arm can be moved in any direction. so the

equipment enables a good range of positions and
projections to be used without wastage of time.

High tension generator:
• The x ray tube and high tension generator are together in

the tube head.
• High tension generator are single phase with full wave

rectification provided by silicon rectifiers i.e. the
generator is two pulse.

Fig: Block diagram of sequence of transference of signal

Control unit :
• Kilovoltage for fluoroscopy or radiography
range from 50kv to 105kv.
• mA settings or fluoroscopy range from

0.1to 3.0mA.for radiography the Kv and mA are linked
.i.e.
 50mA at 55kv
 40mA at 80 Kv
 30mA at 105 Kv
• The timer for radiographic exposure is electronic and

gives range from 0.1 to 3.0 sec.
• For the television chain, circuit includes controls which
allow the image to be transposed right to left and
inverted top to bottom.
• There is control for memory circuit with two magnetic

disc that is image storage is possible.
• There is facility for pulsed fluoroscopy with electronic

selector: the rates provided vary from 1 flash per sec to 1
flash every 5 sec.
• This allows to monitor dynamic events without subjecting
the patient to continuous radiation.
Advancements
 High frequency generator mobile units
 Computed radiography mobile x ray unit
 Direct radiography mobile x ray unit

High Frequency Generator
• Recently high frequency generators are more popular
for use in radiology for mammography and mobile
units.
• One of significant advantages is its compact design.
• Converts low frequency (60 HZ) to high frequency

(KHZ) pulsed DC, by altering waveform of incoming
electrical circuit which is subsequently increased to
kilovolts, rectified and sent to the x-ray tube.

• Produces a nearly constant voltage wave form with
extremely low ripple(<1%).
• Provides great x-ray quality(effective energy) and

quantity. More efficient.
• More expensive than previous mobile units.

• Uses inverter circuit.
• The DC power supply produces
a constant voltage from either a
single phase or three phase
input line source.
• inverter circuit creates the high
frequency AC waveform.
• This AC current supplies the
high voltage transformer and
creates a waveform of fixed
high voltage and corresponding
low current.

• After rectification and smoothing two high voltage
capacitor on the secondary circuits accumulates
electron charges. These capacitors produce a voltage
across the x-ray tube, that depends upon the
accumulated charges

Fig: Block diagram of high frequency generator

• Includes a transport case housing several
components, a digital x-ray image sensor and x-ray
generator.
• Sensor is coupled to a stand that is mounted to
transport case.
• Generator is positioned opposite to centre of
sensor.
• A pt. support unit is disposed b/w image sensor and
x-ray generator.
• Image acquisition unit connected to generator and
image sensor and mounted on transport case.
• An image display unit is connected to image
acquisition unit and spaced from generator.
• Tube is positioned above stand to facilitate image
generation
• Image acquisition unit includes a display to allow the
user to view information relating to control and
operation of digital x-ray sensor and tube.
• Display comprises of a touch screen display. An
image display unit may also be provided to permit
the radiologist to view images at a distance from the
tube.

• The image sensor is a thin film transistor (TFT) based
digital x-ray image sensor. Preferably, digital image
sensor is about the same size as standard medical x-
ray films. The sensors can be grouped into two
categories:
• 1)indirect x-ray sensors
• 2) direct x-ray sensors

 indirect x-ray sensors: feature a TFT
photodiode array that is sensitive to visible light.
These sensors are covered by an x-ray to light
converter such as gadolinium oxysulfide or cesium
iodide which converts each incident x-ray photon
into light photons. The light photons are converted
into electronic charge at each pixel photodiode.

 direct x-ray sensors: is coated with amorphous
selenium which converts incident x-rays directly into
electronic charge at each pixel.
• In both cases electronic charge distribution collected

by pixel array is proportional to intensity distribution
of x-ray photons. This charge distribution is digitized
and stored in a computer.

• In order to display images
generated by image sensor
image display unit is
provided with software that
at least supports images in
DICOM and JPEG format.

Table : Tube parameters of digital portable

Digital mobiles
• The digital mobile units are the ultimate solution to
mobile X-ray imaging for digitization in ER,
traumatology, intensive care units (ICU), in patient
wards and pediatrics.
• The system represents an evolutionary move in

mobile diagnostic imaging equipment and includes
unique features in terms of operability, mobility and
image quality.

• The system meets today’s and future clinical
demands providing the premium solution
for
 immediate image processing
 an efficient clinical workflow
 a rapid display of high-quality clinical

images
 fast integration into the hospital network

Features
• Generator: High frequency generator
• Kvp Range: 40 - 100 Kvp, adjustable in 1 kV increments
• mA range: Fixed, 15 mA and 30 mA
• mAs Range: 0.15 – 120 mAs
• Exposure Time: 0.01 - 4.00 s

• Indicators: Digital display of kVp, mAs and Time, X-Ray,
Ready, mA Station and Fault Indicators
• Exposure Switch: Detachable two position switch
• X-Ray Tube: Stationary Anode

Filtration-2.7 mm aluminum
Target Material: Tungsten
Anode Capacity: 30,000 HU Storage
Focal Spot: 1.0 mm
Target Angle: 15 degree.
• Detectors: f p ds amorphous selenium or

silicon
Questions
• What are the features of portable unit?
• What are the features of mobile unit?
• How does a capacitor discharge mobile unit
works?
• What are the major components of battery powered
mobile unit?
• What are the features of mobile image intensifier
unit?
• How does a high freqency generator works?
• Description of digital portable unit?
• What are the features
3/26/2012 of
PORTABLE N digital
MOBILE mobile units?
EQUIP BY SUDIL 57

Presented By:: Sudil Paudyal

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mobile

• Can be broadly divided into two types:

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 2

• Can be taken around the hospital, some place distant

• Can be dismantled for transfer.

(B) High-tension generator:

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 4

3. A small control unit:

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 5

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 6

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 7

• Mounted on wheels with the motion brake provided.

• Larger and heavier than portable sets and need to be

• Motorized units require less effort but add to weight

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 8

• High tension transformer

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 9

• Dual focus rotating anode x ray tube .

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 10

• A strong vertical column mounted on the base that

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 11

 Rotation around the axis of the cross arm, (D)

 Angulations across the long axis of the tube head,(B)

 Vertical movement up and down main column (H)

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 12

• Includes full wave rectification provided by means of

• The H.T. generator, its rectifiers and filament

• Connected to the x ray tube by means of high

• Located behind the generator tank on the base of

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 14

• The capacitor becomes source of power for x ray

• Its discharge through tube constitutes the mAs of the

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 16

• When the charge button is pressed ,the capacitor is

• when required kV is reached ,charging is automatically

• After charging has stopped when exposure button is

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 19

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 21

• No need for special installations as power is only required

• The voltage waveform across x ray tube is uniform rather

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 22

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 23

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 24

• Stores considerable energy to generate x rays.

• Make exposures independent of power supply.

• Supplies constant output of KV and mA through out

• Used in case of emergency power failure.

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 26

• Batteries must be charged

• Requires regular batteries

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 27

• The unit should be left connected to the

• Naked flames or lighted cigarettes should not be

• The acid level in the batteries should be

• Used in operating theatre for fluoroscopy examination.

• This reduces the number of radiographs taken and saves

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 29

• The image intensifier

• High tension generator

3/26/2012 PORTABLE N MOBILE EQUIP BY SUDIL 30

• X ray tube head is at the lower end of C arm and the

• A small focal spot of size 0.6mm is used for fluoroscopy

• At the back of I.I. is the television pick up tube, so that