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CTP500

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Catphan® 500 CT Phantom

The fifth generation Catphan® 500 is designed to precisely measure imaging performance of
multi-slice spiral and axial CT scanners. The Catphan® 500 design is based on extensive
scientific research by David Goodenough, Ph.D. and CT phantom development by Phantom
Laboratory. This versatile phantom can be used for measurements ranging from detailed
acceptance testing to daily QA. This phantom is also a valuable tool when working to optimize
imaging protocols.

The Catphan® 500’s patented design includes many exclusive features that reduce
measurement errors and enable easy set up for scanning. This design also is ideal for automated
image quality evaluations. An integrated case mount allows the phantom to be positioned in the
scanner supported off the end of the table, eliminating table artifacts. The case is also equipped
with a level to aid in positioning. The Catphan® Phantom’s universal mount allows for fast and
easy positioning, which makes it ideal for daily quality assurance programs on any scanner.

The Catphan® 500 contains the following test modules:

CTP401: Slice width, pixel size and sensitometry (Teflon, Acrylic, LDPE, Air)
CTP528: High resolution
CTP515: Low contrast with supra-slice and subslice contrast targets
CTP486: Image uniformity

Smári Image Analysis Service

This phantom is supplied with two years of Smári, a powerful web-based image analysis
service created by Phantom Laboratory. Smári delivers automated phantom image analysis and
maintains measurements in a cloud based database for trend analysis, machine comparisons,
and historical records.

Smári features advanced automation. The user simply scans the complete phantom and uploads

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PART NUMBER the image set. Smári will identify the images, run the tests, and provide a detailed report.
CTP500
Summary of Catphan® 500 Phantom Tests
• scan slice geometry (slice width)
Page 2 of 4 • high resolution (1 to 21 line pairs per cm)
• phantom position verification
• patient alignment system check
• low contrast sensitivity
• comparative subslice and supra-slice low contrast sensitivity
• spatial uniformity
• scan incrementation
• noise (precision) of CT systems
• circular symmetry
• sensitometry (linearity)
• pixel (matrix) size
• point spread function and modulation transfer function (MTF)

CTP401
Slice Geometry and Sensitometry Module

Diameter: 15 cm; Thickness: 25 mm

• scan slice geometry (slice width)

• circular symmetry
• phantom position verification
• sensitometry (CT number linearity)
• patient alignment system check
• pixel (matrix) size
• scan incrementation

For slice thickness measurements, two pairs of wire ramps opposed at 23°, instead of the 45°
angle commonly used in phantoms, are used to produce a ramp image 2.4 times longer than
normal. This greatly reduces the effects of imprecise image length measurements. Additionally,
thin wire ramps reduce the over-range streaking artifacts found in the more commonly used
thicker ramps, particularly in thin slice geometry (1 mm or 2 mm slice widths). The two
opposing pairs of ramps allow operators to easily verify whether the phantom is correctly
aligned with the scanner axis. Gantry angles up to 10° can be verified by measuring the ratio
between opposed ramps. The ramps can also be used to measure scanner table incrementation
and alignment light accuracy.

The module includes sensitometry samples Teflon, Acrylic, LDPE and Air.

Four test cylinders spaced 50 mm apart are used to calculate pixel size by counting the number
of pixels between the cylinders in the x and y directions.

The CTP401 module contains five acrylic spheres with diameters 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm to
evaluate the scanner's ability to identify spherical contrast objects.

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CTP500
CTP528
Page 3 of 4 High Resolution Module
Diameter: 15 cm; Thickness: 40 mm

• scan slice geometry (slice width and slice

sensitivity profile)
• high resolution (1 to 21 line pairs per cm)
• point spread function and modulation transfer
function (MTF) for the x, y, and z axes

The unique design of the CTP528 minimizes visual artifacts by reducing the amount of high
contrast material. The 2 mm thick aluminum contrast figures are cast into position on the radial
gauge, which has resolution sections ranging from 1 to 21 line pairs per cm. This radial design
pattern eliminates the possibility of streaking artifacts from other test objects.

The CTP528 module has two 0.28 mm diameter spherical tungsten carbide beads for MTF
measurements, providing an alternative for MTF wires that are aligned poorly with the z axis.
The point source beads also eliminate over-ranging problems and streaking artifacts that occur
with some MTF wires by volume averaging the bead density with the surrounding material.

CTP515
Low Contrast Module
Diameter:: 15 cm; Thickness: 40 mm

• low contrast sensitivity

• comparative subslice and supra-slice low
contrast sensitivity

The CTP515 consists of a series of cylindrical rods of various diameters across three contrast
levels to measure low contrast performance. The 40 mm long rods provide consistent contrast
values at all z-axis positions, thereby avoiding any volume-averaging errors as you scan
through the section. The low contrast rods and the background material have equivalent
effective atomic numbers; only the density is varied to produce changes in the effective
attenuation coefficients.

The 40 mm low contrast supra-slice contrast rod sets have three contrast levels: 0.3%, 0.5%
and 1.0%. Across each contrast level the rods have graduated diameters of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

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CTP500
Unique subslice low contrast targets (truncated cylinders) have been included in this module
for evaluation of the effectiveness of different scan protocols in resolving subslice low contrast
Page 4 of 4 objects. Scanning the subslice targets with different reconstruction algorithms and settings such
as slice width and pitch provides valuable information that may assist with the selection of
optimal protocols for identifying small low contrast objects such as tumors. Subslice targets
have a nominal 1.0% contrast and z-axis lengths of 3, 5, and 7 mm. For each of these lengths,
there are targets with diameters of 3, 5, 7, and 9 mm.

CTP486
Uniformity Module
Diameter: 15 cm; Thickness: > 40 mm

• spatial uniformity
• noise (precision) of CT systems

The CTP486 does not leak and is not damaged by exposure to freezing temperatures because it
does not use water. While water is generally considered the standard calibration material, many
physicists prefer using our solid CTP486 image uniformity module because it provides
consistent results. This module eliminates variations due to different water sources and is more
convenient to use than modules using water-filled tanks. The CTP486 module is cast from a
uniform material that has a CT number within 2% (0-20 H) of water. This solid material’s high
radial and axial uniformity makes it an ideal substitute for water. It has been thoroughly tested
over a wide variety of protocols in the x, y and z planes and has proven stable in all
applications.

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phantomlab.com Salem, NY 12865 2024.03.27