Laura Ramirez

January 24, 2017

RTE 142
Professor Yost
Notebook 2
Grids:
-A grid is used either in a stationary position or mounted in a Portter-Bucky diaphragm to move
it during exposure. Most radiology departments have a supply of stationary grids, in various sizes
that can be mounted to the front of a cassette. The bucky is mounted below the tabletop of
radiographic and radiographic/ fluoroscopic tables and holds the cassette in place below the grid.
There are two movement mechanisms used today. The movements are described as
reciprocating and oscillating. With the reciprocating grid, a motor drives the grid back and forth
during the exposure for a total distance of no more than 2-3 cm. With the oscillating grid, an
electromagnet pulls the grid to one side and then releases it during exposure. The grid oscillates
in a circular motion within the grid frame.

Focused Grid: are designed so that the central grid strips are parallel and as the strips move
away from the central axis they become more and more inclined. For the grid to be properly
focused, the x-ray tube must be located along the convergence line. A focused grid is designed to
match the divergence of the x-ray beam. The grid radius is the distance from the face of the grid
to the points of convergence of the lead strips. These grids must be used at the SID for which
they are designed (called the focal distance of the grid).

Parallel Grid: are made with the lead and interspace strips running parallel to one another. This
means that is the grid lines were extended into space they would never intersect. Parallel grids
are less commonly used than focused grids. Parallel grids function best at long, as opposed to
short SID. Lead strips do not have to be aligned to x-ray tube. Only the strips directly under the
x-ray tube can be in true alignment with the primary rays. It is not recommended to use a parallel
grid at any distance less than 56.

Cross-Hatch Grid: grid strips can be made to run in one or two directions. Grids with lead strips
running in only one direction are called linear grids. Grids may also made by placing two linear
grids on top of one another so the grid lines are running at right angles. Used when no angle to
the tube present, any angle will cause photons to hit strips.
-Grid strips run parallel to the long and short axis of the grid. Very high degree of clean-up, two
parallel grids sandwiched together. Must be positioned perfectly, central ray must enter at cener,
no tilting, with a higher patient dose.

Grid Frequency: The number of grid strips per centimeter. The more grid strips the less scatter
onto the IR, however the higher the pt. dose will be. Higher grid ration with higher grid
frequency. More grids have 25 to 45 lines per cm. By combining information about grid ratio and
frequency, one can determine the total quality of lead in the grid. The lead content of a grid
increases, the ability of the grid to remove scatter and improve contras increases.

Grid Ratio: has a major influence on the ability of the grid to improve contrast. It is defined as
the ratio of the height of the lead strips to the distance between the strips. The formula is:
Grid ratio= h (led strip height)/D (interspace width)
An inverse relationship exists between the distance between the lead strips and grid ratio when
the height of the grid strips remains the same.
Grid Errors: Poor images can result from improper use of the grid. Errors in the use of the grid
occur mainly with grids that have a focused design. This is because focused grids have a focused
design.

Off- Level: An off-level grid error occurs when the tube is angled across the long of the grid
strips. When the grid is tilted not centered parallel. This can be the result of improper tube or grid
positioning. An off-level grid error can occur with a parallel or focused grid. A linear grid can be
off-level in one direction, whereas a crisscross grid be off-level in both directions (across and
along the grid). Tilted grid or til-ted central ray, results in grid cut-off and a light image.

Off- Center: The x-ray tube must be centered along the central axis of a focused grid to prevent
an off-center (odd-axis or lateral decentering). The greater the degree of lateral decentering, the
greater the grid cutoff. The grid is shifted laterally from the central ray. Tube is malposition in
relation to the IR.

Off- Focus: A focused grid is made to be used at very specific distances identified as the focal
range labeled on the front of the grid. Off-focus errors result in grid cutoff along the peripheral
edges of the image. Higher grid ratios require greater positioning accuracy to prevent grid cutoff.
An off-focus grid error occurs when the grid is used at distances less than or greater than the
focal range. Occurs with focused grids when the wrong SID is used. The farther the grids is from
its designated SID, the worse will be the cut-off.

Upside-Down: A focused grid has an identified tube side based on the way the grid strips are
angled. If the grid is used upside-down, severe peripheral grid cut-off will occur. If the grid is
upside-down, severe peripheral grid cut-off will occur. Radiation will pass through the grid along
the central axis where the grid strips are most perpendicular and radiation will be increasingly
absorbed away from the center.

The Moire Effect: The Moire effect is a grid error that occurs with digital image receptor systems
when the grid lines are captured and scanned parallel to the scan lines in the images plate
readers. This error usually occurs in CR systems. Most imaging plates are across the short axis of
the plane, and, most often, grid lines run parallel to the long axis of the imaging plate. In these
instances, the Moire pattern will not demonstrate.

An Alternate Scatter Reduction Method- The Air-Gap Technique: There are a number of other
methods that can be employed to reduce the amount of scatter reaching the image receptor. The
body part may be compressed to decrease the amount of scatter created. The air-gap technique is
an alternative to the use of a grid. It has primary applications in magnification radiography and,
to a lesser extent, in chest radiography. The technique involves placing the patient at a greater
object image receptor distance (OID), thus creating an air gap between the patient and the image
receptor. By moving the patient away from the image receptor, the amount of scatter reaching
the image receptor will be reduced.
 Grids
Focused Grid Parallel Grid Cross- Hatch Grid

Grid Errors
Off Level Grid Off Center Grid Off Focus Grid Upside Down Grid