1. Digital Reference Object Subcommittee
Goals
Build a common reference DICOM test object (digital reference object or DRO) that can be generated by each scanner and then read on PET DICOM display stations
The digital reference object verifies information fidelity for quantitative accuracy in clinical imaging trials
It also provides the next step beyond DICOM conformance statement and NEMA acceptance tests for quantitation in clinical practice and clinical trials
Current Status
Collected PET/CT images of the same reference phantom from scanners from GE, Philips, Siemens
Image data collated and compared w.r.t. DICOM header information
Contacted Scanner and Display Mfrs to start discussion of
DICOM information needed
Acceptable process
Not complete response yet
DICOM images of identical test object acquired on 12 PET/CT scanners of uploaded to database

2. Digital Reference Object
Sample images of the IDENTICAL object from 12 different PET and PET/CT scanners
Not meant as a "Consumer's Report" evaluation, but rather to facilitate multi-center comparisons

3. Digital Reference Object
Specific Tasks Planned:
Manufacturer-driven discussion on methods for distributing and testing a purely digital version of the reference phantom
Evaluate test digital reference object on 3rd party review stations
Initiate IHE process for manufacturer-driven roll-out
Explore potential for moving further up the data generation stream, i.e., closer to raw data

4. Resources needed
Expert guidance from pharma on the range of potential end-points of quantitative imaging biomarker clinical trials
Information from Clinical Research Organizations on needed data and verification information to be included with digital reference objects
Expert information from scanner manufacturers on data encoded in DICOM image headers (same as data used by Quantitation Computation Technical Subcommittee)
Assistance by Display Station Vendors in ability and methods of interpreting DICOM image information for SUVs and consensus on data fields needed for digital reference objects
Guidance from scanner manufacturers and RSNA on IHE steps for implementation / generation of digital reference objects
RSNA support services for meetings and data transfer
Attendance by relevant experts from scanner manufacturers on 2-4 conference calls, 1 or 2 reviews of concise documentation, and potentially 1 face-to-face meeting