• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.537-543
• /
• 2004

In order to create three-dimensional model for human body, a method that reconstructs geometric models from contour lines on cross-section images is commonly used. We can get a set of contour lines by acquiring CT or MR images and segmenting anatomical structures. Previously proposed method divides entire contour line into simply matched regions and clefts. Since long processing time is required for reconstructing cleft regions, its performance might be degraded when manipulating complex data such as cross-sections for human body. In this paper, we propose a fast reconstruction method. It generates a triangle strip with single tiling operation for simple region that does not contain branch structures. If there exist branches in contour lines, it partitions the contour line into several sub-contours by considering the number of vertices and their spatial distribution. We implemented an automatic surface reconstruction system by using our method which reconstructs three-dimensional models for anatomical structures.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.70-75
• /
• 2021

This paper presents a novel algorithm to reconstruct meso-scale representative volume elements (RVE), referring to experimentally observed features of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) composites. Predicting anisotropic mechanical properties of SMC composites is challenging in the multiscale virtual test using finite element (FE) models. To this end, an SMC RVE modeler consisting of a series of image processing techniques, the novel reconstruction algorithm, and a FE mesh generator for the SMC composites are developed. First, micro-CT image processing is conducted to estimate probabilistic distributions of two critical features, such as fiber chip orientation and distribution that are highly related to mechanical performance. Second, a reconstruction algorithm for 3D fiber chip packing is developed in consideration of the overlapping effect between fiber chips. Third, the macro-scale behavior of the SMC is predicted by the multiscale analysis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.607-613
• /
• 2021

Background Breast reconstruction using an extended latissimus dorsi (eLD) flap can supplement more volume than reconstruction using various local flaps after partial mastectomy, and it is a valuable surgical method since the reconstruction area is not limited. However, when performing reconstruction, the surgeon should consider latissimus dorsi (LD) volume reduction due to postoperative chemotherapy (POCTx) and postoperative radiotherapy (PORTx). To evaluate the effect of POCTx and PORTx on LD volume reduction, the effects of each therapy-both separately and jointly-need to be demonstrated. The present study quantified LD volume reduction in patients who underwent POCTx and PORTx after receiving breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with an eLD flap. Methods This study included 48 patients who received immediate breast reconstruction using an eLD flap from January 2013 to March 2017, had chest computed tomography (CT) 7-10 days after surgery and 10-14 months after radiotherapy completion, and were observed for more than 3 years postoperatively. One surgeon performed the breast reconstruction procedures, and measurements of breast volume were obtained from axial CT views, using a picture archiving and communication system. A P-value <0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. Results The average volume reduction of LD at 10-14 months after completing POCTx and PORTx was 64.5% (range, 42.8%-81.4%) in comparison to the volume measured 7-10 days after surgery. This change was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Based on the findings of this study, when harvesting an eLD flap, surgeons should anticipate an average LD volume reduction of 64.5% if chemotherapy and radiotherapy are scheduled after BCS with an eLD flap.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.297-305
• /
• 2010

Medical image acquisition techniques such as CT and MRI have disadvantages in that the numerous time and efforts are needed. Furthermore, a great amount of radiation exposure is an inherent proberty of the CT imaging technique, a number of side-effects are expected from such method. To improve such conventional methods, a number of novel methods that can obtain 3D medical images from a few X-ray images, such as algebraic reconstruction technique (ART), have been developed. Such methods deform a generic model of the internal body part and fit them into the X-ray images to obtain the 3D model; the initial shape, therefore, affects the entire fitting process in a great deal. From this fact, we propose a novel method that can generate a 3D vertebraic generic model based on the statistical database of CT scans in this study. Moreover, we also discuss a method to generate patient-tailored generic model using the facts obtained from the statistical analysis. To do so, the mesh topologies of CT-scanned 3D vertebra models are modified to be identical to each other, and the database is constructed based on them. Furthermore, from the results of a statistical analysis on the database, the tendency of shape distribution is characterized, and the modeling parameters are extracted. By using these modeling parameters for generating the patient-tailored generic model, the computational speed and accuracy of ART can greatly be improved. Furthermore, although this study only includes an application to the C1 (Atlas) vertebra, the entire framework of our method can be applied to other body parts generally. Therefore, it is expected that the proposed method can benefit the various medical imaging applications.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 2003

Purpose: To compare the measurements of the mandible and the detectability of the mandibular canal on reformatted images using a newly developed 3-dimensional implant simulation program with traditionally used CT multiplanar reconstruction program and true measurements. Materials and Methods: Ten dry dog mandibles were used in this study. Occlusal templates for CT examination were fabricated and marked with gutta perch a at ten sites. Axial CT scans were taken and reconstructed using DentaScan (D group) and Vimplant program (V group), and each mandible was sectioned at the previously marked sites (R group). Maximum vertical height (H) and maximum width (W) of the mandible, the distances from buccal border of the mandibular canal to the most buccal aspect of the mandible (X), and the distance from the superior border of the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest (Y) were measured, and the mandibular measurements in each group were compared. Detectability of mandibular canal was evaluated using a 3-point scale in both V and D groups by three oral radiologists and compared. Results: H in the V group was slightly greater than that in the D group, and Wand X in the V group was slightly less than those in the D group. H in the V group was less than that in the R group, and Wand X in the V group was larger than those in the R group. The detectability of the mandibular canal did not show statistically significant differences between V and D groups. Conclusion: The results of the experiment show that the newly developed, inexpensive Vimplant/TM/ simulation program can be used as an alternative to the traditionally used, and more expensive CT multiplanar reconstruction program.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.158-166
• /
• 2009

The application of CT with basis on 3 dimensional-reconstruction is getting more widely practiced. With the data obtained from cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT), not only the diagnosis of the patient with skeletal abnormality but also the virtual simulation of the orthognathic surgery were performed and its application would be popular in orthodontic field. We reported a case, a 19-year old man who was diagnosed mandibular prognathism and required orthognatic surgery. In this case, the virtual orthognathic surgery was simulated and surgical wafer was fabricated by using CBCT data. That wafer was applied the actual orthognathic surgery. After preoperative orthodontic treatment, we prepared surgery as follows. : (l)Acquisition of 3D image data, (2)Reconstruction of 3-dimensional virtual model, (3)Virtual model surgery, (4)Extraction of stere-olithographic image, (5)Check-up for occlusal interference, (6)Fabrication of surgical stent by stereolithography. Bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy was operated and used stereolithographic surgical stent. 1 month later, we superimposed CBCT datas of virtual surgery and that of actual surgery, and then compared the result. CT data's application for othognathic surgery yielded satisfactory outcomes.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
• /
• v.51 no.12
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2014

When evaluating the spatial resolution images and evaluation of low contrast resolution using CT standard phantom, and might present a automated quantitative evaluation method for minimizing errors by subjective judgment of the evaluator be, and try to evaluate the usefulness. 120kVp and 250mAs, 10mm collimation, SFOV(scan field of view) of 25cm or more than, exposure conditions DFOV(display field of view) of 25cm, and were evaluated the 24 passing images and 20 failing images taken using a standard reconstruction algorithm by using the Nuclear Associates, Inc. AAPM CT Performance Phantom(Model 76-410). Quantitative evaluation of low contrast resolution and spatial resolution was using an evaluation program that was self-developed using the company Mathwork Matlab(Ver. 7.6. (R2008a)) software. In this study, the results were evaluated using the evaluation program that was self-developed in the evaluation of images using CT standard phantom, it was possible to evaluate an objective numerical qualitative evaluation item. First, if the contrast resolution, if EI is 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, as a result of evaluating quantitatively the results were evaluated qualitatively match. Second, if CNR is -0.0018~-0.0010, as a result of evaluating quantitatively the results were evaluated qualitatively match. Third, if the spatial resolution, as a result of using a image segmentation technique, and automatically extract the contour boundary of the hole, as a result of evaluating quantitatively the results were evaluated qualitatively match.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.624-633
• /
• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of CT measurements of muscle quantity and quality using variable CT parameters. Materials and Methods: A phantom, simulating the L2-4 vertebral levels, was used for this study. CT images were repeatedly acquired with modulation of tube voltage, tube current, slice thickness, and the image reconstruction algorithm. Reference standard muscle compartments were obtained from the reference maps of the phantom. Cross-sectional area based on the Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds of muscle and its components, and the mean density of the reference standard muscle compartment, were used to measure the muscle quantity and quality using different CT protocols. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated in the images acquired with different settings. Results: The skeletal muscle area (threshold, -29 to 150 HU) was constant, regardless of the protocol, occupying at least 91.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. Conversely, normal attenuation muscle area (30-150 HU) was not constant in the different protocols, varying between 59.7% and 81.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. The mean density was lower than the target density stated by the manufacturer (45 HU) in all cases (range, 39.0-44.9 HU). The SNR decreased with low tube voltage, low tube current, and in sections with thin slices, whereas it increased when the iterative reconstruction algorithm was used. Conclusion: Measurement of muscle quantity using HU threshold was reliable, regardless of the CT protocol used. Conversely, the measurement of muscle quality using the mean density and narrow HU thresholds were inconsistent and inaccurate across different CT protocols. Therefore, further studies are warranted in future to determine the optimal CT protocols for reliable measurements of muscle quality.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.18-23
• /
• 2010

Purpose: PET/CT combines functional and morphologic data and increases diagnostic accuracy in a variety of malignancies. Especially reconstructed Fusion PET/CT images or MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) images from a 2-dimensional image to a 3-dimensional one are useful in visualization of the lesion. But in Fusion & MIP 3D reconstruction image, due to hot uptake by urine or urostomy bag, lesion is overlapped so it is difficult that we can distinguish the lesion with the naked eye. This research tries to improve a distinction by removing parts of hot uptake. Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted the object of patients who have went to our hospital from September 2008 to March 2009 and have a lot of urine of remaining volume as disease of uterus, bladder, rectum in the result of PET/CT examination. We used GE Company's Advantage Workstation AW4.3 05 Version Volume Viewer program. As an analysis method, set up ROI in region of removal in axial volume image, select Cut Outside and apply same method in coronal volume image. Next, adjust minimum value in Threshold of 3D Tools, select subtraction in Advanced Processing. It makes Fusion & MIP images and compares them with the image no using Region Cut Definition. Results: In Fusion & MIP 3D reconstruction image, it makes Fusion & MIP images and compares them by using Advantage Workstation AW4.3 05's Region Cut Subtraction, parts of hot uptake according to patient's urine can be removed. Distinction of lesion was clearly reconstructed in image using Region Cut Definition. Conclusion: After examining the patients showing hot uptake on account of volume of urine intake in bladder, in process of reconstruction image, if parts of hot uptake would be removed, it could contribute to offering much better diagnostic information than image subtraction of conventional method. Especially in case of disease of uterus, bladder and rectum, it will be helpful for qualitative improvement of image.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2012

In this study, a simple post-reconstruction dual-energy computed tomography (CT) method is proposed. A dual-energy CT algorithm for monochromatic x-rays was adopted and applied to the dual-energy CT of polychromatic x-rays by assigning a representative mono-energy. The accuracy of algorithm implementation was tested with mathematical phantoms. To test the sensitivity of this algorithm to the inaccuracy of representative energy value in energy values, a simulation study was performed with mathematical phantom. To represent a polychromatic x-ray energy spectrum with a single-energy, mean energy and equivalent energy were used, and the results were compared. The feasibility of the proposed method was experimentally tested with two different micro-CTs and a test phantom made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), water, and graphite. The dual-energy calculations were carried out with CT images of all possible energy pairs among 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 kVp. The effective atomic number and the electron density values obtained from the proposed method were compared with theoretical values. The results showed that, except the errors in the effective atomic number of graphite, most of the errors were less than 10 % for both CT scanners, and for the combination of 60 kVp and 70 kVp, errors less than 6.0 % could be achieved with a Polaris 90 CT. The proposed method shows simplicity of calibration, demonstrating its practicality and feasibility for use with a general polychromatic CT.