X-ray Equipment Research Articles

Evaluate the effects of kilovoltage transmission target X-ray equipment combined with radiosensitizers for Auger electron radiotherapy

Auger electrons are well-suited for targeted radiotherapy due to their ability to transfer high energy over short distances. Auger radiotherapy can be achieved by utilizing the characteristic radiation of transmission X-ray tubes and radiosensitizers to generate numerous Auger electrons. In this study, the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP6) code was employed to simulate the deposition of dose in cells when combining the transmission X-ray tube with various concentrations of radiosensitizers. The results reveal that when the transmission X-ray tube is combined with 70 mg of gold nanoparticles (GNPs), the photoelectron flux is 1.16 × 103 (particles/cm2), which is 3.86 times higher than that observed with 0 mg of GNPs. Furthermore, the Auger electron flux is 3.51 × 102 (particles/cm2), representing a 15.51-fold increase compared to 0 mg of GNPs. The corresponding dose enhancement factor (DEF) is 3.14, representing the most substantial proportional increase observed. This study suggests that the combination of a transmission X-ray tube with appropriate radiosensitizers and concentrations can generate a significant number of photoelectrons and Auger electrons, resulting in a notable radio-enhancing effect. This innovative approach holds promise for the development of Auger radiotherapy as a potential therapeutic process. Future investigations could explore the optimal combination of transmission X-ray tubes and radiosensitizers to further advance the applications of Auger radiotherapy.

Comparison of typical radiation doses and risks using an anthropomorphic 'bone fracture' phantom for commonly performed X-ray projections in a 5-year-old.

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are typical dose levels for medical imaging examinations for groups of standard-sized patients or standard phantoms for broadly defined types of equipment used as a tool to aid optimisation of protection for medical exposures. Currently, there are no paediatric DRLs for conventional radiography (i.e. general X-rays) published in Australia. The aim of this study was to establish typical radiation doses and risks that are representative of those delivered for commonly performed X-ray projections for a 5-year-old/20 kg child using a 5-year-old anthropomorphic 'bone fracture' phantom in three dedicated paediatric radiology departments in Victoria. A total of 20 projection images were acquired for a standard 5-year-old/20 kg phantom using digital radiography X-ray equipment. The air kerma-area product (KAP) measured at each centre by a KAP metre, which was calibrated to a national primary standard, was considered to represent the median value for that centre for each X-ray projection. Organ doses and effective dose were estimated using PCXMC software, and risks of radiation-induced cancer and radiation-induced death were calculated based on the BEIR VII report. The typical doses for the individual X-ray projections ranged from 3 mGy•cm2 to 86 mGy•cm2 , whilst the effective doses ranged from 0.00004 to 0.07 mSv. The radiation risks were 'minimal' to 'negligible'. The estimation of typical radiation doses and associated risks for a 5-year-old/20 kg phantom study provides reference values for guidance and is a first step in assisting optimisation at other institutions until national DRLs, based on patient data from the clinical setting, are published.

Vendor evaluation platform for acquisition of medical equipment based on multi-criteria decision-making approach

The purchase of medical equipment is a critical issue that should be planned properly. The selection of the most appropriate vendor impacts time, effort, and expenses. Therefore, the challenge is to strike a balance between the available budget and the required equipment. The study aims to select the best vendor for supplying medical equipment based on Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) standards. The multi-criteria decision-making approach has been adopted through three methods; Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The criteria of selection are divided into general, technical, and financial. The criteria are weighted using three methods: CRITIC, entropy, and expert judgment. The Vendor Evaluation Program for Medical Equipment (VEPME) is designed to automatically select the best vendor. Medical imaging equipment is selected to test the program by four modalities: X-ray equipment, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. The best scenario was given by the entropy-TOPSIS. As a result, this methodology was adopted by the program. The results demonstrate the robustness of the proposed methodology by comparing the VEPME output to expert judgment.

Patient skin dose measurement and risk of deterministic effect during fluoroscopy cardiac procedures.

This study aimed at assessing patient's peak skin doses (PSD) during fluoroscopy cardiac procedures and proposed a look up table to enhance patient's dose management. Perspex phantom and thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD) were irradiated for different dose levels with X-ray equipment (Philips Azurion 7). It was found that PSD measures were higher than the kerma at the interventional reference point [K (IRP)] reported with factors 1.55, 1.75 and 2.88 for anterior posterior (AP0o), left anterior oblique (LAO45o) and right anterior oblique (RAO45o), respectively. The equations describing the correlation between the PSD measured kerma area product and cumulative air kerma were found with R-square values of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. The statistical analysis shows a strong linear correlation between PSD and K (IRP) (P-value=0.05). It was also found that 27% of the patients population considered in this work, received a skin dose higher than the threshold of deterministic effect of 2Gy and a look up table with the equation of fitness were proposed to be implemented in the facility for K (IRP) higher than 500mGy.

H10 An Oscar for Lassar

Abstract Oscar Lassar (1849–1907) was born in Hamburg to a wealthy merchant family and received a top-class education. After enrolling in the school of medicine at Heidelberg, he volunteered for military service at the outbreak of the Franco–Prussian war in 1870. He served on the front line, was promoted to officer in reserves and decorated with the Iron Cross for his bravery. He returned to complete his medical training and would eventually open a dermatology hospital in Berlin, which unified patient care, research and teaching. In only a few years this hospital would become world renowned. Catering for both inpatient and outpatient care, he was able to offer a wide range of treatments, including complex topical therapy, electrotherapy and surgical procedures. His pasta salicylica (Lassar’s paste) remains to this day a great topical treatment for atopic dermatitis. Lassar recognized the importance of an experienced nursing team to support these activities. Furthermore, he understood the importance of a well-equipped dermatology department and was quick to acquire innovative technology to expand therapeutic options, including X-ray equipment for the treatment of tumours and a Finsen carbon arc lamp for treating lupus vulgaris, thus augmenting his reputation as a Wunderarzt. Lassar made great contributions towards solidifying dermatology as a highly regarded speciality through the establishment of journals and speciality societies. He involved himself in public health measures by campaigning for the establishment of public baths, which would allow even the poorest in society to enjoy clean water facilities at a low cost, thereby reducing the spread of infectious diseases. As a man, he was described as a larger-than-life character with a personal style that meant newspapers gladly reported on his activities, making him an excellent public relations master. Lassar’s recreation was chiefly riding and driving. He was an excellent linguist, an admirable host and fond of children, for whom he wrote Geschichten und Gedichten fiir kleine Kinder (Stories and Poems for Little Children). He died in an automobile accident and his burial on Christmas Eve was marked nationally by the German newspapers, and internationally by his patients and colleagues. In Lassar, we have a great historical example of effective visionary leadership that enabled the expansion of dermatological practice and the promotion of patient care at the time.

UJI KESESUAIAN PESAWAT PANORAMIC CHEPALOMETRIC DI LABORATORIUM JURUSAN TEKNIK RADIODIAGNOSTIK DAN RADIOTERAPI, POLTEKKES KEMENKES SEMARANG (UJI MENGGUNAKAN FILM GAFCHROMIC)

Background: X-ray equipment used for radiographic examination according to Bapeten regulations must undergo a compliance test, both for new installation and for relocating. The Panoramic Chepalometry in the Department of Radiodiagnostics and Radiotherapy Techniques Semarang is a new device and has undergone a relocation from the initial installation. In addition, the unique condition of the Panoramic Chepalometry is direct image processing or direct radiography, so a special method is needed for testing x-ray collimation beams, namely using gafchromic films
 Methods: The research is experimental with a one shot case study at the Laboratory of the Department of Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Techniques, Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang. The research object is a Panoramic cephalometry device. The measuring instrument used was Raysave, and the test parameters measured were: X-ray beam, voltage accuracy, time accuracy, linearity, reproducibility, HVL, and tube container leakage. The analysis of the test results is adjusted to Bapeten regulation no. 2 of 2018
 Results: Parameter test results obtained: X-ray beam is still within normal limits, voltage accuracy measurement results obtained a maximum error of 2.73% (max. limit 6%), time accuracy obtained a maximum error of 7.8% (max. limit 10 %), linearity was not measured because the mA value was fixed, reproducibility was obtained CV at a voltage of 0.0012 and radiation output of 0.0006 (CV≤ 0.05), x-ray beam quality (HVL) was obtained at 3.72 mm Al at 80 kVp (HVL limit ≥ 2.3 mm Al), and no leakage in the tube housing
 Conclusions: The results of the panoramic cephalometric compliance test at the Laboratory of the Department of Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Techniques, Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang, on 7 test parameters as a whole are still within normal limits according to Perka Bapeten no.2 of 2018

Organization of the work of the radiological room. Radiation safety in dentistry. Responsibilities of the chief nurse

The article presents the experience in organizing the work of X-ray rooms in a dental clinic, both already operating and created from scratch. Information on the fulfillment of radiation safety requirements for medical personnel, patients, and the environment is provided. Aim: to show the area of responsibility of the head nurse in the process of organizing the work of X-ray rooms and fulfilling the requirements of radiation safety. Result. The conditions for providing consumables, monitoring their storage and use, and controlling the operation of X-ray equipment that meet the requirements of radiation safety, sanitary-hygienic and anti-epidemic regimes have been created.Conclusion. The results of the work of the head nurse are positive sanitary and epidemiological inspection reports and passing examinations and inspections of X-ray rooms activities without violations and prescriptions.

A geospatial analysis of inequality indicators related to COVID-19 in Brazil

Background: This study aims at analyzing through the usage of computer models the relationship of variables such as the supply infrastructure, and socioeconomic and demographic contexts with the contagion and mortality rate by COVID-19 in Brazilian microregions. Methods: It’s an analytical ecological study that covers the 5570 municipalities aggregated in the 558 microregions of the IBGE, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, in the year 2020, based on the mean and standard deviation. Geospatial computer models were applied for data visualization. Results: Demonstrate that inequality and concentration of supply in some Brazilian regions, mainly in relation to the average household income per capita, Gross Domestic Product per capita, rate of Community Health Agents, Intensive Care Unit beds, Toilets, X-ray equipment and coverage by the Family Health Strategy, contributed to the fragility with which the country received COVID-19. Conclusion: It was possible to identify how housing conditions, and income and service provision infrastructure are related to indicators of infection and mortality by COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as the spatial behavior of health and inequality indicators. It is important to consider that the pandemic was still ongoing by the time this study was conducted and that other values ​​can be found.

Air Kerma Calculation in Diagnostic Medical Imaging Devices Using Group Method of Data Handling Network

The air kerma, which is the amount of energy given off by a radioactive substance, is essential for medical specialists who use radiation to diagnose cancer problems. The amount of energy that a photon has when it hits something can be described as the air kerma (the amount of energy that was deposited in the air when the photon passed through it). Radiation beam intensity is represented by this value. Hospital X-ray equipment has to account for the heel effect, which means that the borders of the picture obtain a lesser radiation dosage than the center, and that air kerma is not symmetrical. The voltage of the X-ray machine can also affect the uniformity of the radiation. This work presents a model-based approach to predict air kerma at various locations inside the radiation field of medical imaging instruments, making use of just a small number of measurements. Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) neural networks are suggested for this purpose. Firstly, a medical X-ray tube was modeled using Monte Carlo N Particle (MCNP) code simulation algorithm. X-ray tubes and detectors make up medical X-ray CT imaging systems. An X-ray tube's electron filament, thin wire, and metal target produce a picture of the electrons' target. A small rectangular electron source modeled electron filaments. An electron source target was a thin, 19,290 kg/m3 tungsten cube in a tubular hoover chamber. The electron source-object axis of the simulation object is 20° from the vertical. For most medical X-ray imaging applications, the kerma of the air was calculated at a variety of discrete locations within the conical X-ray beam, providing an accurate data set for network training. Various locations were taken into account in the aforementioned voltages inside the radiation field as the input of the GMDH network. For diagnostic radiology applications, the trained GMDH model could determine the air kerma at any location in the X-ray field of view and for a wide range of X-ray tube voltages with a Mean Relative Error (MRE) of less than 0.25%. This study yielded the following results: (1) The heel effect is included when calculating air kerma. (2) Computing the air kerma using an artificial neural network trained with minimal data. (3) An artificial neural network quickly and reliably calculated air kerma. (4) Figuring out the air kerma for the operating voltage of medical tubes. The high accuracy of the trained neural network in determining air kerma guarantees the usability of the presented method in operational conditions.

Analysis of the Reliability of Security Check Point Equipment in Inspecting Passenger Luggage at Juanda International Airport, Surabaya

In accordance with SKEP/2765/XII/2010 regulations, all those who will enter the airport area must first be checked through the Security Check Point. The problem is with the equipment used to check passenger goods through the Security Check Point. Work equipment with adequate conditions in a condition suitable for use and properly maintained can make it easier for the operation process to run smoothly so that items that are prohibited or not allowed to enter the aircraft cabin are prevented from escaping. The research uses a qualitative descriptive method, which is arranged systematically from interviews, observation and documentation. Qualitative research is research that is applied to conduct investigations, make discoveries, describe and explain the quality of influence without being able to give a description, measure or describe using a quantitative approach. Based on the results of the interviews and observations, it can be explained that the Security Check Point equipment must be checked regularly and recorded starting from the Aviation Security officer's report to the Airport Electronics technician officer. 4 X-ray equipment only 1 X-ray has problems so the inspection process is sometimes closed, 4 WalkTrough Metal Detector equipment is safely under control for inspection. In some HandHeld Metal Detector tools, problems often occur, the HandHeld Metal Detector report is not attached because if the sensor from the HandHeld Metal Detector equipment experiences problems, the equipment is immediately replaced with a new one.

Measuring the Diffusion Coefficient of Paste and Concrete by Using Dental X-ray Equipment

The penetration of ions plays an important role in the durability of concrete structures. This study aims to establish the feasibility of using dental X-ray equipment to measure the concentration and penetration of iodide within cementitious systems. This technique is known as checking ion penetration (CHIP). This test uses iodide as a tracer because it has a high electron density, and so it can be observed with X-ray imaging as it penetrates the concrete. Concentration profiles from CHIP are used to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (Dac). These results are similar to measurements from bulk chloride ponding tests. The Dac is used to predict the service life or evaluate the quality of an as-built concrete structure or concrete mixture. Because of the wide availability of dental equipment, CHIP shows promise to be used as a method to measure the in-place quality control of the concrete.

Spatial Scattering Radiation to the Radiological Technologist during Medical Mobile Radiography.

Mobile radiography allows for the diagnostic imaging of patients who cannot move to the X-ray examination room. Therefore, mobile X-ray equipment is useful for patients who have difficulty with movement. However, staff are exposed to scattered radiation from the patient, and they can receive potentially harmful radiation doses during radiography. We estimated occupational exposure during mobile radiography using phantom measurements. Scattered radiation distribution during mobile radiography was investigated using a radiation survey meter. The efficacy of radiation-reducing methods for mobile radiography was also evaluated. The dose decreased as the distance from the X-ray center increased. When the distance was more than 150 cm, the dose decreased to less than 1 μSv. It is extremely important for radiological technologists (RTs) to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient to reduce radiation exposure. The spatial dose at eye-lens height increases when the bed height is high, and when the RT is short in stature and abdominal imaging is performed. Maintaining sufficient distance from the patient is also particularly effective in limiting radiation exposure of the eye lens. Our results suggest that the doses of radiation received by staff during mobile radiography are not significant when appropriate radiation protection is used. To reduce exposure, it is important to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient. Therefore, RTs should bear this is mind during mobile radiography.

Research of a High Voltage Generator for Medical Diagnostic X-ray Equipment

A kind of designing scheme of high voltage generator for medical diagnostic X-ray equipment is proposed. A X-ray HV generator, which has output voltage from 60kV to 160kV and tube current from 1mA to 10mA, is developed successfully by applying the technology of LC series resonant soft-switching, high voltage doubling and rectifying, full bridge inverter and pulse width modulation. The topologic structure and simulating result are listed detailed, including high frequency inverter circuit, doubling and rectifying circuit and the controlling system. At last, the experimental data and waveform of the X-ray high voltage generator are presented, verifying the validity of the design scheme.

A Novel Approach to Visualize Liquid Aluminum Flow to Advance Casting Science.

Turbulent filling of molten metal in sand-casting leads to bi-films, porosity and oxide inclusions which results in poor mechanical properties and high scrap rate of sand castings. Hence, it is critical to understand the metal flow in sand-molds, i.e., casting hydrodynamics to eliminate casting defects. While multiple numerical methods have been applied to simulate this phenomenon for decades, harsh foundry environments and expensive x-ray equipment have limited experimental approaches to accurately visualize metal flow in sand molds. In this paper, a novel approach to solve this challenge is proposed using Succinonitrile (SCN) as a more accurate metal analog in place of water. SCN has a long history in solidification research due to its BCC (Body-Centered-Cubic) crystal structure and dendrite-like solidification (melting temperature ~60 °C) like molten aluminum. However, this is the first reported study on applying SCN through novel casting hydrodynamics to accurately visualize melt flow for casting studies. This paper used numerical simulations and experiments using both water and SCN to identify the critical dimensionless numbers to perform accurate metal flow analog testing. Froude's number and wall roughness were identified as critical variables. Experimental results show that SCN flow testing was more accurate in recreating the flow profile of molten aluminum, thus validating its utility as a metal analog for metal flow research. Findings from this study can be used in future metal flow analysis such as: runner, in-gate and integrated filling-feeding-solidification studies.

MDEV Model: A Novel Ensemble-Based Transfer Learning Approach for Pneumonia Classification Using CXR Images

Pneumonia is a dangerous respiratory disease due to which breathing becomes incredibly difficult and painful; thus, catching it early is crucial. Medical physicians’ time is limited in outdoor situations due to many patients; therefore, automated systems can be a rescue. The input images from the X-ray equipment are also highly unpredictable due to variances in radiologists’ experience. Therefore, radiologists require an automated system that can swiftly and accurately detect pneumonic lungs from chest x-rays. In medical classifications, deep convolution neural networks are commonly used. This research aims to use deep pre-trained transfer learning models to accurately categorize CXR images into binary classes, i.e., Normal and Pneumonia. The MDEV is a proposed novel ensemble approach that concatenates four heterogeneous transfer learning models: MobileNet, DenseNet-201, EfficientNet-B0, and VGG-16, which have been finetuned and trained on 5,856 CXR images. The evaluation matrices used in this research to contrast different deep transfer learning architectures include precision, accuracy, recall, AUC-roc, and f1-score. The model effectively decreases training loss while increasing accuracy. The findings conclude that the proposed MDEV model outperformed cutting-edge deep transfer learning models and obtains an overall precision of 92.26%, an accuracy of 92.15%, a recall of 90.90%, an auc-roc score of 90.9%, and f-score of 91.49% with minimal data pre-processing, data augmentation, finetuning and hyperparameter adjustment in classifying Normal and Pneumonia chests.

The Early History of New Orleans Radiology and Its Practitioners

Wilhelm Roentgen's discovery of the x-ray in late 1895 was relatively quickly shared with the New Orleans community through reports published in 1896 in local newspapers and medical journals. Radiology became popularized through public demonstrations organized by local proponents and was open to both the lay and medical communities. The first clinical x-ray equipment in New Orleans was installed at Charity Hospital in 1896 within the Department of Surgery, and the first examination was performed on December 23, 1896. Initially, those particularly interested in the x-ray phenomenon were photographers and physicists interested in electricity. X-rays were a curiosity, and entrepreneurs set up studios for x-ray photographs and advertised in local newspapers. Early clinical uses were the localization of foreign bodies, particularly bullets, and the evaluation of bones for fractures and other abnormalities. The fluoroscope was quickly adopted by roentgenologists as a faster and easier method for obtaining medical diagnosis but with the disadvantage of the absence of a permanent record. By the early 1910s, the use of x-rays in clinical medicine had been firmly adopted.

WEO Newsletter.

WEO Newsletter.

Improving animal-specific radiotherapy quality assurance for kilovoltage X-ray radiotherapy using a 3D printed dog skull water phantom.

Accurate dose assessment during animal radiotherapy is beneficial for veterinary medicine and medical education. To visualize the radiation treatment distribution of orthovoltage X-ray equipment in clinical practice using Monte Carlo simulations and create a dog skull water phantom for animal-specific radiotherapy. EGSnrc-based BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes were used to simulate orthovoltage dose distributions. At 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 80 mm in a water phantom, the depth dose was measured with waterproof Farmer dosimetry chambers, and the diagonal off-axis ratio was measured with Gafchromic EBT3 film to simulate orthovoltage dose distributions. Energy differences between orthovoltage and linear accelerated radiotherapy were assessed with a heterogeneous bone and tissue virtual phantom. The animal-specific phantom for radiotherapy quality assurance (QA) was created from CT scans of a dog and printed with a three-dimensional printer using polyamide 12 nylon, with insertion points for dosimetry chambers and Gafchromic EBT3 film. Monte Carlo simulated and measured dose distributions differed by no more than 2.0% along the central axis up to a depth of 80 mm. The anode heel effect occurred in shallow areas. The orthovoltage radiotherapy percentage depth dose in bone was >40%. Build-up was >40%, with build-down after bone exit, whereas linear accelerator radiotherapy absorption changed little in the bone. A highly water-impermeable, animal-specific dog skull water phantom could be created to evaluate dose distribution. Animal-specific water phantoms and Monte Carlo simulated pre-treatment radiotherapy are useful QA for orthovoltage radiotherapy and yield a visually familiar phantom that will be useful for veterinary medical education.

In situ structural analysis with a SAXS laboratory beamline on a microfluidic chip.

Recent advances have been made in coupling microfluidic chips with X-ray equipment, enabling structural analysis of samples directly in microfluidic devices. This important step mainly took place at powerful synchrotron facilities because of the need for a beam reduced in size to fit the microfluidic channel dimensions but still intense. In this work, we discuss how improvements of an X-ray laboratory beamline and an optimal design of a microfluidic device allow reliable structural information to be obtained without the need for a synchrotron. We evaluate the potential of these new developments by probing several well known dispersions. These include dense inorganic gold and silica nanoparticles that scatter photons quite intensely, the bovine serum albumin (BSA) macromolecule, with moderate contrast, to highlight possible applications in biology, and latex nanospheres with only weak contrast with the solvent to show the limits of the setup. We established a proof of concept for a versatile setup that will open the way for more complex lab-on-a-chip devices suitable for in situ and operando structural analysis by small angle X-ray scattering analysis without the necessity for a synchrotron source.

Comparison of virtual reality and physical simulation training in first-year radiography students in South America.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the learning outcomes achieved by first-year radiography students educated with either virtual reality (VR) simulation training or physical simulation training. The implementation of VR has been proposed to enhance learning in radiography students and provide a more effective and efficient approach to simulation. However, the learning outcomes achieved with this approach have not been widely investigated. Through stratified randomisation, 188 radiography students were allocated to one of two matched groups: a VR group (using Virtual Medical Coaching's Radiography simulation) and a physical simulation group (using Philips' X-ray equipment). Both groups were taught 31 radiography views over one 25-week semester. Both groups were assessed in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), using actors as patients in a physical X-ray environment. Assessment was conducted by assigning objective count scores for five assessment criteria. The VR group achieved shorter OSCE duration and fewer errors in moving equipment and patient positioning: these results were statistically significant (P < 0.00). There was no significant difference in the frequency of errors in radiographic exposure setting between the VR and the physical simulation group. The current findings concur with the limited number of published studies concerning VR simulation in radiography. The results of this study demonstrated superior effectiveness and efficiency in the VR group. This provides preliminary evidence to introduce VR simulation in the host institution and provide evidence that it may be possible to replace the use of physical simulation across other years of the degree. Further research investigating these possibilities is warranted.