Non-grid Images Research Articles

A panoramic image stitching method for nuclear fuel assemblies

The fuel assembly (FA) is the core component of the nuclear reactor, and inaccurate inspection of FA bending and deformation can cause severe disasters in nuclear power plant reactors. It is an important task to restore a panoramic image of the FA from the video collected by the orthogonal visual inspection system. It can provide a more intuitive qualitative observation. Meanwhile, it is conducive to the estimation of deformation. This paper proposes a panoramic image stitching method for nuclear FA, which classifies video frames into grid images (GI) and non-grid images (NGI). It utilizes the speed of GI frames to estimate the speed of NGI frames. The horizontal offset and vertical offset between frames are estimated in two steps. The high-quality panoramic image can be obtained by image fusion. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can achieve the panoramic image stitching of simulated samples and actual FAs with a deformation estimation accuracy of 0.3 mm. The proposed method has been verified and used in actual nuclear power plant reactor maintenance.

CAN SCATTER CORRECTION SOFTWARE REPLACE A GRID IN DR PELVIC EXAMINATIONS?

The purpose was to examine if scatter correction software could replace a grid while maintaining image quality and reducing radiation dose for pelvic DR examinations. Grid images was produced with 70 kV and 16mAs. Anthropomorphic- and Contrast Detail RADiography (CDRAD) non-grid images were produced with 60 kV, 80 kV and 90 kV combined with five different mAs and scatter correction software. The anthropomorphic images were analyzed by absolute Visual Grading Analysis (VGA). The CDRAD images were analyzed using the CDRAD analysis software. The results showed a total of 54.6% non-grid images were evaluated as unsuitable for diagnostic use by the VGA. The CDRAD grid images showed that the IQF_inv values were significantly different (p = 0.0001) when compared to every group of non-grid images. Hereby, the conclusion stated that the scatter correction software did not compensate for the loss in image quality due to scattered radiation at the exposure levels included in a pelvic examination.

The Potential Role of Grid-Like Software in Bedside Chest Radiography in Improving Image Quality and Dose Reduction: An Observer Preference Study.

ObjectiveTo compare the observer preference of image quality and radiation dose between non-grid, grid-like, and grid images.Materials and MethodsEach of the 38 patients underwent bedside chest radiography with and without a grid. A grid-like image was generated from a non-grid image using SimGrid software (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.) employing deep-learning-based scatter correction technology. Two readers recorded the preference for 10 anatomic landmarks and the overall appearance on a five-point scale for a pair of non-grid and grid-like images, and a pair of grid-like and grid images, respectively, which were randomly presented. The dose area product (DAP) was also recorded. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used to assess the significance of preference.ResultsBoth readers preferred grid-like images to non-grid images significantly (p < 0.001); with a significant difference in terms of the preference for grid images to grid-like images (p = 0.317, 0.034, respectively). In terms of anatomic landmarks, both readers preferred grid-like images to non-grid images (p < 0.05). No significant differences existed between grid-like and grid images except for the preference for grid images in proximal airways by two readers, and in retrocardiac lung and thoracic spine by one reader. The median DAP were 1.48 (range, 1.37–2.17) dGy*cm2 in grid images and 1.22 (range, 1.11–1.78) dGy*cm2 in grid-like images with a significant difference (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe SimGrid software significantly improved the image quality of non-grid images to a level comparable to that of grid images with a relatively lower level of radiation exposure.

Dose Optimization in Lumbar Spine Radiographic Examination by Air Gap Method at CR and DR Systems: A Phantom Study

ObjectiveThis study aims at investigating the feasibility of replacing an antiscatter grid with an air gap to achieve dose reduction for lumbar spine radiography while retaining image quality at an acceptable diagnostic level. MethodsFrontal and lateral projections of lumbar spine radiographic examinations were performed on an anthropomorphic phantom. Nongrid images of both the computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems with air gap thickness ranging from 0 to 25 cm were produced and compared with their corresponding grid images. Dose measurements using thermoluminescent dosimeters at the ovary and testes regions of the phantom were conducted. The image quality of all the images was evaluated by five radiographers using image quality score and visual grading analysis tests. Data on dose measurements and image quality tests were input for statistical analysis. The dose area product (DAP) of all the examinations was recorded and input for the computation of effective doses using a PC-based Monte Carlo program (PCXMC 2.0; STUK, Helsinki, Finland). ResultsSignificant dose reduction effects on the ovaries of 60.2%–74.1% and 55.1%–73.3% were found, respectively, at the frontal and lateral projections of nongrid lumbar spine examinations compared with their corresponding grid ones in both the CR and DR systems. Results on the image quality score and visual grading analysis tests showed that nongrid images with 10-cm and 5-cm of air gap thicknesses respective to the frontal and lateral images of the lumbar spine were rated with the highest scores. In general, a dose reduction effect using the air gap method was found to be more pronounced in the CR system compared with the DR system. Nevertheless, the CR system delivered a 2.4–4.5 times higher ovary dose respective to the frontal and lateral projections of lumbar spine examinations compared with the DR system. ConclusionsTen and 5 centimeters were found to be the optimal air gap thicknesses respective to the frontal and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations of the tested Rando phantom (Alderson Laboratories, Stamford, CT) in both the CR and DR systems. Significant dose reduction effects on both the ovary and testes regions of the nongrid examinations were shown. The effective dose computed from PCMCX 2.0 reflected that the risk of cancer induction was halved when an antiscatter grid was replaced by the nongrid method with an optimal air gap thickness in the tested examinations. Further reduction on cancer risk could be achieved by using DR instead of the CR system.

Dose optimization in pelvic radiography by air gap method on CR and DR systems – A phantom study

ObjectivesThis study aimed at investigating the feasibility of replacing the anti-scatter grid with an air gap at a pelvic radiographic examination in order to reduce patient dose while retaining diagnostic image quality. MethodsAn anthropomorphic pelvis phantom was placed on a device that allowed the adjustment of different air gap thicknesses introduced between the phantom and the image receptor of Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR) systems. Grid and non-grid images with different air gap thicknesses of both systems were produced. Ovary and testes doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters. Radiographic quality of all images was rated by 5 experienced radiographers blindly using the Image Quality Score (IQS) and Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) systems. ResultsImages of diagnostic quality were produced while the grid was replaced by a range of 0–25 cm air gap thickness in the pelvic radiographic examination. At non-grid examination with 10 cm air gap thickness, a maximum of relative dose reduction by 70.7% and 81.6% at CR; 68.6% and 79.4% at DR were achieved respectively at ovary and testes locations of the phantom as compared with their corresponding grid examinations. Conclusion10 cm was found to be the optimal air gap thickness at the tested pelvic examination. Effective dose was found to be reduced by 2 and 2.3 times respectively at the CR and DR examinations while the anti-scatter grid was replaced by 10 cm air gap. However, dose reduction effect by air gap method was found to be more pronounced in CR than in DR.

Quality of images acquired with and without grid in digital mammography

In this study, we assessed the quality of digital mammography images acquired with a grid and without a grid for different kVp values. A digital mammography system was used for acquisition of images of the CIRS Model 015 Mammography Accreditation Phantom. The images were obtained in the presence of the grid and then with the grid removed from the system. The energy of the X-rays was varied between 26 and 32 kVp. The images were evaluated by five senior radiologic technologists with extensive experience in mammography. Statistical analysis was carried out with the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test with the level of significance set at p=0.05. The comparison between images obtained with a grid and without a grid indicated that, for the visibility of fibers, the non-grid images at 28 kVp were significantly (p=0.032) better than the images acquired with a grid. At all other kVp values, the images were not statistically different regarding the visibility of fibers. For the visibility of specks and masses, the images did not show any significant differences at any of the kVp values of the study. Imaging with kVp higher than 30 requires a grid to improve the visibility of fibrous calcifications and specks. For the visibility of masses at 32 kVp, no statistically significant differences between the grid and non-grid images were found.

An automatic and accurate x‐ray tube focal spot/grid alignment system for mobile radiography: System description and alignment accuracya)

A mobile radiography automatic grid alignment system (AGAS) has been developed by modifying a commercially available mobile unit. The objectives of this article are to describe the modifications and operation and to report on the accuracy with which the focal spot is aligned to the grid and the time required to achieve the alignment. The modifications include an optical target arm attached to the grid tunnel, a video camera attached to the collimator, a motion control system with six degrees of freedom to position the collimator and x-ray tube, and a computer to control the system. The video camera and computer determine the grid position, and then the motion control system drives the x-ray focal spot to the center of the grid focal axis. The accuracy of the alignment of the focal spot with the grid and the time required to achieve alignment were measured both in laboratory tests and in clinical use. For a typical exam, the modified unit automatically aligns the focal spot with the grid in less than 10 s, with an accuracy of better than 4 mm. The results of the speed and accuracy tests in clinical use were similar to the results in laboratory tests. Comparison patient chest images are presented--one obtained with a standard mobile radiographic unit without a grid and the other obtained with the modified unit and a 15:1 grid. The 15:1 grid images demonstrate a marked improvement in image quality compared to the nongrid images with no increase in patient dose. The mobile radiography AGAS produces images of significantly improved quality compared to nongrid images with alignment times of less than 10 s and no increase in patient dose.

Evaluating radiographic parameters for mobile chest computed radiography: Phantoms, image quality and effective dose

Conventional chest radiography is technically difficult because of wide variations in tissue attenuations in the chest and limitations of screen-film systems. Mobile chest radiography, performed bedside on hospital inpatients, presents additional difficulties due to geometric and equipment limitations inherent in mobile x-ray procedures and the severity of illness in the patients. Computed radiography (CR) offers a different approach for mobile chest radiography by utilizing a photostimulable phosphor. Photostimulable phosphors overcome some image quality limitations of mobile chest imaging, particularly because of the inherent latitude. Because they are more efficient in absorbing lower-energy x-rays than rare-earth intensifying screens, this study evaluated changes in kVp for improving mobile chest CR. Three commercially available systems were tested, with the goal of implementing the findings clinically. Exposure conditions (kVp and grid use) were assessed with two acrylic-and-aluminum chest phantoms which simulated x-ray attenuation for average-sized and large-sized adult chests. These phantoms contained regions representing the lungs, heart and subdiaphragm to allow proper CR processing. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements using different techniques were obtained for acrylic and aluminum disks (1.9 cm diameter) superimposed in the lung and heart regions of the phantoms, where the disk thicknesses (contrast) were determined from disk visibility. Effective doses to the phantoms were also measured for these techniques. The results indicated that using an 8:1, 33 lines/cm antiscatter grid improved the SNR by 60-300 % compared with nongrid images, depending on phantom and region; however, the dose to the phantom also increased by 400-600%. Lowering x-ray tube potential from 80 to 60 kVp improved the SNR by 30-40%, with a corresponding increase in phantom dose of 40-50%. Increasing the potential from 80 to 100 kVp reduced both the SNR and the phantom dose by approximately 10%. The most promising changes in technique for trial in clinical implementation include using an antiscatter grid, especially for large patients, and potentially increasing kVp.

The effect of the antiscatter grid on full-field digital mammography phantom images.

Computer Analysis of Mammography Phantom Images (CAMPI) is a method for making quantitative measurements of image quality. This article reports on a recent application of this method to a prototype full-field digital mammography (FFDM) machine. Images of a modified ACR phantom were acquired on the General Electric Diagnostic Molybdenum Rhodium (GE-DMR) FFDM machine at a number of x-ray techniques, both with and without the scatter reduction grid. The techniques were chosen so that one had sets of grid and non-grid images with matched doses (200 mrads) and matched gray-scale values (1500). A third set was acquired at constant 26 kVp and varying mAs for both grid conditions. Analyses of the images yielded signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast and noise corresponding to each target object, and a non-uniformity measure. The results showed that under conditions of equal gray-scale value the grid images were markedly superior, albeit at higher doses than the non-grid images. Under constant dose conditions, the non-grid images were slightly superior in SNR (7%) but markedly less uniform (60%). Overall, the grid images had substantially greater contrast and superior image uniformity. These conclusions applied to the whole kVp range studied for the Mo-Mo target filter combination and 4 cm of breast equivalent material of average composition. These results suggest that use of the non-grid technique in digital mammography with the GE-DMR-FFDM unit, is presently not warranted. With improved uniformity correction procedure, this conclusion would change and one should be able to realize a 14% reduction in patient dose at the same SNR by using a non-grid technique.