• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3117-3122
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• 2011

Skull A-P projections are the bi-product where the ESD (Entrance Surface Dose) for digital radiography is much higher than that conventional screen-film radiography. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reduce radiation doses to patients by using an added filter. This research focuses on the identification of the reduction of exposure to radiation based on the thickness of an added filter when applying the 'Skull A-P Projection' by using the 'Skull Phantom'. Also, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the qualitative decline of images through filtration. The measurement of one's exposed dose to radiation was executed by locating the 'Skull Phantom' on the position of the 'Skull AP,' while changing 16 kinds of added filters from 0.1 mmAl to 0.5 mmCu + 2.0 mmAl in terms of incident and penetrating doses. For the qualitative evaluation of images, a total number of 17 images have been acquired in the 'Skull Phantom' under the same conditions as those for the measurement of one's exposed dose. The acquired images have been evaluated by a radiological specialist. As a result, the images with a diagnostic value have been obtained by using such added filters as the compound filter of 0.2 mmCu +1.0 mmAl. The exposed dose absorbed on the 'Skull Phantom' is about 0.6 mGy. The value is only 12% of 5 mGy, the ESD value acquired on the 'Skull P-A Projection', which is recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As a result, depending on the parts of inspection, it is possible to reduce the patient's exposed dosage of radiation considerably by using an appropriate added filter.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2012

The purpose of this work was to evaluate an amorphous silicon cesium iodide based indirect flat-panel detector (FPD) in terms of their modulation transfer function (MTF), Wiener spectrum (WS, or noise power spectrum, NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Measurements were made on flat-panel detector using the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defined RQA3, RQA5, RQA7, and RQA9 radiographic technique. The MTFs of the systems were measured using an edge method. The WS(NPS) of the systems were determined for a range of exposure levels by two-dimensional (2D). Fourier analysis of uniformly exposed radiographs. The DQEs were assessed from the measured MTF, WS(NPS), exposure, and estimated ideal signal-to-noise ratios. Characteristic curve in the RQA3 showed difference in the characteristic curve from RQA5, RQA7, RQA9. MTFs were not differences according to x-ray beam quality. WS(NPS) was reduced with increasing dose, and RQA 3, RQA5, RQA7, RQA9 as the order is reduced. DQE represented the best in the 1mR, RQA 3, RQA5, RQA7, RQA9 decrease in the order. The physical imaging characteristics of FPD may also differ from input beam quality. This study gives an initial motivation that the physical imaging characteristics of FPD is an important issue for the right use of digital radiography system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2017

This study identifies the optimal tube voltages depending on the changes in the patient's body type for limb tests using a digital radiography (DR) system. For the upper-limp test, the dose area product (DAP) was fixed at $5.06dGy{\ast} cm^2$, and for the lower-limb test, the DAP was fixed at $5.04dGy{\ast} cm^2$. Afterwards, the tube voltage was changed to four different stages and the images were taken three times at each stage. The thickness of the limbs was increased by 10 mm to 30 mm to change in the patient's body type. For a quantitative evaluation, Image J was used to calculate the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) among the four groups, according to the tube voltage. For statistical testing, the statistically significant differences were analyzed through the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. For the qualitative analysis of the images, the pre-determined items were evaluated based on a 5-point Likert scale. In both upper-limb and lower-limb tests, the more the tube voltage increased, the more the CNR and SNR of the images decreased. The test on the changes depending on the patient's body shape showed that the more the thickness increased, the more the CNR and SNR decreased. In the qualitative evaluation on the upper limbs, the more the tube voltage increased, the more score increased to 4.6 at the maximum of 55kV and 3.6 at 40kV, respectively. The mean score for the lower limbs was 4.4, regardless of the tube voltage. The more either the upper or lower limbs got thicker, the more the score generally decreased. The score of the upper limps sharply dropped at 40kV, whereas that of the lower limps sharply dropped at 50kV. For patients with a standard thickness, the optimized images can be obtained when taken at 45kV for the upper limbs, and at 50kV for the lower limbs. However, when the thickness of the patient's limbs increases, it is best to set the tube voltage at 50 kV for the upper limbs and at 55 kV for the lower limbs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.289-299
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the quality of digital X-ray imaging system. The image quality evaluation was conducted By using Modulation transfer function indicating the quantitative resolution of the image and the noise power spectrum showing the noise characteristics. Using a IEC61267 radiation quality was applied to the geometry to be used in clinical and geometry presented in IEC62220-1 and Additional filter, grid, the clinical dose and the MTF value of edge phantom was measured. Result of the MTF corresponding to each item(Grid, Filter, SID, kVp, mAs), the clinical condition 100cm, 180cm, measurements of the spatial frequency of the MTF IEC62220-1Geometry 150cm became similarly apparent, rather spatial frequency was also the case high in clinical conditions 100cm. NPS results, as the dose(mAs) is increased, NPS showed that reduced. The image quality evaluation using IEC61267 the Radiation quality, Image quality of the video using the clinical conditions Geometry than image quality evaluation using IEC62220-1Geometry was better. It shows that MTF and NPC in IEC and clinical condition were not significantly different. In order to apply the evaluation method of image quality applied with clinical conditions rather than the future method, to be presented evaluation of IEC standard, based on the results of the image characterization studies in this paper, the methods that shows good quality of spatial resolution and decrease NPS value as the least dose, used suitable parameters for whether or not using added filter, grid, change SID and clinical quality(kVp), dose(mAs) etc should be found. then It is believed to be able to properly maintain the actual quality of the image of the digital radiographic imaging system in clinical.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

In this work, we considered a compressed-sensing (CS)-based image deblurring scheme with a total-variation (TV) regularization penalty for improving image characteristics in digital tomosynthesis (DTS). We implemented the proposed image deblurring algorithm and performed a systematic simulation to demonstrate its viability. We also performed an experiment by using a table-top setup which consists of an x-ray tube operated at $90kV_p$, 6 mAs and a CMOS-type flat-panel detector having a $198-{\mu}m$ pixel resolution. In the both simulation and experiment, 51 projection images were taken with a tomographic angle range of ${\theta}=60^{\circ}$ and an angle step of ${\Delta}{\theta}=1.2^{\circ}$ and then deblurred by using the proposed deblurring algorithm before performing the common filtered-backprojection (FBP)-based DTS reconstruction. According to our results, the image sharpness of the recovered x-ray images and the reconstructed DTS images were significantly improved and the cross-plane spatial resolution in DTS was also improved by a factor of about 1.4. Thus the proposed deblurring scheme appears to be effective for the blurring problems in both conventional radiography and DTS and is applicable to improve the present image characteristics.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.316-323
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• 2015

In this study, we analyzed radiation dose and MTF with setting of Ion chamber and changing kVp so that we are able to suggest acquiring optimized diagnostic images and minimizing patient dose. we assumed right lateral decubitus position among chest decubitus projection and set 7 combination of Ion chamber. By changing kVp(100, 110, 120, 130kVp), we exposed x-ray five times respectively and calculated average value after measuring entrance dose. we input the entrance dose value to PCXMC Monte carlo simulation tool and calculated organ dose and effective dose. Then we did physical image evaluation with MTF for the purpose to compare image quality. As a result, the high kVp, entrance dose is reduced. As change of ion chamber, when selecting second ion chamber, both organ dose and effective dose were the lowest. In contrast, selecting first ion chamber was the highest. MTF is superior to set second Ion chamber and using 120 kVp. Consequently, when taking chest right lateral decubitus using Digital radiography, the optimized combination which have both reducing dose efficiently without declining image quality and aquring good qualified image is set 120 kVp and selecting second Ion chamber.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 1999

Geometrically standardized dental radiographs were taken. We prepared Digital Cu-Equivalent Image Analyzing System for quantitative assessment of mandible bone. Images of radiographs were digitized by means of Quick scanner and personal Mcquintosh computer. NIH image as software was used for analyzing images. A stepwedge composed of 10 steps of 0.1mm copper foil in thickness was used for reference material. This study evaluated the effects of step numbers of copper wedge adopted for calculating equation. kVp and exposure time on the coefficient of determination(r²)of the equation for conversion to Cu-equivalent image and the coefficient of variation and Cu-Eq value(mm) measured at each copper step and alveolar bone of the mandible. The results were as follows: 1. The coefficients of determination(r²) of 10 conversion equations ranged from 0.9996 to 0.9973(mean=0.9988) under 70kVp and 0.16 sec. exposure. The equation showed the highest r was Y=4.75614612-0.06300524x +0.00032367x² -0.00000060x³. 2. The value of r² became lower when the equation was calculated from the copper stepwedge including 1.0mm step. In case of including 0mm step for calculation. the value of r showed variability. 3. The coefficient of variation showed 0.11, 0.20 respectively at each copper step of 0.2, 0.1mm in thickness. Those of the other steps to 0.9 mm ranged from 0.06 to 0.09 in mean value. 4. The mean Cu-Eq value of alveolar bone was 0.14±0.02mm under optimal exposure. The values were lower than the mean under the exposures over 0.20sec. in 60kVp and over 0.16sec. in 70kVp. 5. Under the exposure condition of 60kVp 0.16sec.. the coefficient of variation showed 0.03. 0.05 respectively at each copper-step of 0.3, 0.2mm in thickness. The value of r² showed over 0.9991 from both 9 and 10 steps of copper. The Cu-Eq value and the coefficient of variation was 0.14±0.01mm and 0.07 at alveolar bone respectively. In summary. A clinical application of this system seemed to be useful for assessment of quantitative assessment of alveolar provided high coefficient of determination is obtained by the modified adoption of copper step numbers and the low coefficient of variation for the range of Cu-Equivalent value of alveolar bone from optimal kVp and exposure time for each x-ray machine.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.103-107
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to examine the effects of image filter on observer performance by counting the number of holes at each wedge step on a radiographic image. Materials and Methods : An aluminum step wedge with 11 steps ranged in thickness from 1.5 mm to 16.5 mm in 1.5 mm increments was fabricated for this study. Each step had 10 notched holes with 1.0 mm diameter on the bottom of the step wedge which were ranged in depths from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments. Digital radiographic raw images of the aluminum step wedge were acquired by using CCD intraoral sensor. The images were processed using several types of noise reduction filters and kernel sizes. Three observers counted the number of holes which could be discriminated on each step. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results : The number of holes at each step was decreased as the thickness of step was increased. The number of holes at each step on the raw images was significantly higher than that on the processed images. The number of holes was different according to the types and kernel sizes of the image filters. Conclusions : The types and kernel sizes of image filters on observer performance were important, therefore, they should be standardized for commercial digital imaging systems.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2014

This study focused on effects of patient exposure dose reduction with AEC (Auto Exposure Control) marker that is designed for showing location of AEC in X-ray Chest radiography. It included 880 adults who have to use Chest X-ray Digital Radiography system (DRS, LISTEM, Korea). AEC (Ion chambers are posited in top of both sides) are used to every adult and set X-ray system as Field size $17{\times}17inch$, 120kVp, FFD 180cm. 440 people of control group are posited on detector to include both sides of lung field and the other 440 people of experimental group are set to contact their lung directly to Ion chamber (making marker to shows location). Then, measured every DAP and, estimated patient effective dose by using PCXMC 2.0. The average age of control group (M:F=245:195) is 53.9 and the average BMI is 23.4. BMI ranges from under weight: 35, normal range: 279, over weight: 106 to obese: 20 and average DAP is 223.56mGycm2, Mean effective dose is 0.045mSv. The average age of experimental group (M:F=197:243) is 53.7 and the average BMI is 22.7. BMI ranges from under weight: 34, normal range: 315, over weight: 85 to obese: 6 and average DAP is 207.36mGycm2, Mean effective dose is 0.041mSv. Experimental group shows less Mean effective dose as 0.004mSv (9.7%) than control group. Also, patient numbers who got over exposure more than 0.056mSv (limit point to know efficiency of AEC marker) is 65 in control group (14.7%), 19 in experimental group (4.3%) and take statistics with t-Test. The statistical difference between two groups is 0.006. In order to use proper amount of X-ray in auto exposure controlled chest X-ray system, matching location between ion chamber and body part is needed, and using AEC marker (designed for showing location of ion chamber) is a way to reduce unnecessary patient exposure dose.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was aimed to investigate the variation of soft palate morphology in different age and gender groups. The correlations of radiographic velar length (VL), velar width (VW), pharyngeal depth (PD), and Need's ratio with soft palate variants were also studied in the North Indian subpopulation. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 300 subjects aged between 15 and 45 (mean: 31.32) years. The velar morphology on lateral cephalograms was examined and grouped into six types. The results obtained were subjected to a statistical analysis to find the correlation between variants of the soft palate with gender and different age groups. Results: The most frequent type of soft palate was leaf shaped (48.7%), and the least common was crook shaped (3.0%) among both the genders and various age groups, showing a significant correlation. The mean VL, VW, and PD values were significantly higher in males and significantly correlated with the types of soft palate. A significant correlation was observed between the mean VL, VW, PD, and Need's ratio with various age groups, showing an inconsistent pattern with an increase in age. The types of soft palate, gender, and Need's ratio were also significantly correlated, with an overall higher mean value of the Need's ratio among female subjects and the S-shaped soft palate. Conclusion: The knowledge of a varied spectrum of velar morphology and the variants of the soft palate help in a better understanding of the velopharyngeal closure and craniofacial anomalies.