• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2022

In this study, envisioned a laboratory equipped with virus blocking equipment for chest X-ray examinations of respiratory or droplet-transmitted virus-infected patients, and the material with the least deterioration in X-ray output and image quality among the proven blocking materials that block viruses in the design process. and experimented to find the thickness. As a result, when 1 cm of acrylic was applied, the X-ray output was reduced by only about 3.27 % compared to the absence of the barrier material, the SNR was 40.7 and CNR was 30.9, which was the best. The SSIM index result was analyzed as 0.891, which was analyzed to be implemented as the most similar image compared to the original image. The barrier material applied in the research method was objective in that it used a product approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. the results of this study are expected to provide useful information when installing X-ray examination facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory-related virus-infected patients in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.751-759
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• 2023

Breast ultrasonography is difficult to image in fatty breasts and to find micro-calcification, but the discovery of micro-calcification is very important for breast cancer screening. Among the color Doppler artifact of ultrasound, twinkle artifact mainly occur on strong reflectors such as stones or calcification in images, and evaluation methods using them are clinically being used. In this study, we are conducting experiments on the color Doppler settings of ultrasound equipment, such as repetition frequency, ensemble, persist, wall filtering, smoothing, linear density, and dissociation value, by producing a breast simulation phantom using the largest amount of calcium phosphate among breast implants. The purpose of this study was to improve the contrast of twinkle artifact in breast ultrasound examinations and to maximize their use in clinical practice. As a result, the pulse repetition frequency occurred in the range of 3.6 kHz to 7.2 kHz, and did not occur above 10.5 kHz. For ensembles, twinkle artifact occurred in all sizes of calcification under low conditions, and in threshold settings, the twinkle artifact increased slightly only under 80 to 100 conditions, and did not occur in 1 mm size calcification. Persist, wall filter, smoothing, and line density settings did not have much meaning in the setting variable because conditions did not increase by condition, and pulse repetition frequency, ensemble, and thresholds had the greatest impact on the twinkling artifact image. This study is expected to help examiners select optimal conditions to effectively increase twinkle artifact by adjusting color Doppler settings.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2013

Purpose: Patients' movement during long image acquisition time for the fusion image of PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) results in unconformity, and greatly affects the quality of the image and diagnosis. The arm support fixtures provided by medical device companies are not manufactured considering the convenience and safety of the patients; the arm and head movements (horizontal and vertical) during PET/CT scan cause defects in the brain fundus images and often require retaking. Therefore, this study aims to develop patient-compensation device that would minimize the head and arm movements during PET/CT scan, providing comfort and safety, and to reduce retaking. Materials and Methods: From June to July 2012, 20 patients who had no movement-related problems and another 20 patients who had difficulties in raising arms due to shoulder pain were recruited among the ones who visited nuclear medicine department for PET Torso scan. By using Patient Holding System (PHS), different range of motion (ROM) in the arm ($25^{\circ}$, $27^{\circ}$, $29^{\circ}$, $31^{\circ}$, $33^{\circ}$, $35^{\circ}$) was applied to find the most comfortable angle and posture. The manufacturing company was investigated for the permeability of the support material, and the comfort level of applying bands (velcro type) to fix the patient's head and arms was evaluated. To find out the retake frequency due to movements, the amount of retake cases pre/post patient-compensation were analyzed using the PET Torso scan data collected between January to December 2012. Results: Among the patients without movement disorder, 18 answered that PHS and $29^{\circ}$ arm ROM were the most comfortable, and 2 answered $27^{\circ}$ and $31^{\circ}$, respectively. Among the patients with shoulder pain, 15 picked $31^{\circ}$ as the most comfortable angle, 2 picked $33^{\circ}$, and 3 picked $35^{\circ}$. For this study, the handle was manufactured to be adjustable for vertical movements. The material permeability of the patient-compensation device has been verified, and PHS and the compensation device were band-fixed (velcro type) to prevent device movements. A furrow was cut for head fixation to minimize the head and neck movements, fixing bands were attached for the head, wrist, forearm, and upper arm to limit movements. The retake frequency of PET Torso scan due to patient movements was 11.06% (191 cases/1,808 patients) before using the movement control device, and 2.65% (48 cases/1,732 patients) after using the device; 8.41% of the frequency was reduced. Conclusion: Recent change and innovation in the medical environment are making expensive medical image scans, and providing differentiated services for the customers is essential. To secure patient comfort and safety during PET/CT scans, ergonomic patient-compensation devices need to be provided. Therefore, this study manufactured a patientcompensation device with vertically adjustable ergonomic ROM according to the patient's body shape and condition during PET Torso scan. The defects in the basal ganglia images due to arm movements were reduced, and retaking was decreased.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-21
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• 2014

Purpose With the recent rise of social issue regarding radiation exposure, attention to medical radiation use has been placed under a great spotlight. During PET-CT examination, generally about 40% more of $^{18}F$-FDG is used than EANM recommendation. While maintaining the diagnostic test result, we hope to find optimal injection dose to minimize the $^{18}F$-FDG in patients by utilizing the latest PET-CT scanner which is equiped with the newest technology. Materials and Methods During this experiment, the Biograph Truepoint 40 (siemens, USA) installed in 2007 and mCT 64 (siemens, USA) installed in 2011 were used and evaluated NECR (noise-equivalent counting rate) by using a scatter phantom. For the image quality evaluation of each scanner, we injected 3.7, 4.44 and 5.18 MBq/kg of $^{18}F$-FDG in NEMA IEC Body Phantom and also evaluated SNR between two scanners by using the data acquired at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 sec per bed. For the clinical evaluation, actual data of patients who were injected $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7, 4.44, 5.18 MBq/kg were used to compare SNR and draw a final result. Results As a result, mCT 64 peak NECR value was 1.65e+005, which is 10% higher than Turepoint 40. SNR values using the IEC body phantom was 17.9%, 17.4% and 17.1% higher in $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7 MBq/kg, 4.44 MBq/kg and 5.18 MBq/kg. In clinical patients, SNR values of the image mCT 64 was 16.5, which is 25% higher than Turepoint 40 scanner. Conclusion To draw a conclusion from the test result of this experiment, the same quality of SNR could be attained even with 10% reduced injection dose, if when the duration is extended by 10 sec/bed. This optimal result was possible due to enhanced equipment. The NECR (one of the equipment's performance assessment criteria for the scanner) increased by 10% and the SNR (one of the image quality assessment criteria) also increased by 17.5%. Therefore, we can expect to reduce the injection dose without deterioration of image quality. In consequence, it will also help to decrease the patient's anxiety of the radiation exposure.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to evaluate propriety of using SID 180cm at Chest PA examination and to find effect of geometrical cause to the image. XGEO-GC80, INNOVISION-SH, CXDI-40EG detector and a chest phantom designed self-production was used for this study. Images were acquired at SID 180cm with changing the factor OID as 0, 75 and 83mm and were analyzed by Centricity Radiography RA1000 PACS system. Statistical program was used the SPSS (Version 22.0, SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA), p-value(under 0.05) was considered to be statistically significant. In OID 0 mm was enlarged about 2.7~3.5 mm than the actual degree of the HS, BS of phantom in all equipments. Compared with the calculated magnification has been expanded 1.6~2.8% when viewed. The OID 75 mm with OID 83 mm was extended from the CS and BS 6~8 mm range. Compared to the calculated values, the measured values are expanded from 6.1 to 7.9%. CS and BS according to the OID change showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) among each group, the post-analysis only OID 0 mm group appeared as an independent group, 75 mm and 83 mm are separated in the same group It was. But had no statistically significant difference could change depending on the OID (p>0.05), post-mortem analysis showed, both in the same group. Heart sizes appears larger than actual size 6~8 mm at chest PA examination which is enlarged 6.1~7.9% more than the actual theoretical value. We can find magnification of the image because of the increase of the OID due to technical limitations between cover of standing detector and the image plate. so we suggest to have occurred between them when considering the need to adjust the equipment installed by the SID to match the characteristics of the equipment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.683-690
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of high-b-values diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative detection of focal rectum cancers. 60patients with diffusion weighted imaging were evaluated for the presence of rectal cancers. Forty were male and twenty were female, and their ages ranged from 38 to 71 (mean, 56) years. Used equipment was 1.5Tesla MRI((GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD). Examination protocols were used the fast spin echo T2, T1 weighted imaging. All examination protocols were performed by the same location with diffusion weighted imaging for accuracy detection. The b-values used in DWI were 250, 500, 750, 1000. 1500, 2000$(s/mm^2)$. The rectum, bladder to tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR images were quantitativlely analyzed using GE software Functool tool, four experienced radiologists and three radiotechnologists qualitatively evaluated image quality in terms of image artifacts, lesion conspicuity and rectal wall. These data were analysed by using ANOVA and Freedman test with each b-value(p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of rectum, bladder and tumor in b-value 1000 were 27.21, 24.44, respectively(p<0.05) and aADC value was $0.73\times10^{-3}$. As a qualitative analysis, the conspicuity and discrimination from the rectal wall of lesions were high results as $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$ on b-value 1000(p<0.05), image artifacts were high results as $4.8\pm0.25$ on b-value 2000(p<0.05). In conclusion, DWI was provided useful information with depicting the pre-operative detection of rectal cancers, High-b-value 1000 image was the most excellent DWI value.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.178-186
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• 2009

The quality control is needed to ensure the accuracy of medical information and achieved by evaluating the performance of and maintaining the system and practicing various measurements and evaluations. The Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Image, therefore, have held educational program for quality control of special medical equipments. The major of programs participants, however, are radiology specialists with only small number of radiological technologists from some hospitals, furthermore, the follow-up education and the share of information between participants and non-participants are insufficient in general, thus, the knowledge level of radiological technologists, regardless of their participation, is relatively low. This study carried out the questionnaire research for the 500 radiological technologists registered in Korean Society of MRI Technology, on the basis of 2008, and performed analysis for five months from May to Oct., 2008. The questionnaires were delivered by post to each radiological technologists and the response rate was 36%(n=180). The results of this revealed that the 86.7% of respondents felt the necessity of inspection on quality management, while only the 27.8% completed the educational program for manager of special medical equipment. and only the half(53.9%) had the knowledge about inspection on quality management. The completion of educational program had no correlations with sex, age, size of occupying hospital, the number of radiological technologists in occupying site and MRI laboratory, career year of general radiologist and in MRI laboratory, and the presence of biomedical engineering department in occupying hospital. The 78.0% of participants at the educational program for quality management held by the Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Image had the knowledge about inspection on quality management(p<.05) whereas the 43.9% of the hospitals held such program and the 54.4% of radiological technologists from those hospitals had related knowledge, which indicated that such programs held by hospitals had not effects on the knowledge level of radiological technologists. This indicates also that the contents, methods, and other conditional factors of educational programs are important for the outcome of them.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.145-155
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• 2009

There is a great deal of merit in CR system but artifact not produced in old system of film or screen newly is created. we studied 3 cases of artifact with CR system in one hospital, Gwangju. In the first case of the delay time and density, As the time was delayed, the density of the artifact was increased up to 67 percent in the natural radiation. The Second, Fading of the artifact decreased 33 percent in the rate of the emission after 10 hours, and the more the time was delayed, the less the quality of image was deteriorated. Third, Artifact was produced by the collimation when the radiologic technologist was performed, and by the Guiding plate and Suction cup when the radiation equipment was done. Therefore, when health care provider have to understand the artifact exactly and check regularly, the quality of the picture and the satisfaction of the medical examination is increased.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 1996.06c
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• pp.334-343
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• 1996

Quality evaluation for food and agricultural products have always been one of the most elusive problems associated with the handling , processing and marketing in a food plant production. In order to detect physical foreign materials in food and agricultural products, non-destructive techniques have been developed for many years. Application of X-ray system to detect physical foreign materials in food and agricultural products could be considered to be a high potential method. Especially , it is impossible to detect internal physical foreign materials by visual inspections. In this study, it was tried to be applied for two different X-ray devices. Soft X-ray system with CdTe sensor and X-ray CT scanner were evaluated for advantage of the detection of non-meltallic foreign materials in food and agricultural products . Though the soft X-ray is not a high energy radiation, it is possible to detect small different density in a material. The CdTe sensor has a high resolution for t e soft X-ray energy region. The density characteristics of foods and foreign material were expressed region. The density characteristics of foods and foreign materials were expressed as a soft X-ray energy spectrum. The energy spectrum was analyzed by a personal computer with a multi-channel analyzer. X-ray CT scanner can provide visual image and analyze by three dimensional information inside food and agricultural products. The X-ray CT scanner using as a medical equipment was used to detect a foreign material. The density characteristics of food and foreign materials in food were tried to be detected by the threshold value on the basis of the CT numbers. The soft X-ray absorption characteristics for acrylin plates and distilled water were obtained and could be found the possibility of detecting a small physical foreign materials such as a plastic wrapping film , a stone and grasshopper in food and agricultural products.