디지털 방사선시스템에서 영상증강 파라미터의 영상특성 평가

김창수(Changsoo Kim),강세식(Se-Sik Kang),고성진(Seong-Jin Ko) 한국콘텐츠학회 2010 한국콘텐츠학회논문지 Vol.10 No.6

디지털 방사선시스템에서의 의료영상 획득의 방법은 X선을 조사하고, 반도체 디텍터(Detector)를 이용하여 직접 및 간접으로 변환하여 기존 업체마다 여러 가지 알고리즘을 적용하여 적절한 이미지 프로세싱을 거쳐서 임상의 적정한 영상을 획득한다. 방사선과에서 적절한 의료 영상 형성을 위하여 적용하는 이미지 프로세싱 파라미터(Image Processing Parameters)는 Edge, Frequency, Contrast, Latitude, LUT, Noise 등의 영상 증강의 과정은 기술력 및 업체 알고리즘에 따라 다르게 적용되고 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 디지털 방사선 환경에서의 최종의 임상 영상을 위한 이미지 증강의 파라미터들의 적정 세팅 값의 기준을 제시하고자 한다. 그리고 각 병원들의 의료 영상을 바탕으로 이미지 프로세싱 파라미터들을 변화하여 각 파라미터들의 세부적인 기준 세팅값을 연구하며, 실제적인 파라미터 변화에 대한 적합한 의료영상을 디지털방사선시스템의 영상 평가 방법을 도식화하여 결과를 제시하고, 향후 임상에서 적응 및 활용 가능한 객관적인 영상 파라미터에 대한 특성 평가의 응용을 정립하고자 한다. 또한 다양한 표본 병원의 디지털 방사선 환경에서 적정 파라미터 값들을 조사하여 임상에서 영상의 화질에 미치는 영향으로 특성평가의 객관적인 기준의 변조전달함수(MTF)의 공간해상력을 제시하고 한다. Digital imaging detectors can use a variety of detection materials to convert X-ray radiation either to light or directly to electron charge. Many detectors such as amorphous silicon flat panels, CCDs, and CMOS photodiode arrays incorporate a scintillator screen to convert x-ray to light. The digital radiography systems based on semiconductor detectors, commonly referred to as flat panel detectors, are gaining popularity in the clinical & hospital. The X-ray detectors are described between a-Silicon based indirect type and a-Selenium based direct type. The DRS of detectors is used to convert the x-ray to electron hole pairs. Image processing is described by specific image features: Latitude compression, Contrast enhancement, Edge enhancement, Look up table, Noise suppression. The image features are tuned independently. The final enhancement result is a combination of all image features. The parameters are altered by using specific image features in the different several hospitals. The image in a radiological report consists of two image evaluation processes: Clinical image parameters and MTF is a descriptor of the spatial resolution of a digital imaging system. We used the edge test phantom and exposure procedure described in the IEC 61267 to obtain an edge spread function from which the MTF is calculated. We can compare image in the processing parameters to change between original and processed image data. The angle of the edge with respect to the axes of detector was varied in order to determine the MTF as a function of direction. Each MTF is integrated within the spatial resolution interval of 1.35- 11.70 cycles/㎜ at the 50 % MTF point. Each image enhancement parameters consists of edge, frequency, contrast, LUT, noise, sensitometry curve, threshold level, windows. The digital device is also shown to have good uniformity of MTF and image parameters across its modality. The measurements reported here represent a comprehensive evaluation of digital radiography system designed for use in the DRS. The results indicate that the parameter enables very good image quality in the digital radiography. Of course, the quality of image from a parameter is determined by other digital devices in addition to the proper clinical image.

디지털 방사선 시스템(DR)의 조사시간 변화 시 방사선 출력과 영상 화질의 안정성 분석을 통한 최적화된 파라미터의 임상 적용 모델 평가

황준호(Jun-Ho Hwang),최지안(Ji-An Choi),김현수(Hyun-Soo Kim),이경배(Kyung-Bae Lee) 한국방사선학회 2020 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.14 No.2

본 연구는 조사시간 변화가 방사선 출력과 영상 화질의 안정성에 미치는 영향을 분석하여 디지털 방사선 시스템의 성능을 최적화하는 방법을 제시하고자 하였다. 실험방법은 조사시간을 50 msec, 100 msec, 200 msec, 400msec로 변화시켜 복부와 골반부에 사용된 파라미터들의 백분율 평균오차(PAE; Percentage Average Error), 시간-방사선량 곡선, 신호 대 잡음비(SNR; Signal to Noise Ratio), 대조도 대 잡음비(CNR; Contrast to Noise Ratio), 분석하여 파라미터의 정상 작동 여부, 방사선 출력, 영상 화질을 평가하였다. 그 결과 실험에 사용된 파라미터들은 모두 정상 범위의 백분율 평균 오차를 보였고, 조사시간은 짧게 적용할수록 디지털 방사선 시스템의 방사선 출력과 영상 화질의 안정성이 저하하였다. 결론적으로 100 msec ~ 200 msec의 조사시간을 적용하여 방사선 출력과 영상 화질을 안정적으로 유지했을 때 디지털 방사선 시스템의 성능을 최적화할 수 있음을 알 수 있었다. The purpose of this study is to propose a method to optimize the performance of Digital Radiography (DR) by analyzing the effect of exposure time change on the stability of radiation output and image quality. The experimental method was used to change the exposure time to 50 msec, 100 msec, 200 msec, and 400 msec so that the Percentage Average Error (PAE), Time-to-Radiation Dose Curve, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) and theses analysis were performed to evaluate the normal operation of parameters, radiation output and image quality. As a result, all the parameters used in the experiment showed the Percentage Average Error in the normal range, and the shorter the exposure time, the stability of radiation output and image quality decrease. In conclusion, it was found that the performance of Digital Radiography can be optimized when stable radiation output and image quality are applied by applying 100 msec ~ 200 msec exposure time.

Evaluation of Image Quality & Absorbed Dose using MCNPX Simulation in the Digital Radiography System

안현(Hyeon An),이동연(Dong Yeon Lee),고성진(Sung Jin Ko),김창수(Chang Soo Kim) 한국방사선학회 2016 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.10 No.5

본 연구는 IEC에서 제시하는 영상품질을 평가하는 조건으로는 임상적인 환경에서 디지털 방사선영상시스템(Digital Radiography System)에서의 검출기에 대한 영상품질평가를 시행하기에는 환경적인 제한점이 있기에 IEC에서 제시하는 조건과 임상검사조건을 조합한 각각의 선질에 대하여 영상품질평가를 시행한 연구입니다. 첫째, 네 가지 선질을 사용하여 MTF, NPS 영상품질평가를 하였으며, MCNPX 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 선질들에 대한 스펙트럼을 분석하여 입자 플루언스를 산정한 후 최종적으로 DQE 영상품질평가를 하였다. 둘째, 네 가지 선질들의 MCNPX 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 방사선속 밀도와 에너지, 물질의 질량에너지흡수계수를 이용하여 전자 1 개당 공기, 물, 근육, 뼈에 대한 흡수선량률을 평가하였다. 영상품질을 평가한 결과, 네 가지 선질들의 MTF는 1.13 ∼ 2.91 lp/mm 공간주파수를 나타내어 일반 X선 촬영의 진단 주파수 영역인 1.0 ∼ 3.0 lp/mm를 만족하였다. NPS는 부가필터를 사용하면, 공간 주파수가 0.5 lp/mm 기준으로 NPS가 증가하다가 이후, 감소하는 경향성을 나타내었다. 부가필터 미사용하면, 공간주파수가 0.5 lp/mm 기준으로 NPS가 감소하다가 이후, 일정한 NPS 결과 값을 나타내었다. DQE는 70 kVp / unuesd added filter(21 mm Al) / SID 150 cm에서 공간주파수 1.5 lp/mm 기준으로 일정한 값을 나타내다가 이후, 감소하는 경향성을 나타내었다. 나머지 선질들은 공간주파수가 증가함에 따라 감소하는 경향성을 나타내었다. 흡수선량 평가결과는 공기< 물 < 근육 < 뼈 순서로 흡수선량이 증가함을 나타내었다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 다양한 임상환경에서 디지털 방사선영상시스템의 영상품질평가 방법을 제시할 수 있는 기초자료로 제공하고자 한다. The study is enforce to study image quality evaluation of condition provide the IEC and combination of clinical conditions each quality of radiation that image quality to assess the conditions provided to IEC in the clinical environment to conduct image quality assessment of the digital radiography system in the detector have environmental limits. First, image quality evaluation was evaluated by measuring the MTF, NPS using four quality of radiation and Using MCNPX simulation lastly DQE make a image quality evaluation after calculating the particle fluence to analyze spectrum quality of radiation. Second, Using MCNPX simulation of four quality of radiation was evaluated absorbed dose rate about electronic 1 per unit air, water, muscle, bone by using Radiation flux density and energy, mass-energy absorption coefficient of matter. Results of evaluation of image quality, MTF of four quality of radiation was satisfied diagnosis frequency domain 1.0 ∼ 3.0 lp/mm of general X-ray that indicated 1.13 ∼ 2.91 lp/mm spatial frequency. The NPS has added filter, spatial frequency 0.5 lp/mm at standard NPS showed a tendency to decrease after increase. Unused added filter, spatial frequency 0.5 lp/mm at standard NPS showed a certain NPS result value after decrease. DQE in 70 kVp / unuesd added filter(21 mm Al) / SID 150 cm that patial frequency 1.5 lp/mm at standard showed a tendency to decrease after certain value showed. Patial frequency in the rest quality of radiation was showed a tendency to decrease after increase. Results of evaluation of absorbed dose, air < water < muscle < bone in the order showed a tendency to increase. Based on the results of this study provide to basic data that present for the image quality evaluation method of a digital radiation imaging system in various the clinical condition.

디지털방사선영상시스템에서 MCNPX 시뮬레이션을 이용한 영상 품질 및 선량평가

안현,이동연,고성진,김창수 한국방사선학회 2016 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.10 No.5

본 연구는 IEC에서 제시하는 영상품질을 평가하는 조건으로는 임상적인 환경에서 디지털 방사선영상시 스템(Digital Radiography System)에서의 검출기에 대한 영상품질평가를 시행하기에는 환경적인 제한점이 있 기에 IEC에서 제시하는 조건과 임상검사조건을 조합한 각각의 선질에 대하여 영상품질평가를 시행한 연구 입니다. 첫째, 네 가지 선질을 사용하여 MTF, NPS 영상품질평가를 하였으며, MCNPX 시뮬레이션을 이용 하여 선질들에 대한 스펙트럼을 분석하여 입자 플루언스를 산정한 후 최종적으로 DQE 영상품질평가를 하 였다. 둘째, 네 가지 선질들의 MCNPX 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 방사선속 밀도와 에너지, 물질의 질량에너지 흡수계수를 이용하여 전자 1 개당 공기, 물, 근육, 뼈에 대한 흡수선량률을 평가하였다. 영상품질을 평가한 결과, 네 가지 선질들의 MTF는 1.13 ∼ 2.91 lp/mm 공간주파수를 나타내어 일반 X선 촬영의 진단 주파수 영역인 1.0 ∼ 3.0 lp/mm를 만족하였다. NPS는 부가필터를 사용하면, 공간 주파수가 0.5 lp/mm 기준으로 NP S가 증가하다가 이후, 감소하는 경향성을 나타내었다. 부가필터 미사용하면, 공간주파수가 0.5 lp/mm 기준 으로 NPS가 감소하다가 이후, 일정한 NPS 결과 값을 나타내었다. DQE는 70 kVp / unuesd added filter(21 mm Al) / SID 150 cm에서 공간주파수 1.5 lp/mm 기준으로 일정한 값을 나타내다가 이후, 감소하는 경향성 을 나타내었다. 나머지 선질들은 공간주파수가 증가함에 따라 감소하는 경향성을 나타내었다. 흡수선량 평가 결과는 공기< 물 < 근육 < 뼈 순서로 흡수선량이 증가함을 나타내었다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 다양한 임 상환경에서 디지털 방사선영상시스템의 영상품질평가 방법을 제시할 수 있는 기초자료로 제공하고자 한다. The study is enforce to study image quality evaluation of condition provide the IEC and combination of clinical conditions each quality of radiation that image quality to assess the conditions provided to IEC in the clinical environment to conduct image quality assessment of the digital radiography system in the detector have environmental limits. First, image quality evaluation was evaluated by measuring the MTF, NPS using four quality of radiation and Using MCNPX simulation lastly DQE make a image quality evaluation after calculating the particle fluence to analyze spectrum quality of radiation. Second, Using MCNPX simulation of four quality of radiation was evaluated absorbed dose rate about electronic 1 per unit air, water, muscle, bone by using Radiation flux density and energy, mass-energy absorption coefficient of matter. Results of evaluation of image quality, MTF of four quality of radiation was satisfied diagnosis frequency domain 1.0 ∼ 3.0 lp/mm of general X-ray that indicated 1.13 ∼ 2.91 lp/mm spatial frequency. The NPS has added filter, spatial frequency 0.5 lp/mm at standard NPS showed a tendency to decrease after increase. Unused added filter, spatial frequency 0.5 lp/mm at standard NPS showed a certain NPS result value after decrease. DQE in 70 kVp / unuesd added filter(21 mm Al) / SID 150 cm that patial frequency 1.5 lp/mm at standard showed a tendency to decrease after certain value showed. Patial frequency in the rest quality of radiation was showed a tendency to decrease after increase. Results of evaluation of absorbed dose, air < water < muscle < bone in the order showed a tendency to increase. Based on the results of this study provide to basic data that present for the image quality evaluation method of a digital radiation imaging system in various the clinical condition.

IEC 규정 노출지수를 활용한 디지털 방사선 영상시스템에서의 영상 수용체간 특성평가 (Ⅰ)

박혜민,윤용수,노영훈,김성준,나찬영,한태호,김정수,정회원,김정민 대한방사선과학회 2019 방사선기술과학 Vol.42 No.4

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has regulated the definition and requirements of the exposure index (EI). In this study, we calculated the EI of several image receptors in digital radiography system of two different manufacturers according to the method as per IEC, and evaluated the relationship with incident air kerma. To calculate t he E I, w e obtained the characteristics curve of e ach i mage receptor b y increasing t he i ncident air kerma at R QA 3, 5, 7 and 9, respectively. As a result, there was no significant difference in the EI values between different image receptors of the same manufacturer, but EI values of different manufacturer was different despite the same air kerma was incident. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of the digital radiography systems is important in order to use EI as a tool for measuring and managing the radiation dose.

퍼지적분을 이용한 영상품질의 객관적이고 정량적 평가: 팬톰 연구

김성현,서태석,최보영,이형구,Kim, Sung-Hyun,Suh, Tae-Suk,Choe, Bo-Young,Lee, Hyoung-Koo 한국의학물리학회 2008 의학물리 Vol.19 No.4

물리적 평가(physical evaluation)가 영상품질의 객관화와 정량화를 위한 토대를 제공함에도 불구하고, 부정확하고 가변적인 특성을 지닌 주관적 평가(subjective evaluation)가 영상평가에 중요한 역할을 하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 디지털 방사선 영상의 물리적 평가와 주간적 평가의 단점을 상호 보완하고 객관적 정량화를 위한 새로운 방법을 제안하고자 한다. 임상에 사용되고 있는 4대의 디지털 방사선 영상 촬영장치로부터 동일한 임상조건에서 흉부 팬톰 영상을 획득하였다. 물리적 영상평가를 위하여 디지털 흉부 팬톰 내에서 3개의 영역(폐, 심장, 그리고 복부)에 존재하는 CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio)를 측정하였고 분할(segmentation)과 정합(registration)등 다양한 영상처리기술이 적용되었다. 주관적 평가는 5명의 관찰자에 의한 저 대조도 물체의 식별 정도를 점수화 하였다. 두 평가의 특성을 보완 및 결합하고자 퍼지적분 이론이 도입되었다. 4대의 시스템으로부터의 평가결과가 비교되었으며, 물리적 평가와 주관적 평가가 항상 비례하지 않음을 보였다. 물리적 평가에서는 높은 점수를 보였던 시스템이 주관적 평가에서는 상대적으로 낮은 평가를 보였다. 본 연구에서 제안한 퍼지적분에 의한 영상평가의 정량화는 물리적 평가와 주관적 평가를 모두 포함하는 총체적인 평가 방법이며, 다양한 영상품질 평가에 유용할 것이라 사료된다. Physical evaluations provide the basis for an objective and quantitative analysis of the image quality. Nonetheless, there are limitations in using physical evaluations to judge the utility of the image quality if the observer's subjectivity plays a key role despite its imprecise and variable nature. This study proposes a new method for objective and quantitative evaluation of image quality to compensate for the demerits of both physical and subjective image quality and combine the merits of them. The images of chest phantom were acquired from four digital radiography systems on clinic sites. The physical image quality was derived from an image analysis algorithm in terms of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the low-contrast objects in three regions (lung, heart, and diaphragm) of a digital chest phantom radiograph. For image analysis, various image processing techniques were used such as segmentation, and registration, etc. The subjective image quality was assessed by the ability of the human observer to detect low-contrast objects. Fuzzy integral was used to integrate them. The findings of this study showed that the physical evaluation did not agree with the subjective evaluation. The system with the better performance in physical measurement showed the worse result in subjective evaluation compared to the other system. The proposed protocol is an integral evaluation method of image quality, which includes the properties of both physical and subjective measurement. It may be used as a useful tool in image evaluation of various modalities.

동전을 이용한 제조사 별 디지털 방사선 영상 시스템의 자동노출제어 성능 평가

임세훈(Se-Hun Lim),성열훈(Youl-Hun Seoung) 대한방사선과학회(구 대한방사선기술학회) 2022 방사선기술과학 Vol.45 No.1

In this study, we proposed an image quality control for an automatic exposure control (AEC) of digital radiographic imaging system and tried to analyze the performance of the AEC by various manufacturer. The subjects of the experiment were analyzed for the AEC image quality evaluation using digital radiation generators from four manufacturer such as PHILIPS, GE Healthcare, SAMSUNG Healthcare, DK Medical Solution. We used as materials for the implementation of the image quality evaluation by coins (500 won, KOMSCO, Korea). This study evaluated the performance evaluation of the AEC as image quality and exposure dose (Milliampere-seconds; mAs). The image quality evaluation was tried visual assessment by two radiologic technologists and contrast to noise (CNR) by ImageJ. The exposure dose investigated mAs on digital radiation generators. The radiographic coin images acquired 360 images based on change in the control factors of the AEC, which were kVp, the consistency of field configuration and dominant zone, sensitivity and density. As a result, there was a significant difference in the AEC performance between manufacturer. The CNR by the AEC for each manufacturer showed a difference of up to about 1.9 times. The exposed tube current by the AEC for each manufacturer showed a difference of up to about 5.8 times. It is expected that our proposed evaluation method using coins could be applied as the AEC performance evaluation method in the future.

미세 대조도 영상을 기반한 디지털 방사선 영상 시스템의 자동노출제어 조절인자 간의 상관관계 분석

임세훈(Lim Se-Hun),성열훈(Seoung Youl-Hun) 대한방사선과학회(구 대한방사선기술학회) 2021 방사선기술과학 Vol.44 No.1

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of automatic exposure control (AEC) control factors in digital radiography systems based on the fine contrast images using coin phantoms. The AEC control factors were targeted at the range of dominent zone, sensitivity, and density. The dominent zone was divided into cases where a single coin was used to cover the field configuration, and cases where seven coins were used to cover the field configuration. The sensitivity was classified into three stages (200, 400, 800) and the density was classified into three stages (2.5, 0, 2.5). Image quality was evaluated by signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Then, the automatically exposed tube current was measured. As a result, the X-ray image of seven coins obtained a result value of about 1.2 times higher for SNR and 1.9 times higher for CNR than the X-ray image for one coin. The tube current was also about 1.6 times higher. In conclusion, In AEC, the higher the field configuration and dominent zone are matched and the higher the density, the lower the sensitivity, which increases the tube current and CNR, which increases the image quality. Therefore, it is judged that the appropriate setting of the range of dominent zone, sensitivity, and density of the control, which is the AEC control factor, could improve the fine contrast of images.

디지털 흉부 후·전 방향 방사선영상을 이용한 정상 한국인 폐 크기의 영상의학적 계측

박여진(Park Yeo-Jin),주영철(Joo Young-Cheol),이일수(Lee Il-Soo) 대한방사선과학회(구 대한방사선기술학회) 2018 방사선기술과학 Vol.41 No.1

The purpose of this study is to provide baseline data on lung field size measured radiological method by chest PA image in normal Korean. The subject of this study is 496 normal persons who performed chest PA examination using x-ray digital radiography system. The measurement method is from the apex of right and left lung to the costophrenic angle of both lung, from the top of the image to the lowest costophrenic angle of both lung and transverse line of the largest lung area. As a result of this study, the following conclusions were obtained. A lung field size of male is larger than the female(p<0.05). The younger the age, the longer both lung length and total lung height statistically significant. As a increase height and length, A lung field size was increased(p<0.05). But, BMI is not associated with a lung field size. This study will be data of reference data when radiological technologists perform chest PA examination.

이미지 평가 기법을 활용한 철재 시편의 디지털 방사선 영상시스템(Computed Radiography) 이미지 해석 연구

김한슬,김다솔,송정일 한국문화재보존과학회 2022 보존과학회지 Vol.38 No.5

In the non-destructive radiographic testing methods used for specimens with cultural heritage, analog film radiography is being replaced with digital radiography by the introduction of an imaging plate computed radiography system. Adoption of the computed radiography system has helped standardize digital image quality. This study analyzed the X-ray transmission characteristics and evaluated image quality according to image developing time for iron, the most important metal in cultural heritage. Computed radiography images were acquired. The transmittance of the images was determined based on Gray Scale and Duplex-wire Image Quality Indicator data. In addition, the change in images with the image developing time was compared and analyzed using the Structural Similarity Index Measure, mean square error, and peak signal-to-noise ratio.