title: Dual-lumen catheters: quality control tests for radiopacity.
abstract: A protocol utilizing a single-point densitometer was developed for the quality control (Q.C.) of the radiopacity of dual-lumen radiographic catheters where x-rays generated at 80 kVp are typically used. Catheter contrast, defined as the difference between catheter radiopacity and background optical density (O.D.) when an aluminum plate is imaged, forms the basic Q.C. parameter. When a given catheter is repeatedly measured, catheter contrast varies with a standard deviation of 0.013 O.D. units. The effects of minor background O.D. variations on contrast are significant, but empirically correctable. A variation in measured contrast of approx. 0.01 O.D. units is observed per 10 kVp energy variation. Aluminum plate thickness has a significant effect on the results; however, other details of the protocol geometry are less important. Variations due to catheter orientation were examined and imaging of packaged catheters was demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Engineering Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332-0225.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kearfott
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D003720:Densitometry; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation*