TITLE:
Quality Assuring a Ring Vortex Flow Phantom in Real-Time
AUTHORS:
Alana S. Matthews, Kelvin Simatwo, Andrew Narracott, Simone Ambrogio, Adrian Walker, John W. Fenner
KEYWORDS:
Flow Phantom, Ring Vortex, Quality Assurance, Imaging
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Imaging,
Vol.13 No.1,
March
6,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.