Sensitometry

Prof. Wilmary Rivas Morales, B.S., R.T., (R) (ARRT)

RATE 1230 Principles of Radiographic Imaging & Exposure
Sensitometry

Studies the relationship between intensity of radiation exposure to film and density
SPECIFICLY exposure
Intensity of radiation IN FILM SCREEN RADIOGRAPHY.
– measure of the quantity of
radiation reaching the film.

Provides a method to:

Evaluate characteristics of film Evaluate performance of
and film-screen combinations. automatic film processors.
  Film should be exposed to a
range of radiation intensities
to evaluate response to low,
middle, and high exposures.
 Passing radiation through an
object that varies in thickness
using a radiographic x-ray unit.
Equipment  Results in varying densities
representative of specific
intensities of radiation exposure.
 Equipment needed:
 Penetrometrer
 Sensitometer
 Densitometer
Penetrometer
 Device constructed of uniform
absorbers of increasing thicknesses
(E.g. aluminum, tissue-equivalent
plastic).
 Produces a series of uniform densities
that resemble a step wedge.
 Variability of equipment output could
affect the range of densities
produced.
Sensitometer
 Designed to produce consistent
step-wedge densities by
eliminating the variability of the
x-ray unit.
 Uses a controlled light source to
expose an optical step-wedge
template.
 Transmits light in varying
intensities to expose the
radiographic film.
 Sensitometric strip - density
step-wedge image produced
after film has been processed.
Equipment

 Penetrometers and
Sensitometers are available
in 11-, 15-, or 21-step
densities.

Radiograph of a penetrometer showing step-wedge densities.

Densitometer

 Device used to numerically

measure radiographic density on
film.
 Emits and measures light
transmitted through film to
calculate a measurement known
as optical density (OD).
Optical density

 Represents a numerical calculation of light transmittance.

Optical density

 Represents a numerical calculation of light transmittance.

 Range of radiographic densities is large and therefore is compressed onto a
logarithmic scale.
 !Log (logarithmic unit) – unit used to express a physical or mathematical quantity!
 0.0  logarithmic value of a film with 100% light transmittance.
 2.0  logarithmic value of a film with 1% light transmittance.
Optical density

 Represents a numerical calculation of light transmittance.

 Optical densities can range from 0.0 to 4.0.
 Radiographic film has a tint added to its base
Base plus fog (B + F)
 Processing adds a slight amount of fog
 50% light transmission  0.3 OD
 25% light transmission  0.6 OD
 Useful range of optical densities is
between 0.25 and 2.5 OD.

Diagnostic
range Diagnostic range of optical densities
for general radiography usually falls
between 0.5 and 2.0 OD.
Sensitometric
curve
 Characteristic curve that results
from optical density
measurements from a
sensitometric strip.
 Demonstrates the relationship
between the intensity of
radiation exposure (x-axis) and
the resultant optical densities (y-
axis).
Log of relative
exposure
 0.3 change  change in intensity
of radiation exposure by factor
of 2.
 0.3 increase  relative to
doubling amount of radiation
exposure.
 0.3 decrease  relative to
halving the amount of radiation
exposure.
Regions
 A sensitometric curve
demonstrates 3 distinct regions.
 Toe region
 Straight line region
 Shoulder region
Toe region
 Represents the area of low
density.
 Dmin – point on the
sensitometric curve where a
minimum amount of radiation
exposure produced a minimum
optical density.
 Generally equal to b + f
Straight line region
 Point along x axis where changes
in exposure have greater effect
on OD.
 Where useful and diagnostic
range of OD are produced.
Shoulder region

 Point where changes in exposure

intensity no longer affect OD.
 Maximum density has been
produced (Dmax).
Shoulder region
 Solarization – reverse in
amount of OD due to
continued increases in
exposure intensity after Dmax
has been reached.
Film characteristics

 Comparing sensitometric curve regions provides information about three

important characteristics of radiographic film that play an important role in
radiographic imaging.
 Speed
 Speed point
 Speed exposure point
Film characteristics

 Speed – film is its sensitivity to

radiation exposure
 Speed point - point on a
sensitometric curve that corresponds
to the optical density of 1.0 plus B +
F.
 Standard method of indicating film
speed.
 Speed exposure point - indicates the
intensity of exposure needed to
produce a density of 1.0 plus B + F
(speed point).
Film characteristics

 The slower the speed exposure

point, the faster the film speed.
 Sensitometric curves of faster
speed film are positioned to the
left of slower speed film.
Contrast
 Film contrast is controlled by
 Design and manufacture of film
components
 Effects of processing.
 Can be evaluated by the steepness, or
slope, of the sensitometric curve.
 Film capable of producing higher
contrast will have a more vertical
straight-line region (steeper slope).
Contrast

 Gradient point - contrast produced at a point

specific point in the slope.
 Average gradient - calculated between a low
density (0.25 plus B + F) and a high density (2.0
plus B + F).
 Greater average gradient  higher film contrast
Exposure latitude

 Refers to the range of exposures that produce OD within the straight-

line region of the sensitometric curve.
 Wide-latitude – capability to respond to a wide range of exposures to
produce OD within the straight-line.
 Exposure latitude and film contrast have an inverse relationship.
 High contrast film  narrow latitude
Clinical
considerations
 It is RT’s responsibility to
adequately control relationship
between density and contrast to
maximize the amount of visible
recorded detail and achieve
optimal radiographic quality.
  Range of optical densities that
lie within the straight-line
region of the sensitometric
curve and maximize amount of
recorded detail in the
radiographic image.
Optimal  Challenge!!! Determine the
density amount of radiation exposure
necessary to produce optimal
densities.
 Different types of radiographic
film may require different
amounts of exposure to
produce optimal densities.
  Relationship between radiation
exposure and optical density
depends on the shape and position
of a film’s sensitometric curve.
Optimal  When evaluating a radiograph with
density a density error, the radiographer
must determine the amount of
change needed in the exposure
technique.
Maximum film
contrast
 Film contrast is the difference in
optical density between two
points anywhere along the
sensitometric curve.
 Maximum radiographic contrast
can be visualized only when
optical densities lie within the
straight-line region of the
sensitometric curve.
 When optical densities lie outside
this region, film contrast is
decreased.
Maximum
film
contrast
 Image display

 Viewing of processed film

screen radiographic images
require display in Illuminators.
 Illuminators - devices that
provide light illumination so
that the anatomy, displayed
as various shades of optical
densities, can be visualized.
Illuminators

 Dimensions are typically 14 × 17 in (35

× 43 cm)
 Can be individually arranged or
combined in rows (bank of
illuminators)
 Performance criterion include
uniformity of light intensity within and
among viewboxes.
 Viewboxes must be clean and damage-
free
 Proper bulb wattage