We investigated the appropriateness of four different mammography phantoms for image quality evaluation in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT). We tested the CIRS BR3D phantom, the ACR Prototype FFDM Accreditation Phantom, the Penn anthropomorphic breast phantom and the Quart mam/digi EPQC phantom. This work discusses the advantages and shortcomings of each phantom and concludes that none of the...

We present an experimental validation of a kilovoltage (kV) X-ray source characterization model in an anthropomorphic phantom to estimate patient-specific absorbed dose from kV cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging procedures and compare these doses to nominal weighted CT-dose index (CTDIw) dose estimates. We simulated the default Varian on-board imager 1.4 (OBI) default CBCT imaging pro...

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images of a novel anthropomorphic breast phantom (UPenn phantom) acquired on two breast tomosynthesis systems were analyzed in terms of their power spectra (PS). The β and κ power law coefficients were estimated from 2D planar, tomosynthesis projection images and reconstructed planes. These data were compared to the PS characteristics as retrieved from a group...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to estimate a patient's organ dose (effective dose) during performance of dual X-ray absorptiometry by using the correlations derived from the surface dose and the depth doses in an anthropomorphic phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS An anthropomorphic phantom was designed and TLDs (Thermoluminescent Dosimeters) were placed at the surface and these were also ...

Introduction: An accurate and fast radiation dose calculation is essential for successful radiation radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to implement a new graphic processing unit (GPU) based radiation therapy treatment planning for accurate and fast dose calculation in radiotherapy centers. Materials and Methods: A program was written for parallel runnin...

PURPOSE We present a novel algorithm for computer simulation of breast anatomy for generation of anthropomorphic software breast phantoms. A realistic breast simulation is necessary for preclinical validation of volumetric imaging modalities. METHODS The anthropomorphic software breast phantom simulates the skin, regions of adipose and fibroglandular tissue, and the matrix of Cooper's ligamen...

BACKGROUND We developed a cardiac SPECT system (X-ACT) with low dose volume CT transmission-based attenuation correction (AC). Three solid-state detectors are configured to form a triple-head system for emission scans and reconfigured to form a 69-cm field-of-view detector arc for transmission scans. A near mono-energetic transmission line source is produced from the collimated fluorescence x-r...

In this paper, we present a novel implementation of a dose calculation application, based on the GEANT4 Monte Carlo toolkit. Validation studies were performed with an homogeneous water phantom and an Alderson-Rando anthropomorphic phantom both irradiated with high-energy photon beams produced by a clinical linear accelerator. As input, this tool requires computer tomography images for automatic...

The current work describes an anthropomorphic beating heart phantom constructed as a tool for the assessment of technological advances in cardiac x-ray computed tomography (CT). The phantom is comprised of a thorax, a compressor system, an ECG system, a beating heart with tortuous coronary arteries, and the option to add or remove pathologies such as aberrant beats, stents, and plaques. Initial...