Nuclear Associates
07-605-7777
EZ CR-DIN Phantoms
August 2006
Manual No. 07-605-7777-1 Rev. 4
©2006 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies
Users Manual
Fluke Biomedical
Radiation Management Services
6045 Cochran Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
440.498.2564
www.flukebiomedical.com/rms
Table of Contents
Section 1: How to Use the Phantom ............................................................... 1-1
1.1 How to Use the Phantom............................................................................. 1-1
1.2 CR System to Print Film Only...................................................................... 1-1
1.3 CR Images to be Viewed............................................................................. 1-1
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General Information
How to Use the Phantom
Section 1
General Information
1.1 How to Use the Phantom
1. Place the EZ CR-DIN Phantom on the imaging surface of the x-ray table. (The standard is DIN
V 6868-58.)
2. Select the proper SID.
3. Install the CR Plate in the Bucky.
4. Select the technical factors in the generator; usually 10 mAs, and set the kVp at 72.
5. The initial use of the phantom will require the user to find the correct mAs and kVp that will be
used on each exposure.
6. After exposure of the phantom, take the CR Plate and select the anatomical region that will
allow you to see the six-step wedge (test objects). Typically, this will be the Abdomen
Processing, but may vary with manufacturer. No Image Processing or raw data can also be
used to visualize the region with no edge enhancement.
1
1.2 CR System to Print Film Only
If you are using a CR system to print film only, you will want to evaluate the film for the following:
1. You should be able to visualize the contrast step wedges, LP resolution phantom and the four
(4) linearity squares.
2. The line-pair number should be recorded and compared to future exposures.
3. Densities should be taken and recorded on the step wedges and linearity squares.
4. A density reading should also be taken in the free area and recorded.
Record the technical factors used in this room in order to visualize the step wedges and linearity square,
since they will be used again. You will want to use these same factors next time you expose the phantom.
1-1
Nuclear Associates 07-605-7777
Operators Manual
1.3 CR Images to be Viewed
If you are using CR images to be viewed on a soft-copy display, the image will be evaluated in a similar
manner:
1. Slight adjustment of the window/level may be necessary to visualize the step wedge and low
contrast objects on the monitor.
2. If the low contrast objects are not visualized, the mAs can be adjusted slightly to compensate.
Be sure to stay within the manufacturer’s recommended exposure range index.
3. The line-pair number should be recorded and compared to future exposure.
4. ROIs can be taken and recorded, and compared to future exposures.
5. An ROI reading should also be taken in a region of the phantom free area and compared to
future exposures.
6. You can now print a film of the phantom from the monitor. The printed image should be an
exact image of what you see on the monitor. The patches should be visualized and the line-pair
resolution should be the same, etc. If it is not, there is a problem somewhere.
Once the correct exposure factors and image processing are found to visualize the patches, and the
system is displaying and/or printing these patches properly, as well as visualizing the other objects in the
phantom, this process can be repeated on a regular basis (daily, weekly, etc.). This process is an
effective way to monitor the output of CR readers, as well as evaluated network connectivity and filming
outputs from soft-copy displays.
This process may also aid in making sure that x-ray room performance is also consistent. By alternating
the acquisition of the CR image to a different room every day, you may find a problem in the room instead
of the CR system.
Example
If your image doesn’t look right, the first thing you should do is repeat it using the same room. If it still
doesn’t appear accurate, you may suspect the room or the CR system. You could isolate the problem by
moving to another room and using the correct mAs and kVp you recorded on the initial image evaluation
of that room. If the processed image turned out properly, one would suspect the first room is not working
right. On the other hand, if the image still doesn’t look correct, your CR system may not be functioning
properly.
1-2
(
(
y
17
Test Pattern for
Resolution
Part 07-523
1 mm T
Copper
Plate
T
hick
± .003
olerance
6-Step Copper
Step
Wedge for
EZ CR-DIN Phantom w/Patches
Model 07-605-7777
”
General Information
CR Images to be Viewed
Measuring Area for
Homogeneit
Clear Area
8 cm x 3
1.2%
1.6%
2.0%
2.8%
4.0%
1
14” x 17” x .25 Lexan
5 mm Pb
½”
Free Area for Signal Normalization
Dimension of Free Area: 10 cm x 10
14” x 17” .098 Copper Plate
1 mm Pb
½”
Low-Contrast Test
Objects to Determine
1 ½“
14” x 17” x .25
Lexan Frame
.040 AL 1” square with ½”
square hole
1”
1”
1-3
Fluke Biomedical
Radiation Management Services
6045 Cochran Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
440.498.2564
www.flukebiomedical.com/rms
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