Fluoroscopy
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Reduce dose rates in pediatric X-ray examinations 


Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy (GCF)

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Proven lower dose rate1,2
with CombiDiagnost R90 and ProxiDiagnost N90

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For pediatric examinations, Philips Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy (GCF) enables a dose rate1 reduction up to 68%2 compared to Pulse-Controlled Fluoroscopy (PCF), depending on patient type and clinical application.

1Dose rate determined according to IEC 60601-2-54, 203.5.2.4.5.102, System set up: detector format 43 x 43 cm (17 x 17"), patient type children, 0.1 mm Cu + 1 mm Al filter, reduced dose and pulsed slow fluoroscopy mode with 2 pulses/s, Phantom: 5 cm (2 in) PMMA

2Relative difference of two reference air kerma rates between system with GCF and system with PCF

How does Philips GCF reduce the dose rate?

GCF Baby and Mum Image

Keeping the dose low in pediatric fluoroscopy examinations


Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults, so it is even more critical that pediatric fluoroscopy follows the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) to keep the X-ray dose low.

 

Pulsed fluoroscopy is an established technology, delivering good image quality at a lower dose than continuous fluoroscopy. In pulsed fluoroscopy, the X-rays are created in pulses instead of being continuous, and each pulse results in one image frame of a sequence. Different technologies are available to create these pulses and they differ in terms of cost and performance.

Pulse-Controlled Fluoroscopy (PCF)


With traditional PCF, the high-voltage generator creates the X-ray pulses. However, long power cables from generator to X-ray tube behave like big capacitors, strongly affecting the form of the electric signal they transport. 

Therefore pulses are not precisely rectangular, but rounded, having rising edges (ramping) and falling tails (trailing). 

This results in unusable extra dose for the patient (low-energy X-rays, often called soft radiation). This radiation should be avoided because it contributes to patient dose but does not have enough energy to reach the detector, and therefore it does not contribute to the imaging process.

Philips Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy (GCF)


Philips GCF creates the pulses right inside the X-ray tube. This technology is able to produce sharp pulses without the rising edges and falling tails seen in PCF. It removes the unwanted soft radiation. In addition, GCF is more precise and powerful and is able to create smaller, shorter pulses with lower current but higher voltage. These optimized voltage control curves are tailored specifically to the needs of pediatric fluoroscopy, and the resulting dose rate is substantially lower. 

PCF Chart

PCF: Un-sharp, high and long pulses, with ramping and trailing, creating extra dose for the patient through soft radiation.

GCF Chart

GCF: Sharper, smaller and shorter pulses without ramping or trailing soft radiation, delivers only dose that contributes to the image.

Pulse-Controlled Fluoroscopy (PCF)

PCF Chart

PCF: Un-sharp, high and long pulses, with ramping and trailing, creating extra dose for the patient through soft radiation.

With traditional PCF, the high-voltage generator creates the X-ray pulses. However, long power cables from generator to X-ray tube behave like big capacitors, strongly affecting the form of the electric signal they transport. 

Therefore pulses are not precisely rectangular, but rounded, having rising edges (ramping) and falling tails (trailing). 

This results in unusable extra dose for the patient (low-energy X-rays, often called soft radiation). This radiation should be avoided because it contributes to patient dose but does not have enough energy to reach the detector, and therefore it does not contribute to the imaging process.

Philips Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy (GCF)

GCF Chart

GCF: Sharper, smaller and shorter pulses without ramping or trailing soft radiation, delivers only dose that contributes to the image.

Philips GCF creates the pulses right inside the X-ray tube. This technology is able to produce sharp pulses without the rising edges and falling tails seen in PCF. It removes the unwanted soft radiation. In addition, GCF is more precise and powerful and is able to create smaller, shorter pulses with lower current but higher voltage. These optimized voltage control curves are tailored specifically to the needs of pediatric fluoroscopy, and the resulting dose rate is substantially lower. 

Your benefits from Philips Grid Controlled Fluoroscopy (GCF) with In-Pulse Control

GCF with In-Pulse Control Video

Watch the video to see how In-Pulse Control works. 

  • The right dose in real-time
  • Superb image quality
  • Full focus on your patient

Find out more on how Philips Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy enables you to save dose.

Find out more on how Philips Grid-Controlled Fluoroscopy enables you to save dose.

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