GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL

20cm QA Phantom Image Series Verification

1 Acquiring the 20cm QA Phantom Image Series

1.) Mount the Phantom Holder on the head-end of the table.
2.) Mount the 20cm QA Phantom on the Phantom Holder.
3.) Align, level, & center the 20cm QA Phantom.
- Align black line on phantom using the internal laser lights.
- Level phantom using bubble level and the Z Axis knob on the Phantom Holder.
- Center phantom using the CENTER PHANTOM procedure in the left head SCANNER
UTILITIES selection and the X and Y Axis knobs on the Phantom Holder.
4.) Set up the system to scan three 20cm QA Phantom image series with a Recon of the 1st series.

MANUAL SCAN PROTOCOL SETUP

Refer to Table 1 and set-up an Axial scan with the parameters shown.

Table 1: 20cm QA Phantom Image Series Scan Parameters

Series Scan Start End Total # Thick Interval Gantry SFOV kV mA Total DFOV Recon
Description Type Loc. Loc. of Speed (mm) Tilt Exposure (cm) Type
Images Time
QA1 MTF Axial I5.00 S5.00 4 10.02i 0.00 S0.0 Small 120 260 2.0 sec. 25.0 Std
2x10/120kV/ Full
260mA/1s 1.0 sec.
Recon 2: Q Axial I5.00 S5.00 4 10.02i 0.00 S0.0 Small 120 260 2.0 sec. 15.0 Bone
Full
1.0 sec.
QA2 Ho Axial S40.00 S50.00 8 10.02i 0.00 S0.0 Small 120 260 4.0 sec. 25.0 Std
2x10/120kV/ Full
260mA/1s 1.0 sec.
QA3 Sm Axial S55.00 S65.00 8 10.02i 0.00 S0.0 Small 120 260 4.0 sec. 25.0 Std
2x10/120kV/ Full
260mA/1s 1.0 sec.

AUTO SCAN PROTOCOL SETUP

a.) On the Exam Rx desktop, select NEW PATIENT.
b.) Type the following entries in the listed Patient Information following fields:
* Patient ID:Service
* Name: 20cm QA Phantom Image Series
c.) From the Protocol Selection display, click on the Service Tab under Anatomical Selector.
d.) On the Service Protocol Selection window, click on MANUFACTURING.
e.) On the Service Category Protocol List, click on the 45.9 IMGSER 20CMQA MDAS_16_16
selection.
f.) On the ExamRx protocol parameter display, select the 1st Series (Series
Description: QA1 MTF 2x10/120kV/260mA/1s).
g.) Set internal Landmark.

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GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL
5.) Acquire the 1st 20cm QA Phantom image series and one Recon series (MTF and Contrast,
Visible Lines).
6.) Acquire the 3rd 20cm QA Phantom image series (Series Description: QA2 Ho 2x10/
120kV/260mA/1s).
7.) Acquire the 4th 20cm QA Phantom image series (Series Description: QA3 Sm 2x10/
120kV/260mA/1s).

2 20cm QA Phantom Image Series Image Performance

Verification
1st QA Phantom Image Series (4 Image MTF Average and Contrast Scale) Image Performance
Verification
1.) Launch the Image Analysis Tool.
a.) From the Global Control Palette, click on the Service Desktop.
b.) From the Service Desktop upper navigational bar, click on IMAGE QUALITY TESTS.
c.) In the left navigational area directory, click on IMAGE ANALYSIS.
NOTE: During the Image Analysis process, you will need to switch between the Service Browser
screen (to select the image series to analyze) and the Image Analysis screen (to run a
particular Auto 1x analysis test). Use ALT/F1 to bring a window to the front. Use ALT/F3
to send a window to the back.
2.) Using the Auto 1x Tool on the Image Analysis screen, generate a QA#1 MTF and QA#1
Contrast Scale report for the 1st series of the 20cm QA Phantom acquisition.
a.) From the Service Browser window, select the 1st series of the 20cm QA Phantom series
acquired in section 1.
b.) On the Image Analysis Tool window, click on the AUTO 1X diamond shaped button.
c.) Click on the AUTO 1X rectangular button, select the IMGSER 20CMQA test from the pull-
down menu, slide cursor to the right to select QA1 MTF 2X10/120KV/260MA/1S from the
test pull-down menu.
d.) Click on the ACCEPT button.
3.) Review the Image Analysis Report data and record the Per Image MTF, 4 Image MTF
Average, and Per Image Contrast Scale data for each row in Table 10-7.
a.) Verify the Overall Test Pass/Fail Indicator Window of the Report display indicates PASS.
b.) Verify the scan parameter values displayed in the report match those in Table 1 (on
page 1) for the 1st 20cm QA Image Series.
c.) Record Per Image MTF and Per Image Contrast Scale data for each image in Table 2.
d.) Record the 4 Image MTF Average in Table 2.

Table 2: 20cm QA#1 Phantom High Contrast Spatial Resolution Image Performance (MTF
and Contrast Scale)
Image MTF MTF 4-slice average Contrast Scale Comments
1 N.A.
2 N.A.
3 N.A.
4 N.A.
Specifications N.A. 0.65 to 1.0 110.0 to 130.0 N.A.

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GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL
2nd QA Phantom Image Series (4 Bone Retro Image Visible Lines) Image Perf. Verification
1.) Using the Auto 1x Tool on the Image Analysis screen, generate a Per Image QA#1 Lines report
for the 2nd series of the 20cm QA Phantom acquisition.
a.) From the Service Browser window, select the 1st image of the 2nd series of the 20cm QA
Phantom series acquired in section 1 (on page 1).
b.) Click on the AUTO 1X rectangular button, select the IMGSER 20CMQA test from the pull-
down menu, and slide cursor to the right to select QA1 LI 2X10/120KV/260MA/1S.
c.) Click on the ACCEPT button. The tool displays a Visible Lines pop-up window.
d.) On the Visible Lines pop-up window, click on the VISIBLE LINE button.
NOTE: The Image Analysis Tool automatically sets the Window/Level for optimal viewing. If
required, adjust Window/Level using the center mouse button.
e.) From the Visible Line pull-down menu, select the letter (A through F) that matches the
smallest line pair pattern that you can discern in the Image View Port.
f.) On the Visible Lines pop-up window, click on the OK button.
2.) Review the Image Analysis Report data and record the Per Image QA#1 Visible Lines data for
the 1st image in Table 3.
a.) Verify the Overall Test Pass/Fail Indicator Window of the Report display indicates PASS.
b.) Verify the scan parameter values displayed in the report match those in Table 1 (on
page 1) for the 2nd 20cm QA Image Series.
c.) Record the Per Image QA#1 Visible Lines data for the 1st image in Table 3.
3.) Repeat Steps 1 and 2, for each of the remaining three images in the 2nd 20cm QA Image
Series.

Table 3: 20cm QA#1 Phantom High Contrast Spatial Resolution Image Performance
(Visible Lines)
Image Line Patterns Visible Comments
1
2
3
4
Specifications B, C, D, E, F N.A.

3rd QA Phantom Image Series (4 Image Visible Holes) Image Performance Verification
1.) Using the Auto 1x Tool on the Image Analysis screen, generate a Per Image QA#2 Holes
report for the 3rd series of the 20cm QA Phantom acquisition.
a.) From the Service Browser window, select the 1st image of the 3rd series of the 20cm QA
Phantom series acquired in section 1.
b.) Click on the AUTO 1X rectangular button, select IMGSER 20CMQA from the pull-down
menu, and slide cursor to the right to select QA2 HO 2X10/120KV/260MA/1S.
c.) Click on the ACCEPT button. The tool displays a Visible Hole pop-up window.
d.) On the Visible Hole pop-up window, click on the VISIBLE HOLE button.
NOTE: The Image Analysis Tool automatically sets the Window/Level for optimal viewing. If
required, adjust Window/Level using the center mouse button.
e.) From the Visible Hole pull-down menu, select the number (1 through 5) that matches the
smallest hole that you can discern in the pattern centered in the image displayed in the
Image View Port.

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GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL
f.) On the Visible Hole pop-up window, click on the OK button.
2.) Review the Image Analysis Report data and record the Per Image QA#2 Visible Holes data for
the 1st image in Table 4.
a.) Verify the Overall Test Pass/Fail Indicator Window of the Report display indicates PASS.
b.) Verify the scan parameter values displayed in the report match those in Table 1 for the
3rd 20cm QA Image Series.
c.) Record the Per Image QA#2 Visible Holes data for the 1st image in Table 4.
3.) Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the 3rd, 5th, and 7th images in the 3rd 20cm QA Image Series.

Table 4: 20cm QA#2 Phantom Low Contrast Detectability Image Performance

(Visible Holes)
Image Visible Holes Contrast Factor Comments
Viewable at
Window 20
1
3
5
7
Specifications See Table 6-9 2.0 to 12.0 N.A.

Table 5: 20cm QA#2 Phantom Visible Hole Specifications

Contrast Factor Range Visible Number of Holes Smallest Visible
(Box 1 Means - Box 2 Means) Lower Limit * Upper Limit * Hole Size
2.00 to 3.99 2 5 7.5 mm
4.00 to 7.99 3 5 5.0 mm
8.00 to 12.00 4 5 3.0 mm
* Required Number of Visible Holes depends on the Contrast Factor

4th QA Phantom Image Series (QA#3 Small) Image Performance Verification

1.) Using the Auto 1x Tool on the Image Analysis screen, generate a QA#3 Small report for the
4th series of the 20cm QA Phantom acquisition.
a.) From the Service Browser window, select the 4th series of the 20cm QA Phantom series
acquired in section 1 (on page 1).
b.) Click on the AUTO 1X rectangular button, select IMGSER 20CMQA from the pull-down
menu, slide cursor to the right to select QA3 SM 2X10/120KV/260MA/1S from the test
pull-down menu, and continue to slide cursor to the right to select AUTO.
c.) Click on the ACCEPT button.
2.) Review the Image Analysis Report data and record the QA3 Small data for the 4th 20cm QA
Image Series in Table 6.
a.) Verify the Overall Test Pass/Fail Indicator Window of the Report display indicates PASS.
b.) Verify that the scan parameter values displayed in the report match those in Table 1 (on
page 1) for the 4th 20cm QA Image Series.
c.) Record the QA3 Small data (Row 2A1A and Row 2B1B Series Means AvXc and AvXo -
AvXc), QA3 (AvSDc), and the Center Smudge Row data in Table 6.

4 of 8 2 - 20cm QA Phantom Image Series Image Performance Verification Procedure revised: 06/
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GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL
Box Size =196 mm2 to 256 mm2
15 mm (+/- 1 mm) x 15 mm (+/- 1 mm)
31 (+/- 2 pixels) x 31 (+/- 2 pixels)
Box Positions:Box 1= 0 mm x 0 mm
Box 2 = 0 mm x -80 mm
Box 3 = 80 mm x 0 mm
Box 4 = 0 mm x 80 mm
Box 5 = -80 mm x 0 mm

Table 6: 20cm QA#3 Phantom CT#, Brightness Uniformity, Center Noise & Center Smudge
Row Performance Data Sheet
Row Images AvXc AvXo AvXo - AvXc AvSDo AvSDc Center Smudge Comments
Row Value
2A1A 1, 3, 5, 7 N.A.
1B2B 2, 4, 6, 8 N.A.
Specifications +3.0 to -3.0 N.A. +3.0 to -3.0 N.A. + 2.9 to +3.5 +2.2 to -2.2

3.) Review the 4th 20cm QA Phantom images acquired in Section 1 for Rings, Bands, and Streaks
using the Image Works Desktop.
a.) From the Global Control Palette, click on the IMAGE WORKS DESKTOP.
b.) From the Image Works Browser window, select the 4th 20cm QA Phantom series
acquired in section 1.
c.) From the Image Works Browser window, click on the VIEWER button.
d.) While paging through the eight images in the series, analyze images for any Ring, Band,
or Streak artifacts. Adjust Window/Level using the center mouse button, as required.
e.) Note any image that appears to have a Ring, Band, or Streak artifact.
4.) Verify any images noted above (step 3e) meet 20cm QA Phantom Ring, Band, or Streak Image
Performance requirements.
a.) From the Global Control Palette, click on the Service Desktop.
b.) From the Service Browser window, select an image of the 4th 20cm QA Phantom series
acquired in section 1 that appeared to have a Ring, Band, or Streak while reviewing the
series in Image Works.
c.) On the Image Analysis Tool window, click on the AUTO 1X rectangular button, select the
IMGSER 20CMQA test from the pull-down menu, slide cursor to the right to select QA3
SM 2X10/120KV/260MA/1S from the test pull-down menu, and continue to slide cursor to
the right to select RING, BAND, or STREAK.
d.) Click on the ACCEPT button.
NOTE: If required, adjust Window/Level using the center mouse button.
e.) Position and size the Ring, Band, or Streak ROI, using the left cursor button.
NOTE: To ensure specifications are properly applied, do not adjust the Reference ROIs for the
Ring, Band, and Streak artifact tests. The Reference ROIs are adjustable after the 1st
Accept Modification click.
f.) Click on ACCEPT MODIFICATION twice to generate a report.
g.) Verify the Overall Test Pass/Fail Indicator Window of the Report display indicates PASS.
h.) Repeat steps b through g for each image noted in Step 3e.

Procedure revised: 06/02/03 20cm QA Phantom Image Series Verification 5 of 8

GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL

3 Failure Recommended Actions

3.1 1st Image Series (4 Image MTF Average) Failure Recovery

3.1.1 Specifications
The 4 Image MTF Average must pass specifications:
4 Image MTF Average:0.65 to 1.00

3.1.2 Recommended Recovery

1.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
2.) Repeat Auto CT# Adjust for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

3.2 2nd Image Series (Visible Lines) Failure Recovery

3.2.1 Specifications
The Largest 5 line pair patterns (coded F, E, D, C, and B) must be visible for each of the four images
in this series.

3.2.2 Recommended Recovery

NOTE: The most common failure for this test is that the phantom has air bubbles that are obscuring the line
pair patterns.
1.) Carefully inspect the 20cm QA Phantom for air bubbles. If required, refill the phantom with
water, to eliminate all air bubbles.
2.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

3.3 3rd Image Series (Visible Holes) Failure Recovery

3.3.1 Specifications
The number of visible holes in this image series must pass specifications as follows:
• Contrast Factor = 2.0 to 3.99:
Minimum of 2 holes must be visible (10mm & 7.5mm)
• Contrast Factor = 4.0 to 7.99:
Minimum of 3 holes must be visible (10mm, 7.5mm & 5mm)
• Contrast Factor = 8.0 to 12.0:
Minimum of 4 holes must be visible (10mm, 7.5mm, 5mm, & 3mm)

3.3.2 Recommended Recovery

1.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
2.) Repeat Auto CT# Adjust for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

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GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL

3.4 4th Image Series Failure Recovery

3.4.1 Series Means

3.4.1.1 Specifications
Both Rows (2A1A, 1B2B) of the series must pass QA#3 Series Means specifications:
• AvXc: < +/- 3.0
• AvXo - AvXc: < +/- 3.0

3.4.1.2 Recommended Recovery

1.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
2.) Repeat Auto CT# Adjust for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

3.4.2 QA#3 (AvSDc)

3.4.2.1 Specifications
Both Rows (2A1A, 1B2B) of the series must pass QA#3 AvSDc specifications:
• AvSDc (< 5K Scans):2.90 to 3.50
• AvSDc (> 5K Scans):2.80 to 3.60

3.4.2.2 Recommended Recovery

1.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
2.) Repeat Auto CT# Adjust for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

3.4.3 Center Artifact or Center Smudge

3.4.3.1 Specifications
All eight images of the series must pass 20cm QA#3 Center Artifact and Center Smudge
specifications:
• Center Artifact Factor:+/- 3.5
• Center Smudge Factor:+/- 2.2

3.4.3.2 Recommended Recovery

1.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
2.) Repeat Auto CT# Adjust for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

3.4.4 Ring, Band, or Streak Artifact Failure Recovery

3.4.4.1 Specifications
• Ring Artifact: Ring Factor < +/- 4.8
• Band Artifact: Band Factor+/- 2.8 from 0cm to 8.5cm
< +/- 2.8 > 8.5cm
• Streak Artifact: Streak Factor< +/- 4.0

Procedure revised: 06/02/03 20cm QA Phantom Image Series Verification 7 of 8

GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
DIRECTION 2378259-800, REVISION 0 GRE XTREAM INSTALLATION & SERVICE MANUAL
3.4.4.2 Recommended Recovery
1.) Troubleshoot Ring, Band or Streak artifact failures as described in the Service Manual.
2.) Repeat Detailed Cal for the 20cm QA Phantom.
3.) Repeat Sections 1 & 2, to verify Image Performance.

8 of 8 3 - Failure Recommended Actions Procedure revised: 06/02/03