X-RAY FILTERS,

X-RAY BEAM RESTRICTORS

&
X-RAY GRIDS
◦Filtration:- It is the process by which the poly-energetic X-ray photons are selectively removed by
the materials. The primary purpose of filtration is to remove the low-energy photons from the X-ray beam.
Filtration reduces the patient dose and improves image quality. There are two types of filtration- Inherent
Filtration and Added filtration.
◦ Inherent Filtration:- The absorption of low-energy X-rays by the X-ray tube, envelop, and its housing is
called inherent filtration. The Inherent Filters are
1. Glass envelop of the tube.
2. The insulating oil.
3. Tube window .
◦ Added Filtration:- Added filter consists of metals and is placed in the path of the primary X-ray beam to
absorb low-energy photons. The added filter of 1 or 2 mm aluminum is placed between the X-ray tube and the
patient to remove the low-energy X-rays and improve the image quality.
Advantage of Added Filtration:
◦ It removes the low-energy photons and reduces patient dose.
◦ It Increases the average energy of the X-ray beam.
◦ It Increases the radiographic image quality.
◦ It increases the Beam hardening. (Beam hardening is the process in which the energy of an X-ray beam increases by removing lower
energy photons.)
◦ Half Value Layer:- It is the thickness of specified material that reduces the intensity of an X-ray or gamma-ray to one-half of its
initial value.
HVL=0.693/𝜇
◦ 𝜇 is called the linear attenuation coefficient.
◦ HVL expresses the quality of an X-ray beam. It depends upon the energy of the photons and the type of absorber.
◦ (a) If the photon energy is higher, the HVL is lower .
◦ (b) If the atomic number of the absorber is higher, the HVL is higher.
◦ Quarter-Value Layer:- It is the thickness of specified material that reduces the intensity of an X-ray or gamma-ray beam to one-
fourth of its initial value.
◦ TVL:- It is the thickness of specified material that reduces the intensity of an X-ray or gamma-ray beam to one-tenth of its initial value.
 X-Ray Beam Restrictors
◦ Beam restrictors are the devices that are attached to the X-ray tube housing for regulating the size and shape of an
X-ray beam.
◦ The beam restrictors reduce the scatter radiation, reduce patient dose, and improve the image contrast. There are
three types of beam-restricting devices are-Diaphragm, Cones or Cylinders, and Collimator.
◦ 1. Aperture Diaphragm:- It consists of a sheet of lead with a hole in the center that controls the size and
shape of the beam. The Aperture Diaphragm is attached directly to the X-ray tube .
◦ 2. Cones and Cylinders:- The cones and cylinders consist of lead sheets. The cones and cylinders are used
for regulating the size and shape of an X-ray beam in a circular shape. These cones and cylinders also reduce the
penumbra. Thus the image contrast is improved .
◦ 3. Collimator:- It is a device that is used to minimize the field of view. The collimator is attached to the X-ray
tube below the glass window. It consists of two sets of lead shutters that can be moved independently. The
collimator also has a light bulb and a mirror. The light bulb is positioned laterally, and the mirror is at an angle of
45 degrees. The collimator regulates the size and shape of an X-ray beam. Thus ,it reduced the scatter radiation,
reduces the patient dose, and improves the image contrast .
 X-Ray Grids
◦ The grid was invented by Gustave Bucky. It is made up of a thin plate, in which very thin strips of lead are placed in a
specific pattern.
◦ The spaces between the strips are filled by low-attenuating materials like aluminum or carbon fiber.
◦ Grids are used to reduce the amount of scattered radiation. Grids are placed between the patient and the X-ray film. It consists
of alternating strips of lead. These strips of lead can either be parallel or angled.
◦ When using a grid, the exposure factor needs to be doubled from the non-grid exposures because it will absorb some of the
primary radiation .
Types of Grids:
◦ 1. Linear Grid:- In a Linear grid, the Lead strips are parallel to each other in their longitudinal axis.
◦ 2. Parallel Grid:- In a parallel grid, the strips are mounted parallel to each other,
◦ 3. Crossed Grid:- Crossed grids are very efficient in removing scattered radiation. This consists of two superimposed parallel
grids that have the same focusing distance.
◦ 4. Focus Grid:- Focused grid is made up of the lead strips that are slightly towards the focal spot. A focused grid may be
linear or crossed .
◦ Grid Ratio:- The ratio of the height of the lead strips to the distance between them is defined as the grid ratio.
Grid ratio=h/D
t = thickness of lead strips
h =height of lead strips
D = distance between lead strips
◦ A higher grid ratio will remove scatter radiation better than a lower grid ratio. The higher grid ratios are used for higher kVp
techniques, and lower grid ratios are used for lower kVp techniques. Usually, low grid ratios such as 8:1 and high grids ratio
such as 12:1 are preferred in radiography.
◦ Grid Frequency:- It is the number of grid lines per unit distance .
◦ Efficiency or Grid Factor - It is measured by K.
K = Radiographic contrast with grid/ Radiographic contrast without grid
◦ The higher the K factor = greater the image contrast.
◦ The range of 40 - 50 lines/cm is called low-frequency grids.
◦ The range of 50-60 lines/cm is called medium frequency grids.
◦ The above 70 lines/cm is called high-frequency grids.
◦ High-frequency grids are used in digital radiography systems .
◦ Potter-Bucky Grid or Moving Grid:- The moving grid was invented by Hollis Potter, so it is called a
Potter-Bucky grid.
◦ A reciprocating or moving grid is a device in which the grid oscillates while the X-ray is being taken.
◦ When a stationary grid is used, the lead line will appear on the radiograph. Thus these lines spoil the diagnostic
information in the film. These lines may be removed by the moving grid. The moving grid moves continuously by
the electric motor during the exposure and blurs out the shadows of the lead strips.