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Radiographic processing

Radiographic processing. Processing equipment . Typical manual processing unit. Introduced by Pako in 1942. Film hangers dunked from tank to tank. First roller transport system introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1956. 10 ft long, weight 750 kg. Automatic processing. Automatic film processor.

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Radiographic processing

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  1. Radiographic processing Processing equipment

  2. Typical manual processing unit

  3. Introduced by Pako in 1942. Film hangers dunked from tank to tank First roller transport system introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1956. 10 ft long, weight 750 kg Automatic processing

  4. Automatic film processor First 90 second processor produced by kodak in 1965. 45 second processor produced by Konoca in 1987 Modern Film Processing Equipment Feed tray Film receiving bin

  5. Major components

  6. Film transport system Squeegee Rollers Film Cross-over system Dev Fixer Dry Wash Turn around system

  7. Film Transport System • Film is placed on the input tray and gently advanced until taken by theentry rollers • It is then transported via a system of rollers and guide plates in and out of Developer, Fixer, Wash and Drying sections • Finally the dried film is delivered to the output tray

  8. The rollers are arranged in racks

  9. The individual rollers may be in ‘face to face’ or ‘staggered (Zig-Zag)’ configuration

  10. A system of guide plates are used where the film needs to change the direction, e.g 1800 (in turn over and cross over assemblies)

  11. The rollers are driven through a system of gear wheels or cogs by either a main drive shaft or chain, powered by a motor • For safety, the processor lid operates a switch to stop the roller drive when the lid is open • The rollers may be made from PVC or rubber • The speed of the rollers determine the processor cycle time and the processor capacity

  12. Processing cycle time • The expression of the time that it takes a film to travel from its dry unprocessed condition on the input tray to the dry processed state in the output tray • Rapid cycle :- 90 sec, 115 sec • In 90 sec cycle : Dev – 26 s, Fix- 15 s, Wash- 15 s, Drier –24 s, travel time-10s

  13. Processor capacity/production capacity • A measure of a processor’s ability to process a given number of films in a given time and is expressed in number of ways. i. Number of single-size films capable of being processed in 1 hr. ii. Number of films of mixed sizes capable of being processed in 1 hr. iii. The speed of film through the processor (cm/s or m/h)

  14. The film feed section When no films are being processed the processor is in stand-by condition When a film is fed, the following events will be initiated. • Drive motor energized to turn the rollers • Safelight above the feed tray is extinguished • Developer and fixer replenisher pumped into tanks • Drier heater energized • Wash water flow rate boosted • Film signal delay timer activated

  15. i.Entry roller detection systemii. Infrared detectors How are these activities triggered?

  16. Entry roller detection system Micro switch Film

  17. Infrared detectors Infra-red detectors Infra-red emitters below feed tray level X ray film Feed tray

  18. Developer section Main activities • Recirculation • Temperature control • Replenishment • Drainage

  19. Developer section Developer Water Overflow TS THS Heat exchange system From replenisher tank Heater RPP P RPF F To drain

  20. Developer tank with roller rack removed

  21. Fixer Recirculation & Replenishment Fixer tank overflow RP F Rollers P P F

  22. Wash section • Spray wash – consists of a series of water pipes containing perforations through which the water is forcibly sprayed onto each surface of the film. Water flow rate is about 10 l/min. • Tank immersion ; water is warmed by the developer heat exchanger. Water flow rate is between 4 and 7l/min.

  23. Wash section F Flow rate control Water Over flow Removable stand pipe Heat exchanging (Developer) From and to developer tank Drain

  24. Drying section • Hot air drying – dust free hot air is blown onto the surface of the film – temperature is about 55 degrees C. • Infrared (radiant heat) drying – contains a range of electrically heated elements to radiate heat onto both film surfaces. • The used hot air should be ducted out of the room to prevent rise in humidity

  25. Cross section – dryer rack film Film transport rollers Hot air tube

  26. Mixing of chemicals • Manual mixing – according to the manufacturer’s recommendations • Auto-mixers

  27. Automixers Dev Display Fix Water in To Developer Tank To Fixer Tank

  28. Dev/Fix. Replenisher pack C Developer replenisher A Fixer B A B

  29. Automixer-Operation Developer Replenisher Sensors Full water Water spray Alarm Empty

  30. Automixer- operation Fixer Sensors Full water Water spray Warning Alarm Empty

  31. Standard of Development & processing Standard of development & processing is ensured by maintaining the following • Constant temperature of chemicals • Constant concentration of chemicals by regular replenishment • Constant agitation of chemicals • Constant processing time

  32. Care & Maintenance of Processors • Operating procedures i. Start-up procedure ii. Shutting down procedure • Maintenance procedures i. Daily maintenance ii. Weekly maintenance iii. Monthly maintenance

  33. Daylight processors Functions • Load cassettes with unexposed films • Mark each film with patient name, Number etc. • Unload cassettes • Process films Types • Composite type • Modular type

  34. Composite type Daylight processor (Dupont) -

  35. Needs special type of cassettes, which can be opened by the mechanical system of the machine. Has a barcode attached to indicate the size of the film to be used Kodak daylight processor

  36. Alternative processing methods • Rapid processing – 45 - 30 second processors • Extended processing – 3 minute processing for mammography • Dry processing- using heat • Photothermography – print with laser & process with heat • Thermography – print & process with heat

  37. Uses a laser beam to form the latent image and heat to process the image Photothermography

  38. Summary • Efficient Performance and Maintenance of Processing equipment is necessary to maintain standards of film quality • It is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the equipment • A quality control programme is essential to monitor the performance of film processing equipment

  39. End Thank you

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