TECHNICAL BULLETIN 06-003

IMAGE GATHERING
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE

1.1 Initial Information

Product: All systems.
Technical Bulletin Number: 06-003
Priority: N/A
Category: Troubleshooting Procedure
Issue Date: January 2007
Units Affected: All units
Deadline Date: N/A

Please ensure all personnel working on IDC equipment are notified about this
important bulletin.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the IDC Help Desk, toll-free
1-866-XPLORER (1-866-975-6737) or e-mail service@imagingdynamics.com.
This bulletin can also be downloaded through the IDC tracking site under the project of
IDC-Service Technical Bulletins.

Imaging Dynamics Company • January 29, 2007 • Technical Bulletin: 06-003 v1.0
 2 • Revision History

1.2 Revision History

Revision Number Revision Date Details

Draft January 29, 2007 Draft approved

1.0 January 29, 2007 Document released

1.3 Issue Description

To troubleshoot image quality service issues that come from the field, a number of images are
required.
The following technical bulletin describes the techniques and processes that must be followed
when gathering images for troubleshooting image quality.

1.4 Resolution Description

Most image quality issues cannot be resolved without some basic images. The images that
must be gathered in this procedure are:
• uncorrected dark noise image
• uncorrected x-ray image
• Flat Field and Dark Field corrected image
• Flat Field, Dark Field, and geometric corrected x-ray image
• a clinical image showing the problem, if applicable
IDC requires the above images in order to diagnose where the problem is occurring. Each of
the shots required is a separate component of the final image. Seeing separate images will
allow each image to be inspected and enable us to trace the problem back to a particular
location. This should allow a faster response time from IDC to help resolve the issue.
These images and information are required to ensure a quality response from IDC. Without
these images, IDC cannot determine if a Detector Head should be replaced, and we will not
issue an RMA number unless all specified images have been obtained.

1.5 Materials and Tools

N/A

1.6 Safety Considerations

N/A

Imaging Dynamics Company • January 29, 2007 • Technical Bulletin: 06-003 v1.0
 Work Instructions • 3

1.7 Work Instructions

1.7.1 Create an Issue

If an issue has not already been created for this problem, create one in the Tracking site under
the applicable customer/site project, and clearly state the following information:
1. Detector Head serial number
2. System type (e.g., Xplorer 1600, Xplorer 1590)
3. The problem or issue
4. All exposure factors including grid, SID, etc.
5. A clinical image showing the problem (if applicable)

1.7.2 Saving Images

Create a folder titled DH Evaluation in C:\Magellan2\service. This is where all the required
images will be saved. This folder can be accessed at a later date, if the images are not received
by IDC.

1.7.3 Uncorrected Dark Noise Image

An uncorrected dark noise image is an unprocessed dark noise image, taken without any
corrections applied. To take this image:
1. Open DelCano, not Magellan. If Magellan has been opened, exit the application before
opening DelCano.
2. Select Xplorer Calibration. Turn off Flat Field and Dark Field correction by unchecking
Apply Flat Field and Dark Field corrections.
3. Turn off Geometric Correction by unchecking Apply Geometric Correction.
4. Ensure the Integration Time is 4000 ms. If the value is different than what is currently
entered, note the original length in the tracking site issue and return the time to the original
length after capturing the dark noise image.
5. Select Apply.
6. From the DelCano dialog box, select Anatomy. Set the Anatomy/Projection/Level to
Calibration/Delcano/HR. Select OK.
7. Select Trigger to capture the image.
8. Save the image as DarkNoCorr in the DH Evaluation folder.

1.7.4 Uncorrected X-ray Image

An uncorrected x-ray image is an unprocessed x-ray image of free air (nothing in the field),
taken without any corrections applied. This image must be included to assess image quality.

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 4 • Work Instructions

To take this image do the following:

1. Remove the grid. If possible, set the SID to 180 cm. If you are unable to set the SID to 180
cm, set to 100 cm. Ensure the collimator is exposing the entire imaging area.
2. Open DelCano, not Magellan. If Magellan has been opened, exit the application before
opening DelCano.
3. Select Xplorer Calibration. Turn off Flat Field and Dark field correction by unchecking
Apply Flat Field and Dark Field corrections.
4. Turn off Geometric Correction by unchecking Apply Geometric Correction.
5. Select Apply.
6. From the DelCano dialog box, select Anatomy. Set the Anatomy/Projection/Level to
Calibration/Delcano/HR. Select OK.
7. Take an image of free air (nothing in the field) at 50 kVp and 32 mAs, with a small focal
spot, when the SID is set to 180 cm. If the SID is set to 100 cm, take the image of free air at
50 kVp and 16 mAs.
8. Save the image as XrayNoCorr in the DH Evaluation folder.

1.7.5 Flat Field and Dark Field Corrected Image

A Flat Field and Dark Field corrected image is an unprocessed image of free air (nothing in
the field), taken with only Flat Field and Dark Field correction applied. To take this image do
the following:
1. Remove the grid. Set the SID to 180 cm, if possible. If you are unable to set the SID to 180
cm, set to 100 cm. Ensure the collimator is exposing the entire imaging area.
2. Open DelCano, not Magellan. If Magellan has been opened, exit the application before
opening DelCano.
3. Select Xplorer Calibration. Turn on Flat Field and Dark Field correction by checking
Apply Flat Field and Dark Field corrections.
a. If there is more than one Flat Field file in the Flat Field path frame, write down the
location of all the files. You will need these locations later in the procedure.
b. Locate the Flat Field exposure that corresponds to your detector position. This is
identifiable by the SID, and detector position. Select the Question Mark button to
confirm the information.
c. Remove every Flat Field file that does not apply to the Detector’s orientation/SID.
To remove a file, select the filename, then select the minus button.
4. Turn off Geometric Correction by unchecking Apply Geometric Correction.
5. Select Apply.
6. From the DelCano dialog box, select Anatomy. Set Anatomy/Projection/Level to
Calibration/Delcano/HR. Select OK.

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 Work Instructions • 5

7. Take an image of free air (nothing in the field) at 50 kVp and 32 mAs, with a small focal
spot, when the SID is set to 180 cm. If the SID is set to 100 cm, take the image of free air at
50 kVp and 16 mAs.
8. Save the image as XrayCorr in the DH Evaluation folder.
9. Add the individual Flat Field files. Select the Plus button beside the Flat Field path. Find
the Flat Field file that was previously removed by referring back to the list of file locations
noted. Repeat until all of the Flat Field files are present.

1.7.6 Flat Field, Dark Field, and Geometric Corrected X-ray Image

A Flat Field, Dark Field, and Geometric corrected x-ray image is an unprocessed image of
free air (nothing in the field), taken with Flat Field, Dark Field and Geometric correction
applied. To take this image do the following:
1. Remove the grid. If possible, set the SID to 180 cm. If you are unable to set the SID to 180
cm, set to 100 cm. Ensure the collimator is exposing the entire imaging area.
2. Open DelCano, not Magellan. If Magellan has been opened, exit the application before
opening DelCano.
3. Select Xplorer Calibration. Turn on Flat Field and Dark Field correction by checking
Apply Flat Field and Dark Field corrections.
a. If there is more than one Flat Field file in the Flat Field path frame, write down the
location of all the files. These locations will need used later in the procedure.
b. Locate the Flat Field exposure that corresponds to your detector position. This is
identifiable by the SID, and possibly the detector position. Select the Question
Mark button to confirm the information.
c. Remove every Flat Field file that does not apply to the detector’s orientation/SID.
To remove a file, select the filename, then select the minus button.
4. Turn on Geometric correction by checking Apply Geometric Correction.
5. Select Apply.
6. From the DelCano dialog box, select Anatomy. Set Anatomy/Projection/Level to
Calibration/Delcano/HR. Select OK.
7. Take an image of free air (nothing in the field) at 50 kVp and 32 mAs, with a small focal
spot, when the SID is set to 180 cm. If the SID is set to 100 cm, take the image of free air at
50 kVp at 16 mAs.
8. Save the image as XrayGeoCorr in the DH Evaluation folder.
9. Add the individual Flat Field files. Select the Plus button beside the Flat Field paths frame.
Find the Flat Field file that was removed earlier. Repeat until all of the Flat Field files are
present.

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1.7.7 Uploading Images

Upload the images (not .jpeg files) onto the tracking site. The images may also be saved to a
CD and couriered, with the appropriate tracking site issue number or problem description, to
IDC, Attention: Service.

1.7.8 Record the Investigation

Record the outcome of the investigation in the appropriate issue on the Tracking site. If the
issue has been resolved, record what was done to resolve the problem. If the Detector Head
needs to be returned to IDC, record the RMA # in the issue.

Imaging Dynamics Company • January 29, 2007 • Technical Bulletin: 06-003 v1.0
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1.8 Contact
North American Contact
Imaging Dynamics Company
151, 2340 Pegasus Way, NE
Calgary, Alberta
T2E 8M5, Canada
IDC Help Desk, toll-free 1-866-XPLORER (1-866-975-6737)
E-mail service@imagingdynamics.com.
Fax 403-251-1771

European Contact
IDC Europe B.V.
Victorialaan 15, 5213 JG, s-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0)73 751.1742
Fax: +31(0)73 751.1744

Asian Contact
IDC Beijing Rep. Office
Room 1007A China Resource
No. 8 Jianguomenwai Bei Avenue
Beijing 100005, China
Tel: 00 86 10 85192196
Fax: 00 86 10 85192198

Imaging Dynamics Company • January 29, 2007 • Technical Bulletin: 06-003 v1.0