Components
The three major elements that make up an X-ray machine are the vacuum tube, the high-voltage power source and the operating console. The X-ray tube is essential to the machine and getting the correct results as it is the piece that ultimately produces X-rays. The high-voltage power supply uses a transformer to accurately alternate between the voltage of currents being sent to the emitter or to the anode. The emitter requires a small voltage supply to produce small currents, while the anode needs a large voltage supply to keep the speed of the electrons up. The energy of radiation that is produced is dependent on the high speed of the electrons. The operating console is the control unit, which works to manage the currents, voltage and timer. The current control has a display that allows adjustment of the tube current to vary radiation intensity. The voltage control also has a display, allowing adjustments in the anode to change the energy of radiation. The timer control determines the duration of the exposure; once the time stops, no more radiation is being produced.
Process
The X-ray tube contains either a filament or cathode emitter that expels accelerated electrons and leads them to a metal anode, where current is now flowing. The electrons that have been emitted toward the anode make up an electron beam. The beam hits a focal point in the anode, where a small percentage is converted into X-ray photons. The photons are discharged in all directions, and once the control unit is put to use, the adjusted currents and voltage result in a beam of X-rays that is projected onto a visible substance. An X-ray machine essentially acts as a camera, but without the visible light. Instead, it uses the X-rays that were produced to expose the film. X-rays use electromagnetic waves that can break through several layers due to the energy held inside of them. If the body is being X-rayed, the skin tissue will not absorb the waves coming from the X-ray but the dense parts of the body will, which is why bones, tendons and ligaments are able to be examined.
Uses
X-ray machines have two main uses, which are for medical and security purposes. In medicine, X-ray machines are most commonly used in dentistry and radiography. Radiography is used when fast, highly penetrating images are needed. An orthopantomogram is an X-ray of the jaw that shows all teeth at one time. A mammography gives an X-ray of breast tissue, and a tomography X-rays a specific section. Another medical use for X-ray machines include fluoroscopy, where real-time images are needed. For security purposes, X-ray machines are most often seen in airports and schools, where illegal objects can be searched for in a controlled manner.
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