A new method to evaluate fluoroscopic system collimator performance

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2024

Institution/Department

Radiology

Journal Title

Journal of applied clinical medical physics

MeSH Headings

Fluoroscopy (instrumentation, methods); Humans; Radiation Dosage; Phantoms, Imaging; X-Rays

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fluoroscopy uses collimators to limit the radiation field size. Collimators are often evaluated annually during equipment performance evaluations to maintain compliance with regulatory and/or accreditation bodies. A method to evaluate and quantify fluoroscopy collimator performance was developed. METHODS: A radiation field and displayed image measurement device consisting of radiopaque rulers and radiochromic film strips was placed on the x-ray source assembly exit window to evaluate fluoroscopy collimator performance. This method was used to evaluate collimator performance on 79 fluoroscopic imaging systems including fixed C-arms, mobile C-arms, mini C-arms, and radiographic fluoroscopic systems. RESULTS: The excess length (EL), excess width (EW), and sum EL + EW of the radiation field relative to the displayed image were measured and compared to the limits specified in 21CFR1020.32. Four systems exceeded these limits. Placing the radiation measurement device at the x-ray source assembly exit window relative to the image receptor cover increased the film exposure rate by a factor up to 14.6. The time required to set up and complete the fluoroscopy collimator performance measurements using this method ranged from 5 to 10 min. CONCLUSIONS: This method provides an easily implemented quantitative measure of fluoroscopy system collimator performance that satisfies regulatory and accreditation body requirements.

First Page

e14536

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