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Case Studies

Real-world examples of how Gold Standard Phantoms is transforming medical imaging through precision calibration and quality assurance

VERIFLUX Uncovers Hidden MRI Hardware Issues
Quality AssuranceJuly 2024

VERIFLUX Uncovers Hidden MRI Hardware Issues

How automated QA detected critical coil failures that standard tests missed

Summary

At a beta test site, VERIFLUX identified critical performance issues with a new 32-channel head coil that standard fMRI tests completely missed, preventing potential misdiagnoses.

The Challenge

A hospital had commissioned a new MRI scanner with a 32-channel head coil. Standard fMRI tests performed on volunteers showed no apparent issues, yet the imaging team suspected something was wrong.

The Solution

On July 18, 2024, Gold Standard Phantoms demonstrated VERIFLUX at the site. The automated analysis revealed poor Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Signal Fluctuation-to-Noise Ratio (SFNR), and an alarmingly low Radius of Decorrelation (RDC).

Results

Following VERIFLUX's findings, the hospital called in an engineer to conduct a thorough QA check. The coil failed due to excessive noise, confirming VERIFLUX's assessment. The MRI manufacturer's own tests had not indicated any need for coil replacement.

Impact

Without VERIFLUX, this critical hardware issue might have gone undetected, potentially compromising patient diagnoses and treatment plans. The case demonstrates the value of objective, automated QA beyond standard testing.

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World's First SPIRIT Phantom Implementation
InnovationMarch 2025

World's First SPIRIT Phantom Implementation

NeuRA Imaging pioneers next-generation MRI quality assurance in Australia

Summary

NeuRA Imaging became the first facility globally to implement GSP's SPIRIT phantom, supporting Australia's National Imaging Facility MRNet project to harmonise imaging protocols across multiple sites.

The Challenge

The National Imaging Facility's MRNet project needed to standardise imaging protocols across multiple Australian research sites, requiring unprecedented consistency in MRI measurements.

The Solution

NeuRA Imaging acquired 6 SPIRIT phantoms from GSP's production line, along with two MultiSample120E phantoms pre-filled with 24 vials for diffusion and relaxometry studies.

Results

Initial tests of the SPIRIT phantom at NeuRA Imaging delivered promising results, demonstrating its potential to transform MRI quality assurance procedures across the entire Australian research network.

Impact

This collaboration cements Australia's leadership in adopting cutting-edge medical imaging technologies and enables groundbreaking research in neurodegenerative diseases with consistent, reliable data.

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SPECTRE Phantom Enables Cross-Site MRS Calibration
Clinical TrialsJuly 2020

SPECTRE Phantom Enables Cross-Site MRS Calibration

Multi-site spectroscopy study demonstrates phantom-based standardisation for clinical trials

Summary

A 22-scanner study across 19 sites demonstrated that SPECTRE phantoms enable cross-calibration of MRS measurements, reducing variability and improving sensitivity for multi-site clinical trials in metachromatic leukodystrophy.

The Challenge

A clinical trial in metachromatic leukodystrophy required Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) measurements across 19 sites with 22 scanners (6 at 1.5T, 16 at 3T). Multi-site imaging inevitably introduces variability that must be quantified and controlled to ensure comparability between sites and sensitivity to detect treatment effects.

The Solution

Gold Standard Phantoms developed a series of SPECTRE (SPEctroscopy Reference) phantoms filled from the same chemical batch to replicate brain metabolite concentrations including NAA (12.5 mM), Creatine (10.0 mM), Choline (3.0 mM), Myo-inositol (7.5 mM), Glutamate (12.5mM), and Lactate (5.0 mM). Each site performed standardised single-voxel MRS sequences with three repeat acquisitions. Spectra were centrally analysed using LCModel and quality controlled by Bioclinica.

Results

Scanner-level variability was remarkably low: 2.0% CV for NAA/Cr, 2.1% for Cho/Cr, 3.0% for mI/Cr, 4.3% for Glx/Cr, and 5.6% for Lac/Cr. However, cross-scanner variability was substantially higher (4.2-12.5% CV), demonstrating the critical need for cross-calibration. CVs were generally lower at 3T except for Lactate, with statistically significant improvement for Glutamate.

Impact

This study, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2020 in collaboration with Bioclinica, Mayo Clinic, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, demonstrated that phantom-based cross-calibration is both necessary and achievable for multi-site MRS studies. The SPECTRE phantom data enables site-specific correction factors that improve sensitivity of subject data analyses in clinical trials.

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