3T QA

Preparation

• Make sure there is no patch activated
• Create a new patient using the following naming convention: QA_3T_yyyymmdd.
• Use the 3TQA scancard under SC > QA.

• After loading the exam card, right click in or below the sequences to find the Edit Scan Control Parameters... option. Set the Auto coil: ch. sel. SNR loss parameter (at the bottom) under the Reconstruction tab to 0 (this ensures all channels are used). Click apply so that the setting is saved for the current login session (clicking Store will save this setting permanently!).
• Open the FBIRN sequence and find the coils tab. Make sure that Smart Select is turned off and that all elements are selected (blue) for both halves of the head coil.

Phantom placement

• Use the 32-channel head coil.
• Remove the cushioning inside the head coil to reveal two small depressions. Place the red base with the appropriate feet in the depressions and make sure that it's level.
• Place the FBIRN phantom on the red base. Make sure that the nozzle and sticker are facing straight up.
• Position the phantom so that the laser is at the same level as the nozzle.

Scanning

• Make sure all geolinks are set to TRA.
• Planning is the easiest on the FBIRN sequence due to its large window. Change the angulation by setting AP (deg), RL (deg) and FH (deg) to 0. Proceed to plan the scan so that the midlines are in the center of the phantom in all directions.
• Starting the scan will result in both PNS and SAR warnings, which may be ignored.

Post scanning

• Export the entire patient (in dicom format) to ftpsc_classic [er moet nog een project 3tqa aangemaakt worden op de ftp server, de exam card moet dan ook de string "3tqa" bevatten]

• Open the Edit Scan Control Parameters... menu. Switch the coil UI selection mode parameter back to restricted.

• Helium check: Go to: Start>MR-Development>Display Helium level and press Measure Helium Level (Not during scanning!). Note down helium level in Notepad file under S: > scdropbox > 3T_QA > Helium measurements

• Close the program, remove the phantom and log off

Perhaps it's an idea to include a short description of how the data for each sequence will be analyzed/what the use is? For example the comparison between the two DTIs for enhanced vs default gradient mode.