Computed Radiography

Computed Radiography
Quality control
Quality control
D.W. Fletcher, Ph.D
LT MSC USNR
USUHS
NEHC Conference 2002
BASED LARGELY ON A TALK PRESENTED AT
RHO SEMINAR, MAY 99 BY
D. L. DAVIS, LT, MSC, USN
Back
Equipment
Equipment
PSP Image Acquisition
PSP Image Acquisition

Photo
Photo
-
-
stimulable
stimulable
phosphor stores
phosphor stores
absorbed x
absorbed x
-
-
ray energy in crystal
ray energy in crystal
structures (traps)
structures (traps)

Known as storage phosphor

Known as storage phosphor

Trapped energy can be released if

Trapped energy can be released if
stimulated by additional light energy of
stimulated by additional light energy of
the proper wavelength by the process
the proper wavelength by the process
of
of
photostimulated
photostimulated
luminescence(PSL)
luminescence(PSL)

Acquisition and display of the PSP

Acquisition and display of the PSP
image can be considered in five general
image can be considered in five general
steps
steps

X
X
-
-
ray exposure
ray exposure

Image reader
Image reader

Image scaling
Image scaling

Image recorder
Image recorder

Computed Radiograph
Computed Radiograph
X
X
-
-
ray exposure
ray exposure

Unexposed PSP detector is placed in a

Unexposed PSP detector is placed in a
lead
lead
-
-
backed cassette
backed cassette

Using x
Using x
-
-
ray imaging techniques similar
ray imaging techniques similar
to screen film imaging, latent image is
to screen film imaging, latent image is
trapped
trapped

The electrons are imprinted on the PSP

The electrons are imprinted on the PSP
receptor by absorption of photons
receptor by absorption of photons
transmitted through the object.
transmitted through the object.

Unobservable latent image is processed

Unobservable latent image is processed
by placing PSP cassette into an image
by placing PSP cassette into an image
reader
reader

Image receptor is extracted from the

Image receptor is extracted from the
cassette and raster
cassette and raster
-
-
scanned with highly
scanned with highly
focused and amplified red laser light of
focused and amplified red laser light of
low energy
low energy

A higher energy, low intensity blue

A higher energy, low intensity blue
photostimulated
photostimulated
luminescence(PSL)
luminescence(PSL)
signal is emitted
signal is emitted

The intensity of the emission is

The intensity of the emission is
proportional to the number of x
proportional to the number of x
-
-
ray
ray
photons that were absorbed in the local
photons that were absorbed in the local
area of the receptor
area of the receptor

PSL signal is separated from the red

PSL signal is separated from the red
laser light, channeled to a PMT,
laser light, channeled to a PMT,
convereted
convereted
to a voltage, digitized with
to a voltage, digitized with
an ADC, and stored in a digital matrix
an ADC, and stored in a digital matrix

After PSP detector is scanned, any

After PSP detector is scanned, any
residual latent image is erased using
residual latent image is erased using
intense white light and returned to
intense white light and returned to
service
service

Raw image data transformed by user

Raw image data transformed by user
selected anatomical presets to have
selected anatomical presets to have
subject contrast and grayscale image
subject contrast and grayscale image
the mimics appearance of analog film.
the mimics appearance of analog film.

Image is recorded on film or viewed on

Image is recorded on film or viewed on
image monitor
image monitor
Undistorted Image Data
Undistorted Image Data
Acquisition
Acquisition

CR has a large, linear dynamic range

CR has a large, linear dynamic range

CR
CR
-
-
linear over 4 orders of magnitude
linear over 4 orders of magnitude

Film
Film
-
-
linear over 2 orders of magnitude
linear over 2 orders of magnitude
Film
CR
Edge enhanced
Null
Edge enhanced
with inverted
display
High contrast
edge enhanced
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
SITE PREPARATIONS
SITE PREPARATIONS

PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, ANY FACILITIES,
PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, ANY FACILITIES,
NETWORKING AND MISCELLANEOUS
NETWORKING AND MISCELLANEOUS
REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH THE
VENDOR (SOMETIMES IT IS THESE ITEMS THAT
VENDOR (SOMETIMES IT IS THESE ITEMS THAT
CAN DELAY US IF PROPER PREPARATION IS NOT
CAN DELAY US IF PROPER PREPARATION IS NOT
MADE)
MADE)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
INITIAL RECEIPT CONSIDERATIONS
INITIAL RECEIPT CONSIDERATIONS

UPON RECEIPT OF THE NEW EQUIPMENT, A FULL
UPON RECEIPT OF THE NEW EQUIPMENT, A FULL
INVENTORY SHOULD BE PERFORMED
INVENTORY SHOULD BE PERFORMED

ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR ANY
ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR ANY
DAMAGE AND/OR DEFECTS
DAMAGE AND/OR DEFECTS

THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD THEN BEGIN THE
THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD THEN BEGIN THE
APPROPRIATE CALIBRATIONS
APPROPRIATE CALIBRATIONS

ANY APPLICABLE FACILITY CUSTOMIZATIONS
ANY APPLICABLE FACILITY CUSTOMIZATIONS
SHOULD BE PERFORMED DURING THIS TIME
SHOULD BE PERFORMED DURING THIS TIME

THE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE
THE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE
EVALUATED PRIOR TO ITS USE WITH THE CR
EVALUATED PRIOR TO ITS USE WITH THE CR
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT EVALUATION
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT EVALUATION
(LASER PRINTER)
(LASER PRINTER)

IF THE IMAGES WILL BE EVALUATED VIA A
IF THE IMAGES WILL BE EVALUATED VIA A
PRINTER, THE PRINTER MUST FIRST BE EVALUATED
PRINTER, THE PRINTER MUST FIRST BE EVALUATED
AS SATISFACTORY
AS SATISFACTORY

ENSURE THAT THE LASER CALIBRATION IS WITHIN
ENSURE THAT THE LASER CALIBRATION IS WITHIN
THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS
THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS

USUALLY A LASER GENERATED TEST PATTERN CAN
USUALLY A LASER GENERATED TEST PATTERN CAN
PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION
PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION

IF THE FACILITY HAS A MAXIMUM
IF THE FACILITY HAS A MAXIMUM
DENSITY/CONTRAST PREFERENCE, THIS SHOULD
DENSITY/CONTRAST PREFERENCE, THIS SHOULD
BE ESTABLISHED AT THIS TIME
BE ESTABLISHED AT THIS TIME
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
WORKSTATIONS
WORKSTATIONS

THE SYSTEM SHOULD FIRST BE EVALUATED TO
THE SYSTEM SHOULD FIRST BE EVALUATED TO
ENSURE THAT THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFIED
ENSURE THAT THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFIED
BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST STANDARDS ARE MET(A
BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST STANDARDS ARE MET(A
DOME CALIBRATOR CAN EVALUTE/WITH FE
DOME CALIBRATOR CAN EVALUTE/WITH FE
ADJUSTMENT/INDEPENDENT PHOTOMETER
ADJUSTMENT/INDEPENDENT PHOTOMETER
ILLUMINANCE AND LUMINANCE MEASUREMENTS)
ILLUMINANCE AND LUMINANCE MEASUREMENTS)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
WORKSTATIONS
WORKSTATIONS

DISTORTION AND RESOLUTION CAN BE EVALUATED
DISTORTION AND RESOLUTION CAN BE EVALUATED
VIA A DIGITAL TEST PATTERN (IT IS
VIA A DIGITAL TEST PATTERN (IT IS
RECOMMENDED THAT A TEST PATTERN
RECOMMENDED THAT A TEST PATTERN
INDEPENDENT OF THE VENDOR SOFTWARE BE
INDEPENDENT OF THE VENDOR SOFTWARE BE
UTILIZED)
UTILIZED)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM

INITIALLY ONE MUST CHOOSE A GP X
INITIALLY ONE MUST CHOOSE A GP X
-
-
RAY ROOM
RAY ROOM
THAT HAS PASSED THE LATEST PHYSICS
THAT HAS PASSED THE LATEST PHYSICS
EVALUATION
EVALUATION

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ONE CHOOSE A HIGH
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ONE CHOOSE A HIGH
FREQUENCY GENERATOR SYSTEM, IF POSSIBLE
FREQUENCY GENERATOR SYSTEM, IF POSSIBLE

THE BEAM SHOULD BE 80
THE BEAM SHOULD BE 80
kVp
kVp
WITH 3.0
WITH 3.0
-
-
3.5 mm AL
3.5 mm AL
eq
eq
. HVL (OF COURSE, FOR DEDICATED CHESTS
. HVL (OF COURSE, FOR DEDICATED CHESTS
SYSTEMS THE APPROPRIATE
SYSTEMS THE APPROPRIATE
kVp
kVp
SHOULD BE USED)
SHOULD BE USED)

NOW THE BASELINE TESTS CAN BEGIN
NOW THE BASELINE TESTS CAN BEGIN
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
PHOSPHOR CASSETTE THROUGHPUT
PHOSPHOR CASSETTE THROUGHPUT

THE TIME SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE INITIATION
THE TIME SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE INITIATION
OF THE READOUT CYCLE,AND END WITH THE
OF THE READOUT CYCLE,AND END WITH THE
IMAGE APPEARING FOR DISTRIBUTION
IMAGE APPEARING FOR DISTRIBUTION

FOR AUTOLOADER SYSTEMS, 10 CASSETTES OF A
FOR AUTOLOADER SYSTEMS, 10 CASSETTES OF A
SPECIFIC SIZE SHOULD BE LOADED AND READ
SPECIFIC SIZE SHOULD BE LOADED AND READ

FOR MANUAL FEED SYSTEMS, TEN CASSETTES
FOR MANUAL FEED SYSTEMS, TEN CASSETTES
SHOULD BE FED IN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE
SHOULD BE FED IN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE

THE THROUGHPUT SHOULD BE EXTRAPOLATED AS
THE THROUGHPUT SHOULD BE EXTRAPOLATED AS
PER HOUR
PER HOUR

EACH PLATE SIZE SHOULD BE EVALUATED
EACH PLATE SIZE SHOULD BE EVALUATED

THE RESULT SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF
THE RESULT SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF
MANUF. SPEC.
MANUF. SPEC.
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
PHOSPHOR PLATE DARK NOISE
PHOSPHOR PLATE DARK NOISE

ALL PHOSPHOR PLATES SHOULD FIRST BE SENT
ALL PHOSPHOR PLATES SHOULD FIRST BE SENT
THROUGH THE READOUT CYCLE TO ENSURE
THROUGH THE READOUT CYCLE TO ENSURE
COMPLETE ERASURE BY THE SYSTEM
COMPLETE ERASURE BY THE SYSTEM

AFTER ERASURE, 3
AFTER ERASURE, 3
-
-
5 OF THE PLATES SHOULD BE
5 OF THE PLATES SHOULD BE
SCANNED WITH A SCALING ALGORITHM WHICH
SCANNED WITH A SCALING ALGORITHM WHICH
DRIVES THE GAIN OF THE SYSTEM TO ITS
DRIVES THE GAIN OF THE SYSTEM TO ITS
MAXIMUM
MAXIMUM

THE RESULTING IMAGE SHOULD BE CLEAR WITH
THE RESULTING IMAGE SHOULD BE CLEAR WITH
NO ARTIFACTS
NO ARTIFACTS

IF MORE THAN 2 PLATES HAVE ANY ARTIFACTS, ALL
IF MORE THAN 2 PLATES HAVE ANY ARTIFACTS, ALL
PLATES SHOULD BE TESTED
PLATES SHOULD BE TESTED

ARTIFACTS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED FURTHER
ARTIFACTS SHOULD BE RESEARCHED FURTHER
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY

THE BEAM SHOULD BE 80
THE BEAM SHOULD BE 80
kVp
kVp
AND DELIVER
AND DELIVER
APPROXIMATELY 1
APPROXIMATELY 1
mR
mR
TO THE PLATE AT AS LONG
TO THE PLATE AT AS LONG
OF AN SID AS POSSIBLE (~180 CM)
OF AN SID AS POSSIBLE (~180 CM)

THE EXPOSURE SHOULD FIRST BE MEASURED WITH
THE EXPOSURE SHOULD FIRST BE MEASURED WITH
AN ION CHAMBER FREE IN AIR, AND THE RESULTS
AN ION CHAMBER FREE IN AIR, AND THE RESULTS
INVERSE SQUARE CORRECTED
INVERSE SQUARE CORRECTED

EACH CASSETTE IS THEN CENTERED IN THE BEAM
EACH CASSETTE IS THEN CENTERED IN THE BEAM
AND UNIFORMLY EXPOSED
AND UNIFORMLY EXPOSED

A CONSISTENT TIME DELAY (10 MIN.) SHOULD BE
A CONSISTENT TIME DELAY (10 MIN.) SHOULD BE
ALLOWED BETWEEN EXPOSURES FOR FEWER
ALLOWED BETWEEN EXPOSURES FOR FEWER
FLUCTUATIONS IN RESPONSE
FLUCTUATIONS IN RESPONSE
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY

ON FILM,THE DENSITIES ARE MEASURED IN THE
ON FILM,THE DENSITIES ARE MEASURED IN THE
CENTER OF THE FILM AND IN EACH QUADRANT
CENTER OF THE FILM AND IN EACH QUADRANT

THE CENTRAL FILM VALUE SHOULD BE WITHIN +/
THE CENTRAL FILM VALUE SHOULD BE WITHIN +/
-
-
.10 OF THE PROGRAMMED OD VALUE (APPROX.1.2)
.10 OF THE PROGRAMMED OD VALUE (APPROX.1.2)

ALL OD VALUES SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF THE
ALL OD VALUES SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF THE
PROGRAMMED OD
PROGRAMMED OD

THE SOFT COPY AVERAGE VALUE OF EACH
THE SOFT COPY AVERAGE VALUE OF EACH
QUADRANT ROI SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF THE
QUADRANT ROI SHOULD BE WITHIN 10% OF THE
GLOBAL ROI
GLOBAL ROI

THE ESTIMATED INCIDENT EXPOSURE SHOULD BE
THE ESTIMATED INCIDENT EXPOSURE SHOULD BE
WITHIN 10% FOR ALL PLATES
WITHIN 10% FOR ALL PLATES
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY
PHOSPHOR PLATE REPRODUCIBILITY

ALL OF THE IMAGES SHOULD AGAIN BE EVALUATED
ALL OF THE IMAGES SHOULD AGAIN BE EVALUATED
FOR ANY ARTIFACTS
FOR ANY ARTIFACTS

IF ARTIFACTS APPEAR TO BE PLATE SPECIFIC,
IF ARTIFACTS APPEAR TO BE PLATE SPECIFIC,
CLEAN THE PLATE, ERASE IT FULLY AND REPEAT
CLEAN THE PLATE, ERASE IT FULLY AND REPEAT
THE TEST
THE TEST

IF THE ARTIFACTS ARE STILL PRESENT, THE PLATE
IF THE ARTIFACTS ARE STILL PRESENT, THE PLATE
MUST BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE
MUST BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE

IF CONSISTENT SHADING IS SEEN ACROSS THE
IF CONSISTENT SHADING IS SEEN ACROSS THE
PLATE, THE PLATE MAY BE EXPOSED IN A 180
PLATE, THE PLATE MAY BE EXPOSED IN A 180
DEGREE ORIENTATION TO CANCEL THE HEEL
DEGREE ORIENTATION TO CANCEL THE HEEL
EFFECT VARIATIONS
EFFECT VARIATIONS

IF THIS STILL OCCURS, RESEARCH WITH THE FE
IF THIS STILL OCCURS, RESEARCH WITH THE FE
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SYSTEM LINEARITY
SYSTEM LINEARITY

EXPOSURES OF APPROX. .1
EXPOSURES OF APPROX. .1
mR
mR
, 1
, 1
mR
mR
AND 10
AND 10
mR
mR
SHOULD BE MADE TO 3 INDIVIDUAL PLATES WITH
SHOULD BE MADE TO 3 INDIVIDUAL PLATES WITH
AN 80
AN 80
kVp
kVp
, 180 CM SID BEAM WITH Cu FILTER TO
, 180 CM SID BEAM WITH Cu FILTER TO
SIMULATE PATIENT (I.E. 5 mm Cu)
SIMULATE PATIENT (I.E. 5 mm Cu)

THE PLATE EXPOSURE SHOULD BE MEASURED WITH
THE PLATE EXPOSURE SHOULD BE MEASURED WITH
AN ION CHAMBER FREE IN AIR AND THE RESULTS
AN ION CHAMBER FREE IN AIR AND THE RESULTS
INVERSE SQUARE CORRECTED
INVERSE SQUARE CORRECTED

USING THE MANUF. SPECIFIED EXPOSURE VALUE
USING THE MANUF. SPECIFIED EXPOSURE VALUE
CALIBRATION ALGORITHM, VERIFY THAT THE
CALIBRATION ALGORITHM, VERIFY THAT THE
VALUES ARE WITHIN +/
VALUES ARE WITHIN +/
-
-
20% OF THE ACTUAL
20% OF THE ACTUAL
EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE

NOISE SHOULD DECREASE WITH EXPOSURE
NOISE SHOULD DECREASE WITH EXPOSURE
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SYSTEM LINEARITY
SYSTEM LINEARITY

FILM DENSITY SHOULD BE WITHIN +/
FILM DENSITY SHOULD BE WITHIN +/
-
-
.1 OD OF
.1 OD OF
THE PROGRAMMED VALUE
THE PROGRAMMED VALUE

IF THE MANUF. DOES NOT RECOMMEND ADDED
IF THE MANUF. DOES NOT RECOMMEND ADDED
FILTRATION (I.E. FUJI), THE ACCURACY SHOULD BE
FILTRATION (I.E. FUJI), THE ACCURACY SHOULD BE
EVALUATED WITHOUT THE FILTRATION AND THEN
EVALUATED WITHOUT THE FILTRATION AND THEN
THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE RE
THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE RE
-
-
CALIBRATED WITH
CALIBRATED WITH
THE FILTRATION
THE FILTRATION
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LASER BEAM EVALUATION
LASER BEAM EVALUATION

DELIVER APPROX. 5
DELIVER APPROX. 5
mR
mR
TO A PLATE WITH AN 80
TO A PLATE WITH AN 80
kVp
kVp
, 180 CM SID BEAM, WITH A 35 X 43 CM RULER
, 180 CM SID BEAM, WITH A 35 X 43 CM RULER
CENTERED ON THE CASSETTE AND PERPENDICULAR
CENTERED ON THE CASSETTE AND PERPENDICULAR
TO THE LASER SCAN LINES
TO THE LASER SCAN LINES

LASER JITTER WILL APPEAR AS A NON
LASER JITTER WILL APPEAR AS A NON
-
-
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT
EDGE
EDGE

SIGNAL DROP OUT SHOULD BE EVALUATED WITH A
SIGNAL DROP OUT SHOULD BE EVALUATED WITH A
10X MAG LOUPE (THIS IS USUALLY INDICATIVE OF
10X MAG LOUPE (THIS IS USUALLY INDICATIVE OF
DIRT ON THE LIGHT GUIDE)
DIRT ON THE LIGHT GUIDE)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LASER BEAM EVALUATION
LASER BEAM EVALUATION
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION

A LINE PAIR PHANTOM SHOULD BE PLACED IN
A LINE PAIR PHANTOM SHOULD BE PLACED IN
BOTH THE CENTER AND A PERIPHERAL REGION ON
BOTH THE CENTER AND A PERIPHERAL REGION ON
TOP OF THE CASSETTE WITH ORIENTATIONS IN
TOP OF THE CASSETTE WITH ORIENTATIONS IN
BOTH THE X AND Y DIRECTION
BOTH THE X AND Y DIRECTION

THE PLATE SHOLD BE EXPOSED TO A 60
THE PLATE SHOLD BE EXPOSED TO A 60
kVp
kVp
, 180
, 180
CM SID BEAM WITH ENOUGH mAs FOR APPROX. 5
CM SID BEAM WITH ENOUGH mAs FOR APPROX. 5
mR
mR

UTILIZE A CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT ALGORITHM
UTILIZE A CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT ALGORITHM
WITHOUT EDGE ENHANCEMENT
WITHOUT EDGE ENHANCEMENT

ON THE CRT, THE IMAGE SHOULD BE ZOOMED TO
ON THE CRT, THE IMAGE SHOULD BE ZOOMED TO
THE INTRINSIC LIMIT
THE INTRINSIC LIMIT
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION

THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE
THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE
MAXIMUM THEORETICAL RESOLUTION ALLOWED BY
MAXIMUM THEORETICAL RESOLUTION ALLOWED BY
THE NYQUIST LIMIT (I.E..5 THE MAXIMUM
THE NYQUIST LIMIT (I.E..5 THE MAXIMUM
SAMPLING RATE OF THE SCANNER IN PIXELS/MM)
SAMPLING RATE OF THE SCANNER IN PIXELS/MM)

IF IT IS GREATER THAN 10% LESS THAN THE
IF IT IS GREATER THAN 10% LESS THAN THE
MANUF. SPEC., THE VENDOR MUST READJUST AS
MANUF. SPEC., THE VENDOR MUST READJUST AS
NECESSARY
NECESSARY
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
WIRE MESH TEST
WIRE MESH TEST

A SCREEN
A SCREEN
-
-
FILM CONTACT TOOL IS PLACED ON TOP
FILM CONTACT TOOL IS PLACED ON TOP
OF THE CASSETTE
OF THE CASSETTE

THE CASSETTE IS EXPOSED TO A 60
THE CASSETTE IS EXPOSED TO A 60
kVp
kVp
, 180 CM
, 180 CM
SID WITH ENOUGH mAs FOR ~5
SID WITH ENOUGH mAs FOR ~5
mR
mR
TO THE PLATE
TO THE PLATE

ONE CASSETTE OF EACH SIZE SHOULD BE TESTED
ONE CASSETTE OF EACH SIZE SHOULD BE TESTED

UTILIZE A CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT ALGORITHM
UTILIZE A CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT ALGORITHM

THE IMAGE SHOULD NOT EXHIBIT ANY
THE IMAGE SHOULD NOT EXHIBIT ANY
DISTORTION
DISTORTION
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION

A LOW CONTRAST PHANTOM DESIGNED FOR CR
A LOW CONTRAST PHANTOM DESIGNED FOR CR
SHOULD BE UTILIZED
SHOULD BE UTILIZED

A STANDARD CLINICAL PROTOCOL SHOULD BE
A STANDARD CLINICAL PROTOCOL SHOULD BE
USED (I.E. CASSETTE IN TABLE BUCKY, GRID, ETC.)
USED (I.E. CASSETTE IN TABLE BUCKY, GRID, ETC.)

UTILIZE THE RECOMMENDED
UTILIZE THE RECOMMENDED
kVp
kVp
FOR THE
FOR THE
PHANTOM
PHANTOM

ACQUIRE 3 IMAGES WITH EXPOSURES OF .1, 1.0
ACQUIRE 3 IMAGES WITH EXPOSURES OF .1, 1.0
AND 10
AND 10
mR
mR
TO THE PLATE
TO THE PLATE

UTILIZE THE APPROPRIATE LOW CONTRAST
UTILIZE THE APPROPRIATE LOW CONTRAST
RESOLUTION ALGORITHM(S)
RESOLUTION ALGORITHM(S)
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION

THE LOW CONTRAST SENSITIVITY SHOULD
THE LOW CONTRAST SENSITIVITY SHOULD
IMPROVE WITH INCREASED EXPOSURE
IMPROVE WITH INCREASED EXPOSURE

THE LOW CONTRAST SHOULD ALSO BE
THE LOW CONTRAST SHOULD ALSO BE
COMPARABLE TO A FILM/SCREEN SYSTEM WITH
COMPARABLE TO A FILM/SCREEN SYSTEM WITH
THE SAME TECHNIQUES
THE SAME TECHNIQUES

A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AT THE CRT CAN ALSO
A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AT THE CRT CAN ALSO
BE PERFORMED WITH ROI FOR BASELINE VALUES
BE PERFORMED WITH ROI FOR BASELINE VALUES
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION
LOW CONTRAST RESOLUTION
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
DISTANCE ACCURACY AND ASPECT RATIO
DISTANCE ACCURACY AND ASPECT RATIO

A KNOWN SIZED OBJECT IS FIRST IMAGED
A KNOWN SIZED OBJECT IS FIRST IMAGED

THE CRT MEASURING TOOL IS FIRST CALIBRATED
THE CRT MEASURING TOOL IS FIRST CALIBRATED
FOR EACH PLATE SIZE
FOR EACH PLATE SIZE

THE IMAGE IS THEN MEASURED ON THE CRT WITH
THE IMAGE IS THEN MEASURED ON THE CRT WITH
THE APPROPRIATE MEASURING TOOL FOR
THE APPROPRIATE MEASURING TOOL FOR
COMPARISON
COMPARISON

THE IMAGE MAY ALSO BE COMPARED WITH THE
THE IMAGE MAY ALSO BE COMPARED WITH THE
FILM SCALE TOOL
FILM SCALE TOOL

THE ACTUAL AND MEASURED DISTANCES SHOULD
THE ACTUAL AND MEASURED DISTANCES SHOULD
BE WITHIN 1
BE WITHIN 1
-
-
3% OF EACH OTHER
3% OF EACH OTHER
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
DISTANCE ACCURACY AND ASPECT RATIO
DISTANCE ACCURACY AND ASPECT RATIO

PLACE SEVERAL SQUARE OBJECTS OF HIGH
PLACE SEVERAL SQUARE OBJECTS OF HIGH
CONTRAST ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE PLATE
CONTRAST ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE PLATE

UTILIZE A STANDARD TECHNIQUE, EXPOSE THE
UTILIZE A STANDARD TECHNIQUE, EXPOSE THE
PLATE TO APPROX. 1
PLATE TO APPROX. 1
mR
mR
AND USE A CONTRAST
AND USE A CONTRAST
ALGORITHM
ALGORITHM

MEASURE THE OBJECTS ON FILM AND/OR WITH
MEASURE THE OBJECTS ON FILM AND/OR WITH
THE CALIPERS ON THE CRT
THE CALIPERS ON THE CRT

THIS TEST MEASURES THE IMAGE DISTORTION AS
THIS TEST MEASURES THE IMAGE DISTORTION AS
THE SCANNING GALVONOMETER OR MIRROR
THE SCANNING GALVONOMETER OR MIRROR
STARTS AND STOPS AT EACH LINE SCAN
STARTS AND STOPS AT EACH LINE SCAN

THE X AND Y DISTANCES SHOULD BE WITHIN 1
THE X AND Y DISTANCES SHOULD BE WITHIN 1
-
-
3%
3%
OF THE ACTUAL DISTANCES
OF THE ACTUAL DISTANCES
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
ERASURE THOROUGHNESS
ERASURE THOROUGHNESS

EXPOSE A PLATE TO AN INCIDENT EXPOSURE OF 50
EXPOSE A PLATE TO AN INCIDENT EXPOSURE OF 50
mR
mR
WITH A HIGH CONTRAST LINE PAIR PHANTOM
WITH A HIGH CONTRAST LINE PAIR PHANTOM
PLACED IN THE CENTER
PLACED IN THE CENTER

PROCESS THE PLATE WITH A STANDARD
PROCESS THE PLATE WITH A STANDARD
ALGORITHM
ALGORITHM

RE
RE
-
-
EXPOSE THE PLATE WITH 50
EXPOSE THE PLATE WITH 50
kVp
kVp
, 180 CM SIDE
, 180 CM SIDE
AND mAs FOR A 1
AND mAs FOR A 1
mR
mR
EXPOSURE WITH A SLIGHTLY
EXPOSURE WITH A SLIGHTLY
SMALLER COLLIMATION AND RE
SMALLER COLLIMATION AND RE
-
-
PROCESS
PROCESS

THERE SHOULD NOT BE A GHOST IMAGE OF THE
THERE SHOULD NOT BE A GHOST IMAGE OF THE
HIGH CONTRAST PHANTOM
HIGH CONTRAST PHANTOM
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
ACCEPTANCE TESTING
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
LUT EVALUATION
LUT EVALUATION

IMAGE THE LOW CONTRAST PHANTOM AND THE
IMAGE THE LOW CONTRAST PHANTOM AND THE
HIGH CONTRAST LINE PAIR PHANTOM
HIGH CONTRAST LINE PAIR PHANTOM

ADJUST THE ALGORITHMS AS APPROPRIATE AND
ADJUST THE ALGORITHMS AS APPROPRIATE AND
EVALUATE THE EFFECTS ON THE IMAGES
EVALUATE THE EFFECTS ON THE IMAGES

THE IMAGES SHOULD BECOME BETTER OR WORSE
THE IMAGES SHOULD BECOME BETTER OR WORSE
DEPENDING ON THE CONTRAST, LUT CURVES AND
DEPENDING ON THE CONTRAST, LUT CURVES AND
FREQUENCY ENHANCEMENT
FREQUENCY ENHANCEMENT

SYSTEM SPECIALISTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO
SYSTEM SPECIALISTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO
ASSIST IN OPTIMIZATIONS OF THESE ALGORITHMS
ASSIST IN OPTIMIZATIONS OF THESE ALGORITHMS
FOR CLINICAL USE
FOR CLINICAL USE
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
DAILY(TECHNOLOGIST)
DAILY(TECHNOLOGIST)

VISUALLY INSPECT THE CR EQUIPMENT
VISUALLY INSPECT THE CR EQUIPMENT

GENERATE A FILM LASER SENSITOMETRY STRIP
GENERATE A FILM LASER SENSITOMETRY STRIP
AND MEASURE (IF APPLICABLE)
AND MEASURE (IF APPLICABLE)

CHECK CHEMICAL LEVELS OF PROCESSOR (IF
CHECK CHEMICAL LEVELS OF PROCESSOR (IF
APPLICABLE)
APPLICABLE)

ERASE CASSETTES IF UNSURE OF EXPOSURE
ERASE CASSETTES IF UNSURE OF EXPOSURE
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
DAILY(RADIOLOGIST)
DAILY(RADIOLOGIST)

VISUALLY EVALUATE DIGITAL TEST PATTERN ON
VISUALLY EVALUATE DIGITAL TEST PATTERN ON
CRT TO DETERMINE IF RESOLUTION AND/OR
CRT TO DETERMINE IF RESOLUTION AND/OR
BRIGHTNESS ARE DRIFTING
BRIGHTNESS ARE DRIFTING
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
WEEKLY(TECHNOLOGIST)
WEEKLY(TECHNOLOGIST)

CLEAN FILTERS AND VENTS ON SYSTEM AND
CLEAN FILTERS AND VENTS ON SYSTEM AND
PROCESSOR (IF APPLICABLE)
PROCESSOR (IF APPLICABLE)

ERASE ALL PLATES
ERASE ALL PLATES

INSPECT CASSETTES AND CLEAN PLATES AS
INSPECT CASSETTES AND CLEAN PLATES AS
NECESSARY WITH MANUFACTURERS
NECESSARY WITH MANUFACTURERS
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS

ACQUIRE TEST PHANTOM IMAGES AND CATALOG
ACQUIRE TEST PHANTOM IMAGES AND CATALOG
RESULTS. CHECK PERFORMANCE AND TAKE
RESULTS. CHECK PERFORMANCE AND TAKE
ACTION WHEN OUTSIDE PRE
ACTION WHEN OUTSIDE PRE
-
-
DETERMINED
DETERMINED
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
MONTHLY(TECHNOLOGIST)
MONTHLY(TECHNOLOGIST)

CLEAN ALL PLATES
CLEAN ALL PLATES

REVIEW FILM RETAKE RATE AND DETERMINE
REVIEW FILM RETAKE RATE AND DETERMINE
CAUSES OF UNACCEPTABLE IMAGES
CAUSES OF UNACCEPTABLE IMAGES

PERFORM PROCESSOR MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED
PERFORM PROCESSOR MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
SEMI
SEMI
-
-
ANNUALLY/ANNUALLY(PHYSICIST)
ANNUALLY/ANNUALLY(PHYSICIST)

EVALUATE SOFT
EVALUATE SOFT
-
-
COPY PERFORMANCE OF
COPY PERFORMANCE OF
CONTRAST AND BRIGHTNESS WITH PHOTOMETER
CONTRAST AND BRIGHTNESS WITH PHOTOMETER
AND PERFORM DOME CALIBRATION TEST (IF
AND PERFORM DOME CALIBRATION TEST (IF
APPLICABLE)
APPLICABLE)

THE DOME CALIBRATION TEST WOULD MOST
THE DOME CALIBRATION TEST WOULD MOST
LIKELY BE PERFORMED BY A SITE SYSTEM PACS
LIKELY BE PERFORMED BY A SITE SYSTEM PACS
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR, IF APPLICABLE
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR, IF APPLICABLE

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CR TEST THAT
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CR TEST THAT
OVERLAPS WITH PACS/MONITOR TESTING
OVERLAPS WITH PACS/MONITOR TESTING
FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
QUALITY CONTROL
QUALITY CONTROL
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
ANNUALLY(PHYSICIST)
ANNUALLY(PHYSICIST)
PERFORM, AS APPROPRIATE, THE APPLICABLE TESTS PERFORM, AS APPROPRIATE, THE APPLICABLE TESTS
PERFORMED DURING ACCEPTANCE TESTING PERFORMED DURING ACCEPTANCE TESTING
(LINEARITY/SENSITIVITY TESTS OF IMAGING PLATE (LINEARITY/SENSITIVITY TESTS OF IMAGING PLATE
INVENTORY INVENTORY
INSPECT/EVALUATE IMAGE QUALITY; SPOT CHECK IMAGE INSPECT/EVALUATE IMAGE QUALITY; SPOT CHECK IMAGE
PROCESSING ALGORITHMS FOR APPROPRIATENESS PROCESSING ALGORITHMS FOR APPROPRIATENESS
REVIEW RETAKE RATE, PATIENT EXPOSURES AND SERVICE REVIEW RETAKE RATE, PATIENT EXPOSURES AND SERVICE
HISTORY AS APPLICABLE HISTORY AS APPLICABLE
CONSULT WITH RADIOLOGISTS, RECALL MANUF. IMAGE CONSULT WITH RADIOLOGISTS, RECALL MANUF. IMAGE
SPECIALIST, IF CLINICAL ALGORITHMS DO NOT APPEAR SPECIALIST, IF CLINICAL ALGORITHMS DO NOT APPEAR
APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LCDR DONNA DAVIS
LCDR DONNA DAVIS

CAPT(RET) JERRY THOMAS
CAPT(RET) JERRY THOMAS
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
REFERENCES
REFERENCES

AAPM TASK GROUP 10 DRAFT JULY 97/DEC 2001
AAPM TASK GROUP 10 DRAFT JULY 97/DEC 2001
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