The beam quality test for x-rays (or gamma rays) is an important medical imaging equipment performance test. Defined by the half-value layer (HVL) and the x-ray tube's peak voltage potential used, it validates that there is enough beam filtration to remove low-energy photons. Low-energy photons degrade image quality which may then trigg
The beam quality test for x-rays (or gamma rays) is an important medical imaging equipment performance test. Defined by the half-value layer (HVL) and the x-ray tube's peak voltage potential used, it validates that there is enough beam filtration to remove low-energy photons. Low-energy photons degrade image quality which may then trigger the need for image retakes, and ultimately in unnecessary additional radiation dose to the patient. When monitored in a routine basis, beam quality testing may reveal problems with equipment's wear and tear such as problems with the x-ray tube or the high-voltage generator. The HVL is also an important parameter in radiation dosimetry calculations, dose conversion tables, etc.
The MuCT device enables you to:
The MuCT device enables you to:
The MuCT device is made of Aluminum 1100 alloy.
The MuCT device may be useful for:
Once properly researched and/or validated, the device may open the possibility to be used for:
The MuCT device may be useful for:
Once properly researched and/or validated, the device may open the possibility to be used for:
Our introductory offer includes:
The MuCT device is designed to accommodate the pencil-type ionization chambers currently used in medical physics equipment performance testing. The device's inner diameter is designed to match the diameter of the holes in the CTDI phantom. If your equipment includes a sleeve to add to the chamber when performing CTDI measurements, then you should also use the sleeve with the MuCT device.
You are correct, x-ray tubes used in CT already have heavy inherent filtration. The MuCT device is useful in allowing for a more complete and inclusive clinical medical physics performance testing program. It may also allow for the early detection of problems with the x-ray tube and/or the high-voltage generator, or other system componen
You are correct, x-ray tubes used in CT already have heavy inherent filtration. The MuCT device is useful in allowing for a more complete and inclusive clinical medical physics performance testing program. It may also allow for the early detection of problems with the x-ray tube and/or the high-voltage generator, or other system components. Lastly, there's the benefit of using the device to obtain input parameters for computer models/simulations used in CT dosimetry calculations.
Computer simulations are widely used in CT radiation dosimetry to estimate patient dose. However, simulation results still need to be validated. The MuCT device provides the capabilities to validate computer simulation input/output data or possibly improve it. Moreover, the MuCT device enables physicists to obtain empirical measurements that are unique to each CT system of interest.
The MuCT device:
The MuCT device:
Whereas Monte Carlo:
During our research we found that the broad-beam geometry HVL as measured with the device, and using its corresponding effective energy, resulted in an experimental narrow-beam geometry HVL that is within 5% percent difference from the manufacture's narrow-beam geometry HVL.
Our research results strongly support the conclusion that the MuCT device's design, combined with the symmetrical x-ray irradiation, creates the conditions to achieve ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation as described by Evans in "The Atomic Nucleus" and Attix in "Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dos
Our research results strongly support the conclusion that the MuCT device's design, combined with the symmetrical x-ray irradiation, creates the conditions to achieve ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation as described by Evans in "The Atomic Nucleus" and Attix in "Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry". Furthermore, we don't see the typical Compton scatter buildup "shoulder" when we plot the attenuation as a function of aluminum thickness.
Current solid state detectors in the market, to our knowledge, may lack the symmetrical geometric response or construction needed to create the conditions for ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation. Also CT x-ray tubes may have beam filtering materials not properly corrected for or actively compensated for by the solid state detector's construction or software.
The idea for the MuCT device was conceived in 2009 while conducting research in radiation dose to the skin due to CT-guided procedures. We needed to determine the x-ray beam's effective energy, via the HVL, to perform theoretical skin dose calculations and compare those to experimental radiochromic film results. Unfortunately, due to time
The idea for the MuCT device was conceived in 2009 while conducting research in radiation dose to the skin due to CT-guided procedures. We needed to determine the x-ray beam's effective energy, via the HVL, to perform theoretical skin dose calculations and compare those to experimental radiochromic film results. Unfortunately, due to time constrains, the idea did not materialize. It remained stored inside our brain neurons until 2016 when the idea was approved for our dissertation project. In 2018 the first prototype was fabricated and research data collection commenced to investigate the MuCT device usefulness in determining the HVL in CT scanners without the need to "park" the x-ray tube (i.e. stop the x-ray tube's rotation).
Yes, the MuCT device was designed with the standard 100 mm pencil-type CT ionization chamber in mind. Our research revealed that the chamber's charge collection efficiency drops below 95% along two segments, each one about 10 mm, at the beginning and end of the chamber's active volume, along the chamber's longitudinal axis. This is easily
Yes, the MuCT device was designed with the standard 100 mm pencil-type CT ionization chamber in mind. Our research revealed that the chamber's charge collection efficiency drops below 95% along two segments, each one about 10 mm, at the beginning and end of the chamber's active volume, along the chamber's longitudinal axis. This is easily corrected by repositioning the chamber. Our research also confirmed that using a 300 mm pencil-type chamber completely eliminates any chamber charge collection efficiency issues.
We determined that the optimal scanning technique would be:
In addition to the capability of measuring the HVL and the x-ray beam's effective energy during clinical scanning conditions, the MuCT device;
In addition to the capability of measuring the HVL and the x-ray beam's effective energy during clinical scanning conditions, the MuCT device;
True, Federal regulations don't require measuring the HVL, in millimeters of aluminum equivalent material, for CT.
We believe that it is not required because the manufacturer's tube inherent filtration specifications, combined with the bow-tie filter attenuation, exceeds Federal x-ray filtration requirements.
We also believe that it is not
True, Federal regulations don't require measuring the HVL, in millimeters of aluminum equivalent material, for CT.
We believe that it is not required because the manufacturer's tube inherent filtration specifications, combined with the bow-tie filter attenuation, exceeds Federal x-ray filtration requirements.
We also believe that it is not required because the HVL for CT was maybe deemed too difficult to measure, or labor-intensive, because it requires enabling the CT service mode which is not always accessible or easy to do.
Note that the lack of a Federal requirement presents the potential situation where the HVL is never measured during the x-ray tube's or the CT system's service life; an unacceptable situation, in our humble opinion.
Keep in mind that some State regulations could be interpreted as requiring, or clearly mandate, a routine HVL assessment for CT.
The MuCT device is the best solution to any of the issues or situations mentioned above.
We postulate that every point inside the patient, after each x-ray tube's full rotation, could be considered as being irradiated in broad-beam geometry conditions.
The MuCT device, by taking advantage of ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation conditions at the center of rotation (COR), provides an HVL and beam's effecti
We postulate that every point inside the patient, after each x-ray tube's full rotation, could be considered as being irradiated in broad-beam geometry conditions.
The MuCT device, by taking advantage of ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation conditions at the center of rotation (COR), provides an HVL and beam's effective energy assessments that are obtained in realistic clinical conditions.
The traditional narrow-beam geometry ("air-gap") HVL method is time consuming and is not performed in realistic clinical conditions.
Another disadvantage is that the traditional narrow-beam geometry ("air-gap") HVL method may require using the CT service mode which is not always available without the service engineer assistance or requires knowledge of a service access code.
The MuCT device takes advantage of ideal broad-beam geometry and ideal broad-beam attenuation conditions at the COR, and provides an HVL and beam's effective energy assessments that are obtained in clinically relevant and realistic conditions.
Please review additional information available in the "Why it works?" section.
We can think of several reasons why using the MuCT device is preferable to computer models. Computer models:
We can think of several reasons why using the MuCT device is preferable to computer models. Computer models:
The MuCT device is not affected by any of the issues mentioned above.
Only time will tell if Federal agencies, or professional organizations, would mandate, or recommend, the MuCT device as a new standard for beam quality in CT.
However, it is our strong opinion that the MuCT device should indeed become a standard for beam quality in CT.
We envision a routine CT performance program where the MuCT device is us
Only time will tell if Federal agencies, or professional organizations, would mandate, or recommend, the MuCT device as a new standard for beam quality in CT.
However, it is our strong opinion that the MuCT device should indeed become a standard for beam quality in CT.
We envision a routine CT performance program where the MuCT device is used:
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