• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제23권7호
• /
• pp.752-762
• /
• 2022

Objective: To compare a deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) algorithm for pediatric abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) with filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. Materials and Methods: Post-contrast abdominopelvic CT scans obtained from 120 pediatric patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 8.7 ± 5.2 years; 60 males) between May 2020 and October 2020 were evaluated in this retrospective study. Images were reconstructed using FBP, a hybrid IR algorithm (ASiR-V) with blending factors of 50% and 100% (AV50 and AV100, respectively), and a DLR algorithm (TrueFidelity) with three strength levels (low, medium, and high). Noise power spectrum (NPS) and edge rise distance (ERD) were used to evaluate noise characteristics and spatial resolution, respectively. Image noise, edge definition, overall image quality, lesion detectability and conspicuity, and artifacts were qualitatively scored by two pediatric radiologists, and the scores of the two reviewers were averaged. A repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to compare NPS and ERD among the six reconstruction methods. The Friedman rank sum test followed by the Nemenyi-Wilcoxon-Wilcox all-pairs test was used to compare the results of the qualitative visual analysis among the six reconstruction methods. Results: The NPS noise magnitude of AV100 was significantly lower than that of the DLR, whereas the NPS peak of AV100 was significantly higher than that of the high- and medium-strength DLR (p < 0.001). The NPS average spatial frequencies were higher for DLR than for ASiR-V (p < 0.001). ERD was shorter with DLR than with ASiR-V and FBP (p < 0.001). Qualitative visual analysis revealed better overall image quality with high-strength DLR than with ASiR-V (p < 0.001). Conclusion: For pediatric abdominopelvic CT, the DLR algorithm may provide improved noise characteristics and better spatial resolution than the hybrid IR algorithm.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제53권1호
• /
• pp.258-265
• /
• 2021

High levels for noise and a loss of true signal make the quantitative interpretation of nuclear medicine (NM) images difficult. An application of profile optimization using a sigmoidal function in this study was used to acquire the NM images with high quality. And the images were acquired by using three kinds of reconstruction method using each same sinogram: a standard filtered back-projection (FBP), an iterative reconstruction (IR) technique, and the sigmoidal function profile optimization (SFPO). Comparison of image according to reconstruction method was performed to show a superiority of the SFPO for imaging. The images reconstructed by using the SFPO showed an average of 1.49 times and of 1.17 times better in contrast than the results obtained using the standard FBP and the IR technique, respectively. Higher signal to noise ratios were obtained as an average of 12.30 times and of 3.77 times than results obtained using the standard FBP and the IR technique, respectively. This study confirms that reconstruction with SFPO (vs FBP and vs IR) can lead to better lesion detectability and characterization with noise reduction. It can be developed for future reconstruction technique for the NM imaging.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.50-58
• /
• 2021

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the noise characteristics and the number of projected images in tomosynthesis using a digital phantom. Methods: The digital phantom consisted of a columnar phantom in the center of the image and a spherical phantom with a diameter of 80 pixels. A virtual scan was performed, and 128 projected images (Tomo_w/o) of the phantoms were obtained. The image noise according to the Poisson distribution was added to the projected images (Tomo_×1). Furthermore, another projected image with additional noise was prepared (Tomo_×1/2). For each dataset, we created datasets with 64 (half) and 32 (quarter) projections by removing the even-numbered images twice from the 128 (fully) projected images. Tomosynthesis images were reconstructed by filtered back projection (FBP). The modulation transfer function (MTF) was estimated using the sphere method, and the noise power spectrum (NPS) was estimated using the two-dimensional Fourier transform method. Results: The MTFs did not change between datasets, and the NPSs improved as the number of projected images increased. The noise characteristics of the Tomo_×1_half images were the same as those of the Tomo_×1/2_full. Conclusions: To achieve a reduction in the patient dose in tomosynthesis acquisition, we recommend reducing the number of projected images rather than reducing the dose per projection.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• 제41권5호
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 2013

X-ray computed tomography is a very powerful nondestructive technique in safety inspection of historic timber building. But, in field, various testing condition makes it difficult to carry out X-ray CT testing. Limited size in X-ray digital detector is one of the problems. In this study, a pitch pine disk with two holes was used to know how imperfection in X-ray projection affects CT image resolution. Using various number of projections, CT image was reconstructed by filtered back projection method, and then it was investigated how many projection is required to identify the holes in different location. Two artificial holes could be differently detected according to their location in cross section of specimen. One hole in center part of specimen was identified using more than 9 radiographs, but the other one which located in outer part of cross section could not be detected until more than 36 projections were used. Even though there is data missing in outer part of cross section due to limited size of detector, the center part of CT image could be reconstructed well and the resolution of outer part became higher with increase of the number of projections. For field application, the number of projections for CT image reconstruction needs to be decided with consideration of another nondestructive testing and the location of interest.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
• /
• 제14권8호
• /
• pp.818-823
• /
• 2008

In this paper, we propose a feature extraction method which extracts directional features of handwritten numerals by using the projection runlength. Our directional featrures are obtained from four directional images, each of which contains horizontal, vertical, right-diagonal and left-diagonal lines in entire numeral shape respectively. A conventional method which extracts directional features by using Kirsch masks generates edge-shaped double line directional images for four directions, whereas our method uses the projections and their runlengths for four directions to produces single line directional images for four directions. To obtain the directional projections for four directions from a numeral image, some preprocessing steps such as thinning and dilation are required, but the shapes of resultant directional lines are more similar to the numeral lines of input numerals. Four [$4{\times}4$] directional features of a numeral are obtained from four directional line images through a zoning method. By using a hybrid feature which is made by combining our feature with the conventional features of a mesh features, a kirsch directional feature and a concavity feature, higher recognition rates of the handwrittern numerals can be obtained. For recognition test with given features, we use a multi-layer perceptron neural network classifier which is trained with the back propagation algorithm. Through the experiments with the handwritten numeral database of Concordia University, we have achieved a recognition rate of 97.85%.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국HCI학회 2009년도 학술대회
• /
• pp.436-442
• /
• 2009

삼차원 재구성 기법은 대상을 파괴하지 않고도 그 내부 구조의 공간적 해석을 가능하게 해주는 단층 영상을 생성해주기 때문에, 산업, 의료분야에서 널리 사용되고 있다. 최근 영상 장비의 성능 향상으로 고해상도의 CT 영상을 얻을 수 있게 되었으나, 대용량 데이터를 재구성하기 위해 많은 시간이 소요된다. 본 논문에서는 재구성에서 가장 많은 시간이 소요되는 여과와 역투사 과정을 범용 그래픽스 하드웨어를 사용하여 최적화하는 방법을 제안한다. 여과에서는 네 장의 영상을 압축하여 동시에 처리하는 기법을 적용하고, 역투사 과정에서는 깊이 테스트를 이용하여 계산량을 줄이는 방법을 사용한다. 제안된 방법으로 구현된 GPU 기반 프로그램은 OpenMP 를 사용하여 최적화 된 CPU 기반 프로그램에 비해 약 50 배 이상 속도가 향상되었다.

• 비파괴검사학회지
• /
• 제30권4호
• /
• pp.324-329
• /
• 2010

원자력발전소에서 사용되고 있는 연료봉은 지르코늄 합금 튜브에 동봉되어 있는 이산화우라늄 펠릿으로 구성되어 있다. 펠릿 표면은 원자로를 가동시키는 동안 국부 핫스팟을 예방하기 위해 튜브로 장전된 후 작은 구멍, 균열, 칩핑 결함이 없어야 한다. 본 논문은 X-선 단층촬영 시뮬레이션을 통하여 핵 연료봉 펠릿의 표면 결함을 검출하기 위한 타당성을 조사하였다. 병렬과 팬빔 여과후 역투영 방법을 이용하여 재구성된 영상은 시뮬레이션 데이터와 MPS(missing pellet surface) 영상데이터의 접근성을 확인하였다.

• 한국의학물리학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국의학물리학회 2002년도 Proceedings
• /
• pp.382-384
• /
• 2002

Filtered-Back-Projection technique is used in X-ray CT image reconstruction. This requires X-ray transmission data from all directions. As the transverse cross-section of the body is approximately 50 cm, transmitted X-rays in this direction are strongly attenuated. If X-ray transmission data in this direction is avoided, exposure to the patients seems to be reduced one 20th of usual value. Some alternative method has to be found for clinically sufficient image quality. New methods are under development and tentative results are reported that utilizes the principle of superposition.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한전기학회 2000년도 하계학술대회 논문집 D
• /
• pp.3207-3209
• /
• 2000

X-ray CT(Computed Tomography) has been a good modality for non-invasive diagnosis and recently, Conventional CT has been replaced rapidly with Spiral CT in recent. In X-ray CT, spiral scanning has various advantages such as better image quality, reduced scan time (in a single breath-hold), a lower x-ray dose. But, it requires very fast and high performance image processing system to reconstruct slice images from spiral scanning. This paper describes the fast image reconstruction techniques with filtered back projection from the viewpoints of fast algorithm as well as hardware implementation for real-time imaging.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.297-303
• /
• 2023

소아 전산화단층촬영(Computed Tomography, CT) 검사 시 어린 환자들의 협조가 어려워 검사 실패나 재검사가 빈번히 발생할 수 있다. 딥러닝 이미지 재구성(Deep Learning Image Reconstruction, DLIR) 방법은 방사선 감수성이 높은 소아 환자들의 CT 검사에서 재검사율을 낮추면서 진단적 가치가 높은 영상을 획득할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 DLIR을 적용하여 소아 흉부 CT 검사에서 호흡이나 움직임으로 인한 노이즈를 줄이고 임상적으로 유용한 영상을 얻기 위한 가능성을 조사하였다. 경상남도 소재의 P병원에서 7세 미만의 소아 43명의 흉부 CT 검사 데이터를 후향적으로 분석하였으며, 필터링 역 투영 재구성법(Filtered Back Projection, FBP), 반복적 재구성법(Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, ASIR-50), 딥러닝 알고리즘인 True Fidelity-Middle(TF-M)의 영상을 비교하였다. 조영 증강된 흉부 영상 중 오른쪽 상행 대동맥(Ascending Aorta, AA)과 등 근육(Back Muscle, BM)에 동일한 ROI를 그리고 각 영상에서 HU값을 이용하여 노이즈(Standard deviation, SD)를 측정하였다. 통계분석은 SPSS(ver. 22.0)를 사용하여 세 측정치의 평균값을 일원 배치 분산분석(One-way ANOVA)으로 분석하였다. 연구의 결과로 AA의 SD값은 FBP=25.65±3.75, ASIR-50=19.08±3.93, TF-M=17.05±4.45 로 나타났으며(F=66.72, p=0.00), BM의 SD값은 FBP=26.64±3.81, ASIR-50=19.19±3.37, TF-M=19.87±4.25 로 나타났다(F=49.54, p=0.00). 사후검정의 결과는 세 그룹간 유의한 차이가 있었다. DLIR 재구성 방법은 기존의 재구성 방법과 비교하여 유의하게 낮은 노이즈 값을 보였다. 따라서 딥러닝 알고리즘인 TrueFidelity-Middle(TF-M)의 적용은 소아 흉부 CT 검사 시 호흡이나 움직임에 의한 영상 화질의 저하를 줄일 수 있어 임상적으로 매우 유용하게 활용될 것으로 기대된다.