Sensitized artifacts:
• Artifacts result from any type of exposure that sensitizes the emulsion/
• Static electricity, pressure, extraneous radiation.

Non-sensitized artifacts:
• Artifacts result from physical damage to the film.
• Dirt deposits, scratches.

GENERAL RADIOGRAPHIC TIME PERIOD IN WHICH ARTIFACTS OCCUR

1. During radiographic exposure.
2. During processing of the film.
3. When the film is being handled and stores either before or after processing.

EXPOSURE ARTIFACTS

• Associated with the manner in which the radiographer conducts the examination.
• Incorrect screen-film match.
• Poor screen-film contact.
• Warped cassette.
• Improper positioning of patient and grid.
• Patient motion.
• Double exposure.
• Usually easy to detect and correct.

PROCESSING ARTIFACTS

• Occurs during processing the radiographic film.
• Generally related to improper exposure techniques.

HANDLING AND STORAGE ARTIFACTS

Storage artifacts:

 Artifacts result from the way film is stored.
 Fresh film should be stored in where the temperature is 15-21° centigrade (60-70° fahrenheight) and the relative hhumidity is 50-60%.
 Boxes containing film should be place upright or on edge so as to provide maximum support and should be stacked no more than three high.
 Storing film flat may produce pressure artifacts.
 The film storage area should be free of extraneous radiation and heat and chemical fumes.
 The stocks should be rotated, on the first/first out principle (FIFO) the oldest should be used first.
 Records of the film used should be kept to maintain the system.

Handling artifacts:

 Improper handling of the film during transportation can be a serious cause of artifact production.
 Increased fog, pressure artifacts and sensitization are common problems associated with transportation handling.
 Perspiration from finger, fingernail marks, and static discharges can occur with improper handling in the darkroom prior to processing.

• A thin light- tight container, slightly larger that the film it is intended to hold.

2 Major Parts of the Cassette

1. The front Cover – usually made of Carbon Fiber and other plastic materials. This must be rigid and durable but radiolucent. This is made of materials with low atomic number so that it will not attenuate radiation.
2. Back Part of the Cassette – made of steel or of light- weight material such as magnesium or lead.
3. Others – consist of hinges and latches

Carbon Fiber

• material used to front cover of the cassette due to its strength and heat resistance.

Felt Gaskets

• are added to ensure light- proof edges of eh cassette. Referred to as compression device. Maintains low screen film contact when cassette is closed and latched.

Common Cassette Problems

1. Bent or warped
2. Light Leaks
3. Non- standardization
4. Air – Trapping
5. Poor Screen Contact

take note that before Cardboard Boxes are used instead of radiographic cassettes.

Artifacts – the marks or spurious images that sometimes appear on the processed radiograph.

• Heat and Humidity
Heat – reduces contrast and increases fog of a radiograph.
20 C (68 F) – temperature of a place where radiographic film is stored.
10 C (50 F) – if the film is stored for a year or longer.
• Light – radiographic film must be stored in the dark.

• Radiation
Ionizing Radiation – other than useful beam, creates an image artifact by reducing contrast and increasing fog.
Film fog – is the dull, uniform optical density that appears if the film has been inadvertently exposed to light, X-rays, heat, or humidity.
0.2 mR – the fog level for unprocessed film.

• Shelf Life – expiration date.

“It is always wise to store boxes of film on edge standing rather than lying flat. When stored on edge, they are less likely to warp and in the case of non interleaved packaging, less likely to stick to one another”.

Note: FIFO (First In, First Out) Policy must always be followed.

2.) Extended Processing – is particularly useful in mammography and takes as long as 3 min. and improvements in contrast and patient dose occur only with single-emulsion film and not recommended for double emulsion films because the improvement in contrast or dose is insignificant with such films

Two Principal Advantages: greater image contrast and lower patient dose. Contrast is increased by approximately 15%. Image receptor sensitivity is increased by at least 30% and patient radiation dose is reduced y at least 30%.

3.) Daylight – the radiologic technologist needs only position a cassette with an exposed film into the appropriate slot of the daylight system.
- can accommodate up to 1,000 sheets of radiographic film of various sizes.

4.) Dry Processing – refers to the development of images without the use of wet chemistry.

Advantages:
• Elimination of handling
• Maintenance and disposal of chemical
• No darkroom required (space saved)
• No plumbing required
• Less environment impact
• Reduced capital cost
• Reduced operating cost
• Higher throughput

Two Technologies: Photothermography (PTG) and Thermography (TG).

- The basic difference between the two is in the manner in which the latent image is recorded and the visible image processed onto the film media.

Entrance Rollers –grip the film to begin its trip though the processor.

Microswitch – is engaged to control the replenishment rate of the processing chemicals.

3 Principal Subsystems
• Roller
• Transport Racks
• Drive Motor

Rollers Subassembly

Types of Rollers
1.) Transport Roller – diameter of 1 in.
- Covey the film along its path.
- They either are positioned opposite one another in pairs or are off set from one another.

2.) Master Roller (Solar Roller) – diameter of 3 in.
- Is used when the film makes turns in the processor.

3.) Planetary Rollers – usually positioned around the master roller.

Transport Rack Subassembly

- These racks are easily removable and provide for the convenient maintenance and efficient cleaning of the processor.
Guide Shoes – a curved metal lip with smooth grooves guide the film around the bend.

Turnaround Assembly – consists of master rollers, planetary rollers, and guide shoes.
- Located at the bottom of the transport rack assembly.

Crossover Rack – guided the film when it exits the top of the rack assembly to the adjacent rack assembly.
- Composed of rollers and guide shoes.

Drive Subsystem
The three means of transferring power to the transport rack:
• Belt and Pulley
• Chain and Sprocket
• Gears

Just take note that automatic processor must be placed in an even and engineered wood flooring to avoid possible damage to the processor during operations.