A ceramic systems ability to provide a restoration well adapted and fulfilling the patients clinical and esthetic requirements is its most important technical feature. A CAD / CAM machine unit must be able of designing and milling different restorative materials, such as: resin-matrix ceramics, polycrystalline ceramics and glass-matrix ceramics. The purpose of this study was to present two articles that evaluated weather or not the milling strategy of different all-ceramic crown materials has an influence on the final cementation space. Specifically, the two articles evaluated: article I - The cementation space assessed by the most commonly used method- silicone replica technique- correlating stereomicroscope analysis with micromotomography (-CT); article II: The two-dimensional measures of cementation space were correlated with volume values by using -CT analysis, to better understand the behavior of 2D values in a tridimensional view. In both articles, single crowns were milled in lithium-disilicate, resin nanoceramic and zirconia. In article I, one hundred twenty measurements of each material were used to correlate the methodologies: stereomiscrocope and -CT. The Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a correlation between the methods (p= 0.000, r=+0.455). A similarity in the pattern of statistically significant differences among the regions evaluated (axial, occlusal, marginal) for both methodologies seems to exist. The positive correlation between the methods of measurements of cement space suggests that the internal dimensions of the materials varied because the different strategies after milled of them. In article II, twenty-eight slices were evaluated in three regions: marginal, axial and occlusal, totaling eighty-four measurements for each specimen. Axial and Marginal region showed positive correlation (p=0.000, r=+0.656; p=0.000, r=+0.677, respectively), while occlusal space presented negative correlation (p=0.003, r=0.526). The correlation between 2D and volumetric analysis allow to achieving as more information as possible to improve CAD/CAM systems. / As principais características dos sistemas cerâmicos é a capacidade de abranger estética e boa adaptação clínica. A tecnologia CAD/CAM é capaz de projetar e fresar diferentes materiais, como: cerâmicas de matriz resinosa, policristalinas, e ainda, cerâmicas de matriz vítrea. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar dois artigos que avaliam se a estratégia de fresagem de diferentes materiais cerâmicos influenciam no espaço final de cimentação. No primeiro artigo, especificamente, o espaço de cimentação foi avaliado pela metodologia mais utilizada, réplica de silicona. A película de silicona foi mensurada através da estereomicroscopia e microtomografia computadorizada (-CT) e as metodologias foram correlacionadas. No segundo artigo, através da metodologia de -CT, as medidas bidimensionais do espaço de cimentação foram correlacionadas com o volume obtido, a fim de compreender melhor o comportamento dos valores 2D numa visão tridimensional. Em ambos artigos, coroas unitárias foram fresadas em dissilicato de lítio, resina nanocerâmica e zircônia. No artigo I, cento e vinte medidas foram utilizadas para correlacionar as metodologias empregadas, estereomicroscopia e -CT. O teste de correlação de Pearson apresentou correlação entre os métodos (p= 0.000, r=+0.455). Uma similaridade no padrão de diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas regiões avaliadas (axial, oclusal, marginal) parece existir entre as metodologias. A correlação positiva entre os métodos de mensuração do espaço de cimentação sugerem que as dimensões internas variam por conta dos diferentes processos que as coroas são submetidas após a fresagem. No artigo II, oitenta e oito fatias obtidas pelo -CT foram avaliadas em três regiões: marginal, axial e oclusal, totalizando oitenta e quatro medidas por espécime. A correlação positiva entre os métodos de mensuração do espaço de cimentação sugerem que as dimensões internas variam por conta dos diferentes processos que as coroas são submetidas após a fresagem. Artigo II, oitenta e oito fatias foram avaliadas em três regiões: marginal, axial e oclusal, totalizando oitenta e quatro medidas por espécime. Houve correlação positiva entre as regiões axial e marginal (p=0.000, r=+0.656; p=0.000, r=+0.677, respectivamente) e negativa na oclusal (p=0.003, r= -0.526). A correlação entre as avaliações bi e tridimensionais permitem obter mais informações possíveis para aprimorar o sistema CAD/CAM.

<p>An investigation was initiated, targeting snapshot 3D image sensors, with the objective to match the speed and resolution of a scanning sheet-of-light system, without using a scanning motion. The goal was a system capable of acquiring 25 snapshot images per second from a quadratic scene with a side from 50 mm to 1000 mm, sampled in 512×512 height measurement points, and with a depth resolution of 1 µm and beyond. </p><p>A wide search of information about existing 3D measurement techniques resulted in a list of possible schemes, each presented with its advantages and disadvantages. No single scheme proved successful in meeting all the requirements. Pulse modulated time-of-flight is the only scheme capable of depth imaging by using only one exposure. However, a resolution of 1 µm corresponds to a pulse edge detection accuracy of 6.67 fs when visible light or other electromagnetic waves are used. Sequentially coded light projections require a logarithmic number of exposures. By projecting several patterns at the same time, using for instance light of different colours, the required number of exposures is reduced even further. The patterns are, however, not as well focused as a laser sheet-of-light can be. </p><p>Using powerful architectural concepts such as matrix array picture processing (MAPP) and near-sensor image processing (NSIP) a sensor proposal was presented, designed to give as much support as possible to a large number of 3D imaging schemes. It allows for delayed decisions about details in the future implementation. </p><p>It is necessary to relax at leastone of the demands for this project in order to realise a working 3D imaging scheme using concurrent technology. One of the candidates for relaxation is the most obvious demand of snapshot behaviour. Furthermore, there are a number of decisions to make before designing an actual system using the recommendations presented in this thesis. The ongoing development of electronics, optics, and imaging schemes might be able to meet the 3D snapshot demands in a near future. The details of light sensing electronics must be carefully evaluated and the optical components such as lenses, projectors, and fibres should be studied in detail.</p>

Despite the vast myriad of applications and the long way it has come, MRI is still a relatively new field of knowledge with much prospect for more advancement and expansion. This work is mainly concerned with two gradient echo imaging methods which are directly or indirectly related to blood vessel imaging as well as iron depiction in the human brain. In each case, new methods are introduced that overcome existing limitations. For blood vessel imaging, 3D Time-of-Flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA) with its known capability to image arteries as well as veins was implemented at 3.0 T. At this field strength, the significant RF profile variability due to RF inhomogeneity is a liability for circle-of-Willis imaging in the human brain that was overcome by introducing a new means to counter the RF effects through increased slope of the ramped pulse. In addition a new method is introduced for TOF MRA with two-in-one arterial and venous 3D TOF imaging to overcome the significant scan time overhead of a traditional second venous scan and for cutting down RF power utilization. Using this method, total scan time could be reduced by as much as 46% and specific absorption rate (SAR) due to spatial saturation could be reduced by as much as 92%. For iron sensitive imaging, Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) was developed at 4.7 T. The phase SWI method was used to visualize lesions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients and was experimentally compared to the visibility on standard T2 weighting with results demonstrating visualization of new lesions, with 18% of total lesions exclusively visible on SWI. A new approach to 3D imaging was also introduced to enable accurate oblique SWI scanning while overcoming the current restriction to axial imaging to produce correct phase effects for oblique imaging. New results from oblique phase imaging were presented and the phase measurements from key brain structures were successfully validated against images obtained by the current standard of axial imaging.

X-Ray Diffraction Contrast Tomography (DCT) is a recently developed, non-destructive synchrotron imaging technique which characterizes microstructure and grain orientation in polycrystalline materials in three dimensions (3D). By combining it with propagation based phase contrast tomography (PCT) it is for the first lime possible to observe in situ the 3D propagation behavior of short fatigue cracks (SFCs) within a set of fully characterized grains (orientation and shape). The combined approach, termed 3D X-ray Tomography of short cracks and Microstructure (3DXTSM), has been developed on the metastable beta titanium alloy "Beta21S". A large part of this work deals with the development of the 3DXTSM methodology. In the combined dataset, each point on the 3D fracture surface can be associated with a multidimensional data structure containing variables describing the grain orientation, the local fracture surface normal and the propagation history. The method uses a surface mesh composed of triangles that describes the crack (in other words: the fracture surface) in the last propagation state measured. Grain orientations, crack fronts, local growth rates and grain boundaries can be visualized by assigning colors to this mesh. The data structure can be interrogated in a number of different ways. Tools for extracting pole figures and pole density distribution functions have been implemented. An algorithm was developed that is capable of measuring the 3D local growth rate of a crack containing branches. The accuracy of the grain boundaries as reconstructed with OCT was evaluated and the elastic constants of Beta21S were determined.

<p>Tissue stiffness can be an indicator of various types of ailments. However, no standard diagnostic imaging modality has the capability to depict the stiffness of tissue. To overcome this deficiency, various elasticity imaging methods have been proposed over the past 20 years. A promising technique for elasticity imaging is acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) based shear wave imaging. Spatially localized acoustic radiation force excitation is applied impulsively to generate shear waves in tissue and its stiffness is quantified by measuring the shear wave speed (SWS).</p><p>The aim of this thesis is to contribute to both the clinical application of ARFI shear wave imaging and its technical development using the latest advancements in ultrasound imaging capabilities.</p><p>To achieve the first of these two goals, a pilot imaging study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of ARFI shear wave imaging for the assessment of liver fibrosis using a rodent model of the disease. The stiffness of severely fibrotic rat livers were found to be significantly higher than healthy livers. In addition, liver stiffness was correlated with fibrosis as quantified using collagen content.</p><p>Based on these findings, an imaging study was conducted on patients undergoing liver biopsy at the Duke University Medical Center. A robust SWS estimation algorithm was implemented to deal with noisy patient shear wave data using the random sample consensus (RANSAC) approach. RANSAC estimated liver stiffness was found to be higher in severely fibrotic and cirrhotic livers, suggesting that ARFI shear wave imaging may potentially be useful for the staging of severe</p><p>fibrosis in humans.</p><p>To achieve the second aim of this thesis, a system capable of monitoring ARFI induced shear wave propagation in 3D was implemented using a 2D matrix array transducer. This capability was previously unavailable with conventional 1D arrays. This system was used to study the precision of time-of-flight (TOF) based SWS estimation. It was found that by placing tracking beam locations at the edges of the SWS measurement region of interest using the 2D matrix array, TOF SWS precision could be improved in a homogeneous medium.</p><p>The 3D shear wave imaging system was also used to measure the SWS in muscle, which does not conform to the isotropic mechanical behavior usually assumed for tissue, due to the parallel arrangement of muscle fibers. It is shown that the SWS along and across the fibers, as well as the 3D fiber orientation can be estimated from a single 3D shear wave data-set. In addition, these measurements can be made independent of the probe orientation relative to the fibers. This suggests that 3D shear wave imaging can be useful for characterizing anisotropic mechanical properties of tissue.</p> / Dissertation

No description available.

Cette thèse s’intéresse à la conception de nouveaux matériaux compositesferroélectriques/diélectriques aux propriétés accordables en tension. Des granules diélectriques(MgO, TiO2) obtenues par atomisation sont dispersées dans une matrice ferroélectrique (Ba1-xSrxTiO3). Le mélange est ensuite densifié par Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Une approcheoriginale est développée afin de déterminer les paramètres reliant la microstructure aux propriétésphysiques pour chacune des étapes de la boucle d’optimisation élaboration - caractérisation -modélisation. La stratégie adoptée s’appuie sur i) l’utilisation des propriétés spécifiques du frittageSPS qui offre une gestion précise des interfaces entre les différents composés. Cette méthode nonconventionnellea permis l’élaboration de composites ferroélectriques architecturés, constituésd’inclusions diélectriques de géométries contrôlées ; ii) les potentialités offertes par lamicrotomographie X comme moyen de description de la microstructure 3D des matériauxcomposites aux étapes clés de leur conception. Couplée à de puissants outils de traitements desimages elle permet d’extraire les éléments pertinents guidant l’optimisation et la compréhension despropriétés finales ; iii) le développement d’un modèle numérique 3D de l’accordabilité appliquédirectement à la géométrie réelle des matériaux extraite des images de microtomographie. Cetteétape est essentielle pour comprendre l’origine de la redistribution du champ électrique entre lesphases. Les résultats numériques obtenus sont directement confrontés aux mesuresexpérimentales. / This thesis is focused on the conception of new tunable ferroelectric/dielectric compositematerials. Dielectric granules (MgO, TiO2) obtained by spray-drying are dispersed in a ferroelectricmatrix (Ba1-xSrxTiO3). Mixing powder is then densified by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). An originalapproach is developed in order to determine parameters linking the microstructure to the physicalproperties for each step of the elaboration - characterization - modelling optimization procedure.The adopted strategy is based on i) specific SPS properties which provide an accurate control of theinterfaces between each components; ii) potentialities offered by X-ray microtomography to describethe internal 3D microstructure of the composite materials during the key steps of their elaboration.Associated with powerful image processing tools, it allows to obtain relevant elements guiding theoptimization and understanding of the final properties; iii) the development of a 3D numerical modelof tunability applied directly to the real geometry which has been extracted from 3Dmicrotomography images. This step is essential to understand the origin of the redistribution of theelectric field between the different phases. Numerical results are directly compared to experimentalmeasurements.

An investigation was initiated, targeting snapshot 3D image sensors, with the objective to match the speed and resolution of a scanning sheet-of-light system, without using a scanning motion. The goal was a system capable of acquiring 25 snapshot images per second from a quadratic scene with a side from 50 mm to 1000 mm, sampled in 512×512 height measurement points, and with a depth resolution of 1 µm and beyond. A wide search of information about existing 3D measurement techniques resulted in a list of possible schemes, each presented with its advantages and disadvantages. No single scheme proved successful in meeting all the requirements. Pulse modulated time-of-flight is the only scheme capable of depth imaging by using only one exposure. However, a resolution of 1 µm corresponds to a pulse edge detection accuracy of 6.67 fs when visible light or other electromagnetic waves are used. Sequentially coded light projections require a logarithmic number of exposures. By projecting several patterns at the same time, using for instance light of different colours, the required number of exposures is reduced even further. The patterns are, however, not as well focused as a laser sheet-of-light can be. Using powerful architectural concepts such as matrix array picture processing (MAPP) and near-sensor image processing (NSIP) a sensor proposal was presented, designed to give as much support as possible to a large number of 3D imaging schemes. It allows for delayed decisions about details in the future implementation. It is necessary to relax at leastone of the demands for this project in order to realise a working 3D imaging scheme using concurrent technology. One of the candidates for relaxation is the most obvious demand of snapshot behaviour. Furthermore, there are a number of decisions to make before designing an actual system using the recommendations presented in this thesis. The ongoing development of electronics, optics, and imaging schemes might be able to meet the 3D snapshot demands in a near future. The details of light sensing electronics must be carefully evaluated and the optical components such as lenses, projectors, and fibres should be studied in detail.

A new generation of 3d displays provides depth perception without the need for glasses and allows the viewer to see content from many different directions. Providing video for these displays requires capturing the scene by several cameras at different viewpoints, the data from which together forms light field video. To encode such video with existing video coding requires a large amount of data and it increases quickly with a higher number of views, which this application needs. One such coding is the multiview extension of High Efficiency Video Coding (mv-hevc), which encodes a number of similar video streams as different layers. A new coding scheme for light field video, called Panoramic Light Field (plf), is implemented and evaluated in this thesis. The main idea behind the coding is to project all points in a scene that are visible from any of the viewpoints to a single, global view, similar to how texture mapping maps a texture onto a 3d model in computer graphics. Whereas objects ordinarily shift position in the frame as the camera position changes, this is not the case when using this projection. A visible point in space is projected to the same image pixel regardless of viewpoint, resulting in large similarities between images from different viewpoints. The similarity between the layers in light field video helps to achieve more efficient compression when the projection is combined with existing multiview coding. In order to evaluate the scheme, 3d content was created and software was developed to encode it using plf. Video using this coding is compared to existing technology: a straightforward encoding of the views using mvhevc. The results show that the plf coding performs better on the sample content at lower quality levels, while it is worse at higher bitrate due to quality loss from the projection procedure. It is concluded that plf is a promising technology and suggestions are given for future research that may improve its performance further. / Nya tekniker är under utveckling för 3D-bildskärmar kan visa light field: bilder och video som spelas in med arrayer av kameror. Sådan video kräver stora datamängder. En ny kodning av light field, syftande till att uppnå ett bättre förhållande mellan bildkvalitet och bitrate, utvärderas i det här examensarbetet.

In this paper, a new millimeter wave 3D imaging radar is proposed. The user just needs to move the radar along a circular track, and high resolution 3D imaging can be generated. The proposed radar uses the movement of itself to synthesize a large aperture in both the azimuth and elevation directions. It can utilize inverse Radon transform to resolve 3D imaging. To improve the sensing result, the compressed sensing approach is further investigated. The simulation and experimental result further illustrated the design. Because a single transceiver circuit is needed, a light, affordable and high resolution 3D mmWave imaging radar is illustrated in the paper.