Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU) file:///D:/EQUIPOS MEDICOS/TAC SANTANDER/CDS/MANUAL D...

Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU)

General
Keep in mind that the Analyze program applies auto-scaling when plotting! For this reason, if there is no defect on a
channel, the resulting curve will display a strong ripple pattern.

In case of a defective module:

The modules are selected and/or belong to different classifications. You should therefore not swap or interchange the
modules for troubleshooting. Factory regulations require that you follow a strict and reproducible procedure.
Always perform the checks as described and send the recommended data to CS HSC 22. Otherwise, you will not receive
a module because the order is blocked until release by HSC 22.

How to take a screenshot:

Activate the corresponding window by simultaneously pressing Alt+PrtSc . Open the paint program (from Accessories),
click inside the window, and press Ctrl+V to paste the screenshot into the paint program.
Save the image under c:\temp. Use the Save As option and enter the file name (name the file according to the slice and
cable position). Under Save As enter, select 16-color bitmap or less (the resulting file will otherwise be too big).

1. Step: Important prerequisites

For the following tests, it helps to know in advance which slice produces a ring. Either ask the customer to
identify the problem slice or run a checkup. Observe the scan parameter field while calibration is in progress.
After an error message is displayed in the info field (Fig. 28), note the scan parameter for this scan.

Do not use the scan parameter indicated after the error message is displayed; these are the parameters for
the next scan.

Fig. 28 Example of checkup mask

2. Step: Find involved channels via ROI/RING

1 de 5 15/02/2018, 11:37 a. m.
Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU) file:///D:/EQUIPOS MEDICOS/TAC SANTANDER/CDS/MANUAL D...

· Remove all absorbers from the scan field.

· Select Local Service -> Test Tools -> Stat-Modes.
· Use default values and click Go.
· Press the Start button (starts X-ray scan).
· Click ROI/Ring after scan is finished.
· Select Ring on the right side of the applet.
· Select Center: -1000 (to view the image including the ring).
· Place the cursor inside the image and adjust the ring to the size of the artifact using the left mouse button.
· The corresponding channels are displayed on the right side.
Due to the geometry of the DMS, either Channels 1 or 2 may point to the defective channel(s) inside the
DMS. Use Analyze (next step) to find the correct area.

· Close the Roi/Ring mask.

3. Step: Use Analyze to find the defective part

· Remove all absorbers from the scan field.
· Create a raw data set via Select Local Service -> Test Tools -> Stat-Modes.
To isolate the problem, it is important to use 3 modes with different slices (VZ/Sensation 4: 4 x1mm, 4 x
2.5 mm, 4 x 5 mm; Access: 2 x 1 mm, 2 x 2.5 mm, 2 x 10 mm). This is the only way to cover all 8
elements in a channel! Follow the sequence described. Experience has shown that the error mostly
occurs in 1mm or 2.5mm slices. If you know which slice is producing the artifact (refer to the
prerequisites), you have enough information to perform the following tests for this slice combination only.
(For detailed information about the Detector design of a Multislice, refer to your CBDOC in Data
Measurement system DMS/Data Flow/Principle of Multislice Detector.)
The test sequence has to be performed a second time with module cables crossed (refer to Instructions)
to make sure that either a GI card or a module is defective.

· Select -> static15 as predefined mode and click Show (to activate the static15 parameters)
· Select mode parameter: Slice -> refer to "Note" text above , Voltage-> 120KV , Current -> 300mA , Tubepos. -> 270
deg , Process step -> Acq (FPA) , Store Step -> Acquisition .
Note: Do not activate -> Save Raw Data
· Click Go.
· Press the Start button (starts X-ray scan).
· Click Cancel after the scan is finished to leave the Static Mode mask.
· Click Home.
· Select Analyze from the Home platform.
· Select Load > ICS File system > Raw Data (default setting).
· Click Go to open the common load frame.
· Select the last raw data set measured: rotstatic.raw.
· Click Go (the region platform opens).
· Select Macro -> Run in the Analyze platform.

Depending on the software installed (VA20 or VA40), different macros are available. For this reason, there
are differences in the following test sequences. The VA40 test sequence is described first and afterward
the VA20 test sequence.

1. If software VA40 is installed continue with the following steps:.

IMPORTANT: Some macros are different for Volume Access and Volume Zoom / Sensation 4 .

2 de 5 15/02/2018, 11:37 a. m.
Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU) file:///D:/EQUIPOS MEDICOS/TAC SANTANDER/CDS/MANUAL D...

Tab. 6 1.Different macros for Volume Access and Volume Zoom / Sensation 4
For slices For Volume Zoom / Sensation4 For Volume Access use macro
use macro
1.0 mm and 2.5 mm Make_meanStd.mcr Make_meanStd_2slice.mcr
Wedge120CorrMean1to4.mcr Wedge120CorrMean1to2.mcr
4 x 5mm or Make_meanStd.mcr Make_meanStd_4slice.mcr
2 x 10mm Wedge120CorrMean1to4.mcr Wedge120CorrMean1to4.mcr

· Select Make_meanStd.mcr or Make_meanStd_xslice.mcr (refer to (Tab. 6 1.Different macros for Volume Access
and Volume Zoom / Sensation 4) ) and click Go .
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Make_fpa_wedge.mcr and click Go.
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Wedge120CorrMean1tox.mcr (see (Tab. 6 1.Different macros for Volume Access and Volume Zoom /
Sensation 4) ) and click Go
· Click Plot -> mean value min: 70000 max: 180000 (see (Fig. 31) for an example). In case of error, use Zoom to identify
the exact position of the defective channel
· Take a SCREENSHOT (only if error is displayed (Fig. 32) ) save as 4xYYmm_orig.bmp; with cables crossed as
4xYYmm_cross.bmp .
Note: The screenshots are required in case of a defective module (refer to General Notes). In case of a defective GI
card, the screenshots may be deleted at a later time.
· Now swap the cable of the module with the one from a neighboring module (left or right) on the GI card. Repeat the
measurement and analyze sequences as before to see if the error (Ring) area changes accordingly.

· Continue with ((Final steps) )

2. If software VA20 is installed continue with the following steps:.

IIMPORTANT: Some macros are different for Volume Access and Volume Zoom
Tab. 7 2. Different macros for Volume Access and Volume Zoom
For slices For Volume Zoom use macro For Volume Access use macro
1.0 mm and 2.5 mm Make_meanStd.mcr Make_meanStd_2slice.mcr
Wedge120CorrMean.mcr Wedge120CorrMean_2slice
4 x 5mm or Make_meanStd.mcr Make_meanStd_4slice.mcr
2 x 10mm Wedge120CorrMean.mcr Wedge120CorrMean_4slice

· Select Make_meanStd.mcr or Make_meanStd_xslice.mcr (see (Tab. 6 1.Different macros for Volume Access and
Volume Zoom / Sensation 4) ) and click Go .
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Make_fpa_wedge.mcr and click Go.
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Wedge120CorrMean_xslice.mcr (see (Tab. 6 1.Different macros for Volume Access and Volume Zoom /
Sensation 4) ) and click Go
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Plot_WedgeCorr1.mcr and click Go
· Click Plot -> mean value min: 70000 max: 180000 (see (Fig. 31) for an example). In case of error, use Zoom to
identify the exact position of the defective channel .
· Take a SCREENSHOT (only if error is displayed -> (Fig. 32) save as 4xYYmm_orig_row1.bmp; with cables
crossed as 4xYYmm_cross_row1.bmp .
Note: The screenshots are required in case of a defective module (refer to General Notes). In case of a defective GI
card, the screenshots may be deleted at a later time.

3 de 5 15/02/2018, 11:37 a. m.
Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU) file:///D:/EQUIPOS MEDICOS/TAC SANTANDER/CDS/MANUAL D...

· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).

· Select Plot_WedgeCorr2.mcr and click Go
· Click Plot -> mean value min: 70000 max: 180000 (refer to (Fig. 31) for an example). In case of error, use Zoom to
identify the exact position of the defective channel
· Take a SCREENSHOT (only if error is displayed -> (Fig. 32) save as 4xYYmm_orig_row2.bmp; with cables
crossed as 4xYYmm_cross_row2.bmp .
Note: The screenshots are required in case a module is defective (refer to General Notes). In case of a defective GI
card, the screenshots may be deleted at a later time.
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Plot_WedgeCorr3.mcr and click Go (not if Make_meanStd_2slice was used! )
· Click Plot -> mean value min: 70000 max: 180000 (refer to (Fig. 31) for an example). In case of error, use Zoom to
identify the exact position of the defective channel
· Take a SCREENSHOT (only if error is displayed -> (Fig. 32) save as 4xYYmm_orig_row3.bmp; with cables
crossed as 4xYYmm_cross_row3.bmp.
Note: The screenshots are required in case of a defective module (refer to General Notes). In case of a defective GI
card, the screenshots may be deleted at a later date.
· Select Macro -> Run (displays a list of macros).
· Select Plot_WedgeCorr4.mcr and click Go (not if Make_meanStd_2slice was used!
· Click Plot -> mean value min: 70000 max: 180000 (refer to (Fig. 31) for an example). In case of error, use Zoom to
identify the exact position of the defective channel
· Take a SCREENSHOT (only if error is displayed -> (Fig. 32) save as 4xYYmm_orig_row4.bmp; with cables
crossed as 4xYYmm_cross_row4.bmp.
Note: The screenshots are required in case of a defective module (refer to General Notes). In case of a defective GI
card, the screenshots may be deleted at a later date.
· Now swap the cable of the module with the one from a neighboring module (left or right) on the GI card. Repeat the
measurements and analyze sequences as before to determine whether the error (Ring) area changes accordingly.

Final steps

· Error stays --> GI card defect

In case of a defect GI Card: Swap card to Slot 41 until a new one is received!
NEVER swap to slot 42 because this card is used for air slice calibration!

· Error travels --> Module defect

In case of a defective module, please send at least 2 screenshots of plots (where the defect is visible) to CS HSC 22.
One should be taken before crossing the cables and one after crossing the cables. Also include an image with the
visible ring(s).
Switch off the bad channel as described in (Bad Channel Editor) while you are waiting for the new module to be
received. Do not patch several channels, this will result in streak artifacts! Also if the patched channels are within slot
21, 22 streak artifacts may appear.
Contacting CS HSC 22
Include in your mail:
- The 2 plots that show the defective channel before and after crossing the cable (as described above; min. mean
value MUST be visible in the screenshot!)
- Serial numbers of the system, the detector, and the defective module (to be found on the cable).
- 1 sample image with the ring visible.
- Also print out one screenshot with the defective channel visible to be included with the return delivery.
- After receiving the spare part module, inform the HSC22 call owner about the schedule for replacement.
- After successful replacement, fill out the corresponding documents attached and send them to the call owner in
HSC22.

4 de 5 15/02/2018, 11:37 a. m.
Troubleshooting strong rings (> 20HU) file:///D:/EQUIPOS MEDICOS/TAC SANTANDER/CDS/MANUAL D...

Fig. 29 Example of DMS error in a topogram Fig. 30 Example of same DMS error in the
tomogram

Fig. 31 Example of error-free plot Fig. 32 Example of error plot

Examples (Fig. 29) / (Fig. 30) show a problem on channel 20. Example (Fig. 32) shows a problem on
channel 625.

Uncontrolled document if printed or copied to another location!

Disclaimer and Copyright © Siemens AG 2001

5 de 5 15/02/2018, 11:37 a. m.