Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Learn How Xray Equipment Work

By Essie Craft


Unlike in the old days when xray equipment were only used for medical applications, these machines are nowadays used in a wide range of industries. For instance, it is used as a fault diagnosis tool in manufacturing, processing and assembly industries. However, they are still widely used in medical facilities to examine fractured bones, injured muscles and soft tissue damage among other things. Almost every medical facility nowadays has this piece of equipment.

For x-rays to be produced, high velocity electrons must strike a heavy atom anode metal. In modern x-ray machines, a filament is heated by passing current through it. This causes electrons to be emitted. Due to the potential difference between the cathode and the anode, the electrons are attracted to the anode, and they move with great speed and force towards the anode. When the electrons hit the tungsten anode, x-ray photons are emitted.

X-ray photons that are produced when electrons hit the anode are normally contained using a lead shield that keeps them inside the device. A small window lets the photons out and focuses the beam onto the patient. A set of filters are used to ensure that patients are exposed to safe x-rays. The image is formed at the patient's back where a camera and x-ray film are located.

When an x-ray image is produced, it is very easy to analyze what is shown. Bones are normally very clear on the film because they are white. On the other hand, muscle, cartilage and soft tissue are normally darker or grayish depending on the density of the tissue. The operator can adjust the intensity of the rays to make it possible for the lungs and intestines to be seen clearly on the film.

X-ray equipment can also be used in radiation therapy to manage cancer. In such cases, higher energy radiation is normally used to kill the cancer. The procedure must be done very carefully to ensure that the patient does not develop radiation sickness. The radiography room must also be shielded to contain the radiation within the room.

Portable x-ray machines have now been developed for field testing. For instance, these machines can be used in the factory to check whether a piece of equipment has developed cracks. They can also be used to test for leaks. When using these machines in the field, safety precautions still need to be observed to ensure that the operator as well as other people do not develop radiation sickness.

Almost every airport nowadays has an x-ray scanner. This piece of equipment has many advantages over traditional security procedures like frisking and going through luggage. For one it is a more effective option. Secondly, it is much faster. The x-ray can produce clear images of knives, explosives and firearms which will alarm security officials. This helps to ensure maximum security in airports.

When using xray equipment, there are several precautions that must be observed. For instance, children below a certain age cannot be exposed to x-rays because of the damage it may cause to the young and tender body organs of a child. Operators are also required to wear protective clothing when operating these machines. Furthermore, technicians must limit the amount of radiation as well as the length of time a person is exposed to x-rays. These precautions will go a long way in preventing radiation sickness from affecting operators or patients.




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