Iqtool - Exe: Guideline A Framework For Developing Image Quality Tools

Siemens MED MR PLM ST PHYS
Dr. Dieter Ritter
Guideline IQtool.exe
A framework for developing
image quality tools
Version: 3.30
Date: April 17, 2008

Author: Dr. Dieter Ritter
rittdiz7 Page 1 4/17/2009

IQtool_guide_3'30.doc
Dr. Dieter Ritter
Index
1. Purpose............................................................................................................................3
2. Access..............................................................................................................................3
3. Main menu item “File” and basic functionality ............................................................4

3.1. Image and file formats ............................................................................................................. 4
3.2. Windowing ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.3. Context Menu .......................................................................................................................... 5
3.4. Region of interest (ROI) and profile......................................................................................... 5
3.5. Footer ...................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Main menu item “View” ..................................................................................................6

4.1. Zoom........................................................................................................................................ 6
4.2. Windowing ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.3. Complex numbers.................................................................................................................... 6
4.4. Image information & clipboard................................................................................................. 6
5. Main menu item “Evaluation” ........................................................................................7

5.1. Image evaluation and arithmetic.............................................................................................. 7
5.2. Fourier mathematics................................................................................................................ 8
5.3. Image size adoption ................................................................................................................ 9
5.4. MTF & NPS.............................................................................................................................. 9
5.5. 2D distortion evaluation ......................................................................................................... 12
6. IEC / NEMA.....................................................................................................................14
6.1. Performance measurements acc. to IEC .............................................................................. 14
6.2. Performance measurements acc. to NEMA .......................................................................... 16
7. Main menu item “Registration” ...................................................................................17

7.1. Image Transformation ........................................................................................................... 17
7.2. Elastic Image Registration..................................................................................................... 17
8. Main menu item “Magnetic Field” ...............................................................................20

8.1. B0 Legendre expansion along image position ...................................................................... 20
8.2. Spatial B0 distortion correction.............................................................................................. 21
9. MPR 3D-Viewer..............................................................................................................24
9.1. 3D distortion evaluation ......................................................................................................... 24

Dr. Dieter Ritter
1. Purpose
This document is designed as a short guideline for the image quality tool IQtool.exe as it is
developed in the MR physics department. The software is a framework to develop MR image
processing related code for prototyping. It may not be freely distributed; the code is not under
software quality control and may not be applied to medical evaluation.
Intention of the tool is to solve problems around MRI as they arise here in our lab, not to
completely cover the range of possible requirements, needs or eventualities. This includes
documentation here in this paper; whatever task will be applied by third party people and
therefore needs to have some more information about IQtool.exe will be included in a
succinct manner.
Documentation therefore will be updated subsequently due to demands from outside.

Therefore please contact: Dieter Ritter
dieter.ritter@siemens.com
(++49) 9131 / 84-4896
2. Access
The executable, some demonstration data and this documentation can be accessed for all
Siemens Healthcare MR colleagues in the directory:
file:\\I:\1_MR\1_HQMR\old_data\PLM\.Common\Tools_MR-Physik\IQtool
No worry, frequent renaming of main directories always will keep you busy looking for the
right newest release ...

Dr. Dieter Ritter
3. Main menu item “File” and basic functionality
3.1. Image and file formats

In the 2D file selector box multiple image files can be loaded, the accepted file formats are
• DICOM (separated images, unpacked)1
• RAW (the k-space Magnetom Numaris RAW image format)
• JPG (RGB color only)
• PNG (RGB color only)
Internally, the available image formats for display and evaluation can have the representation
• 8 bit unsigned integer (gray value)
• 16 bit unsigned integer (gray value)
• 32 bit float number (gray value)
• 24 bit RGB (true color)
• 64 bit complex number
The 3D viewer (see 9) is started by selecting a stack of corresponding 2D images (forming a

3D volume) with the 3D file selector box, this is valid for 16 bit unsigned DICOM images only.
Alternatively, the DICOM browser can be used to first select a file folder, and then select all
appearing DICOM images via the DICOM tree representation (patient name → study →
series → protocol):
Please note that the philosophy is only to read files, the result of all image manipulations or
image calculations can be copied into the OLE clipboard then. Numerical results may be
inserted in an Excel sheet for further evaluation; images may be inserted either in any office
document or picture processing software.
1
Use “Export-to-offline“ from the Syngo UI
Dr. Dieter Ritter
3.2. Windowing
Image windowing is possible with the right mouse button. Vertical movement controls the
brightness, horizontal movement controls the contrast. Windowing is not allowed for fixed 8
bit gray value data (as also a DICOM image might be) and fixed RGB images. Almost any
processing on images will result in 32 bit float values; windowing always is available there.
Image cursor denoting possible windowing
Image cursor denoting no windowing allowed
Toolbar icon to reset image windowing
3.3. Context Menu

A fly-out context menu can be accessed with the right mouse button if available (indicated by
a right arrow in the cursor).
3.4. Region of interest (ROI) and profile

Quite a lot of image calculations need to define an ROI in the image. Push the left mouse
button and raise the ROI:
• mouse left: rectangular ROI
• mouse left + shift: elliptical ROI
• mouse left + ctrl: circular ROI
The dashed diagonal line defines an additional evaluation line, e.g. the profile along this line
can be shown. The small circle denotes the beginning of this line (e.g. start index of the
profile line).
3.5. Footer
The bottom frame line shows the current cursor position (x,y), the windowing range (w1,w2)
and the image intensity as:
• Intensity I (gray value image)
• Color R/G/B (true color image)
• Magnitude, phase, real- and imaginary-part A/P/Re/Im (complex image)

Dr. Dieter Ritter
4. Main menu item “View”
4.1. Zoom
Set the image zoom factor to
• 25%
• 50%
• 100%
• 200%
• 400%
4.2. Windowing
Resets the image windowing to standard values and allows setting the mouse sensitivity of
image windowing (increasing by factor 25). Pseudo color representation can be selected for
gray level images.
4.3. Complex numbers

In case of a complex image format this allows to alternatively display
• the magnitude image
• the phase image
• the real-part of the image
• the imaginary-part of the image
In subsequent windows (e.g. line profile) this menu item switches the evaluation or display to
the desired part of the complex number.
4.4. Image information & clipboard

Copy the image (with current windowing) or other data (e.g. data of a profile line) into the
Windows clipboard. This is principally the method to export any data.
Image Information shows you relevant attached image data (e.g. used DICOM tags).

Dr. Dieter Ritter
5. Main menu item “Evaluation”
5.1. Image evaluation and arithmetic
Statistics & Histogram

The following example shows the evaluation for a circular ROI. Again, in case of a complex
image you can switch the evaluation to the different parts (see 4.3). Use the clipboard to
access the data (see 4.4). The meaning of the parameters is:
• Min minimum pixel value
• Max maximum pixel value
• Mean mean pixel value
• Sigma standard deviation
• SNR signal-to-noise ratio
• AAD average absolute deviation (as defined in the IEC norm)
• Pixels number of pixels
• Area ROI size in mm2 (if defined in the DICOM header, see 4.4)
Profile
The dashed diagonal of the ROI is used to define a profile line (starting point is the line end
marked with the small circle). Again, in case of a complex image you can switch the
evaluation to the different parts (see 4.3). Use the clipboard to access the data (see 4.4). The
meaning of the parameters is:
• Pixels line length in image pixels
• Length line length in mm (if defined in the DICOM header, see 4.4)
• Angle angle of the profile (horizontal to the right = 0°)

Dr. Dieter Ritter
Image Combination
Methods to perform image arithmetic by combination. Please note that all results are
computed in 32bit float (gray value) format:
• image addition
• image addition quadratically (sqrt(IA2+IB2), e.g. for iPAT combination)
• image subtraction
• image multiplication
• image division
ROI handling
Here you can save and load the position, size and shape of an ROI. This might be useful to
transfer an ROI to an identical place at another image or for subsequent measurements.
5.2. Fourier mathematics

All 2D Fourier transformations are based on FFT
and therefore require an image size of 2nx2n pixels
(otherwise the following menu items are dimmed).
Please see 5.3 how to achieve such a format for
images of different size.
Fourier-Transformation
Computes the complex Fourier-transformation of a
2D image of arbitrary type
Inverse Fourier-Transformation
Computes the complex inverse Fourier-
transformation of a 2D image of arbitrary type

Dr. Dieter Ritter
NUMARIS Inverse Fourier-Transformation

Computes the complex inverse Fourier-transformation of the (specially arranged) Numaris
raw 2D image. This can be used to transform the Magnetom’s k-space image into a space
domain image.
NUMARIS Inverse Fourier-Transformation 1D (row-by-row)

Special purpose 1D Fourier transformation of each horizontal image line (this is the readout-
direction in NUMARIS raw images).
5.3. Image size adoption
Padding (up to 2nx2n)

Enlarges the images size to the next 2nx2n pixels enabling a Fourier transformation (border is
filled with black)
Cropping (down to 2nx2n)

Shrinks the images size down the next 2nx2n pixels enabling a Fourier transformation
(cropping the inner region)
Crop to ROI
Shrinks the images size to the region of Interest (ROI)
Restore Reduced Fourier Phase Resolution

This is for non-square complex Numaris raw-images (k-space) with reduced resolution in
phase encoding direction. It enlarges the image to square size adding a black border at the
upper and lower end of the image, so enabling a 2D Fourier transformation
5.4. MTF & NPS

An ROI has to be defined in advance to enable the MTF (modulation transfer function)
evaluation methods. This rectangular ROI has to cover a slightly tilted intensity edge in the
image with its longer side defining the edge direction. Due to the nature of the image
formation there is a differentiation between “normal” intensity images (digital photos, X-ray
images) and MR images consisting of k-space samples in the frequency domain.
Modulation-Transfer-Function for MR Images (MTF)

Complex k-space images in RAW format of a suitable edge phantom are required. It is
important to have both the real- and imaginary-part to determine the MTF. At first such an
image has to be converted from frequency domain by the NUMARIS Inverse Fourier-
Transformation (5.2) followed by defining the ROI.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
The corresponding MTF evaluation output below shows on the upper left the edge-detection
(ED) within the selected ROI, on the upper right the edge-spread-function (ESF) that is the
averaged and adequate interpolated edge profile across the edge direction. Real and
imaginary parts are evaluated separately so far. On the lower left the line-spread-function
(LSF) is shown as the derivative of the ESF. Roughly it’s Fourier transformation defines the
desired MTF (lower right). The ideal form is a rect-function:
The result may be exported to the Clipboard selecting the “View” menu for export to Excel.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
Modulation-Transfer-Function for Intensity Images (MTF)

Again an image intensity edge is evaluated (on the right an X-ray
image of a tungsten edge can be seen). The basic difference in
evaluating an intensity image (beside the non-complex data) is the
edge interpolation scheme. Differentiation and Fourier-
transformation defines the desired MTF (lower right). The ideal form
is a sinc-function:

Dr. Dieter Ritter
Noise-Power-Spectrum (NPS)
The NPS represents the noise power in the frequency components of an image in-between
the negative and positive Nyquist-frequency (horizontal and vertical). It is defined as the
Fourier-transform of the auto-covariance of the image. NPS separates random noise
(inherent) from systematic noise (typically introduced by equipment malfunction or design
limitations). Apply a profile plot of a half-diagonal to achieve a one-dimensional
representation of the NPS.
This requires an image size of 2nx2n pixels (otherwise the menu item is dimmed). Please see
5.3 how to achieve such a format for images of different size.
Two examples, left the NPS of an uniform MR image with equally distributed noise but an intensity
inhomogeneity (denoted by the white streaks). On the right the NPS of a pure white noise image
where a Gaussian- and Unsharp-masking filter was applied (in pseudo color view).
5.5. 2D distortion evaluation
Geometric Distortion (Rod)

The evaluation of a rod phantom is done by choosing the menu item “feature extraction” first.
This identifies circular structures with a well defined radius (colored in red) in the image in the
presence of noise and even heavy distortion. The marked reference shows the circle nearest
to the scanners isocenter (DCS). A grid mapping related to this reference feature with the
ideal rod positions is applied as shown by the blue colored raster.
The meaning of the parameters is:

• the rod-grid distance denotes the distance between the rods defined by the phantom
construction (in mm) for each phantom direction
• the marker radius describes half the diameter of the rods
• relative min/max radius is to threshold the found circles of different size
• the DEV defines the “diameter elliptical volume” (the scanner’s specification volume in
x/y/z-direction (DCS))

Dr. Dieter Ritter
• choose “inverse image” if the MR-signal (bright) is produced by the phantom

background rather than the rods
The automated feature extraction subsequently may be edited by hand:

• delete a feature with the right mouse button
• move a feature by dragging it with the mouse
• add a circular feature keeping the left mouse button pressed
Menu item “evaluation” finally shows the scatter plot of the errors between the detected
markers and their true position. The abscissa denotes the normalized ellipsoidal radius (with
value 1.0 onto the surface of the elliptical DEV, marked by the dotted line).
As customary, the result can be copied into the Windows clipboard to paste into an Excel
sheet e.g. for further use.
Distortion evaluation of a 3D volume can be done within the 3D viewer (see 9.1).

Dr. Dieter Ritter
6. IEC / NEMA
6.1. Performance measurements acc. to IEC
SNR & Uniformity

Two identical MR images, measured in consecutive order, are used to calculate the SNR and
uniformity in an ROI according to IEC. This is a shortcut instead of multiple calls and pocket
calculations of 5.1
Slice Thickness
MRI slice thickness can be measured according to IEC with two methods:
a) inclined wedges phantom (11.3°, Multi-Purpose-Phantom)
b) inclined slabs phantom (5.71°, ACR phantom)
The longer opposed aspects of the rectangular ROI hereby define the evaluation profiles
overlaying the inclining slabs/wedges (marked here with orange and green). The meaning of
the parameters is:
• Alpha wedge/slab angle of the phantom

Dr. Dieter Ritter
• Fwhm1 “fill width at half maximum” in the image of wedge/slab 1

• Fwhm2 “fill width at half maximum” in the image of wedge/slab 2
• Theta the rotational displacement of the phantom (will be corrected)
• Thickness the calculated slice thickness we are looking for
Spatial Resolution
Computes the modulation factor within the ROI according to IEC.
Ghosting
Step 1 “Set Regions”: three colored quadrates
have to be positioned by hand (left mouse
button) to cover regions of phantom signal,
ghost signal and background noise signal
(refer to the IEC). The color code is:
green = signal ROI
red = ghost ROI
blue = noise ROI
Step 2 “Evaluation”: finally calculates the

required performance numbers
Geometric Distortion (Circle / Ellipse)

MRI geometric distortion can be measured according to IEC with several phantoms using
images of circles or ellipses (suitable to evaluate spheres or ellipsoids as specified MR
imaging volume). Following the menu, this consists of 3 steps:
menu 1) First define the center of the phantom by moving the ends of the green lines
and then ...
menu 2) align the perimeter by moving either the middle point or end points of the
yellow lines. IQtool gives you a suggestion where to place the points, always
check these positions for misalignments (e.g. due to an air bubble in the
phantom). You may use image zoom [4.1] to achieve subpixel accuracy.
Finally select item...
menu 3) to get the evaluation data.
The meaning of the resulting parameters is:

• Radius inner radius of the phantom (circle or ellipse)
• Scale scale geometric distortion (acc. to IEC)
• Aberration aberration geometric distortion (acc. to IEC)
• Maximum maximum geometric distortion (acc. to IEC)
Finally an ROI is overlaid to show the true phantom geometry with respect to the selected
center position.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
6.2. Performance measurements acc. to NEMA
Special-Purpose Coils (MS6)

After loading three images, the selection dialog asks you to assign the images as used in
NEMA-MS6. Two identical MR images (No. 1 and 2), measured in consecutive order, are
used to calculate the SNR within the MROI (yellow), making use of the noise evaluation area
(red). Image No. 3 is the perpendicular one. The reference position is the distance (green)
along the plane-intersection line (shown as the ROI diagonal) from the phantom surface
point. The difference image of No.1&2 is displayed as used for SNR calculation, as well as
the contour plot of image No. 1&3. The contour lines correspond to a 10% signal level of the
MROI.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
7. Main menu item “Registration”
7.1. Image Transformation
Affine Transformation
Performs 2D affine transformation to any image format, the result is always computed in
32bit float (gray value) format. Transformation parameters are:
• Rotation
• Translation
• Scale
• Shear
Pixel interpolation can be chosen as:
• Nearest neighbor
• Linear
• B-Spline
Elastic Transformation (Random)

Generates a randomized elastic transformation to
any image format, the result is always computed
in 32bit float (gray value) format.
7.2. Elastic Image Registration
Normalized-Mutual-Information (NMI)
Computes the joint-histogram image and the NMI = 1.522
normalized-mutual-information number (NMI) of
two images. NMI is designed for correlation
measure of multimodal images (e.g. MR and
PET) and is a quality number for image
registration. The first image is the active one, the
second image can be chosen from a list of all
open images in the program.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
Elastic Registration
An elastic registration for two (multimodal) images of
same size is calculated. The active image is the so called
“model image”, the second image can be chosen from a
list of all open images in the program as the “reference
image”. The model image will be warped to optimally fit
the reference image by maximizing the NMI (the result
may be reviewed by image subtracting). A dynamic multi-
scale grid defines the parameters (control points) for the
appropriate local B-spline transformations; a gradient
ascent method fits the parameters to optimize the NMI in
an iteration loop (quality function example see right).
The registration can be applied to any image format; the result is always computed in 32bit
float (gray value) format. Transformation parameters are:
• Starting grid size number of control points along image width
• Iterations per grid step optimization loop over all parameters (per grid
size)
• Number of grid expansions control points will be quadruplicated at each
grid step
• Relative control point amplitude factor of the control point distance as the
maximum control point shift at the start
point of each grid step
• Amplitude decrease factor linear decrease of the amplitude down to this
factor of the maximum shift at the end point of
each grid step
• Differentiation width interval for gradient calculation [pixel]
Finally a logfile is written to evaluate the optimization progress and final control point
distribution. Please note that the focus of this implementation is an architectural one for fast
prototyping and reliable evaluation. Therefore elastic registration may take a night run here.
There are dozens of known methods to speed up the processing time dramatically by a
factor of several hundred!
Two images in subtraction before (left) and after (right) elastic registration. Note that the result is a
perfect geometric fit (although there are remaining high-pass-like looking structures caused by the
B-spline intensity interpolation)

Dr. Dieter Ritter
Apply Parameter Grid

The logfile of the elastic registration (that includes the final control point distribution) is used
to quickly reapply the elastic transformation to the original model image or to transfer the
transformation result to further images.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
8. Main menu item “Magnetic Field”
8.1. B0 Legendre expansion along image position
Magnetic B0 field expansion along the current selected MR image is performed. The position
and orientation of this DICOM image is used to calculate the “true” B0 value at each image
pixel position in the 3D scanning volume. The appropriate Legendre coefficients gained by
the “magnet shim” tune-up step are used. They have to be loaded from (double precision) file
that can be found at any scanner in the directory:
C:\MedCom\service\html\seso\sitedb\log\shim\iqshim_output_*.xml
The pixel values of the congruent B0 field image are scaled to [ppm] units of the ground
magnetic strength (see image information 4.4). The following example shows a sagittal slice
of a short bore 3T magnet (Verio), here a circle with diameter 368,8mm (vertical readout-
direction, gradient distortion correction applied). Multiplication (5.1) of this image with the
here computed adequate B0 image leads to the right image where geometric distortion and
its cause, the B0 inhomogeneity, is visualized in parallel.
The B0 expansion is based on Legendre coefficients measured during the initial system
setup. From that time on each shim-activity (phantom-shim, 3D-shim) changes at least the
gradient offset currents for the linear terms what invalidates the primary magnetic field data.
On the other side each shim activity is to optimize (meaning setting to zero) some remaining
Legendre coefficients with their corresponding electrical coils. Therefore the following system
depended shim status can be chosen:
• none
• for linear terms (A10, A11, B11)
• for linear terms and (A20)
• for linear terms and all second order terms (A20, A21, A22, B21, B22)
Any offset in z-direction2 (DCS) as used between the 3D-slabs in whole body composing
should be indicated.
2
as in DICOM tag (0x0019,0x1014)
Dr. Dieter Ritter
8.2. Spatial B0 distortion correction
Please note that so far all corrections can be done on images with standard k-space
sampling scheme only.
B0 distortion correction by magnetic field expansion

In addition to the B0 expansion along with an image (see 8.1 above), the knowledge of the
magnetic field data at each image pixel is used for spatial distortion correction that is
introduced by the B0 inhomogeneity. Please correct for the right sign of the geometric
warping with the additional parameter (e.g. for transversal- and sagittal-images with standard
patient positioning):
• Gradient polarity
The example below shows as a result the distortion measurement (see Fehler!
Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.) on a sagittal image (Verio 3T, pixel
bandwidth 100Hz/Px, SE, phantom Ø368,8mm, gradient distortion correction on, vertical
readout direction) without (left) and with (right) B0 distortion correction.
The following parameters have to be defined in the DICOM image headers:

• Phase-encoding direction
• Pixel band width (pbw)
• Center frequency (f0)
• Pixel width and height
The corrected DICOM image is exported named “DisB0(type2){originalname}.dcm”
B0 distortion correction by elastic registration

Geometric distortion in readout-direction (frequency-encoding) of a MR image caused by B0
inhomogeneities can be corrected with an image based method. Therefore two images of
identical location and MR sequence parameters but swapped phase-encoding directions are
used. Another method is to use two images with different gradient strength in readout-
direction. Both approaches are supported here3. The following parameters have to be
defined in the DICOM image headers:
3
the effect of B0 distortion depends on the pixel bandwidth
Dr. Dieter Ritter
• Phase-encoding direction
• Pixel band width (pbw)
• Center frequency (f0)
An elastic registration between both corresponding images has to be performed in advance

(as in 7.2). The first image is the “model image”, the second one is the “reference image” and
the computed logfile defines the geometric warping from the model- into the reference image.
Using this data here, first a translation vector field image between them is calculated: it
shows 45° vectors for readout-direction swapped images and 0° vectors for dual readout-
gradient images (color coding by sign, see below left). Based on this information a
corresponding B0 map is computed (below right), intensity values are given in ppm of B0 (be
cautious in the interpretation, B0 values are valid only within the magnet specification volume
and image regions where the elastic registration was successful).
r = 150mm
r = 200mm
As actual intention now the translation map is further used to perform B0 distortion correction
in both original images (model and reference). The corrected images appear as new images
in the main window as well as DICOM exports in the original folder, respectively named:
• DisB0(type1){model}.dcm
• DisB0(type1){reference}.dcm

Dr. Dieter Ritter
r = 150mm
r = 150mm
r = 200mm r = 200mm
sag sag
The output above shows a 3D distortion phantom as subtraction between the two readout-
direction swapped MR images. On the left side the subtracted original images can be seen,
the deviations of the spheres due to B0 inhomogeneities are obvious. After B0 distortion
correction both images are subtracted again (right side), now they are geometrically identical.
This means that the effect of B0 inhomogeneity induced distortion is eliminated.

Dr. Dieter Ritter
9. MPR 3D-Viewer
A stack of 2D images forming a 3D volume
are displayed in three orthogonal cutting
planes with MPR (multi planar
reconstruction). Zooming and windowing is
supported. As geometrical information is
needed for the display, this is for 16-bit
DICOM images only.
The menu entry “Evaluation” allows creating

the specific 2D views in a separated image
that can be normally processed. Use the
DICOM browser consecutively to load
separated 3D volumes please.
Toolbar icon control:
• Scroll by crosshair or mouse wheel
• Scroll by left mouse button or mouse wheel
• Pixel volume display [1:1:1]
• Scale volume to true range [mm] by scaling the slice distance
9.1. 3D distortion evaluation
The geometric distortion evaluation of a 3D rod- or sphere-array

phantom in an MR-scanner is done by choosing the menu item
“feature extraction” with an appropriate set of images forming a
(seamless) 3D volume. The parameters and interactive editing of the
found markers in each image are similar to the 2D evaluation
approach (please refer to Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht
gefunden werden. – geometric distortion).
A 2D grid mapping relatively to a local reference marker (marked in red) is first done in each
image separately; all other isolated markers are not used any more for the planar evaluation
but with the sterical evaluation (see below). The global reference marker (marked in yellow)
is defined as the biggest nearest reference marker to the DCS isocenter in the stack of all
images. After correction for the common, global 3D grid rotation, the next step performs a
refined 2D grid mapping again, marking all local reference markers in cyan whose joined

Dr. Dieter Ritter
markers are not used for the 3D evaluation because the distance from the corresponding
reference feature to the scanners isocenter-line is too far.
The image on the right shows

one of the sagittal slices with
a prosperous feature
extraction and grid mapping
for a 3D sphere-array
phantom. D E
There are two different B
evaluation schemes. The
“planar evaluation” takes all
circular features within a
stack of tra/sag/cor images,
performs a 2D grid-mapping
respectively and uses the
third orthogonal coordinate C
as set in the Syngo UI. If a
phantom with spherical
markers is used, then the
“sterical evaluation” further
interpolates the third A
orthogonal coordinate along
the image stack by tracking
the evolving radiuses across
the image slab, starting from
all circles found in the plane A) the reference marker nearest to the DCS isocenter
B) spheres mapped to the true grid positions (crosses)
of the global reference
C) spheres truncated in 3D appear smaller
marker. This allows a true D) distortion too high to precisely find a circle with reliable
3D-position measurement of center and radius (needed for the sterical evaluation)
reference markers. E) spheres bending from adjacent planes are not mapped to
the current grid
As a result the mean-/max- deviation graphs over the normalized shell (as known from 5.5) is
drawn and can be copied to the clipboard:

Dr. Dieter Ritter
The left image shows the geometric distortion with the “planar evaluation” (lateral image
coordinates only), the right image shows the “sterical evaluation” using the true marker
positions in 3D. Again the x/y/z-deviation [mm] is given in DCS-coordinate system.
Note: The planar evaluation corrects only for the rotation around the vector in slab-direction,
the sterical evaluation allows to correct for all three rotations in (x,y,z)-direction
Note: The interpretation of the sterical evaluation needs some attention. To extract reliably
the 3D spherical markers (2D circles are much less error-prone), only the “good
shaped” markers are used neglecting the others as they main appear exactly in those
outer regions we are interested in. As a consequence the sterical result may show the
lower error numbers in the outer shell, because of using fewer markers there than the
planar evaluation!
It is recommended to compare both evaluations therefore, if the lateral coordinates
are consistent with each other, you can trust the third coordinate of the sterical
evaluation too.
Note: For the sterical evaluation, the distance between the images of a 3D-slab has to be
25% of the spherical marker diameter.
end


Iqtool - Exe: Guideline A Framework For Developing Image Quality Tools

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Iqtool - Exe: Guideline A Framework For Developing Image Quality Tools

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Siemens MED MR PLM ST PHYS

Dr. Dieter Ritter

Date: April 17, 2008

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3. Main menu item “File” and basic functionality ............................................................4

4. Main menu item “View” ..................................................................................................6

5. Main menu item “Evaluation” ........................................................................................7

7. Main menu item “Registration” ...................................................................................17

8. Main menu item “Magnetic Field” ...............................................................................20

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Documentation therefore will be updated subsequently due to demands from outside.

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3. Main menu item “File” and basic functionality

3.1. Image and file formats

The 3D viewer (see 9) is started by selecting a stack of corresponding 2D images (forming a

Image cursor denoting possible windowing

Image cursor denoting no windowing allowed

Toolbar icon to reset image windowing

3.3. Context Menu

3.4. Region of interest (ROI) and profile

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4. Main menu item “View”

4.3. Complex numbers

4.4. Image information & clipboard

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5. Main menu item “Evaluation”

5.1. Image evaluation and arithmetic

Statistics & Histogram

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5.2. Fourier mathematics

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NUMARIS Inverse Fourier-Transformation

NUMARIS Inverse Fourier-Transformation 1D (row-by-row)

5.3. Image size adoption

Padding (up to 2nx2n)

Cropping (down to 2nx2n)

Restore Reduced Fourier Phase Resolution

5.4. MTF & NPS

Modulation-Transfer-Function for MR Images (MTF)

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Modulation-Transfer-Function for Intensity Images (MTF)

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5.5. 2D distortion evaluation

Geometric Distortion (Rod)

The meaning of the parameters is:

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• choose “inverse image” if the MR-signal (bright) is produced by the phantom

The automated feature extraction subsequently may be edited by hand:

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SNR & Uniformity

a) inclined wedges phantom (11.3°, Multi-Purpose-Phantom)

b) inclined slabs phantom (5.71°, ACR phantom)

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• Fwhm1 “fill width at half maximum” in the image of wedge/slab 1

Step 2 “Evaluation”: finally calculates the

Geometric Distortion (Circle / Ellipse)

The meaning of the resulting parameters is:

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6.2. Performance measurements acc. to NEMA

Special-Purpose Coils (MS6)

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