CT Quality Control and Assurance for SPECT/CT Online Training

Welcome to the CT Quality Control and Assurance Online Training. This tutorial is designed to provide a basic overview of the CT quality control procedures using the syngo MI Applications software.     Congratulations. You have completed the CT Quality Control and Assurance for CT Online Training. Listed below are the key points that have been presented. Take time to review the material before you proceed to the final quiz. CT QC schedule  Quality control procedures can be performed manually Daily Monthly CT Checkup – every 12 hours CT Constancy Test CT Quality – daily   CT Calibration – after 1 hour or if ring artifacts occur   CT Phantom Setup The CT quality procedure must be performed using the CT quality phantom which can also be used for acceptance testing and constancy tests. The phantom has  a uniform water section  a section for measuring CT slice thickness for positioning with the laser markers a wire section  Daily QC for CT  CT Checkup CT Quality (with CT phantom)  For Symbia Intevo 6 and Symbia Intevo 16 slice systems, the X-ray tube can be warmed up with eStart  CT Calibration  Monthly QC for CT  The following tests are recommended to be included in the CT constancy test for a Symbia system:  Phantom check: Phantom and phantom position check Lightmarker: Position of the lightmarker Sag/Cor. Lightm: Position of the sagittal and coronal lightmarker Prev. Image Pos.: Automatic positioning of the tomographic plane using a preview image Slice: Real slice thickness Homogeneity/Water: Homogeneity Noise: Pixel noise MTF: Modulation transmission function Table Position: Position of the patient table For the monthly constancy test, you require the following: Phantom holder Set of phantoms 70 kg (154 lb) weight Ruler, 300 mm or longer CT Dose Index (CTDI) CTDI must be measured at least once every six months. The CTDI must also be measured after any maintenance work that might have altered the test results. It is recommended to have the constancy test and the CTDI measurement performed by proper personnel. If you want to conduct the constancy test and the CTDI measurement yourself, you must perform all steps of the constancy test or the CTDI measurement under your own responsibility.   In this section, we will discuss quality control techniques and accessories. When performing manual quality control, it is important to use proper technique in order to be consistent. Click below to learn more about CT Quality Phantom Setup. CT Phantom Setup Learn how to perform CT Phantom Setup. Slide NumberText BlocksCalloutsAudio ScriptImage File1The CT quality procedure must be performed using the CT Quality Phantom which can also be used for acceptance testing and constancy tests.  The phantom has a uniform water section  a section for measuring CT slice thickness for positioning with the laser markers a wire section  CalloutsCT Quality Phantom ClampWater SectionSlice Thickness SectionWire SectionThe CT quality procedure must be performed using the CT quality phantom which can also be used for acceptance testing and constancy tests. The phantom has a uniform water section a section for measuring CT slice thickness for positioning with the laser markers, and a wire section 2To attach the CT quality phantom: Remove the pallet pad from the pallet Insert the bracket into the slot at the end of the patient bed.  This is the same slot used for the head holder The bracket attaches itself to the pallet when inserted. A circular button beneath the bracket can be pressed to release the bracket Spin the bracket clamp down to tighten it against the pallet Place the CT quality phantom’s clamp over the bracket, and tighten the clamp using the knob Always attach the phantom bracket to the patient bed first, and then clamp the CT quality phantom onto the bracket CalloutsBracket is hand tightened to pallet to secure phantomFoot End of Patient BedBracket Release Button (Located beneath the bracket)Knob to tighten its clamp to the palletThe bracket attached to the pallet holds the pantom in placeKnob of phantom´s clamp to tighten the clamp to the bracketTo attach the CT quality phantom: Remove the pallet pad from the pallet. Insert the bracket into the slot at the end of the patient bed. This is the same slot used for the head holder. The bracket attaches itself to the pallet when inserted. A circular button beneath the bracket can be pressed to release the bracket. Spin the bracket clamp down to tighten it against the pallet. Place the CT quality phantom’s clamp over the bracket, and tighten the clamp using the knob. Always attach the phantom bracket to the patient bed first, and then clamp the CT quality phantom onto the bracket. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  Understand the CT Quality Control, or QC Schedule  Understand Quality Control Techniques and Accessories  Perform daily and monthly QC tasks The CT QC schedule is divided into daily and monthly procedures. Click below to view the CT QC schedule. CT QC schedule Learn more about the CT Quality Control schedule. Daily CT Checkup - every 12 hours CT Quality - daily CT Calibration - after 1 hour or if ring artifacts occur Monthly CT Constancy Test                                                  The following procedures need to be performed on a daily basis:  CT Checkup  CT Quality  CT Calibration  Click below to learn more about the daily quality control procedures.  CT eStart Learn more about CT eStart. For Symbia Intevo 6 and Symbia Intevo 16 systems, the X-ray tube can be warmed up with eStart, after an hour of inactivity.  eStart should be used throughout the day to warm up the X-Ray tube, in place of the once-daily CT Checkup. When performed, the eStart procedure will run enough scans to bring the X-Ray tube to a temperature that will help extend its lifetime.  From the Examination tab, check if the eStart message prompt and icon have appeared at the bottom of the screen. If the message prompt or icon appear, you can perform eStart by selecting Setup > eStart. Examination task card with eStart ready to be performed 1. eStart menu option  2. eStart message prompt 3. eStart icon   CT Calibration Learn how to perform the CT Calibration procedure.   CT Checkup Learn how to perform the CT Checkup procedure. CT Quality Learn how to perform the CT Quality procedure.   It is recommended to run the CT Constancy Test on a monthly basis.  Click below to learn more about this procedure.  CT Constancy Test Learn how to perform the CT Constancy Test.   The CT Dose Index (CTDI) must be measured at least once every six months.  The CTDI must also be measured after any maintenance work that might have altered the test results. It is recommended to have the constancy test and the CTDI measurement performed by proper personnel. If you want to conduct the constancy test and the CTDI measurement yourself, you must perform all steps of the constancy test or the CTDI measurement under your own responsibility. After reading the disclaimer, please proceed to the final assessment to complete the online training. Please note that the learning material is for training purposes only! For the proper use of the software or hardware, please always use the Operator Manual or Instructions for Use (hereinafter collectively “Operator Manual”) issued by Siemens Healthineers. This material is to be used as training material only and shall by no means substitute the Operator Manual. Any material used in this training will not be updated on a regular basis and does not necessarily reflect the latest version of the software and hardware available at the time of the training. The Operator Manual shall be used as your main reference, in particular for relevant safety information like warnings and cautions. Note: Some functions shown in this material are optional and might not be part of your system. The information in this material contains general technical descriptions of specifications and options as well as standard and optional features that do not always have to be present in individual cases. Certain products, product related claims or functionalities described in the material (hereinafter collectively “Functionality”) may not (yet) be commercially available in your country. Due to regulatory requirements, the future availability of said Functionalities in any specific country is not guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens Healthineers sales representative for the most current information. The reproduction, transmission or distribution of this training or its contents is not permitted without express written authority. Offenders will be liable for damages. All names and data of patients, parameters and configuration dependent designations are fictional and examples only. All rights, including rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model or design, are reserved. Copyright © Siemens Healthcare GmbH, 2019