• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 1996

A scanning slot digital mammography system Luing a plastic scintillating fiber screen (SFS) is currently being developed To improve the x-ray interaction efficiency and absorption efficiency of an SFS, high Z elements can be added into the scintillating fiber core. In this paper, we investigated theoretically the zero spatial frequency detective quantum efficiency, DQE(0), and modulation transfer function, MTF(f), of three 2 cm thick SFSs made of polystyrene, polystyrene loaded with 5% by weight of lead, and polystyrene Loaded with 10% by weight of tin scintillating fibers. X-ray interaction efficiency, scintillating light intensity distributions and line spread functions were generated using Monte Carlo simulation. DQE(0) and MTF(f) were computed for x-ray energies ranging from 15 to 50 keV. Loading high Z elements into the SFS markedly increased the DQE(0). For x-ray energies used for mammovaphy, DQE(0) values of both high Z element loaded SFSs are about a factor of three higher than the DQE(0) of an Min-R screen. At mammographic x-ray energies, MTF(f) values of all three SFSs are Venter than 50% at 25 Ip/mm spatial frequency, and were found to be dominated by the 20 um individual scintillating fiber diameter used The results show that both hiP DQE(0) and spatial resolution can be achieved with the high Z element loaded SFSs, which make these SFSs attractive for use in a scanning slot detector for digital mammography.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.9
• /
• pp.3380-3389
• /
• 2022

We evaluated the performance of an improved hybrid median filter (IHMF) applied to X-ray computed tomography (CT) images obtained using a high-resolution photon-counting cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector. To study how the proposed approach improves the image quality, we measured the noise levels and the overall CT-image quality. We established a CZT imaging system with a detector length of 5.12 cm and thickness of 0.3 cm and acquired phantom images. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed filter, we first modeled two conventional median filters. Subsequently, we were able to achieve a normalized noise power spectrum result of ~10^-8 mm², and furthermore, the proposed method improved the contrast-to-noise ratio by a factor of ~1.51 and the coefficient of variation by 1.55 relative to the counterpart values of the no-filter image. In addition, the IHMF exhibited the best performance among the three filters considered as regards the peak signal-to-noise ratio and no-reference-based image-quality evaluation parameters. Thus, our results demonstrate that the IHMF approach provides a superior image performance over conventional median filtering methods when applied to actual CZT X-ray CT images.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the effectiveness of radiation safety rules in animal hospital and the awareness and behavior of veterinary radiation workers. With the questionnaires, the data was collected from randomly selected veterinarians in animal hospitals and animal medical imaging centers. Collected data were about radiation device, shielding device, regulations, safety management, education, knowledge, behavior and awareness. Frequency, correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed. The medical devices related with radiation in animal hospital were X-ray (59%), CT (15%), fluoroscopy (12%), mobile X-ray (12%) and others (2%). The number of people using radiation shielding device is high. The answers were low on knowing radiation related regulation and receiving radiation protection education. The group with higher knowledge and awareness shows positive correlation with safety behavior. The increase of use of the radiation related medical devices in veterinary hospital causes the increase of radiation exposure risk. This study suggests that radiation safety management system and policies need to be developed to protect radiation workers and give them correct information and consciousness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.69-73
• /
• 2011

Butterflies have been known to suck viscous liquids through a long, cylindrical proboscis using the large pressure difference formulated by the cyclic expansion and contraction of a muscular pump located inside their head. However, there are few studies on the liquid-feeding phenomena in a live butterfly, because it is hard to observe the internal morphological structures under in vivo condition. In this study, the dynamic motion of the pump system in a butterfly was in vivo visualized using synchrotron X-ray micro-imaging technique to analyze the liquid-feeding mechanism. The period of the liquid-feeding process is about 0.3sec. The expansion stage is about two times larger than the contraction stage in one cycle. The cyclic variation of pump volume generate large negative suction pressure and the pressure difference inside the long proboscis of a butterfly is estimated to be larger than 1atm.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.96-104
• /
• 2014

1895년 독일 과학자 Wilhelm Roentgen 박사가 X-ray를 발견하고 미국의 Herman Carr가 MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)의 기본 원리를 개발하여 발표한 이후 전자기장을 이용한 비침습적 의료영상 이미지 시스템은 놀라운 발전을 계속하여 왔다. 하지만, X-ray, CT(Computed Tomography), PET(Positron Emission Tomography)의 경우는 방사능의 사용과 조영제의 독성이라는 문제로 인하여 안전성에 대한 계속적인 문제를 야기해왔고 상대적으로 안전성이 입증된 MRI의 경우는 장비 자체 및 운용비가 일반화되기에는 고가여서 우리나라를 포함한 선진국에서도 아주 제한적으로 운영되고 있는 실정이다. 따라서, 세계적으로도 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위하여 안전하면서도 상대적으로 저렴한 비용으로 운용이 가능한 의료영상장비를 개발하기 위하여 많은 노력들이 경주되고 있어 관련 연구동향 및 산업화 동향을 소개하고자 한다.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.209-218
• /
• 2008

According to improved radiation therapy technology such as IMRT and proton therapy, the accuracy of patient alignment system is more emphasized and IGRT is dominated research field in radiation oncology. We proposed to study the feasibility of cone-beam CT system using simple x-ray imaging systems for image guided proton therapy at National Cancer Center. 180 projection views ($2,304{\times}3,200$, 14 bit with 127 ${\mu}m$ pixel pitch) for the geometrical calibration phantom and humanoid phantoms (skull, abdomen) were acquired with $2^{\circ}$ step angle using x-ray imaging system of proton therapy gantry room ($360^{\circ}$ for 1 rotation). The geometrical calibration was performed for misalignments between the x-ray source and the flat-panel detector, such as distances and slanted angle using available algorithm. With the geometrically calibrated projection view, Feldkamp cone-beam algorithm using Ram-Lak filter was implemented for CBCT reconstruction images for skull and abdomen phantom. The distance from x-ray source to the gantry isocenter, the distance from the flat panel to the isocenter were calculated as 1,517.5 mm, 591.12 mm and the rotated angle of flat panel detector around x-ray beam axis was considered as $0.25^{\circ}$. It was observed that the blurring artifacts, originated from the rotation of the detector, in the reconstructed toomographs were significantly reduced after the geometrical calibration. The demonstrated CBCT images for the skull and abdomen phantoms are very promising. We performed the geometrical calibration of the large gantry rotation system with simple x-ray imaging devices for CBCT reconstruction. The CBCT system for proton therapy will be used as a main patient alignment system for image guided proton therapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.229-233
• /
• 2002

We have tested a combined CT/SPECT system with a single CZT detector for x-ray and gamma-ray medical imaging. The size of detector is 10$\times$10$\times$5 ㎣, and the anodes are pixellated as a 4$\times$4 array with a pixel dimension of $1.5\times$1.5 $\textrm{mm}^2$. The cathode was coated with a continuous Au-plated. We have characterized the system performance by scanning a radiographic resolution phantom and the Hoffman Brain phantom. Pulse counting electronics with very short shaping time (50 ㎱) are used to satisfy high photon rates in x-ray imaging, and response linearity up to 3$\times$10$^{5}$ counts per second per detector element is achieved. Energy resolution of 10.4% and 5.3% FWHM at Tc-99m 140 keV peak are obtained for the 50 ㎱ and 2 $mutextrm{s}$ shaping times, respectively. The spatial resolutions of CT and SPECT are about 1mm and 9mm, respectively. Photopeak efficiency of detector systems are 41.0% for 50㎱ and 72.5% for 2 $mutextrm{s}$ shaping time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.379-381
• /
• 2002

A single CdZnTe detector is tested for suitability in a prototype CT/ SPECT system designed to acquire both emission and transmission data. The detector has the size of 1${\times}$l-cm$^2$ with 4${\times}$4 1.5${\times}$l.5mm$^2$ pixellated anodes. Since the detector is smaller than imaged object, we translated it in an arc centered at the x-ray tube to image larger objects. Pulse counting electronics with very short shaping time (50 ns) are used to satisfy high photon rates in x-ray imaging, and response linearity up to 3${\times}$10$\^$5/ counts per second per detector element is achieved. The energy resolution of 122-keV gamma-ray is measured to be 14%. We have characterized the system performance by scanning a radiographic resolution phantom .and the Hoffman brain phantom. The spatial resolution of CT and SPECT are about 1 mm and 7 mm, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) balance is known to be intricately integrated with nervous system, cervical spine, and meridian system balance. This retrospective study with one-group pretest-posttest design reviewed cervical spine imaging data to provide evidence of spinal alignment improving effect of TMJ balance treatment. Methods : Cervical spine imaging data including computed tomography and simple x-ray of 25 cases with painful condition were reviewed to explore any change in cervical alignment on wearing the intraoral device for TMJ balance treatment of functional cerebrospinal therapy. Results : Cervical spine alignment significantly improved on wearing the intraoral device. Conclusions : TMJ balance treatment improves cervical spinal alignment, which may be a firm basis to proceed with further research of TMJ balance therapy as a way of balancing the whole-body meridian system.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.289-295
• /
• 2018

When using a mobile X-ray unit, primary radiation creates medical images and secondary radiation scatters in many directions, which reduces image quality and causes exposure to patients, care givers and medical personnel. The purpose of this study was to develop a radiation shielding system for effectively shielding secondary radiation and evaluate its effectiveness. Using a mobile X-ray unit, spatial dose according to presence of human equivalent phantom and spatial dose using the developed shielding device were measured, and the phantom at 80 cm equidistance from center of X-ray was compared with spatial dose according to use of a shield. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from the head direction($-90^{\circ}$) to the body direction($+90^{\circ}$). In the spatial dose measurement with and without the phantom, when the human equivalent Phantom was used, the spatial dose was increased by 40% in all directions from 40 cm to 100 cm from the central X-ray, and about 88% of the space dose was reduced when using the developed shields with the phantom. The equidistance dose at 80 cm from the central X-ray was increased by 39% from $5.1{\pm}0.26{\mu}Gy$ to $7.1{\pm}0.15{\mu}Gy$ when the human equivalent phantom was used, and when phantom was used and shielding was used, the spatial dose was reduced by about 90% from $7.1{\pm}0.15{\mu}Gy$ to $0.7{\pm}0.07{\mu}Gy$. The spatial dose of natural radiation was measured to be about $0.2{\pm}0.04{\mu}Gy$ when using the developed shielding with Phantom at a distance of 1 m or more. It is expected that by using the developed shielding system, it will be possible to effectively reduce secondary radiation dose received in all directions and to ensure safe imaging.