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Ralco: Operating Instructions

This document provides instructions for calibrating a collimator on a medical imaging device. It describes the process of centering the x-ray beam, checking the alignment of the collimator shutters to the focal spot, and aligning the light field to the x-ray field. This involves using coins placed on a cassette to define the edges of the light field and compare it to the x-ray field shown on a test film to ensure proper alignment within regulatory limits. Adjustments can be made to the mirror and cams controlling the light field if misalignment is detected.

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Rafael Tejeda
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60 views2 pages

Ralco: Operating Instructions

This document provides instructions for calibrating a collimator on a medical imaging device. It describes the process of centering the x-ray beam, checking the alignment of the collimator shutters to the focal spot, and aligning the light field to the x-ray field. This involves using coins placed on a cassette to define the edges of the light field and compare it to the x-ray field shown on a test film to ensure proper alignment within regulatory limits. Adjustments can be made to the mirror and cams controlling the light field if misalignment is detected.

Uploaded by

Rafael Tejeda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ralco s.r.l.

MODEL 9890 010 02093

Plug located on the right side of the collimator Pin 1 and 2 - free
(see Figure 3 page 13of this Manual):
Pin 3 + 20 volts AC/DC Lamp

Pin 4 - 20 volts AC/DC Lamp

Pin 5 + push-button

Pin 6 - push-button

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
By pressing the area marked with the light symbol the light field, simulating the X-Ray field,
and a laser light, aligning the collimator with the Potter Bucky, will operate for 30 seconds.
The laser light can be screened by the displacement of the plastic door.
The collimator can be rotated manually plus/minus 45°. Perform the rotation by turning the
collimator.
The unit has variable filtration: Select the desired filtration by rotating the black disk
protruding on the left side of the collimator.

CALIBRATING THE COLLIMATOR:


WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES REQUIRE THAT X-RADIATION BE
PRODUCED. TAKE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS TO SEE THAT NO PART OF THE
HUMAN BODY IS EXPOSED TO X-RADIATION, DIRECT OR INDIRECT.

1) Centering - X-Ray beam


Place a 35x43 cm. (14x17") cassette on the table top or other flat, horizontal surface and
position the X-Ray tube/collimator assembly with the focal spot 1 meter (40") above and with
the X-Ray beam perpendicular to the cassette surface. Do not use equipment scales for
reference, but measure the distance from focal spot to cassette surface.
Note: if one meter FFD (SID) cannot be obtained, use the obtainable FFD that is closest to
one meter and calculate the measurement tolerances as the appropriate percentages of
the distance.

If the X-Ray beam cannot be oriented vertically, then


make provision using clamps, masking tape, etc. as
required to place the test objects and image receptor at
the specified FFD (SID) and perpendicular relative to the
X-Ray beam as described in the following procedures:
 Use the collimator light to center the cassette in the
field.
 Place white paper on top of the cassette to provide
maximum contrast for the light field.
 Set the collimator to provide a field size of 35x35 cm.
(14x14") at one meter (40").
 Activate the light field and use it to position 20 coins as
shown in the diagram.
 Position each pair of coins touching one another and

INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL MTP303- page 7


Ralco s.r.l. MODEL 9890 010 02093

so that the inner coin is lighted as completely as possible and the outer coin is lighted as
little as possible. The points of tangency will define the edges of the light field. The extra
four coins in the lower left corner will provide the means for orienting the film.
 Set the technique factors at the X-Ray generators to produce a density of about 1 (about
50 kVp, 5 mAs).
 Make an exposure, remove the cassette and process the film. Use the test film to check
the following alignment requirements:

2) Collimator to Focal Spot Alignment (Primary shutter Cutoff).


Inspect the four images of the four collimator shutters which form the edges of the X-Ray
field. If any edge is very definitely unsharp, it indicates that it is the primary shutter, close to
the focal spot, that is forming the line, rather than the outermost shutter. Control the
centering of the mounting flange with the Focal Spot. If the centering is correct open slightly
the near focus shutters operating on the levers transmitting the movement (see Figures 3
and 4 - pages Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito. and 15 of this Manual).

NOTE: Because of heel effect, the field toward the cathode will be slightly less sharp
than the other three sides . This is normal and cannot be corrected by adjustment. In
addition, an X-Ray tube of 12 ° or less target angle will produce an asymmetrically
shaped field when a large field size is used at short FFD (SID), because of anode
cutoff effect. This is normal and may not be corrected by adjustment.

3) Light field to X-Ray Field Alignment.

Regulations state that the total misalignment of the light field to the X-Ray field in either the X
(cross table) or Y (long table) direction must be less than 2% of the FFD. In this case, that is
less than 20 mm (0.80"). If the test film shows that the light field, shown by the coins
shadows, is congruent to the X-Ray field, shown by the shadow of the collimator shutters, to
within one coin diameter, if the diameter is less than 20 mm., then the alignment complies
with the regulations.
However, the degree of precision required by the regulation is of a low order, and a much
more precise degree of congruency can be obtained. The recommended maximum deviation
is one fourth; you are urged to adjust for the greatest obtainable degree of congruency.
If misalignment is detected in both X and Y directions, check that the spacing from focal spot
to collimator mounting surface is 80 mm. +/- 1 mm. (3.15" +/- .039"). If the spacing must be
changed, repeat the test film exposure after the adjustment.
If the collimator mount spacing is correct, but adjustment is still required, do not move the
collimator relative to the X-Ray tube, but proceed as follows:
 Place the test film on the face of the cassette over the white paper and place the cassette
in the position originally marked.
 Check the correct orientation of the film by the coin shadows.
 Using the images of the collimator shutters as reference for the shape and size of the X-
Ray field, adjust the light field to be congruent to it.
 To move the light field in the long table direction, first remove the front top cover. In the
top right side on the front of the collimator are located a screw head, locking the mirror to
the side of the collimator, and two adjuster cams. Loosen the screws, one locking the

INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL MTP303- page 8

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