ASTM E2738-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2738 − 18 E2738 − 23
Standard Practice for
Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive
Evaluation (DICONDE) for Computed Radiography (CR) Test
Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2738; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice facilitatescovers the interoperability of computed radiography (CR) imaging and data acquisition equipment by
specifying image data transfer and archival storage methods in commonly accepted terms. This practice is intended to be used in
conjunction with Practice E2339 on Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE). Practice
E2339 defines an industrial adaptation of the NEMA StandardsPS3 Publication titled Digital Imaging and Communications in
Medicine ⁄ ISO 12052 (DICOM, see http://medical.nema.org), an international standard for image data acquisition, review, storage,
and archival storage. The goal of Practice E2339, commonly referred to as DICONDE, is to provide a standard that facilitates the
display and analysis of NDE results on any system conforming to the DICONDE standard. Toward that end, Practice E2339
provides a data dictionary and a set of information modules that are applicable to all NDE modalities. This practice supplements
Practice E2339 by providing information object definitions, information modules and a data dictionary that are specific to
computed radiography test methods.
1.2 This practice has been developed to overcome the issues that arise when analyzing or archiving data from CR test equipment
using proprietary data transfer and storage methods. As digital technologies evolve, data must remain decipherable through the use
of open, industry-wide methods for data transfer and archival storage. This practice defines a method where all standard CR
technique parameters and test results are communicated and stored in a standard manner regardless of changes in digital
technology.
1.3 This practice does not specify:
1.3.1 A testing or validation procedure to assess an implementation’s conformance to the standard.
1.3.2 The implementation details of any features of the standard on a device claiming conformance.
1.3.3 The overall set of features and functions to be expected from a system implemented by integrating a group of devices each
claiming DICONDE conformance.
1.4 Although this practice contains no values that require units, it does describe methods to store and communicate data that do
require units to be properly interpreted. The SI units required by this practice are to be regarded as standard. No other units of
measurement are included in this practice.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.11 on Digital Imaging
and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE).
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018June 15, 2023. Published November 2018July 2023. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
ɛ01
E2738 - 13E2738 . DOI: 10.1520/E2738-18. – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E2738-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2738 − 23
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E2339 Practice for Digital Imaging and Communication in Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE)
2.2 Other Documentation:
DICOM NEMA PS3 / ISO 12052 National Electrical Manufacturers Association Standard for Digital Imaging and Communi-
cationCommunications in Medicine (DICOM), 2011.(DICOM)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Nondestructive evaluation terms used in this practice can be found in Terminology E1316.
3.1.2 DICONDE terms used in this practice are defined in Practice E2339.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 A fundamental principle of DICONDE is the use of standard definitions and attribute formats for data communication and
storage. This means all systems that are DICONDE compliant use a common data dictionary and common communication
protocols. To further standardization, the elements in the data dictionary are organized into common groups referred to as
information modules. The data dictionary and information modules common to all NDE modalities are defined in Practice E2339.
4.2 The data dictionary and information modules specified in Practice E2339 do not cover the information storage requirements
for each individual modality (CT, DDA, CR, UT, etc.). Additions to the data dictionary and information modules are required to
support the individual modalities. This practice contains the additions to the DICONDE data dictionary and information modules
necessary for CR inspection.
4.3 The highest organizational level in the DICONDE information model is the information object definition (IOD). An
information object definition is a collection of the information modules necessary to represent a set of test results from a specific
modality. This practice contains information object definitions for CR inspection.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Personnel that are responsible for the creation, transfer, and storage of computed radiography NDE data will use this practice.
This practice will define a set of information modules that along with the Practice E2339 and the DICOM standard will provide
a standard means to organize CR inspection data. The CR inspection data may be displayed and analyzed on any device that
conforms to the standard. Personnel wishing to view any CR inspection data stored in accordance with Practice E2339 may use
this practice to help them decode and display the data contained in the DICONDE compliant inspection record.
6. Information Object Definitions
6.1 NDE Computed Radiography Image IOD Description:
6.1.1 The NDE Computed Radiography (CR) Image Information Object Definition specifies an image that has been created by
a computed radiography imaging device for NDE purposes. The IOD definition will follow that for CR Images found in Part 3,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), 1300 N. 17th St., Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209, http://www.dicomstandard.org/
E2738 − 23
TABLE 1 NDE CR Image Information Object Definition
DICOM Module DICONDE Module Reference Usage
Patient Component E2339, Section 7 M
Clinical Trial Subject Not Applicable
General Study Component Study E2339, Section 7 M
Patient Study Not Applicable
Clinical Trial Study Not Applicable
General Series Component Series E2339, Section 7 M
CR Series NDE CR Series Section 7.1 M
CR Series NDE CR Series Section 7.1 M
Clinical Trial Series Not Applicable U
General Equipment NDE Equipment E2339, Section 7 M
Contrast/bolous Not Applicable U
CR image NDE CR image Section 7.3 M
NDE Indication E2339, Section 7 U
NDE Geometry E2339, Section 7 U
NDE Source Radiography Section 7.2 U
NDE Data Element Label Dictionary E2339, Section 7 U
NDE Geolocation E2339, Section 7 U
Section A.2 of the DICOM standard except as noted in Table 1. Table 1 is not stand-alone and must be used in conjunction with
Part 3,
...