One of our customers faced a significant challenge: 90% of their testing was conducted on actual CT machines, which significantly slowed down the development process.

Scope

Developing a CT Gantry Simulator

The customer needed a simulator to replicate the functionalities of the gantry of a CT machine. The simulator had to connect to the imaging workstation and table without requiring an actual X-Ray generator and detector. It was to be used for developing and testing imaging software modules, as well as for Verification and Validation (V&V) of the entire system.

Solution

Innovative CT Gantry Simulation by Kala Energy Holdings

Kala Energy Holdings developed hardware gantry simulators by reusing existing CT controller boards and their peripherals. The system was powered without the need for the actual CT power distribution unit. Peripherals were housed in a customized 18U rack, with external connectivity options provided for the table, scan control board, and foot pedal switches.

Benefits

1. 1. Significant Time and Risk Reductions
2. 2. Accelerated Software Development Lifecycle: The solution allowed for 80% of testing to be conducted at the workstation side, significantly reducing the time required for the software development lifecycle.
3. 3. Minimized Intrusive Software Testing Risks: By using simulators, the risk associated with intrusive software testing was greatly reduced.
4. 4. Reduced Dependency on Actual CT Machines: The simulators mimicked most of the functionalities of the gantry, thereby reducing the risk and dependency on actual CT bays.
5. 5. Focused System Testing: With the simulator, system testing was required only for performance and image quality-related testing, streamlining the overall testing process.

Kala Energy Holdings’ innovative approach to developing a CT gantry simulator enabled the customer to accelerate development, reduce risks, and minimize dependency on actual CT machines, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and productivity.