Procedures For Processing Film

7. Do not depress the on/off switch. It should remain on for the entire working day. As long as the on/off switch is in the on position, several functions will occur throughout the day. a. Approximately every 4 minutes, the oscillating pumps will cycle for several seconds. This action will maintain a uniform solution strength. b. The solution heater will maintain a proper processing temperature. c. The solution agitators will intermittently cycle, keeping the solutions well mixed. d. The roller transports will intermittently turn, allowing the solutions to wet the rollers. This will prevent dried solution deposits from forming. e. At the end of the working day, depress the on/off switch to the off position. 8. Some models may require that you turn the water inlet valve on the plumbing line to the off position. Procedures For Processing Film If you are processing a large quantity of X-ray film, you must avoid any mixup. To do this, after you insert one patient’s X-ray films, wait 15 seconds before inserting the next patient’s films. After inserting the X-ray films of each patient, set the X-ray mount, envelope, or identification label aside, making sure to Figure 1-47.—Operator's control panel. keep them in the order in which they were processed. This will help you match the processed radiographs to the patient’s unit, envelope, or identification label when the film exits the processor. To process X-ray films, you should follow these procedures: 1. The recommended complete processing time is 5 minutes at normal speed. If your processor has an endo speed button, this can process X-rays in 2 minutes. Endo speed is used when the dentist wants to process the film quickly. The developer temperature should be at 82°F (28°C) and the water temperature 50°F to 90°F. 2. Depress the run/standby switch to the run position to begin automatic processing. 3. Insert the X-ray film. Unwrap the film and insert it into the film receiving slot. (Remember to open the film under safelight conditions). The automatic processors can have up to six tracks to accept intraoral films. To prevent overlapping, feed the film lengthwise into every other track (e.g., insert first three films into tracks 1, 3, and 5; insert the second three films into tracks 2, 4, and 6). Feed large films lengthwise one at a time, allowing at least 15 seconds between films. Allow 15 seconds to expire after the last film disappears before inserting another film or turning on the lights or opening the darkroom door. Once the films have been inserted, the total processing time will take 5 minutes unless on the endo cycle. 1-32