Illinois Administrative Code
Title 32 - ENERGY
Part 360 - USE OF X-RAYS IN THE HEALING ARTS INCLUDING MEDICAL, DENTAL, PODIATRY, AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Section 360.40 - General Equipment and Operation Requirements for Diagnostic X-Ray Systems
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 52, December 29, 2023
The requirements of this Section apply to all diagnostic x-ray systems. Additional requirements for specific equipment application classes are in Sections 360.41 through 360.100 of this Part.
a) Half-Value Layer
b) Beam-On Indicators
c) Mechanical Support of Tube Head. The tube housing assembly supports shall be adjusted such that the tube housing assembly will remain stable during an exposure unless tube housing movement is a designed function of the x-ray system. The tube housing assembly supports shall not be hand-held unless the manufacturer has specifically designed the system to be operated while hand-held.
d) Diagnostic Source Assembly Leakage Radiation Limits. The leakage radiation measured at a distance of 1 meter from the source shall not exceed 25.8 microC/kg (100mR) in 1 hour when the tube is operated at its leakage technique factors.
e) Radiation From Capacitor Energy Storage X-ray Equipment in Standby Status. Radiation emitted from the x-ray tube when the exposure switch or timer is not activated shall not exceed a rate of 0.516 microC/kg (2mR) per hour at 5 centimeters from any accessible surface of the diagnostic source assembly, with the beam-limiting device fully open.
f) Technique Indicators
g) Reproducibility of Exposures
AGENCY NOTE: It will not be necessary to calculate the coefficient of variation if for the first four measurements the value of the average exposure (Eavg) is greater than or equal to ten times the maximum exposure (Emax) minus the minimum exposure (Emin). This requirement is mathematically represented by the following:
Eavg = 10 (Emax - Emin)
AGENCY NOTE: The intent of this subsection (g) is to require testing of the system in a manner that is clinically relevant. Reproducibility of exposures should be measured at technique factors that are commonly used and are subject to variation. For AEC systems, commonly used settings in combination with an appropriate thickness of attenuating material should be used to provide exposure times in the clinical range.
h) Patient or Film Support
AGENCY NOTE: The radiation dose received by radiation workers, patients and the general public can be reduced if mechanical patient and film support devices are used for radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures. In the event that an individual must be used in lieu of mechanical patient or film support devices to hold patients or films, every effort should be made to limit the individual's radiation dose. This can be accomplished by not assigning to a single individual the task of supporting patients and films during radiographic and fluoroscopic examinations. Rather, a number of individuals may be rotated through the assignment, thereby reducing the radiation dose to one individual.
i) Personnel Protection
j) Technique Guides
AGENCY NOTE: The Agency recognizes that alternate means may be available at the control panel to indicate technique factors for computerized imaging systems.
k) Patient Dose Criteria. Procedures and auxiliary equipment designed to minimize patient and occupational dose commensurate with needed diagnostic information shall be used.
AGENCY NOTE: It is the intent of this subsection (k) to provide for the optimum optical density, resolution and contrast on the film while minimizing patient dose. X-ray films, intensifying screens and other image recording devices should be as sensitive as is consistent with the requirements of the examination.
l) X-ray Film Processing Systems. The darkroom safe light illumination shall be adequate for the film speeds and the darkroom operating procedures used to prevent fogging of unprocessed film. The following additional requirements apply to film processing systems:
m) Gonadal Shielding. Except for cases in which it would interfere with the diagnostic procedure, gonadal shielding of not less than 0.5 millimeter of lead equivalent shall be used for patients (who have not passed the reproductive age) during those radiographic procedures in which the gonads are in the useful beam.
Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 3693, effective February 29, 2008
AGENCY NOTE: Protection of the embryo or fetus from radiation dose during radiological examination or treatment of a woman of childbearing age (potentially pregnant) should be given special consideration.