• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2010

This study determines a range of CT parameter values in Brain CT which are minimizing patient absorption dose without compromising the image quality and optimal exposure condition. We measured dose and image noise using conventional CT parameters in Brain CT. In additon, we evaluated dose, SNR and PSNR of head phantom images while changing kVp and rotation time. In this study, effectiveness of dose that was achieved from dose reproducible experiments in conventional head CT condition is determined by changing kVp and rotation time. Dose and PSNR is related to low dose-high resolution condition. In conclusion, we suggest that using proposed conditions is effective for imaging to compare with conditions proposed by the manufacturer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 1998

In this paper, we present the performances of a Doppler system using single channel RF(Radio Frequency) sampling. This technique consists of undersampling the ultrasonic blood backscattered RF signal on a single channel. Conventional undersampling method in Doppler imaging system have to use a minimum of two identical parallel demodulation channels to reconstruct the multigate analytic Doppler signal. However, this system suffers from hardware complexity and problem of unbalance(gain and phase) between the channels. In order to reduce these problems, we have realized a multigate pulsed Doppler system using undersampling on a single channel, It requires sampling frequency at $4f_o$(where $f_o$ is the center frequency of the transducer) and 12bits A/D converter. The proposed " single-Channel RF Sampling" method aims to decrease the required sampling frequency proportionally to $4f_o$/(2k+1). To show the influence of the factor k on the measurements, we have compared the velocity profiles obtained in vitro and in vivo for different intersequence delays time (k=0 to 10). We have used a 4MHz center frequency transducer and a Phantom Doppler system with a laminar stationary flow. The axial and volumetric velocity profiles in the vessel have been computed according to factor k and have been compared. The influence of the angle between the ultrasonic beam and the flow axis direction, and the fluid viscosity on the velocity profiles obtained for different values of k factor is presented. For experiment in vivo on the carotid, we have used a data acquisition system with a sampling frequency of 20MHz and a dynamic range of 12bits. We have compared the axial velocity profiles in systole and diastole phase obtained for single channel RF sampling factor.ng factor.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 2018

Purpose: To assess the effects of object position in the field of view (FOV) and application of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm on the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the detection of vertical root fractures(VRFs). Materials and Methods: Sixty human single-canal premolars received root canal treatment. VRFs were induced in 30 endodontically treated teeth. The teeth were then divided into 4 groups, with 2 groups receiving metal posts and the remaining 2 only having an empty post space. The roots from different groups were mounted in a phantom made of cow rib bone, and CBCT scans were obtained for the 4 different groups. Three observers evaluated the images independently. Results: The highest frequency of correct diagnoses of VRFs was obtained with the object positioned centrally in the FOV, using the MAR algorithm. Peripheral positioning of the object without the MAR algorithm yielded the highest sensitivity for the first observer (66.7%). For the second and third observers, a central position improved sensitivity, with or without the MAR algorithm. In the presence of metal posts, central positioning of the object in the FOV significantly increased the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy compared to peripheral positioning. Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy was higher with central positioning than with peripheral positioning, irrespective of whether the MAR algorithm was applied. However, the effect of the MAR algorithm was more significant with central positioning than with peripheral positioning of the object in the FOV. The clinical experience and expertise of the observers may serve as a confounder in this respect.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.629-633
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• 2021

This article is designed to look into the radiation exposure dose to each body part and the shielding effect for workers using an additional shielding to reduce their radiation exposured by scattering radiation which is generated in a space between the operating table and lead curtain during interventional radiology(IR) procedures. After placing a human phantom on the table of SIEMENS' angiography machine, the following measurements were taken, depending on the presence of an additional shield of lead equivalent of 0.25 mmPb, manufactured for this purpose: dose to gonad, dose to an area where the personal dosimeter is placed, and dose to an area of eye lens is located. An ion chamber(chamber volume 1,800 cc) was utilized to measure scattering radiation. The two imaging tests were carried out as follows: fluoroscopy of the abdomen (66 kV, 100 mA, 60 seconds) and of the head (70 kV, 65 mA, 60 seconds); and digital subtraction angiography(DSA) of the abdomen (67 kV, 264 mA, 20 seconds) and of the head (79 kV, 300 mA, 20 seconds). In all the experiments, the shielding efficiency of the gonad position was the largest at 59.8%. In case an additional shielding was used as protection against scattering radiation that came through the operating table and the lead curtain during an IR, the radiation shielding efficiency was estimated to be up to 59.8%, leading to a conclusion that its presence may effectively reduce the radiation exposure dose of medical staffs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3403-3414
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to model and optimize the block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) algorithm and to evaluate its applicability in brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images using a fan beam collimator. For quantitative evaluation of the noise level, the coefficient of variation (COV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were used, and finally, a no-reference-based evaluation parameter was used for optimization of the BM3D algorithm in the brain SPECT images. As a result, optimized results were derived when the sigma values of the BM3D algorithm were 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 in brain SPECT images acquired for 5, 10, and 15 s, respectively. In addition, when the sigma value of the optimized BM3D algorithm was applied, superior results were obtained compared with conventional filtering methods. In particular, we confirmed that the COV and CNR of the images obtained using the BM3D algorithm were improved by 2.40 and 2.33 times, respectively, compared with the original image. In conclusion, the usefulness of the optimized BM3D algorithm in brain SPECT images using a fan beam collimator has been proven, and based on the results, it is expected that its application in various nuclear medicine examinations will be possible.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to measure the radiation exposure and image quality of various cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) machines under common clinical conditions and to analyze the correlation between them. Materials and Methods: Seven CBCT machines used frequently in clinical practice were selected. Because each machine has various sizes of fields of view (FOVs), 1 large FOV and 1 small FOV were selected for each machine. Radiation exposure was measured using a dose-area product (DAP) meter. The quality of the CBCT images was analyzed using 8 image quality parameters obtained using a dental volume tomography phantom. For statistical analysis, regression analysis using a generalized linear model was used. Results: Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) noise and modulation transfer function (MTF) 10% showed statistically significant correlations with DAP values, presenting positive and negative correlations, respectively (P<0.05). Image quality parameters other than PMMA noise and MTF 10% did not demonstrate statistically significant correlations with DAP values. Conclusion: As radiation exposure and image quality are not proportionally related in clinically used equipment, it is necessary to evaluate and monitor radiation exposure and image quality separately.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2018-2025
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• 2023

In our previous study, we proposed an integrated PG-PET-based imaging method to increase the prediction accuracy for patient dose distributions. The purpose of the present study is to experimentally validate the feasibility of the PG-PET system. Based on the detector geometry optimized in the previous study, we constructed a dual-head PG-PET system consisting of a 16 × 16 GAGG scintillator and KETEK SiPM arrays, BaSO₄ reflectors, and an 8 × 8 parallel-hole tungsten collimator. The performance of this system as equipped with a proof of principle, we measured the PG and positron emission (PE) distributions from a 3 × 6 × 10 cm³ PMMA phantom for a 45 MeV proton beam. The measured depth was about 17 mm and the expected depth was 16 mm in the computation simulation under the same conditions as the measurements. In the comparison result, we can find a 1 mm difference between computation simulation and measurement. In this study, our results show the feasibility of the PG-PET system for in-vivo range verification. However, further study should be followed with the consideration of the typical measurement conditions in the clinic application.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2023

As an auxiliary tool for fixing the patient's posture when taking an X-ray, sponges with high radiolucencies are laminated in various thicknesses. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of an auxiliary tool for hand oblique projection X-ray by manufacturing it with a uniform thickness by 3D printing and comparing it with existing sponge tools. In the auxiliary tool, radiolucency was measured at the stairs where each finger was located, and pixel information values were compared in the digital imaging and communications in medicine(DICOM) image. Contrast to noise ratio(CNR) and signal to noise ratio(SNR) were compared by shooting the hand phantom and the auxiliary tool together. As the thickness of the sponge tool increased, radiolucency decreased by 15.52% and pixel information value increased by 20.61%. The transmittance of the 3D printing tool increased by 0.82%, and the pixel information value differed by 5.66%. CNR and SNR increased by 20.03% and 22.42% in 3D printing compared to existing sponge tools. while taking hand oblique projection, maintaining the thickness of the auxiliary tool uniformly through 3D printing maintains high radiolucency and minimal impact on medical images, and increases CNR and SNR, making it useful as an auxiliary tool for taking hand oblique projection.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.185-190
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• 2023

The root canal morphology undergoes aging-related changes, and relevant quantitative analyses have not yet been reported. We compared the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and micro-computed tomography (microCT) scans of extracted mandibular incisors to check the accuracy of morphological measurements. Thereafter, the root canal morphology and aging-related changes in the mandibular incisors of Japanese individuals were assessed using CBCT. Six extracted teeth were fixed in a phantom head and imaged using CBCT and micro-CT. The correlation between the findings of the two imaging modalities was examined. Further, CBCT reconstructed images of the mandibular incisors of 81 individuals were observed. Age-related changes of the root canals were compared between participants aged <30 years and those aged ≥30 years. The CBCT and micro-CT findings regarding the root canals of the extracted teeth coincided in 94.4% of the cases. Mandibular incisors exhibiting two root canals in either cross-section accounted for 9.9% of central incisors and 12.4% of lateral incisors. Mandibular central incisors with two root canals were observed in two (6.3%) individuals aged <30 years and six (12.2%) aged ≥30 years. Mandibular lateral incisors with two root canals were observed in one (3.1%) individual aged <30 years and nine (18.4%) aged ≥30 years. CBCT allows accurate evaluation of complex root canal morphologies and is useful for endodontic preoperative assessment. Mandibular incisors have more frequent occurrence of two root canals with aging.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquisition protocols on reducing the effective radiation dose while maintaining image quality. Materials and Methods: The effective dose emitted by a CBCT device was calculated using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed in a Rando Alderson phantom. Image quality was assessed by 3 experienced evaluators. The relationship between image quality and confidence was evaluated using the Fisher exact test, and the agreement among raters was assessed using the kappa test. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate whether the technical parameters could predict the effective dose. P-values<0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The optimized protocol (3 mA, 99 kVp, and 450 projection images) demonstrated good image quality and a lower effective dose for radiation-sensitive organs. Image quality and confidence had consistent values for all structures (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis resulted in a statistically significant model. The milliamperage (b=0.504; t=3.406; P=0.027), kilovoltage peak (b=0.589; t=3.979; P=0.016) and number of projection images (b=0.557; t=3.762; P=0.020) were predictors of the effective dose. Conclusion: Optimized CBCT acquisition protocols can significantly reduce the effective radiation dose while maintaining acceptable image quality by adjusting the milliamperage and projection images.