2022 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Title

Measuring Entrance Dose Differences Between Different X-Ray Machine Manufacturers

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-22-2022

Faculty Sponsor

Natalie Mourant

Abstract

The plan for this project was to evaluate the air kerma dosages associated with images taken by four different x-ray machine brands. Air kerma is the measurement of kinetic energy per unit mass, or the number of individual x-ray photons per unit area. With the rise of new technology and new advanced imaging machines, such as the digital Samsung radiographic equipment, we were curious to see the differences between these and the other manufacturers that we use everyday. A number of factors could contribute to the effect that these different x-ray equipment brands have on image exposure. We wanted to investigate this idea further, and analyze any possible varying dose outputs that would directly represent inconsistent exposure levels among each different equipment brand. As we all know, the ALARA model has been cemented in our brain as a radiologic technologist and we want to make sure we are abiding by this philosophy to prevent unnecessary doses to our patients for every single exam. The ALARA model stands for ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ and encourages the concept of dose reduction in radiation protection. However, with the use of these different model x-ray machines that utilize different ranges of techniques, we could be unaware of how different the outcome of dose measurements each resulting image produces. These measurements directly relate to dose exposure. Throughout our research we found many similar tests that have been done utilizing constant factors (with experiment set-up and exposure factors), carrying out several imaging tests with those constant factors, and then measuring entrance doses for each for comparison at the end. This concept was the building block for our plan to carry out our experiments

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