• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.141-153
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• 2020

Purpose: Myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times are affected by technical factors such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance platform/vendor. We aimed to validate T1 and T2 mapping sequences using a phantom; establish reference T1, T2, and extracellular volume (ECV) measurements using two sequences at 3T in normal Koreans; and compare the protocols and evaluate the differences from previously reported measurements. Materials and Methods: Eleven healthy subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 3T MRI equipment (Verio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). We did phantom validation before volunteer scanning: T1 mapping with modified look locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) with 5(3)3 and 4(1)3(1)2 sequences, and T2 mapping with gradient echo (GRE) and TrueFISP sequences. We did T1 and T2 mappings on the volunteers with the same sequences. ECV was also calculated with both sequences after gadolinium enhancement. Results: The phantom study showed no significant differences from the gold standard T1 and T2 values in either sequence. Pre-contrast T1 relaxation times of the 4(1)3(1)2 protocol was 1142.27 ± 36.64 ms and of the 5(3)3 was 1266.03 ± 32.86 ms on the volunteer study. T2 relaxation times of GRE were 40.09 ± 2.45 ms and T2 relaxation times of TrueFISP were 38.20 ± 1.64 ms in each. ECV calculation was 24.42% ± 2.41% and 26.11% ± 2.39% in the 4(1)3(1)2 and 5(3)3 protocols, respectively, and showed no differences at any segment or slice between the sequences. We also calculated ECV from the pre-enhancement T1 relaxation time of MOLLI 5(3)3 and the post-enhancement T1 relaxation time of MOLLI 4(1)3(1)2, with no significant differences between the combinations. Conclusion: Using phantom-validated sequences, we reported the normal myocardial T1, T2, and ECV reference values of healthy Koreans at 3T. There were no statistically significant differences between the sequences, although it has limited statistical value due to the small number of subjects studied. ECV showed no significant differences between calculations based on various pre- and post-mapping combinations.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2018

Quantitative analysis was performed to confirm that moire artifact was removed without loss of image when using grid suppression software in the diagnosis of micro lesions. we showed that grid suppression images can be morphologically different from original images as they are significantly lower than those of the optimized grid in the similarity analysis with reference images in mammographic phantom images. We were confirmed that images of microcalcification with smaller signal than noise were lost because the pixel values of all lesions increased significantly after the grid suppression, The change in contrast using the NORMI 13 X-ray test phantom was reduced to 30% of the reference image, This result was significantly lower than the 90% when using the optimized grid. In conclusion, the use of grid suppression software in clinical images should be carefully considered because of the possibility of misdiagnosis due to micro lesion loss and morphological changes.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.624-633
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of CT measurements of muscle quantity and quality using variable CT parameters. Materials and Methods: A phantom, simulating the L2-4 vertebral levels, was used for this study. CT images were repeatedly acquired with modulation of tube voltage, tube current, slice thickness, and the image reconstruction algorithm. Reference standard muscle compartments were obtained from the reference maps of the phantom. Cross-sectional area based on the Hounsfield unit (HU) thresholds of muscle and its components, and the mean density of the reference standard muscle compartment, were used to measure the muscle quantity and quality using different CT protocols. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated in the images acquired with different settings. Results: The skeletal muscle area (threshold, -29 to 150 HU) was constant, regardless of the protocol, occupying at least 91.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. Conversely, normal attenuation muscle area (30-150 HU) was not constant in the different protocols, varying between 59.7% and 81.7% of the reference standard muscle compartment. The mean density was lower than the target density stated by the manufacturer (45 HU) in all cases (range, 39.0-44.9 HU). The SNR decreased with low tube voltage, low tube current, and in sections with thin slices, whereas it increased when the iterative reconstruction algorithm was used. Conclusion: Measurement of muscle quantity using HU threshold was reliable, regardless of the CT protocol used. Conversely, the measurement of muscle quality using the mean density and narrow HU thresholds were inconsistent and inaccurate across different CT protocols. Therefore, further studies are warranted in future to determine the optimal CT protocols for reliable measurements of muscle quality.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.430-437
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• 2018

Ultrasonic attenuation is an important parameter in Quantitative Ultrasound and many algorithms have been proposed to improve estimation accuracy and repeatability for multiple independent estimates. In this work, we propose an improved algorithm for estimating ultrasonic attenuation utilizing the optimal frequency compounding technique based on stochastic noise model. We formulate mathematical compounding equations in the AWGN channel model and solve optimization problems to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio for multiple frequency components. Individual estimates are calculated by the reference phantom method which provides very stable results in uniformly attenuating regions. We also propose the guideline to select frequency ranges of reflected RF signals. Simulation results using numerical phantoms show that the proposed optimal frequency compounding method provides improved accuracy while minimizing estimation bias. The estimation variance is reduced by only 16% for the un-compounding case, whereas it is reduced by 68% for the uniformly compounding case. The frequency range corresponding to the half-power for reflected signals also provides robust and efficient estimation performance.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2004

한국인 고유의 방사선 방호량을 산출하기 위한 목적으로 MIRD형 한국 성인남성 모의피폭체 'KMIRD'를 제작하였다. 모의 피폭체의 외형은 국민표준체위조사에서 제공하는 데이터를 사용하여 제작하였다. 제작된 KMIRD는 MIRDS보다 몸통 두께가 더 두껍고, 팔이 첨가되었다. 보건연구원에서 제공하는 9개 장기의 한국표준 자료와 ICRP23의 자료를 사용하여 모의피폭체의 내부 장기를 모사하였다. KMIRD의 신장은 171 cm, 체중은 63.8 kg이다. 제작된 KMIRD와 몬테칼로 입자 수송 코드인 MCNPX2.3을 이용하여 0.05와 10 MeV 사이의 7개 에너지 영역에 대해서 광자의 선량환산인자를 산출하였다. 피폭 환경은 AP, PA, LLAT, RLAT 4가지 방향에서 입사하는 평행하고 넓은 광자 방사선장으로 모사하였다. ICRP23 표준인 자료를 기초로 제작된 MIRD5 모의 피폭체를 사용하여, 비교 계산을 수행하였다. 장기별 흡수선량환산계수를 비교한 결과 30% 이상의 차이를 보이는 장기도 있었다. 유효선량 환산계수를 비교한 결과, 모든 입사 방향에서 KMIRD가 MIRD5보다 낮은 값을 보였다. 한국인과 서구인간의 체격적인 차이와, 모의피폭체간치 기하학적 구조의 차이가 선량 편차의 주요 원인이다. 모든 장기에 대한 한국 표준자료를 확보하여 개선된 한국인 MIRD형 모의 피폭체를 제작해야한다. KMIRD를 사용하여 내부피폭 선량평가를 수행할 수 있다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.273-282
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• 1993

This study is concerned with the temperature dependence characteristics of ultrasound parameters in biological tissues, which are basic on the noninvasive deep body temperature estimation. Used parameters are ultrasonic attenuation coefficient and sound velocity In order to accomplishment our purpose, several signal processing methods were used. Attenua4iorl coefficient was estimated by spectral difference method and sound velocity was estimated by P-P method. And we also examined these methods through a series of IN VITRO experi mentis that used tissue-mimicking phantom samples and biological tissue samples. In order to imitate the biological soft tissue two kinds of phantom samples are used, one is agar phantom sample which is composed of agar, graphite, N-propyl alcohol and distilled water, and the other is fat phantom sample which is composed of pure animal fat. And the ultrasound transmission mode and reflection mode experiments are performed on the pig's spleen, kidney and fat. As a result, it is found that the temperature characteristics are uniform in case of phan- tom samples but not in biological tissues because of complicate wave propagation within them. Consequently, the possibility of temperature measurement using ultrasound on biological tissue is confirmed and its results may contribute to the establishment of reference values of internal temperature measurement of biological tissues.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate appropriate contrast reference values (CRVs) by comparing the contrast in phantom and clinical images. Materials and Methods: Phantom contrast was measured using two methods: (1) counting the number of visible pits of different depths in an aluminum plate, and (2) obtaining the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for 5 tissue-equivalent materials (porcelain, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], polyoxymethylene [POM], and polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA]). Four panoramic radiographs of the contrast phantom, embedded in the 4 different regions of the arch-form stand, and 1 real skull phantom image were obtained, post-processed, and compared. The clinical image quality evaluation chart was used to obtain the cut-off values of the phantom CRV corresponding to the criterion of being adequate for diagnosis. Results: The CRVs were obtained using 4 aluminum pits in the incisor and premolar region, 5 aluminum pits in the molar region, and 2 aluminum pits in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. The CRVs obtained based on the CNR measured in the anterior region were: porcelain, 13.95; aluminum, 9.68; PTFE, 6.71; and POM, 1.79. The corresponding values in the premolar region were: porcelain, 14.22; aluminum, 8.82; PTFE, 5.95; and POM, 2.30. In the molar region, the following values were obtained: porcelain, 7.40; aluminum, 3.68; PTFE, 1.27; and POM, - 0.18. The CRVs for the TMJ region were: porcelain, 3.60; aluminum, 2.04; PTFE, 0.48; and POM, - 0.43. Conclusion: CRVs were determined for each part of the jaw using the CNR value and the number of pits observed in phantom images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements of 3-dimensional (3D) images generated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and facial scanning systems, and to assess the effect of scanning parameters, such as CBCT exposure settings, on image quality. Materials and Methods: CBCT and facial scanning images of an anthropomorphic phantom showing 13 soft-tissue anatomical landmarks were used in the study. The distances between the anatomical landmarks on the phantom were measured to obtain a reference for evaluating the accuracy of the 3D facial soft-tissue images. The distances between the 3D image landmarks were measured using a 3D distance measurement tool. The effect of scanning parameters on CBCT image quality was evaluated by visually comparing images acquired under different exposure conditions, but at a constant threshold. Results: Comparison of the repeated direct phantom and image-based measurements revealed good reproducibility. There were no significant differences between the direct phantom and image-based measurements of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images. Five of the 15 measurements of the 3D facial scans were found to be significantly different from their corresponding direct phantom measurements(P<.05). The quality of the CBCT surface volume-rendered images acquired at a constant threshold varied across different exposure conditions. Conclusion: These results proved that existing 3D imaging techniques were satisfactorily accurate for clinical applications, and that optimizing the variables that affected image quality, such as the exposure parameters, was critical for image acquisition.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1987

X-선 target 으로 부터 water phantom($30{\times}30{\times}30cm^3$) 표면까지 1m이고 이 지점에서 비임 크기가 $5cm{\phi},\;10cm{\phi},\;15cm{\phi}$인 경우 phantom 표면으로 부터 X-선 중심축을 따라 깊이 2.5cm의 기준점으로 부터깊이 20cm까지 2.5cm 간격으로 깊이-선량 백분율, P(%)을 추정하였다. 사용된 X-선 인가전압 및 전류는 $150{\sim}250kV$ 및 5 mA 이었고 물속 흡수선량률, $\dot{D}_w$은 NE 2571 공동전리함의 조사선량 교정인자 $N_x$로부터 구한 공기 kerma 고정인자 $N_k$를 이용하여 결정하였다. 기준조사선량룰 $\dot{X}_c$은 Exradin A-2공동 전리함을 일본 ETL로부터 교정하여 X-선 선질을 ETL 교정선질과 같도록 반가층을 결정한 후에 측정되었다. 한편, 흡수선량 및 깊이-선량 백분율 측정의 정확도를 검증하기 위해 phantom 속 깊이 5 cm되는 교정점에서 물속흡수선량률, $\dot{D}_w$을 $N_k$로부터 산출한 값과 Burlin의 일반화된 공동이론을 이용하여 계산한 값을 비교해 보았으며, $N_k$로부터 결정된 깊이-선량 백분율 P(%)을 BJR Suppl. 로부터 구한 값과 비교해 본 결과는 좋은 일치를 보였다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.69-75
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• 2020

Background: Dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) have been commonly used to estimate radiation-dose absorption by human organs based on physical measurements of fluence or kerma. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has reported a library of DCCs, but few studies have been conducted on their applicability to non-Caucasian populations. In the present study, we collected a total of 8 Korean pediatric and adult voxel phantoms to calculate the organ DCCs for idealized external photon-irradiation geometries. Materials and Methods: We adopted one pediatric female phantom (ETRI Child), two adult female phantoms (KORWOMAN and HDRK Female), and five adult male phantoms (KORMAN, ETRI Man, KTMAN1, KTMAN2, and HDRK Man). A general-purpose Monte Carlo radiation transport code, MCNPX2.7 (Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport extended version 2.7), was employed to calculate the DCCs for 13 major radiosensitive organs in six irradiation geometries (anteroposterior, posteroanterior, right lateral, left lateral, rotational, and isotropic) and 33 photon energy bins (0.01-20 MeV). Results and Discussion: The DCCs for major radiosensitive organs (e.g., lungs and colon) in anteroposterior geometry agreed reasonably well across the 8 Korean phantoms, whereas those for deep-seated organs (e.g., gonads) varied significantly. The DCCs of the child phantom were greater than those of the adult phantoms. A comparison with the ICRP Publication 116 data showed reasonable agreements with the Korean phantom-based data. The variations in organ DCCs were well explained using the distribution of organ depths from the phantom surface. Conclusion: A library of dose conversion coefficients for major radiosensitive organs in a series of pediatric and adult Korean voxel phantoms was established and compared with the reference data from the ICRP. This comparison showed that our Korean phantom-based data agrees reasonably with the ICRP reference data.