User Manual

Table Of Contents
156
2900H EN 20071108Advanced operation (Key-operator mode)
DRYSTAR 5500/5503 REFERENCE MANUAL
4 After the image is printed, the system will display all measured optical density
values:
The displayed values (that have to be monitored) represent the following steps on the
test film:
5 Record the density levels on Chart 1 (‘Drystar 5500/5503: Determination of
Operating Levels’). Refer to ‘Charts for mammography QC (optional)’ on
page 247.
6 Press the Confirm key to return to the main menu.
7 Repeat steps 1 through 6 once a day for five consecutive days, as indicated on
the Drystar 5500 Chart 1.
8 Calculate the average value of the densities from the five images. These values
represent operating levels or aim values, for each density.
Operating Level
Value (Macbeth units)
(according to NEMA
standards XR 23-2006)
Base + Fog
the density value of the
Base + Fog step
0.22 ± 0.03
Low density
the density value of the
low density step
0.52 ± 0.07
Mid density
the density value of the
mid density step
1.35 ± 0.15
High density
the density value of the
high density step
2.35 ± 0.15
If the mid density value does not meet or exceeds the recommended
values, the cause must be found and the problem solved before any further
clinical films can be printed.
Refer to ‘Maintaining image quality and resolving Image quality problems’ on
page 220 and ‘Preventive maintenance schedule’ on page 186, or call your
local Agfa service organization.
Default densitometer
e.g. Macbeth TR924
0.19
0.50
1.30
2.23
3.60
1.73