SU‐F‐I‐75: Half‐Value Layer Thicknesses and Homogeneity Coefficients for Fluoroscopic X‐Ray Beam Spectra Incorporating Spectral Filtration

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this investigation is to quantify various first half‐value‐layers (HVLs), second HVLs and homogeneity coefficients (HCs) for a state‐of‐the‐art fluoroscope utilizing spectral (copper) filtration.Methods:A Radcal (Monrovia, Ca) AccuPro dosimeter with a 10×6‐6 calibrated ionization chamber was used to measure air kerma for radiographic x‐ray exposures made on a Siemens (Erlangen, Germany) Artis ZeeGo fluoroscope operated in the service mode. The ionization chamber was centered in the x‐ray beam at 72 cm from the focal spot with a source‐to‐image‐distance of 120 cm. The collimators were introduced to limit the x‐ray field to approximately 5 cm × 5 cm at the ionization chamber plane. Type‐1100 aluminum filters, in 0.5 mm increments, were used to determine the HVL. Two HVL calculation methods were used, log‐linear interpolation and Lambert‐W interpolation as described by Mathieu [Med Phys, 38(8), 4546 (2011)]. Multiple measurements were made at 60, 80, 100, 120 kVp at spectral filtration thicknesses of 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mm.Results:First HVL, second HVL, and HCs are presented for the fluoroscopic x‐ray beam spectra indicated above, with nearly identical results from the two interpolation methods. Accuracy of the set kVp was also determined and deviated less than 2%. First HVLs for fluoroscopic x‐ray beam spectra without spectral filtration determined in our study were 7%–16% greater than previously published data by Fetterly et al. [Med Phys, 28, 205 (2001)]. However, the FDA minimum HVL requirements changed since that publication, requiring larger HVLs as of 2006. Additionally, x‐ray tube and generator architecture have substantially changed over the last 15 years providing different beam spectra.Conclusion:X‐ray beam quality characteristics for state‐of‐the‐art fluoroscopes with spectral filtration have not been published. This study provides reference data which will be useful for defining beam qualities encountered on fluoroscopes using spectral filtration.