Calibration of Kerma Area Product Meters with a Patient Dose Calibrator

Kerma area product (KAP) meters used in X ray imaging for monitoring patient exposure were calibrated using different reference meters. Typically, the reference KAP value is the product of the air kerma and the X ray field size. In the tandem method, the reference value is measured with another KAP meter; in this study, a large KAP meter of novel type, the patient dose calibrator (PDC), was used for this purpose. The properties of the PDC meter were studied and the use of the meter as a reference meter was reviewed throughout the whole train of events from calibration in a secondary standard dosimetry laboratory to using the meter in clinical situations. Compared to conventional KAP meters, the advantages of the PDC are the lower energy dependence of response and the possibility to use larger field sizes. In laboratory measurements, the properties of the PDC meter were proved suitable to be used as a reference meter. The uncertainty related to the differences in X ray tube output used in calibration at the laboratory and in measurements at the clinic is highlighted. The calibration coefficients for field KAP meters calibrated by the PDC meter and by other meters were congruent on the average within 4%. Clinical measurements emphasized the need for in situ calibration of clinical KAP meters. Particularly in the under-couch situation, the calibration should be performed with the couch in the beam. (author)