Gammex 405 GSX LE User manual

User’s Guide
405 GSX LE
Precision Resolution
Grey Scale Phantom

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Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
Caringforyour405GSXLE....................................................................................................4
Scanningyour405 GSXLE....................................................................................................5
AGuidedTourofyour405GSXLE...........................................................................................6
EvaluatingthePhantom...........................................................................................................7
Target Specifications..........................................................................................................12
Cystic Targets....................................................................................................................12
GreyScaleTargets..................................................................................................................12
PinTargets............................................................................................................................12
ResolutionTargetGroup.......................................................................................................12
Phantom Specifications......................................................................................................14
Physical Specifications.......................................................................................................14
TissueMimickingBackground Material................................................................................14
HarmonicImaging.................................................................................................................15
GreyScaleApplications...........................................................................................................16
System Linearity.................................................................................................................17
Quantitative Measurement.................................................................................................19
Baseline Test.....................................................................................................................19
SubsequentTests..................................................................................................................19
Qualitative Measurement....................................................................................................21
Phantom Desiccation.........................................................................................................22
Charts and Graphs..............................................................................................................22
Product Warranty...............................................................................................................23
Sales and Service...............................................................................................................24

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Introduction
The 405 GSX LE phantom provides users with a wide range of criteria to evaluate
the performance of their ultrasound machine. The advanced tissue mimicking gel
used in the phantom has been developed to provide a smoother background texture
than conventional gels. The gel reduces backscatter and is fully compatible with the
latest tissue harmonics equipment and technology. The phantom utilizes an advance
composite film scanning surface that improves transmission properties, thus allowing
more of the ultrasound beam to be received and transmitted.
The 405 GSX LE phantom is designed to be used for quality control purposes when
monitoring these important image characteristics:
1. axial resolution
2. lateral resolution
3. dead zone target imaging
4. vertical and horizontal distance accuracy
5. image uniformity
The triangular grey scale targets in the phantom can be used to test the resolution of
high performance ultrasound scanners.
Unique to the 405 GSX LE are two horizontal cross fibers located in the middle of the
phantom. These fibers have been included to assist the user in aligning the transducer
and can be used as a reference “marker” to ensure that QA tests are performed
consistently every time.
Limitations of Use
The 405 GSX LE is designed to be used to aid in the quality control testing and monitor-
ing of high performance ultrasound systems only. It is not to be used to make diagnostic
decisions.

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Caring for your 405 GSX LE
Phantom comes ready to scan. Do not remove surface material.
Store your 405 GSX LE with cover closed securely.
Always attach the scanning surface cover and store the phantom out of direct sunlight
when it is not in use.
Store your 405 GSX LE at 35º–105ºF (2º–40ºC).
Freezing temperatures will damage the phantom and high temperatures will accelerate
desiccation.
Weigh your 405 GSX LE to monitor desiccation.
Weigh the phantom when you first receive it and then every 6 months. Record the
values on the data sheet.
Do not drop or damage the phantom.
Return the phantom for inspection and/or repair if it has been dropped or damaged.
Physical damage to the case will cause premature desiccation.
Gammex recommends annual servicing of your 405 GSX LE to ensure proper
operation. Our qualified service technicians will check for desiccation and provide any
needed rejuvenation, scanning/certification to original specifications, and repairs.

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Scanning your 405 GSX LE
• Always place the phantom on a stable, level surface for scanning.
• The phantom comes ready to scan. Do not peel off the surface material.
• Use water or a generous amount of coupling gel to ensure good transmission.
Do not use mineral oil, baby oil or lanolin-based gels as a coupling medium. Poor
transmission is a result of insufficient coupling.
• Do not press the transducer into the scanning surface. This damages the
scanning surface and will shorten the life of the phantom. For curved transduc-
ers, use water or a thick gel layer.
• Clean the scanning surface immediately after use. Use a soft cloth or paper towel
and soap and water, if needed.
Caution:
Do not press the transducer
into the scanning surface.

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A Guided Tour of your 405 GSX LE
The Precision Resolution Grey Scale Phantom, 405 GSX LE, provides a means for
monitoring the image quality of ultrasound scanning systems. The tissue mimicking
gel in the 405 GSX LE is ultrasonically similar to human tissue. This allows the use of
normal scanner control settings and ensures that the performance measured, closely
approximates the scanner’s performance in a clinical examination.
Scanning is the best way to familiarize yourself with the features and functions of the
405 GSX LE. A guided tour is provided on the following pages.

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Evaluating the Phantom
Remember
A 4.5 MHz probe will provide a good overall view of the phantom for this demonstration.
1. Turn the handle out of the way and slide the cover off the phantom.
2. To couple with water, fill the dam with distilled water. For a better image quality,
use gel.
3. Rest the transducer on the scanning surface. Adjust the scanner to display the
full depth of the phantom.
You may notice that the tissue echoes near the bottom of the phantom fade
into noise. The depth at which usable echoes disappear is called the depth of
penetration. The depth markers on the phantom label will help you determine
the depths of the targets.
• The phantom comes ready to scan. Do not peel off surface mate-
rial.
• Never press the transducer into the scanning surface.
• Always clean and dry the scanning surface after each use. Never leave
coupling gel or water on the scanning surface for more than a few
hours.
• Do not use mineral oil, baby oil, or lanolin-based gels as a coupling
medium.

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4. Move the transducer across the scanning surface while observing the locations
of the targets.
Notice how the smooth texture of the tissue mimicking gel emphasizes image
non-uniformities and artifacts, making them easier to detect. Scanning an area
without targets is a good way to test for image uniformity.
Decrease gain controls to highlight pin targets.
5. Scan the vertical pin targets and freeze the image. Use the electronic calipers to
measure the distance between two of the vertical pin targets. Repeat for two of
the horizontal pin targets. The vertical pins have 2 cm spacing while the horizon-
tal pins have 3 cm spacing.
Use these pin targets to determine vertical distance accuracy and horizontal
distance accuracy. Note that the highest dead zone pin you can see should be
the point of reference not the scanning surface.
6. Freeze an image of the resolution target group at 1 cm. Examine the horizontal
row of pins at the top of the target group. The pins that are closest together
without touching indicates the scanner’s lateral resolution.
Repeat this procedure with the other resolution target groups. Notice how lateral
resolution is narrowest in the focal zone. For a transducer whose focal zone is in
the area between the resolution targets, an alternate test can be performed.

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Freeze an image of the vertical pin targets. Use the electronic calipers to
measure the horizontal width of the pin targets in the near, mid and far fields of
the image.
Notice how the pin targets are narrowest in the focal zone. The pin width demon-
strates the width of the ultrasound beam at that depth and approximates the
lateral resolution of the scanner.
7. Decrease the image depth and examine the axial resolution target group at 3 cm.
Notice how the images of the lower pin targets may begin to merge. The smallest
distance between two pins that can be clearly resolved with no vertical overlap is
called the scanner’s axial resolution.

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Pin targets are resolved axially if an imaginary horizontal line can be drawn
between the targets without touching either target. The targets on the left are not
resolved. The targets on the right are resolved.
Examine the other axial resolution target groups and compare the resolution at
various depths. Axial resolution may change with depth.
8. Scan the nearest cystic target group. Each target should be round with a clean
black appearance and well defined edges. Bright specular echoes at the top and
bottom of the targets are normal.
Measure the dimensions of the 6 mm cystic target to check the image geometry.
Use the calipers to measure from top to bottom and side to side. Repeat with the
other cystic target groups as part of the cyst imaging test.
9. Decrease image depth to the minimum and examine the dead zone target group.
The dead zone targets can be used to measure lateral resolution in the extreme
near field of the transducer. Note the highest dead zone pin you can see should
be the point of reference - Not the scanning surface.
Unresolved Resolved