Characterization of two generations of digital detectors in a radiography system: Technical image quality metrics, low-contrast detectability, and visual grading analysis

IF 2.7 3区医学 Q1 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics Pub Date : 2025-09-19 DOI:10.1016/j.ejmp.2025.105179

Shahla Mobini kesheh , Robert Vorbau , Evangelos Mourtos , Francisco Sanchez Montiel , Sandra Diaz Ruiz , Gavin Poludniowski

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Characterize and compare the performance of different generations of digital detectors in the Discovery XR656 Plus and HD systems (GE Healthcare) for a chest imaging protocol.

Methods

An older digital detector (FlashPad) was replaced with a newer model (FlashPad HD), featuring higher pixel resolution and, according to vendor specifications, improved detective quantum efficiency (DQE). To evaluate its performance, three studies were conducted focusing on a chest imaging protocol: DQE measurements using a commercial meter following IEC 62220–1:2003, CDRAD phantom evaluation (Artinis Medical Systems) assessed via the image quality factor (IQFinv), and a visual grading study using the LUNGMAN anthropomorphic phantom (Kyoto Kagaku), scored across eight criteria by four radiologists.

Results

FlashPad HD outperformed the older model on all metrics, showing an approximate 15 % increase in DQE (0), a 70 % increase in IQFinv, and superior visual grading for all criteria. A weak dependence on dose level was observed in the CDRAD study, and dose dependence was statistically significant only for two of the eight visual grading criteria. DQE (0) measurements were lower for the 120 kV tube potential than for the 70 kV: 0.47 vs. 0.73 for FlashPad and 0.54 vs. 0.86 for FlashPad HD. The advantage of FlashPad HD in efficiency (DQE) was increased at higher spatial frequencies.

Conclusion

Two generations of digital detectors were well characterized based on technical metrics and phantom studies, and the effects of smaller pixel size and improved detector efficiency were verified. The newer FlashPad HD outperforms the older FlashPad receptor on all metrics investigated.

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射线照相系统中两代数字探测器的特性：技术图像质量度量、低对比度可检测性和视觉分级分析

目的描述和比较Discovery XR656 Plus和HD系统（GE Healthcare）用于胸部成像协议的不同代数字探测器的性能。方法将旧的数字检测器（FlashPad）替换为具有更高像素分辨率的新型号（FlashPad HD），并根据供应商规格提高了检测量子效率（DQE）。为了评估其性能，进行了三项研究，重点是胸部成像方案：使用符合IEC 62220-1:2003的商用仪表进行DQE测量，通过图像质量因子（IQFinv）评估CDRAD幻影评估（Artinis Medical Systems），以及使用LUNGMAN人形幻影（Kyoto Kagaku）进行视觉分级研究，由四名放射科医生根据八项标准进行评分。结果flashpad HD在所有指标上都优于旧型号，显示DQE(0)增加了大约15%，IQFinv增加了70%，并且所有标准的视觉评分都优于旧型号。在CDRAD研究中观察到对剂量水平的弱依赖性，8个视觉分级标准中只有2个标准的剂量依赖性具有统计学意义。120kv管电位的DQE(0)测量值低于70kv: FlashPad为0.47 vs. 0.73， FlashPad HD为0.54 vs. 0.86。在更高的空间频率下，FlashPad HD在效率（DQE）方面的优势有所增加。结论基于技术指标和模体研究，两代数字检测器具有良好的特性，并验证了更小的像素尺寸和更高的检测器效率的效果。新的FlashPad HD在所有指标上都优于旧的FlashPad受体。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics 生物-生物物理

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

14.70%

发文量

493

审稿时长

78 days

期刊介绍： Physica Medica, European Journal of Medical Physics, publishing with Elsevier from 2007, provides an international forum for research and reviews on the following main topics: Medical Imaging Radiation Therapy Radiation Protection Measuring Systems and Signal Processing Education and training in Medical Physics Professional issues in Medical Physics.