• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.335-343
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• 2006

This paper proposes a novel technique of marker-based 2D-3D registration to combine 3D information obtained from preoperative CT images into 2D image obtained from intraoperative x-ray fluoroscopy image. Our method is divided into preoperative and intraoperative procedures. In preoperative procedure, we generate CT-derived DRRs using graphics hardware and detect markers automatically. In intraoperative procedure, we propose a hierarchical two- step registration to reduce a degree of freedom from 6-DOP to 2-DOF which is composed of in-plane registration using principal axis method and out-plane registration using minimal error searching method in spherical coordinate. For experimentation, we use cardiac phantom datasets with confirmation markers and evaluate our method in the aspects of visual inspection, accuracy and processing time. As experimental results, our method keeps accuracy and aligns very fast by reducing real-time computations.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.497-503
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• 2014

Minimally invasive intramedullary nail insertion or plate osteosynthesis has shown good results for the treatment of long bone fractures. However, directly seeing the fracture site is impossible; surgeons can only confirm bone fragments through a fluoroscopic imaging system. The narrow field of view of the equipment causes malalignment of the fracture reduction, and radiation exposure to medical staff is inevitable. This paper suggests two methods to solve these problems: surgical navigation using 3D models reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images to show the real positions of bone fragments and estimating the rotational angle of proximal bone fragments from 2D fluoroscopic images. The suggested methods were implemented using open-source code or software and evaluated using a model bone. The registration error was about 2 mm with surgical navigation, and the rotation estimation software could discern differences of $2.5^{\circ}$ within a range of $15^{\circ}$ through a comparison with the image of a normal bone.

• Proceedings of the Korean Information Science Society Conference
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• 2005.07a
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• pp.697-699
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• 2005

본 논문에서는 그래픽 하드웨어를 이용한 텍스처기반 볼륨렌더링으로 DRR 영상을 고속으로 생성하는 방법을 제안한다. 제안방법은 크게 세단계로 구성된다. 첫째, CT 영상 슬라이스 데이터에서 각 슬라이스를 최인접보간법으로 보간함으로써 등방해상도의 볼륨데이터를 생성한다. 둘째, 그래픽 하드웨어의 메모리용량 때문에 발생하는 문제를 해결하기 위해 텍스처 메모리의 효율적 관리방법을 제시한다. 셋째, 텍스처기반 볼륨렌더링을 이용해서 X-ray 영상과 유사한 투시투영한 DRR 영상을 생성한다. 본 논문에서 제안한 방법을 평가하기 위해서 인공 심장 데이터를 사용한다. 제안방법의 수행시간과 화질을 평가하기 위해서 기존 광선추적법, 복셀투영법을 적용한 DRR 영상과 비교 분석하였다. 실험결과 제안 방법은 기존 방법에 비해서 빠르게 DRR 영상을 생성하였고, 영상의 화질 또한 광선추적법의 결과 영상의 화질만큼 좋은 영상을 생성하였기 때문에 실시간 정합에 적합하였다.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2010

Computed tomography (CT) has been established as an important diagnostic tool in clinical medicine and has become a major source of medical exposure. A nationwide survey regarding CT examinations was carried out in 2007. Thanks to the appeasement policy regulating the import of CT scanners, there are 1,825 CT scanners across the country as of the end of March 2010, which means that we have 36.8 CT scanners per one million people. The annual number of examinations was 3.29 million, the number of examinations per 1000 population was 68. The most part of examinations was abdomen and pelvis. and the collective effective dose was in these parts. The effective dose per one population was evaluated as 0.952 mSv.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2003

Purpose : A new virtual simulation technique for craniospinal irradiation (CSI) that uses a CT-simulator was developed to improve the accuracy of field and shielding placement as well as patient positioning. Materials and Methods : A CT simulator (CT-SIM) and a 3-D conformal radiation treatment planning system (3D-CRT) were used to develop CSI. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask while the rest of the body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained with the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles, such as the treatment table or immobilization devices. After virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and on the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment fields was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) and digitally composited radiography (DCR) images from virtual simulation. Port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for geometric verification. Results : We successfully performed virtual simulations on 11 CSI patients by CT-SIM. It took less than 20 minutes to affix the immobilization devices and to obtain the volumetric images of the entire body. In the absence of the patient, virtual simulation of all fields took 20 min. The DRRs were in agreement with simulation films to within 5 mm. This not only reducee inconveniences to the patients, but also eliminated position-shift variables attendant during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyes and the spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. Differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 m in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : Our analysis showed that CT simulation of craniospinal fields was accurate. In addition, CT simulation reduced the duration of the patient's immobility. During the planning process. This technique can improve accuracy in field placement and shielding by using three-dimensional CT-aided localization of critical and target structures. Overall, it has improved staff efficiency and resource utilization by standard protocol for craniospinal irradiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.693-698
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• 2018

Currently, shields for shielding medical radiation during medical examinations in the medical environment are lead robe and lead glass. Lead, the main component of this shielding, has limitations in lead poisoning and light weight, and high price. Iodine, which is used as contrast medium instead of lead shield, is expected to be effective as a shield because it has radiation absorbing properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of shielding by using acrylic plate filled with CT contrast agent for clinical use instead of conventional lead glass. As a result, it was found that the acrylic plate filled with the CT contrast agent showed a shielding effect of 7 times or more when the scattering ray dose was not shielded. Therefore, CT contrast agent composed of iodine is expected to be used as a shield instead of conventional lead glass.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-66
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• 2014

Traditionally, cervical interventions have been performed under fluoroscopy. But radiation exposure is the major concern when obtaining fluoroscopic images and even under real-time fluoroscopy with contrast media or CT guidance, some cases of serious spinal cord injuries, cerebellar and brain stem infarction have been reported by unintentional intra-arterial injections especially during the transforaminal root blocks. Recently, the use of ultrasound-guided cervical interventions have increased. Ultrasound offers visualization of soft tissues including major neurovascular structures and also allows to observe the spread of injectant materials around the target structure. Ultrasound is radiation free, easy to use and the image can be performed continuously while the injectant is visualized in real-time, increasing the precision of injection. Importantly, ultrasound allows visualization of major nerves and vessels and thus leads to improve safety of cervical interventions by decreasing the incidence of injury or injection into nearby vasculature. We therefore reviewed to investigate the feasibility of performing cervical interventions under real-time ultrasound guidance.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Purpose: Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) has been carried out using On-Board Imager system (OBI) in Asan Medical Center. For this reason, This study was to analyze and evaluate the impact on Cone-Beam CT according to variation of material and respiration. Materials and Methods: This study was to acquire and analyze Cone-Beam CT three times for two material: Cylider acryl (lung equvalent material, diameter 3 cm), Fiducial Marker (using clinic) under Motion Phantom able to adjust respiration pattern randomly was varying period, amplitude and baseline vis-a-vis reference respiration pattern. Results: First, According to a kind of material, when being showed 100% in the acryl and 120% in the Fiducial Marker under the condition of same movement of the motion phantom. Second, According to the respiratory alteration, when being showed 1.13 in the baseline shift 1.8 mm and 1.27 in the baseline shift 3.3 mm for acryl. when being showed 1.01 in 1 sec of period and 1.045 in 2.5 sec of period for acryl. When being showed 0.86 in 0.7 times the standard of amplitude and 1.43 in 1.7 times the standard of amplitude for acryl. when being showed 1.18 in the baseline shift 1.8 mm and 1.34 in the baseline shift 3.3 mm for Fiducial Marker. when being showed 1.0 in 1 sec of period and 1.0 in 2.5 sec of period for Fiducial Marker. When being showed 0.99 in 0.7 times the standard of amplitude and 1.66 in 1.7 times the standard of amplitude for Fiducial Marker. Conclusion: The effect of image size of CBCT was 20% in the case of Fiducial marker. The impact of changes in breathing pattern was minimum 13% - maximum 43% for Arcyl, min. 18% - max. 66% for Fiducial marker. This difference makes serious uncertainty. So, Must be stabilized breathing of patient before acquiring CBCT. also must be monitored breathing of patient in the middle of acquire. If you observe considerable change of breathing when acquiring CBCT. After Image Guided, must be need to check treatment site using fluoroscopy. If a change is too big, re-acquiring CBCT.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2002

Purpose : In order to perform craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the supine position on patients who are unable to lie in the prone position, a new simulation technique using a CT simulator was developed and its availability was evaluated. Materials and Method : A CT simulator and a 3-D conformal treatment planning system were used to develop CSI in the supine position. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask in the supine position and the entire body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetrie image was then obtained using the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the patients' setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and the body. Virtual fluoroscopy was peformed with the removal of visual obstacles such as the treatment table or the immobilization devices. After the virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment field was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR)/digitally composite radiography (DCR) images from the virtual simulation. The port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for a geometrical verification. Results : CSI in the supine position was successfully peformed in 9 patients. It required less than 20 minutes to construct the immobilization device and to obtain the whole body volumetric images. This made it possible to not only reduce the patients' inconvenience, but also to eliminate the position change variables during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining the CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyeballs and spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. The differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 mm in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : CSI in the supine position is feasible in patients who cannot lie on prone position, such as pediatric patienta under the age of 4 years, patients with a poor general condition, or patients with a tracheostomy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2004

Purpose : To evaluate the reflection of tumor motion according to the planning CT scan time. Material and Methods : A model of N-shape, which moved aiong the longitudinal axis during the ventilation caused by a mechanical ventilator, was produced. The model was scanned by planning CT, while setting the relative CT scan time (T: CT scan time/ventilatory period) to 0.33, 0.50, 0.67, 0.75, 1.00, 1.337, and 1.537. In addition, three patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received stereotactic radiosurgery In the Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center from 03/19/2002 to 05/21/2002 were scanned. Slow (10 Premier, Picker, scan time 2.0 seconds per slice) and fast CT scans (Lightspeed, GE Medical Systems, with a scan time of 0.8 second per slice) were peformed for each patient. The magnitude of reflected movement of the N-shaped model was evaluated by measuring the transverse length, which reflected the movement of the declined bar of the model at each slice. For patients' scans, all CT data sets were registered using a stereotactic body frame scale with the gross tumor volumes delineated in one CT image set. The volume and three-dimensional diameter of the gross tumor volume were measured and analyzed between the slow and fast CT scans. Results : The reflection degree of longitudinal movement of the model increased in proportion to the relative CT scan times below 1.00 7, but remained constant above 1.00 T Assuming the mean value of scanned transverse lengths with CT scan time 1.00 T to be $100\%$, CT scans with scan times of 0.33, 0.50, 0.57, and 0.75 T missed the tumor motion by 30, 27, 20, and $7.0\%$ respectively, Slow (scan time 2.0 sec) and Fast (scan time 0.8 sec) CT scans of three patients with longitudinal movement of 3, 5, and 10 mm measured by fluoroscopy revealed the increases in the diameter along the longitudinal axis Increased by 6.3, 17, and $23\%$ in the slow CT scans. Conculsion : As the relative CT scan time increased, the reflection of the respiratory tumor movement on planning CT also Increased, but remained constant with relative CT scan times above 1.00 T When setting the planning CT scan time above one respiration period (>1.00 T), only the set-up margin is needed to delineate the planning target volume. Therefore, therapeutic ratio can be increased by reducing the radiation dose delivered to normal lung tissue.