TECHNIQUE CONVERSIONS - Rules of “Thumb”

ONE METHOD TO CALCULATE NEW MAS for Grids & Screens

GRIDS Bushong’s Table ( Carlton’s Table is different)*

Non Grid = 1X * These numbers change slightly from Author to Author

5:1 = 2X

8:1 = 4 X

12:1 = 5X

16:1 = 6X GRID CONVERSIONS

This formula is used to determine the conversion rate from no grid to grid:

GCF -grid conversion factor :

GCF= mAs without the grid

mAs with the grid

This formula is used when changing from one grid ratio to another:

mAs 1 = GCF 1 mAs 1 is the original mas, GCF 1 is the original Grid

mAs 2 GCF 2 mAs 2 is the new mas, GCF 2 is the new Grid used

(Note they are directlyproportional)

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FILM/ SCREEN COMBINATIONS

This formula is used when changing from one film/screen speed to another:

RS = SPEED OF SCREENS IN THE FILM/SCREEN CASSETTE

This may also be known as F/S for film/screen combination

mAs 1 = RS 2 Can be otherwise written as:

mAs 2 RS 1

RS 1 X mAs 1

(Note they are inverse) mAs 2 = ------

RS 2

mAs 1 is the original mas, RS 1 is the original screen speed used

mAs 2 is the new mas, RS 2 is the new screen speed used

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RULES OF ORDER FOR CONVERSION (Suggested – any order is okay)

1. MAS

2. GCF

3. KVP

4. RS (F/S) FILM/SCREEN SPEED

5. SID

TECHNICAL “RULES OF THUMB”

TISSUE THICKNESS -

For every 1cm of change in thickness, add or subtract 2 kvp

For every 5 cm of change in thickness, either double or half the mAs.

CENTRAL RAY ANGLE -

Decrease SID by 1" for every 5  tube 

MAS Changes -at least 20 - 30 % mas change needed to see a visible change in density

Maintaining Density LAW L when changing SID - mAs Changes

Above 40 “ = increase mAs 5% for every 1" increase in SID

mAs 1 = D 12 mAs 1 is the original mas, D 1 is the original distance

mAs 2 D 22 mAs 2 is the new mas, D 2 is the new distance

(Note they are directly proportional- distance increases – mas should increase

** When changing SID from 40" to 72" = increase mAs X 3.24 (ave 3 MAS)

When changing SID from 72" to 40" =( divide) mAs  3.24

( example : KUB - 40mas at 40 “ = 129.6 mas at 72")

Use mas/distance formula to verify

GENERAL RULES FOR DISTANCE CHANGE:

When changing from 40" SID to:

New Distance Technique Change (MAS)

30"½

40"1 (standard)

60"2 X

72"3 X

80"4 X

96"6 X

Remember : 15% change ( ) KVP has the same effect as doubling or ½ the MAS

INCREASE DENSITY BY 2 X you could: Example: 20 mas - 70 kvp

Go up 2 X in mas 40 mas - 70 kvp

or Go up 15% Kvp 20 mas - 81 kvp

INCREASE DENSITY BY 4 X you could: Example: 20 mas - 70 kvp

Go up 4 X in mas 80 mas - 70 kvp

or Go up 2 X MAS & 15% Kvp 40 mas - 81 kvp

or Go up 30% in KVP (15% x 2) 20 mas - 91 kvp

Maintaining Density when changing OID -

- Increase mAs 10% for every 1" increase in OID

FOR CHEST AND THORAX AREA - TO GO FROM AP/PA TO LAT:

* Double the MAS and go up 10 kvp