Innovative German-made X-Ray Quality Assurance Solutions, X-Ray Quality Control and Radiation Protection Products

QUART CTtec

Automatic Image Quality Evaluation Software for Computed Tomography

The unique CT QA/QC software automatically evaluates and displays all parameters that were acquired using the QUART DVTap or DVTkp test phantoms. Only three slice images from the QA data set are required to conduct a complete QA assessment. It has been suggested by IAEA, EFOMP and ESTRO as a comprehensive solution for 3D imaging QA*.

Unique in kind, the CTtec software automatically calculates a figure of merit (system indicator) comprising of geometrical machine data, dose and image related parameters. It thus establishes a direct correlation between measured dose values, image quality parameters and enables objective quality control assessment of a wide variety of CT equipment.

The software is:

  • DIN 6868-161 compliant for CBCT acceptance tests
  • IEC 61223-3-5 compliant for CT acceptance tests
  • IEC 62220-1-2 compliant for detective quantum efficiency
  • IEC 60601-2-44 compliant for CT equipment safety requirements
  • compliant with EFOMP - ESTRO - IAEA protocol for quality control of cone-beam CT equipment.

Despite its technical complexity, the software is easy to use. It provides a walkthrough function which assists users in carrying out the QC procedure.

QUART CTtec stores the result of each single test in its internal data bank. In addition, a protocol print-out function is provided for matters of documentation (obligatory hardcopy) or general reference.

It is available as single or multi-user on-premise license.

Technical specifications

The software evaluates the following parameters:

  • Nyquist Frequency (NF)
  • Contrast
  • Noise
  • Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR)
  • Homogeneity / Image Uniformity
  • Spatial Resolution / Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) at 10% & 50% modulation
  • Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) as per IEC 62220-1-2
  • CT Numbers / Hounsfield Units
  • Z-Axis Resolution / NF and MTF in Axial Direction
  • Artefacts, Image Flaws, etc.
  • System Indicator / Acceptance Indicator (Figure of Merit)
  • Patient / Phantom Positioning Accuracy
  • Additional QA/QC related tests such as geometry and distance measurements etc. to be conducted in an external DICOM viewer

* EFOMP working group, Quality control in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) EFOMP-ESTRO-IAEA protocol (summary report), Physica Medica, Volume 39, July 2017, Pages 67-72.

LINK: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1120179717301837