Inveon Multimodality CT Overview

The Inveon Multimodality is completely shielded with a steel wrapper lined with lead sheets to attenuate x-rays; thus, this is a cabinet CT scanner. The x-ray source and detector acquire CT data in a step-and-shoot method, as they are coaxially mounted on a linear stage that moves the components toward or away from the gantry’s isocenter to magnify the field of view. This training describes the CT-specific graphic user interface (GUI) as well as how to setup and build CT protocols and workflows.               Course Objectives   Identify the components of a fluoroscopy protocol   Identify the components of the CT GUI   Identify the steps to build a CT Workflow   Identify the steps to create and modify CT Protocols Upon completion of this course you be able to: You should now be able to: Identify the steps to create and modify CT Protocols Identify the steps to build a CT Workflow Identify the components of a fluoroscopy protocol Continue to the course Assessment to complete the course.                                                                  A fluoroscopy scan is a planar, dynamic scan in which successive exposures are taken at the same angle over the time. Its purpose is to perform a dynamic study of body structures and functions. Click the checklist below to learn how to setup a fluoroscopy scan. Video: How to create a Fluoroscopy Scan. Video: How to create a Fluoroscopy Scan.   Once you have created a new workflow, you can drag and drop protocols from the System Navigator to the Workflow panel. Optionally, you can click Add to select protocols for the workflow.                                                                                                                                         Workflow setup Workflow setup Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentStep 1.HTMLAfter you have opened a new workflow protocol, drag and drop the desired acquisition and reconstruction protocols into the workflow. Step 2.HTMLOptionally, you can click Add or Remove to edit the workflow. Note that the order cannot be changed once they're in the workflow. Step 3.HTMLClick Save, and name the workflow. Protocols added to a workflow are run sequentially in the order they are placed in the workflow panel. CT acquisition data is saved in *.cat files according to the workflow’s Dataset Name. Prior to setting up the workflow, laser align the specimen in the CT field of view. Double-click the CT acquisition protocol from the workflow and acquire a scout view to confirm the specimen position in the CT field of view. Running a CT Workflow Running a CT Workflow Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentStep 1.HTMLConfirm that COBRA is online. Step 2.HTMLLaser align the object in the center of the CT field of view. Refer to the User Manual or the laser alignment portion of the System Overview section.Step 3.HTMLDouble-click the CT acquisition protocol in the workflow. Step 4.HTMLClick Scout View and confirm specimen centering in the FOV. Adjust the exposure time, if necessary. Refer to the User Manual for details on adjusting exposure time.Step 5.HTMLType a name for the dataset in the Dataset Name field (example: DDMMYY_objectID_study). Step 6.HTMLClick Setup. Step 7.HTMLInput a transformation matrix file for PET/CT or SPECT/CT integrated workflows. Click OK.Step 8.HTMLClick Start Workflow.  Step 9.HTMLRefer to ASIPro and IRW User Manuals to view image data. The System Navigator panel in IAW allows you to easily organize protocols, datasets, and workflows. CT Protocols can be created in either User Folders or System Calibration, depending on the purpose of the protocols created. To create a new protocol:   Right-click User Folders and click Add Study Open the study folder, and then open its Protocols subfolder Right-click the folder that corresponds to the protocol you want to create (Acquisition or Reconstruction), click New Protocol, and choose the modality for the protocol you wish to create   The CT acquisition protocol allows you to configure different parameters to acquire anatomical projections. The x-ray source and detector rotate counter-clockwise in the gantry and acquire projections in a step-and-shoot method.  Refer to the User Manual for a detailed description of the CT acquisition parameters.   Acquisition Protocol Setup Create a CT Acquisition Protocol Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentStep 1.HTMLWithin a study folder, right-click Acquisitions > New Protocol > CT. Step 2.HTMLModify the CT acquisition parameters for your study. For detailed information on acquisition parameters, refer to the User Manual.Step 3.HTMLConfirm the interlocks are closed, and select Scout View. Adjust the exposure time as needed.Refer to the video in the previous page to learn how to setup the exposure time according to the Scout View.Step 4.HTMLPlace the calibration tool on the bed stage, and select Calibrate Center Offset to acquire a new center offset calibration. Step 5.HTMLEnter the Number of Calibrations value for the number of dark-and-light calibrations that will be acquired in-line with the CT scan at the start of the workflow.  Optionally, select New Calibration File to acquire an offline dark-and-light calibration file, which can be imported into the protocol. Step 6.HTMLFor CT gating scans, select a port from the Gating Input drop-down menu, and click Setup to complete the gating setup in IAW. Refer to the User Manual as well as BioVet® User Manual for more details. Step 7.HTMLFor Real-time Reconstruction, create a reconstruction protocol before saving the acquisition protocol. Place a checkmark in the Real-time Reconstruction box, and Browse to the reconstruction protocol. Otherwise, click Save. Video: Center offset Calibration. Video: Center offset Calibration.   Video: X-ray Exposure Setup. Video: X-ray Exposure Setup.   CT projections can be reconstructed into an image volume or DICOM slices. Refer to the User Manual for a detailed description of the CT reconstruction parameters.   Create a CT Reconstruction Protocol Create a CT Reconstruction Protocol Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentStep 1.HTMLWithin a study folder, right-click Reconstructions > New Protocol > CT. Step 2.HTMLConfigure the CT reconstruction parameters for your study. For detailed information on reconstruction parameters, refer to the User Manual.Step 3.HTMLTo setup a reconstruction protocol for Hounsfield Unit (HU)-calibration, refer to the HU-calibration step-by-step. Step 4.HTMLClick Save. For Real-time Reconstruction, add this file you are creating in the Real-time Reconstruction portion of the CT acquisition protocol.Step 5.HTMLOptionally, if you have already acquired CT data, you can run the reconstruction protocol immediately without adding it to a workflow by clicking Submit, and then select Input Raw CT Data File. The graphic user interface (GUI) has two sections for status and motion control of CT components. You can monitor the position, temperature, and status of the CT components from the Scanner Status Panel. To adjust the position of the x-ray source or detector, select Panels > System > MM Motion Control. Click the CT Motion tab and make necessary adjustments. For more information, refer to the User Manual.   After protocols are configured, they are typically added to a workflow to be run, although some protocols (reconstructions and fluoroscopy protocols) can be run independently without first being added to a workflow. To create a workflow, right-click the Workflows folder and click New Workflow. Complete CT workflows are either an acquisition protocols followed by reconstruction protocols, or acquisition protocols configured with real-time reconstruction.