Development a simulator to measure the X-Ray spectrum and to evaluate the doses in Computed Tomography Scanner

Abstract

In this work, a visual interface, using the Visual Basic 6.0 program, was developed and linked with libraries of Monte Carlo Codes (MCNP5, MCNPX). In order to simulate and evaluate the energy spectrum of the X-ray computed tomography (CT) Scanners, And so for specific values for each of the Anode angle, tube voltage, tube-current exposure- time product, material of filter and its thickness, and with or without bow-tie filter.

The program was designed  to work by two stages:

 In the first stage: The designed  program works on the starting up of the MCNP code to calculate the energy spectrum of X-ray at the parameters set by the user of tube (Anode angle , tube voltage (kVp) , tube-current exposure- time product (mAs), material of filter and its thickness, and with or without bow-tie filter ). After then, the program automatically handles the results and shows it to the user in the form of graphical or numeric values.

In the second stage: The software will automatically uses the energy spectrum output in the first stage, treatment and enter it within another file to calculate doses. The program allows the user to enter the Phantom type to be distributed doses account within it or set the age of the patient, the subject of photography (head, chest,  abdomen, pelvis….etc.), scan length, number of rotations, and the table movement. After then, the program calculates and displays the dose matrices (absorbed dose (mGy), weighted CT dose index CTDIw (mGy), volume CT dose index CTDIvol (mGy), dose-length product DLP (mGy.cm), and effective dose E (mSv)), to the user.

Finally, a report, contains the used parameters to evaluate spectrum and doses, can be printed or exported as web page (*.html).