Evaluating Picture Quality of Image Plates in Digital CR Systems

디지털 CR시스템에서 Image plate의 화질 평가

  • Kwak, Byung-Joon (Department of Radiological Technology, Choonhae College of Health Science) ;
  • Ji, Tae-Jeong (Department of Radiological Science, Kaya University)
  • 곽병준 (춘해보건대학 방사선과) ;
  • 지태정 (가야대학교 방사선학과)
  • Received : 2011.07.29
  • Accepted : 2011.09.27
  • Published : 2011.12.30

Abstract

Lab effectively supplemented the effects of outside radiation on image plates in the process of image acquisition of CR (computed radiography) systems and conducted for effective utilization in the case of clinical application. For this, Lab classified the storage places and time periods of image plates and compared and analyzed the differences between small dark spots. Lab also assessed the concentration distribution within the boundaries of images. Lab compared and measured the number of dark spots in a light room and a dark room depending on the storage places of image plates and found that dark spots slightly increased in an image plate when stored in a light room on the first and second days. Dark spots increased in proportion to the length of time stored. In the case of the image plate stored in a dark room, the number of dark spots remarkably decreased. With regard to picture quality as related to the location of image plates, the damage to picture quality could be reduced by locating regions of interest in the center. With regard to differences in sharpness following changes in the thickness of subjects, fewer scatter rays occurred and sharpness improved by reducing the thickness of subjects as much as possible. To get medical images of excellent quality, image plates should be managed effectively and it is desirable to keep images plates in dark iron plate boxes and not to expose them to outside radiation for a long time.

CR(computed radiography)시스템의 영상획득 과정에서 영상판의 외부 방사선 영향을 효과적으로 보완하고 임상적용시 효율적 활용을 목적으로 본 연구를 실시하였다. 이를 위하여 영상판의 보관 장소와 기간으로 분류하여 미소한 흑점 차이를 비교 분석하고 영상의 경계면에서 농도 분포를 평가하였다. 영상판의 보관 장소에 따른 명실과 암실에서 흑점수를 비교 측정한 결과, 명실에 보관한 영상판에서 1일과 2일에서 미약하게 흑점 수가 증가하였으며, 4일, 6일, 8일, 10일로 보관 기간이 길어질수록 비례하여 증가하였다. 하지만 암실 보관의 경우 명실과 비교시 흑점 수가 현저하게 줄어들었다. 영상판의 위치에 따른 화질의 변화에서는 가장자리 보다 중앙에 관심영역을 위치시키는 것이 화질의 손상을 줄일 수 있었다. 피사체의 두께 변화에 따른 선예도 차이는 가능한 피사체 두께를 작게 하는 것이 산란선 발생을 줄이고 선예도를 향상시키는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 우수한 화질의 의료영상을 얻기 위해서는 영상판의 효율적 정도 관리가 필요하며 영상판을 암박스에 보관하여 외부 방사선에 장시간 방치하지 않도록 하는 것이 바람직하다.

Keywords

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