Direct measurement of CTDI on helical CT scans.

Purpose: Medical physics computed tomography (CT) practice involves measurements to determine CTDI on representative clinical CT protocols. In current practice the majority of CT exams employ helical scans. To determine CTDI for a helical scan, one measures CTDI with an axial scan, then divides by the pitch.

High-ratio grid considerations in mobile chest radiography.

Purpose: Grids are often not used in mobile chest radiography, and when used, they have a low ratio and are often inaccurately aligned. Recently, a mobile radiography automatic grid alignment system (MRAGA) was developed that accurately and automatically aligns the focal spot with the grid. The objective of this study is to investigate high-ratio grid tradeoffs in mobile chest radiography at fixed patient dose when the focal spot lies on the focal axis of the grid.

An automatic and accurate x-ray tube focal spot/grid alignment system for mobile radiography: system description and alignment accuracy.

Purpose: A mobile radiography automatic grid alignment system (AGAS) has been developed by modifying a commercially available mobile unit. The objectives of this article are to describe the modifications and operation and to report on the accuracy with which the focal spot is aligned to the grid and the time required to achieve the alignment.

Methods: The modifications include an optical target arm attached to the grid tunnel, a video camera attached to the collimator, a motion control system with six degrees of freedom to position the collimator and x-ray tube, and a computer to control the system.

Grid line artifact formation: A comprehensive theory.

Linear focused grids are commonly used in general radiography and mammography to control scatter. In these applications, if lines would be visible when the grid was stationary, then the grid is moved during the x-ray exposure to blur out grid lines. Presented is a theoretical framework for estimating grid line artifact magnitude and evaluating artifact suppression techniques.

A novel technique to suppress grid line artifacts.

It has been established that coarse strip density, air-interspace grid systems can suppress scatter in general radiography and in mammography more effectively than conventional high strip density grids. However, such systems have never gained clinical acceptance due to the large distance the grid needs to move to suppress gridline artifacts and due to their corresponding bulk. We present a novel technique for suppressing grid lines using an x-ray exposure wave form with a soft start and soft stop.