ASTM E1695-95(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Computed Tomography (CT) System Performance
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Computed Tomography (CT) System Performance
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Two factors affecting the quality of a CT image are geometrical unsharpness and random noise. Geometrical unsharpness limits the spatial resolution of a CT system, that is, its ability to image fine structural detail in an object. Random noise limits the contrast sensitivity of a CT system, that is, its ability to detect the presence or absence of features in an object. Spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity may be measured in various ways. ASTM specifies spatial resolution be quantified in terms of the modulation transfer function (MTF) and contrast sensitivity be quantified in terms of the contrast discrimination function (CDF) (see Guide E1441 and Practice E1570). This test method allows the purchaser or the provider of CT systems or services, or both, to measure and specify spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides instruction for determining the spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity in X-ray and γ-ray computed tomography (CT) images. The determination is based on examination of the CT image of a uniform disk of material. The spatial resolution measurement is derived from an image analysis of the sharpness at the edge of the disk. The contrast sensitivity measurement is derived from an image analysis of the statistical noise at the center of the disk.
1.2 This test method is more quantitative and less susceptible to interpretation than alternative approaches because the required disk is easy to fabricate and the analysis is immune to cupping artifacts. This test method may not yield meaningful results if the disk image occupies less than a significant fraction of the field of view.
1.3 This test method may also be used to evaluate other performance parameters. Among those characteristics of a CT system that are detectable with this test method are: the mid-frequency enhancement of the reconstruction kernel, the presence (or absence) of detector crosstalk, the undersampling of views, and the clipping of unphysical (that is, negative) CT numbers (see Air Force Technical Report WL-TR-94-40212). It is highly likely that other characteristics as well can be detected with this test method.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Inch-pound units are provided for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E1695 − 95 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Computed Tomography (CT) System
1
Performance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1695; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method provides instruction for determining
thespatialresolutionandcontrastsensitivityinX-rayand γ-ray
2. Referenced Documents
computed tomography (CT) images. The determination is
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
based on examination of the CT image of a uniform disk of
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
material. The spatial resolution measurement is derived from
E1441 Guide for Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
an image analysis of the sharpness at the edge of the disk. The
E1570 Practice for Computed Tomographic (CT) Examina-
contrast sensitivity measurement is derived from an image
tion
analysis of the statistical noise at the center of the disk.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is more quantitative and less suscep-
tible to interpretation than alternative approaches because the
3.1 Definitions—The definitions of terms relating to
required disk is easy to fabricate and the analysis is immune to
Gamma- and X-Radiology, which appear in Terminology
cupping artifacts. This test method may not yield meaningful
E1316 and Guide E1441, shall apply to the terms used in this
resultsifthediskimageoccupieslessthanasignificantfraction
test method.
of the field of view.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 phantom—a part or item being used to quantify CT
1.3 This test method may also be used to evaluate other
system performance.
performance parameters. Among those characteristics of a CT
system that are detectable with this test method are: the
3.2.2 examination object—a part or specimen being sub-
mid-frequency enhancement of the reconstruction kernel, the
jected to CT examination.
presence (or absence) of detector crosstalk, the undersampling
3.3 Acronyms:
of views, and the clipping of unphysical (that is, negative) CT
3.3.1 ERF—edge response function.
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numbers(seeAirForceTechnicalReportWL-TR-94-4021 ).It
3.3.2 PSF—point spread function.
ishighlylikelythatothercharacteristicsaswellcanbedetected
3.3.3 MTF—modulation transfer function.
with this test method.
3.3.4 CDF—contrast discrimination function.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. Inch-pound units are provided for information only.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Two factors affecting the quality of a CT image are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
geometrical unsharpness and random noise. Geometrical un-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sharpness limits the spatial resolution of a CT system, that is,
its ability to image fine structural detail in an object. Random
noise limits the contrast sensitivity of a CT system, that is, its
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on
ability to detect the presence or absence of features in an
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on
object. Spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity may be
Radiology (X and Gamma) Method.
measured in various ways. ASTM specifies spatial resolution
Current edition approved June 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
ε1
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E1695 - 95(2006) .
DOI: 10.1520/E1695-95R13.
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X-Ray Computed Tomography Standards (WL-TR-94-4021). Bossi, R. H. and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Nelson, J. M. Air Force Contract No. F33615-88-C-5404. Source document contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
available from Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/MLLP Building 655, 2230 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Tenth Street, Suite 1, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433–7814. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E1695 − 95 (2013)
be quantified in terms of the modulation transfer function
(MTF) and contrast sensitivity be quantified in terms of the
contrast discrimination function (CDF) (see Guide E1441 and
Practi
...
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