• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2007

Recently, small-animal imaging technology has been rapidly developed for longitudinal screening of laboratory animals such as mice and rats. One of newly developed imaging modalities for small animals is an x-ray micro-CT (computed tomography). We have developed two types of x-ray micro-CT systems for small animal imaging. Both systems use flat-panel x-ray detectors and micro-focus x-ray sources to obtain high spatial resolution of $10{\mu}m$. In spite of the relatively large field-of-view (FOV) of flat-panel detectors, the spatial resolution in the whole-body imaging of rats should be sacrificed down to the order of $100{\mu}m$ due to the limited number of x-ray detector pixels. Though the spatial resolution of cone-beam CTs can be improved by moving an object toward an x-ray source, the FOV should be reduced and the object size is also limited. To overcome the limitation of the object size and resolution, we introduce zoom-in micro-tomography for high-resolution imaging of a local region-of-interest (ROI) inside a large object. For zoom-in imaging, we use two kinds of projection data in combination, one from a full FOV scan of the whole object and the other from a limited FOV scan of the ROI. Both of our micro-CT systems have zoom-in micro-tomography capability. One of both is a micro-CT system with a fixed gantry mounted with an x-ray source and a detector. An imaged object is laid on a rotating table between a source and a detector. The other micro-CT system has a rotating gantry with a fixed object table, which makes whole scans without rotating an object. In this paper, we report the results of in vivo small animal study using the developed micro-CTs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2004

We developed an x-ray cone-beam micro computed tomography (micro-CT) system for small-animal imaging. The micro-CT system consists of a 2-D flat-panel x-ray detector with a field-of-view (FOV) of 120${\times}$120 mm2, a micro-focus x-ray source, a scan controller and a parallel image reconstruction system. Imaging performances of the micro-CT system have been evaluated in terms of contrast and spatial resolution. The minimum resolvable contrast has been found to be less than 36 CT numbers at the dose of 95 mGy and the spatial resolution about 14 lp/mm. As small animal imaging results, we present high resolution 3-D images of rat organs including a femur, a heart and vessels. We expected that the developed micro-CT system can be greatly used in biomedical studies using small animals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2010

The objective of this study is to elucidate the feasibility of synchrotron X-ray micro CT as a non-destructive imaging method to visualize the three-dimensional morphological structures of biological and non-biological samples. The experiments were conducted in 7B2 X-ray micro CT beamline in Pohang Accelerate Laboratory (PAL). A rotational 3-axis stage was specially designed for $0^{\circ}-180^{\circ}$ scanning of test samples. Preliminary tests were performed for opaque samples including a mosquito head, a plant seed and gas diffusion layer (GDL) of polymer electrolyte fuel cell to verify the feasibility of the X-ray micro CT. It visualized clearly the internal structure of all the test samples, supporting its usefulness.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2010

A micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to determine quantitative phase analysis of skarn Zn-Pb-Cu ore by nondestructive visualization of the internal mineral distribution of a skarn ore. The micro CT images of the ore were calibrated to remove beam hardening artifacts, and compared with its scanning electron microscope (SEM) images to set the threshold of CT number range covering sulfide ore minerals. The volume ratio of sulfide and gangue minerals was calculated 20.5% and 79.5%, respectively. The quantitative 3D X-ray CT could be applied to analyse the distribution of economic minerals and their recovery.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2016

Computed tomography (CT) can completely digitize the interior and the exterior of nearly any object without any destruction. Generally, the resolution for industrial CT is below a few microns. The industrial CT scanning, however, has a limitation because it requires long measuring and processing time. Whereas, 2D X-ray imaging is fast. In this paper, we propose a novel concept of 3D non-destructive inspection technique using the advantages of both micro-CT and dual X-ray images. After registering the master object’s CT data and the sample objects’ dual X-ray images, 3D non-destructive inspection is possible by analyzing the matching results. Calculation for the registration is accelerated by parallel computing using graphics processing unit (GPU).

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.518-523
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• 2011

The three dimensional geometries of an aluminum open cell foam before and after uniaxial compressive loading were investigated using the X-ray micro CT(computed tomography). Aluminum 6101-T6 open cell foams of 10, 20, 40 ppi (pore per inch) were considered in this work. After the serial sectioning CT images of aluminum foams were obtained from non-destructive X-ray images, the exact 3D structure were reproduced and visualized with commercial image processing program. The relative density ratio was around the 7.0 to 9.0 range, the unit cells showed anisotropic shapes having the different dimensional ratios of 1.1 to 1.3 between the rise and the transverse directions. The yield stress increased with the relative density ratio and the volumetric strain increased proportionally with compressive strain. The plateau stress in the compressive stress-strain curve was caused by the buckling of ligaments.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.179-189
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• 2014

We analyzed the three-dimensional distribution of micropores and internal structures in both fresh and weathered granite using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT). Results show that the pore radius in fresh granite is mostly in the range of $17-50{\mu}m$, the throat radius is in the range of $5-25{\mu}m$, and the coordination number (CN) of pores is less than 10. In contrast, the pore radius in weathered granite is mostly in the range of $20-80{\mu}m$, the throat radius is in the range of $8-30{\mu}m$, and the CN is less than 12. In general, a positive linear relationship exists between pore radius and CN. In addition, both the size and the density of pores increase with an increasing degree of rock weathering. The size of the throats that connect the pores also increases with an increasing degree of weathering, which induces fracture propagation in rocks. Micro-CT is a powerful and versatile approach for investigating the three-dimensional distributions of pores and fracture structures in rocks, and for quantitatively assessing the degree of pore connectivity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2020

Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a new type of root anomaly reported recently. The characteristics of MIM are dysplastic root formations, constriction of pulp chambers and presence of calcified matrices at the level of cementoenamel junction in permanent first molars and primary second molars. In some cases, permanent maxillary incisors are also affected. The permanent first molars of the patient in this case report were affected with MIM. Generalized pulp stones were observed in overall primary dentition. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis were performed on the extracted mandibular first molar and maxillary primary second molar of the patient. Micro-CT images revealed the discontinuity of enamel directly connected to an accessory canal of the root.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the accuracy of micro-computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting accessory canals in primary molars. Materials and Methods: Forty-one extracted human primary first and second molars were embedded in wax blocks and scanned using micro-CT and CBCT. After the images were taken, the samples were processed using a clearing technique and examined under a stereomicroscope in order to establish the gold standard for this study. The specimens were classified into three groups: maxillary molars, mandibular molars with three canals, and mandibular molars with four canals. Differences between the gold standard and the observations made using the imaging methods were calculated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient test. Results: The presence of accessory canals in micro-CT images of maxillary and mandibular root canals showed a statistically significant correlation with the stereomicroscopic images used as a gold standard. No statistically significant correlation was found between the CBCT findings and the stereomicroscopic images. Conclusion: Although micro-CT is not suitable for clinical use, it provides more detailed information about minor anatomical structures. However, CBCT is convenient for clinical use but may not be capable of adequately analyzing the internal anatomy of primary teeth.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2010

Purpose: The objectives of the current study are to assess the accuracy of X-Ray Micro Computed Tomography (microCT) in measuring enamel thickness and to evaluate enamel thickness in maxillary incisors of Koreans. Materials and methods: Five maxillary incisors were embedded in resin block. These teeth were longitudinally sectioned labiolingually through the medial axis. After polishing, the teeth were scanned using a microCT (X-EYE SYSTEM; DRGEM, Seoul, Korea). On a scanning electron microscope (S-4300; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) (${\times}20$) and a microCT, nearly identical planes were reconstructed. In each tooth, the thickness of labial enamel was measured 1, 3 and 5 mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Thus, the accuracy of the microCT was evaluated. In addition, using 26 maxillary central incisors and 11 maxillary lateral incisors, in the medial axis and 2 mm remote areas mesially and distally from the medial axis, the thickness of labial enamel was measured 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ along the long axis of the teeth. Results: Measurements from nearly identical planes in physical and microCT sections differed by 3.81%. An independent t-test was performed and this showed that there were no significant differences in the measurements between the two methods. Mean values of labial enamel thickness in maxillary central incisors 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ were $0.32{\pm}0.01$, $0.50{\pm}0.0.2$ and $0.70{\pm}0.02\;mm$, respectively. Mean values of labial enamel thickness in maxillary lateral incisors 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ were $0.30{\pm}0.01$, $0.55{\pm}0.03$ and $0.80{\pm}0.02\;mm$, respectively. Conclusion: In measuring enamel thickness, microCT is one of useful way of measurement. So according to the results of this research, when restoring a porcelain laminate veneer on maxillary incisors in Koreans, careful consideration is needed in the amount of enamel reduction.