RAD 111 - Radiographic Exposure I

1. Describe concepts and specific characteristics pertaining to radiation, matter, energy, and atomic interactions.

2. Explain the nature of electricity, electrostatics, and electrodynamics and an electrical circuit.

3. Demonstrate understanding of electromagnetism as it pertains to X-ray production.

4. Identify components and functions of various types of diagnostic radiographic equipment and the X-ray tube.

5. Use diagnostic radiographic equipment efficiently and safely. 

6. Define terms and units of measurement associated with ionizing radiation such as X-rays.

7. Evaluate radiographic imaging conditions and apply relevant methods consistent with the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) philosophy.

8. Apply radiation safety principles and standard practices for patients, occupational workers, and the general public.

9. Discuss methods of filtration, how they influence the X-ray beam, and affect patient dose.

10. Apply prime and technical factors to obtain diagnostic radiographs while minimizing patient dose.

11. Utilize primary X-ray beam restriction to reduce patient dose and improve radiographic image quality.

12. Discuss with understanding how and why X-rays interact with matter and body tissues at the atomic level including attenuation, pathology, specific dose, remnant beam and image quality. 

13. Professionally and factually describe the benefits vs. risks of X-ray exposure with inquiring patients.

14. Describe characteristics of radiographic grid construction and grid function and how to compensate technical factors when in use. 

15. Evaluate aspects of visual perception and image quality, including artifacts and standard practice criteria, to determine if diagnostic image requirements have been met and how to adjust technique to obtain a desired change. 

16. Describe Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) components and function, obtain diagnostic images while in use. 

17. Understand/operate mobile radiographic equipment safely and consistent with standard clinical practice.

18. Demonstrate basic understanding of fluoroscopic equipment operation, applications, special safety practices and the radiographer’s procedural role. 

19. Translate or explain what written information means and/or how it can be used. 

20. Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. 

     A. Matter and Energy

     B. Atomic Theory

     C. Types of Energy

     D. The Discovery of X-Rays

     E. X-Ray Properties

II. Electricity

     A. Electrostatics

     B. Electrodynamics

     C. Series and Parallel Circuits

III. Electromagnetism

     A. Magnetism

     B. Electromagnetism

     C. Solenoids and Electromagnets

     D. Controlling Electrical Current

     E. Rectification

IV. X-Ray Equipment

     A. Types of X-Ray Equipment

     B. Power for X-Ray Generation

     C. A Basic X-Ray Circuit

     D. Generators

V. The X-Ray Tube

     A. The Cathode Assembly

     B. The Anode Assembly

     C. The Envelope

     D. Protective Housing

     E. Rating Charts and Cooling Curves

     F. Recommendations for Extending Tube Life

VI. X-Ray Production

     A. Conditions

     B. Target Interactions

     C. Emission Spectrum

VII. Radiation Protection Concepts and Equipment

     A. The Basics of Radiation Protection Principles and Practice

     B. Quantities and Units Relevant to Radiation Protection

     C. Detection and Measurement of Ionizing Radiation

VIII. Radiation Protection Procedures for Patients and Personnel

     A. Advisory Groups and Regulatory Agencies

     B. Limiting Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

     C. Protection of Personnel

     D. Protection of the Patient

     E. Radiation Exposure and Pregnancy

IX. Filtration

     A. Measurement and HVL

     B. Types of Filtration

     C. Beam Effects

X. The Prime factors

     A. Milliampere-Seconds (mAs)

     B. Kilovoltage (kVp)

     C. Distance

     D. Image Quality Factors

     E. Using Prime Factors to Maintain Image Quality

XI. X-Ray Interactions

     A. X-Ray Interaction with Matter

     B. Photoelectric Absorption

     C. Coherent Scattering

     D. Compton Scattering

     E. Pair Production

     F. Photodisintegration

     G. Effect on Technical Factor Selection

XII. Vision and Perception

     A. Image Perception

     B. Controlling the Image in Space

     C. Radiography as an Art Form

XIII. Beam Restriction

     A. Controlling Scatter

     B. Beam Restrictors

     C. Ancillary Devices

XIV. The Patient as a Beam Emitter

     A. Attenuation

     B. The Human Body as an Attenuator

     C. The Patient’s Relationship to Image Quality

XV. The Pathology Problem

     A. Pathology and Radiation Absorption

     B. Increased Attenuation (Additive)

     C. Decreased Attenuation (Destructive)

XVI. The Grid

     A. Purpose of the Grid

     B. Grid Construction

     C. Grid Patterns

     D. Grid Types

     E. Grid Uses

     F. Grid Selection/Conversions

     G. Grid Performance Evaluation

     H. Grid Errors

     I. An Alternate Scatter Reduction Method-The Air-Gap Technique

XVII. Digital Radiography

   A. Historical Development 

   B. Digital Image Formation, Quality, Processing Formation 

   C. Exposure Indicators 

   D. PSP, FPD Systems 

XIII. PACS

     A. Informatics 

     B. Image Acquisition/Distribution 

     C. Image Display 

     D. Storage 

XIV. Digital Radiography and PACS 

A. Introduction 

1. Conventional vs Film/Screen

2. Digital Imaging Radiography

3. PACS

4. Transferring from F/S to Digital 

B. Basic Principles of Digi. Rad. 

1. Analog vs Digital 

2. Image Quality and Characteristics 

3. Modulation Transfer Function 

C. Digital Image Acquisition 

1. Histogram 

2. Signal Sampling

3. Quality Control Workstation 

4. Basic Processing Systems 

5. Image Management

• Collaborative Work: 10-30%
• Demonstration: 5-10%
• Discussion: 10-30%
• Lecture: 50-70%

Laboratory: 30% of Final Grade

• Demonstrations: 20%
• Positioning/Imaging: 80%