Introduction
Basic X-Ray Systems Maintenance course is designed to give the attendee a solid foundation enabling him or her to perform basic installation, configuration, troubleshooting and repair on general Radiographic Systems. The course will include some lectures but will concentrate on demonstrations followed by hands on exercises by each attendee which will build confidence in carrying out critical maintenance procedures. Equipment used in the labs will include an Analog and a High Frequency Generator with a Table, Tubestand and Chest stand. The course is limited to four students to maximize instructor/student interaction and hands on labs.
Prerequisites
Prior X-Ray system maintenance training or experience is not necessary, however, the attendee should have a basic understanding of Medical Electronics and Safety procedures.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the attendee will be able to: Operate, Configure, Calibrate, Troubleshoot and Repair a basic Radiographic System.
Course Schedule
Day 1
- X-Rays
- What are they?
- How are they produced?
- How are they controlled?
- What do they do?
- Atom
- X-Ray Beam
- Safety
- Compton Effect
- Rules for working with radiation
- Time, Distance, Shielding
- Radiation protection devices
- Radiographic System Overview
- Rad Room
- Portables
- R/F
- Special Procedures
- Cath Lab
- Imaging Modalities
- Film
- Computed Radiography (CR)
- Digital Radiography (DR)
- X-Ray Tube
- Physical construction
- Resolution vs. focal spot size
- Target Angle
- Instantaneous/Cumulative ratings
- Sator/Housing considerations
- High speed/standard speed
- Lab Activities
- Familiarization with basic radiographic room
- Demonstrate Safety precautions
- Create radiographs using various modalities
- Evaluate an X-Ray Tube physical condition
- Filament resistance
- Sator and Temperature safety conditions
- HV cable connections
- Determine Horn Angles to identify heal effect
Day 2
- X-Rays Generator Overview
- Single Phase
- Three Phase
- Constant Potential
- High Frequency
- Analog X-Ray Generator Functional Analysis
- Create basic block diagram
- kV
- mA
- Timer
- kV compression
- Feedback loops
- Safety Circuits
- Phototimer
- Lab Activities
- Identify major components in an Analog Generator
- Test mA, kV, and Timer Circuits
- Calibrate an Analog Generator
- Troubleshoot faults
Day 3
- High Frequency X-Ray Generator Functional Analysis
- Create basic block diagram
- kV
- mA
- Timer
- Feedback loops
- High Voltage Transformer
- Safety Circuits
- Phototimer
- Lab Activities
- Identify major components in a High Frequency Generator
- Test mA, kV and Timer Circuits
- Calibrate a High Frequency Generator
- Troubleshoot faults
- Calibrate Phototimer
Day 4
- System Components
- Tube Stand
- Floor mounted
- Floor/Wall mounted
- Integrated
- Locks
- Alignment
- Table
- Stationary Float Top
- Elevating Float Top
- Chest Stand
- Locks
- Mounting
- Bucky
- Grids
- Collimation
- Manual/Automatic
- HV Cables
- Tube Stand
- Lab Activities
- Review cable installation
- Check system alignment
- Complete X-Ray to Light field alignment
- Check Light Field intensity
- Complete HVL evaluation
- Complete functional tests
Day 5
- Test Methods
- Review System specifications
- Alternate troubleshooting Methods
- Lab Activities
- Practice alternate troubleshooting methods
Final Exam and Review
- Final exam
- Exam critique
- Course evaluation