Dark Room Req. Processing

Diagnostic Imaging
2(1-1)
Introduction
• Many radiographer utilize manual processing
• Intentionally over expose the patients
• Under process the radio graph in an attempt to save the time
• Resulting in an inferior quality radiograph because of in compete
developing
• After exposure radiograph must be developed to produce a
permanent visible radiographic image that can be kept for a number
of years
• Processing transforms the latent image into a visible image
• The term for the several procedures that collectively produce the
visible permanent image is processing and consist of developing,
rinsing, fixing, washing and drying procedures.
Procedures
• Exposure: latent image created
• Development: converts latent image to black metallic silver
• Wash: (stop bath): removes excessive developer
• Fixing and hardening: dissolves out unexposed silver halide crystals
• Washing: removes products of processing
• Dry: removes water
Requirements for manual processing
• floating thermometer
• a timer
• time-temperature chart are essential.
• Film Processing after exposure should be faster as it is
sensitive to light
Basic Requirements of Dark Room
• Absolute light-tightness
• Adequate working space
• Adequate ventilation
• Adequate film storage facilities
Safe Light
• Safelights are used in the darkroom to provide adequate light
so that you can see what you are doing when you unwrap films
for processing.
• Safelights have special filters that produces light that does not
expose the film.
Basic steps of processing
After taking the films on the patient, they are taken to the
darkroom for processing. The steps involved in processing are:
1. Development: exposed silver halide crystals completely
converted into metallic crystals
2. Rinsing: used with manual processing only. Developer
solution removed from film before fixing.
3. Fixing: unexposed silver halide crystals removed from film
4. Washing: all the chemicals are removed from the film
5. Drying: after removing moisture, films can be handled for
mounting
Developing
Development centers in crystals struck by x-rays are converted
intro black metallic silver crystals
Entire silver crystals converted to black

Developing
• Unexposed crystals: not affected by the developer if films are in the
developer (optimum time, temp)
• If time or temp. is increased: developer will start to act on the crystals
that were not exposed by x-rays (no exposure centers) and will convert
into black metallic silver crystals
• This will cause more blackness than actual
• After the films are properly developed, they are shifted in to the fixing
solution. (The films are rinsed first if using the manual processing)
Immediately after development the film is dipped in the water in order to:
i. Stop development: to wash the developer from the surface of the film
ii. Reduces developer carry over to fixer
Fixing
• In the fixing solution the unexposed silver crystals halide
crystals are removed from the film by the fixing solution.
• To stop any further development
• Clears the image (making the background transparent to light)
• Makes the image permanent (fixed) (no more sensitive to light)
by removing the undeveloped silver crystals from the emulsion
• Hardens the emulsion
• After the films have been in the fixing solution for the
specified time, the films are washed and then dried so that they
can be mounted for viewing.
Component of developing solutions
• Developer: Coverts exposed silver halide crystals into black
metallic silver
• Preservative: Helps protect the developer from
• being oxidized by the air
• Activator: Provides alkaline solution needed by developer;
also softens gelatin, allowing developer to reach crystals

• Restrainer: Reduces effects of developer on unexposed
crystals
Fixing solutions
• Clearing Agent: dissolves and removes unexposed silver
halide crystals from emulsion
• Preservative: Inhibits decomposition (oxidation) of clearing
agent
• Acidifier: Neutralizes any contaminating alkali from the
developer
• Hardener: Hardens emulsion so film can be handled
Automatic Vs. Manual processing
Automatic processor: produces a very good film if done
properly
manual processor: is very time consuming and labor
intensive, requiring a much longer processing time than
automatic processing and requiring someone to be available
to transfer films into the various solutions. Drying films also
takes much longer time.
Manual processing
• With manual processing, two tanks,
one containing developer and one
fixer, are placed in a larger tank
filled with water.
• The water is maintained at a certain
temperature using a mixing valve.
• The film is first placed in the
developer for a specified time, rinsed Cold
in the water, and then placed in the
fixer. Hot
• After fixing for the appropriate time,
the film is washed in the water.
• The overflow tube prevents water
from rising high enough to enter the
developer or fixer tanks.
Manual processing
• For manual processing, films are clipped to some type of film
hanger (see below). The film should be handled only by the
edges to avoid damage. The film hanger, with films attached,
is then placed in the processing solutions, developer first. If
the film is inadvertently placed in the fixer first, the film will
come out completely clear (no image); the fixer removes all
crystals that have not been converted to black metallic silver
by the developer, even if they have exposure centers.
• Excessive washing or washing in water
• that is too warm will result in emulsion
• becoming soft and entire image “slipping” off the film
Manual processing Time
• Develop: 5min at 68F
• Rinse: 30 seconds (agitate continuously)
• Fix: 4min (agitate intermittently;
5seconds after every 30 seconds)
• Wash: 10-30 minutes in clean running water
• Hang films to dry
• Excessive washing or washing in too warm water will result in
softening of the emulsion and entire image “slipping” of the
film

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Diagnostic Imaging

Entire silver crystals converted to black

• Activator: Provides alkaline solution needed by developer;

also softens gelatin, allowing developer to reach crystals

• Acidifier: Neutralizes any contaminating alkali from the

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