IMAGE PRODUCTION

AND EVALUATION
OSPAR SENIOR INTERNS
 RECORDED DETAIL
The degree of clarity or sharpness with which structures are recorded on a radiographic
image.
 Quick Review

Recorded detail is also known as...

• Definition
• Sharpness
• Resolution
 RESOLUTION
The ability of an imaging system to record closely spaced structures as separate entities.
Lines pair device is utilized to determine the measurement of a recorded detail and is
measured as line pair per millimeter [lp/mm].

Spatial Resolution: Structural sharpness recorded in the radiographic image

Spatial resolution may also be defined as the ability of the imaging equipment
to demonstrate two objects that are very close together.
 Quick Review

Spatial resolution may also be described as an image having:

• High detail
• High sharpness
• Low blur
 PRACTICE PROBLEM
WHICH OF THESE IMAGES HAS THE HIGHEST SPATIAL RESOLUTION?
DISTANCES

Source-image distance (SID) is listed as a

factor that affects IR exposure.

Object-image distance (OID) is listed as a

factor that affects both IR exposure and
contrast. This effect only occurs in the air-
gap technique.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT
RECORDED DETAIL
all the factors affecting these properties as well as IR exposure and patient dose are listed
in a chart. Notice that OID and SID are listed as factors that affect distortion.
The effect of the distance between the x-ray tube and the image receptor exposure is the focus of this
section.This distance helps determine the strength of the electronic signal transmitted from the image
receptor to the computer.
The photons diverge from the
central ray, so the longer the
SID is, the more spread out the
photons become.
INVERSE SQUARE LAW
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor
is 100mGy when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If
the x-ray tube had to be moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the
amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor changes.
For example, what if the original amount of radiation intensity at the image receptor is 100mGy
when the x-ray tube is at a 40-inch distance from the image receptor. If the x-ray tube had to be
moved to a 72-inch distance from the image receptor, the amount of radiation intensity at the
image receptor changes.
FOCAL SPOT SIZE

The border of unsharpness around image

details is often referred to as focal spot blur,
geometric unsharpness, or edge gradient. The
smaller the focal spot size, the better the
geometrically recorded detail.
X-ray photons emitted from a
point source (A) will provide an
image having sharply defined
borders.

X-ray photons emitted from a

measurable focal spot (B) will
produce a zone of blur or
unsharpness around each image
detail.

The degree of blur is directly

related to the size of the focal
 FOCAL SPOT SIZE

The actual focal spot is the actually bombarded by electrons from the
filament. The effective focal spot is the foreshortened size of the focus as it is
projected down toward the image receptor; that is, as it would be seen
looking up into the emerging x-ray beam.

The angle of the anode can have a significant effect on recorded detail.
Differences in anode angle, all other factors remaining constant, will affect
the size of the effective focal spot.
FOCAL SPOT SIZE

Because of the angle of the anode,

unsharpness or blur is greatest at the cathode
end of the image receptor.
 Quick Review

If the use of a smaller focal spot size provides us with better recorded
detail, why is the smallest focal spot available not always used?
 Quick Review

If the use of a smaller focal spot size provides us with better recorded
detail, why is the smallest focal spot available not always used?

Simply because focal spot size is also associated with the buildup of
heat within the x-ray tube. Large quantities of heat delivered to the x-ray
tube, especially in a short period of time, can be very damaging to the tube
and can shorten its life span.
 Summary - FSS
1. Focal spot size affects detail by influencing the degree of blur or unsharpness: increased focal spot
size = increased blur = decreased detail.
2. Unsharpness or blur is directly related to focal spot size and OID, and inversely related to SID.
3. Using a small focal spot improves recorded detail, but generates more heat at the anode.
4. According to the line focus principle, the effective or projected focal spot size is always smaller than
the actual focal spot.
5. Effective focal spot size varies along the longitudinal axis of the image receptor, being largest at the
cathode end and smallest at the anode end of the X-ray beam.
6. Smaller anode angles can permit larger actual focal spot sizes while maintaining small effective focal
spot sizes—at the expense of accentuating the anode heel effect.
 MOTION

Image blur or unsharpness, as a result of motion, can cause severe degradation of

recorded detail. The best method minimizing voluntary motion is through good
communication and suspended respiration.
Involuntary motion, such as peristaltic activity, muscle spasms,
and heart action, cannot be controlled by the patient. The best
way to minimize involuntary motion is by using the shortest
possible exposure time.
 MOTION
Special positioning devices (such as pediatric immobilizers), positioning sponges,
and carefully placed sandbags are frequently used to assist the patient in
maintaining the required position.
 MOTION
Equipment motion can cause an effect similar to that caused by patient motion.
Bucky/grid motion can cause motion of the part during tabletop examinations; x-
ray equipment often has a switch to turn off the Bucky/grid when doing tabletop
work.
 MOTION
Equipment motion can cause an effect similar to that caused by patient motion.
Bucky/grid motion can cause motion of the part during tabletop examinations; x-
ray equipment often has a switch to turn off the Bucky/grid when doing tabletop
work.
Motion blur is probably the greatest enemy of recorded detail and is most obvious
when the motion is close to the image receptor.
(i.e., part motion is more damaging to recorded detail than tube motion)
 MOTION
Equipment motion can cause an effect similar to that caused by patient motion.
Bucky/grid motion can cause motion of the part during tabletop examinations; x-
ray equipment often has a switch to turn off the Bucky/grid when doing tabletop
work.
Motion blur is probably the greatest enemy of recorded detail and is most obvious
when the motion is close to the image receptor.
(i.e., part motion is more damaging to recorded detail than tube motion) Deliberate
motion is occasionally used to blur out unwanted structures so that the area of
interest can be seen to better advantage.
Loss of recorded detail as a
result of part motion
 Summary - Motion
1.Motion is the greatest adversary of recorded detail.
2.Voluntary patient motion can be minimized through good communication.
3.Involuntary patient motion is best minimized by using the shortest possible exposure
time.
4.Various radiographic accessories are available to help minimize both voluntary and
involuntary patient motion.
5.Equipment motion can also result in loss of recorded detail in the form of image blur.
6.Special techniques that introduce motion are sometimes employed to see some
structures particularly well.
 PIXEL PITCH

Pixel pitch is the distance from

the center of one pixel to the
center of the next.

PIXEL 1 PIXEL 2
 PIXEL PITCH

Pixel pitch is the distance from

the center of one pixel to the
center of the next.

Pixel – picture elements

PIXEL 1 PIXEL 2
DEL – detector elements
 PIXEL PITCH

The lower the pixel pitch number, the closer the pixels, and the sharper
the image.
 PIXEL PITCH IN MONITORS

Pixel pitch is measured in µm – micrometers

< 210 µm for X-Ray, CT, or MRI

< 250 µm for ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine
< 170 µm for mammography
 PIXEL PITCH IN MONITORS

EIZO RadiForce MX317W 8MP 30.5" Color LCD Monitor

June 27, 2023
$6,150.61 = ₱343,957.49
SPECS:
Pixel Matrix 8 MP = 266 x 2450 pixels = 8 million pixels
Pixel Pitch 0.1674 x 0.1674 mm = 28 µm
 PIXEL PITCH IN MONITORS

PHILIPS 34E1C5600HE 34" UltraWide QHD

March 30, 2023
$351.45= ₱19,653.61

SPECS:
Pixel Matrix 3440 x 1440 pixels = 4,953,600 million pixels
Pixel Pitch 0.23175 x 0.23175 mm = 53 µm
PIXEL PITCH
ValenceINElectrons
DETECTORS
PIXEL PITCH
ValenceINElectrons
DETECTORS
Capture area/ Fill Factor = The area of the detector that is sensitive to
X-rays
GE HealthCare P600FP 17 x 17 radiography flat Angell Technology – 14 x 17 Multipurpose
panel detector radiography flat panel detector

2840 x 2840 Pixel Matrix 2560×3072 Pixel Matrix

148 µm Pixel Pitch 139 µm Pixel Pitch
 RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT FEBRUARY 2024

DISTORT
ION
Feat. Kilabot ng OSPAR-1
 SIZE DISTORTION

Size distortion or magnification, is defined as the misrepresentation in the image of the true size
of the object, particularly in comparison to other structures in the patient’s body.

The best relationship to produce the least magnification is to have the object as close to the
image receptor as possible and to have the x-ray tube as far away from the image receptor as
possible. In technical distance terms, it is best to have a short object-image distance (OID) and
a long source-image distance (SID).
OBJECT-IMAGE DISTANCE (OID) AND SIZE DISTORTION

The object-image distance (OID) is the major factor controlling

magnification. The least magnification is produced when the object is
placed close to the image receptor.

SOURCE-IMAGE DISTANCE (SID) AND SIZE DISTORTION

A long source-image distance (SID) will produce the least magnification

or size distortion. Size distortion increases as the x-ray tube is moved
closer to the object.
CALCULATING
MAGNIFICATION

Object and Image Size

The ratio of the image size to the object size is proportional to the ratio of the
SID to the SOD. When referring to “size” this is either the length of the image
or object or the width of the image or object.

Image size SID

=
Object size SOD
 Image size SID
EXAMPLE =
Object size SOD

If the SID is 72 inches, the SOD is 68 inches, and the object length is 6 inches,
what is the image length?
 Image size SID
EXAMPLE =
Object size SOD

If the SID is 72 inches, the SOD is 68 inches, and the object length is 6 inches,
what is the image length?
 summary of size distortion.
• Size distortion is the misrepresentation in the image of the true size of the object, particularly
in comparison to other structures in the patient’s body.
• For the least magnification use a short OID and a long SID.
• Always try to put the object or structure of interest close to the image receptor to avoid
magnification.
• The ratio of the image size to the object size is proportional to the ratio of the SID to the SOD.
When referring to “size” this is either the length of the image or object or the width of the
image or object.
 summary of size distortion.
• The magnification factor tells the radiographer (and the physicians) how much longer and
wider the image will be compared to the object’s actual length and width.
• In some clinical situations, it is important for the radiologist (or orthopedic surgeon) to know
the amount of magnification produced on a radiograph. This is especially important during
angiograms and mammography. The image size, object size, magnification factor, and percent
of magnification can all be calculated.
 SHAPE DISTORTION

Shape distortion is the misrepresentation by the image of the true shape of the object.

3 TYPES OF DISTORTION
• Foreshortening
• Elongation
• Spatial Distortion
 FORESHORTENING
Foreshortening – the image appears shorter and fatter than the object.
E L O N G AT I O N
Elongation – the image appears longer and skinnier than the object.
 SPATIAL DISTORTION
Spatial Distortion – the three-dimensional relationships of the object are misrepresented, for
example, appearing dislocated when the joint is actually in correct alignment.
 AEC
AEC (AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE
CONTROL)
The AEC is a device that measures the quantity
of radiation that reaches the image receptor. It
automatically terminates the exposure when the
image receptor has received the required
radiation intensity
 Phototimer
Phototimer AEC devices are considered exit-type
devices because the detectors are positioned
behind the image receptor.
 Ionization or ion chamber
is a hollow cell that contains air and is connected
to the timer circuit via an electrical wire.
Ionization-chamber AEC devices are considered
entrance-type devices because the detectors are
positioned in front of the image receptor
RADIOGRA
PHIC GRIDS
is an accessory used solely for the
purpose of improving image quality.
Grids are designed to absorb scatter
radiation before it reaches the
recording medium.
RADIOGRA
Types of Grid Cutoff Errors:

UPSIDE DOWN
PHIC GRIDS FOCUSED
is an accessory used solely for the

OFF-LEVEL
purpose of improving image quality.
Grids are designed to absorb scatter
radiation before it reaches the
recording medium.
 UPSIDE DOWN
FOCUSED

- Occurs when a focused grid is

placed upside down on the image
receptor, resulting in grid lines going
opposite the angle of divergence of
the x-ray beam.
OFF-LEVEL

- results when the x-ray beam is

angled across the lead strips. It is the
most common type of cut off and can
occur from either the tube or grid
being angled.
OFF- OFF
CENTER FOCUS
OFF- OFF
FOCUS
CENTER
OFF- OFF
CENTER
FOCUS