Performing a Sectorial Scan Sensitivity/ Velocity/Wedge Delay Calibration-Shear Wave PA Using SDHs at Known Depths 2.

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By Nick Bublitz

Calibrations-Required items
Calibration

block with 2 same size reflectors at known depths- (Navships block with SDHs or other calibration block with 2 same size reflectors at known depths) Couplant-water works best for practiceotherwise whatever you will test with Guide to keep from skewing- use a ruler, set the block on its side, or on IHC wedges can screw down one sides carbide pins.
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Velocity Calibration

The velocity calibration will fine tune the velocity to that of the calibration block. It will require two reflectors of the same size at two different known depths (Depth). A radius may also be used in sound path overlay (Radius) . In many cases the default material velocity and wave type set by the operator in the group wizard is sufficient and this calibration can be skipped because wedge delay will adjust accordingly to allow accurate measurements in the depth axis. If performed the velocity calibration should be done before the wedge delay calibration. Performing a velocity calibration after wedge delay will remove the wedge delay calibration.
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Velocity Calibration

Just like Con. UT the velocity calibration will calculate the time difference to two reflectors of known depth or sound path and calculate a material velocity. Many conventional users use an IIW block (radius), in PA we often use true depth rulers so a Navships 4 works well (depth)

Select Velocity Calibration

Go

to the WizardCalibration menu Select Ultrasound and Velocity Start the wizard

Select A-Scan

Put the probe on your block over the first reflector. Choose an angle near the middle of your angle sweep using the angle function. The calibration will utilize a single beam as the velocity will be consistent across all the angles.
Adjust range as needed to ensure you will see the 2 reflectors you have chosen.

Set Depth 1 and 2

Select

depth from echo

type Set depth 1 and depth 2 to your reflector depths.

Set Gate A on Depth 1

Move probe back and forth over the first reflector building an envelope. Use a guide so you do not skew right or left. Ensure you peak the reflector. Adjust the gate to encompass the reflector. Get position.

Set Gate A on Depth 2

Repeat

the peaking process on your second reflector. Adjust the gate to encompass this reflector. Get position.

Accept or Restart

View the velocity determination If it is sensible accept the calibration, if not restart. Depth readings may not be 100% accurate after a velocity calibration at all angles due to the different wedge path distance of individual beams. Wedge delay calibration will compensate for this.
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Wedge Delay-Depth Reflector

Wedge Delay will enter compensation for the varying distance of travel of the beams through the wedge medium and account for the various exit points. Induced wear on the wedge will also be accounted for if it is not to severe to prohibit calibration. It is a critical calibration to ensure reflector depth/Thickness/TOF is accurately measured at every angle as well as for accurate measurements of through wall height etc. Wedge delay needs only 1 distinct reflector -a known depth reflector (depth) will be used here. A single radius in sound path could also be used. After wedge calibrations, accurate depth (DA etc) and surface distance (PA etc) measurements can be taken. Because of the multiple beams at varying angles it is critical that any PA instrument has a method to calibrate each beam for wedge delay. For efficient and effective setups it is crucial that this is done with a software tool to speed up the process and minimize human error. Code compliance relies heavily on the ability to calibrate each beam. 11

Wedge Delay Calibration-Depth

Enter the calibration menu Select Ultrasound and Wedge Delay-Start

Select depth and input depth to the reflector and a tolerance. Tolerance is reference only, it does not affect the quality of the calibration.
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Set Section
Decide

if you want to calibrate the whole angular sweep or break it up into separate calibrationsfor most setups with a good calibration block you can calibrate the whole sweep. Hit Next

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Set Gate A on Depth A

Put the probe on the block so you can see the chosen depth reflector. Adjust the gate start/width/threshold to encompass the reflector. Move the probe forward and backwards to ensure gate is encompassing reflector through all angles and there are no other reflectors that will affect calibration.
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Calibrate and Accept

Move the probe forward and backward applying even pressure and avoiding skewing right or left. Move in both directions until the green line is built across the whole angular range. Adjust gain as needed. Hit calibrate.

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Accept or Restart
After

hitting calibratererun the probe through the angular range verifying you are within the set tolerance. Accept or Restart.

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Verifying Wedge Delay

Set the DA reading from the MeasurementReadings menu Turn on the Highest % feature in the DisplayProperties-Source menu Run the probe through the angular sweep while observing the DA reading. The Omniscan will track the highest reflector in the red gate. Return the source to normal before next calibration!
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Sensitivity Calibrations
Sensitivity

calibrations equalize the sensitivity (amplitude) to a given reflector through all the angles. This will insure no matter what angle the reflector is seen at the % FSH is the same for rejection or detection purposes as well as for the amplitude based color coded imaging selections. Calibration reflector and natural flaw response relies heavily on angle so it is critical each beam/angle can be calibrated to the same sensitivity level.
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Sensitivity Calibration

Enter Calibration menu and select Sensitivity

Choose a reference screen height to equalize sensitivity to (80% FSH) and a tolerance. The default tolerance of 5% will show two lines one 2.5% above your set reference, one 2.5% below. This does not affect the quality of the calibration it is merely visual reference.
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Getting Started
Choose

a SDH and couple your probe above it Use a guide system to keep the probe from skewing side to side.

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Set Section
Choose

whether to calibrate the whole angular sweep in one step or break it up into separate calibrationsif your calibration block has adequate spacing between SDHs you can usually do the whole range.
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Set Gate A on Echo A

Set the gate to encompass the SDH reflection. Adjust the start/width/threshold of the gate. Move the probe forward and backward to ensure the gate covers the reflector through all the angles and there is not on any other reflectors that may inhibit the calibration

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Set Compensation Gain

Allows

you to adjust the gain as needed to ensure the reflector is seen properly throughout all the angles In most cases no adjustment or an adjustment of the overall gain (if over reference level FSH%) is needed.
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Calibrate and Accept

Applying even pressure and not skewing right or left, move the probe forward and backwards to build the green line as the reflector is seen by the angles. Ensure the green line is on-screen across the whole screen-not to low or over the tolerance lines.

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Calibrate and Accept

Press

Calibrate Verify the calibration by repeating the forward and backward movement of the probe The green line should fall within the defined tolerance lines across all the angles. Accept or Recalibrate as needed.
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To Verify Sensitivity Calibration

To verify sensitivity go to Display menu Select properties Change source to Highest Run the probe back and forth and observe FSH in the A% reading field as the data cursor tracks the highest amplitude signal in the red gate. Return the source to normal before further calibrations!

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General Tips for Calibrations-Omniscan-General

Even pressure and couplant are key- practice makes perfect. Practice with water-it doesnt shovel like gel couplant. A good calibration block helps a lot- the Navships block is a great block for PA calibrations. Tighter spacing of reflectors may require breaking up the calibrations into two or more sections using the set section feature to keep other reflectors from entering the gated tracking area. A guide will ensure sure the same portion of the beam sees the reflector this is key The Omniscan must see the natural state (building of green line) between about 10% FSH and the high tolerance set. Instead of restarting calibrations you can reduce gain, rebuild green line and hit calibrate again. If the green line drops off suddenly examine your a-scan at the point it drops, your gate threshold and/or width may need adjustment. Utilize the scan view for setting gates, looking for interfering reflectors- it is a tendency for con. ut operators to look at only the a-scanremember this is only one angle in a sweep.

10% FSH max tolerance line

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General Tips for Calibrations-Omniscan settings Ensure the tracking function is set to No db ref ( ) normal-Display-Properties-Sourceprf Normal, since the wizards use a tracking

system Highest/Thinnest/All Laws can interfere Make sure you are set to run off the clock of the Omniscan, not an encoder base-Scan-Inspection-Scan-Time-look in right hand corner-should be in seconds.
Make sure db reference is off- Ut settings-Advanced-db Ref-Off look in left hand corner These are all set ok by default but if you create a setup and have issues these are key places to look. Sluggish-low PRF- ensure gates are all on screen and minimized, minimize range etc All of the above usually result in no green line at all of a very sluggish jerky tracking response.
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x: sec

General Tips for Calibrations-Omniscan

Rounded irregular hills in green lineusually due to uneven pressure or skewing left/right, also excess couplant in that area- hold probe with even pressure, use a guide and apply even couplant between wedge and block. Green line not able to be set between reference and 10% for training- adjust gain, use comp. gain, reduce angular sweep or change wedge. Comp. Gain will add an amount of gain per us of travel- longer beam paths (higher angles) will thus have more gain added to facilitate proper calibration. Lower wedge angles will be easier bent to low angles, the opposite for higher a 45 degree wedge is easier to calibrate at 30 degrees, a 60 degree wedge will be easier calibrated at 72 degrees. 55 degree wedge is a good wedge for both extremes.

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General Tips for Calibrations-Omniscan

Sharp jagged triangular dropouts in green line trace- usually couplant dependant- check couplant between wedge and block first- if it repeats at the same angle every time after reapplying couplant, it is more than likely between the wedge and probe- reapply couplant here. Can also be gating-look at scan to set gates over the entirety of the reflector through all the angles.

Sharp diagonal dropout- complete loss of couplant or insufficient amplitude- view ascan at point of dropout- reapply couplant, increase gain, lower gate threshold to encompass ascan amplitude.

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General Tips for Calibrations-Omniscan

Data cursor tracks to other reflector not being used for calibrationexamine and reposition gate, use calibrate by section feature, use different block. Unable to perform wedge delay or improper wedge delay- if everything else fails, observe a single reflector in a true depth scan- the reflector should not drift in depth dramatically- if it does there is probably an error in the wedge file parameter- Probe/Part-Wedgecheck if proper wedge is selected and note the wedge settingsespecially height- consult a technical support specialist or database of wedge parameters.

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Calibrate by Section

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Omniscan Error Messages during CalibrationSensitivity

-At least one context has an amplitude peak greater than 100%. The calibration cannot be performed (sensitivity calibration) -at least one angle or vpa is greater than the reference amplitude you set. Reduce gain until all beams fall below the high tolerance line but still above about 10% FSH. -at least one context has an amplitude peak of 0%.The calibration cannot be performed or At least one context has no amplitude peak in gate A. Wedge delay calibration cannot be performed.. at least one angle or vpa is not being picked up due to low amplitudeincrease gain, troubleshoot couplant etc as needed Other cause of the above two errors-not completing the edges (first/last angles/ vpas)- green line may appear to go to edges, make sure you run the white trace line completely off screen and beyond.
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