TECHNICAL BULLETIN 07-014

SIRIUS 1.2 RELEASE NOTES

1 Initial Information
Product: Sirius 1.2
Technical Bulletin Number: 07-014
Priority: High
Category: Non-serious informative
Issue Date: August 27th, 2007
Units Affected: All Units
Deadline Date: Immediate

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the IDC Help Desk, toll-free 1-866-
XPLORER (1-866-975-6737) or e-mail service@imagingdynamics.com.

This bulletin can also be downloaded through the IDC tracking site (http://
tracking.imagingdynamics.com) under the project of IDC-Service Technical Bulletins.

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2 Revision History
Revision Number Revision Date Details

0.5 August 15, 2007 Draft approved.

1.0 August 16, 2007 First release.

3 Issue Description
This technical bulletin informs dealers about the improvements of Sirius software from
version 1.1.65 to version 1.2.

4 Resolution Description
With the release of Sirius 1.2 software, the Sirius manuals have been updated to reflect
software improvements from version 1.1.65 to version 1.2.

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4.1 Including Network Settings of an SCU Destination

There is a new checkbox that may be selected if network settings of an SCU destination need
to be included. This checkbox appears in the Allowed AE dialog box when configuring the
Mini PACS. See Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1

4.1.1 To Add a Service Class User (SCU)

1. From the Study/Image Settings dialog box, select Configure Mini PACS.
2. In the Mini PACS Settings dialog box and the SCU settings frame, select Add.
3. Enter the AE Title of the Service Class User. This AE Title is a mandatory field.
4. If the PACS needs to send images or messages (e.g., via Query/Retrieve or Storage
Commitment), the PACS requires the network settings of the SCU destination. Check the
PACS will be sending to this AE box and enter the IP Address and Port Number.
5. Select OK to save changes.
6. When finished, select OK to close the Mini PACS Settings dialog box.

4.1.2 To Change a Service Class User (SCU)

1. From the Study/Image Settings dialog box, select Configure Mini PACS.
2. In the Mini PACS Settings dialog box, select the AE Title you wish to change and select
Change.
3. Edit the AE Title and AE details if applicable.
4. Select OK when you are finished.
5. Select OK to close the Mini PACS Settings dialog box.

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4.2 Checking Destination as an Archive to Enable Storage Commitment

In the Send Destination Configuration dialog box, Destination is an Archive must be
checked in order to use the Storage Commitment Enabled checkbox and Storage Commitment
Details frame. See Figure 1-2.

Figure 1-2

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4.3 Writing Images and Studies to CD/DVD for Viewing in Cygnus

4.3.1 Including Patient IDs with Each Study to be Viewed in Cygnus

NOTE: If writing more than one study to CD/DVD for viewing in Cygnus, ensure each study
has a Patient ID.

To add a Patient ID to a performed study, select the Study information area to open the Change
Patient and Study Information dialog box. See Figure 1-3.

Figure 1-3

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4.3.2 Including the Cygnus DICOM Viewer on your CD/DVD

To view images in Cygnus, the destination chosen in the Send Setup dialog box must be IDC
DICOMDIR or IDC DICOMDIR JPEG. See Figure 1-4.

Figure 1-4

If IDC DICOMDIR or IDC DICOMDIR JPEG is chosen, the Include Cygnus DICOM
Viewer checkbox will be enabled after selecting Write to CD/DVD in the Image List dialog
box. See Figure 1-5. If an alternate destination is chosen, the checkbox will be disabled.

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Figure 1-5

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4.4 Searching For Deleted Performed Studies

To include deleted studies in a performed studies search, check Include archived/deleted
studies in the Search Studies dialog box. See Figure 1-6.

Figure 1-6

NOTE: Selecting Remote will disable the Include archived/deleted studies checkbox
because you can only specify whether or not archived/deleted studies are returned for
local searches. When searching remotely, behaviour of the PACS will determine
whether or not deleted studies are returned.

After selecting Search, a list of results list will appear. Deleted studies that have not been
archived will be included in this list; however, these studies cannot be opened.

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4.5 Opening an Image in VIPER (Visual Parameter Editor)

Any masks or rotations placed on the image in the open study will now appear in VIPER. For
example, the mask in Figure 1-7 appears in Figure 1-8.
Closing VIPER will revert the image back to its original state. Any shutters, crops, markers,
points, and text annotations will be lost. See Figure 1-9.

Figure 1-7

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Figure 1-8

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Figure 1-9

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4.6 Choosing PureView Enhancement Parameters

The Anatomy Region drop-down list is no longer available as a PureView drop-down list in
VIPER. See Figure 1-10.

Figure 1-10
Sirius v1.1.65

Anatomy and Projection drop-down list

Anatomy Region drop-down list

Sirius 1.2

Anatomy and Projection drop-down list

4.7 Selecting Items on the Parameter Editor Grid

The following have been added to the table of items in the Parameter Editor. See Table 1-1.
Table 1-1

Setting Name Description

Enhancements
Processing Version Determines the image processing algorithm. Depending on the configuration of
your system, select either Standard or PureView.
PureView Settings Uses improved processing algorithms resulting in enhanced visualization of fine
structures, wider contrast range, and reduced appearance of fine grain noise.

NOTE: Although PureView Anatomy Region appears as an item in the Parameter Editor, it is
no longer being used.

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4.8 Entering the Detector Serial Number

In previous versions of Sirius, the serial number of the Detector Head was entered when
completing Geometric Correction. With the release of Sirius 2.1, the serial number is now
entered from the Configure Imaging Stations dialog box. See Figure 1-11.

Figure 1-11

A serial number must be entered into the field before opening the Calibration menu. If no
serial number is entered, a dialog box will prompt you to enter the serial number before
opening the Calibration menu. See Figure 1-12.

Figure 1-12

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4.9 Running the Calibration Wizard

Previous versions of Sirius required calibration procedures to be completed from the Delcano
software. With the release of Sirius 1.2, a Calibration Wizard has been added to simplify the
calibration process.
The Calibration Wizard Menu replaces the Detector Calibration dialog box that appears when
Settings is selected from the Configure Imaging Stations dialog box. From the Calibration
Wizard Menu, you can automatically calibrate the following:
• Gain and Offset
• Dark Fields and Flat Fields
• Geometric Correction and Cropping ROI Offsets
• f# Wizard and AEC Calibration
Integration Time, Falling-Edge trigger, Initial Preview, and Artefact Removal are still
completed using the Delcano software.

4.9.1 Detector Calibration

Detector Head calibration is completed using the automated wizard that is located in the
Configuration Manager. Calibration procedures must be completed in the following order:
• Gain and Offset
• Dark Fields and Flat Fields
• Geometric Correction and Cropping ROI Offsets
• f# Wizard and AEC Calibration

To open the Calibration Wizard

1. From the Configuration Manager, select Generator and Imaging Settings.
2. Select Imaging Station Settings to open the Configure Imaging Stations dialog box. See
Figure 1-13.

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Figure 1-13

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3. Inside the Detector field of the appropriate Imaging Station, select Settings. This will open
the calibration menu for the detector. See Figure 1-14. The procedures must be completed
in the order presented in the menu. Gain and Offset is the first procedure that must be
completed in the automated Calibration Wizard, and the f# Wizard and AEC Calibration is
the last.

Figure 1-14

4.9.2 Gain and Offset

Gain and Offset must be set before Dark Field and Flat Field correction images are created.
Once the Gain and Offset are configured for the system, they only need to be changed if the
Detector Head or camera electronics are changed.
The Gain and Offset for the camera apply to the analog to digital converter (ADC) that
digitizes the information from the CCD. The values are adjusted so that the full signal
produced by the CCD occupies the range from between 0 and 200 counts to over the
saturation point of the ADC, which is 16383.
The offset (in mV) is the set point of the camera.
The gain is a multiplying factor.

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4.9.2.1 To Complete Gain and Offset

1. From the Detector Calibration menu, select Gain and Offset. See Figure 1-14 above. This
will open the Gain and Offset Calibration dialog box. See Figure 1-15.

Figure 1-15

2. Ensure the camera is cooled to a consistent temperature of 263 K or -10°C.

3. To complete the Gain and Offset procedure, select Next. One to five exposures will need to
be taken to complete this procedure.
4. To abort the procedure, select Abort Gain and Offset Calibration. When aborting Gain
and Offset, a dialog box will appear notifying you that the original values will be restored if
the procedure is aborted. See Figure 1-16. Select Yes to abort Gain and Offset, or select No
to continue with the calibration.

Figure 1-16

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4.9.3 Dark Field and Flat Field Correction

The purpose of the following is to define the procedure for producing the Dark Field and Flat
Field corrections for use with the CCD camera used in the Detector Heads.

Dark Field Correction

A Dark Field is an “image” taken without any light. Thermal processes within the CCD cause
electrons to be trapped just as if they had been created by the capture of light photons. This is
called dark current. When an image is read from the CCD, there is no way to tell which
electrons are thermally generated and which actually represent captured light. The amount of
dark current is proportional to the temperature of the CCD and the length of the exposure.
That is why the CCD in the camera is cooled to around –10°C. Even so, we need to determine
the level of dark current that we can expect to see in an exposure of a certain length and
correct for it. Dark Fields for use in the Detector Heads are made by averaging many
individual dark frames. The signal to noise ratio of the resulting Dark Field is increased by the
square root of the number of individual dark frames.
It is important to ensure that darkfields are matched to the exposure duration. An 8 second
darkfield will not provide the correct adjustment for a 1 second exposure. Although all CCD
chips are made to the same specification, variations in manufacture will mean that the
correction is different for every system. This procedure must therefore be followed for each
system. It is not acceptable to use the darkfield correction from one system on another system.
Dark current characteristics may change over the life of a system. It is therefore good practice
to update the Dark Field correction for a system as part of regular maintenance.

Flat Field Correction

A Flat Field is an image taken with even x-ray illumination. Ideally, every pixel would record
the same intensity level. In practise this is never the case. Different pixels will react slightly
differently to the same amount of light. As well, it is almost impossible to ensure truly even
illumination as the x-ray source, scintillator and optics all play a part in distorting the image.
The Flat Field corrects for much of this non-uniformity by measuring how the pixels vary. Flat
Fields for use in the Detector Head are made by averaging many individual flat frames.
Since a uniform x-ray illumination is impossible to achieve, the correction will also correct, to
some extent, for lack of uniformity in the x-ray field.
It is important that Flat Fields are matched to the exposure conditions. Although all Detector
Head components are made to a fixed specification, variations in manufacture means that the
correction is different for every system. This procedure must therefore be followed for each
system. It is not acceptable to use the Flat Field correction from one system on another
system.
Flat Field characteristics may change over the life of a system. It is therefore good practice to
update the Flat Field correction as part of regular maintenance.
The Flat Field image also depends on the individual x-ray tube and generator, and the Source
to Imager Distance (SID) used. The Sirius software uses a database to predict what SID will
be used for the next image and preloads the Flat Field taken at the closest SID to that.

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4.9.3.1 To Complete Dark Fields and Flat Fields

1. From the Detector Calibration menu, select Dark Fields and Flat Fields. This will open a
dialog box notifying you that 128 (non x-ray) images will be taken automatically for Dark
Field correction. See Figure 1-17.

Figure 1-17

2. Select OK to begin Dark Field calibration.

3. Once Dark Field Calibration is complete, the SIDs for the system must be selected. See
Figure 1-18.

Figure 1-18

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4. Once the SIDs are selected, the Flat Field Calibration dialog box will appear, prompting
you to begin Flat Field Calibration. See Figure 1-19. To complete Flat Field Calibration, 32
exposures is required for each SID.

Figure 1-19

4.9.4 Geometric Correction Wizard

The IDC Detector Heads are optically coupled systems. They use a very wide aperture, wide-
angle lens. All such lenses produce a “barrel” distortion, which must subsequently be
corrected by applying an inverse distortion. Geometric Correction will fix the distortion and
the result should be a perfectly square image. ROI offsets are also completed in the wizard to
ensure the image borders are free of artifacts.

4.9.4.1 To Complete Geometric Correction

1. Before completing Geometric Correction, ensure the XMap and YMap found in the
accompanying configuration CD has been copied onto the workstations C: drive.
2. Ensure the detector serial number is correctly entered in the Configure Imaging Stations
dialog box. See Figure 1-20.

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Figure 1-20

3. Once the serial number is verified, select Settings to open the Detector Calibration menu.
4. From the Detector Calibration menu, select Geometric Correction. This will open the
Geometric Correction Wizard. See Figure 1-21.

Figure 1-21

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5. Enter the paths of the correct XMap and YMap images by selecting Browse to locate the
images on the C: drive.
6. Select Next to continue with the procedure. A dialog box will prompt you to place a marker
on the upper left quadrant of the detector and take an exposure. See Figure 1-22.

Figure 1-22

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7. The final step in the wizard is to crop ROI offsets. Follow the instructions as directed in the
wizard. See Figure 1-23.

Figure 1-23

4.9.5 f# Wizard and AEC Calibration

After Gain and Offsets and Flat Fields and Dark Filelds are configured you must run the f#
Wizard and AEC Calibration.The f# is a guide for the technologist to ensure the patient is
receiving the proper dose. The purpose of the AEC Calibration is to calibrate the Automatic
Exposure Control (AEC).

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4.9.5.1 To Complete the f# Wizard and AEC Calibration

1. From the Detector Calibration menu, select f# Wizard and AEC Calibration to open the
wizard. See Figure 1-24. Follow the directions as instructed in the dialog boxes to complete
the f# wizard.

Figure 1-24

NOTE: If Dark Fields and Flat Fields have not been completed, a dialog box will prompt you
to complete Dark Fields and Flat Fields before continuing with the procedure. See
Figure 1-25.

Figure 1-25

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2. Before completing AEC calibration, the wizard will verify that you have prepared the
generator for AEC calibration. See Figure 1-26. All four procedures must be completed to
begin AEC calibration. Refer to your generator calibration documentation.

Figure 1-26

5 Materials and Tools

Installation instructions are available in the IDC Sirius Updates project in the IDC Tracking
Site.

6 Safety Considerations
Not applicable.

7 Work Instructions
Download the Sirius software from the IDC Sirius Updates project in the IDC Tracking Site.

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8 Contact
IDC North American Contact
Imaging Dynamics Company
151, 2340 Pegasus Way, NE
Calgary, Alberta
T2E 8M5, Canada
IDC Help Desk, toll-free 1-866-XPLORER (1-866-975-6737)
E-mail: service@imagingdynamics.com.
Fax: 403-251-1771

IDC European Contact

IDC Europe B.V.
Victorialaan 15, 5213 JG, s-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0)73 751.1742
Fax: +31(0)73 751.1744

IDC Asian Address

IDC Beijing Rep. Office
Room 1007A China Resource
No. 8 Jianguomenwai Bei Avenue
Beijing 100005, China
Tel: 00 86 10 85192196
Fax: 00 86 10 85192198

Imaging Dynamics Company • August 16, 2007