X-ray waveform monitoring for radiographic quality control.

Noninvasive monitoring of x-ray output waveforms during acceptance testing, quality of control, and troubleshooting is beneficial in an ongoing radiographic quality assurance program. The intent of waveform monitoring is to watch for abnormalities that provide additional information about the condition of the x-ray system. Because waveform monitoring is performed generally in conjunction with other quality control procedures, few, if any, additional exposures are needed and length of the testing time is affected minimally. In six years of experience with acceptance testing, quality control, and troubleshooting on more than 160 radiographic and fluoroscopic units, noninvasive waveform monitoring has detected numerous abnormalities that would have affected image quality, generator calibration, and equipment life.