What factor does not directly affect patient exposure during fluoroscopy?

The factor that does not directly affect patient exposure during fluoroscopy is the use of a three-phase generator. While the type of generator used can influence the overall efficiency of the imaging system and the quality of the images produced, it does not have a direct impact on how much radiation the patient is exposed to during a fluoroscopy procedure.

Patient exposure is primarily influenced by factors such as exposure time, target-to-panel distance, and collimation. Exposure time refers to how long the X-ray beam is active, with longer exposure times resulting in higher doses of radiation to the patient. Target-to-panel distance is important because as the distance increases, the intensity of the X-ray beam decreases, resulting in less radiation exposure to the patient. Lastly, collimation is crucial as it narrows the X-ray beam to the area of interest, minimizing unnecessary radiation to surrounding tissues, thereby reducing patient exposure.

The three-phase generator does enhance the overall performance of the fluoroscopy system by providing a more consistent output and better image quality through improved image contrast and reduced noise; however, it does not alter the direct amount of radiation incident upon the patient during a procedure.