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#CT #Computed Tomography #Metal Artifact Reduction #MAR #Dual Energy CT #Imaging Physics #Radiation Therapy Planning #PET/CT #Nuclear Medicine #Radiation Safety #Survey Meters #Contamination Control #Medical Physics #ALARA #Joint Commission #Patient Safety #Sentinel Events #Serious Reportable Events #Risk Management #Radiology #MRI Safety #Radiation Therapy #PET #FDG #Uptake Time #Quantitative Imaging #occupational exposure #radiation safety #dosimetry compliance #decontamination #spill response #CTDIvol #DLP #Dose Monitoring #CT Physics #Protocol Optimization #Siemens Healthineers #Flow Motion #Image Quality #Reconstruction #ACR #DRL #Time-of-Flight #GE HealthCare #Philips Healthcare #United Imaging Healthcare #accreditation #compliance violations #imaging center inspections #NRC #PET CT #Florida #Radiopharmaceutical Therapy #Lu-177 #F-18 #Ga-68 #Cu-64 #Ra-223 #Quality Control #Monitor QC
Troy Zhou, PhD, DABR
Troy Zhou, PhD, DABR April 8, 2026 • 8 min read

Understanding Metal Artifact Reduction in CT

Metal artifact reduction in CT is essential for preserving image quality, HU accuracy, and confidence in diagnostic CT, radiation therapy planning, and hybrid imaging workflows.

Troy Zhou, PhD, DABR
Troy Zhou, PhD, DABR March 20, 2026 • 21 min read

Beyond the Geiger Counter: Choosing the Right Radiation Survey Meter in Medical Physics

Not all radiation survey meters are designed for the same job. Understanding how GM meters, ion chambers, hybrid survey meters, x-ray survey sensors, and imaging survey meters work can help facilities choose the right tool for contamination control, leakage surveys, and shielding verification.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou March 10, 2026 • 10 min read

Sentinel Events vs Serious Reportable Events: What Joint Commission Alignment Means for Hospitals

A practical overview of sentinel events and serious reportable events, including the 2026 Joint Commission policy baseline, the updated NQF SRE framework, and what the 2027 alignment means for hospitals, radiology, MRI, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou August 13, 2025 • 4 min read

PET Imaging Uptake Time: Why It Matters for Quantification and Image Quality

Physics Pulse overview of PET imaging uptake time and its impact on SUV accuracy, image quality, and protocol standardization.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou June 3, 2025 • 4 min read

Occupational Exposure Monitoring Programs

How to design and maintain an effective occupational radiation monitoring program in healthcare.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou June 2, 2025 • 3 min read

Sweep: Best Practices for Decontamination in Nuclear Medicine

Physics Pulse Series on nuclear medicine decontamination: practical steps to safely manage radioactive spills while ensuring regulatory compliance and staff protection.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou May 12, 2025 • 5 min read

Lead Shielding Design Principles in Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

Lead shielding design principles for CT, fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, PET/CT, and radionuclide therapy—workload, use factor, occupancy, and barrier design.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou April 7, 2025 • 5 min read

Getting to the Core: Understanding CTDIvol and DLP in CT Dose Optimization

Physics Pulse Series overview of CTDIvol and DLP, explaining how these standardized CT dose metrics relate to scanner output, protocol optimization, and patient dose management.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou March 23, 2025 • 4 min read

Siemens PET Flow Technology: Continuous Motion PET for Better Image Quality and Workflow Efficiency

Physics Pulse Series overview of Siemens PET Flow technology, explaining continuous bed motion acquisition, image quality advantages, and workflow benefits compared to traditional step-and-shoot PET imaging.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou March 21, 2025 • 4 min read

Siemens CT Reconstruction Kernels: Understanding Image Sharpness and Quantitative Accuracy

Physics Pulse Series overview of Siemens CT reconstruction kernels, explaining kernel naming, resolution characteristics, and how kernel selection affects image quality and quantitative accuracy.

Ramses Herrera Habsburg
Ramses Herrera Habsburg February 28, 2025 • 3 min read

CT Protocol Optimization - Balancing Dose, Image Quality, and Compliance

Physics Pulse Series on CT protocol optimization: balancing diagnostic image quality with minimal radiation dose while meeting ACR and Joint Commission requirements.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou February 21, 2025 • 3 min read

The Technical Advantage of Time-of-Flight (TOF) in PET Imaging

Physics Pulse Series overview of Time-of-Flight (TOF) PET imaging, explaining how TOF improves image resolution, quantitative accuracy, and scan efficiency.

Nick Wellnitz
Nick Wellnitz February 20, 2025 • 3 min read

ACR Accreditation Physics Requirements

Comprehensive guide to ACR accreditation physics requirements, including testing protocols, documentation needs, and submission requirements for various imaging modalities.

Dr. Di Zhang
Dr. Di Zhang February 20, 2025 • 4 min read

Common Radiation Safety Violations and How to Avoid Them

A guide to the most common radiation safety violations identified during inspections and how imaging centers can proactively prevent them.

Ramses Herrera Habsburg
Ramses Herrera Habsburg February 20, 2025 • 3 min read

NRC Radioactive Material License Guide

Comprehensive guide to NRC radioactive material licensing for medical facilities, including application requirements, license types, and compliance obligations.

Nick Wellnitz
Nick Wellnitz February 20, 2025 • 3 min read

PET/CT Shielding Calculations Guide

Comprehensive guide to PET/CT shielding calculations, including gamma radiation considerations, shielding materials, and design principles.

Dr. Jiali Wang
Dr. Jiali Wang February 20, 2025 • 3 min read

Florida Radiation Safety Requirements for Imaging Centers

Comprehensive guide to Florida radiation safety requirements for imaging centers, including state regulations, compliance obligations, and best practices.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou February 13, 2025 • 3 min read

Understanding Common Isotopes in PET & Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

Physics Pulse Series overview of common PET and radiopharmaceutical therapy isotopes, including decay physics, clinical applications, and radiation safety considerations.

Dr. Troy Zhou
Dr. Troy Zhou January 24, 2025 • 2 min read

Evaluating the SMPTE Pattern: Ensuring Monitor Performance for Accurate CT Interpretation

Physics Pulse Series on SMPTE pattern evaluation: ensuring monitor performance, ACR compliance, and accurate diagnostic image interpretation.