• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.119-120
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• 1998

In this study, the design of the single-chamber pacemaker tester is presented. It is important to test the functions of the pacemaker before it is implanted into the patient. A pacemaker tester, that is presented in this study, is able to examine pacemaker parameters such as sensing threshold and refractory period. We need to make artificial intracardiac electrogram in order to test the pacemaker parameters. We know from the previous practical examples that a triangle pulse is similar to the physiologic intracardiac electrogram. The tester generates the simplified electrograms and PC software examines the output pulses of the pacemaker which is VVIR mode in closed-loop simulation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Potoscience Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2005

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.269-273
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• 2001

Proper determination of pacing threshold is important for patient safety and pacemaker longevity. In general, cardiac muscle contractions caused by pacing pulses are verified by observing the morphology of surface ECG displayed on a monitor. In this study, a method of automatic pacing threshold determination based on morphological difference between intrinsic and paced ECGs was developed. First, characteristics of intrinsic ECG and paced ECG were analyzed in time and frequency domain and a proper discrimination parameter was extracted. Then, the automatic capture verification method based on the parameter was developed and applied to 23 pacemaker patients. The selected parameter was the area of ventricular depolarization wave during 80ms after pacing stimulus. It was found that the method was reliable and effective in identifying paced ECG and, thereby, determing a proper pacing threshold.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.477-484
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• 2002

A pacemaker autosense algorithm with dual thresholds. one for noise or tachyarrhythmia detection (noise threshold, NT) and the other for intrinsic beat detection (sensing threshold. ST), was developed to improve the sensing performance in single pass VDD electrograms. unipolar electrograms, or atrial fibrillation detection. When a deflection in an electrogram exceeds the NT (defined as 50% of 57), the autosense algorithm with dual thresholds checks if the deflection also exceeds the ST. If it does, the autosense algorithm calculates the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the deflection to the highest deflection detected by NT but lower than ST during the last cardiac cycle. If the SNR 2, the autosense algorithm declares an intrinsic beat detection and calculates the next ST based on the three most recent intrinsic peaks. If the SNR $\geq$2, the autosense algorithm checks the number of deflections detected by NT during the last cardiac cycle in order to determine if it is a noise detection or tachyarrhythmia detection. Usually the autosense algorithm tries to set the 57 at 37.5% of the average of the three intrinsic beats, although it changes the percentage according to event classifications. The autosense algorithm was tested through computer simulation of atrial electrograms from 5 patients obtained during EP study, to simulate a worst sensing situation. The result showed that the ST levels for autosense algorithm tracked the electrogram amplitudes properly, providing more noise immunity whenever necessary. Also, the autosense algorithm with dual thresholds achieved sensing performance as good as the conventional fixed sensitivity method that was optimized retrospectively.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2019

In this study, we designed a blending algorithm for rate adaptive pacing for cardiac pacemaker. Generally, rate adaptive pacing (RAP) is applied to patients whose heart rate does not rise during exercise for chronotropic incompetence (CI) patient. It is very important to develop an algorithm for RAP that can be properly applied to CI patients. In order to design an RAP algorithm we used dual sensors. Firstly, we designed a bio-signal measurement system based on the dual sensors, which are accelerometer and respiratory system. Secondly, we conducted treadmill test for the simulation experiment while using 3-lead ECG as reference. Finally, we designed a blending algorithm based on activation state of the dual sensors. The proposed blending algorithm was subdivided into three sections based on the accelerometer signal, which are rapidly increased section (W1), hardly changed section (W2), and decreased section (W3). Each weight is set aside for each section. To evaluate this algorithm, ten healthy adult males were participated. The correlation and Root Mean Square Error between the proposed algorithm and the reference were compared, and shown to be r=0.88 and 2.82 bpm, respectively. These results show that the proposed blending algorithm of dual sensors enables proper tracking of the heart rate during exercise. Also, it shows the possibility that the proposed blending algorithm can be applied to improve quality of life of the chronotropic incompetence patient.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.298-307
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infections within the first post-procedural year after CIED insertion. Methods: This study included 509 adult patients undergoing CIED implantation procedures between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. The data were analyzed by t-test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: Fifteen infections and 494 non-infections were examined. The CIED-related infection rate was 2.9%; patients with 14 pocket infections and one bacteremia were included in the CIED-related infection. The risk factors of CIED-related infections were the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤ 45 mL/min/1.73 m² (Odds ratio [OR]= 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.15-14.10) and taking a new oral anticoagulant (NOAC) (OR = 4.50, 95% CI 1.09-18.55). Conclusion: These results identified the CIED infection rate and risk factors of CIED-related infection. It is necessary to consider these risk factors before the CIED implantation procedure and to establish the relevant nursing interventions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.198-203
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• 2015

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of pacemaker location on cardiac pumping efficacy theoretically. We used a three-dimensional finite element cardiac electromechanical model of canine ventricles with models of the circulatory system. Electrical activation time for normal sinus rhythm and artificial pacing in apex, left ventricular free wall, and right ventricular free wall were obtained from electrophysiological model. We applied the electrical activation time maps to the mechanical contraction model and obtained cardiac mechanical responses such as myocardial contractile ATP consumption, stroke work, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and etc. Among three artificial pacing methods, left ventricle pacing showed best performance in ventricular pumping efficacy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.301-312
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• 2019

Post-transcriptional regulation underlies the circadian control of gene expression and animal behaviors. However, the role of mRNA surveillance via the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway in circadian rhythms remains elusive. Here, we report that Drosophila NMD pathway acts in a subset of circadian pacemaker neurons to maintain robust 24 h rhythms of free-running locomotor activity. RNA interference-mediated depletion of key NMD factors in timeless-expressing clock cells decreased the amplitude of circadian locomotor behaviors. Transgenic manipulation of the NMD pathway in clock neurons expressing a neuropeptide PIGMENT-DISPERSING FACTOR (PDF) was sufficient to dampen or lengthen free-running locomotor rhythms. Confocal imaging of a transgenic NMD reporter revealed that arrhythmic Clock mutants exhibited stronger NMD activity in PDF-expressing neurons than wild-type. We further found that hypomorphic mutations in Suppressor with morphogenetic effect on genitalia 5 (Smg5) or Smg6 impaired circadian behaviors. These NMD mutants normally developed PDF-expressing clock neurons and displayed daily oscillations in the transcript levels of core clock genes. By contrast, the loss of Smg5 or Smg6 function affected the relative transcript levels of cAMP response element-binding protein B (CrebB) in an isoform-specific manner. Moreover, the overexpression of a transcriptional repressor form of CrebB rescued free-running locomotor rhythms in Smg5-depleted flies. These data demonstrate that CrebB is a rate-limiting substrate of the genetic NMD pathway important for the behavioral output of circadian clocks in Drosophila.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2015

In this study, we evaluated the effects of static magnetic fields of earphones and headphones on pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators(ICDs). Five pacemakers and three ICDs were subjected to in-vitro test with three headphones which were an in-ear earphone, clip-on headphone, and closed-back headphone. Each implantable device was placed in close proximity(within 3 mm) to the ear-pad of each of the earphone and headphones for 3 min. As a result, no effects were observed on the pacemakers for the earphone and headphones during the test, but an effect was observed on one ICD for the clip-on and closed-back headphone during the test. When the ICD was placed in close proximity to the headphones, the ICD temporarily suspended functions of tachyarrhythmia detection and therapy. The effect was not observed in this study when the headphones were at least 2 cm from the ICD. Based on these findings, patients with ICDs should be advised to keep earphones and headphones at least 2 cm apart from their ICDs.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2014

A 'circadian rhythm' is a self-sustained biological rhythm (cycle) that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms are generated by an internal clock, or pacemaker, and persist even in the absence of environmental time cues, collectively termed 'zeitgebers.' Although organisms generate circadian rhythms internally, they are entrained by environmental stimuli, particularly the light-dark cycle. Measurement of the endogenous melatonin rhythm provides relatively reliable surrogate way of assessing the timing of the internal circadian clock. Also, core body temperature and cortisol can be used as markers of circadian rhythms. The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and melatonin rhythm have a stable internal phase relationship in humans and other diurnal species. They play an important role in controlling daily behavioral rhythms including task performance, blood pressure, and synthesis and secretion of several hormones. In this review, we address not only the properties, methods of measurement, and markers of circadian rhythms, but also the physiological and psychological importance of human circadian rhythms.