Free software from the Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Materials Technology and Biomedical Imaging, AKTYBA

Free software from the Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Materials Technology and Biomedical Imaging, AKTYBA

RAD_IQ and LIGHTWAVE Monte Carlo free software from the Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Materials Technology and Biomedical Imaging, AKTYBA

From the page (https://aktyva.uniwa.gr/software/)  of the Research Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Materials Technology and Biomedical Imaging, AKTYBA (Director: Professor G. Fountos) (establishment OGG Issue B’/No.695/1-3-2019)  the following software, developed by members and collaborators of the laboratory, can be freely downloaded:

1. Software for quantitative image analysis of digital X-ray detectors (RAD_IQ)

The Software for quantitative image analysis of digital X-ray detectors (RAD_IQ) is a MATLAB-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for quantitative image analysis of digital X-ray detectors used in General Radiography and Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM).
This software can be used to quantify the effect of spatial resolution, contrast, and noise on Radiographic image quality (IQ).

In particular, it can be used to calculate the Signal Transfer Property (STP; also known as Response Function), perform Noise Component Analysis (NCA), and calculate the parameters Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) & Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE).

The analysis algorithms are based on the latest IEC 62220-1-1:2015 International Standard for General Radiography and IEC 62220-1-2:2007 standard for Mammography. The users also have the option to use conditions described in the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis (EUREF, 4th edition, 2013).

RAD_IQ can be easily used from Medical Physicists, Biomedical Engineers and Researchers without any programming experience to analyze X-ray images of digital X-ray detectors in DICOM or TIFF format.

Disclaimer: The scope of this software is purely demonstrative, and the package does not have any commercial purpose. It has not been developed for Medical diagnosis. The authors and developers cannot be considered in anyway responsible for any consequence derived by the use of this package, or part of it.

Note: Users of the RAD_IQ software are kindly requested to refer to this website and cite the following paper:

A Konstantinidis, N Martini, V Koukou, G Fountos, N Kalyvas, I Valais and C Michail, RAD_IQ: A free software for characterization of digital X-ray imaging devices based on the novel IEC 62220-1-1:2015 International Standard, J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 2021, Vol. 2090, 012107, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2090/1/012107.

 

2. LIGHTAWE Monte Carlo simulation tool

LIGHTAWE Monte Carlo simulation tool has been developed to provide case studies of light spread in powder materials for both research and educational purposes (Liaparinos 2019). The algorithms of LIGHTAWE are based on Mie scattering theory and Henyey–Greenstein distribution (Liaparinos 2012). LIGHTAWE simulates the light ray interactions and encounters the overall optical diffusion, transmission and refection (amount and distribution) of granular structured layers. Two main options are included: (a) fixed light point sources within the layer (concerning optical difusion for any structure of spherical particles embedded within a surrounding medium) and (b) light distribution of 62 specific powder phosphor materials under X-ray penetration. The above options make LIGHTAWE an available and useful tool for a variety of scientific fields and applications. The capability to alter a set of parameters and perform a countless number of probable and comparable simulations, can insight and further enlighten the research of light spread performance. Based on the Monte Carlo methodology, LIGHTAWE can overcome cumbersome analytical modelling, and can take advantage of computer science to perform experiments that would be otherwise impossible (i.e., the capability to design, evaluate and optimize “virtual” experimental set-ups of “zero cost” or with “low risk” actions) enhancing curiosity-driven future research.

Liaparinos P, ‘Optical diffusion performance of nanophosphor-based materials for use in medical imaging’, Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 17, 126013, 2012.

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.17.12.126013

Liaparinos P, ‘LIGHTAWE – case studies of LIGHT spreAd in poWder materials: a montE carlo simulation tool for research and educational purposes’, Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, Vol. 125 (2019).

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-019-7267-z