A new method to evaluate fluoroscopic system collimator performance

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2024 Dec;25(12):e14536. doi: 10.1002/acm2.14536. Epub 2024 Oct 9.

Abstract

Introduction: Fluoroscopy uses collimators to limit the radiation field size. Collimators are often evaluated annually during equipment performance evaluations to maintain compliance with regulatory and/or accreditation bodies. A method to evaluate and quantify fluoroscopy collimator performance was developed.

Methods: A radiation field and displayed image measurement device consisting of radiopaque rulers and radiochromic film strips was placed on the x-ray source assembly exit window to evaluate fluoroscopy collimator performance. This method was used to evaluate collimator performance on 79 fluoroscopic imaging systems including fixed C-arms, mobile C-arms, mini C-arms, and radiographic fluoroscopic systems.

Results: The excess length (EL), excess width (EW), and sum EL + EW of the radiation field relative to the displayed image were measured and compared to the limits specified in 21CFR1020.32. Four systems exceeded these limits. Placing the radiation measurement device at the x-ray source assembly exit window relative to the image receptor cover increased the film exposure rate by a factor up to 14.6. The time required to set up and complete the fluoroscopy collimator performance measurements using this method ranged from 5 to 10 min.

Conclusions: This method provides an easily implemented quantitative measure of fluoroscopy system collimator performance that satisfies regulatory and accreditation body requirements.

Keywords: equipment performance evaluation (EPE); fluoroscopy; quality control.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Fluoroscopy / instrumentation
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Humans
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • X-Rays