[Report based on fiscal 2005 diagnostic X-ray equipment questionnaire survey-conditions of radiography-].

In this report, we summarize the survey of diagnostic X-ray equipment conducted in 2005, focusing on exposure conditions. What we would like to point out in this report is how prevalent digital image receptor systems have become, including flat panel detectors (FPD), which did not exist in our last survey five years ago. FPD have become popular very quickly among the digital receptor systems used in general radiography. Twenty-three percent of all chest standing-position X-ray equipment now have FPD. Since FPD has become prevalent, exposure conditions are becoming somewhat different from screen/film systems (s/f) and computed radiography (CR). While the image receptor system is expected to shift to FPD, we would like to continue our survey to determine what exposure conditions will be like in the near future.

[Report based on fiscal 2005 diagnostic X-ray equipment questionnaire survey-A photography system-].

In accordance with a questionnaire survey of diagnostic X-ray equipment enforced in 2005, this report was focused mainly on a photography device. The paper questionnaire was mailed to 667 institutions, and the collection rate was 20.4%. Introductions of digital photographic devices are progressing and flat panel detectors (FPD) are spreading in addition to computed radiography (CR). Examination revealed that the spread rate of FPD was 14.4%. The inverter-type device occupied 73.4% in group of high-voltage-generation devices. We reason that the spread rate indicates changeover to an inverter-type device. Changes in photography equipment and photography devices will bring change in photographic technology. Such investigation will be necessary in the future.

[Report based on Fiscal 2000 Diagnostic X-ray Equipment Questionnaire Survey (conditions of X-ray units and similar equipment)].

The X-ray Systems Study Group, in an attempt to determine the current status and changes in the state of X-ray equipment, reception systems, and equipment control, conducted investigational research by distributing a questionnaire survey to 400 facilities. The rate of recovery was 33%. The capacity of transformers has been increasing in spite of the three-phase 415 V decrease in the power supply of X-ray equipment. Among high-voltage generators, inverter-type X-ray equipment accounted for 81.3% of units. The ratio of the X-ray tube of a conventional rotational system to that of a high-speed rotational system was 1:3, and 54.9% had target angles of 12 . Many X-ray tubes had a heat capacity of less than 200-300 kHU. The body parts that had the shortest times on radiography were adult chest and pediatric chest. In many cases, the shortest time used was 10 msec. Facilities in which the shortest time was less than 10 msec accounted for almost half of the total number. Facilities where the radiation dose of radiography had decreased showed 1/4 of the digitalization whole. Measurement was carried out when the equipment was bought in 94.9% of facilities, and measurement when the service contract was finished was done in 77.1% of the responding facilities.

[Report based on fiscal 2000 diagnostic x-ray equipment questionnaire survey(conditions of radiography)].

X-ray equipment has seen advances in inverters and the digitalization of reception systems. The X-ray Systems Study Group, in order to examine changes in the conditions of radiography, including pediatric radiography, variations in shortest irradiation time, and standardization of the conditions of radiography, carried out investigative research using a questionnaire survey that was sent to 400 facilities. The recovery rate was 33%. In terms of the reception system, half of the general radiography systems were using computed radiography (CR). Seventy percent of respondents used an intensifying screen and film(S EF)in stomach double-contrast radiography. About 80% used digital radiography (DR) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in aorta abdominalis angiography. At least 70% of high-voltage generators were of the inverter type. The conditions of radiography were not greatly influenced by changes in reception systems and X-ray equipment. Many pediatric radiographies were carried out by radiological technologists. We consider it useful to conduct such survey investigations.