• Current Optics and Photonics
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.330-335
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• 2020

We have investigated optimization of the working distance (WD) for a highly miniaturized imaging probe for endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). The WD is the axial distance from the distal end of the imaging probe to its beam focus, which is demanded for dimensional margins of protective structures, operational safety, or full utilization of the axial imaging range of OCT. With an objective lens smaller than a few hundred micrometers in diameter, a micro-optic imaging probe naturally exhibits a very short WD due to the down-scaled optical structure. For a maximized WD careful design is required with the optical aperture of the objective lens optimally filled by the incident beam. The diffraction-involved effect was taken into account in our analysis of the apertured beam. In this study, we developed a simple design formula on the maximum achievable WD based on our diffraction simulation. It was found that the maximum WD is proportional to the aperture size squared. In experiment, we designed and fabricated very compact OCT probes with long WDs. Our 165-㎛-thick fiber-optic probes provided WDs of 3 mm or longer w ith reasonable OCT imaging performance.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.1266-1276
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• 2021

The mask parameters of a coded aperture are critical design features when optimizing the performance of a gamma-ray camera. In this paper, experiments and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to derive the minimum detectable activity (MDA) when one seeks a real-time imaging capability. First, the impact of the thickness of the modified uniformly redundant array (MURA) mask on the image quality is quantified, and the imaging of point, line, and surface radiation sources is demonstrated using both cross-correlation (CC) and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) methods. Second, the minimum detectable activity is also derived for real-time imaging by altering the factors used in the image quality assessment, consisting of the peak-to-noise ratio (PSNR), the normalized mean square error (NMSE), the spatial resolution (full width at half maximum; FWHM), and the structural similarity (SSIM), all evaluated as a function of energy and mask thickness. Sufficiently sharp images were reconstructed when the mask thickness was approximately 2 cm for a source energy between 30 keV and 1.5 MeV and the minimum detectable activity for real-time imaging was 23.7 MBq at 1 m distance for a 1 s collection time.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.259-270
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• 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been studied in various fields of medical imaging. Currently, top-notch deep learning (DL) techniques have led to high diagnostic accuracy and fast computation. However, they are rarely used in real clinical practices because of a lack of reliability concerning their results. Most DL models can achieve high performance by extracting features from large volumes of data. However, increasing model complexity and nonlinearity turn such models into black boxes that are seldom accessible, interpretable, and transparent. As a result, scientific interest in the field of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is gradually emerging. This study aims to review diverse XAI approaches currently exploited in medical imaging. We identify the concepts of the methods, introduce studies applying them to imaging modalities such as computational tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopy, and lastly discuss limitations and challenges faced by XAI for future studies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권10호
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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.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.88-97
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• 2008

In this review paper, basic configurations of gamma detectors in SPECT and PET systems were reviewed together with key performance parameters of the imaging system, such as the detection efficiency, the spatial resolution, the contrast resolution, and the data acquisition time for quick understanding of the system-component relationship and future design of advanced systems. Also key elements of SPECT and PET detectors, such as collimators, gamma detectors were discussed in conjunction with their current and future trend. Especially development trend of new scintillation crystals, innovative silicon-based photo-sensors and futuristic room-temperature semiconductor detectors were reviewed for researchers who are interested in the development of future nuclear medical imaging instruments.

• 대한한의진단학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

Ultrasonic imaging is the most widely modality among modern imaging device for medical diagnosis. Nevertheless, medical ultrasound images suffer from speckle noise and low contrast. In this paper, we propose probabilistic edge map for ultrasound image edge enhancement using automatic alien algorithm. The proposed method used applied speckle reduced ultrasound imaging for edge improvement using sequentially acquired ultrasound imaging. To evaluate the performance of method, the similarity between the reference and edge enhanced image was measured by quantity analysis. The experimental results show that the proposed method considerably improves the image quality with region edge enhancement.

• 대한전기학회논문지:전력기술부문A
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.571-579
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• 1999

In this paper, a Hadamard transform imaging spectrometer(HTIS) is proposed by using a grill spectrometer. And we reconfigure the system by using the grill sectrometer which uses a left cyclic S-matrix instead of the conventional right cyclic one. Then, we model the Hadamard transform imaging spectrometer and apply the mask characteristics compensation method, i.e. $ {T}^{-1}$ method, to complete fast algorithm. Also, through computer simulations the superiority of the proposed system in this paper to the conventional Hadamard transform spectrometer(HTS) is proved and the performance of the two systems are compared by introducing average mean square error(AMSE) as the algebraic criterion.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.11-24
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• 2022

X-ray detection has widely been applied in medical diagnostics, security screening, nondestructive testing in the industry, etc. Medical X-ray imaging procedures require digital flat detectors operating with low doses to reduce radiation health risks. Recently, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have shown great potential in high-performance X-ray detection because of their attractive properties, such as strong X-ray absorption, high mobility-lifetime product, tunable bandgap, low-temperature fabrication, near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields, and fast photoresponse. In this paper, we review and introduce the development status of new perovskite X-ray detectors and imaging, which have emerged as a new promising high-sensitivity X-ray detection technology. We discuss the latest progress and future perspective of MHP-based X-ray detection in medical imaging. Finally, we compare the conventional detection methods with quantum-enhanced detection, pointing out the challenges and perspectives for future research directions toward perovskite-based X-ray applications.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.970-982
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• 2021

Dual-energy CT (DECT) provides insights into the material properties of tissues and can differentiate between tissues with similar attenuation on conventional single-energy imaging. In the conventional CT scanner, differences in the X-ray attenuation between adjacent structures are dependent on the atomic number of the materials involved, whereas in DECT, the difference in the attenuation is dependent on both the atomic number and electron density. The basic principle of DECT is to obtain two datasets with different X-ray energy levels from the same anatomic region and material decomposition based on attenuation differences at different energy levels. In this article, we discuss the clinical applications of DECT and its potential robust improvements in performance and postprocessing capabilities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권11호
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• pp.3790-3797
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• 2021

Although the individual channel readout method can improve the performance of PET detectors with pixelated photo-sensors, such as silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), this method leads to a significant increase in the number of readout channels. In this study, we proposed a novel multiplexing method that could effectively reduce the number of readout channels to reduce system complexity and development cost. The proposed multiplexing circuit was designed to generate bipolar pulses with different zero-crossing points by adjusting the time constant of the high-pass filter connected to each channel of a pixelated photo-sensor. The channel position of the detected gamma-ray was identified by estimating the width between the rising edge and the zero-crossing point of the bipolar pulse. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed multiplexing circuit, four detector blocks, each consisting of a 4 × 4 array of 3 mm × 3 mm × 20 mm LYSO and a 4 × 4 SiPM array, were constructed. The average energy resolution was 13.2 ± 1.1% for all 64 crystal pixels and each pixel position was accurately identified. A coincidence timing resolution was 580 ± 12 ps. The experimental results indicated that the novel multiplexing method proposed in this study is able to effectively reduce the number of readout channels while maintaining accurate position identification with good energy and timing performance. In addition, it could be useful for the development of PET systems consisting of a large number of pixelated detectors.