• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.2854-2863
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• 2023

Objective: To present a hybrid approach that incorporates a constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) and deep learning (DL)-based post-refinement for metal artifact reduction in dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) is derived from a polychromatic X-ray attenuation model with respect to X-ray transmission length, which calculates associated parameters numerically. Deep-learning-based post-refinement with an artifact disentanglement network (ADN) is performed to mitigate the remaining dark shading regions around a metal. Artifact disentanglement network (ADN) supports an unsupervised learning approach, in which no paired CBCT images are required. The network consists of an encoder that separates artifacts and content and a decoder for the content. Additionally, ADN with data normalization replaces metal regions with values from bone or soft tissue regions. Finally, the metal regions obtained from the CBHE are blended into reconstructed images. The proposed approach is systematically assessed using a dental phantom with two types of metal objects for qualitative and quantitative comparisons. Results: The proposed hybrid scheme provides improved image quality in areas surrounding the metal while preserving native structures. Conclusion: This study may significantly improve the detection of areas of interest in many dentomaxillofacial applications.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.97-102
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• 2004

소 동물 촬영에 이용될 수 있는 고해상도의 x-선 cone-beam micro computed tomography (micro-CT) 시스템을 개발하였다 Micro-CT 시스템은 120${\times}$120 mm2 의 2차원 평판 x-선 감지기, micro-focus x-선 발생장치, 주사 기구부, 병렬처리 영상 재구성 시스템으로 이루어져 있다. 개발된 시스템의 성능을 평가하기 위해 대조도와 공간해상도를 측정하였다. 대조도 실험에서는 95 mGy 에서 36 CT-번호를 구별할 수 있음을 확인하였고, 공간 해상도 실험에서는 14 lp/mm 의 성능을 확인하였다. 소 동물 촬영 결과로 실험용 쥐의 대퇴부, 심장 그리고 복부 동맥 혈관을 촬영한 경상을 제시하였다. 개발된 micro-CT 시스템은 소 동물을 이용한 생명공학 분야 연구에 널리 이용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.195-199
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• 2008

The carbon fiber has low x-ray absorption property and high stiffness. This is the reason why many CT(Computed Tomography) manufacturer use carbon fiber in couch tabletop for CT scanner. In this paper, we design and make the couch tabletop made of carbon fiber composite, and verify the validity in CT scanner. In designing the couch tabletop, to determine the aluminum equivalent thickness of couch tabletop, we evaluate X-ray the transmissivity of aluminum and carbon plate in 80-120kVp X-ray energy range. And we perform structural analysis and mechanical design using determined thickness of carbon sheet. In conclusion, it was evaluated that manufactured couch tabletop satisfies X-ray transmissivity and mechanical requirements in CT scanner.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.16-21
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• 2016

Computed tomography (CT) can completely digitize the interior and the exterior of nearly any object without any destruction. Generally, the resolution for industrial CT is below a few microns. The industrial CT scanning, however, has a limitation because it requires long measuring and processing time. Whereas, 2D X-ray imaging is fast. In this paper, we propose a novel concept of 3D non-destructive inspection technique using the advantages of both micro-CT and dual X-ray images. After registering the master object’s CT data and the sample objects’ dual X-ray images, 3D non-destructive inspection is possible by analyzing the matching results. Calculation for the registration is accelerated by parallel computing using graphics processing unit (GPU).

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.127-134
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• 2022

In order to overcome the image quality limitations of the conventional C-arm, a flat panel detector (FPD) is used to enhance spatial resolution, detective quantum efficiency, frame rate, and dynamic range. Three-dimensional (3D) visualized information can be obtained from C-arm computed tomography (CT) equipped with an FPD, which can reduce patient discomfort and provide various medical information to health care providers by conducting procedures in the interventional procedure room without moving the patient to the CT scan room. Unlike a conventional C-arm device, a C-arm CT requires different basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria; therefore, in this study, basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria to protect patients, medical staff, and radiologists were derived based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) standards in Korea, and the rules on the installation and operation of special medical equipment in Korea. As a result of the study, six basic safety evaluation criteria related to electrical and mechanical radiation safety (leakage current, collision protection, emergency stopping device, overheating, recovery management, and ingress of water or particulate matter into medical electrical (ME) equipment and ME systems: footswitches) and 14 essential performance evaluation criteria (accuracy of tube voltage, accuracy of tube current, accuracy of loading time, accuracy of current time product, reproducibility of radiation output, linearity and consistency in radiography, half layer value in X-ray equipment, focal size and collimator, relationship between X-ray field and image reception area, consistency of light irradiation versus X-ray irradiation, performance of the mechanical device, focal spot to skin distance accuracy, image quality evaluation, and technical characteristic of cone-beam computed tomography) were selected for a total of 20 criteria.

• 전자통신동향분석
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

In modern times, X-ray imaging has become a necessary tool for early diagnosis, quality control, nondestructive testing, and security screening. X-ray imaging equipment generally comprises an X-ray generator and an image sensor. Most commercially available X-ray generators employ filament-thermionic electron-based X-ray tubes, thus demonstrating typical analog behavior, such as slow response and large stray X-rays. Furthermore, digital X-ray sources, which have been studied extensively using field electron emitters manufactured from nanometer-scale materials, provide fast and accurately controlled ultra-shot X-rays. This could usher in a new era of X-ray imaging in medical diagnosis and nondestructive inspections. Specifically, digital X-ray sources, with reduced X-ray dose, can significantly improve the temporal and spatial resolution of fluoroscopy and computed tomography. Recently, digital X-ray tube technologies based on carbon nanotubes, developed by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, have been transferred to several companies and commercialized for dental imaging for the first time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.228-232
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• 1995

Computed tomography[CT is an effective technique for the evaluation of the thorax following blunt trauma. To evaluate multiply injured 30 patients who were diagnosed as hemothorax in emergency room, computed tomography of thorax was done. The thickness of slice was one centimeter and the entire pleural cavity from the apex to the costophrenic angle was included in the evaluation. Integration and addition of the hemothorax area for each CT slice was made and amount of blood in the pleural cavity was estimated. The slice which showed largest area of hemothorax was selected and the height and width of the hemothorax area were measured. The number of slices which showed radiographic evidence of hemothorax was counted. Regression analysis was done and measured amount of hemothorax, the height and width of the hemothorax area for each slice and number of slices were put as variables. And following equation was derived. V=108.3A-0.8B-7.4C+84.7 [R2=0.74 [ V: amount of hemothorax, A: height, B: width, C: number of slices Total amount of blood from thoracic drainage was compared to the measured amount by computed tomography and the relation between the two values was statistically significant.[p=0.001 In conclusion, quantitative estimation of size of hemothorax was possible by the above equation and the process was very helpful for determination policy of treatment of individual patient.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.279-285
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the influence of anatomic location on the relationship between computed tomography (CT) number and X-ray attenuation in limited and medium field-of-view (FOV) scans. Materials and Methods: Tubes containing solutions with different concentrations of $K_2HPO_4$ were placed in the tooth sockets of a human head phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and CT numbers of the $K_2HPO_4$ solutions were measured. The relationship between CT number and $K_2HPO_4$ concentration was examined by linear regression analyses. Then, the variation in CT number according to anatomic location was examined. Results: The relationship between $K_2HPO_4$ concentration and CT number was strongly linear. The slopes of the linear regressions for the limited FOVs were almost 2-fold lower than those for the medium FOVs. The absolute CT number differed between imaging protocols and anatomic locations. Conclusion: There is a strong linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and CT number. The specific imaging protocol and anatomic location of the object strongly influence this relationship.

• Hip & pelvis
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.233-240
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous computed tomography (CT) and quantitative CT (QCT) in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (OHF) by analyzing the osteoporosis detection rate and physician prescription rate in comparison with those of conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Materials and Methods: This study included consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent internal fixation or hip arthroplasty for OHF between February and May 2015. The patients were assigned to either the QCT (47 patients) or DXA group (51 patients). The patients in the QCT group underwent QCT with hip CT, whereas those in the DXA group underwent DXA after surgery, before discharge, or in the outpatient clinic. In both groups, the patients received osteoporosis medication according to their QCT or DXA results. The osteoporosis evaluation rate and prescription rate were determined at discharge, postoperative (PO) day 2, PO day 6, and PO week 12 during an outpatient clinic visit. Results: The osteoporosis evaluation rate at PO week 12 was 70.6% (36 of 51 patients) in the DXA group and 100% in the QCT group (P<0.01). The prescription rates of osteoporosis medication at discharge were 70.2% and 29.4% (P<0.001) and the cumulative prescription rates at PO week 12 were 87.2% and 60.8% (P=0.003) in the QCT and DXA groups, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous CT and QCT significantly increased the evaluation and prescription rates in patients with OHF and may enable appropriate and consistent prescription of osteoporosis medication, which may eventually lead to patients' medication compliance.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.212-218
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• 2020

흉부 영상을 통해 진단 가능한 병변은 무기폐, 심비대, 덩어리, 기흉, 삼출 등 그 종류가 수십 가지에 이른다. 흉부 병변의 정확한 진단과 위치 및 크기를 판단하기 위해 일반적으로 전산화단층촬영(CT) 검사가 필요하지만, 전산화단층촬영은 검사 비용과 방사선 피폭 등의 단점이 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 흉부 병변 진단의 일차적 선별도구로서 방사선검사(X-ray) 영상에서 병변 유무 판단을 위한 딥러닝 알고리즘을 제안한다. 제안하는 알고리즘은 병변의 유무 판단에 최적화하기 위해 다양한 구성 방법들을 비교하여 설계하였다. 실험 결과, 기존 알고리즘보다 병변 유무 판단률이 약 1% 정도 향상되었다.