Distinction between X-ray exposure technique factors for conventional high tension transformer and capacitor energy storage X-ray equipment

Abstract

The use of capacitor energy storage X-ray equipment in medical radiography has increased in this country in the last few years. The high voltage waveform applied to the X-ray tube in this type of equipment is quite different from that in conventional units. Because of this, technique factors such as kVp and mA s have different effects on the X-ray beam quality and quantity than would be expected with conventional single- or three-phase equipment. Inappropriate setting of these technique factors by technologists who are unfamiliar with these differences may lead to increased patient exposure with no commensurate increase in radiographic quality. Dose measurements made with a masonite phantom plus comparison of radiographs made utilizing technique charts provided by manufacturers of capacitor energy storage X-ray systems were used to demonstrate this fact.