%0 Journal Article
%T Quality Assuring a Ring Vortex Flow Phantom in Real-Time
%A Alana S. Matthews
%A Kelvin Simatwo
%A Andrew Narracott
%A Simone Ambrogio
%A Adrian Walker
%A John W. Fenner
%J Open Journal of Medical Imaging
%P 11-29
%@ 2164-2796
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojmi.2023.131002
%X <strong>Introduction: </strong>The ring vortex phantom is a novel, cost-effective prototype which generates complex and well-characterised reference flows in the form of the ring vortex. Although its reproducibility has been demonstrated, with ring speeds routinely behaving within 10% tolerances at speeds of approximately 10 - 70 cm/s, a form of real-time QA of the device at the time of imaging is needed to confirm correct function on demand in any environment. <strong>Methods: </strong>The technology described here achieves real-time QA, comprising a linear encoder, laser-photodiode array, and Doppler probe, measuring piston motion, ring speed and intra-ring velocity respectively. This instrumentation does not interfere with imaging system QA, but allows QA to be performed on both the ring vortex and the device in real-time. <strong>Results: </strong>The encoder reports the reliability of the piston velocity profile, whilst ring speed is measured by laser behaviour. Incorporation of a calibrated Doppler probe offers a consistency check that confirms behaviour of the central axial flow. For purposes of gold-standard measurement, all elements can be related to previous Laser PIV acquisitions with the same device settings. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Consequently, ring vortex production within tolerances is confirmed by this instrumentation, delivering accurate QA in real-time. This implementation offers a phantom QA procedure that exceeds anything seen in the literature, providing the technology to enhance quantitative assessment of flow imaging modalities.
%K Flow Phantom
%K Ring Vortex
%K Quality Assurance
%K Imaging
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=123507