Nuclear medicine instrumentation - Routine tests - Part 3: Positron emission tomographs

IEC TR 61948-3:2018(E) describes test methods for Positron Emission Tomographs (PET). As part of quality control, this document is defining routine tests to be performed by the user of Positron Emission Tomographs to maintain proper operation conditions. The results of these routine tests are compared to the reference data determined during or after acceptance test. Methods used for acceptance tests are described in IEC 61675-1:2013.
In addition, today a Positron Emission Tomograph often includes X-Ray equipment for Computed Tomography (CT). For this document, PET/CT hybrid devices are considered to be state of the art, dedicated Positron Emission Tomographs not including the X-ray component being special cases only.
quality control tests specific to only the CT component of the PET/CT are described in IEC 61223-2-6. The CT scanner also is subject to a type test according to IEC 60601-1 and applicable collateral and particular standards.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) a clause to check routine performance tests has been added,
b) a test to check the accuracy of co-registration of PET and CT images has been added,
c) a test to check image quality has been added,
d) the test to check pixel size has been removed.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
09-Jan-2018
Drafting Committee
WG 2 - TC 62/SC 62C/WG 2
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
10-Jan-2018
Completion Date
25-Jan-2018

Relations

Effective Date
05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC TR 61948-3:2018, issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is a technical report focused on nuclear medicine instrumentation, specifically defining routine test methods for Positron Emission Tomographs (PET). This standard plays a critical role in maintaining the quality control of PET devices by outlining essential routine testing procedures that users must perform to ensure the system's proper operational condition. It complements acceptance testing (referenced in IEC 61675-1:2013) and considers contemporary PET/CT hybrid devices as state-of-the-art equipment for nuclear medicine imaging.

With its origins dating back to 2005, this edition supersedes the previous version, introducing significant technical updates to reflect modern advances in PET instrumentation and quality control procedures.

Key Topics

The standard covers a range of important test methods and terminologies that facilitate high-quality and reliable PET imaging:

  • Routine Test Methods: Designed to detect deviations from baseline performance established during acceptance testing. The emphasis is on userperformable procedures that maintain machine calibration and operational stability.
  • Relative Sensitivity per Line of Response: Measures and ensures consistent detector response across the system’s field of view by comparing count rates of true coincidences.
  • Calibration Factor and Cross-Calibration: Establishes the relationship between measured count rates and the actual activity concentration within the patient or phantom, using homogeneous radioactive sources.
  • Transverse Resolution: Assesses spatial resolution perpendicular to the system axis to assure image clarity and diagnostic effectiveness.
  • Image Quality Checks: Added in this revision, these tests verify overall image fidelity and detect artifacts or degradation.
  • PET/CT Co-Registration Accuracy: An essential test for hybrid PET/CT systems ensuring precise alignment of PET and CT images for accurate diagnosis.
  • Normalization Procedures: Corrections and system calibrations to maintain consistent detector performance over time.
  • Frequency of Testing: Table 1 in the report specifies how often these routine tests should be conducted to uphold quality standards.

Applications

The IEC TR 61948-3:2018 standard is particularly valuable for:

  • Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and imaging centers employing PET or PET/CT scanners benefit from routine quality assurance that enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
  • Medical Physicists and Technologists: Provides clear guidelines for daily and periodic testing to monitor system function and performance.
  • Equipment Manufacturers: Supports the development of PET systems that meet international quality and safety benchmarks.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Assists in framing policies or audit requirements around quality control and calibration of nuclear medicine instrumentation.
  • Educational Institutions: Serves as a reference for training healthcare professionals on nuclear imaging technology maintenance.

By implementing these routine tests, medical facilities can detect equipment malfunctions, avoid erroneous diagnoses, and comply with international regulatory frameworks, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Related Standards

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 links with several other IEC standards and technical reports to form a comprehensive quality control system for nuclear medicine devices:

  • IEC 61675-1:2013: Defines acceptance testing methods and characteristics for positron emission tomographs, providing foundational reference data.
  • IEC 61223-2-6: Focuses on quality control for the CT component of PET/CT hybrid systems, complementing the PET-specific tests.
  • IEC 60601-1: Specifies general safety and essential performance requirements for medical electrical equipment, including CT scanners.
  • IEC TR 61948-1:2016: Offers routine test procedures for gamma radiation counting systems used in nuclear medicine.
  • ISO and IEC Electropedia: Terminology databases offering standardized definitions to ensure consistency in medical device quality control.

Conclusion

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 is an indispensable resource for maintaining the performance, safety, and reliability of PET and PET/CT imaging instruments in nuclear medicine. By following these routine test guidelines, healthcare providers can ensure ongoing operational excellence and contribute to effective patient diagnosis and treatment. Adherence to this standard supports regulatory compliance and aligns with international best practices in medical imaging technology quality control.

Technical report

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 - Nuclear medicine instrumentation - Routine tests - Part 3: Positron emission tomographs

English language
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Frequently Asked Questions

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 is a technical report published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Nuclear medicine instrumentation - Routine tests - Part 3: Positron emission tomographs". This standard covers: IEC TR 61948-3:2018(E) describes test methods for Positron Emission Tomographs (PET). As part of quality control, this document is defining routine tests to be performed by the user of Positron Emission Tomographs to maintain proper operation conditions. The results of these routine tests are compared to the reference data determined during or after acceptance test. Methods used for acceptance tests are described in IEC 61675-1:2013. In addition, today a Positron Emission Tomograph often includes X-Ray equipment for Computed Tomography (CT). For this document, PET/CT hybrid devices are considered to be state of the art, dedicated Positron Emission Tomographs not including the X-ray component being special cases only. quality control tests specific to only the CT component of the PET/CT are described in IEC 61223-2-6. The CT scanner also is subject to a type test according to IEC 60601-1 and applicable collateral and particular standards. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) a clause to check routine performance tests has been added, b) a test to check the accuracy of co-registration of PET and CT images has been added, c) a test to check image quality has been added, d) the test to check pixel size has been removed.

IEC TR 61948-3:2018(E) describes test methods for Positron Emission Tomographs (PET). As part of quality control, this document is defining routine tests to be performed by the user of Positron Emission Tomographs to maintain proper operation conditions. The results of these routine tests are compared to the reference data determined during or after acceptance test. Methods used for acceptance tests are described in IEC 61675-1:2013. In addition, today a Positron Emission Tomograph often includes X-Ray equipment for Computed Tomography (CT). For this document, PET/CT hybrid devices are considered to be state of the art, dedicated Positron Emission Tomographs not including the X-ray component being special cases only. quality control tests specific to only the CT component of the PET/CT are described in IEC 61223-2-6. The CT scanner also is subject to a type test according to IEC 60601-1 and applicable collateral and particular standards. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) a clause to check routine performance tests has been added, b) a test to check the accuracy of co-registration of PET and CT images has been added, c) a test to check image quality has been added, d) the test to check pixel size has been removed.

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 11.040.50 - Radiographic equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to IEC TR 61948-3:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

IEC TR 61948-3:2018 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


IEC TR 61948-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Nuclear medicine instrumentation – Routine tests –
Part 3: Positron emission tomographs
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IEC TR 61948-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Nuclear medicine instrumentation – Routine tests –

Part 3: Positron emission tomographs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 11.040.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-5230-7

– 2 – IEC TR 61948-3:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Test methods . 8
4.1 RELATIVE SENSITIVITY PER LINE OF RESPONSE and accuracy of NORMALIZATION . 8
4.2 CALIBRATION FACTOR and cross-calibration . 8
4.3 TRANSVERSE RESOLUTION . 9
4.4 Image quality . 9
4.5 PET/CT co-registration . 9
5 Frequency of ROUTINE TESTS . 9
Bibliography . 10
Index of defined terms . 11

Table 1 – Frequency of ROUTINE TESTS . 9

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
NUCLEAR MEDICINE INSTRUMENTATION –
ROUTINE TESTS –
Part 3: Positron emission tomographs

FOREWORD
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The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However, a
technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for
example "state of the art".
IEC TR 61948-3, which is a technical report, has been prepared by subcommittee 62C:
Equipment for radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and radiation dosimetry, of IEC technical
committee 62: Electrical equipment in medical practice.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2005. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) a clause to check routine performance tests has been added,

– 4 – IEC TR 61948-3:2018 © IEC 2018
b) a test to check the accuracy of co-registration of PET and CT images has been added,
c) a test to check image quality has been added,
d) the test to check pixel size has been removed.
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
62C/694/DTR 62C/708/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61948 series, published under the general title Nuclear medicine
Instrumentation – Routine tests, can be found on the IEC website.
Terms used throughout this document that have been defined in Clause 3 appear in SMALL
CAPITALS.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE INSTRUMENTATION –
ROUTINE TESTS –
Part 3: Positron emission tomographs

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61948 describes test methods for POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHS (PET). As
part of QUALITY CONTROL, this document is defining ROUTINE TESTS to be performed by the user
of POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHS to maintain proper operation conditions. The results of
ROUTINE TESTS are compared to the REFERENCE DATA determined during or after
these
ACCEPTANCE TEST. Methods used for ACCEPTANCE TESTS are described in IEC 61675-1:2013.
In addition, today a POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPH often includes X-RAY EQUIPMENT for
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT). For this document, PET/CT hybrid devices are considered to be
state of the art, dedicated POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHS not including the X-ray component
being special cases only.
UALITY CONTROL tests specific to only the CT component of the PET/CT are described in
Q
IEC 61223-2-6. The CT SCANNER also is subject to a TYPE TEST according to IEC 60601-1 and
applicable collateral and particular standards.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60601-1:2005, Medical electrical equipment – Part 1: General requirements for basic
safety and essential performance
IEC 61223-2-6:2006, Evaluation and routine testing in medical imaging departments –
Part 2­6: Constancy tests – Imaging performance of computed tomography X­ray equipment
IEC 61675-1:2013, Radionuclide imaging devices – Characteristics and test conditions –
Part 1: Positron emission tomographs
IEC TR 61948-1:2016, Nuclear medicine instrumentation – Routine tests – Part 1: Gamma
radiation counting systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61675-1,
IEC TR 61948-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

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