A robust approach to measuring the detective quantum efficiency of radiographic detectors in a clinical setting

Michael C. McDonald; H. K. Kim; J. R. Henry; I. A. Cunningham

doi:10.1117/12.912923

9 March 2012 A robust approach to measuring the detective quantum efficiency of radiographic detectors in a clinical setting

Michael C. McDonald, H. K. Kim, J. R. Henry, I. A. Cunningham

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8313, Medical Imaging 2012: Physics of Medical Imaging; 831315 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.912923
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is widely accepted as a primary measure of x-ray detector performance in the scientific community. A standard method for measuring the DQE, based on IEC 62220-1, requires the system to have a linear response meaning that the detector output signals are proportional to the incident x-ray exposure. However, many systems have a non-linear response due to characteristics of the detector, or post processing of the detector signals, that cannot be disabled and may involve unknown algorithms considered proprietary by the manufacturer. For these reasons, the DQE has not been considered as a practical candidate for routine quality assurance testing in a clinical setting. In this article we described a method that can be used to measure the DQE of both linear and non-linear systems that employ only linear image processing algorithms. The method was validated on a Cesium Iodide based flat panel system that simultaneously stores a raw (linear) and processed (non-linear) image for each exposure. It was found that the resulting DQE was equivalent to a conventional standards-compliant DQE with measurement precision, and the gray-scale inversion and linear edge enhancement did not affect the DQE result. While not IEC 62220-1 compliant, it may be adequate for QA programs.

Citation Download Citation

Michael C. McDonald, H. K. Kim, J. R. Henry, and I. A. Cunningham "A robust approach to measuring the detective quantum efficiency of radiographic detectors in a clinical setting", Proc. SPIE 8313, Medical Imaging 2012: Physics of Medical Imaging, 831315 (9 March 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.912923

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