Hologic Lorad M-IV Series
Hologic · Model Lorad M-IV Series
Exceptional Patient Comfort, Convenience, and Precision - The soft lines and trim silhouette of the M-IV Series enhances patient comfort and ease of positioning, while the recessed face shield and narrow tube head permit flexible and relaxed positioning of the patient Improved Patient Management and Throughput - Patient Scheduling feature allows the technologist to enter up to 100 patients 3-Cell, 7 Position Automatic Exposure Control(AEC) Sensor - This automatic sensor can be positioned in any of seven locations, extending up to 12.5 cm from the chest wall to allow greater and more precise tissue sampling and accurate calculation of proper exposure technique. Even large breasts pose no problem with the increased range of extension Automatic Collimation - Eliminates manual apertures. The field of view is adjusted according to the attached compression device, ensuring that the correct collimation has been selected HTC grid - High Transmission Cellular Grid provides higher contrast images Bi-angular X-ray Tube - Custom designed high performance tube for enhanced magnification views FAST Paddle - Exclusive fully automated self-adjusting tilt paddle, for more uniform compression.
Key tips
- ·Never bypass a radiation interlock to "just get the image" - this is one of the few true zero-tolerance rules in BMET work.
- ·Trend image-quality phantom results over time - drift shows up before an outright failure does.
- ·Portable/mobile units take real physical abuse from transport - check wheel locks and cable strain reliefs more often than fixed units.
Typical Failure Modes
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Image quality / detector-calibration fault
HighSymptoms: Fixed-pattern artefacts, non-uniformity, dead lines, failed flat-field calibration, failed ACR / MQSA phantom.
Root cause: Detector degradation, a calibration issue, or a bad pixel map.
Compression / paddle fault
MediumSymptoms: Compression will not apply or hold the set force, paddle not recognised, force readout wrong.
Root cause: Compression drive / motor, the force sensor, or a paddle-detect fault.
Gantry / C-arm rotation or AWS-communication fault
MediumSymptoms: C-arm will not rotate / lock, angle readout wrong, or the acquisition workstation loses the gantry.
Root cause: Rotation drive / brake / encoder, or the gantry-to-AWS link.
X-ray generator / tube fault
HighSymptoms: Exposure inhibited, kV / mAs error, tube-overload interlock, AEC fault.
Root cause: Generator, the mammo tube / filters, or the AEC.
Acquisition workstation / PACS fault
MediumSymptoms: Images will not display, mark-up or send to PACS / review workstation.
Root cause: AWS PC or the DICOM configuration.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Flat-panel detector (exchange)
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$$R&R Expert-level
Compression drive / force sensor
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
C-arm rotation drive / encoder
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Mammo X-ray tube / filter assembly
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$$R&R Expert-level
Acquisition workstation PC
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Moderate
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat-panel detector (exchange) | Major service part | $$$$ | Expert-level |
| Compression drive / force sensor | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| C-arm rotation drive / encoder | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Mammo X-ray tube / filter assembly | Major service part | $$$$ | Expert-level |
| Acquisition workstation PC | Major service part | $$$ | Moderate |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC per modality: image-quality phantom test
- ·Tube and detector inspection
- ·Annual state-required radiation safety survey
- ·Vendor-scheduled preventive maintenance
Troubleshooting Approach
A starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Image quality / detector-calibration fault / failed ACR phantom
- Run the detector flat-field / gain calibration and the bad-pixel map.
- Perform the daily / weekly QC (ACR phantom, SNR / CNR) and compare to the control chart.
- Inspect for physical detector damage.
- Keep the unit down and escalate anything affecting dose or diagnostic image quality (MQSA).
- Re-run the phantom QC after any correction.
Symptom: Compression will not apply / hold force / paddle not recognised
- Test compression apply / release and the force readout against a known weight.
- Check the paddle is recognised and the detect contacts are clean.
- Inspect the compression drive / motor and the force sensor.
- Replace the force sensor or drive as isolated.
- Confirm the force readout is accurate after repair.
Symptom: C-arm rotation / AWS communication fault
- Test C-arm rotation and lock at several angles.
- Check the rotation drive, brake and encoder.
- Confirm the acquisition workstation sees the gantry.
- Reseat the gantry-to-AWS link.
- Escalate a drive / encoder fault to the OEM.
Technical Specs
- Mammography Type
- Analog X-ray
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Radiology / Imaging department
- Emergency Department (portable units)
- Operating Room (C-arms)
- Cath lab
- Bedside ICU (portable X-ray)
Documents & Manuals
Troubleshoot this device with Bio
Describe a symptom or error code. Bio answers from this device's own documented error codes, failure modes, parts, and guides.
Ask Bio