What are X-Ray Grids? Know a little more

Posted by HelenaNelson on November 22nd, 2017

Proper treatment of medical conditions is ascertained by appropriate diagnosis. There are several diagnostic methods used by medical professionals to establish the right cause of a disease. One of the widely used medical imaging procedures is projection radiography, which is a two-dimensional image produced using X-rays with the help of an X-ray machine.

The technology is used for the detection of pathology of the skeletal system and other diseased conditions involving soft tissues. A chest X-ray is quite common, which is used to identify lung diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, etc. Dental X-rays, abdominal X-rays as well as other radiographies are commonly suggested by medical experts depending on the symptoms observed.

For proper medical diagnosis, it is crucial that radiography obtained is proper and clear. As you already know, radiography is obtained through a machine. But, this machine has several components to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of imaging. One of the most important components is an X-ray grid, which is used to filter out deflected radiation that could blur an image produced by the machine.

Grids were originally invented in the year 1913 and since then they have added quality to radiography.

Role of grids

X-ray grids are actually filtering devices that are used to bring clarity into images or X-ray films. During the imaging process, when an X-ray machine sends radiation through an object (specifically a patient’s body) to produce radiography, the body absorbs or deflects most of the rays. Generally, only about 1 percent of the X-rays pass through the body and fall onto the film to produce an image, while others get deflected and can hit the film at random angles, blurring the image. This is where grids come into play by filtering out these random X-rays in order to produce a clear image.

Grid structure

In its basic form, it is more like a gratecontaining a series of narrow strips made of metal (usually nickel, lead or aluminum)to control deflected X-rays. Simply put, they may appear like horizontal window blinds which are partially open. An x-ray that creates the real image travels in a straight line and falls onto the film, creating a clear image. Since they travel straight, they can pass through the grid. Deflected X-rays, on the other hand,hit the grid strips at an angle and do not hit the film, producing a medically acceptable image.

Grid safety

Grids used in radiology are fragile, so they must be covered safely in appropriate encasements or X-ray grid protectors. Flat x-ray grid encasements built out of aluminum or plastic are mostly used for this purpose. Different types of grid encasements are available to protect grids from damages.