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Applicability Note: Depending on system configuration, the RADspeed Pro may include LED irradiation-field illumination, a center-field laser marker, DR-linked collimation, and automatic copper filtration controlled by the selected APR/protocol. Automatic filtration is listed as an option on current RADspeed Pro SR5 configurations.
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting absent collimator light, inaccurate visible field, misaligned center indication, or incorrect automatic filtration response before escalating for repair.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Remove the radiographic system from clinical use before investigating a suspected collimator field, alignment, or filtration issue.
Do not perform patient imaging when the visible irradiation field, center indication, or intended filtration cannot be confirmed. Transfer the examination to a known-working room or approved alternate system.
Expected outcome: No patient exposure is performed using a system with unresolved beam-limiting or filtration concerns.
Why it matters: Incorrect collimation or filtration may affect exposure area, positioning accuracy, dose management, and image quality.
2. Confirm the Exact Reported Symptom
With the system out of patient use, determine which problem was reported:
- Collimator lamp does not illuminate.
- Light field is dim, intermittent, or uneven.
- Center-field laser mark is missing or appears displaced.
- Light field does not correspond to the intended detector/exposure area.
- Collimation does not respond correctly when a DR exposure area or APR is selected.
- Automatic filtration does not change as expected when protocols are selected.
- A message, warning, or error appears during collimator operation.
Document the selected exam protocol, detector/receptor in use, tube position, displayed field setting, and any system messages.
Expected outcome: The issue is clearly defined before troubleshooting begins.
3. Inspect the Collimator Externally
Visually inspect the collimator assembly and radiation-port area for:
- Obstruction over the light exit window.
- Dust, residue, dried disinfectant, or tape affecting the visible field.
- Physical impact damage, cracking, loose covers, or misalignment.
- Attached markers or accessories interfering with the light field.
- Evidence of fluid intrusion, unusual heat, odor, or abnormal sound.
Clean only external surfaces according to approved facility and manufacturer procedures. Do not open the collimator housing.
Expected outcome: No external obstruction or damage is affecting field visibility or operation.
If resolved: Return the system to service only after confirming normal operation according to facility testing requirements, then stop.
4. Verify Collimator Lamp / Field Light Operation
Activate the collimator field light using the available collimator lamp control while the tube is safely positioned away from any patient.
Observe whether:
- The irradiation-field light illuminates.
- The field is bright and clearly visible.
- The light remains stable without flickering or dropping out.
- The center indication is present on systems equipped with the red laser marker.
The RADspeed Pro style edition uses LED light to indicate the irradiation field, and configured systems may use a red laser mark to indicate the center of the radiation field.
Expected outcome: A stable, clearly defined visible field and center indication are produced.
If resolved: Document the condition found and corrected, verify acceptable operation, and stop.
5. Check for Setup or Positioning Conditions That Could Mimic Misalignment
Confirm that the tube, collimator, table, wall stand, and receptor are positioned for the intended examination.
Verify:
- The correct Bucky table, vertical stand, or free-detector workflow is selected.
- Tube angulation and collimator rotation match the intended exam.
- The collimator has returned to its expected rotational position after angled work.
- No oblique positioning is being mistaken for a field-alignment fault.
- The correct detector orientation and exposure area are selected in the DR system.
On configured systems, the collimator can click-stop at 0 degrees and ±45 degrees, and the X-ray exposure field may be automatically linked to the exposure area selected in the DR system.
Expected outcome: The reported field discrepancy is not caused by an incorrect exam setup, tube angle, collimator rotation, or receptor selection.
If resolved: Confirm proper field display and system function, document the corrected setup condition, and stop.
6. Verify Manual Collimation Response
Using the operator-accessible collimator controls, adjust the visible field open and closed while the system remains out of patient use.
Observe whether:
- The light-field blades move smoothly and symmetrically.
- The displayed or visible field changes consistently with control input.
- Blade movement stops, binds, hesitates, or becomes uneven.
- The field remains off-center or irregular after normal repositioning.
Do not adjust internal collimator alignment or remove covers.
Expected outcome: Manual collimation produces smooth, symmetrical visible-field changes without binding or abnormal behavior.
If resolved: Confirm normal field operation, document the corrective action, and stop.
7. Check DR-Linked Field Selection on Equipped Systems
For systems configured with DR-linked collimation, select an appropriate examination and confirm that the detector/exposure-area selection is correct.
Compare operation using:
- A known routine APR/protocol.
- The correct receptor or Bucky selection.
- A different known-working protocol, where permitted by facility workflow.
Observe whether the field setting updates when the selected DR exposure area changes. Avoid making exposures solely to troubleshoot unless authorized testing is required and performed under approved radiation-safety procedures.
Expected outcome: The collimator field responds appropriately to the selected DR exposure area on systems equipped with this function.
If resolved: Document the incorrect protocol, receptor, or exposure-area selection and stop.
8. Verify Automatic Filtration Response on Equipped Systems
For units equipped with automatic filtration, confirm the complaint using operator-accessible indications only.
Select known APR/protocols that are expected by facility configuration to use different filtration settings. Observe whether the displayed or indicated filter state changes appropriately with protocol selection.
RADspeed Pro SR5 materials describe an automatic filter function that can switch collimator-coupled filtration based on APR and exposure area, with preset modes including no filter or 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mm copper filtration.
Expected outcome: The indicated filtration mode changes appropriately when configured APR/protocol selections require it.
If resolved: Document the protocol-selection or configuration-related cause and stop.
9. Rule Out Recoverable Communication or Startup Conditions
If the light field, linked collimation, or automatic filtration fails intermittently, document the displayed condition and perform only approved basic recovery actions, such as:
- Confirming that required system components are fully powered and ready.
- Checking for active system messages or error codes.
- Confirming proper communication with the DR acquisition system on integrated configurations.
- Repeating the check after an approved normal system restart, if allowed by department procedure.
Do not repeatedly restart a unit that presents the same fault or attempt software or hardware modifications.
Expected outcome: The function returns normally after a clearly documented recoverable condition, or the fault remains reproducible for escalation.
If resolved: Complete functional verification according to department policy, document the recovery, and stop.
10. Determine Whether the Device Is Safe to Return to Service
Before returning the room to clinical use, confirm that the collimator light field, center indication, manual field adjustment, linked field selection, and automatic filtration function, when equipped, operate normally.
If field alignment remains questionable, the light field is unavailable, filtration does not respond correctly, or the condition cannot be confidently verified, do not return the system to patient use.
Expected outcome: Only a fully verified system is released for clinical operation.
If the Problem Persists
If external obstructions, setup conditions, protocol selection, receptor selection, manual collimation response, and approved restart checks have been ruled out, the fault is likely within the collimator assembly, lamp/LED circuit, laser alignment system, blade drive mechanism, filtration mechanism, or related control/communication circuitry.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation by qualified imaging service personnel or Shimadzu service
Do not open the collimator housing, attempt internal alignment, adjust filtration hardware, or make internal repairs. Shimadzu safety information states that internal repair and inspection of the RADspeed Pro must be performed by specially trained personnel or the Shimadzu service representative.
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting, especially when radiation-field accuracy and dose-related functions are involved.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot collimator field visibility, alignment, or filtration concerns during an active patient examination. Move the patient to another available radiographic system before investigating. A questionable field or filtration condition should be treated as a patient-safety and radiation-safety concern until verified.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Radiology reported that the RADspeed Pro collimator field light was not illuminating and the technologist could not confirm the intended exposure field before imaging."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified that the collimator LED field light remained inoperative after confirming correct system setup, unobstructed collimator window, proper protocol selection, and normal power-up status."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the radiographic system from service, labeled it Out of Service, notified imaging leadership, and escalated the unit for Shimadzu imaging service evaluation of the collimator assembly."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Patient removed from or not exposed on affected system
- Reported symptom: lamp, alignment, laser center mark, linked field, or filtration
- Exam protocol or APR selected when issue occurred
- Receptor/Bucky selection verified
- Collimator rotation and tube angulation checked
- Visible light-field behavior observed
- Center laser indication present or absent
- Manual blade movement response
- Automatic filtration indication observed, if equipped
- Any warning message or error code displayed
- Evidence of impact, contamination, odor, heat, or abnormal sound
- Approved restart performed and result
- Final device status: returned to service or removed from service
Final Thought
Collimator and filtration concerns should be approached carefully because they affect positioning accuracy, radiation-field control, and dose management. Begin with patient safety and external verification, confirm the setup and selected protocol, and escalate rather than attempting internal adjustment. Clear CCR documentation supports safe follow-up and efficient imaging-service repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.