Today we’re learning about CT optimisation procedures. Getting to know the equipment you’re using is the main gist.
For example, different companies employ different methods for Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) e.g. by looking at maintaining constant noise in an image or having a reference mAs determined by a phantom for a standard sized phantom. Knowing how this works is important for optimisation when looking at scatter from the table at different kV etc, so far so good.
Less good, some manufacturers of CT scanners produce their CT scanners to the same specification i.e. 64 slice. It’s cheaper for them than manufacturing separate 8 slice, 16 slice, 32 slice and 64 slice scanners. They then sell these scanners as either 8, 16, 32 or 64 slice scanners by having software that essentially disables the greater capabilities.
They then might offer as part of the contract the ability to upgrade the system to a greater number of slices after a couple of years either for free or a fee which essentially amounts to swapping the software.
Is this not intrinsically evil? These scanners have greater capabilities than are being utilised because the software limits them until hospitals pay to release these capabilities. I understand that we live in a capitalist society, that these companies are trying to make money and that competition breeds innovation but also…. How is this fair!?
"You're obviously not a scientist" 