Earticle

Thanks to the great development of technology in radiation, we are now able to reduce radiation exposure to the patients, and the radiographer and expenses in medical sector. We are also trying to produce ideal images which maintain useful information. These kinds of effort are increasing over the world. For that reason, we should get images which include necessary data of patients. Then it also can help to reduce radiation exposure to the patients. Therefore, we need to know the problems that cause a falling off in image’s quality and check on generator in case of their electronic and mechanical errors. And moreover, we should anticipate the possibility of devices errors and prevent them with regular quality control. This investigation was conducted in medical institutions, institute of educations and hospitals. They are all in Seongnam-City. We used PMX-Ⅲ, kVp meter to implement kVp test, mR / mAs output test, light fiel / beam alignment test, Reproducibility of exposure dose, half value layer test, reproducibility of exposure time test. in the case of hospitals, they perceive the importance of regular quality control and organize the regular quality control team so they can be satisfied with the error standard in most experiments. On the other hand, when it comes to medical institutions and institute of educations, they perceive the importance of regular quality control less than hospitals do. Radiographer need to understand the importance of regular quality control and practice it so they can get the fine ideal image with the lower dose to the patient.

The setting parameters of ultrasound scanner give influences to change of image. Sonographers have used a Matlab program to make Low Contrast Sensitivity(LCS) value and compared original images in order to evaluate the use of the supersonic diagnosis machinery. We confirmed the change of image in Grayscale values using Photoshop program. Experiment equipment of our research used A Medison Accuvix V10, A Multi-Tissue Ultrasound Phantom(040 GSE) of CHRIS Company, A Adobe Photoshop CS4 Program, A Convex Probe, A USB memory stick, A Probe Fixation Equipment. The method used Gain, Dynamic Range(DR) of the setting parameters of ultrasound scanner and researched Gain and DR was set to 10 dB. We changed the different settings to see the changes of images using Grayscale values of a Photoshop program about tissue images of a phantom. This study evaluated DR and Gain whether it is an image controller to get the optimum contrast to produce an image to see the how effect on the images. We did not use Gateway in supersonic diagnosis machinery. We can easily open to open the files through Photoshop program before we get Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine(DICOM) files use USB memory stick in supersonic diagnosis machinery. When we diagnosed the lesion of the patient with ultrasound, the contrast and the Gray scale value of image are very important. In this research, we determined the optimum setting parameters that provided useful information to diagnose disease and evaluated the change of improved images.

High contrast and high resolution are the most important factors for examining mammography images. Despite of the inconveniences of screen-film, most clinics still prefer them to computed radiography(CR) and direct radiography(DR). The reading of screen-film mammography images is influenced by the brightness from the X-ray illuminator, the exam room and incoming light from outside sources. Therefore, a comparative analysis on the results of mammo phantom images would be variated by the changes in the reading environment. There was no influence on reading results from the examiners close distance eyesight(p > 0.05); however, reading of micro lesions improved with greater darkness in the X-ray film reading room and the brightness of the X-ray illuminator(p < 0.05). Also, observation of fiber and mass images were maximized at a distance of 50 cm from the reader. Now, it is possible to observe these small classification groups using a magnifying glass without being physically close to the image. For the image of mammography, obtaining high quality images is important but in order to get an accurate clinical lesions of the reading also needs to be considered the optimal environmental factors.

This experimental study is carried out one of the General Hospital in Kyungbok providence. Abdomen Phantom being located Anterior-posterior(AP) position on portable bed, and the portable X-ray generating device was placed the phantom at -90° direction. The experiment were set 65 kVp, 10 mAs, 10 × 10 cm2, 100 cm(FOD) for the measurement. Digital proportional counting tube survey meter was used for measuring the space scatter dose. Measurement points of horizontal distribution was set up at 30° interval by increasing 50 cm radius of upside, downside, left and right. Vertical distribution of measurement points were set up for the vertical plane with a radius of at 30° intervals with 50cm increments. It is concluded that longer distance from the soure of X-ray significanly decrease radiation dose to the patient and use of the radiation protection device should be applied in clinical practice to reduce dose to the patient.

A total of 200 hospital employees participated in this study from January 2009 to June 2010. For the survey, each participant was given necessary items for external health exams. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for the survey regarding wireless networks. There was a need for educating data processing workers in the medical field regarding fundamental information prior to wireless network construction. The reason is high scores would be collected, which would reflect knowledge regarding data processing used at hospitals and the differences between paper charts and electronic charts. However, low scores were obtained which reflected knowledge regarding the differences between wired and wireless networks and Mini-PACS. Time for each patient was shortened to a maximum of three minutes and minimum of one minute for treatment and transmitting medical images when comparing pre and post wireless network construction(p < 0.01). Scores from the pre and post construction survey increase 1.98, 1.65, and 1.43 points for activity in the health screening area, usage of space in the health screening vehicle, and patient information storage respectively(p < 0.05). The number of patients receiving external health screenings twelve times was 3,655 prior to construction of a wireless network system. However, the number increased to 4,265 after construction. The increasing percentage was 17% in total. Prior to construction, X-ray images were taken 527 times, but after construction of a wireless network, this number growed to 1,194 and it was 116% increase. The loss of patient’s medical treatment charts was reduced from 19.8% to 18.7% after construction. We believe that educating medical workers on Mini-PACS and Mini-OCS Systems will not only increase their efficiency but also make patients receiving better treatment.

This research attempts to qualitatively evaluate the intensity change by radiopharmaceuticals and obtain computed tomography using phantom injected with various nuclide. Cylindrical phantom is used for comparing and analysing the effect on diagnosis image during radiopharmaceuticals inspection. Inside of the phantom, water is injected and computed tomography image is scanned. During nuclear medicine invitro, frequently used radiopharmaceuticals, 99mTcO4 20 mCi and 18F 14 mCi, is diluted in the water phantom and scanned in the same method. Traverse image obtained by CT scan is divided into six traverse image in the same slice of each scanned image. CT-number(HU) value of 10 measuring point is measured in 2 cm interval based on the center of the phantom. Measured HU value, based on the water phantom, is compared with the image after injecting 99mTcO4 and 18F. Average scale of water is 2.8~1.6 HU, 99mTcO4 is 3.0~1.6 HU and 18F is 1.2~0 HU. Average of water is 2.3 ± 0.17 HU, 99mTcO4 is 2.2 ± 0.85 HU and F-18 is 0.7 ± 0.95 HU. Based on water, reduced value of about 0.1 HU and about 0.5 HU is acquired from 99mTcO4 and F-18. Radionuclide used in nuclear medicine inspection utilizes 100~200 KeV energy and obtains image through scintillation camera and PET-CT utilizes 511 KeV positron annihilation energy to obtain image. What we learned from this research is that gamma rays from these energies used in CT scan for diagnosis purpose or radioactive therapy plan can change the intensity of the image. The nuclear medicine inspection for reducing the effect of emitted gamma ray diagnosis image should be obtained after a period of time considering half-life which would be reduced distortion or changed in image.

In order to demonstrate the value of long-distance radiography, we have studied how distance affects images in chest frontal radiography and compared short-distance and long-distance images in chest lateral radiography. Cardiothoracic ratio(CTR %) of 50 patients with no disease in the chest(10 each at the age of 20~60) were evaluated in Supine AP(100 cm), Sitting AP(100 cm), Sitting AP(180 cm), and Erect PA(180 cm). In lateral radiography, we evaluated and compared left lateral radiography(100 cm and 180 cm) of the patients based on the horizontal maximum of the heart. The average value of CTR(%) were 0.48 in Erect PA(180 cm), 0.52 in Supine AP(100 cm), 0.50 in Sitting AP(100 cm), 0.49 in Sitting AP(180 cm), which were Supine AP(100 cm) > Sitting AP(100 cm) > Sitting AP(180 cm) > Erect PA(180 cm). The average value of Maximum transverse diameter of left of the cardiac(MLD), which showed how much axis of spine was slanted to the left, was 90.67 mm in Erect PA(180 cm), 103.92 mm in Supine AP(100 cm), 93.54 mm in Sitting(100 cm), 89.84 mm in Sitting AP(180 cm), 58.11 mm in the minimum value and 118.79 mm in the maximum value. The average value of Maximum transverse diameter of right side of the cardiac(MRD), which suggested how much axis of spine was slanted to the right, was 47.18 mm in Erect PA(180 cm), 48.12 mm in Supine AP(100 cm), 44.98 mm in Sitting AP(180 cm), and the minimum value 26.84 mm and the maximum value 65.30 mm. There was no standard method to calculate; therefore, the horizontal maximum of the heart was used for lateral radiography. The average value was 121.07 mm in 100 cm and 109.76 mm in 180 cm. Sitting AP(180 cm) among the types was closest to C-PA(180 cm). As a result, during C-AP radiography, long-distance radiography lessened shadow of the heart more than that of short distance, Sitting position more than Supine position.

In this study, the correlation among the changes of Modulation Transfer Function(MTF) in the noise and high-contrast resolution and the change of Contrast to noise ratio(CNR) in the low-contrast resolution will be examined to investigate the estimation of image quality according to the type of algorithms. The image data obtained by scanning American Association of Physicists in Medicine(AAPM) phantom was applied to each algorithm and the exposure condition of 120 kVp, 250 mAs, and then the CT number and noise were measured. The MTF curved line of the high-contrast resolution was calculated with Point Spread Function(PSF) by using the analysis program by Philips, resulting in 0.5 MTF, 0.1 MTF and 0.02 MTF respectively. The low-contrast resolution was calculated with CNR and the uniformity was measured to each algorithm. Since the measurement value for the uniformity of the equipment was below ± 5 HU, which is the criterion figure, it was found to belong to the normal range. As the algorithm got closer from soft to edge, the standard deviation of CT number increased, which indicates that the noise increased as well. As for MTF, 0.5 MTF, 0.1 MTF and 0.02 MTF were all sharp algorithms, and as the algorithm got closer from soft to edge, it was possible to distinguish more clearly with the naked eye. On the other hand, CNR gradually decreased, because the difference between the contrast hole CT number and the acrylic CT number was the same while the noise of hole increased.

The purpose of this study was to survey and test quality control of mammography system. The conclusion of this study is as follows ; First, The rate of pass for phantom image test shows that Film-Screen mammography system(F/S) and computed mammography system(CR) is 80%, Indirect digital mammography system(DR) is 100%. Second, The test of exposure dose shows that F/S is 921 mR. CR is 1,140 mR, DR is 474 mR. The grade of this testament is CR > F/S > DR. Third, The test of average glandular dose shows that F/S is 1,336 mGy, CR is 1,635 mGy, DR is 1,26 mGy. The grade of this testament is CR > F/S > DR. Fourth, The testament of resolution shows as follows F/S is 11~13 Lp/mm, CR is 4~5 Lp/mm, and DR is 5~7 Lp/mm(F/S > DR > CR) Fifth, The survey of projection, cassette, development and reading shows that user are indifference.

Two-dimensional(2D) images like Multi Planar Reconstruction(MPR) Image or Maximum Intensity Projection(MIP) were used for the purpose of diagnosis, but MPR image’s quality were limited due to its superior limit of Z-axis ability to produce permitted radiation exposure virtuous in the permitted time limit from the existing Spiral CT. However, in company with the development of the Multi Detector Computed Tomography(MDCT), we were able to get the Data with the equal amount of Voxel, also get varied reconstructions as in the aspect of our needs. This present study propose a reconstruction technique which is to extract a field using Region of interest(ROI) segmentation method for improvement of the quality of the medical image and after that reconstruct the concerned part using the four-directed symmetry method of the oval, than using the reconstructed data, reorganize the image by using the Curved MPR method. If current proposed method is used, it is highly effective because of its ability to accurately display the disease concerned part, which will reduce the decoding time and also effectively provide information based on the accuracy of the decode.

Thick films of carbon fiber were prepared by a heating element of plan shape made in Darin co., We have investigated surface morphology of the specimen depending on heat-treatment temperatures. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) image of carbon fiber thick films of the specimen heat treated shows a grain growth at 1200 ℃ and becomes a poly-crystallization at 1350 ℃. The variation of resistivity at the thermally annealed specimen above 600 ℃ depends on type of the substrates. It may be due to a variation of film thickness and a difference of interfacial phenomena. A heating element of features was affected significantly by skin blood and quantity of heat of the body physiological function. After radiation of farinfrared for plate heating element, the function of biometric physiological is considered of skin blood flow and calorie which greatly affects on individuals. Electromagnetic wave was not influence on the body.