System Service Manual

DR-F Detector (Vertical Bar, Bad Pixels,

Gain, CF) Calibration
Mechanical risk. Be care of collimator collision. REMEMBER TO TAKE
FLAT PANEL PHANTOM OFF FROM COLLIMATOR BEFOR SYSTEM POWER OFF
OR RESET.

1  Before You Begin

For new installation, clear detector calibrations first. If this is a new installation, the
detector calibration files created in manufacturing should be cleared prior to starting the
NOTE: detector calibrations - to clear the Wall Stand detector calibrations, go to the <Service
Desktop> and select Wall Stand Detector / Wall Stand Detector / Clear Calibration /
Start / Continue.

The following applies when performing Detector (Vertical Bar, Bad Pixels, Gain, CF)
calibrations.

1. If additional information on a calibration is not shown below, just follow the instructions
presented on SUIF.
2. Remove the radiation meter from its case and allow it to warm-up to room temperature
before using.
3. If the flat field phantom has any scratches, dents, or other imperfections on the large
surfaces, it must be replaced before calibration.
4. The following tools are required:
o Flat Field Phantom (5270546)
o Dose meter holder ((5380973)
o Dosimeter (Keithley, MDH, or equivalent)
5. Bad pixel calibration must be executed before gain calibration is performed.
6. The system must be operating without a reboot for twenty contiguous minutes or more.
The detector requires twenty minutes or more of stable operation before any calibration is
performed.
7. When making exposures, hold the expose switch when requested for the entire specified
amount of time.
8. If the SID, tube angle, or collimator rotation are not correct, an exposure will not be
allowed.

2  Calibration Overview
Receptor - There are three receptors which defined by the means the detector used: the Table
Detector (Detector is in table detector holder), the Wallstand Detector (Detector is in wallstand
detector holder) and the Digital Cassette Detector (Detector is out of detector holder).

A detector shall be fully calibrated for each receptor, so there shall be 3 calibrations total and
each calibration shall be consist of those four parts:

Vertical Bar - This calibration is required to compensate for power management with the
VRAD detector. Since power artifact correction is applied. QC test is performed after dark image
acquisition due to need to have ARC power off for designated time prior to image acquisition.

No user setup or input is required for this calibration unit. Detector ARC supply must be
powered off for 20 minutes prior to performing this calibration.

Bad Pixel Calibration - Used to detect defective pixels. It can be executed independent of the
other calibrations but is not recommended.

The BAD PIXEL calibration routine:

 Acquires images without using X-rays for the first minutes

 Automatically selects and locks default techniques
 Automatically sets the collimator blades to 45 cm x 45 cm size (slightly larger than the
detector).
 Displays the Initial Bad Pixel Calibration Screen (Dark Image processing).

Gain Calibration - Tool is used to calibrate a gain coefficient for each pixel in order to achieve
uniform gain across the detector. Run all kVp/Gain calibrations.

Do all the kVs in GAIN calibration procedure. Make sure that grid is taken out during
NOTE:
detector calibration.

CF Measurement- Tool is used to update the AEC dose calibration parameters.

 Run all CF measurement routines.

 The measured exposure value must be entered in units of “mR�?or “uGy�?

3  When should it be performed

 During initial system installation.
 Whenever a detector, X-ray tube, Beam quality filtration, Collimator or Ion chamber is
replaced.
 If the Ion chamber is re-calibrated.
 When QAP has failed its isolated defect specification or QAP results have changed by
more than 10% during a two week interval.
 When a pixel or line artifact appears in an image(s).
4  Procedure

There's the potential for data loss and equipment damage. Be aware of the
following:

1. Data loss can occur if procedures are not followed in the proper sequence.
2. The weight of the flat field phantom will cause the Tube stand to move
vertically downward, if power is removed to the system. Do not power
down or reset the system while the flat field phantom is attached to the
collimator rails.

 
 

There are three steps for calibrating an Image Detector. All three steps must be completed in the
following order: Bad Pixel Calibration, Pixel Gain Variation Calibration and CF Measurement.

You are required to do the following:

1. Follow the on-screen instructions as presented by the tool.

2. Install the flat field phantom.
3. Execute Bad Pixel Calibration refer to the screen instruction.
4. Execute Gain Calibration refer to the screen instruction.
o 20 mm flat field phantom must not be installed for the 60 kVp gain calibrations
(gain <3000 and gain >3000)
o 20 mm flat field phantom must be installed for 80 and both 120 kVp (gain <3000
and gain >3000)
5. Execute CF Calibration refer to the screen instruction.

a. Insert Flat Field Phantom into the X-ray Calibration Fixture.

b. Locate small chamber probe of Dosimeter between the collimator and the
detector. Probe should be 65 cm from focal spot (measured by collimator tape).

The radiation meter is a very sensitive to temperature. It's important that

the meter be at or near room temperature before making any
NOTE: measurements. The meter must be allowed to thermally stabilize for a
minimum of 20 minutes after removing the meter from the case,
especially if it has been stored outside.

c. Important precautions follow:

i. If the meter is not stable and drifts with no exposure, let it stabilize before
taking measurements.
ii. Tape the meter in place to avoid misalignment during the measurement.
 iii. Verify that the Dose meter probe positioned properly. (eg: Keithley
“Diagnostic�?side is facing the collimator.)
iv. Read the meter BEFORE touching the probe holder. Vibration of the
meter will increase the exposure reading.
v. Hold the hand switch on prep for 3-5 seconds for each exposure.
vi. Verify that the aluminum is replaced in the collimator for the 2nd and 3rd
exposures.
vii. Verify the collimator size adjustments are not accidentally bumped when
removing the probe holder.
viii. Verify that the grid is not in place before proceeding.
6. Configure Radiation meter to measure exposure in mR or uGy
7. Execute CF Measurement Calibration.
8. Perform QAP and verify that Image Quality (IQ) passes.