The Mammography System Monitor

[ click the picture ]

Nuclemed - click to enlarge Nuclemed - click to enlarge Nuclemed - click to enlarge

Optimal performance of your mammography equipment is of paramount importance for patient care. To this end, we are pleased to announce the availability of The Mammography System Monitor (MSM), a new device to improve mammography quality control. The MSM monitors the reproducibility of exposure parameters during weekly phantom image tests in order to detect changes in the mammography system before they compromise image quality. Its use enables off-site diagnosis of equipment problems, by the physicist, so that appropriate corrective actions can be recommended based on optical density (OD) measurements made by the QC technologist.

Method

The MSM is a new type of contrast test object that may be used during the weekly MQSA phantom image quality test. It is positioned adjacent to, and exposed simultaneously with, the mammographic accreditation phantom, using regular QC settings. The MSM produces two easily visible circular images on the film. The difference in optical density between the images, measured by the QC technologist, is used to detect changes in exposure parameters including kVP, mAs, HVL, dose and AEC.

A sensitometric strip added along a shielded edge of the film before processing converts the phantom image test film into a Mammography System Test Film. Density measurements of MSTFs can identify if a change in phantom optical density or image contrast is due to the mammography unit, processor or emulsion.

Advantages

  • Quick and easy to use by technologist.
  • No lengthy training period needed
  • Much more sensitive than the phantom-disc contrast test
  • Save unproductive downtime and unnecessary service calls

Specifications Monitor (MSM)

  • 11.5cm L x 4 cm W x 0.9 T cm
  • Weight: 2 oz.


0695-0191 The Mammography System Monitor including Beam Blocker