• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2007

The cone-beam CT (CBCT) which is acquired using on-board imager (OBI) attached to a linear accelerator is widely used for the image guided radiation therapy. In this study, the effect of respiratory motion on the quality of CBCT image was evaluated. A phantom system was constructed in order to simulate respiratory motion. One part of the system is composed of a moving plate and a motor driving component which can control the motional cycle and motional range. The other part is solid water phantom containing a small cubic phantom ($2{\times}2{\times}2cm^3$) surrounded by air which simulate a small tumor volume in the lung air cavity CBCT images of the phantom were acquired in 20 different cases and compared with the image in the static status. The 20 different cases are constituted with 4 different motional ranges (0.7 cm, 1.6 cm, 2.4 cm, 3.1 cm) and 5 different motional cycles (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 sec). The difference of CT number in the coronal image was evaluated as a deformation degree of image quality. The relative average pixel intensity values as a compared CT number of static CBCT image were 71.07% at 0.7 cm motional range, 48.88% at 1.6 cm motional range, 30.60% at 2.4 cm motional range, 17.38% at 3.1 cm motional range The tumor phantom sizes which were defined as the length with different CT number compared with air were increased as the increase of motional range (2.1 cm: no motion, 2.66 cm: 0.7 cm motion, 3.06 cm: 1.6 cm motion, 3.62 cm: 2.4 cm motion, 4.04 cm: 3.1 cm motion). This study shows that respiratory motion in the region of inhomogeneous structures can degrade the image quality of CBCT and it must be considered in the process of setup error correction using CBCT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of voxel size, the oversampling technique, and the direction and area of measurement on modulation transfer function (MTF) values to identify the optimal method of MTF measurement. Materials and Methods: Images of the wire inserts of the SedentexCT IQ phantom were acquired, and MTF values were calculated under different conditions(voxel size of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm; 5 oversampling techniques; simulated pixel location errors; and different directions and areas of measurement). The differences in the MTF values across various conditions were evaluated. Results: The MTF 10 values showed smaller standard deviations than the MTF 50 values. Stable and accurate MTF values were obtained in the 0.1-mm voxel images. In the 0.3-mm voxel images, oversampling techniques of 11 lines or more did not show significant differences in MTF values depending on the presence of simulated location errors. MTF 10 values showed significant differences according to the direction and area of the measurement. Conclusion: To measure more accurate and stable MTF values, it is better to measure MTF 10 values in small-voxel images. In large-voxel images, the proper oversampling technique is required. MTF values from the radial and tangential directions may be different, and MTF values vary depending on the measured area.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.97-102
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• 2011

Meridian Research Center, Division of Standard Research, Keora Institute of Oriental Medicine Objectives : Ear acupuncture needle is used to treat smoking, drug abusing, alcoholism frequently over time stability of ear acupuncture needle is important factor for safe acupuncture treatment. In spite of the importance, there has been few study about the quality of disposable acupuncture needle tip - using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in 2002, 2003. Moreover, there was no study about ear acupuncture needle. Methods : The three ear acupuncture needle, made in China, Japan, Korea was chosen. We used Hank's solution at the 38$^{\circ}C$ as a phantom tissue liquid. Except for the control group, five groups of needles are soused one to five days. Surface corrosion was observed using the SEM compared with control group. Results : There was no particular corrosion in all groups of ear acupuncture needles compared with the control group. Conclusions : All of the ear acupunctures used in this study are stable in body fluids at least 5 days.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2002

We came to the following conclusion as the results of experiment on the image quality of mammography and the average glandular dose using 4 apparatuses at 3 hospitals in Seoul. 1. Whereas the measurement of half value layer showed no differences among the apparatuses, the measurement by an attenuation curve method showed some differences by 5.9%. There were 9.1% differences in the measurement by aluminum conversion method. 2. The basic density of an automatic exposure control unit must be D = 1.40, but there was no automatic exposure unit adjusted precisely at any hospitals. The unit at the B hospital exceeded the allowable limit by ${\pm}0.15$. 3. In the photographing using an automatic exposure control unit and the management of an automatic film processor using a sensitometer, most automatic film processors were well kept. But in some cases the mean value of a fluctuation coefficient exceeded the allowable limit. There is a need for more cautious management. 4. The image quality of breast phantom photography was affected by the screen/film system among the hospitals. 5. The average glandular dose at a breast of 4.2 cm thickness depended on the tube voltage, In the case of Mo/Mo, it was measured $0.26{\sim}1.39\;mGy$ less than ACR standard 3.0 mGy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the error of the leaf position accuracy of the MLC due to the gravity effect according to the gantry angle by using picket fence test using EPID and GafChromic EBT3 film. Materials and Methods: A 5 cm solid phantom was placed on the table and the SAD was set to 100 cm. The EBT3 film was placed exactly over the solid phantom and covered a 1.5 cm solid phantom and the picket fence test was performed. The EPID was measured under the same conditions as the EBT3 film at SID 100 cm. The gantry angles were measured at $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$ and $270^{\circ}$ in order to evaluate the position of the MLC according to the gantry angle. For the geometric evaluation of the MLC, the leaf position accuracy of the MLC was analyzed using the analysis program. Results: In case of EPID, when the gantry angle was changed to $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$, the difference of the position errors of the leaves was 0.18 mm, 0.31 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.26 mm on the average and the maximum values of the errors were respectively 0.44 mm, 0.54 mm, 0.34 mm, 0.44 mm. In case of EBT3 film, when the gantry angle was changed to $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$, the difference of the position errors of the leaves was 0.19 mm, 0.21 mm, 0.19 mm, 0.31 mm on the average and the maximum values of the errors were respectively 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.36 mm, 0.48 mm. Conclusion: In this study, we analyzed the position error of the leaf of the MLC according to the gantry angle, and confirmed the position error of the leaf by gravity effect. As a result of comparing the leaf position accuracy using EPID and EBT3 film according to the variation of gantry angle, a larger error occurred in the error analysis method using EPID than that of EBT3 film. Therefore, in the case of IMRT based on MLC, as well as verification of accurate dosimetry should be conducted, it is considered that the quality control and verification for the precise operation of the MLC will be needed. and it is necessary to compare and verify the method of analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.573-579
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• 2023

This study compares dose difference between the presence or absence of grid in Chest PA radiography using auto exposure control and compares image quality among presence, absence or virtual grid, and proposes a new clinically useful grid combination for chest radiography. The human body phantom was placed Chest PA position and the dosimeter was placed at T6. The same irradiation conditions and field size were applied. 30 images were obtained in the state in which grid was applied and in the state in which grid was not applied, and an additional 30 images in which the virtual grid was applied to the image without the grid were obtained. Radiation dose was presented to entrance surface dose. The image quality was analyzed by comparing the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio. ESD decreased by 48% when the grid was not used, compared to when the grid was used. SNR and CNR increased by 32% and 30% compared to grid use when grid was not used, respectively. In the case of using the virtual grid, it increased by 18% and 16% respectively, compared to the case of using the grid. As a result of this study, it is believed that when using a virtual grid instead of a grid, the quality of the image can be maintained while reducing the patient dose.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.405-411
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• 2018

We will provide basic data on the evaluation of patient dose in terms of DECT quality control by comparing the equipment-provided dose with the measured dose according to the configuration method of the X-ray generator by the manufacturer of the dual-energy CT unit. For computed tomography (CT) equipment, Discovery 750HD, Aquilion ONE GENESIS Edition, and Somatom Definition Flash were used. The $CTDI_{vol}$ value was measured by inserting the Unfors Xi ion chamber into a 32 cm PMMA acryl Phantom. The results of estimated $CTDI_{vol}$ DECT and measured $CTDI_{vol}$ showed that the dose difference between DECT 80 + 140 kVp of G company was at least 0.51% and -1.90% max, and measured $CTDI_{vol}$ was slightly lower (p<0.05). The difference of 80 + 140 kVp of S company was the minimum of 5.84% and the maximum of 7.52% (p<0.05). The measured $CTDI_{vol}$ was less than estimated $CTDI_{vol}$. The C company's 80 + 135 kVp showed a difference of at least 7.58% and a maximum of 13.58% (P<0.05), and all of measured $CTDI_{vol}$ was less. The linearity of exposure dose for all DECT equipment was very linearly reflected with $R^2$ being 0.97 or above, and the measured dose of the ionization chamber was less than the predicted dose of the monitor.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2018

The proper position of a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) is essential for the quality of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) dose delivery. Task Group (TG) 142 provides a quality assurance (QA) procedure for MLC position. Our study investigated the QA validation of the mechanical leaf gap measurement and the maintenance procedure. Two $VitalBeam^{TM}$ systems were evaluated to validate the acceptance of an MLC position. The dosimetric leaf gaps (DLGs) were measured for 6 MV, 6 MVFFF, 10 MV, and 15 MV photon beams. A solid water phantom was irradiated using $10{\times}10cm^2$ field size at source-to-surface distance (SSD) of 90 cm and depth of 10 cm. The portal dose image prediction (PDIP) calculation was implemented on a treatment planning system (TPS) called $Eclipse^{TM}$. A total of 20 VMAT plans were used to confirm the accuracy of dose distribution measured by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and those predicted by VMAT plans. The measured leaf gaps were 0.30 mm and 0.35 mm for VitalBeam 1 and 2, respectively. The DLG values decreased by an average of 6.9% and 5.9% after mechanical MLC adjustment. Although the passing rates increased slightly, by 1.5% (relative) and 1.2% (absolute) in arc 1, the average passing rates were still within the good dose delivery level (>95%). Our study shows the existence of a mechanical leaf gap error caused by a degenerated MLC motor. This can be recovered by reinitialization of MLC position on the machine control panel. Consequently, the QA procedure should be performed regularly to protect the MLC system.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2019

For general radiological examinations, even in the same area and the same test, the test conditions must be set differently according to the patient. However, since it is impossible to consider the body shape and conditions of patients every time in medical institutions where various patients visit, the tests are conducted by setting the AEC which automatically sets the test conditions. AEC is most commonly used in chest radiography. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose the improvement plans for using AEC by measuring the exposure dose and evaluating the image quality according to whether the AEC is used or not, and to provide basic data for AEC research. In the present study, images were acquired while varying tube voltage and test distance according to the use of AEC in chest radiography. The radiation dose was measured by placing the dosimeter in front of the chest phantom, and the CNR and SNR of acquired images were analyzed using Image J. The t-test was conducted for the statistical analysis and the significance was determined at the level of 95%(p<.05). As a result of this study, in the inspection distance (100cm, 140cm, 180cm) according to the use of AEC, high doses were observed when the AEC was used and there was statistically significant difference(p<.05). In the t-test to determine the difference between CNR and SNR depending on whether AEC was used or not, there was no significant difference according to the use of AEC(p>.05). Therefore, when performing chest radiography, if the radiologist establishes the appropriate examination conditions and conducts the examination by not just relying solely on AEC, it may be possible to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2013

Digital Radiography (DR) has improved a quality of resolution based on a wide dynamic range, high detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and modulation transfer function (MTF), compared with film/screen(F/s). Unlike expectation that a low level of radiation can be used in examination, high level of signal to noise ratio(SNR) due to over-exposure caused increase of exposed dose to patients. Also, the auto exposure control (AEC) using Kilovolage(kVp) in F/S can cause over-exposure. Hence, in this study, we proposed a proper method for using DR, in which effect of tubing Kilovolage on device's image, DR MTF measurement with changes of tubing current (mA), and the quantitative evaluation of skull phantom captured images' PSNR were evaluated. Changes of contrast with tubing Kilovolage can be improved by retouching, and MTF changes according to tubing current(1.41~1.39 lp/mm in 50% area, and 3.19~2.8 lp/mm in 10% area) does not influence on resolution of image. As a result, high tubing Kilovoltage, and tubing current will be suitable to use of DR.