Commissioning and constancy protocols for digital angiographic units

During the European Concerted Action SENTINEL 'Safety and Efficacy for New Techniques and Imaging using New Equipment to Support European Legislation', protocols for commissioning and constancy tests for dynamic digital flat detectors angiography units have been developed in order to harmonise practice among the European counties. The commissioning protocol includes measurements on X-ray tube and generator, patient and detector radiation dose and image quality. The constancy protocol is based on the dose and image quality measurements. The commissioning protocol was tested by SENTINEL partners who expressed an interest in checking their dynamic digital systems using this protocol. The results of basic tests are reported. (authors)