What is the primary purpose of beam filtration?

The primary purpose of beam filtration is to reduce patient skin dose. Filtration involves the use of materials that selectively absorb low-energy photons from the X-ray beam. These low-energy photons contribute little to the diagnostic quality of the image but can increase the radiation dose to the patient's skin and surface tissues. By filtering out these less useful low-energy photons, the average energy of the beam is increased, which not only helps improve image quality but also minimizes the exposure of sensitive skin tissues to unnecessary radiation.

This practice enhances patient safety by lowering the risk of skin reactions and long-term effects associated with higher radiation doses. The focus on minimizing skin dose aligns with the principles of radiation safety and optimization of patient care in medical imaging.