• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.757-763
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• 2019

Recently, Following the recent development of flat panel detector with wide dynamic ranges, increasing numbers of healthcare providers have begun to use digital radiography. As a result, filter thickness standards should be reestablished, as current clinical practice requires the use of thicknesses recommended by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, which are based on information, acquired using conventional analog systems. Here we investigated the possibility of minimizing dose creep and optimizing patient dose using Al filters in digital radiography. The use of thicker Al filters resulted in a maximum 19.3% reduction in the entrance skin exposure dose when medical images with similar sharpness values were compared. However, resolution, which is a critical factor in imaging, had a significant change of 1.01 lp/mm. This change in resolution is thought to be due to the increased amount of scattered rays generated from the object due to the X-ray beam hardening effect. The increase in the number of scattered rays was verified using the scattering degradation factor. However, the FPD, which has recently been developed and is widely used in various areas, has greater response to radiation than analog devices and has a wide dynamic range. Therefore, the FPD is expected to maintain an appropriate level of resolution corresponding to the increase in the scattered-ray content ratio, which depends on filter thickness. Use of the FPD is also expected to minimize dose creep by reducing the exposure dose.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

A new cold neutron triple-axis spectrometer (Cold-TAS) was recently constructed at the 30 MWth research reactor, HANARO. The spectrometer, which is composed of neutron optical components and radiation shield, required a redesign of the segmented monochromator shield due to the lack of adequate support of its weight. To shed some weight, lowering the height of the segmented shield was suggested while adding more radiation shield to the top cover of the monochromator chamber. To investigate the radiological effect of such change, we performed MCNPX simulations of a few different configurations of the Cold-TAS monochromator shield and obtained neutron and photon intensities at 5 reference points just outside the shield. Reducing the 35% of the height of the segmented shield and locating lead 10 cm from the bottom of the top cover made of polyethylene was shown to perform just as well as the original configuration as radiation shield excepting gamma flux at two points. Using gamma map by MCNPX, it was checked that is distribution of gamma. Increased flux had direction to the top and it had longer distance from top of segmented shield. However, because of reducing the 35% of the height, height of dissipated gamma was lower than original geometry. Reducing the 35% of the height of the segmented shield and locating lead 10cm from the bottom of the top cover was selected. After changing geometry, radiation dose was measured by TLD for confirming tester's safety at any condition. Neutron(0.21 ${\mu}Svhr^{-1}$) and gamma(3.69 ${\mu}Svhr^{-1}$) radiation dose were satisfied standard(6.25 ${\mu}Svhr^{-1}$).

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2015

The purpose of the Monte Carlo simulation study was to provide the optimized nozzle design to satisfy the beam conditions for biomedical researches in the Korean heavy-ion accelerator, RAON. The nozzle design was required to produce $C^{12}$ beam satisfying the three conditions; the maximum field size, the dose uniformity and the beam contamination. We employed the GEANT4 toolkit in Monte Carlo simulation to optimize the nozzle design. The beams for biomedical researches were required that the maximum field size should be more than $15{\times}15cm^2$, the dose uniformity was to be less than 3% and the level of beam contamination due to the scattered radiation from collimation systems was less than 5% of total dose. For the field size, we optimized the tilting angle of the circularly rotating beam controlled by a pair of dipole magnets at the most upstream of the user beam line unit and the thickness of the scatter plate located downstream of the dipole magnets. The values of beam scanning angle and the thickness of the scatter plate could be successfully optimized to be $0.5^{\circ}$ and 0.05 cm via this Monte Carlo simulation analysis. For the dose uniformity and the beam contamination, we introduced the new beam configuration technique by the combination of scanning and static beams. With the combination of a central static beam and a circularly rotating beam with the tilting angle of $0.5^{\circ}$ to beam axis, the dose uniformity could be established to be 1.1% in $15{\times}15cm^2$ sized maximum field. For the beam contamination, it was determined by the ratio of the absorbed doses delivered by $C^{12}$ ion and other particles. The level of the beam contamination could be achieved to be less than 2.5% of total dose in the region from 5 cm to 17 cm water equivalent depth in the combined beam configuration. Based on the results, we could establish the optimized nozzle design satisfying the beam conditions which were required for biomedical researches.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2005

Purpose: In this work we designed and made MPBP(Multi Purpose Brachytherapy Phantom). The MPBP enables one to reproduce the same patient set-up in MPBP as the treatment of the patient and we tried to get an exact analysis of rectal doses in the phantom without need of in-vivo dosimetry. Materials and Methods: Dose measurements were tried at a point of rectum 1, the reference point of rectum, with a diode detector for 4 patients treated with tandem and ovoid for a brachytherapy of a cervix cancer. Total 20 times of rectal dose measurements were made with 5 times a patient. The set-up variation of the diode detector was analyzed. The same patient set-ups were reproduced in self-made MPBP and then rectal doses were measured with TLD. Results: The measurement results of the diode detector showed that the set-up variation of the diode detector was the maximum $11.25{\pm}0.95mm$ in the y-direction for Patient 1 and the maximum $9.90{\pm}4.50mm,\;20.85{\pm}4.50mm,\;and\;19.15{\pm}3.33mm$ in the z-direction for Patient 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Un analyzing the degree of variation in 3 directions the more variation was showed in the z-direction than x- and y-direction except Patient 1. The results of TLD measurements in MPBP showed the relative maximum error of 8.6% and 7.7% at a point of rectum 1 for Patient 1 and 4, respectively and 1.7% and 1.2% for Patient 2 and 3, respectively. The doses measured at R1 and R2 were higher than those calculated except R point of Patient 2. this can be thought to related to the algorithm of dose calculation, whcih corrects for air and water but is guessed not to consider the correction for the scattered rays, but by considering the self-error (${\pm}5%$) TLD has the relative error of values measured and calculated was analyzed to be in a good agreement within 15%. Conclusion: The reproducibility of dose measurements under the same condition as the treatment could be achieved owing to the self-made MPMP and the dose at the point of interest could be analyzed accurately. If a treatment is peformed after achieving dose optimization using the data obtained in the phantom, dose will be able to be minimized to important organs.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.573-580
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• 2018

The Nuclear Safety Commission amended the Nuclear Safety Act by strengthening the safety management system for the frequent workers to the level of radiation workers. And students entering radiation management zones for testing and practical purposes are subject to frequent workers. It is inevitable that this will incur additional costs. In this paper, the validity of the amendment to the Nuclear Safety Act was to be assessed in terms of radiation protection. Study subjects are from 2014 to 2016, among university students in Seong-nam Korea and comparisons for analyses were made taking into account variables that are differences in annual, practical types, on-class and clinical practice students exposure dose. The analysis showed that exposures between on-class and clinical practice received were less than the annual dose limit of 1 mSv for the public. Then, some alternatives that excluding from frequent workers during on-class practice or mitigating the frequent workers' safety regulation for only on-class frequent workers can be considered. Optimization is how rational is the reduction in exposure dose to the costs required. Therefore, the results are hardly considered for optimization. If the data accumulated, it could be considered that the revision of the act could be evaluated and improved.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate beam delivery accuracy for small sized lung SBRT through experiment. In order to assess the accuracy, Eclipse TPS(Treatment planning system) equipped Acuros XB and radiochromic film were used for the dose distribution. Comparing calculated and measured dose distribution, evaluated the margin for PTV(Planning target volume) in lung tissue. Materials and Methods : Acquiring CT images for Rando phantom, planned virtual target volume by size(diameter 2, 3, 4, 5 cm) in right lung. All plans were normalized to the target Volume=prescribed 95 % with 6MV FFF VMAT 2 Arc. To compare with calculated and measured dose distribution, film was inserted in rando phantom and irradiated in axial direction. The indexes of evaluation are percentage difference(%Diff) for absolute dose, RMSE(Root-mean-square-error) value for relative dose, coverage ratio and average dose in PTV. Results: The maximum difference at center point was -4.65 % in diameter 2 cm size. And the RMSE value between the calculated and measured off-axis dose distribution indicated that the measured dose distribution in diameter 2 cm was different from calculated and inaccurate compare to diameter 5 cm. In addition, Distance prescribed 95 % dose($D_{95}$) in diameter 2 cm was not covered in PTV and average dose value was lowest in all sizes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that small sized PTV was not enough covered with prescribed dose in low density lung tissue. All indexes of experimental results in diameter 2 cm were much different from other sizes. It is showed that minimized PTV is not accurate and affects the results of radiation therapy. It is considered that extended margin at small PTV in low density lung tissue for enhancing target center dose is necessary and don't need to constraint Maximum dose in optimization.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.10b
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• pp.430-432
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• 2005

저에너지 중성자가 가톨리늄(Gd) 막에 입사되면 중성자 포획과정에서 전환전자가 생성된다. 이 전환전자에 의해 pMOSFET $SiO_2$ 산화층에서 발생된 전자-전공쌍이 발생되고, 이 가운데 정공은 산화층 내부에 쉽게 붙잡혀(Trap) 양전하 센터로 작용하게 된다. 이 축적된 전하는 pMOSFET의 문턱전압(Threshold voltage)을 변화시킨다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 간접측정 원리를 이용하여 열중성자를 실기간 탐지할 수 있는 반도체형 탐지소자를 개발하고 하나로(HANARO) 방사선장에서의 시험을 통해 성능을 검증하였다. 그리고 감도관련 변수의 최적화를 통하여 작업자가 사용 가능한 범위의 고감도 열중성자 선량계로 개선 제작하였다. 개발된 선량계는 소형으로 실시간 열중성자 측정이 가능하며 감마방사선으로부터 독립적으로 열중성자를 측정할 수 있는 장점도 지니고 있다.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of Split VMAT planning(Contouring rectum divided into an upper and a lower for reduce rectum dose) compare to Conventional VMAT planning(Contouring whole rectum) for prostate cancer radiotherapy involving pelvic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods : A total of 9 cases were enrolled. Each case received radiotherapy with Split VMAT planning to the prostate involving pelvic lymph nodes. Treatment was delivered using TrueBeam STX(Varian Medical Systems, USA) and planned on Eclipse(Ver. 10.0.42, Varian, USA), PRO3(Progressive Resolution Optimizer 10.0.28), AAA(Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm Ver. 10.0.28). Lower rectum contour was defined as starting 1cm superior and ending 1cm inferior to the prostate PTV, upper rectum is a part, except lower rectum from the whole rectum. Split VMAT plan parameters consisted of 10MV coplanar $360^{\circ}$ arcs. Each arc had $30^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ collimator angle, respectively. An SIB(Simultaneous Integrated Boost) treatment prescription was employed delivering 50.4Gy to pelvic lymph nodes and 63~70Gy to the prostate in 28 fractions. $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum on Split VMAT plan was applied for DVC(Dose Volume Constraint) of the whole rectum for Conventional VMAT plan. In addition, all parameters were set to be the same of existing treatment plans. To minimize the dose difference that shows up randomly on optimizing, all plans were optimized and calculated twice respectively using a 0.2cm grid. All plans were normalized to the prostate $PTV_{100%}$ = 90% or 95%. A comparison of $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum, upperr ectum, lower rectum, and bladder, $V_{50%}$ of upper rectum, total MU and H.I.(Homogeneity Index) and C.I.(Conformity Index) of the PTV was used for technique evaluation. All Split VMAT plans were verified by gamma test with portal dosimetry using EPID. Results : Using DVH analysis, a difference between the Conventional and the Split VMAT plans was demonstrated. The Split VMAT plan demonstrated better in the $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum, Up to 134.4 cGy, at least 43.5 cGy, the average difference was 75.6 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of upper rectum, Up to 1113.5 cGy, at least 87.2 cGy, the average difference was 550.5 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of lower rectum, Up to 100.5 cGy, at least -34.6 cGy, the average difference was 34.3 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of bladder, Up to 271 cGy, at least -55.5 cGy, the average difference was 117.8 cGy and in $V_{50%}$ of upper rectum, Up to 63.4%, at least 3.2%, the average difference was 23.2%. There was no significant difference on H.I., and C.I. of the PTV among two plans. The Split VMAT plan is average 77 MU more than another. All IMRT verification gamma test results for the Split VMAT plan passed over 90.0% at 2 mm / 2%. Conclusion : As a result, the Split VMAT plan appeared to be more favorable in most cases than the Conventional VMAT plan for prostate cancer radiotherapy involving pelvic lymph nodes. By using the split VMAT planning technique it was possible to reduce the upper rectum dose, thus reducing whole rectal dose when compared to conventional VMAT planning. Also using the split VMAT planning technique increase the treatment efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.535-540
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• 2015

Collimator has important functions with control primary X-ray that decrease radiation exposure dose for patients and reduce scatter ray and make better quality of image. But there are no regulations for X-ray mammography device of collimator, so widely used device adopt rectangularly controlled collimator. Though digital X-ray mammography device expand supply recently, rectangularly controlled collimator of film/screen mode still used. After searching for real condition of beam field with digital mammography, we made a multi-leaf collimator which is able to adjust the beam field in accordance with size and shape of breast, and we measuring up the transitions of image quality, average glandular dose(AGD) and, Dose area product(DAP). There are no significant differences between rectangularly controlled collimator and multi-leaf collimator, and DAP value decreased by 50.72%. As conclusion, there needs to expand the use of multi-leaf collimator for optimum adoption of beam field in digital mammography, and also need to develop an automatic regulation of beam field for reduce of exposure dose to patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.355-359
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• 2021

In this study, the purpose of this study was to analyze the degree of exposure of radiation workers assigned to the Department of Radiology and frequent visitors during on-campus practice, and to conduct a basic study on the feasibility and optimization of the radiation protection of the Nuclear Safety Act for the Department of Radiology. . The average exposure dose of occupational workers by year was 0.01 mSv, the lowest in 2014 and 2016. The highest figure was 0.12 mSv in 2018. The average exposure dose of frequent visitors by year was the lowest at 0.013 mSv in 2018, and the highest at 0.022 mSv in 2016. According to this study, the annual exposure dose received by professors, practical assistants, and students in the department of radiology (department) who use only radiation generators in the course of in-school practice is less than 1 mSv, which is the dose limit for the general public. Therefore, at the time when the radiation dose of students in the Department of Radiology is lower than the dose limit of the general public, the current safety regulation of the Nuclear Safety law is judged to be excessive regulation. Therefore, it is considered necessary to revise the regulations for radiation generators in the current Nuclear Safety law or to revise the radiation safety management system for university students.