Notebook #1 3

Formulas

Grid Ratio = h/D h= lead strip height D= interspace width

-Influence on ability of improving contrast

Sample: If lead strips are 3mm high and are separated by an interspace of
0.25mm, what is the grid ratio? 3.0/0.25 = grid ratio= 12:1

Grid Frequency = 1/T+D t= thickness of lead strips D= distance

between lead strips
-Number of lead strips per inch or cm

Grid Conversion Factor (GCF) = mAs with the grid/mAs without grid
-The amount of mAs needed for a grid

A chest radiograph is produced using 5 mAs at 85 kVp without a grid. A 2nd

image uses a 12:1 grid. What mAs is needed to produce a 2nd image?
5.5 = X/5mAs x=5.5 x 5mAs = 27.5 mAs

mAs1/mAs2 = GCF1/GCF2
mAs1 = original mAs mAs2 = new mAs GCF1 = original grid conversion
factor
GCF2 = new grid conversion factor

-When converting from one grid ratio to another

An abdominal x-ray uses an 8:1 grid, 35 mAs, and 85 kVp. 2nd image uses
12:1 grid. What mAs is needed to produce 2nd image? 35/x = 4/5.5
4x=192.5 x= 48 mAs

Modulation Transfer Function= Recorded Detail (Resolution)/Available

Detail (Resolution)
-Provides best measurement of resolving ability of film/screen combination.
It measures the info lost between the subject and the image receptor.
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Determined by amount of light diffusion that occurs between the screens and
the film. It is controlled by the chemical composition of the screen, phosphor
size, thickness of the phosphor layer, absorbing dye, and by film/screen
contact. The perfect MTF is 1.0

15% Rule:
-For when the radiographer uses kilovoltage to adjust and compensate for
density/IR exposure changes. It is used to maintain the same IR
exposure/density when kilovoltage changes. A 15% increase in kilovoltage
causes a doubling of exposure to the IR.

An elbow x-ray is produced using 4 mAs at 60 kVp. What kVp would be

needed to halve the exposure of the IR?
60 kVp (60 kVp x 15%)
60 kVp (60 kVp x 0.15)
60 kVp (9 kVp) = 51 kVp

Inverse Square Law - Distance (SID and OID)

I1/I2 = D22/D12 I1 = old intensity I2 = new intensity D12 = old distance
2
squared D2 = new distance squared

-The intensity (exposure) varies inversely with the square of the distance.
The law expresses the change in intensity when the distance changes.

Exposure Maintenance Formula:

mAs1/mAs2 = D12/ D22 mAs1 = Original mAs mAs2 = new mAs
2 2
D1 = old distance squared D2 = new distance squared

-Similar to inverse square law, but reversed. Mas must increase when
distance increases in order to maintain IR exposure

If exposure is obtained with 20 mAs at 72, what mAs will be required to

maintain same exposure at 40?
20 mAs/ mAs2 = 722/ 402
20 mAs x 1600/ 5184
mAs2 = 20 mAs x 1600 / 5184
mAs2 = 6.2 mAs

Focal Spot Size/ Penumbra: P= Focal Spot Size X OID/ SOD

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-Controlled by line focus principle. The width of the penumbra (unsharpness)

is used in this formula
Calculate penumbra for image with 1.0mm focal spot at 40 distance and
3OID
SOD = 40 3 = 37 P = 1.0 x 3 /37 = 3/37 = 0.08mm

Magnification Factor: M = Image Size/Object Size= SID/SOD

Image Size= Object Size x SID/ SOD
Object Size = Image Size x SOD/ SID

-Formula is used for magnification or size distortion.

If SID is 40 and SOD is 30, what is magnification factor?

M = 40/30 = 100 cm/73cm M= 1.33 Magnification will be 33% or image
will be 133% of object size

Minification Gain= input screen diameter2/output screen diameter2

-Occurs as a result of same number of electrons that were produced at large
input screen being compressed into area of small output screen

What is minification gain for image intesnsification tube with input screen
diameter of 6 and output diameter of 1?
62/12 = 36/1 = 36

Flux Gain:
-Measurement of increase in light photons due to conversion efficiency of
output screen

Total Brightness Gain = minification gain x flux gain

What is total brightness gain for image intensification tube with minification
gain of 36 and flux gain of 60?
36 x 60 = 2160