Digital reference images when evaluating the quality of castings from aluminum and magnesium alloys

Reference X-ray images of defects in castings and welded joints have been used for many years in X-ray radiation inspection. With the transition to digital technologies, and the use of flat-panel detectors instead of radiographic film, the problem arose of creating reference digital images. Comparison of the digital image of the reference sample with the digital image of the test object can be carried out using software, which completely or partially excludes the subjective assessment of the operator, makes it possible to view doubtful areas of the image with magnification and without loss of contrast, automatically show the size of the defect, its intensity distribution by volume of the casting. All this makes the control more objective and productive. The reference images in the detector’s memory do not undergo the aging and degradation typical of X-ray images, and there is no need to replicate them.

DÜRR NDT: a Leading German Manufacturer of Digital Radiography Equipment

DÜRR NDT provides ultra-high resolution computed radiography (CR) scanners, flat panel detectors, innovative software solutions and X-ray film processors for mobile use plus DÜRR NDT’s unique ‘green’ X-ray chemistry.

Main Trends in Radiography

The main trends in X-ray inspection in Germany are presented to readers. In particular, the selection of flat panel detectors, quality control of X-ray images, compensation of scattered radiation when imaging tomograms, the use of the DICONDE standard and digital twin technology are considered.

The use of a surgical planning tool for evaluating the optimal surgical accessibility to the stapedius muscle via a retrofacial approach during cochlear implant surgery: a feasibility study

Purpose During cochlear implant (CI) surgery, visual detection of the stapedius reflex as movements of the stapes tendon, electrically elicited via the CI, is a standard measure to confirm the system's functionality. Direction visualization of the stapedius muscle (SM) movements might be more reliable, but a safe access to the small SM is not defined. A new surgical planning tool for pre-operative evaluation of the accessibility to the stapedius muscle (SM) during a cochlear implantation (CI) via a retrofacial approach was now evaluated. Methods A surgical planning tool was developed in MATLAB using an image processing algorithm to evaluate drilling feasibility. A flat-panel computed tomography (CT) combining a rotational angiographic C-arm units with flat-panel detectors (Dyna-CT) was used. In total, 30 3D Dyna-CT-based temporal bone reconstructions were evaluated by automatized algorithms, generating a series of trajectories and comparing their feasibility and safety to reach the SM via a retrofacial approach. The predictability of the surgical planning tool results was tested in 5 patients. Results The surgical planning tool showed that a retrofacial access to the SM would be feasible in 25/30 cases. Moreover, the evaluation of the predictability of the results obtained with the surgical planning tool conducted during 5 CI surgeries confirmed the results. Both the surgical planning tool and the results on SM accessibility via retrofacial approach during CI showed that this is safe and feasible only when the SM-exposed area was > 25% of its total, the distance between the SM and the facial nerve was > 0.8 mm, and the surgical corridor diameter was > 3 mm. Conclusion The surgical planning tool seems to be useful for the pre-operative evaluation of the accessibility to the SM during a CI surgery via a retrofacial approach. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the results in larger cohorts.