• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.83-88
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• 2023

Metal artifacts cause inaccuracies in target delineation, radiation treatment planning, and delivery when computed tomography images of a radiotherapy patient implanted with a high-density material in the body are acquired. In this study, we investigated the possibility of obtaining improved images in clinical trials through metal artifact reduction using silicon impression materials without the need for a specific metal artifact reduction algorithm. A silicon impression material exhibiting a constant Hounsfield unit (HU) value according to the mixing ratio of the catalysts and bases was selected. The material did not exhibit any change in weight or shape over time. For both the instances of inserting the metal material and applying the silicon impression material, the HU value and dose were compared with homogeneous cases filled with water-equivalent materials. When the silicon impression material was applied to the region where the high-density material was located, the HU value was within 5% and the dose was within 3% compared with those of the homogeneous cases. In this study, the silicon impression materials reduced metal artifacts. However, because the composition, shape, size, and location of high-density materials differ, further studies are required to consider these factors in clinical applications.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess artifacts generated in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of 3 types of dental implants using 3 metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm conditions (pre-acquisition MAR, post-acquisition MAR, and no MAR), and 2 peak kilovoltage (kVp) settings. Materials and Methods: Titanium-zirconium, titanium, and zirconium alloy implants were placed in a dry mandible. CBCT images were acquired using 84 and 90 kVp and at normal resolution for all 3 MAR conditions. The images were analyzed using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) to calculate the intensity of artifacts for each combination of material and settings. A 3-factor analysis of variance model with up to 3-way interactions was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in the mean intensity of artifacts associated with each factor. Results: The analysis of all 3 MAR conditions showed that using no MAR resulted in substantially more severe artifacts than either of the 2 MAR algorithms for the 3 implant materials; however, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-acquisition MAR. The 90 kVp setting generated less intense artifacts on average than the 84 kVp setting. The titanium-zirconium alloy generated significantly less intense artifacts than zirconium. Titanium generated artifacts at an intermediate level relative to the other 2 implant materials, but was not statistically significantly different from either. Conclusion: This in vitro study suggests that artifacts can be minimized by using a titanium-zirconium alloy at the 90 kVp setting, with either MAR setting.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.151-159
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of newly developed personal computer-based software to eliminate the linear artifacts by the metal restorations. Materials and Methods: A 3D CT image was conventionally reconstructed using ADVANTAGE WINDOWS 2.0 3D Analysis software (GE Medical System, Milwaukee, USA) and eliminated the linear artifacts manually. Next, a 3D CT image was reconstructed using V-works 4.0/sup TM/(Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea) and the linear artifacts eliminated manually in the axial images by a skillful operator using a personal computer. A 3D CT image was reconstructed using V-works 4.0/sup TM/(Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea) and the linear artifacts were removed using a simplified algorithm program to eliminate the linear artifacts automatically in the axial images using a personal computer, abbreviating the manual editing procedure. Finally, the automatically edited reconstructed 3D images were compared to the manually edited images. Results and Conclusion: We effectively eliminated the linear artifacts automatically by this algorithm, not by the manual editing procedures, in some degree. But programs based on more complicated and accurate algorithms may lead to a nearly flawless elimination of these linear artifacts automatically.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.215-223
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• 2016

Purpose: The management of metal-induced field inhomogeneities is one of the major concerns of distortion-free magnetic resonance images near metallic implants. The recently proposed method called "Slice Encoding for Metal Artifact Correction (SEMAC)" is an effective spin echo pulse sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) near metallic implants. However, as SEMAC uses the noisy resolved data elements, SEMAC images can have a major problem for improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) without compromising the correction of metal artifacts. To address that issue, this paper presents a novel reconstruction technique for providing an improvement of the SNR in SEMAC images without sacrificing the correction of metal artifacts. Materials and Methods: Low-rank approximation in each coil image is first performed to suppress the noise in the slice direction, because the signal is highly correlated between SEMAC-encoded slices. Secondly, SEMAC images are reconstructed by the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE), also known as Gauss-Markov or weighted least squares. Noise levels and correlation in the receiver channels are considered for the sake of SNR optimization. To this end, since distorted excitation profiles are sparse, $l_1$ minimization performs well in recovering the sparse distorted excitation profiles and the sparse modeling of our approach offers excellent correction of metal-induced distortions. Results: Three images reconstructed using SEMAC, SEMAC with the conventional two-step noise reduction, and the proposed image denoising for metal MRI exploiting sparsity and low rank approximation algorithm were compared. The proposed algorithm outperformed two methods and produced 119% SNR better than SEMAC and 89% SNR better than SEMAC with the conventional two-step noise reduction. Conclusion: We successfully demonstrated that the proposed, novel algorithm for SEMAC, if compared with conventional de-noising methods, substantially improves SNR and reduces artifacts.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.79-85
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• 2020

The influence of metal artifact in CT image depends on the type of metal materialsm, the reconstruction algorithm, and scan parameters. The presence of metal artifacts was quantitatively evaluated by applying the standard and MAR algorithms through the phantom study. In the change of tube voltage applied the standard algorithm, metal artifact decreased to 44.9% for 80 vs 120 kVp, 24% for 100 vs 120 kVp, while the image taken at 140 kVp increased the artifact by 19% compared to 120 kVp. When the tube current was increased from 100 to 300 mA, there was no significant difference in the CT value and noise. Black band and white strike artifacts occurred up to 65.9% in the adjacent ROI of the metal driver, whereas titanium screw produced lesser metal artifact than that of the metal driver. The combination of 120kVp or higher tube voltage-standard algorithm was effective in removing black band artifacts as well as white streak by high density materials. However, MAR reconstruction algorithm was useful in improving image quality under the environment of low kVp and high density materials, without increase of radiation exposure.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제83권6호
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• pp.1286-1297
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• 2022

목적 고관절 인공치환물을 가진 환자에서 여러 가지 금속인공물 감소 효과를 비교하였다. 대상과 방법 이 연구는 고관절 인공치환술과 이중에너지 전산화단층촬영을 시행한 47명 환자에서 시행하였다. 금속에서 발생한 인공물 감소효과는 서로 다른 3개의 영상(고식적 영상, 금속인공물 감소영상, 가상 단일에너지 영상)에서 비교하였다. 이를 위해 인공관절 주변 7곳에서 금속인공물에 대한 정량적 분석과 정성적 분석을 시행하였다. 결과 금속인공물 감소영상에서 가장 낮은 영상잡음과 인공물 지수를 보였고, 다음으로는 가상 단일에너지 영상이었다. 금속인공물 감소영상은 저음영 인공물이 매우 심한 영역에서만 높은 대조도를 보인 반면, 가상 단일에너지 영상은 인공물 주변 골조직과 그 외 영역에서 높은 대조도를 보였다. 연부조직 분석에서도 금속인공물 감소영상이 더 우수함을 보여 주었다. 정성적 분석에서도 금속인공물 감소영상이 가상 단일에너지 영상보다 인공물 감소 효과가 뛰어남을 밝혔지만, 이차적인 인공물 발생도 가장 흔히 발생하였다. 결론 금속인공물 감소영상이 심한 금속인공물감소에 가장 뛰어난 효과를 보였지만 새로운 이차적 인공물을 발생시켰다. 가상 단일에너지 영상은 인공물 주변 골조직 평가에서 우수함을 보였다.

• 대한건축학회논문집:계획계
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.63-70
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• 2020

In the ancient Buddhist temple area, various metal artifacts are still excavated. Therefore, the aim of this study is to approach the characteristics of ancient architecture through ancient metal artifacts. First, metal decoration of ancient architecture appears for the purpose of structure, decoration, arson. Then, as the method of wood structure is developed, the application is separated into structural, functional and decorative purposes. In ancient times, metal decoration has reduced the role of structure, but its decorative role has expanded. Second, various metallic ornaments were used on the roof of ancient architecture. As the wooden technology developed, the metal decoration was gradually omitted while applying the curve to the roof. Third, the metal ornaments used on the roof of ancient architectures include the ridge central decoration, roof top decoration, a nine-ring decoration, gable board Ornamental Metal, corner flower decoration, eaves nail, wind bell. And subsequent research requires a terminology that can link the results of archeology and Buddhist art through excavation as a result of architecture.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the metal artifacts from common metal orthodontic brackets in magnetic resonance imaging. Material and Methods: A dry mandible with 12 intact premolars was prepared, and was scanned ten times with various types of brackets: American, 3M, Dentaurum, and Masel orthodontic brackets were used, together with either stainless steel (SS) or nickel titanium (NiTi) wires. Subsequently, three different sequences of coronal and axial images were obtained: spin-echo $T_1$-weighted images, fast spin-echo $T_2$-weighted images, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. In each sequence, the two sequential axial and coronal images with the largest signal-void area were selected. The largest diameters of the signal voids in the direction of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes were then measured twice. Finally, the mean linear values associated with different orthodontic brackets were analyzed using one-way analysis of variation, and the results were compared using the independent t-test to assess whether the use of SS or NiTi wires had a significant effect on the images. Results: Statistically significant differences were only observed along the Z-axis among the four different brands of orthodontic brackets with SS wires. A statistically significant difference was observed along all axes among the brackets with NiTi wires. A statistically significant difference was found only along the Z-axis between nickel-free and nickel-containing brackets. Conclusion: With respect to all axes, the 3M bracket was associated with smaller signal-void areas. Overall, the 3M and Dentaurum brackets with NiTi wires induced smaller artifacts along all axes than those with SS wires.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국지구물리탐사학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the international symposium on the fusion technology
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• pp.563-568
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• 2003

Recently, the recycled amount of electric, mechanical parts, and appliances in artifacts has increased. These products use valuable rare metals such as platinum group metals and gold, which are included occasionally as additives. Rare metals are maldistributed in the world and most of them are produced in small quantities. A small amount of rare metals used in the appliances causes a large loss of rare metal resources because of the lack of an economically recycling method. The present recycling technologies including physical and chemical separation methods that are considered for recycling of electric, mechanical parts and appliances.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.1003-1011
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• 2020

본 연구는 듀얼 에너지 CT를 사용하여 금속인공물을 감소시키는 기법을 적용함에 있어 단일 선원과 이중 선원간의 영상 차이를 비교 평가하고자 한다. 단일 선원 장치로는 Discovery CT 256(GE, USA), 이중 선원 장치로는 Somatom Definition Flash(Siemens Health Care, Forchheim, Germany)를 이용하였다. 자체 제작한 팬텀(의료용 Titanium Screw를 삽입한 돼지다리)을 이중에너지 CT를 이용하여 동일 조건하에 선량을 변화시키며 영상을 얻은 후 정량적, 정성적 평가 하였다. 평가 방법으로는 뼈 주변, 조직 주변으로 나누고 금속삽입물로 인해 발생한 금속인공물(선속경화, 산란, 줄무늬)에 대하여 SNR을 측정하여 비교 분석하였다. 단일 선원 장치와 이중 선원 장치 간 금속 인공물 감소기법에는 영상의 차이가 있었다. 단일 선원 장치에서는 금속삽입물에 의한 선속경화 인공물이 이중 선원 장치에서 얻은 영상보다 많은 감소를 보이며 인공물의 방해 없이 주변 조직부가 잘 관찰 되었다. 이중 선원 장치에서는 금속삽입물에 의한 산란과 줄무늬 인공물이 단일 선원 장치에서 보다 많은 감소를 보이며 금속삽입물을 둘러싼 인접 조직들의 신호가 감소 없이 잘 관찰 되었다. 환자를 검사 시 보고자 하는 부위가 금속삽입물에 인접한 주변 조직이냐, 금속삽입물을 감싸는 전체적 조직이냐에 따라 단일 선원 장치와 이중 선원 장치를 구분하여 검사가 행해진다면 진단적으로 도움이 되는 영상을 획득할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.