This study investigates the behavior of bentonite, used as a buffer material in deep geological disposal systems, in the context of pore morphology under the influence of field-collected groundwater conditions. The bentonite was processed into block form using cold isostatic press (CIP) and subsequently analyzed for its pore morphology in situ using synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (CT) within the field-collected groundwater environment. Bentonite buffers play a critical role in deep geological disposal systems by preventing contact between disposal containers and groundwater. Bentonite typically exhibits swelling upon contact with water, forming few layers of water molecules between its structural layers. However, the presence of ions such as K+ and Cl- can lead to a sharp reduction in swelling pressure. Loss of swelling pressure could negatively impact the integrity of future deep geological disposal systems, making its assessment crucial. This study involves processing various types of bentonite, including natural Na-type bentonite, into block forms and subjecting them to exposure in both deionized water and field-collected groundwater conditions. Internal pore morphology changes were measured using Xray CT technology.

Metakaolin-based geopolymers have shown promise as suitable candidates for 14C immobilization and final disposal. It has been shown that the physicochemical properties of metakaolin wasteforms meet, and often far exceeding, the strict compression strength and leaching acceptance criteria of the South Korea radioactive waste disposal site. However, it is not possible to analyze and characterize the internal structure of the geopolymer wasteform by conventional characterization techniques such as microscopy without destruction of the wasteform; an impractical solution for inspecting wasteforms destined for final disposal. Internal inspection is important for ensuring wastes are homogenously mixed throughout the wasteform and that the wasteform itself does not pose any significant defects that may have formed either during formulation and curing or as a result of testing prior to final disposal. X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) enables Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of objects, such as final wasteforms, allowing for both their internal and external, characterization without destruction. However, for accurate quantification of an objects dimensions the spatial resolution (length and volume measures) must be know to a high degree of precision and accuracy. This often requires extensive knowledge of the equipment being used, its precise set-up, maintenance and calibration, as well as expert operation to yield the best results. A spatial resolution target consists of manufactured defects of uniformed dimensions and geometries which can be measured to a high degree of accuracy. Implementing the use of a spatial resolution target, the dimensions of which are known and certified independently, would allow for rapid dimensional calibration of XCT systems for the purpose of object metrology. However, for a spatial resolution target to be practical it should be made of the same material as the intended specimen, or at least exhibit comparable X-ray attenuation. In this study, attempts have been made to manufacture spatial resolution targets using geopolymer, silica glass, and alumina rods, as well as 3D printed materials with varying degrees of success. The metakaolin was activated by an alkaline activator KOH to from a geopolymer paste that was moulded into a cylinder (Diameter approx. 25 mm). The solidified geopolymer cylinder as well as both the silica glass rod and alumina rod (Diameter approx. 25 mm) we cut to approximately 4 mm ± 0.5 mm height with additional end caps cut measuring 17.5 mm ± 2.5 mm height. All parts were then polished to a high finish and visually inspected for their suitability as spatial resolution targets.

The mammary gland tumor (MGT) is the most common neoplasia in intact female dogs. Of these, 50% are malignant and metastasis to the other sites are often occurred. Therefore, it is very important for decision of treatment plan and prognosis to differentiate benign tumor from malignancies. Calcification of MGT is a very important imaging finding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiological and computed tomographic images of the MGT and the morphology and distribution of calcifications in the MGT using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification. A total of 42 dogs with MGT were included in this study. The dogs were divided into two groups into benign and malignant groups based upon histologic or cytologic results. The appearance of calcification in the tumor on radiographs and CT images was analyzed for the HU value of pre- and post-contrast injection, margin, surface, and shape of the tumor and the lymph node abnormalities. On radiographs, the positive predictive value of malignant and benign tumors was 72.72 and 85.71%, respectively. On CT examinations, the positive predictive value of malignant and benign tumors was the same value of 83.33%. The maximum diameter of the tumor and the presence of abnormal lymph nodes on CT images showed a strong correlation with malignancies. Therefore, it is thought that radiographs and CT provide useful information for evaluating MGT in dogs.

This study aimed to compare chin deviation in angle measurement on posteroanterior(PA) cephalogram and computed tomography (CT). Chin deviation was assessed as menton(Me) deviation in angle measurement on PA cephalogram and CT images of 35 patients who had orthognathic surgery (19 male and 16 female with average age of 22.1±3.33yr). The difference between the Me deviation was calculated and statistical analysis was performed to compare the deviation direction and asymmetry severity on the two imaging modalities. There was statistically significant difference in the difference of Me deviation between PA cephalogram and CT by one-simple t-test (p<.05). The mean difference of Me deviation was 2.21°± 1.84°. The maximum difference of Me deviation was 8.64°. There were statistical agreements in the deviation direction (k =0.82, p<.05) and in the severity of facial asymmetry (k =0.37, p<.05). The difference of the deviation direction was detected in 2 patients (5.71 %). The difference of the severity of facial asymmetry was in 15 patients (42.86%). The chin deviation in angle measurement might be different between PA cephalogram and CT in some patients.

CT scan 시 X-ray tube는 환자를 중심으로 360° 회전을 하기 때문에 산란선은 모 든 방향에서 발생한다. 임상에서 환자의 피폭을 감소시키기 환자의 흉·복부 전면만을 차폐하고 환자 후면이나 측면에서 발생되는 산란선에 대한 차폐는 시행하고 있지 않 다. 두부(Brain) CT 검사 시 흉부 및 복부에 입사되는 산란선을 ion chamber로 측정 하여 그 분포를 확인하고 두부 CT 검사 시 발생되는 산란선의 분포를 통해 기존 차폐 방법의 적정성을 평가 하고자 한다. 연구결과 gantry angle이 클수록, 전면보다 후면에 서 산란선이 많이 발생했다. 두부 CT 검사 시 발생되는 산란선에 의한 피폭을 최소화 하기 위해 가급적 gantry angle을 작게 줄 수 있도록 환자 두부의 위치를 조정하여 검 사를 하거나 납치마를 이용하여 환자의 흉·복부를 차폐할 경우 전면 뿐 아니라 양 측 면과 후면을 납치마를 이용하여 차폐를 해야 할 것이다.

This study analyzed the total number of 19,636 patients and radiation technologists, 11,433 of male and 8,203 of female by examined body parts, age, types of detectors, the using contrast enhancement and working condition of the technologists, regular staffs or rotation-duty staffs, based on the K-DOS program distributed by FDA with the DLP value of diagnostic evaluation. The result shows that the effective radiation dose was 0.7mSv~41.7mSv for each region and male patients had more radiation exposure than females. And the amount of exposure was also affected by the types and the method of detectors. Furthermore, the regular staffs took the role of helping the patient to get reduced amount of radiation exposure than rotation duty-staffs. Computed tomography (CT) use has increased dramatically over the past several decades. In this reason, to support the patients and the workers’ health in the field, the hospitals should apply specialized regular working radiation technologist system and manufacturing companies of those CTs should develop low medical radiation exposure devices.

The purpose in this study is to investigate CT number difference between conventional CT and CT simulator. It shows good correlation in CT number on the muscle, bone, and air. However, in the liver, lungs and water, the low correlation was detected. This result can become the good index for the direction of the distribution of dose difference research between CT equipment for using the computerized radiation therapy planning system.

In this study, porous titanium samples were manufactured by space holder methods using two kinds of urea and sodium chloride space holders. Three-dimensional pore structures were obtained by a computed-tomography (CT) tech- nique and utilized for finite element analysis in order to investigate the mechanical properties. The CT-based finite ele- ment analyses were in better agreement with the experimental results than unit cell model-based analyses. Both the experimental and CT-based results showed the same tendency that the elastic modulus decreased with increasing the porosities. The total porosity of the bulk body plays a key role in determining the elastic modulus of porous materials.

Periodontal inflammation increases the risk of tooth loss, particularly in cases where there is an associated loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament (PDL). Histological and morphometric evaluation of periodontal inflammation is difficult. Especially, the lengths of the periodontal ligament and interdental alveolar bone space have not been quan-tified. A quantitative imaging procedure applicable to an animal model would be an important clinical study. The purpose of this study was to quantify the loss of alveolar bone and perio-dontal ligament by evaluation with micro-computed tomo-graphy (micro-CT). Another purpose was to investigate diffe-rences in infections with systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-α on E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament model on mice. This study showed that linear measurements of alveolar bone loss were repre-sented with an increasing trend of the periodontal ligament length and interdental alveolar process space. The effects of systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-α on an E. coli LPS-induced periodontitis mice model were investigated in this research. Loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone were eval-uated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and cal-culated by the two- and three dimensional microstructure morphometric parameters. Also, there was a significantly increasing trend of the interdental alveolar process space in E. coli LPS and TNF-α on E. coli LPS compared to PBS. And E. coli LPS and TNF-α on E. coli LPS had a slightly increa-sing trend of the periodontal ligament length. The increa-sing trend of TNF-α on the LPS-induced mice model in this experiment supports the previous studies on the contribu-tion of periodontal diseases in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Also, our findings offer a unique model for the study of the role of LPS-induced TNF-α in systemic and chronic local inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we performed rapidly quantification of the perio-dontal inflammatory processes and periodontal bone loss using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in mice.

The purpose of the study was to evaluation of the radiation dose reduction using various automatic exposure control (AEC) systems in different manufactures multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). We used three different manufacturers for the study: General Electric Healthcare, Philips Medical systems and Siemens Medical Solutions. The general scanning protocol was created for the each examination with the same scanning parameters as many as possible. In the various AEC systems, the evaluation of reduced-dose was evaluated by comparing to fixed mAs with using body phantom. Finally, when we applied to AEC for three manufacturers, the radiation dose reduction decreased each 35.3% in the GE, 58.2% in the Philips, and 48.6% in the Siemens. This applies to variety of the AEC systems which will be very useful to reduce the dose and to maintain the high quality.

The purpose of the study was to apply and to expand the six sigma to reduce waiting times for computed tomography (CT) examination which manipulated by the department of radiology. It was preceded by DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control). In the stage of definition, it wereselected for total 5 critical to quality (CTQ), which were the kindness, the waiting time, the examination explanation, the waiting day and the waiting stand environment, that increased the reserved time of CT examination. In the stage of measurement, the number of examinations and of reservation waiting days performed and resulted in final CTQ(Y) which measured each 1.68 and 1.85 sigma. In the stage of analysis, the examination concentrated on morning time, non-scheduled examination of the day, the delayed time of booking, frequent telephone contacting and equipment malfunction were determined as variable key causes. In the stage of improvement, it were performed with expansion of the examination in the morning time, integration of laboratories that used to in each steps, developing the ability of simultaneous booking schedule for the multiple examinations, developing program of examination request, and the customer management team operations. For the control, the number of examinations and reserved waiting days were measured each 3.14 and 1.13 sigma.

The decrease of the distance between particle centers due to the growth of the sinter necks can be explained by the well known two-particle model. Unfortunately this model fails to provide a comprehensive description of the processes for 3D specimens. Furthermore, there is a significant discrepancy between the calculated and the measured shrinkage because particle rearrangements are not considered. Only the recently developed analysis of the particle movements inside of 3D specimens using micro focus computed tomography (μCT), combined with photogrammetric image analysis, can deliver the necessary experimental data to improve existing sintering theories. In this work, μCT analysis was applied to spherical copper powders. Based on photogrammetric image analysis, it is possible to determine the positions of all particle centers for tracking the particles over the entire sintering process and to follow the formation and breaking of the particle bonds. In this paper, we present an in-depth analysis of the obtaine data. In the future, high resolution synchrotron radiation tomography will be utilized to obtain in-situ data and images of higher resolution.

본 연구는 건강검진 목적으로 시행된 관상동맥 CT에서의 성별, 연령에 따른 관상동맥질환 발견율에 대 한 유용성과 글루코스, 총 콜레스테롤, 내장지방, 체질량지수, 중성지방, 고밀도지단백질(HDL), 저밀도지단백질(LDL) 각각의 인자들과 관상동맥질환과의 관련성에 대해 알아보았다. 총 299명의 수검자를 대상으로 후향적 분석을 실시한 결과 관상동맥질환 발견율에 대해서는 남성, 50세 이상에서의 유병율이 높은 것으로 나타났으며, 통계적으로 유의성을 보였다. 특히 남성의 유병율(37.9％)은 여성의 유병율(17.0%) 보다 약 ２배가 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 관상동맥질환과 관계되는 혈액학적 요인으로는 글루코스와 고밀도 지단백질(HDL)이 통계적으로 유의성을 보였다. 관상동맥질환의 예방 및 관리를 위해서는 글루코스와 고밀도지단백질(HDL)의 조절이 필요할 것으로 보이며, 다른 혈액학적 인자들과는 통계적으로 유의성은 낮았지만, 관상동맥질환에 대한 관리의 필요성이 확인되었다. 주요 결과로서 선별검사 목적으로 관상동맥 CT의 사용은 방사선 피폭 등의 문제점으로 인해 수검자의 성별, 나이를 고려하여 시행하는 것이 좋을 것으로 생각되며, 관상동맥 CT 시행 이전에 비침습적인 방법들의 선행검사를 통한 관상동맥 질환 검사가 필요함을 제안한다．

본 연구의 목적은 컴퓨터단층 혈관조영술에서 혈관 직경을 정확하게 측정할 수 있는 새로운 측정 방법 인 상대적 측정법의 기초연구 자료를 제공하고자 한다. 비이온성 요오드 조영제를 자체 제작한 관류 팬텀에 일정한 속도로 흐르게 한 후 컴퓨터단층 혈관조영술 검사를 시행하였다. 원시 데이터를 얻은 후 다중평 면재구성 및 최대강도투사법으로 영상을 재구성하였고 장비사에서 제공하는 거리측정 장치를 사용하여 팬텀의 직경을 측정하였다. 측정법은 고식적 측정법과 본 연구에서 제안하는 상대적 측정법을 사용하였다. 관류팬텀의 평균 직경은 다중평면재구성기법과 최대강도투사법 모두에서 상대적 측정법이 기존 측정법 보다 실측에 더 가깝게 나타났다(34% VS 24%, p<0.05). 하지만 두 가지 측정법 모두 실측보다 여전히 확대된 결과를 나타내고 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 상대적 측정 방법에 대한 추가 연구가 필요한 실정이며, 이에 본 연구가 기초 자료를 제공할 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

근골격계 수술 전 CT 촬영 후 3차원 체적영상을 Increment별로 구현하는 과정에서 시간이 많이 소요되지 않고 데이터의 양도 많지 않은 적절한 Increment를 찾아 제안하고자 한다. 이에 본 연구에서는 손, 무릎, 발 인체팬텀을 CT로 검사후, MMWP 프로그램을 사용하여 3차원 체적영상을 구현하여 재현성 평가를 하였다. 첫 실험으로는 각 Increment에 따른 세 가지 인체팬텀 별 데이터양을 분석하였다. 두번째 실험으로는 재현 성평가와 실측 길이를 비교하였다. Increment에 따라 각 팬텀별로 이미지 데이터양을 분석한 결과 Increment 를 0.1mm 로 설정했을 때보다 1.0mm 로 설정하였을 때 1/10 정도로 데이터양이 줄어드는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 구현성 평가를 하였을 때 손 팬텀은 0.7mm, 무릎 팬텀과 발 팬텀은 0.6mm 부터 gap이 생성되었고 실제 팬텀과 실측 길이를 비교하였을 때 길이가 많이 차이나서 구현성이 낮아지는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. Increment가 1.0mm 에 가까울수록 이미지 수가 적고, 3D 구현 시간이 적게 소요되지만 gap이 생성되면 구 현성이 급격이 낮아지는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 영상의 gap이 생성되기 전 Increment를 알아내어 적용하는 것이 수술 전 진단을 내리기에 가장 적합하다. 본 연구를 통해 CT 촬영후 VRT Rendering을 통한 3D 영상 구현시 정확한 Increment 설정을 증명할 수 있는 지표가 되기를 기대한다.

본 연구의 목적은 광자계수검출기 기반 스펙트럼 전산화단층촬영을 이용하여 K-각 영상을 획득하고, 이 를 통해 3차원 융합진단영상을 구현하여 임상적 이용 가능성을 평가하고자 하였다. 실험을 통한 K-각 영상 획득을 위해 스펙트럼 전산화단층촬영 시스템을 이용하였다. 희석된 iodine과 gadolinium 조영제가 주입된 6개의 튜브를 돼지고기에 삽입하여 팬텀을 제작하였다. 100 kVp 관전압과 500 μA 관전류 조건에서 발생된 X-선을 이용하였으며, iodine과 gadolinium의 K-각 흡수에너지를 고려한 35 및 52 keV에 저에너지 문턱값 을 설정하여 K-각 영상을 획득하였다. 융합진단영상은 일반적인 전산화단층촬영 영상과 스펙트럼 전산화 단층촬영을 통해 획득한 iodine 및 gadolinium 영상을 정합하여 획득하였다. 두 가지 조영제 기반 융합진단 영상의 CNR은 일반적인 CT보다 평균적으로 6.76-14.9배 높았으며, 3차원 융합진단영상은 각 조영제의 물 질 지도 정보를 제공할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구에서 제안하는 방법을 통해 전산화단층영상의 화질을 향 상시킬 수 있으며 특정 물질의 추가적인 정보를 제공을 통해 진단의 효율성을 증가시킬 수 있다.

전산화단층촬영에서 선형 및 비선형변환방법을 이용하여 탐색밀도에 따른 압축률과 최대신호대 잡음 비를 구하여 의료영상 압축의 화질에 대하여 알고자 한다. 선형변환방법은 원 영상을 여러 개의 레인지블록으로 나눈 후 각각의 레인지블록에 대하여 영상내의 존재하는 최적의 도메인블록을 찾는 부분변환시스템을 사용하여 닮은 블록을 찾아서 압축율과 화질의 성능을 조정가능 하므로 비선형변환방법은 8개의 셔플변환 중에서 회전변환만을 이용하는데, 한정된 도메인블록에서만 탐색이 이루어지므로 영상내의 임의의 블록에 대하여 도메인블록을 탐색하는 선형변환방법보다는 부호화 시간이 빠르나 실제 영상에서 레인지블록에 대한 최적의 도메인블록을 선택할 수 없기 때문에 성능은 다른 방법에서 보다 떨어질 수 있어서 비선형변환방법은 최적의 도메인블록을 선택하는 대신 밝기 계수 변환의 근사화 정도를 높여서 성능을 개선하고, 블록의 크기가 작을수록 최대신호대 잡음비 (PSNR;peak signal to noise ratio)값은 높아지며 블록의 크기가 클수록 압축비가 높아지므로 최적으로 영상을 부호화하기 위해 퀴드트리 블록분할을 하였다.

흉부 CT 검사의 스캔 기법의 하나인 VOLUME AXIAL MODE를 이용하여 관전압의 변화에 따라 진단적 으로 가치가 높은 영상을 얻기 위하여 화질을 평가하고 적절한 관전압을 제시하고자 한다. CT 장비는 GE 사의 Revolution(GE Healthcare, Wisconsin USA)모델을 이용하였으며, Phantom은 Pediatric Whole Body Phant om PBU-70을 사용하였다. Heart의 SNR 평균차이분석에서는 70 kvp에서 -4.53 ± 0.26 이었고 80 kvp는 -3.34 ± 0.18 이었으며 100 kvp는 -1.87 ± 0.15이었고 70 kvp가 100kvp 보다 약 -2.66정도 SNR이 높았으며 통계적 으로 유의하였다.(p<0.05) Lung의 SNR 평균차이분석에서는 70 kvp에서 -78.20 ± 4.16이었고 80 kvp는 -79.10 ± 4.39이었으며 100 kvp는 -77.43 ± 4.72이었고 70 kvp가 100 kvp 보다 약 -0.77정도 SNR이 높았으며 통계적 으로 유의하였다.(p<0.05). Lung의 CNR 평균차이분석에서는 70 kvp에서 73.67 ± 3.95이었고 80 kvp는 75.76 ± 4.25이었으며 100 kvp는 75.57 ± 4.62이었고 80 kvp가 70 kvp 보다 약 20.9정도 CNR이 높았으며 통계적으 로 유의하였다.(p<0.05) 관전압 100 kvp에서는 70 kvp와 80k vp를 비교 했을 때 심장 영상의 질을 유지하면 서 SNR이 1에 가까웠다. 하지만 70 kvp와 80kvp에서 는 SNR 차이가 없어 70 kvp 로 소아 흉부 CT 검사를 하여 방사선량을 줄일 수 있을 것이다. 반면에 CNR은 70 kvp에서 가장 1에 근사치를 나타냈었으며 80kvp 와 100kvp에서는 차이가 없어 80 kvp로 소아 흉부 CT 검사를 하여 방사선량을 줄일 수 있을 것이다. 또한 Volume Axial mode 검사 시 0.3초의 짧은 scan time으로 검사 할 수 있어서 움직이거나 진정이 필요한 소아 환자에게 유용할 것으로 사료된다.