Mobile X-ray generators: a review

Mobile X-ray generators vary widely in design, cost and radiographic performance and the new designs of recent years have led to the introduction of jargon. Such terms as 'capacitator discharge' and 'modicum frequency' can give rise to confusion regarding operating technique. This review classifies the mobiles into three distinct categories. Simple rules are presented to enable an operator to transfer exposure factors from one category to another, and an analysis of the relative merits of each category is provided. Part 1 provides a description of the categories available, a broad explanation of the principles involved and discusses the radiographic use. Throughout the text certain terms are given in italics when first used in that particular description and Part 2 gives full explanations of these terms in the context of Part 1.