Improved Design and Acceptance Test of Localization Couch for New Type of CT Simulator / 中国医疗器械杂志

Accurate CT simulation is the key link of precision radiotherapy, and the performance of the localization couch of CT simulator directly affects the accuracy of radiotherapy. With the rapid development of precision radiotherapy, conventional large aperture radiotherapy special CT simulator is difficult to meet the needs of precision radiotherapy localization, so most radiotherapy centers choose high-end diagnostic CT machines equipped with a flat tabletop for radiotherapy localization. In clinical work, the performance testing of the CT simulator localization couch is easy to be ignored. In addition, there are some problems such as insufficient precision in transforming the cradle-shaped couch top of diagnostic CT into a special flat couch top for radiotherapy. This paper provided an in-depth description of the improved design and performance test of the localization couch of the first special GE Revolution CT simulator for radiotherapy introduced by West China Hospital of Sichuan University. After the improvement, all the acceptance tests of the localization couch are in line with the standard, and the performance meets the high-precision radiotherapy localization needs of patients with different body weight in the center.

Experimental Study of MAR Algorithm in Metal Artifact Removal of CT Simulator / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application value of MAR algorithm in metal artifact removal of CT simulator.@*METHODS@#CT phantom with titanium plate was scanned using conventional algorithms and MAR algorithms, respectively. Artifact index(AI), contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) and AI values at different slices were used to analyze the artifact images.@*RESULTS@#In artifact index, MAR algorithm (10.28±2.60) is significantly lower than conventional algorithm (20.65±5.04); In contrast-to-noise ratio index, MAR algorithm (7.81±1.12) is better than conventional algorithm (5.61±1.36). The above indicators were statistically significant in both algorithms (P<0.01). In the slices affected by metal artifacts, the artifact index decreased by 21.72%~88.40% after the MAR algorithm.@*CONCLUSIONS@#MAR algorithm can significantly reduce the metal artifacts and improve the clinical value of CT data.

Research on Fault Risk Identification and Control of CT Simulator Based on FMEA / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the high-risk fault risk of CT simulator and the main causes of the risk, and to put forward effective risk management strategies.@*METHODS@#The failure mode and effect analysis method was used to identify and control the operational fault risk of CT simulator.@*RESULTS@#5 major fault components, 8 fault failure models and 17 failure causes were analyzed. The top 5 failure causes are:anode target surface burn caused by direct scanning without warming up the tube (590.4), tube failure (518.2), burnout of joints caused by aging of high voltage cables (424.2), motor carbon brush wear (304.8) and belt break (296.4).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The failure mode and effect analysis method can effectively identify the risk of equipment failure, and thus specifically formulate risk management and control measures to ensure the normal operation of equipment and the safety of doctors and patients.

A clinical study for radiotherapy positioning with references images on CT simulator / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To explore a new method of comparing the references images first to enhance the precision of the central point of the radiation treatment planning(RTP), try to establish a reference standard for this method in the nasopharyngeal cancer(NPC)and carcinoma of utercin cervix in the work of position verification. Methods For 50 RTPs of NPC and 20 RTPs of carcinoma of utercin cervix, the reference-CT-images in set-up and in position verification were compared, and to measure the difference between the two images. Then, in the same way, compare and measure the difference in the central-pointimages. Results For NPC, there was over 90% RTPs in which every difference measured was less than 2 mm;for carcinoma of utercin cervix, over 80% RTPs meet the criterion:the value of △MU1 ' or △MU2' was less than 5 mm and the others are less than 3 mm. Conclusions By comparing the references-CT-images in set-up and in position verification, the precision of the central point of the RTP is enhanced. The marks on the skin become more credible. So, it is feasible to perform the criterions in the work of position verification:for NPC every difference measured is less than 2 mm;for carcinoma of utercin cervix the value of △MU1 ' or △MU2 ' is less than 5 mm and the others are less than 3 mm.

CT Simulation Technique for Craniospinal Irradiation in Supine Position / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: In order to perform craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the supine position on patients who are unable to lie in the prone position, a new simulation technique using a CT simulator was developed and its availability was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A CT simulator and a 3-D conformal treatment planning system were used to develop CSI in the supine position. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask in the supine position and the entire body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained using the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the patients' setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and the body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles such as the treatment table or the immobilization devices. After the virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment field was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR)/digitally composite radiography (DCR) images from the virtual simulation. The port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for a geometrical verification. RESULTS: CSI in the supine position was successfully performed in 9 patients. It required less than 20 minutes to construct the immobilization device and to obtain the whole body volumetric images. This made it possible to not only reduce the patients' inconvenience, but also to eliminate the position change variables during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining the CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyeballs and spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. The differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 mm in the vertebral contour. CONCLUSION: CSI in the supine position is feasible in patients who cannot lie on prone position, such as pediatric patients under the age of 4 years, patients with a poor general condition, or patients with a tracheostomy.

A CT Simulator Phantom for Geometrical Test / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To design and test the CT simulator phantom for geometrical test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PMMA phantom was designed as a cylinder which is 20 cm in diameter and 24 cm in length, along with a 25x25x31 cm3 rectangular parallelepiped. Radio-opaque wires of which diameter is 0.8 mm are attached on the other surface of the phantom as a spiral. The rectangular phantom was made of four 24x24x0.5 cm3 square plates and each plate had a 24x24 cm2, 12x12 cm2, 6x6 cm2 square line. The squares were placed to face the cylinder at angles 0degrees, 15degrees, 30degrees, respectively. The rectangular phantom made it possible to measure the field size, couch angle, the collimator angle, the isocenter shift and the SSD, the measurements of the gantry angle from the cylindrical part. A virtual simulation software, AcQSimTM, offered various conditions to perform virtual simulations and these results were used to perform the geometrical quality assurance of CT simulator. RESULTS: A 0.3~0.5 mm difference was found on the 24 cm field size which was created with the DRR measurements obtained by scanning of the rectangular phantom. The isocenter shift, the collimator rotation, the couch rotation, and the gantry rotation test showed 0.5~1 mm, 0.5~1degrees0.5~1degrees, and 0.5~ 1degreesdifferences, respectively. We could not find any significant differences between the results from the two scanning methods. CONCLUSION: The geometrical test phantom developed in the study showed less than 1 mm (or 1degrees) differences. The phantom could be used as a routine geometrical QC/QA tools, since the differences are within clinically acceptable ranges.

The Broad-beam CT Image Reconstruction from Simulator Images / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To generate the axial, coronal and sagittal images from conventional simulation images, as a preliminary study of broad-beam simulator CT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Volumetric filtered back-projection was performed using 90 sheets of films from conventional simulator for every 4. gantry angle. Two mAs exposure condition for 120kVp beam quality at SFD 140cm was given to each film. Outside the silhouette portion was removed and scatter component was deconvolved before back-projection. RESULTS: The axial, the sagittal and the coronal images with same spatial resolutions over all direction could be obtained. But image quality was very poor. CONCLUSION: CT images could be obtained using broad-beam. Scatter deconvolution technique was effective for this reconstruction. The fact that same spatial resolutions over all direction tells us the possiblility of application of this technique to DRR or Simulator-CT. But the quality of image should be improved for clinical application practicaly.