• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2016

The major advantage of slip-ring technology in Spiral CT is that it facilitates continuous rotation of the x-ray tube, so that volume data can be acquired from a patient quickly. Not only for such a fast scan, but also for the dose reduction purpose, high signal-to-noise ratio and fast data acquisition system is required. In this study, we have built a multi-channel photodetector and multi-channel data acquisition system for CT application. The detector module consisted of CdWO4 crystal and Si photodiode in 16 channels. For the performance test of the preamplifier stage, both the transimpedance and switched integrator types are optimized for the photodetector modules. Switched integrator showed better noise performance in the limited bandwidth which is suitable for the current CT application. The control sequence for data acquisition and 20 bit ADC is designed with VHDL(Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) and implemented on FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array) chip. Our Si photodiode detector module coupled to CdWO4 crystal showed comparable signal with other commercially available photodiode for CT. Switched integrator type showed higher SNR but narrower bandwidth compared to transimpedance preamplifier. Digital hardware is designed by FPGA, so that the control signal could be redesigned without hardware alteration.

• Annual Conference of KIPS
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.703-706
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• 2004

나선형 CT 혈관촬영에서 획득한 영상의 분석를 통해서 폐색전증이 의심되는 부위를 자동으로 검출하는 방법으로, 연구 대상은 20명의 환자를 대상으로 분석하였으며 CT 검사 후 방사선과 의사가 정상소견을 받은 환자 5명과 폐색전증이 있는 판독소견을 가진 15명을 대상으로 비교 분석하였다. CT 검사하는 동안에 조영제를 투입하면, 폐색전증이 발생한 부위는 조영제 양과 분포가 불균등하여 명암값이 낮게 검출된다. 검출방법으로는 전처리 작업으로 폐영역만을 분할하고, 분할된 폐영역에서 혈관을 찾기 위해 모폴로지기법를 적용하여 세선화(thinning) 작업을 진행한다. 다음 공정으로는 경계선을 찾아 local watershed를 적용하여 혈관을 검출하고, 검출된 혈관내에서 원형모델을 적용하여 모폴로지(morphology)을 통해 국소 부위의 미세한 농도변화를 인지하여 색전이 발생한 영역을 자동검출하였다. 본 논문의 자동검출시스템에서는 색전증이 있는 경우에 true positive의 발생빈도는 case 당 4.5개가 검출되었다. 정상인의 경우에도 혈류의 흐름, 혈류의 분기점, 노이즈로 인한 false positive의 빈도는 case 당 2.6개가 발생하여 전체적으로 false positive는 5.2개가 검출되었다. 본 논문은 false positive의 비율이 높게 검출되었지만 폐영역 CT 검사의 컴퓨터지원진단시스템(computer aided diagnosis)의 향후 연구과제에 방향을 제시할 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.116-123
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• 2018

This study is a model experimental study using a phantom to propose an optimized brain CT scan protocol that can reduce the radiation dose of a patient and remain quality of image. We investigate the CT scan parameters of brain CT in clinical medical institutions and to measure the important parameters that determine the quality of CT images. We used 52 multislice spiral CT (SOMATOM Definition AS+, Siemens Healthcare, Germany). The scan parameters were tube voltage (kVp), tube current (mAs), scan time, slice thickness, pitch, and scan field of view (SFOV) directly related to the patient's exposure dose. The CT dose indicators were CTDIvol and DLP. The CT images were obtained while increasing the imaging conditions constantly from the phantom limit value (Q1) to the maximum value (Q4) for AAPM CT performance evaluation. And statistics analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficients. The result of tube voltage that the increase in tube voltage proportionally increases the variation range of the CT number. And similar results were obtained in the qualitative evaluation of the CT image compared to the tube voltage of 120 kVp, which was applied clinically at 100 kVp. Also, the scan conditions were appropriate in the tube current range of 250 mAs to 350 mAs when the tube voltage was 100 kVp. Therefore, by applying the proposed brain CT scanning parameters can be reduced the radiation dose of the patient while maintaining quality of image.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2005

The computed tomogrpahy(CT) provides a high quality in images of human body but contributes to the relatively high patient dose. The frequency of CT examination is increasing and, therefore, the concerns about the patient dose are also increasing. In this study the experimental determination of patient dose was performed by using a physical anthropomorphic phantom and thermoluminescent dosimeter(TLD). The measurements were done for the both axial and spiral scan mode. As a result the effective doses for each scan mode were 17.78mSv and 10.01 mSv respectively and the fact that the degree of the reduction in the patient dose depends on the pitch scan parameter was confirmed. The measurement methods suggested in this study can be applied for the reassessment of the patient dose when the technique in CT equipment is developed or the protocol for CT scanning is changed.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of the reconstructed 3-dimensional image on the personal computer in comparison with that of the CT workstation by quantitative comparison and analysis. Materials and Methods : The spiral CT data obtained from 27 persons were transferred from the CT workstation to a personal computer, and they were reconstructed as 3-dimensional image on the personal computer using V-works 2.0/sup TM/. One observer obtained the 14 measurements on the reconstructed 3-dimensional image on both the CT workstation and the personal computer. Paired Nest was used to evaluate the intraobserver difference and the mean value of the each measurement on the CT workstation and the personal computer. Pearson correlation analysis and % incongruence were also performed. Results: I-Gn, N-Gn, N-A, N-Ns, B-A, and G-Op did not show any statistically significant difference (p>0.05), B-O, B-N, Eu-Eu, Zy-Zy, Biw, D-D, Orbrd R, and L had statistically significant difference (p<0.05), but the mean values of the differences of all measurements were below 2 mm, except for D-D. The value of correlation coefficient y was greater than 0.95 at I-Gn, N-Gn, N-A, N-Ns, B-A, B-N, G-Op, Eu-Eu, Zy-Zy, and Biw, and it was 0.75 at B-O, 0.78 at D-D, and 0.82 at both Orbrd Rand L. The % incongruence was below 4% at I-Gn, N-Gn, N-A, N-Ns, B-A, B-N, G-Op, Eu-Eu, Zy-Zy, and Biw, and 7.18%, 10.78%, 4.97%, 5.89% at B-O, D-D, Orbrd Rand L respectively. Conclusion : It can be considered that the utilization of the personal computer has great usefulness in reconstruction of the 3-dimensional image when it comes to the economics, accessibility and convenience, except for thin bones and the landmarks which are difficult to be located.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2002

Purpose: To compare the bone height of implant sites measured using panoramic radiography and spiral CT. Materials and Methods : The available bone height was determined for 263 maxillary and mandibular implant sites in 59 patients. Distortion was calculated using the metal bar for the panoramic radiographs. Results: Significant differences in mean bone height between the two imaging modalities were found in maxillary and mandibular anterior regions (p<0.05). The mean difference in bone height recorded by the two techniques was smallest in the maxillary and mandibular molar areas (0.8 mm), and greatest in the mandibular anterior region (1.3 mm). With the exception of the mandibular anterior region, ninety percent of all the sites showed measurement differences within 2 mm. Conclusion: A safety margin of 2 to 3 mm is called for when utilizing panoramic radiography, otherwise additional imaging modality such as computed tomography is necessary to obtain accurate measurements.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was to evaluate the influence of slice thickness of computed tomography (CT) and rapid protyping (RP) type on the accuracy of 3-dimensional medical model. Materials and Methods: Transaxial CT data of human dry skull were taken from multi-detector spiral CT. Slice thickness were 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm respectively. Three-dimensional image model reconstruction using 3-D visualization medical software (V-works /sup TM/ 3.0) and RP model fabrications were followed. 2-RP models were 3D printing (Z402, Z Corp., Burlington, USA) and Stereolithographic Apparatus model. Linear measurements of anatomical landmarks on dry skull, 3-D image model, and 2-RP models were done and compared according to slice thickness and RP model type. Results: There were relative error percentage in absolute value of 0.97, 1.98,3.83 between linear measurements of dry skull and image models of 1, 2, 3 mm slice thickness respectively. There was relative error percentage in absolute value of 0.79 between linear measurements of dry skull and SLA model. There was relative error difference in absolute value of 2.52 between linear measurements of dry skull and 3D printing model. Conclusion: These results indicated that 3-dimensional image model of thin slice thickness and stereolithographic RP model showed relative high accuracy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4003-4006
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• 2015

Objecive: To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of CT-guided $^{125}iodine$ (125I) seed implantation combined with percutaneous intra-tumor injection of chemotherapy emulsion of lobaplatin and lipiodol in treating patients with advanced lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients with advanced lung cancer and treated with spiral CT-guided $^{125}I$ seed implantation combined with percutaneous intra-tumor injection of chemotherapy emulsion of lobaplatin and lipiodol were recruited. Results: Of the 36 patients, there were 40 nidi in total. The contrast-enhanced CT evaluation was conducted 60 d after treatment. Response evaluation suggested that 4 patients achieved complete remission (CR), 24 partial remission (PR), 4 stable disease (SD) and 4 progression disease (PD), with a total response rate of 77.8% (28/36). Conclusions: CT-guided $^{125}I$ seed implantation combined with percutaneous intra-tumor injection of chemotherapy emulsion of lobaplatin and lipiodol are safe and effective in treating patients with advanced lung cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.127-134
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• 2000

Objective: To determine the extent to which thin-section and volumetric three-dimensional CT can depict airway reactivity to bronchostimulator, and to assess the effect of different airway sizes on the degree of reactivity. Materials and Methods: In eight dogs, thin-section CT scans were obtained before and after the administration of methacholine and ventolin. Cross-sectional areas of bronchi at multiple levels, as shown by axial CT, proximal airway volume as revealed by three-dimensional imaging, and peak airway pressure were measured. The significance of airway change induced by methacholine and ventolin, expressed by percentage changes in cross-sectional area, proximal airway volume, and peak airway pressure was statistically evaluated, as was correlation between the degree of airway reactivity and the area of airways. Results: Cross-sectional areas of the bronchi decreased significantly after the administration of methacholine, and scans obtained after a delay of 5 minutes showed that normalization was insufficient. Ventolin induced a significant increase in cross-sectional areas and an increase in proximal airway volume, while the effect of methacholine on the latter was the opposite. Peak airway pressure increased after the administration of methacholine, and after a 5-minute delay its level was near that of the control state. Ventolin, however, induced no significant decrease. The degree of airway reactivity did not correlate with airway size. Conclusion: Thin-section and volumetric spiral CT with three-dimensional reconstruction can demonstrate airway reactivity to bronchostimulator. The degree of reactivity did not correlate with airway size.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2003

Purpose : A new virtual simulation technique for craniospinal irradiation (CSI) that uses a CT-simulator was developed to improve the accuracy of field and shielding placement as well as patient positioning. Materials and Methods : A CT simulator (CT-SIM) and a 3-D conformal radiation treatment planning system (3D-CRT) were used to develop CSI. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask while the rest of the body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained with the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles, such as the treatment table or immobilization devices. After virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and on the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment fields was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) and digitally composited radiography (DCR) images from virtual simulation. Port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for geometric verification. Results : We successfully performed virtual simulations on 11 CSI patients by CT-SIM. It took less than 20 minutes to affix the immobilization devices and to obtain the volumetric images of the entire body. In the absence of the patient, virtual simulation of all fields took 20 min. The DRRs were in agreement with simulation films to within 5 mm. This not only reducee inconveniences to the patients, but also eliminated position-shift variables attendant during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyes and the spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. Differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 m in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : Our analysis showed that CT simulation of craniospinal fields was accurate. In addition, CT simulation reduced the duration of the patient's immobility. During the planning process. This technique can improve accuracy in field placement and shielding by using three-dimensional CT-aided localization of critical and target structures. Overall, it has improved staff efficiency and resource utilization by standard protocol for craniospinal irradiation.