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X-Ray Dose reduction needs to be a priority
As medical provision improves, the total medical X-ray dose increases.
The total X-ray dose to the population increases as medical provision improves.
And the proportion resulting from CT scanning is increasing as CT becomes more wide-spread.
Contribution of CT Dose to total medical X-ray dose*1
Number of CT scanners*2
References
- *1・Bolus et al.: NCRP Report 160 and What It Means for Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY Vol.41 No.4 December 2013
・Japan Atomic Energy Commission: Cancer and Radiation Therapy, 12th Atomic Energy Commission Document 1-1 - *2 OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, OECD (2017), Health at a Glance 2017
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Contrast Media Dose reduction needs to be a priority
Contrast-induced renal failure is a major concern.
Image diagnosis using iodinated contrast media provides a lot of useful information, but using contrast media in patients with impaired kidney function risks contrast induced nephropathy (CIN).Therefore, guidelines for risk reduction have been issued by the European Society of Urogenital Radiology, ESUR, and the American College of Radiology, ACR.
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- * IPV is an abbreviation for Iterative Progressive reconstruction with Visual modeling.
The Challenge: To achieve high image quality at a low radiation dose
Measures are being taken worldwide to mitigate exposed dose as the number of examinations increase. For example, the Diagnostic reference level (DRL), which is a measure of the radiation dose for radiological diagnosis, has been introduced in many countries, defining standards to promote scanning at the lowest possible dose consistent with maintaining high image quality.
Diagnostic reference level (DRL)
1. CTDIvol [mGy]
2. DLP [mGy・cm]
References
- ・Kanal et al.: U.S. Diagnostic Reference Levels and Achievable Doses for 10 Adult CT Examinations, Radiology Volume 284 : Number1-July 2017
- ・Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz : Bekanntmachung der aktualisierten diagnostischen Referenzwerte für diagnostische und interventionelle Röntgenanwendungen Vom 22. Juni 2016
The Challenge: To decrease noise during low-tube-voltage scanning
To reduce contrast media nephropathy (CIN), efforts have been made to reduce the amount of contrast media used during low tube voltage scanning.
However, low-tube-voltage scanning increases image noise and the choice of exposure factors selected becomes more crucial.
Basic properties of x-ray
1. SD variation of tube voltage
Lowering tube voltage increases image noise.
2. Adjustment of tube current
To keep the image noise, it is necessary to adjust the tube current.
Our Iterative processing: Intelli IPV delivers a "Clear Image with Low Dose"
Vision Model Technology
- The Physics Model reduces noise present in the FBP by adjusting the texture at a uniform rate, from high frequency to low frequency, and achieves a texture close to FBP.
- Statistical Model statistically reduces both the X-ray noise and electrical noise.
- The Object Model keeps the structure in consideration of the shape, size, contrast, position, etc. of the structure by modeling the change of morphological information.
Iterative processing: Intelli IPV maintains normal image texture, even at a high dose reduction ratio, as well as reducing the noise, resulting in improved visibility. Vision Model Technology makes this possible. The technology controls image noise and quality by Iterative processing arithmetic processing based on a statistical model, an object model and a physics model.
The problem with conventional IR compared to FBP image
- The texture of the image changes
- Low contrast detectability is reduced
The feature of Intelli IPV
It achieves an image texture similar to FBP images by making the NPS (noise power spectrum) close to that of the FBP, as well as improving the low contrast detectability by up to 2 times.
Physical properties close to FBP
Q&A
Can image quality be adjusted according to the anatomical region and the pathology scanned?
Yes. The noise reduction effect has up to 9 selectable intensity levels (Standard: Lv.1〜4 and Strong: Lv.1〜5) for each anatomical region.
Is the reconstruction time fast enough to be used for routine examinations?
Yes, the reconstruction time is fast enough to be used for routine examinations.
What are the specific effects of Intelli IPV compared with FBP?
Achieves image noise reduction of up to 90%, radiation dose reduction of up to 83%, and improves low contrast detection capability of up to 2 times.
