Multi-Energy CT Scanners have enabled improved clinical differentiations, such as distinguishing blood from calcification and calcification from iodinated contrast.1,2 They can also create virtual mono-energetic images for clinical evaluation. However, the ability to achieve these benefits can greatly depend not only on one’s equipment, but also on the protocols used.
The Multi-Energy CT Phantom will enable robust evaluation of scanner performance.
Accuracy can vary based upon scanner hardware, the dual energy post-processing, and the mAs used. Without an appropriate phantom, neither scanner accuracy nor variability are well known. Use of the calibrated high-Z inserts enables such quantification. Additionally, protocols that appropriately balance patient dose with system performance can be identified.
2mg/mL iodine rod quantification accuracy by mAs for 10 fast-kVp switching Multi-Energy CT scanners. Accuracy averaged over a 1 year period.
Monochromatic HU numbers have been shown to vary between scanners.3 Moreover, the performance of multi-energy algorithms can be compromised by insufficient mAs. By utilizing a tissue-mimicking material that replicates expected HU dependencies from 40-200 keV, the Multi-Energy CT Phantom lets you quantify these effects and define effective operating parameters.
The ACR Quality Control Manual recommends checking for artifacts in a larger phantom on a weekly or monthly basis. The 40 cm extended field size of the Multi-Energy CT phantom enables this artifact check to be performed concurrently with other evaluations, efficiently fitting into your workflow.
Average soft tissue monoenergetic HU for 50, 70, 110, and 140 keV reconstructions versus mAs, averaged over a 1 year period. Protocols left of the red dashed line were insufficient to provide reliable HU values.
HU values of iodinated rod for mono-energetic reconstructions. Calculated values based on material compositions and NIST values (blue curve) vs HU values from mono-energetic reconstructions (red circles).
| In-plane Dimensions: | 40.0 cm (15.7 in) x 30.0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Depth: | 16.5 cm (6.3 in), up to 26.5 cm (10.2 in) with extension plates |
| Diameter of Removable Head Section: | 20.0 cm (7.87 in) |
| Material: | HE CT Solid Water® |
| Interchangeable Inserts: | 18 solid inserts plus 1 true water container, each tagged with a CT-visible rod identification code |
| 4 Iodine Inserts with Variable Concentrations: | 4 inserts with concentrations of 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 mg/mL |
| 3 Iodine Inserts with Variable Diameters: | 5.0 mg/mL concentration at diameters of 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mm |
| 3 Calcium Inserts: | Calcium concentrations of 50, 100, and 300 mg/mL |
| 3 Blood [iron] Inserts: | Blood-mimicking material at relative electron densities of 1.03, 1.07, and 1.10 |
| 2 Blood [iron] with Iodine Inserts: | Blood-mimicking material plus iodine at 2.0 and 4.0 mg/mL |
| 3 Tissue-Mimicking Inserts: | High-Equivalency Brain, High-Equivalency Adipose, High-Equivalency CT Solid Water |
| Weight: | 15.5 kg (34.1 lbs) |
| Case: | Wheeled case is included |
| Stand: | Stand is included |
A wheeled case and stand are included with your Multi-Energy CT Phantom.
DATA PROVIDED BY UT MD ANDERSON
