ASTM E1695-95(2006)e1
(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
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 E 1441 and Practice E 1570). 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 -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-94-4021). 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.
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 2006)
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Computed Tomography (CT) System
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 Department of Defense.
´ NOTE—Added address for source document in Footnote 2 in December 2006.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method provides instruction for determining
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
thespatialresolutionandcontrastsensitivityinX-rayand γ-ray
computed tomography (CT) images. The determination is
2. Referenced Documents
based on examination of the CT image of a uniform disk of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
material. The spatial resolution measurement is derived from
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
an image analysis of the sharpness at the edge of the disk. The
E1441 Guide for Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
contrast sensitivity measurement is derived from an image
E1570 Practice for Computed Tomographic (CT) Examina-
analysis of the statistical noise at the center of the disk.
tion
1.2 This test method is more quantitative and less suscep-
tible to interpretation than alternative approaches because the
3. Terminology
required disk is easy to fabricate and the analysis is immune to
3.1 Definitions—The definitions of terms relating to
cupping artifacts. This test method may not yield meaningful
Gamma- and X-Radiology, which appear in Terminology
resultsifthediskimageoccupieslessthanasignificantfraction
E1316 and Guide E1441, shall apply to the terms used in this
of the field of view.
test method.
1.3 This test method may also be used to evaluate other
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
performance parameters. Among those characteristics of a CT
3.2.1 phantom—a part or item being used to quantify CT
system that are detectable with this test method are: the
system performance.
mid-frequency enhancement of the reconstruction kernel, the
3.2.2 examination object—a part or specimen being sub-
presence (or absence) of detector crosstalk, the undersampling
jected to CT examination.
of views, and the clipping of unphysical (that is, negative) CT
3.3 Acronyms:
numbers(seeAirForceTechnicalReportWL-TR-94-4021 ).It
3.3.1 ERF—edge response function.
ishighlylikelythatothercharacteristicsaswellcanbedetected
with this test method.
3.3.2 PSF—point spread function.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.3.3 MTF—modulation transfer function.
standard. Inch-pound units are provided for information only.
3.3.4 CDF—contrast discrimination function.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Two factors affecting the quality of a CT image are
geometrical unsharpness and random noise. Geometrical un-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on sharpness limits the spatial resolution of a CT system, that is,
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.01 on
its ability to image fine structural detail in an object. Random
Radiology (X and Gamma) Method.
noise limits the contrast sensitivity of a CT system, that is, its
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2006. Published January 2007. Originally
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E1695 - 95(2001).
DOI: 10.1520/E1695-95R06E01.
2 3
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 (2006)
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.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Disk Phantom—The disk phantom shall be a right
cylinder of uniform material conforming to the design and
material requirements in Table 1 and Fig. 1. Since spatial
resolution and contrast sensitivity depend on the examination
task (that is, the examination object and the specified CT
parameters), the application requirements must be fixed before
the phantom can be designed. In general, each examination
task will require a separate phantom. The diameter of the disk
relative to the field of view shall be such that the reconstructed
image of the disk occupies a significant fraction of the image
matrix. Recommended sizes are given in Table 2.The diameter
and opacity of the disk shall be such that the phantom
FIG. 1 Disk Phantom
approximates the attenuation range of the examination object.
If possible, the phantom should be of the same material as the
TABLE 2 Suggested Measurement Parameters
examinationobject,buttheotherrequirementstakeprecedence
andmaydictatetheselectionofanothermaterial.Thedesignof Image Matrix Disk Image Maximum Tile ERF Bin Number
Size Diameter Size Size of Fit
the disk phantom is a matter of agreement between the
(Pixels) (Pixels) (Pixels) (Pixels) Points
purchaser and the supplier.
256 235 12 0.100 11
6. Procedure
512 470 24 0.050 21
1024 940 48 0.025 41
6.1 The phantom shall be mounted on the CT system with
the orientation of the axis of revolution of the disk normal to
the scan plane. The alignment shall not compromise the
measurement of geometrical unsharpness. Unless otherwise those used for examination object scans. The slice plane shall
agreeduponbetweenpurchaserandsupplier,thephantomshall intercept the phantom approximately midway between the flat
be placed at the center of the field of view used for the faces of the disk.
examination object.
6.3 Unless otherwise agreed upon between purchaser and
6.2 Unless otherwise agreed upon between purchaser and supplier, the reconstruction parameters shall be identical to
supplier, the data acquisition parameters shall be identical to those used for examination object reconstructions.
TABLE 1 Disk Phantom Design Requirements
Material The material, in conjunction with the diameter of the disk,
shall be such that the phantom approximates the
attenuation range of the examination object. The material
should preferably be the same as that of the examination
object.
Diameter The diameter shall be such that the reconstruction of the disk
occupies a significant fraction of the resulting image. In
conjunction with the material, the diameter shall be such
that the phantom approximates the attenuation range of the
examination object.
Thickness The thickness of the disk shall be greater than the slice
thickness used to inspect the examination object.
Shape The perpendicularity of the axis of revolution with respect to
the surface used to mount the phantom on the CT system
shall not compromise the measurement of geometrical
unsharpness.
Finish The surface texture roughness of the curved surface shall not
compromise the measurement of geometrical unsharpness.
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E1695 − 95 (2006)
6.4 Unless otherwise agreed upon between purchaser and 7.1.3 Unless otherwise agreed upon between the purchaser
supplier, the display parameters shall be identical to those used and supplier, the MTF shall be generated as follows:
for examination object display. It shall be verified by exami-
7.1.3.1 Calculate the Fourier Transform of the PSF. The
nationthatthediskimageoccupiesanimageatleasttwo-thirds
maximum frequency of the resultant transform should be at
of the image matrix. Recommended guidelines are given in
least four times the cut-off frequency of the matrix, which by
Table 2.
definition is 0.5 line-pairs per pixel.The sampling frequency in
the Fourier domain should be small enough that the transform
7. Interpretation of Results
is smooth within the frequency range of interest. A sampling
7.1 Spatial Resolution—From the CT image data, generate
frequency of 0.01, or smaller, is recommended.
the composite profile of the edge of the disk to obtain the edge
7.1.3.2 Calculate the magnitude of the transform by taking
response function (ERF). Calculate the derivative of the ERF
the square root of the product of the transform and its
to obtain the point spread function (PSF). Calculate the
conjugate.
amplitude of the Fourier Transform of the PSF and normalize
7.1.3.3 Normalize the magnitude at zero frequency to unity
th
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