Measurements and Performance Characteristics of Diagnostic X-ray Tubes and Generators (Third Edition) : IPEM Report 32, Part I

This book describes the theoretical principals including potential modes of failures and equipment performance limitations and provides practical advice for making quality assurance (QA) measurements for clinical X-ray tubes and generators. The guidance given for making QA measurements seeks to be practical, using equipment commonly found in medical physics departments, and where possible alternative techniques are discussed along with their relevant limitations. Topics covered include general introduction, requirements for measuring instruments, evaluation of safety features, measurements of beam quality, tube output and consistency, focal spot size, specification for performances, and related ancillaries. Key Features: The IPEM report 32 series is key UK guidance on the performance of quality assurance procedures across a range of diagnostic and interventional x-ray generating and imaging equipment and often referenced internationally.An update on guidance for medical physics departments for quality assurance measurements for X-ray tubes and generators, considering the advances in technology of X-ray generating equipment.Evidence based where possible, and particularly with reference to the evidence Based QA working party outputs and relevant UK standards.Updated to account for modern measuring devices and techniques (not widely commercially available at the time of publication of the outgoing version but now in widespread common use).Expanded to cover QA of X-ray tube and generator and associated ancillaries not previously covered in Report 32 part I (or the other report 32 series). Areas of expansion include dental X-ray generating equipment, tomography, and key radiation safety features. PRELIMS.pdf 1 Preface to the first edition (1980) 12 Preface to second edition (1995) 12 Preface to the third edition (2022) 12 Reference 16 Acknowledgements 17 CH001.pdf 1 Chapter 1 Introduction 18 1.1 Scope 18 1.2 Evidence based QA paper discussion 19 1.3 Framework for testing 19 1.3.1 Equipment available for radiographer QA and engineer measurements 19 1.3.2 Age and reliability 20 1.3.3 In-built diagnostic and error reporting 20 1.3.4 Planned preventative maintenance service programme 21 1.3.5 Frequency of specialist QA tests 21 1.3.6 Summary 22 References 23 CH002.pdf 1 Chapter 2 X-ray tubes and generators 24 2.1 Generator 24 2.1.1 Generator power source 24 2.1.2 Transformer 25 2.2 X-ray tubes 28 2.2.1 Cathode/filament control 28 2.2.2 Anode 29 2.2.3 Filters 30 2.2.4 X-ray tube failure modes 30 References 32 CH003.pdf 1 Chapter 3 Requirements for measuring equipment 34 3.1 Requirements 34 3.2 Summary 36 References 37 CH004.pdf 1 Chapter 4 Equipment inventory and service records 38 References 38 CH005.pdf 1 Chapter 5 Safety features 39 5.1 Electrical and mechanical safety 39 5.1.1 Electrical safety 39 5.1.2 Covers and cables 39 5.1.3 Inspection 40 5.2 Marking of controls 40 5.2.1 Inspection 40 5.3 Prevention against unauthorised/accidental use 40 5.3.1 Inspection 40 5.4 Emergency controls 40 5.4.1 Inspection 43 5.5 Exposure control 43 5.5.1 Inspection 44 5.6 Warning indicators 44 5.6.1 Inspection 44 5.7 Indicators and spacers 45 5.7.1 Inspection 45 5.8 Interlocks 45 5.8.1 Inspection 46 5.9 Observation arrangements 46 5.9.1 Inspection 46 5.10 Summary 47 References 47 CH006.pdf 1 Chapter 6 Collimation alignment and scales 48 6.1 Light beam diaphragm 48 6.1.1 Inspection 50 6.2 X-ray beam centering 51 6.2.1 Inspection 51 6.3 X-ray tube-to-detector alignment 52 6.3.1 Inspection 52 6.4 Distance and scales 54 6.4.1 Inspection 55 6.5 Collimator attenuation 55 6.5.1 Inspection 55 6.6 Summary 56 References 56 CH007.pdf 1 Chapter 7 Tube output and consistency 58 7.1 Repeatability and reproducibility with exposure time and tube (filament) current 60 7.2 Inspection 60 7.2.1 Falling load operation 63 7.2.2 Capacitor discharge units 63 7.2.3 Mains compensation 64 7.3 Summary 64 References 65 CH008.pdf 1 Chapter 8 Exposure time 66 8.1 Inspection 68 8.2 Summary 69 References 69 CH009.pdf 1 Chapter 9 Beam quality 70 9.1 Peak photon energy 70 9.2 Inspection 72 9.3 Summary 73 9.4 Half value layer and filtration 73 9.5 Inspection 75 9.6 Summary 76 References 76 CH010.pdf 1 Chapter 10 Focal spot 77 10.1 Inspection 79 10.1.1 Pinhole 79 10.1.2 Resolution technique 79 References 80 CH011.pdf 1 Chapter 11 Dose area product assessment 81 11.1 Inspection 83 11.1.1 Measurement of point dose and area 83 11.1.2 Calibration against reference DAP meter 83 11.2 Summary 84 References 84 CH012.pdf 1 Chapter 12 Focal plane tomography 86 12.1 Inspection 88 12.2 Summary 90 References 90 CH013.pdf 1 Chapter 13 Anti-scatter grids 91 13.1 Inspection 92 This book describes the theoretical principals and provides practical advice on the performance of QA measurements and discusses important performance parameters and the results that may be expected.