COURSE: RT 226/RAD 1226; Image Production & Evaluation II ( 2 credits)
INSTRUCTOR: Professor E. Lobel
EMAIL ADDRESS: elobel@citytech.cuny.edu OFFICE PHONE: 718-260-5551
OFFICE HOURS: TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to:
1. provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors which influence radiographic quality and patient dose, and to provide experience in the manipulation of these factors.
2. describe the function and use of equipment for fluoroscopy, mobile radiography, tomography, computed/digital radiography, radiographic film processing, and other advanced imaging aspects.
PREREQUISITES COURSES: RAD 1124/RT 124. RAD 1125/RT 125, RAD 1126/RT 126,
RAD 1127/RT 127, RAD 1128/ RT 128, BIO 2311/BY 301.1
COREQUISITE COURSES: RAD 1125/RT 125, RAD 1127/RT 127, RAD 1128/RT 128,
BIO 2312/ BY 301.2
LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are specific learning outcomes stated toward the back of this document pertaining to the lecture given for each weekly session.
REQUIRED TEXT (S):
Bushong, Stewart C.; Radiologic Science for Technologists, latest ed.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & ASSESMENT: 1.25 hours of lecture and 1.25 hours of laboratory practice each week for 14 weeks, with reading assignments and written homework will be included. Along with quizzes, a midterm and a cummulative 100 question final exam will also be given on the seventh & fifteenth weeks, respectively.
MEANS OF ASSESSMENT:
Lecture and laboratory quizzes and homework 20%
Midterm examination 30%
Final examination 50%
Note: No quizzes will be deducted.
ATTENDANCE/ LATENESS POLICY: It is required to attend all sessions in this course. Any other specifics can be found in the NYCCT college catalog. Latnesses to the individual class sessions should be kept to a minimum. Lateness can prevent a student from completing course quizzes, as these will be given at the beginning of the lecture. Excessive lateness as defined in the college catalog will lead the the deduction of a letter grade.
COURSE OUTLINE/ LEARNING OUTCOMES
Session/Topic Date
I. COMPUTED AND DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
A. Terminology
1. Projection radiography
2. Flat panel and CCD detectors
3. Computed radiography
B. Computed Radiography
1. Receptor materials
2. Receptor characteristics
3. Image acquisition/storage
4. Laser reading
5. Image processing
6. Characteristics of specific systems
7. CR artifacts
8. Advantages over film-screen radiography
C. Indirect Flat Panel and CCD Imaging
1. Amorphous silicon detectors
2. CCD detectors
3. Thin film transistor (TFT) readout
4. Image processing
D. Direct Flat Panel Imaging
1. Amorphous selenium detector
2. Thin film transistor (TFT) readout
3. Image processing
E. Comparing Digital Detector Systems
1. Relative dose
2. Resolution
3. Cost
F. Image Display
1.Viewing conditions (luminance, ambient lighting)
2. Spatial Resolution
3. Contrast Resolution/dynamic range
4. DICOM gray scale function
5. Window level and width function
G. Digital Systems
1. electronic collimation
2. grayscale rendition or look-up table (LUT)
3. edge enhancement/noise suppression
4. contrast enhancement
5. system malfunctions (e.g., ghost image,
banding, erasure, dead pixels, readout
problems, printer distortion)
Conditions: Lecture, discussion, homework and assigned reading on the aforementioned:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lecture, the student will be able to:
1. Define projection radiography, flat panel, CCD, and computed radiography.
2. List the physical structure of the commonly used photostimulable phosphor plates.
3. Describe the laser reading process.
4. Briefly explain edge enhancement and gradation processing.
5. Explain the cause of quantum mottle.
6. List the major CR artifacts; state their causes.
7. Describe the structure of the direct and indirect flat panel detectors.
8. Compare the various types of detector as to resolution, cost, and required dose.
9. State the major advantages of digital systems over film-screen systems.
II. FLUOROSCOPY AND IMAGE INTENSIFICATION
A. Fluoroscopic imaging
1. Definition
2. Radiologist/technologist roles
3. Applications
B. Overview of the Imaging Chain
1. X-ray tube
2. Image intensification tube
3. Display
4. Recording
C. Image Intensification Tubes
1. Overview of structure
2. Input screen
3. Photocathode
4. Electrostatic lenses
5. Anode and output screen
6. Magnification modes
7. Brightness gain and minification gain
D. Fluoroscopic Equipment
1. Carriage
2. Under-table systems
3. Remote over-table systems
4. Mobile fluoroscopy
E. Protection Considerations for the Patient and Staff
1. Shielding
2. Distance from source
3. Protective apparel
4. Duration of fluoroscopy
5. Typical exposure values
Conditions: Lecture, discussion, homework and assigned reading on the aforementioned:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lecture, the student will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast radiography and fluoroscopy.
2. Discuss the role of the radiographer in fluoroscopy.
3. List the components of the fluoroscopic imaging chain.
4. State the methods which can reduce exposure to the patient and the radiation workers.
5. Describe the structure of the image intensification tube.
6. Explain why intensification (gain) occurs.
7. Relate the use of magnification mode to patient dose.
8. Describe the differences between over-table and under-table fluoro units.
9. Briefly describe the structure of a mobile (c-arm) unit.
