Film and Film Holder

Chapter 9
Film
&
Film Holders
Film
 X-ray film consists of a transparent, blue-tinted
base (cellulose acetate with 3% nitrocellulose),
covered on both sides with an emulsion
composed of gelatin containing silver bromide,
silver chloride & silver iodide (halides).
 There is a thin gelatin protective layer over the
emulsion.
 Today polyester plastic is the base used for the
film.
Types of Film
 There are four types of film that are
used in radiography.
 They are:
Dental Film
Photoflourographic Film
Non-screen Film
Screen Film
Dental Film
 Small, lightweight & packaged in
cardboard/plastic holders.
 Also used in radiographic badges to
determine the amount of x-ray
exposure technicians receive.
 People are allowed 5 rads/rems per
year.
Photoflourographic Film
 This is the film used in cameras to take
pictures of a fluoroscopic screen (barium
study).
 It comes in rolls & is green or blue light
sensitive.
 It has emulsion on only one side.
 It is used for mass screening as in the
army.
Non-screen Film
 This is sensitive to x-rays but not to light.
 They are used mainly in extremity x-rays
because the thicker body parts would require
too much x-ray exposure
 We use extremity cassettes now instead of this
film type
 Screens are used in cassettes with intensifying
screens, because cardboard holders do not
produce light.
Non-screen Film
 If we put non-screen film in a cassette
with intensifying screens, there would
be some x-ray penetration, but not
enough to give a good image.
 The light from the screen would have
no effect upon this type of film.
Screen Films
 Only film used for x-rays of the
spine.
 It is sensitive to the light produced
by the screens, but not to x-rays
directly.
 Intensifying screens allow 40 times
less patient exposure.
Screen Films
 Remember:
X-rays hit the crystals in the

intensifying screens, the
crystals phosphoresce & emit
light & the light exposes the
film.
Film Holders
 Types:
Cardboard
Cassettes
Cardboard Holders
 Black cardboard envelopes that hold the
film during the exposure.
 Non-screen film is used in these holders.
 The holder has a tube side so that we can
expose the film correctly.
 The back side of the holder has a lead
sheet in it to prevent scatter from bouncing
off the table and double exposing the film.
Cardboard Holders
 These are used for extremities only.
 Nothing greater than 10 cm in thickness
 The same rule as with the grid, any
thing greater than 10 cm we need a grid
to prevent scatter.
 Remember that extremity cassettes are
available today rather than cardboard
holders.
Cassettes
 Light tight holders made of hinged metal &
bakelight frames that hold the film during
exposures, with intensifying screens inside.
 Intensifying screens are coated with Ca ++
tungstate which glows when exposed to x-
rays, which in turn exposes the film.
 Today Gadolinium & Lanthanum are used
instead of Ca++ tungstate ( Rare earth
screens)
Cassettes
 Gadolinium& Lanthanum are rare earth
crystals that are more sensitive to x-ray
& give off more light, thereby reducing
patient exposure further.
 intensifying screens are located on
both sides of the cassette, so the film is
sandwiched between the screens.
Cassettes
 The tube side screen is thinner than
the back side to allow less absorption
of the x-rays, allowing more rays to hit
the screen on the other side,
increasing the exposure to the film.
 Screens come in a variety of speeds,
depending upon the size & number of
crystals.
Cassettes
 Larger crystals & thicker layers make
faster screens but cause a loss of
sharpness due to increased light spread.
 We put dye in screens now that help
decrease the spread of light.
 Small crystals & less layers result in the
best film quality.
Cleaning
 Mild soap solution and a wad of
cotton is best.
 Make sure your screens are
clean to increase film quality.
 Screens cost about $600.00 to
replace.

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Chapter 9

X-rays hit the crystals in the

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