Epic AZ Detector Calibration Procedure 9202-0183 Rev
Epic AZ Detector Calibration Procedure 9202-0183 Rev
Detector Calibration
Procedure
9202-0183 Rev B
Sec 1: Introduction.......................1-1
Sec 2: Power Supply Adjust ........2-1
Sec 3: High Voltage Adjust .........3-1
Sec 4: Common Procedures........4-1
Sec 5: Autogain Calibration .........5-1
Sec 6: Spectrum Calibration ........6-1
Sec 7: Energy Calibration ............7-1
Sec 8: Linearity Calibration..........8-1
Sec 9: Uniformity Calibration .......9-1
Sec 10: COR Calib Forte .............10-1
Apx A: Accessing Motdiag .......... A-1
Apx B: Turning OFF Corrections B-1
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
© August 31, 2004 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. All Rights Reserved.
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER:
Philips provides this document without warranty of any kind, either implied or
expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
Philips has taken care to ensure the accuracy of this document. However, Philips
assumes no liability for errors or omissions and reserves the right to make changes
without further notice to any products herein to improve reliability, function, or design.
Philips may make improvements or changes in the product(s) or program(s) described
in this document at any time.
2 9202-0183 Revision B
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE
This manual contains the information and procedures required to calibrate the Epic AZ
Detectors:
• Power Supply Adjustments (Section 2)
• High Voltage Adjustments (Section 3)
• Common Procedures (Section 4)
• Autogain Calibration (Section 5)
• Spectrum Calibration (Section 6)
• Energy Correction Calibration (section 7)
• Linearity Correction Calibration (Section 8)
• Uniformity Correction Calibration (Section 9)
• Center of Rotation Calibration, Forte (Section 10)
• Accessing Motdiag (Appendix A)
• Turning Off Correction Tables and FOV Detector Masks (Appendix B)
This manual applies to Epic AZ Detectors using Jetstream software.
FACTORY USE
Factory personnel will use these procedures when functionally testing new cameras.
SAFETY
Always wear your Radiation Exposure-Monitoring Film Badge (Thermoluminescence
Detector) when working at a site where radioactive sources are present.
GENERAL INFORMATION
NOTE: All calibrations have been performed on the system before leaving the factory.
At installation, the system may function properly after only performing Autogain and
Uniformity calibrations.
When performing calibration on a new system or a system after replacing a
photomultiplier tube or AAE board, always perform the calibrations in the following
order:
1. Autogain
2. Spectrum calibration
3. Energy correction calibration
4. Linearity correction calibration
5. Uniformity correction calibration
At Installation
1. Check all card cage fans and filters.
2. Check connections on all cables connecting to the PCBs in the detector rack.
3. Check and record power supply voltages according to the instructions in section 2.
4. Check and record high voltages according to the instructions in section 3.
5. Power the camera up for 24 hours before imaging.
6. Using the instructions in the operators manual acquire a baseline intrinsic flood1
with the following settings:
• Total Counts 15,000 K
• Flood Off
• Energy On
• Linearity On
7. Evaluate the flood images using the Uniformity Analysis application1 on the
Imaging Work Station, or the diagnostics menu on the Acquisition Terminals.
Acquire 15 Mcts
Intrinsic Baseline Flood
(flood off; energy/linearity on)
Is
UFOV Acquire 15 Mcts
Yes No Baseline Flood
Uniformity Redo Auto Gain Table
(flood off; energy/linearity on)
<4.5%
Is
Acquire 15 Mcts Yes UFOV
Intrinsic QC Flood Uniformity
(flood on; energy/linearity on) <4.5%
No
Is
Yes UFOV No
Uniformity Redo Spectrum Table
<2.5% Redo Energy Table
Acquire 15 Mcts
Intrinsic Baseline Flood
(flood off; energy/linearity on)
Is
Acquire 15 Mcts UFOV
Yes
Intrinsic QC Flood Uniformity
(flood on; energy/linearity on) <4.5%
No
Is
Yes UFOV No
Uniformity
Redo Linearity Table
<2.5%
Acquire 15 Mcts
Intrinsic Baseline Flood
(flood off; energy/linearity on)
Acquire 15 Mcts Is
Intrinsic QC Flood UFOV Investigate
Yes No
(flood on; energy/linearity on) Redo Flood Table Uniformity HW/SW
<4.5% problem
Is
No UFOV Yes
Uniformity Calibration Complete
<2.5%
EQUIPMENT
Equipment required in addition to the normal Field Service Tool Kit:
• Currently calibrated Digital Volt Meter
PROCEDURE
1. Remove the detector bonnet and the (card cage) cover.
2. Locate the connector plugged into
J2 on the mother board. J2
3. Using the wires at the top of the connector plugged into Mother Board J2
connector as contact points measure the power supply voltage as described
below.
If you are unable to obtain any of the specified voltages by adjusting the pots
replace the low voltage power supply.
a. Connect the DVM ground
lead (black) to the J2-5 wire. 6 5 4 3 2 1
b. Connect the DVM active lead
(red) to the J2-4 wire. Mother Board Connector J2
-5V ANA
+5V DIG +5V ANA
Detector Rack 2160-5437
EQUIPMENT
Equipment required in addition to the normal Field Service Tool Kit:
• Currently calibrated Digital Volt Meter
PURPOSE
• Set the internal high voltage for the PM tubes.
• Check the resistive voltage divider circuitry on the High Voltage Distribution
Board (2159-5013).
• Check for shorts in the PM tubes and high voltage distribution cables 2159-
5176 and 2159-5177.
• Document high voltages for voltage drift detection.
PROCEDURE
Measuring the Voltage Test Points
1. For the detector you are adjusting, remove the detector bonnet and place that
detector in a horizontal position with the crystal facing down.
2. Remove the High Voltage Distribution board cover.
High Voltage
Distribution Board Cover
5. At the Jetstream Logon Screen on the acquisition terminal, use the drop down
menu on the Name field to select FSE.
WARNING: Do not change the high voltage settings while making the
measurements below.
NOTE: The pins on JP1 on the High Voltage Distribution board.
A jumper will be in place at JP1 for Hamamatsu PMTs.
A jumper will not be in place at JP1 Photonis PMTs.
13. Move the DVM lead from TP 1 and insert it at each of the other 10 test points in
Table 3-1 and record the voltages measured at each test point in the table below
(Field Service) or on QA forms (factory).
NOTE: If the actual voltages differ from the voltage specifications in the table
by more than the specified tolerance, see the Corrective Action information at
the end of this section.
14. Type Reboot ↵.
The Detector will take several minutes to reboot.
15. Repeat steps 1 through step 14. to calibrate the other detector high voltage.
16. Mount the high voltage covers. Tighten until secure.
17. Mount the Detector Bonnets. Tighten until secure.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
If many test point voltages differ from the specified voltages by more than ±5 volts,
consider replacing the HV Distribution board.
If only one or two voltages are out of specification, do the following:
• while wearing rubber gloves, disconnect the 2159-5676 and 2159-5677 cables
one at a time from the High Voltage Distribution board. Touch the cable
connector to metal to discharge the cable.
• If the voltage problem persists, consider replacing the High Voltage
Distribution board,
• If the voltage problem disappears when one of the cables is disconnected, look
for a short in a PM Tube or a bad ribbon cable connection.
If the measured high voltage values vary by more than 0.5% over time, consider
replacing the High Voltage Distribution board.
High Voltage
Distribution Board
(2159-5013)
J5 J4
2159-5677 2159-5676
7 8 9 10 11
6 26 27 28 29 12
5 25 41 42 43 30 13
24 40 51 52 44 31
4 39 50 55 53 45 14
23 38 49 54 46 32
3 22 37 48 47 33 15
2 21 36 35 34 16
1 20 19 18 17
PURPOSE
This section provides instructions for procedures that are common to all of the
calibration table acquisition procedures. This sections provides instructions to:
• Stabilize the system under power.
• Logon to the acquisition terminal as an FSE.
• Select the Collimators to be used during calibration.
• Position the Detector(s).
• Position the flood source(s).
• Back up the correction tables.
BASIC SET UP
Stabilization
The detectors should be powered on for at least 24 hours before attempting calibration.
If the power is off for short time periods, the power should be restored for a comparable
time period before acquiring images. For example: if the power is off for four hours,
restore the power and wait at least four hours before acquiring images.
PURPOSE
Acquiring an Autogain Table always updates the gain settings on the Analog
Acquisition Electronics (AAE) board.
If you delete the tbstat.dat file (system gain table) as described on the next page, before
acquiring an Autogain Table, the system will perform an initial gain setting calibration.
If the tbstat.dat file is not deleted, the system will start the calibration using the current
gain values in the tbstat.dat file.
NOTE: In this document, the term, Initial Autogain Table will refer to a table that was
acquired after deleting the tbstat.dat file.
AUTOGAIN CALIBRATION
1. Remove collimator(s) from the Detector(s) you are calibrating as Section 4
describes. If calibrating only one Detector, leave a collimator on the other
Detector.
2. If you are only updating the Autogain Table (i.e. if you are not calibrating a new
or repaired system), skip to step 4.
3. If you are calibrating a new or repaired system (i.e. a system with a new
photomultiplier tube or AAE board), delete the old Autogain table by doing these
steps:
a. To open a Windows command prompt:
i. At the acquisition terminal, click on the start menu.
ii. From the start menu, select: Programs/Accessories/Command Prompt.
A DOS window will open.
b. Type: telnet camera↵
c. Type: atlas↵ for user name and atlas↵ for password
d. Type: cd /opt/detector/data/cameradetX↵ where X is the number (1 or 2) of
the detector being calibrated.
e. Type: rm tbstat.dat↵ and press y to accept
This will remove the tbstat.det file and force the Autogain program to acquire
an Initial Autogain Table.
f. Type: telnetcameradetX↵ where X is the number (1 or 2) of the detector
being calibrated.
g. Type: reboot ↵
The detector will reboot. Rebooting may take about 3 to 4 minutes.
h. After the reboot, type: logout↵
4. Prepare and position the 350 - 500 µCi source(s) of Tc99m point source as
Section 4 describes.
5. When calibrating a Detector use a lead pig to reduce backscatter.
NOTE: Autogain will not run if the input count rate exceeds 180 kcps. If the
count rate exceeds 180 kcps, you must reduce the activity in the vial.
6. Position the Detector(s) as Section 4 describes.
7. From the Main screen on the acquisition station press the QA/Calibration tab.
The Quality Assurance Information page will appear.
Corrective Action
1. Do not abort Autogain until you are sure that it is failing (If Autogain fails to
complete in 30 minutes the process has failed).
2. The Autogain software rewrites the tbstat.dat gain files several times during the
procedure. If you abort Autogain for any reason, it will leave behind tbstat.dat
files; the gain values in those files will produce poor detector operation. Delete
the tbstat.dat files before attempting Autogain calibration again.
3. If you are observing the P-scope screen, the best indicator that Autogain is
having problems is the percentage complete. The percentage complete should
increment in a uniform consistent manner. If the percentage complete increments
sporadically, does not increment or stalls there may be a problem. Dark holes in
the display would also indicate a problem.
4. To monitor messages during Autogain calibration you must run mesgread on the
Ultra Axi. The messages displayed when monitoring Autogain provide a lot of
detail about the progress of Autogain. The count rate and PMT counts are
constantly updated. The count rate must be between the specified minimum (10K
by default) and 180K counts.
5. If the minimum PMT counts remains at 0 or does not increment, a PMT is not
providing any signal. Between iterations, Autogain will report changing gains
and any troubles setting the gain on one or more PMT channels. These troubles
usually indicate that the PMT channel output has gone away or shifted widely
during the course of the Autogain. If these conditions occur, you will have to
abort Autogain.
6. If you detect Autogain problems, use spectrum from the Jetstream software to
observe the Tc 99m energy spectrum. Acquire a flood image to see if there are
one or more PMT channels that are either providing no signal (cold hole) or
providing too much signal (hot tube center, "star" artifact).
NOTE: Pre-Autogain images will typically look nonuniform.
6. If the software won’t converge, do the following:
a. Ensure the room is free of other radioactive materials, and that the room
temperature didn’t change during calibration.
b. If a single PM Tube and Pre-amp channel is preventing convergence, consider
replacing that PM Tube or the associated AAE card.
c. If multiple PM Tube and Pre-amp channels are preventing convergence, look
for problems in cabling or in the high voltage supply.
PURPOSE
This procedure calibrates the Spectrum display energy axis in KeV. When completed,
each energy peak for the isotope in front of the detector appears at the correct location.
SPECTRUM CALIBRATION
1. Remove the collimator(s) from the Detector(s) you are calibrating as Section 4
describes. If calibrating only one Detector at a time, leave a collimator on the
other Detector.
2. As described in Section 4, prepare and position the point source(s) of the
reference radionuclide yielding between 25 and 50 KCps (e.g. 350 to 500 µCi of
Tc99m).
3. When calibrating a Detector use a lead pig to reduce backscatter.
4. Position the Detector(s) as Section 4 describes.
5. If you are at a Quality Assurance Protocol Screen, click on the Quality Assurance
Information Tab, otherwise open the QA/Calibration screen as described in
Section 4.
The Quality Assurance Information screen will appear.
6. Click on the Spectrum Cal button.
The Spectrum Calibration screen will appear.
7. From the drop down Detector menu, select the detector to be calibrated.
8. From the drop down Isotope menu, select the Isotope used as source.
9. From the drop down Mode menu, select either New or Update.
• Selecting New will replace the data. When selecting New always use Tc99.
• Selecting Update allows you to add information for medium and high energy
single peak isotopes to the spectrum correction table.
NOTE: While performing the next step do not interrupt the Spectrum Calibration
process.
10. Click on the Proceed button.
The P-scope/Spectrum screen will open.
11. Click on the Start button.
Spectrum Calibration takes approximately 30 minutes.
When Spectrum Calibration is complete, the percentage indicator will display
100% and the display will return to the Quality Assurance Protocol Information
screen.
12. To calibrate the other Detector, return to Step 1 and repeat the calibration
procedure.
13. Repeat the Spectrum Calibration for other single peak isotopes if needed.
CONCLUSION
In the Field, if you have completed all the required calibrations, make a back up copy
of the files according to the instructions for Backing Up the System files on page 4-9
of Section 4.
PURPOSE
Accurate Energy calibration is required to obtain optimum scatter rejection. This
assures the spatial resolution capabilities of the system are achieved thereby providing
high quality images.
PREREQUISITES
Before acquiring an Energy Table, you must acquire a new Autogain and Spectrum
Calibration.
If you have not already performed Autogain Calibration and Spectrum Calibration, see
sections 5 for Autogain Calibration and section 6 for Spectrum Calibration instructions.
CONCLUSION
If you have completed all the required calibrations, make a back up copy of the files
according to the instructions for Backing Up the System files on page 4-9 of Section 4.
PURPOSE
Linearity correction calibration is required to eliminate positional distortion for both
the X and Y coordinates over the field of view of the imaging system.
LINEARITY CALIBRATION
1. Remove the collimator from the Detector you are calibrating as described in
Section 4. Leave or mount a collimator on the other Detector.
2. Mount the Linearity Mask on the detector to be calibrated.
WARNING: Do not expose either detector to a 20MCi Source unless both detectors
are protected by either a collimator or a detector linearity mask. Before performing the
next step make sure both detectors have either a collimator or the linearity mask
installed.
3. Prepare and position a point source of 20 mCi source of Tc99m as described in
Section 4.
4. Position the Detector(s) as Section 4 describes.
5. If you are at a Quality Assurance Protocol Screen, click on the Quality Assurance
Information Tab, otherwise open the QA/Calibration screen as described in
Section 4.
The Quality Assurance Information screen will appear.
6. Click on the Linearity Cal button.
The Linearity Calibration screen will appear.
7. From the drop down Detector menu, select the detector to be calibrated.
8. Click on the Isotope Editor Icon
The Isotope Editor Screen will
appear..
NOTE: The center line should center at the peak of the Isotope used as source
(i.e. 140 for Tc-99m). The window width should be 20%.
9. Examine the Isotope profile
(window width and center line). If
the window width or center line is
Center line
incorrect perform step 10 below,
otherwise go to step 11 below.
10. To adjust the center and range of the
isotope used: Width
NOTE: While performing the next step do not interrupt the Linearity Calibration
process.
12. Click on the Proceed button.
The P-scope/Spectrum screen will open.
13. Click on the Start button
Linearity Calibration takes approximately 20 minutes.
When Linearity Calibration is complete, the percentage indicator will display
100% and the display will return to the Quality Assurance Protocol Information
screen.
When the Linearity Calibration is complete, you may verify the calibration
results by viewing the Correction files using the instructions in the Jetstream AZ
Diagnostics Software Manual 9202-0200.
WARNING: Before swapping the collimator and the Linearity Mask to calibrate
the other Detector, remove and store the source. Do not expose either detector to
a 20 mCi Source unless both detectors are protected by either a collimator or a
detector linearity mask.
14. To calibrate the other Detector, return to Step 1 and repeat the calibration
procedure for the other Detector.
15. Remove and properly store the source.
16. Remove the Linearity mask from the Detector.
CONCLUSION
If you have completed all the required calibrations, make a back up copy of the files
according to the instructions for Backing Up the System files on page 4-9 of Section 4.
MATERIAL REQUIRED
• Source yielding 25,000 to 50,000 cps for each radionuclide the customer will
use (e.g. 350 to 500 µCi of Tc99m).
PURPOSE
Acquiring a Uniformity table allows the system to correct for the relative non-
uniformities caused by the dead space between PM tubes, sensitivity variations in the
crystal and the edge packing artifacts at the edges of the PM tube array.
PREREQUISITES
Field Service Engineers working on a previously operating camera should keep these
guidelines in mind:
• Unless under severe time constraints, it is much better to acquire a new
Autogain Table a new Spectrum Table, a new Energy Table and probably a
new Linearity Table before acquiring a new Uniformity Table. Doing these
other tables first may allow you, at any time in the future, to quickly bring a
system back into spec by merely running a new Spectrum Calibration.
• If you acquire a Uniformity Table without first running new Autogain,
Spectrum Calibration and Energy Tables, you lose the future advantage of
being able to restore a system by just running a new Spectrum Calibration. In
fact, if you run Spectrum Calibration on a system in which you have acquired a
Uniformity Table without running the prerequisite Spectrum Calibration and
Energy Tables, you will probably degrade detector performance.
NOTE: The center line should center at the peak of the Isotope used as source
(i.e. 140 for Tc-99m). The window width should be 20%.
11. Examine the Isotope profile
(window width and center line). If
the window width or center line is
Center line
incorrect perform step step 12.
below.
12. To adjust the center and range of
the isotope used: Width
CONCLUSION
Correction table updating will occur automatically.
Back up the calibration files according to the instructions for Backing Up the System
files on page 4-9 of Section 4.
MATERIAL REQUIRED
• One (500 µCi of Tc99m) source
• Three point source holder (2160-5432)
• Three point source holder support (2160-2891)
PURPOSE
Performing a COR Calibration allows the FSE or Factory personnel to locate and
correct center of rotation errors in the system.
9202-0183 Revision B 10 - 1
Section 10 Forte Center of Rotation Calibration
Pass
Start COR QA OK
Fail Pass
COR Calibration
10 - 2 9202-0183 Revision B
Forte Center of Rotation Calibration Section 10
COR CALIBRATION
This procedure will acquire and store a Center of Rotation table.
1. Install collimators on both Detectors as described in section 4.
NOTE: This procedure uses a single point source and the three point source
holder. Only one of the tubes on the three point holder is used.
2. Prepare one 500 microCi Tc99m point source.
3. Using the three point source support (2160-2891), suspend the three point source
holder (2160-5432) off the end of the patient table within the field of view of the
Detectors.
4. Place the point source in one of the three point source tubes.
5. At the acquisition station, log on to the Jetstream system using the procedure in
Section 4.
6. Logon to the QA/Calibration screen as described in Section 4.
The Quality Assurance Information screen will appear.
7. Enter a name in the QA/CAL field.
8. Enter a number or name in the ID field.
9. Click on the PROCEED button.
10. Click on the COR 180 Cal button.
The Calibration Protocol Screen will appear.
11. Verify or enter the following settings.
• In the isotope block, from the drop down Detector 1 menu, select Tc-99m.
• In the Stop Criteria block, Time/Angle 10.
• In the SPECT block, Detector Relative Angle 180.
12. Click on the PROCEED button (lower right).
The detectors move to the relative 180° position and the table moves until the
point source holder is centered.
13. When the prompt appears click OK.
A warning message will appear:
Camera will move to start position.
14. Click: Continue
9202-0183 Revision B 10 - 3
Section 10 Forte Center of Rotation Calibration
10 - 4 9202-0183 Revision B
Forte Center of Rotation Calibration Section 10
9202-0183 Revision B 10 - 5
Section 10 Forte Center of Rotation Calibration
10 - 6 9202-0183 Revision B
APPENDIX A
ACCESSING MOTDIAG
PURPOSE
This procedure explains the steps to access motdiag from the Acquisition Terminal.
Use motdiag to:
• Monitor Gantry, Exchanger and Table sensors.
• Activate Gantry, Exchanger and Table motions.
• Diagnose system problems one step at a time.
ACCESSING MOTDIAG
To access Motdiag from the Acquisition Terminal, do these steps:
1. Press the CTRL key twice. This will switch the active session from the
Acquisition PC (Windows 2000) to the Gantry PC (Vx Works). To switch back to
the Acquisition PC, press CTRL key twice.
2. Press RETURN
3. At the GNT ->> prompt, type: motdiag
The Motdiag Servo Device screen will appear.
4. To enter the privileged mode, type: P
Privilege mode is set will display in red above the Forte + version number.
The top portion of the touch screen will blink red.
To exit Motdiag:
Type: E↵