Standard Practice for Determining Low-Contrast Visual Acuity of Radiographic Interpreters

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is used to evaluate the ability of a radiographic interpreter to discriminate low contrast slit images in a radiographic interpretation environment. A radiographic viewer, as described in Specification E1390, and a viewing environment, as described in Guide E94, are strongly recommended. The minimum acceptable test score in any given application depends on the requirements of the application. Using parties should develop and maintain records of their test results to guide the establishment of acceptable test scores for their applications. (See Note 1.)  
Note 1: During round robin testing with experienced radiographic interpreters, 76 % of the interpreters achieved a score of 85 % or higher, and 95 % achieved a score of 80 % or higher. The average score was 90.7 %, and the standard deviation was 6.7 %. In a second study from 2017, with both certified radiographers and uncertified personnel, the average and standard deviation among certified radiographers was 90.4 ± 4.0 % and among uncertified personnel was 88.4 ± 4.9 %. It was found that on each test page there are 3 or 4 images where the average score for each was less than 80 % correct and the remainder of the images all individually scored greater than 80 % on average. A limited number of the general public was examined, and the average score among these was 75.0 ± 3.3 %.  
4.2 Administration of the Test  
4.2.1 The test procedure described in this practice is intended to determine the ability of a radiographic interpreter to detect low contrast images in a low light level environment. Appropriate dark adaptation time should be permitted. A minimum of 1 min is recommended; however, longer dark adaptation times may be required by some users.  
4.2.2 The test should be administered by a test administrator. The individual being tested shall not know the identification of the plate or orientation prior to the test.  
4.2.3 The interpretation of each of the 25 image areas on a plate is recorded...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice details the procedure for determining the low-contrast visual acuity of a radiographic interpreter by evaluating the ability of the individual to detect linear images of varying radiographic noise, contrast, and sharpness. No statement is made regarding the applicability of these images to evaluate the competence of a radiographic interpreter. There is no correlation between these images of slit phantoms and the ability to detect cracks or other linear features in an actual radiographic examination. The test procedure follows from work performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology presented in NBS Technical Note 1143, issued June 1981.  
1.2 The visual acuity test set consists of five individual plates, each containing a series of radiographic images of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) long slits in thin metal shims. The original radiographs used to prepare the illustrations were generated using various absorbers, geometric parameters (unsharpness, slit widths), and source parameters (kV, mA, time) to produce images of varying noise, contrast, and sharpness. Each radiographic image has a background density of 1.8 ± 0.15. The images are viewed in a radiographic interpretation environment as used for the evaluation of production radiographic films, for example, illuminators and background lighting as described in Guide E94 and Specification E1390, and without optical magnification.  
1.3 Each visual acuity test plate consists of 25 individual image areas. The images are arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns as shown in Fig. 1. Each image area is 2 in. x 2 in. (51 mm x 51 mm). All identification is on the back side of the plate. Each plate can be viewed from any of the four orientations (that is, it can be viewed with any of the four edges “up” on the illuminator). Since there are five different plates in the set, this makes for a total of 20 different patterns that can be viewed. The identification of whi...

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ASTM E3168-20 - Standard Practice for Determining Low-Contrast Visual Acuity of Radiographic Interpreters
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Designation: E3168 − 20
Standard Practice for
Determining Low-Contrast Visual Acuity of Radiographic
1
Interpreters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3168; 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.
1. Scope illuminator). Since there are five different plates in the set, this
makes for a total of 20 different patterns that can be viewed.
1.1 This practice details the procedure for determining the
The identification of which of the five plates and which of the
low-contrast visual acuity of a radiographic interpreter by
four orientations were viewed in any given test can be
evaluating the ability of the individual to detect linear images
determined from the designation on the back side.
of varying radiographic noise, contrast, and sharpness. No
statementismaderegardingtheapplicabilityoftheseimagesto 1.4 Withintheimageareas,theslitimagemayappearinany
evaluate the competence of a radiographic interpreter. There is of five locations, that is, in any of the four corners of the image
no correlation between these images of slit phantoms and the area, or near the center. No more than one slit image will
ability to detect cracks or other linear features in an actual appear in any one image area. The slit image may be
radiographic examination. The test procedure follows from horizontal, vertical, slant left, or slant right. Several of the
work performed by the National Institute of Standards and plates include one or more image areas in which there is no slit
Technology presented in NBS Technical Note 1143, issued image.
June 1981.
1.5 Use of this standard requires procurement of the adjunct
1.2 The visual acuity test set consists of five individual test plates.
plates, each containing a series of radiographic images of
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
0.5 in. (12.7 mm) long slits in thin metal shims. The original
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
radiographs used to prepare the illustrations were generated
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
using various absorbers, geometric parameters (unsharpness,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
slit widths), and source parameters (kV, mA, time) to produce
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
images of varying noise, contrast, and sharpness. Each radio-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
graphic image has a background density of 1.8 6 0.15. The
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
imagesareviewedinaradiographicinterpretationenvironment
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
as used for the evaluation of production radiographic films, for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
example, illuminators and background lighting as described in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Guide E94 and Specification E1390, and without optical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
magnification.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Each visual acuity test plate consists of 25 individual
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
image areas.The images are arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns
E94 Guide for Radiographic Examination Using Industrial
as shown in Fig. 1. Each image area is 2 in. x 2 in. (51 mm x
Radiographic Film
51 mm).All identification is on the back side of the plate. Each
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
plate can be viewed from any of the four orientations (that is,
E1390 Specification for Illuminators Used for Viewing In-
it can be viewed with any of the four edges “up” on the
dustrial Radiographs
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
2
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.02 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Reference Radiological Images. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2020. Published March 2020. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3168-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3168 − 20
FIG. 1 Layout of Visual Acuity Test Plate
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E3168 − 20
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2.2 ASTM Adjuncts: Appropriate dark adaptation time should be permitted. A
5 Visual Acuity Test Plates and Answer Key minimum of 1 min is recommen
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