Calibration services for X-ray multimeters in Europe: current situation and future needs

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Metrology
• Radiology

Background:

• X-ray multimeters (XMMs) are crucial for optimizing diagnostic and interventional radiology procedures.
• Current standardization and metrological support for XMMs require improvement, with a lack of harmonized calibration procedures for all measured quantities.
• Limited data exists on XMM performance under various clinical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the calibration needs and current state of calibration services for XMMs.
• To identify standardization gaps and areas requiring improved metrological support for XMMs.

Main Methods:

• An overview of existing standards was conducted.
• Surveys were distributed to clinical medical physicists and calibration laboratories.
• The key comparison database was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Calibration services for air kerma measurements are widely available.
• Calibration services for other XMM quantities are scarce, with few laboratories capable of performing them.
• Standardization gaps and non-harmonized calibration/measurement procedures were identified for quantities beyond air kerma.

Conclusions:

• New, harmonized calibration services are essential for XMMs, particularly for parameters other than air kerma.
• Reducing measurement uncertainty for specific quantities requires further investigation.
• The TraMeXI project will develop new procedures for dissemination to relevant communities.