Description:

Examines x-ray circuit tubes, x-ray equipment, design and application, test equipment, image intensification, and cineradiography. Prerequisite: Acceptance into program.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Define fundamental and derived units appropriate to radiation physics.
• Describe the structure of matter, and state defining characteristics of the components.
• Define electrostatics and apply appropriate terms to specific parts of the x-ray machine.
• Define magnetism, identify the relationship to various components of the x-ray machine.
• Define electromagnetisim, identify necessary components, and state the importance to the operation of an x-ray machine.
• Describe the step-up and step-down transformers, identify the section of the x-ray circuit where they are found, and describe their role in the production of x-rays.
• Describe the components of an x-ray tube, identify their function, and relate those functions to rectification of high voltage.
• Idenify two types of x-rays produced in the tube, and the conditions under which each are produced.
• Compare and contrast the production of x-rays under changing controls at the operator's panel.
• Identify critical components of CT and MRI machines, and describe what types of pathologies are best demonstrated by each.