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| Fluke Biomedical Stock Number: 07-649 |
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PHANTOM, FLUOROSCOPIC Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CRDH) Designed to neet the requirements for the NEXT* protocols This Phantom is now required in order to comply with QC tests recommended in the ACR's Barium Enema QC Manual. The NEXT* fluoroscopy protocol has been issued to provide guidelines for quality control procedures for diagnostic fluoroscopy. In order to perform these procedures, a suitable phantom had to be developed. In a survey of fluoroscopic facilities for the Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends program, it was determined that a substantial proportion of facilities could not visualize low-contrast test objects; this strongly suggests image quality problems. Measurements for this survey were performed using the CDRH Fluoroscopic Phantom. In addition to air kerma rate measurements, imaging performance was assessed using the Fluoroscopic Image Quality Test Object (included with phantom). The phantom also contains a lead stop plate and copper attenuation plate. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract fluoroscopy is the most frequently conducted fluoroscopic procedure in the United States and contributes the highest effective dose to the U.S. population. The dose that an individual may receive not only is a function of the equipment, it also depends on the length of the examination and the actual number of images obtained during the examination. Therefore, it is important to ensure that equipment is functioning properly, so that appropriate corrective action can be taken in an effort to reduce patient dose. The NEXT survey concluded that although the assessment of radiation dose to patients during fluoroscopy is difficult because of the dynamic nature of fluoroscopy, the use of a standard phantom to measure the fluoroscopic air kerma rate and the radiographic air kerma allows a facility to compare the performance of their fluoroscopic system and selected techniques with national averages. The assessment of imaging performance with a standard imaging test object also provides a relative measure of imaging performance with which to compare different fluoroscopic systems. By using the CDRH Fluoroscopic Phantom from Nuclear Associates, doses at fluoroscopy can be reduced, and fluoroscopic image quality can be improved. SPECIFICATIONS: This patient-equivalent phantom of uniform thickness consists of a 7" thick acrylic block, one Fluoroscopic Image Quality Test Object, one Lead Stop Plate and one Copper Attenuation Plate. The base of the phantom is comprised of two type-1100 aluminum plates, each 2.3 mm thick. The phantom has four lead beads embedded on top, to be used as collimation orientation points. It stands on two legs, approximately 4" off the tabletop. One leg is specially designed as a probe holder. Fluoroscopic Image Quality Test Object: This is comprised of eight low-contrast test holes (each 0.375" diameter, and ranging in depth from 0.0063" to 0.068") and eight wire meshes (ranging from 12 to 60 lines per inch). The test object is used for the assessment of spatial resolution, and can easily be taken on and off the phantom. Lead Stop Plate: This 3.2 mm (1/8") plate simulates maximum attenuation, and can be used to measure the maximum air kerma rate (free in air). Copper Attenuation Plate: This 1.6 mm (1/16") copper filter simulates the presence of a 2 mm thick layer of barium sulfate, and can be used to measure the air kerma rate (free in air). Dimensions: 7" x 7" x 8" high (17.78 x 17.78 x 19.30 cm) Weight: 21 lbs *The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), the professional organization of state and local radiation control agencies, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the federal government, conducts the Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends (NEXT) survey program. |
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