• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.231-240
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• 2018

Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) equipment is a new innovative technique for 3D automatic breast scanning, but limited for the examination in the concave axillary region. The purpose of this study was to determine feasible candidate materials for the ultrasonic wave propagation media in ABUS, enabling the evaluation of the axillary region. Ultrasonography was performed using an ABUS system ($Invenia^{TM}ABUS$, GE, USA) on the ultrasound-specific phantom (UC-551M-0.5, ATS Laboratories, USA) covered by different candidate materials. The validity of feasible candidate materials was evaluated by image quality. Three independent radiological technologists, with more than 10 years of experience, visually assessed on the images. The inter-observer agreements according to the candidate materials were tested using Cronbach's alpha. Unenveloped solidified carrageenan can be a feasible material for the use of ABUS with excellent test reliability. Therefore, the coverage of the axillary region with carrageenan may be effective for ABUS which was originally developed for the convex anatomic structure as female breast.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.10b
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• pp.484-485
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• 2008

초음파는 의학적 진단 및 치료의 목적으로 널리 사용되어 왔다. 일반적으로, 초음파 조사의 생물학적 무해성은 많은 연구를 통하여 보고되었으나, 최근 초음파 집속을 통한 강력 초음파의 사용에 대한 열적 안전성 평가가 중요한 요소로 대두되고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 강력 집속 초음파의 전달 에너지와 열적 분포를 측정하여 안전성 평가에 활용 가능한 초음파 열분포 팬텀을 제안하였다. 온도 분포 측정용 팬텀은 초음파 조직유사 팬텀 재료인 한천을 이용하였으며, 음향학적 특성의 유사성을 평가하였다. 온도 효과를 측정하기 위하여 $3{\times}3$의 형태로 온도 센서를 팬텀 내부에 배열하여 초음파 조사에 따른 온도 분포를 측정하였고 온도 측정을 위한 시스템을 개발하여, 초음파 가열 실험을 수행하였다. 본 연구에서 제안된 초음파 온도 분포 측정용 팬텀의 유용성을 확인하였으며, 온도 분포용 팬텀을 통한 강력 집속 초음파 장비의 열적 성능 평가에 적용 될 수 있을 것으로 사료되었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.341-344
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• 2002

Neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's disease, are often accompanied by reduced brain perfusion (cerebral blood flow). Using the intrinsic magnetic properties of water, arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASLMRI) can map brain perfusion without injection of radioactive tracers or contrast agents. However, accuracy in measuring perfusion with ASL-MRI can be limited because of contributions to the signal from stationary spins and because of signal modulations due to transient magnetic field effects. The goal was to optimize ASL-MRI for perfusion measurements in the aging human brain, including brains with Alzheimer's disease. A new ASL-MRI sequence was designed and evaluated on phantom and humans. Image texture analysis was performed to test quantitatively improvements. Compared to other ASL-MRI methods, the newly designed sequence provided improved signal to noise ratio improved signal uniformity across slices, and thus, increased measurement reliability. This new ASL-MRI sequence should therefore provide improved measurements of regional changes of brain perfusion in normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.353-357
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• 2020

IVR procedures are on the rise, and patient doses are on the rise. It is necessary to evaluate fluoroscopy dose in IVR procedure. Evaluate ESD on IVR equipment as a reference to DRL settings, I would like to present the direction of improvement in the ESD rate test criteria for fluoroscopy dose. The experimental method is measured with 6cc ionization chamber under the 20cm PMMA Phantom. Radiation is subject to abdominal procedure. The average dose rate of the incident surface was 21.6 ± 11.4 mGy/min. The highest dose equipment was 58.5 mGy/min, and there was no equipment exceeding the domestic standard of 100 mGy/min. However, there were five units above 50 mGy/min. To reduce fluoroscopy dose, it is recommended to reduce pulse rate, The dose increases as the image receptor ages. It is recommended to modify the domestic inspection criteria to 50 mGy/min.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.1E
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• pp.38-44
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• 2010

This paper is based on our comments and proposed amendments to the documents, Annex A, Phantom for determining Maximum Depth of Penetration, and Annex B, Local Dynamic Range Using Acoustical Test Objects 87/400/CDV. IEC 61391-2 Ed. 1.0 200X, prepared by IEC technical Committee 87; Ultrasonics. The documents are concerned with the influence of microstructure of reference target material on the ultrasonic backscattering. Previous works on the attenuation due to backreflection and backscattering of reference target materials are reviewed. The drawback to the use of ungraded stainless steel and metallic materials without microstructural data such as, crystal structure, basic acoustic data of sound velocity and attenuation, grain size, roughness and elastic constants has been discussed. The analysis suggested that the insightful conclusion can be made by differentiating the influence arising from target size and microstructure on the backscattering measurements. The microstructural parameters are associated with physical, geometrical, acoustical and mechanical origins of variation with frequency. Further clarification of such a diverse source mechanisms for ultrasonic backscattering would make the target material and its application for medical diagnosis and therapy simpler and more reliable.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2019

Mammography is the most useful test for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The MammoPad can be used for the purpose of reducing the pain felt by the patient due to the pressure of the breast. MammoPad cushion the pressure between the breasts and the equipment and reduce the patient's discomfort. A new material pad was fabricated to solve the problem of the H-pad which is currently in circulation. Quantitative evaluation of SNR and CNR and qualitative evaluation of imitation lesion using ACR Phantom were performed. In the quantitative evaluation, SNR and CNR of Non pad and Filter pad were not statistically significant.(p>0.05) In the qualitative evaluation, Fiber and Imitation lesion of H-pad and Filter pad were statistically significant(p<0.05), and all values of Calcification and Mass were not statistically significant. (p>0.05) In addition, Fiber, calcification, mass, and imitation lesion were not statistically significant in both Non pad and Filter pad.(p>0.05) Through this study, it was confirmed that the newly created Filter pad minimizes image quality degradation and can replace existing products.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3844-3853
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• 2023

Although radiation and chemotherapy methods for cancer therapy have advanced significantly, surgical resection is still recommended for most cancers. Therefore, intraoperative imaging studies have emerged as a surgical tool for identifying tumor margins. Intraoperative imaging has been examined using conventional imaging devices, such as optical near-infrared probes, gamma probes, and ultrasound devices. However, each modality has its limitations, such as depth penetration and spatial resolution. To overcome these limitations, hybrid imaging modalities and tracer studies are being developed. In a previous study, a multi-modal laparoscope with silicon photo-multiplier (SiPM)-based gamma detection acquired a 1 s interval gamma image. However, improvements in the near-infrared fluorophore (NIRF) signal intensity and gamma image central defects are needed to further evaluate the usefulness of multi-modal systems. In this study, an attempt was made to change the NIRF image acquisition method and the SiPM-based gamma detector to improve the source detection ability and reduce the image acquisition time. The performance of the multi-modal system using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor and modified SiPM gamma detector was evaluated in a phantom test. In future studies, a multi-modal system will be further optimized for pilot preclinical studies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Purpose: Most of diagnosis in the pediatric hydronephrosis patients have been performed $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan. Then the region of interest (ROI) is set for comparative analysis of uptake ratio in left-right kidney after acquiring the image. But if the equipment set an automatic ROI, the ROI could include expanded renal pelvis due to hydronephrosis and the uptake ratio of left-right kidney will be incorrect result. Therefore this study compared both ROIs including expanded renal pelvis and excluding renal pelvis through experiment using normal kidney phantom and expanded renal pelvis phantom and suggested setting method of improved ROI. In addition, this study have been helped by readout doctor for investigate distinction radiopharmaceutical uptake between renal cortex and remained urine by expanded renal pelvis. Materials and Methods: The both of renal phantoms were filled with water and shacked with $^{99m}TcO_4$ 111 MBq. In order to describe the expanded renal pelvis, the five latex balloon were all filled with 10 mL water and each of balloon was mixed with $^{99m}TcO_4$ 18.5, 37, 55.5, 74, 92.5 MBq. And we made phantom with fixed $^{99m}TcO_4$activity of 37 MBq and mixed water 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mL in each balloon. The left kidney was fixed its shape and the right kidney was modified like as hydronephrosis kidney by attached the latex balloons. And the acquiring counts were 2 million. After acquisition, we compared the image of ROI with Expanded renal pelvis and the image of ROI without renal pelvis for analyzing difference in the uptake ratio of left-right kidney and for reproducibility, set the ROI 5 times in the same images. Patients were injected $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA 1.5~1.9 MBq/kg and scanned 3 to 4 hours after injection. The each of 3 skillful radio technologists performed the comparing estimation by setting ROI. To determine statistical significance between two data, SPSS (ver. 17) Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used. Results: As a result of renal phantom's experiment, we compared with average of counts Background (BKG) ratios in the setting of ROI including expanded renal pelvis and setting of excluding expanded renal pelvis. Therefore, they can obtain changed counts and changed ratios. Patient also can obtain same results. In addition, the radiopharmaceutical uptake in expanded renal pelvis was come out the remained urine that couldn't descend to ureter by the help of readout doctor. Conclusion: As above results, the case of setting ROI including expanded renal pelvis was more abnormally increasing uptake ratio than the case of setting ROI excluding expanded renal pelvis in analysis the uptake ratio in left-right kidney of hydronephrosis. Because of the work convenience and prompted analysis, the automatic ROI is generally used. But in case of the hydronephrosis study, we should set the manual ROI without expanded renal pelvis for an accurate observation of the uptake ratio of left-right kidney since the radiopharmaceutical uptake in expanded renal pelvis is the remained urine.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2018

Purpose In PET/CT exam, washed-out artifact could occur due to severe motion of the patient and high specific activity, it results in lowering not only qualitative reading but also quantitative analysis. Scatter limitation correction by GE is an algorism to correct washed-out artifact and recover the images in PET scan. The purpose of this study is to measure the threshold of specific activity which can recovers to original uptake values on the image shown with washed-out artifact from phantom experiment and to compare the quantitative analysis of the clinical patient's data before and after correction. Materials and Methods PET and CT images were acquired in having no misalignment(D0) and in 1, 2, 3, 4 cm distance of misalignment(D1, D2, D3, D4) respectively, with 20 steps of each specific activity from 20 to 20,000 kBq/ml on $^{68}Ge$ cylinder phantom. Also, we measured the distance of misalignment of foley catheter line between CT and PET images, the specific activity which makes washed-out artifact, $SUV_{mean}$ of muscle in artifact slice and $SUV_{max}$ of lesion in artifact slice and $SUV_{max}$ of the other lesion out of artifact slice before and after correction respectively from 34 patients who underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ Fusion Whole Body PET/CT exam. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the difference in the SUV between before and after scatter limitation correction by paired t-test. Results In phantom experiment, $SUV_{mean}$ of $^{68}Ge$ cylinder decreased as specific activity of $^{18}F$ increased. $SUV_{mean}$ more and more decreased as the distance of misalignment between CT and PET more increased. On the other hand, the effect of correction increased as the distance more increased. From phantom experiments, there was no washed-out artifact below 50 kBq/ml and $SUV_{mean}$ was same from origin. On D0 and D1, $SUV_{mean}$ recovered to origin(0.95) below 120 kBq/ml when applying scatter limitation correction. On D2 and D3, $SUV_{mean}$ recovered to origin below 100 kBq/ml. On D4, $SUV_{mean}$ recovered to origin below 80 kBq/ml. From 34 clinical patient's data, the average distance of misalignment was 2.02 cm and the average specific activity which makes washed-out artifact was 490.15 kBq/ml. The average $SUV_{mean}$ of muscles and the average $SUV_{max}$ of lesions in artifact slice before and after the correction show a significant difference according to a paired t-test respectively(t=-13.805, p=0.000)(t=-2.851, p=0.012), but the average $SUV_{max}$ of lesions out of artifact slice show a no significant difference (t=-1.173, p=0.250). Conclusion Scatter limitation correction algorism by GE PET/CT scanner helps to correct washed-out artifact from motion of a patient or high specific activity and to recover the PET images. When we read the image occurred with washed-out artifact by measuring the distance of misalignment between CT and PET image, specific activity after applying scatter limitation algorism, we can analyze the images more accurately without repeating scan.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.275-286
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• 2001

Purpose : To setup procedures of quality assurance (OA) for implementing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) clinically, report OA procedures peformed for one patient with prostate cancer. Materials and methods : $P^3IMRT$ (ADAC) and linear accelerator (Siemens) with multileaf collimator are used to implement IMRT. At first, the positional accuracy, reproducibility of MLC, and leaf transmission factor were evaluated. RTP commissioning was peformed again to consider small field effect. After RTP recommissioning, a test plan of a C-shaped PTV was made using 9 intensity modulated beams, and the calculated isocenter dose was compared with the measured one in solid water phantom. As a patient-specific IMRT QA, one patient with prostate cancer was planned using 6 beams of total 74 segmented fields. The same beams were used to recalculate dose in a solid water phantom. Dose of these beams were measured with a 0.015 cc micro-ionization chamber, a diode detector, films, and an array detector and compared with calculated one. Results : The positioning accuracy of MLC was about 1 mm, and the reproducibility was around 0.5 mm. For leaf transmission factor for 10 MV photon beams, interleaf leakage was measured $1.9\%$ and midleaf leakage $0.9\%$ relative to $10\times\;cm^2$ open filed. Penumbra measured with film, diode detector, microionization chamber, and conventional 0.125 cc chamber showed that $80\~20\%$ penumbra width measured with a 0.125 cc chamber was 2 mm larger than that of film, which means a 0.125 cc ionization chamber was unacceptable for measuring small field such like 0.5 cm beamlet. After RTP recommissioning, the discrepancy between the measured and calculated dose profile for a small field of $1\times1\;cm^2$ size was less than $2\%$. The isocenter dose of the test plan of C-shaped PTV was measured two times with micro-ionization chamber in solid phantom showed that the errors upto $12\%$ for individual beam, but total dose delivered were agreed with the calculated within $2\%$. The transverse dose distribution measured with EC-L film was agreed with the calculated one in general. The isocenter dose for the patient measured in solid phantom was agreed within $1.5\%$. On-axis dose profiles of each individual beam at the position of the central leaf measured with film and array detector were found that at out-of-the-field region, the calculated dose underestimates about $2\%$, at inside-the-field the measured one was agreed within $3\%$, except some position. Conclusion : It is necessary more tight quality control of MLC for IMRT relative to conventional large field treatment and to develop QA procedures to check intensity pattern more efficiently. At the conclusion, we did setup an appropriate QA procedures for IMRT by a series of verifications including the measurement of absolute dose at the isocenter with a micro-ionization chamber, film dosimetry for verifying intensity pattern, and another measurement with an array detector for comparing off-axis dose profile.