• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2005

A novel synthetic aperture method for real-time three-way dynamic focusing is proposed, which provides lateral beam patterns represented as the product of Fourier transforms of transmit subaperture, receive subaperture, and a synthetic window function. In the proposed method, all array elements are fired individually and for each firing echo signals are recorded from all elements of a receive subaperture moving along an array with the transmit element. The three-way dynamic focusing is then achieved by employing a synthetic aperture algorithm for two-way dynamic focusing and a synthetic focusing method for transmit dynamic focusing. Both theoretical analysis and computer simulation results show that the proposed method produces ultrasound beams with improved lateral resolution at all depths compared to the conventional phased array imaging and synthetic aperture focusing methods.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To report the use of multiband accelerated echo-planar imaging (EPI) for resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to achieve rapid high temporal resolution at 3T compared to conventional EPI. Materials and Methods: rs-fMRI data were acquired from 20 healthy right-handed volunteers by using three methods: conventional single-band gradient-echo EPI acquisition (Data 1), multiband gradient-echo EPI acquisition with 240 volumes (Data 2) and 480 volumes (Data 3). Temporal signal-to-noise ratio (tSNR) maps were obtained by dividing the mean of the time course of each voxel by its temporal standard deviation. The resting-state sensorimotor network (SMN) and default mode network (DMN) were estimated using independent component analysis (ICA) and a seed-based method. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed between the tSNR map, SMN, and DMN from the three data sets for between-group analysis. P < 0.05 with a family-wise error (FWE) correction for multiple comparisons was considered statistically significant. Results: One-way ANOVA and post-hoc two-sample t-tests showed that the tSNR was higher in Data 1 than Data 2 and 3 in white matter structures such as the striatum and medial and superior longitudinal fasciculus. One-way ANOVA revealed no differences in SMN or DMN across the three data sets. Conclusion: Within the adapted metrics estimated under specific imaging conditions employed in this study, multiband accelerated EPI, which substantially reduced scan times, provides the same quality image of functional connectivity as rs-fMRI by using conventional EPI at 3T. Under employed imaging conditions, this technique shows strong potential for clinical acceptance and translation of rs-fMRI protocols with potential advantages in spatial and/or temporal resolution. However, further study is warranted to evaluate whether the current findings can be generalized in diverse settings.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• /
• v.18 no.7
• /
• pp.1236-1245
• /
• 2004

In this study, an optical imaging method was developed for the measurements of the sizes and velocities of droplets in sprays. Double-exposure single-frame spray images were captured by the imaging system. An image processing program was developed for the measurements of the sizes and positions of individual particles including separation of the overlapped particles and particle tracking and pairing at two time instants. To recognize and separate overlapping particles, the morphological method based on watershed segmentation as well as separation using the perimeter and convex hull of image was used consecutively. Better results in separation were obtained by utilization of both methods especially for the multiple or heavily-overlapped particles. The match probability method was adopted for particle tracking and pairing after identifying the positions of individual particles and it produced good matching results even for large particles like droplets in sprays. Therefore, the developed optical imaging method could provide a reliable way of analyzing the motion and size distribution of droplets produced by various sprays and atomization devices.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.190-204
• /
• 2004

The objective of this study is to develop a highly accurate micro tool alignment system applicable to the micro machining technology. In a specific application such as micro hole punching, radial clearance between micro tools is order of a few micron. Under this micron scale tool clearance, accuracy of tool alignment is very important for ensuring hole quality. In the present study, a two-way image acquisition system was developed, which can produce overlapped image of both micro tools that face each other, and applied to the tool alignment in the micro punching. Also, to meet alignment accuracy of tools within $1\mu\textrm{m}$, the cross correlation image processing algorithm was employed. With this system, $25\mu\textrm{m}$ punching tools with $1\mu\textrm{m}$ radial clearance could be accurately aligned.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2006

This paper proposes an efficient array beamforming method using spatial matched filtering for ultrasound imaging. In the proposed method, ultrasound waves are transmitted from an array subaperture with fixed transmit focus as in conventional array imaging. At receive, radio frequency (RF) echo signals from each receive channel are passed through a spatial matched filter that is constructed based on the system transmit-receive spatial impulse response. The filtered echo signals are then summed. The filter remaps and spatially registers the acoustic energy from each element so that the pulse-echo impulse response of the summed output is focused with acceptably low side lobes. Analytical beam pattern analysis and simulation results using a linear array show that the proposed spatial filtering method can provide more improved spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) compared with conventional dynamic receive focusing (DRF) method by implementing two-way dynamically focused beam pattern throughout the field.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2003.11c
• /
• pp.488-491
• /
• 2003

Biochip-based diagnostic technology is an effective, time- and money- saving way. But, biochip analyzer including CCD imaging system has a complete optical system. It is one of reasons that the cost of biochip analyzer is expensive with CCD imaging system. In this paper, We suggested the simple and effective optical system for biochip analyzer with CCD imaging system. It consists of two parts with the same structure but opposite direction. Each part consists of achromatic doublet and meniscus. Suggested optical system has less lenses than existing system and more efficiently.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.5 no.2 s.17
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2005

Microwave tomographic imaging technology using a bi-focusing operator has been developed in order to detect the internal voids/objects inside concrete structures. The imaging system consists of several cylindrical or planar array antennas for transmitting and receiving signals, and a numerical focusing operator is applied to the external signals both in transmitting and in receiving fields. In this study, the authors developed 3-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic (EM) imaging technology to detect such damage and to identify exact location of steel rebars or dowel. The authors have developed sub-surface two-dimensional (2D) imaging technique using tomographic antenna array in previous works. In this study, extending the earlier analytical and experimental works on 2D image reconstruction, a 3D microwave imaging system using tomographic antenna way was developed, and multi-frequency technique was applied to improve quality of the reconstructed image and to reduce background noises. Numerical simulation demonstrated that a sub-surface image can be successfully reconstructed by using the proposed tomographic imaging technology. For the experimental verification, a prototype antenna array was fabricated and tested on a concrete specimen.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.41-44
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different numbers of basis images and the use of metal artifact reduction (MAR) on the production and reduction of artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography images. Materials and Methods: An acrylic resin phantom with a metal alloy sample was scanned, with 450 or 720 basis images and with or without MAR. Standard deviation values for the test areas (around the metal object) were obtained as a way of measuring artifact production. Two-way analysis of variance was used with a 5% significance level. Results: There was no significant difference in artifact production among the images obtained with different numbers of basis images without MAR (P=.985). MAR significantly reduced artifact production in the test areas only in the protocol using 720 basis images (P=.017). The protocol using 450 basis images with MAR showed no significant difference in artifact production when compared to the protocol using 720 basis images with MAR (P=.579). Conclusion: Protocols with a smaller number of basis images and with MAR activated are preferable for minimizing artifact production in tomographic images without exposing the patient to a greater radiation dose.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2011

As applications of radiation grow wider from use in the early detection of lesions and preventive diagnosis purposes to the treatment of diseases, the possibilities for patients and working professionals to be exposed to radiation are becoming greater than ever. This can not only directly bring about an increase in patient's individual radiation exposure, but also brings about an increase in the annual radiation dose of working professionals. Therefore, research and countermeasures to reduce radiation dosage are required. In this study, space dosimetry has been divided into two separate measuments with an understanding of the increasing number of angiography procedures: front perspective and side perspective. According to the results of the isodose curve, a way to minimize radiation exposure in working professionals has been suggested. This was made possible by workers through awareness of suitable working positions.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of a CCD-based digital system (CDX-2000HQ) in the detection of incipient dental caries. Materials and Methods : 93 extracted human teeth with sound proximal surfaces and interproximal artificial cavities were radiographed using 4 imaging methods. Automatically processed No.2 Insight film (Eastman Kodak Co., U.S.A.) was used for conventional radiography, scanned images of conventional radiograms for indirect digital radiography were used. For the direct digital radiography, the CDX-2000HQ CCD system (Biomedisys Co. Korea) was used. The subtraction images were made from two direct digital images by Sunny program in the CDX-2000HQ system. Two radiologists and three endodontists examined the presence of lesions using a five-point confidence scale and compared the diagnostic ability by ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis and one way ANOV A test. Results: The mean ROC areas of conventional radiography, indirect digital radiography, direct digital radiography, and digital subtraction radiography were 0.9093, 0.9102, 0.9184, and 0.9056, respectively. The diagnostic ability of direct digital radiography was better than the other imaging modalities, but there were no statistical differences among these imaging modalities (p > 0.05). Coclusion : These results indicate that new CCD-based digital systems (CDX-2000HQ) have the potential to serve as an alternative to conventional radiography in the detection of incipient dental caries.