| Test Objects have been manufactured at
Leeds University since 1955 on an
in-house basis. This work was pioneered by G A Hay and Fred Clarke. In 1973
a prototype set of Test Objects were developed as part of a DoH (Department
of Health) research project. These devices were subsequently evaluated in
clinical use in the U.K. Health Service (N.H.S.). Since 1979 the original TV
fluoroscopy test objects have been available as a commercial product and in
the same year the U.K. Hospital Physicists' Association (now
IPSM) adopted these as a standard
testing protocol.
Other chronological highlights are:-
1980 FAXIL recognised as
a DoH MDA Evaluation
Facility
1982 A DoH Working Party comprising manufacturers representatives
(AXREM), DoH representatives and Hospital Physicists under the chair of Dr
Norman Slark (DoH) formalises "the testing of image intensifier television
fluoroscopy systems" within a national structure. This document is now in
its' 4th edition (MDD/94/07).
1983 The first composite (routine) test object TOR[TVF], developed
by Arnold Cowen, became available, specifically for use by radiographers in
routine quality control procedures as a quick, "10 minute check".
1984 The first set of "digital test objects" based around the peak
sensing video signal of the Philips DVI (the first DVI installation in the
UK), became available simply as a means of ensuring the system was set up
optimally and according to specifications. These have subsequently been
implemented for use in all digital systems with a peak sensing video signal.
Again this work was pioneered by Arnold Cowen . A national survey was then
instigated using the first development set thus beginning the first FAXIL
technical evaluation report on digital imaging systems. TOR[RAD], eventually
TOR[CDR] for film screen combinations (classical radiography) becomes
available.
1986 Owing to the improvements in the contrast sensitivity and
therefore the overall image quality of television fluoroscopy systems, it
became necessary to increase further the threshold contrast of TOR[TVF].
TOR[18FG] was designed to replicate yet increase the sensitivity of the
original test object (TOR [TVF]), therefore enabling the user to satisfy the
image quality requirements of a typical modern image intensifier television
fluoroscopy system.
1987 FAXIL were co-opted on to the Q.A. sub-committee of the U.K.
National Breast Cancer Screening Programme following the report by Sir
Patrick Forrest ("The Forrest Report"). As a result of this work, two test
objects TOR [MAX] and TOR [MAS] were developed to implement routine quality
control procedures within the screening programme. |
Leeds Test Object
