• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2002.06d
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• pp.335-338
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• 2002

This paper proposes some technical approaches for automatic detection of pulmonary nodules in chest X-ray images. We applied threshold technique for the lung field segmentation and extended the lung field by using morphological methods. A template matching technique was employed for automatic detecting nodules in lung area. Genetic algorithm(GA) was used in template matching(TM) to select a matched image from various reference patterns(simulated typical nodules). We eliminated the false-positive candidates by using histograms and contrasts. We used standard databases published by Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT) for correct results. Also we employ two-dimensional Gaussian distribution for some reference images because the shadow of lung nodules in radiogram generally shows the distributions. Nodules of about 89% were correctly detected by our scheme. The simulation results show that it is an effective method to indicate lesions on chest radiograms.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2013

Due to the introduction of CR and DR, it has been neglected the use of the X-ray beam collimator and field size. This study examines nationwide survey of the proper use of collimator and field size by area in a specific field of plain radiography and the current status. Authors emphasized the need for the field size criteria, and propose a standard reference field size in each specific radiologic examination. Total 333 medical institutions (included in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Jeolla, Chungcheong, Gangwon-do, Busan area), were investigated in relation to the status of the X-ray beam collimation field size, type specific inspection areas, medical facilities, and image analyses by type to figure out whether they use the adjustment of image field to the specific examination. To assess the awareness and the impact of radiation exposure to the collimation adjustable, 168 radiographers who was working in 10 general hospitals, 10 hospitals, and 10 clinics, were surveyed how they haver adjusted the actual field size. We examine that 61.3% of medical institutions used the "Proper collimation" and only 49.9% of them employed proper one in lumbar spine densely crowded by major organs. 69% among general hospitals, and 65% among hospitals using DR system were using proper collimation. Radiographers recognized that proper adjustment of collimation could reduce the harmful radiation dose on patients. In the survey, 97.6% of respondents were aware of this fact, but only 83.3% of respondents did the adjustment of the size of the collimation field. The using of proper collimation field was low in the nationwide survey, so the effort to reduce the radiation dose on the patients is urgently needed. A unified standard for the field accompanied by thorough education should be needed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2014

In this study, surface characteristics and corrosion behaviors have been investigated in addition to Zr elements on the low elastic modulus Ti-30Ta alloy. Low elastic modulus Ti-30Ta-xZr(x : 3, 7 and 15 wt %) alloys were prepared by arc melting and then heat treated at $1000^{\circ}C$ for 24 hrs in an argon atmosphere. Microstructures of the alloys were examined by field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM) and X-ray diffractometer(XRD). Electrochemical experiments were performed using a conventional three-electrode configuration with a sample working electrode, a high density carbon counter electrode and a saturated calomel reference electrode. According to the result of polarization behavior in the Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys, the current density of homogenized Ti-30Ta-15Zr in the passive region was lower than the other alloys.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2009

As a basic research for development of the domestic field-portable XRF spectrometer, we discussed the analytical results of bench-top ED-XRF and field-portable XRF method for polluted heavy metals such as Cr, As, Se, Hg, Pb, Cd in soil samples. To obtain the best performance of the XRF spectrometer, the instrumental parameters of X-ray tube-voltage and measurement time were optimized for 6 heavy-metal elements in soil using certified reference material. The quantitative analysis of Cr, As, Se, Hg, Pb, Cd concentration in certified reference materials and soil samples were compared by empirical method and fundamental parameter method.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2017

In this study, a portable x-ray generator was manufactured and a real-time image acquisition system was constructed using the image intensifier from the generated generator. We have developed a real - time position error verification system that can verify whether the artificial joint position is different from the initial image from the acquired image. The template image of the region of interest is extracted from the reference image using the pattern matching technique and compared with the image to be compared. As a result, It is shown that real - time position error verification is achieved by displaying the difference angle. This system is portable type, has a self-shielding facility, and the output of the irradiation device can be manufactured in a small size of 1kw and can be used as a portable type. In case of emergency patients in the non-destructive field for industrial use, It has proved effective for use in small areas such as feet.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2001

For the head and neck radiotherapy, the technique of half beam using independent collimator is very useful to avoid overlapping of fields particularly when the lateral neck fields are placed adjacent to anterior supraclavicular field. Also abutting photon field with electron field is frequently used for the irradiation of posterior neck when tolerable dose on spinal cord has been reached. Using 6 MV X-ray and 9 MeV electron beams of Clinac1800(Varian, USA) linear accelerator, we performed film dosimetry by the X-OMAT V film of Kodak in solid water phantom and the dose distribution at beam center of 2 half beams further examined according to depths(0 cm, 1.5 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm) for single anterior half beam and anterior/posterior half beam. The dose distribution to the junction line between photon and electron fields was also measured. For the single anterior half beam, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 88%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively. In the anterior/posterior half beams, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 92%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively At the junction line between photon and electron fields, hot spot was developed on the side of the photon field and a cold spot was developed on that of the electron field. The hot spot in the photon side was developed at depth 1.5 cm with 7 mm width. The maximum dose of hot spot was increased to 6% of reference doses in the photon field. The cold spot in the electron side was developed at all measured depths(0.5 cm-3 cm) with 1-12.5 mm widths. The decreased dose in the cold spot was 4.5-30% of reference dose in the electron field. With above results, we concluded that when using electron beam or independent jaw for head and neck radiotherapy, the hot and cold dose area should be considered as critical point.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2010

Alnine pellets were installed in a nuclear power plant for one or two operation cycles and measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometers for dosimetry. Dose and "x/y ratio", i.e., satellite peak over main center peak ratio, were measured for the returned alanine dosimeters from the nuclear power plant and compared to the values of reference alanine dosimeters exposed only to gamma rays. The variation of the x/y ratio change depended on the population of radicals from each radiation component with different LET. The gamma dose in a mixed radiation field was estimated by an additive gamma ray irradiation experiment and the measured dose rate at specified locations in the containment building.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.714-719
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• 2005

NiCr thin film was deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on $A;_2O_3$/Si substrate with NiCr (80:20) alloy target. NiCr thin films were annealed at $300^{\circ}C,\;400^{\circ}C,\;500^{\circ}C,\;600^{\circ}C,\;and\;700^{\circ}C$ for 6 hr in $H_2$ after annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ for 6hr in air atmosphere, respectively. To analyze NiCr thin film properties, the changes of its micro structure were Investigated through field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze a surface of NiCr thin film. Resistance of NiCr thin film was measured by 4-point probe technique. The generated heats were measured by infrared thermometer through the application of DC voltage (5 V/l2 V). NiCr thin film treated by gradational double annealing process had uniform and small grains. Maximum temperature generated heat by NiCr micro heater was $173^{\circ}C$. We expect that our results will be a useful reference in the realization of NiCr micro heater.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.344-348
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• 2009

The electrolyte effects of the electroplating solution in Cu films grown by ElectroPlating Deposition(EPD) were investigated. The electroplated Cu films were deposited on the Cu(20 nm)/Ti (20 nm)/p-type Si(100) substrate. Potentiostatic electrodeposition was carried out using three terminal methods: 1) an Ag/AgCl reference electrode, 2) a platinum plate as a counter electrode, and 3) a seed layer as a working electrode. In this study, we changed the concentration of a plating electrolyte that was composed of $CuSO_4$, $H_2SO_4$ and HCl. The resistivity was measured with a four-point probe and the material properties were investigated by using XRD(X-ray Diffraction), an AFM(Atomic Force Microscope), a FE-SEM(Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) and an XPS(X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). From the results, we concluded that the increase of the concentration of electrolytes led to the increase of the film density and the decrease of the electrical resistivity of the electroplated Cu film.