The ideal imaging system that is providing a good quality image of minimal radiation dose. There are many parameters that influenced image quality and radiation dose on clinical radiography. This study has identified some of the problems whereby there are practitioners do not select the proper size of image receptor (IR) and collimation during the examination. The re-usable of the IR and imaging plate also need to be concerned whether multiple exposures may affect the image
quality or not. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different exposure settings; kVp, mAs, collimation field sizes and different IR’ sizes for image quality and radiation dose. Methods: The wall-mounted x-ray machine act as a sources of radiation which exposed the acrylic cylinder that placed over the IR. The examination is repeated with different kVp, mAs, collimation field sizes and IR’s sizes. The source to image distance (SID) is fixed to 100 cm distance and put Nano dot dosimeter similar level with the top of acrylic to measure the dose. The result analysed by using software ImageJ to measure the Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR). Results: The percentage of CNR1 and CNR2 reduced as the kVp is increased from (CNR1=77.25, CNR2=64.45), (CNR1=73.47, CNR2=61.22) and (CNR1=62.80, CNR2=57.32) for 50 kVp, 75 kVp and 100 kVp respectively and fluctuate when mAs increased. The CNR and entrance skin dose (ESD) shows higher when x-ray beam collimate according to IR’s size. Conclusions: Overall, the manipulative effect of exposure settings on image quality and ESD shows some positive results. The result also shows inconsistent readings in the CNR and ESD. The percentage of CNR decreased when kVp increases and slightly fluctuate when mAs increased. The ESD reading depicts higher when the kVp and mAs increase as well as when x-ray beam collimated according to IR’s sizes.
Non destructive testing (NDT) is a procedure to assess the internal components without
disassembling the outer components. Industrial imaging uses high energy x-rays to penetrate materials while x-rays used in medical imaging has exposure limitation. The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimum technical factors (kVp, mAs, and SID) used in medical imaging Computed Radiography (CR) system suitable for industrial imaging application to inspect lead acid battery. Methods: Lead acid battery is exposed to radiation with predetermined technical factors utilized in medical imaging. The kVp, mAs, and SID are varied throughout the experiment. The optimum technical factors obtained are further used to expose the battery at six different angles for inspection of lead plates. The sizes of lead plates are measured using imageJ software and the measured length is compared to the actual sizes of lead plates. Results: At 15 mAs, two values with the smallest difference to the original size of the lead plates are produced which is at 75 kVp and 125 kVp. Based on the technical factors used in this experiment, it is concluded that 15
mAs is the optimal mAs that can be used to provide the measurement with the least difference when compared to the original size of the lead plates. All measurement with the smallest difference when compared to the original sizes of lead plates are obtained at 125 kVp which is 4.19 cm (plate C when mAs at 5), 4.23 cm (plate C when mAs at 10), and 4.23 cm (plate C when mAs at 15). This indicates that 125 kVpis suitable to be used for inspection. The accurate measurement of lead plates is achieved when 100 cm SID is used. When exposed, white lead sulphate is seen coating the lead plates. Conclusion: X-rays used in medical imaging can be applied in industrial imaging for lead acid battery inspection as it also possess high energy and penetrating power.