• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2854-2863
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• 2023

Objective: To present a hybrid approach that incorporates a constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) and deep learning (DL)-based post-refinement for metal artifact reduction in dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Constrained beam-hardening estimator (CBHE) is derived from a polychromatic X-ray attenuation model with respect to X-ray transmission length, which calculates associated parameters numerically. Deep-learning-based post-refinement with an artifact disentanglement network (ADN) is performed to mitigate the remaining dark shading regions around a metal. Artifact disentanglement network (ADN) supports an unsupervised learning approach, in which no paired CBCT images are required. The network consists of an encoder that separates artifacts and content and a decoder for the content. Additionally, ADN with data normalization replaces metal regions with values from bone or soft tissue regions. Finally, the metal regions obtained from the CBHE are blended into reconstructed images. The proposed approach is systematically assessed using a dental phantom with two types of metal objects for qualitative and quantitative comparisons. Results: The proposed hybrid scheme provides improved image quality in areas surrounding the metal while preserving native structures. Conclusion: This study may significantly improve the detection of areas of interest in many dentomaxillofacial applications.

• 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 Industry Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.195-199
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• 2008

The carbon fiber has low x-ray absorption property and high stiffness. This is the reason why many CT(Computed Tomography) manufacturer use carbon fiber in couch tabletop for CT scanner. In this paper, we design and make the couch tabletop made of carbon fiber composite, and verify the validity in CT scanner. In designing the couch tabletop, to determine the aluminum equivalent thickness of couch tabletop, we evaluate X-ray the transmissivity of aluminum and carbon plate in 80-120kVp X-ray energy range. And we perform structural analysis and mechanical design using determined thickness of carbon sheet. In conclusion, it was evaluated that manufactured couch tabletop satisfies X-ray transmissivity and mechanical requirements in CT scanner.

• 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).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2022

In order to overcome the image quality limitations of the conventional C-arm, a flat panel detector (FPD) is used to enhance spatial resolution, detective quantum efficiency, frame rate, and dynamic range. Three-dimensional (3D) visualized information can be obtained from C-arm computed tomography (CT) equipped with an FPD, which can reduce patient discomfort and provide various medical information to health care providers by conducting procedures in the interventional procedure room without moving the patient to the CT scan room. Unlike a conventional C-arm device, a C-arm CT requires different basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria; therefore, in this study, basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria to protect patients, medical staff, and radiologists were derived based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) standards in Korea, and the rules on the installation and operation of special medical equipment in Korea. As a result of the study, six basic safety evaluation criteria related to electrical and mechanical radiation safety (leakage current, collision protection, emergency stopping device, overheating, recovery management, and ingress of water or particulate matter into medical electrical (ME) equipment and ME systems: footswitches) and 14 essential performance evaluation criteria (accuracy of tube voltage, accuracy of tube current, accuracy of loading time, accuracy of current time product, reproducibility of radiation output, linearity and consistency in radiography, half layer value in X-ray equipment, focal size and collimator, relationship between X-ray field and image reception area, consistency of light irradiation versus X-ray irradiation, performance of the mechanical device, focal spot to skin distance accuracy, image quality evaluation, and technical characteristic of cone-beam computed tomography) were selected for a total of 20 criteria.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

In modern times, X-ray imaging has become a necessary tool for early diagnosis, quality control, nondestructive testing, and security screening. X-ray imaging equipment generally comprises an X-ray generator and an image sensor. Most commercially available X-ray generators employ filament-thermionic electron-based X-ray tubes, thus demonstrating typical analog behavior, such as slow response and large stray X-rays. Furthermore, digital X-ray sources, which have been studied extensively using field electron emitters manufactured from nanometer-scale materials, provide fast and accurately controlled ultra-shot X-rays. This could usher in a new era of X-ray imaging in medical diagnosis and nondestructive inspections. Specifically, digital X-ray sources, with reduced X-ray dose, can significantly improve the temporal and spatial resolution of fluoroscopy and computed tomography. Recently, digital X-ray tube technologies based on carbon nanotubes, developed by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, have been transferred to several companies and commercialized for dental imaging for the first time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.228-232
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• 1995

Computed tomography[CT is an effective technique for the evaluation of the thorax following blunt trauma. To evaluate multiply injured 30 patients who were diagnosed as hemothorax in emergency room, computed tomography of thorax was done. The thickness of slice was one centimeter and the entire pleural cavity from the apex to the costophrenic angle was included in the evaluation. Integration and addition of the hemothorax area for each CT slice was made and amount of blood in the pleural cavity was estimated. The slice which showed largest area of hemothorax was selected and the height and width of the hemothorax area were measured. The number of slices which showed radiographic evidence of hemothorax was counted. Regression analysis was done and measured amount of hemothorax, the height and width of the hemothorax area for each slice and number of slices were put as variables. And following equation was derived. V=108.3A-0.8B-7.4C+84.7 [R2=0.74 [ V: amount of hemothorax, A: height, B: width, C: number of slices Total amount of blood from thoracic drainage was compared to the measured amount by computed tomography and the relation between the two values was statistically significant.[p=0.001 In conclusion, quantitative estimation of size of hemothorax was possible by the above equation and the process was very helpful for determination policy of treatment of individual patient.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the influence of anatomic location on the relationship between computed tomography (CT) number and X-ray attenuation in limited and medium field-of-view (FOV) scans. Materials and Methods: Tubes containing solutions with different concentrations of $K_2HPO_4$ were placed in the tooth sockets of a human head phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and CT numbers of the $K_2HPO_4$ solutions were measured. The relationship between CT number and $K_2HPO_4$ concentration was examined by linear regression analyses. Then, the variation in CT number according to anatomic location was examined. Results: The relationship between $K_2HPO_4$ concentration and CT number was strongly linear. The slopes of the linear regressions for the limited FOVs were almost 2-fold lower than those for the medium FOVs. The absolute CT number differed between imaging protocols and anatomic locations. Conclusion: There is a strong linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and CT number. The specific imaging protocol and anatomic location of the object strongly influence this relationship.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous computed tomography (CT) and quantitative CT (QCT) in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (OHF) by analyzing the osteoporosis detection rate and physician prescription rate in comparison with those of conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Materials and Methods: This study included consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent internal fixation or hip arthroplasty for OHF between February and May 2015. The patients were assigned to either the QCT (47 patients) or DXA group (51 patients). The patients in the QCT group underwent QCT with hip CT, whereas those in the DXA group underwent DXA after surgery, before discharge, or in the outpatient clinic. In both groups, the patients received osteoporosis medication according to their QCT or DXA results. The osteoporosis evaluation rate and prescription rate were determined at discharge, postoperative (PO) day 2, PO day 6, and PO week 12 during an outpatient clinic visit. Results: The osteoporosis evaluation rate at PO week 12 was 70.6% (36 of 51 patients) in the DXA group and 100% in the QCT group (P<0.01). The prescription rates of osteoporosis medication at discharge were 70.2% and 29.4% (P<0.001) and the cumulative prescription rates at PO week 12 were 87.2% and 60.8% (P=0.003) in the QCT and DXA groups, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous CT and QCT significantly increased the evaluation and prescription rates in patients with OHF and may enable appropriate and consistent prescription of osteoporosis medication, which may eventually lead to patients' medication compliance.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.212-218
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• 2020

There are dozens of different types of lesions that can be diagnosed through chest X-ray images, including Atelectasis, Cardiomegaly, Mass, Pneumothorax, and Effusion. Computed tomography(CT) test is generally necessary to determine the exact diagnosis and location and size of thoracic lesions, however computed tomography has disadvantages such as expensive cost and a lot of radiation exposure. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a deep learning algorithm for judging the presence or absence of lesions in chest X-ray images as the primary screening tool for the diagnosis of thoracic lesions. The proposed algorithm was designed by comparing various configuration methods to optimize the judgment of presence of lesions from chest X-ray. As a result, the evaluation rate of lesion presence of the proposed algorithm is about 1% better than the existing algorithm.