accessory equipment
supplementary tools that :
-support image process
-improve image quality
-enhance safety and comfort
- assist in accurate positioning
positioning aids
sponges and pads
- stabalize and align body part
sandbags and weights
- help reduce pt motion
straps and immobilizers
-used to hold body parts in place especially for pediatrics or trauma patients
radiation protection
lead aprons and thyroid sheild
-protect patient and staff
lead gloves
-worn by staff when hands must be near the beam
gonadal shielding
- protect reproductive organs
mobile shield barriers
-protection for operators in portable radiography or fluoroscopy
AAPM and NCRP
recommendations state that shielding is causing more harm than good
image receptor and holders
grid = reduce scatter radiation for better image contrast
cassettes= hold IR for film or CR plates (digital does not use cassette)
bucky trays = hold the plate, whether CR or DR, in place within the xray table or wall stand
scatter radiation
scatter is bad (isotropic) and is how xray techs get exposed
-adverse effect on image quality
the grid
absorbs scatter before it reached the IR
-improves image quality
-made of lead strips
the bucky
upright and table bucky
-holds the IR and has a built in grid
filters
not used often
-even out part density and improve image quality
TYPES:
-compensating filters
-wedge filters
-trough filters
technique chart
variation in electricity delivered to the xray tube
PRIME TECHNICAL FACTORS:
-kilovolts peak (kVp) =voltage
-milliamperes (mAs)=current
-exposure time (seconds)
technique charts
contains the following info:
- mAs
-kVp
-AEC
-SID
-grid use
-exposure indicators (is exposure too much or too little?)
