• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.384-387
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• 2003

In this paper, the evaluation of image quality was performed for digital radiography which is developing in using amorphous selenium as a photoconductor material for the purpose of offering basic research data and measurement technique about Medical Imaging Quality. So Modulation Transfer Function as a main factor of imaging quality evaluation was investigated by slit method. For measurement of MTF, Nuclear associates. 07-624 Slit camera image was obtained to study the variation of MTF corresponding to changing spatial frequency. And Presampling MTF was estimated by slit camera image with $10\;{\mu}m$ width at Digital Radiography. In this study, the obtained data demonstrates that the clinical value of a direct conversion type digital radiation detector using the amorphous selenium, which is being developed by domestic technology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2017

This study identifies the optimal tube voltages depending on the changes in the patient's body type for limb tests using a digital radiography (DR) system. For the upper-limp test, the dose area product (DAP) was fixed at $5.06dGy{\ast} cm^2$, and for the lower-limb test, the DAP was fixed at $5.04dGy{\ast} cm^2$. Afterwards, the tube voltage was changed to four different stages and the images were taken three times at each stage. The thickness of the limbs was increased by 10 mm to 30 mm to change in the patient's body type. For a quantitative evaluation, Image J was used to calculate the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) among the four groups, according to the tube voltage. For statistical testing, the statistically significant differences were analyzed through the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. For the qualitative analysis of the images, the pre-determined items were evaluated based on a 5-point Likert scale. In both upper-limb and lower-limb tests, the more the tube voltage increased, the more the CNR and SNR of the images decreased. The test on the changes depending on the patient's body shape showed that the more the thickness increased, the more the CNR and SNR decreased. In the qualitative evaluation on the upper limbs, the more the tube voltage increased, the more score increased to 4.6 at the maximum of 55kV and 3.6 at 40kV, respectively. The mean score for the lower limbs was 4.4, regardless of the tube voltage. The more either the upper or lower limbs got thicker, the more the score generally decreased. The score of the upper limps sharply dropped at 40kV, whereas that of the lower limps sharply dropped at 50kV. For patients with a standard thickness, the optimized images can be obtained when taken at 45kV for the upper limbs, and at 50kV for the lower limbs. However, when the thickness of the patient's limbs increases, it is best to set the tube voltage at 50 kV for the upper limbs and at 55 kV for the lower limbs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was intended to recognize the importance of quality control (QC) in order to reduce exposure and improve image quality by comparing the center-point (CP) of according to hospital grade and the difference between X-ray field (XF) and light field (LF) in diagnostic digital X-ray devices. XF and LF size, CP were measured in 12 digital X-ray devices at 10 hospitals located in 00 metropolitan cities. Phantom was made in different width respectively, using 0.8 mm wire after attaching to the standardized graph paper on transparent plastic plate and marked as cross wire in the center of the phantom. After placing the phantom on the table of the digital X-ray device, the images were obtained by shooting it vertically each field of survey. All images were acquired under the same conditions of exposure at distance of 100cm between the focus-detector. XF and LF size, CP error were measured using the picture archiving communication system. data were expressed as mean with standard error and then analyzed using SPSS ver. 22.0. The difference in field between the XF and LF size was the smallest in clinic, followed by university hospitals, hospitals and general hospitals. Based on the university hospitals with the least CP error, there was a statistically significant difference in CP error between university hospitals and clinics (p=0.024). Group less than 36-month after QC had fewer statistical errors than 36-month group (0.26 vs. 0.88, p=0.036). The difference between the XF and LF size was the lowest in clinic and CP error was the lowest in university hospital. Moreover, hospitals with short period of time after QC have fewer CP error and it means that introduction of timely QC according to the QC items is essential.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.72-72
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• 2009

본 연구에서는 Photoconductor materials 기반의 평판형 X-ray Detector film 제작에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 기존의 광도전성 물질로 사용되어 오던 비정질 셀레늄(Amorphous seleinum; a-Se) 기반의 디지털 방사선 검출기 보다 높은 신호 및 동작 특성을 가지는 Mercury Iodide(HgI2)와 열적, 전기적 특성이 안정적이며, 소자의 동작특성이 우수한 Lead Oxide(PbO) 기반의 X-ray Detector film의 개발에 있어서 각각 HgI2 및 PbO 두 물질 층을 적정비율에 맞추어 제작함으로써 최적의 X-ray Detector를 구현하고자 하였다. 이는 빠른 영상획득을 통해 기존의 방식이 가지는 문제점을 해결하고 의료기기 디지털화를 구현할 수 있는 차세대 시스템을 개발하고자 하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 기존의 진공증착법의 두꺼운 대면적 필름의 제조가 어려운 문제점을 해결하고자 Particle In Binder method(PIB) 방법을 이용하여 $3"{\times}3"$사이즈의 두께 $200{\mu}m$의 다결정의 Photoconductor 필름을 제조하여 전기적 특성을 평가하였다. 제작된 필름의 전기적 특성을 dark current, X-선 sensitivity와 SNR(Signal to -Noise Rate) 등을 측정하여 정량적으로 평가 하였다. 기준 실험으로 진행한 DG 2.1 바인더를 사용한 single-HgI2 층에서 보다 높은 sensitivity 값을 보였지만 높은 dark current로 인해 SNR이 떨어지는 결과를 볼 수 있었다. 본 연구에서 제시하는 두 Photoconductor material의 Soaking method를 이용한 실험에서는 single-HgI2에 해당하는 높은 sensitivity 및 저감된 dark current로 인해 높은 SNR 값을 획득하였다. 하지만 습도와 같은 주변 환경에 의한 재현성 문제로 인한 신호값의 불안정성에 대한 문제점도 남아 있으므로, 차후 최적화된 material 제작 공정을 위한 연구가 꾸준히 진행 되어져야 할 것이다.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.273-282
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was to propose the utility which was evaluated the digital image processing and clinical application of the videodensitomery. The experiments were performed with IBM-PC/16bit-AT compatible, video camera(CCdtr55, Sony Co., Japan), an color monitor(MultiSync 3D, NEC, Japan) providing the resolution of 512×480 and 64 levels of gray. Sylvia Image Capture Board for the ADC(analog to digital converter) was used, composed of digitized image from digital signal and the radiographic density was measured by 256 level of gray. The periapical radiograph(Ektaspeed EP-21, Kodak Co., U. S. A) which was radiographed dried human mandible by exposure condition of 70 kVp and 48 impulses, was used for primary X-ray detector. And them evaluated for digitzed image by low and high pass filtering, correlations between aluminum equivalent values and the thickness of aluminum step wedge, aluminum equivalent values of sound enamel, dentin, and alveolar bone, the range of diffuse density for gray level ranging from 0 to 255. The obtained results were as follows: 1. The edge between aluminum steps of digitized image were somewhat blurred by low pass filtering, but edge enhancement could be resulted by high pass filtering. Expecially, edge enhancement between distal root of lower left 2nd molar and alveolar lamina dura was observed. 2. The correlation between aluminum equivalent values and the thickness of aluminum step wedge was intimated, yielding the coefficient of correlation r=0.9997(p<0.00l), the regression line was described by Y=0.9699X+0.456, and coefficient of variation amounting to 1.5%. 3. The aluminum equivalent values of sound enamel, dentin, and alvolar bone were 15.41㎜, 12.48㎜, 10.35㎜, respectively. 4. The range of diffuse density for gray level ranging from 0 to 255 was wider enough than that of photodenstiometer to be within the range of 1-4.9.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2004

Purpose: To compare three digital radiographic imaging sensors by evaluating the visibility of endodontic file tips with interobserver reproducibility and assessing subjectively the clarity of images in comparison with the x-ray film images. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted sound premolars were used for this study. Fifteen plaster blocks were made with three premolars each and #8, 10, 15 K-flexofiles were inserted into the root canal of premolars. They were radiographically exposed using periapical x-ray films (Kodak Insight Dental film, Eastmann Kodak company, Rochester, USA), Digora imaging plates (Soredex-Orion Co., Helsinki, Finland), CDX 2000HQ sensors (Biomedisys Co., Seoul, Korea), and CDR sensors (Schick Inc., Long Island, USA). The visibility of endodontic files was evaluated with interobserver reproducibility, which was calculated as the standard deviations of X, Y coordinates of endodontic file tips measured on digital images by three oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The clarity of images was assessed subjectively using 3 grades, i.e. plus, equal, and minus in comparison with the conventional x-ray film images. Results: Interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tips was the highest in CDR sensor (p < 0.05) only except at Y coordinates of #15 file. In the subjective assessment of the image clarity, the plus grade was the most frequent in CDR sensor at all size of endodontic file (p < 0.05). Conclusion : CDR sensor was the most superior to the other sensors, CDX 2000HQ sensor and Digora imaging plate in the evaluation of interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tip and subjective assessment of image clarity.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.261-274
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• 1999

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimal distance and angle of observers by modulation transfer functions(MTFs) and receiver operating characteristics(ROCs), Material and Methods: Digital periapical radiograms were taken from 43 patients who have dental diseases(19 patients : dental caries. 12 patients : periapical lesions, 12 patients : periodontal diseases). Segmental images(4×4cm) were evaluated by 4 MTFs and ROC analysis. Results: The optimal distance(magnification) using MTF by Mannos & Sakrison was 12.97. and those by Nill. Ngan and Rao were 8.39, 4.78. 5.84 respectively. The optimal distance obtained from 4 radiologists by ROC analysis was 32cm(Az value: 0.89). and it was 40cm(Az value: 0.78) from 4 non-radiologists. There were significant differences of Az values between 4 radiologists and 4 non-radiologists at 24. 32 and 40cm (P<0.05). No significant differences of optimal distances were observed using 4 MTFs among +20, +10, 0, -10, -20 degrees(P>0.05). The optimal angle obtained from 4 radiologists by ROC analysis was +20 degree(Az value: 0.91). and no significant differences of Az values were observed among +20, +10, 0, -10 and -20 degrees(P>0.05). The optimal angle obtained from 4 non-radiologists by ROC analysis was 0 degree(Az value : 0.81). and no significant differences of Az values were observed among +20, +10, 0, -10 and -20 degrees(P>0.05). And there was significant difference of Az value between 4 radiologists and 4 non-radiologists at +20 degree(P<0.05). but no significant differences of Az values were observed among +10, 0, -10 and -20 degrees(P>0.05).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.363-373
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• 1995

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare observer performance between conventional radiographs and their digitized images for the detection of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandiblar first molar. One dried human mandible with minimal periodontal bone loss around the first molar was selected and serially enlarged 17 step defects were prepared in the bifurcation area. The mandible was radiographed with exposure time of 0.12, 0.20, 0.25, 0.32, 0.40, 0.64 seconds, after each successive step in the preperation and all radiographs were digitized with IBM-PC/32 bit-Dx compatible, video camera (VM-S8200, Hitachi Co., Japan), and color monitor(Multisync 3D, NEC, Japan). Sylvia Image Capture Board for the ADC(analog to digital converter) was used. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In the conventional radiographs, the mean score of the readability was higher at the condition of exposure time with 0.32 second. Also, as the size of artificial lesion was increased, the readability of radiographs was elevated (P<0.05). 2. In the digital images, the mean score of the readability was higher at the condition of exposure time with 0.40 second. Also, as the size of artificial lesion was increased, the readability of digital images was elevated(P<0.05). 3. At the same exposure time, the mean scores of readibility were mostly higher in the digitized images. As the exposure time was increased, the digital images were superior to radiographs in readability. 4. As the size of lesion was changed, the digital images were superior to radiographs in detecting small lesion. 5. The coefficient of variation of mean score has no significant difference between digital images and radiographs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.155-158
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• 2010

Digital radiographic systems allow the implementation of a fully digital picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and provide the greater dynamic range of digital detectors with possible reduction of X-ray exposure to the patient. This article reviewed the basic physical principles of digital radiographic imaging system in dental clinics generally. Digital radiography can be divided into computed radiography (CR) and direct radiography (DR). CR systems acquire digital images using phosphor storage plates (PSP) with a separate image readout process. On the other hand, DR systems convert X-rays into electrical charges by means of a direct readout process. DR systems can be further divided into direct and indirect conversion systems depending on the type of X-ray conversion. While a direct conversion requires a photoconductor that converts X-ray photons into electrical charges directly, in an indirect conversion, lightsensitive sensors such as CCD or a flat-panel detector convert visible light, proportional to the incident X-ray energy by a scintillator, into electrical charges. Indirect conversion sensors using CCD or CMOS without lens-coupling are used in intraoral radiography. CR system using PSP is mainly used in extraoral radiographic system and a linear array CCD or CR sensors, in panoramic system. Currently, the digital radiographic system is an important subject in the dental field. Most studies reported that no significant difference in diagnostic performance was found between the digital and conventional systems. To accept advances in technology and utilize benefits provided by the systems, the continuous feedback between doctors and manufacturers is essential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2017

Among 45 patients of herniation of intervertebral disc with $L_4$ to $L_5$ herniation, who underwent infrared thermography, the number of female was larger than male and the age of 50s was highest. From the results measured from the distribution table, we have confirmed that there was no significant difference depending on sex and age (p> 0.05). The region of the highest ROI temperature for patients with $L_4-L_5$ intervertebral disc prolapse was the back of the posterior right tibia, and followed by the back of the left shin bone-below the front right knee-below the front left knee. There was a significant difference depending on the measured site. The average ROI temperature for patients was $30.30{\pm}0.50$ whereas that for normal persons was $31.20{\pm}0.58$, yielding the temperature difference of $0.66{\pm}0.59$ between the two groups. The ROI of patients was lower than $31.20{\pm}0.58$ (p <0.05) because the significance of the sample, which has been obtained from the results of a sample t-test, was less than 0.05 (p <0.05). From further researches, it may necessary to develope the methodology for correcting data regarding thermal environment and, in addition, to develope a new thermal index based on it. Therefore, we can confirm that pre-treatment for infrared thermography is very important in order to minimize the procedure for correcting data. It is required that radiologists who inspect disc herniations should carefully observe and consider the patients during their measurements.