• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2008

This Chapter mentioned Terror and Palpitation due to Fright(驚悸) and Hemorrhagic disease(血證). Terror and Palpitation due to FrightAcctually Terror(驚) is different from Palpitation(悸). Terror(驚) is one of the seven emotions. But in this case, It refer to the Palpitation and the uneasiness of mind due to one's hearing a strange sound of seeing a strange. Tremulous Pulse can be appear. So Terror(驚) is caused by Exopathic Factors(外因) and belongs to Excess syndrome(實證). Palpitaion(悸) is the sensation of plamus, palpitation and unrest not because of being frightened. It is usurally caused by the deficiency of Ki(氣) and blood(血). So Deep, Thready and weak pulse can be appear. So Palpitaion(悸) is caused by Endopathic Factors and belongs to Deficiency Syndrome. In this Chapter, Terror and Palpitation due to Fright(驚悸) treat with the Kyeji-ke-jakyak-ka-chokchil-moryu-yongkol-kuyuk-tang(桂枝去芍藥加蜀漆牡蠣龍骨救逆湯) and Banha-mahwang-hwan(半夏麻黃丸). There are two type in Hemorrhagic disease(血證). One is bleeding(出血) and another is blood stasis(瘀血). The contents which relate with the Hemorrhagic disease(血證) are Hematemisis(吐血), Rhinorrhagia, Hemafecia(下血). In hemorrhage pathological mechanisms, there are two mechanisms. One is that Fire and Heat(火熱) pressure blood. Another is that cold and deficiency(虛寒) disable Ki(氣) from keeping blood flowing within vessels. Blood stasis(瘀血) can be called Extravasated Blood(惡血), Coagulated Blood, Blood retention(蓄血,積血), Dead Blood(死血) and Emaciation due to Blood disorder(乾血). It refer to a morbid state of unsmooth circulation and blood stagnancy often resulting from Ki(氣) stagnation, Ki(氣) deficiency and accumulation of pathogenic coldness. The symptom of Blood stasis are 'Fullness sensation in the chest, Lip Flaccidity, Cyonotic Tongue and Dryness of Mouth'. And the man who have Blood stasis, want to rinse his mouth with the water, but he can't drink the water because there isn't interior Heat of Excess Type. The symptom of Cyonotic Tongue(舌靑) had influence on diagnosing Blood stasis(瘀血) in offspring.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.509-519
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• 2013

Through the study on judgment of Body form and settle Energy flow(立形定氣) before diagnose the patients, the results are as follows. The observation of the body form is to determine prosperity and deficiency of each internal organ. It is necessary to distinguish Body form loss(形脫) and Body form fullness(形充). Fat man(肥人), Thin man(瘦人), Creamy man(膏人), Muscular man(肉人), Small Fat man(脂人) are discriminated by fat distribution, fat content, and muscle mass. The observation of the body form means the observation of structure disorder, color change, develop part at body, head and face. The observation of the body form that is to determine prosperity and deficiency of each internal organ is from the limited knowledge of the anatomy. The observation of face color is considered by blood perfusion, blood oxygenation and accumulation of carotinoid, bilirubin and change of melanin in the facial skin. The prosperity and the deficiency of energy flow is considered by symptom combined with growth (<40 years) and aging (>40 years). The prosperity of energy flow includes the anger, anxious emotion and the deficiency of energy flow includes the fear, depressive emotion. The breathing type is expiratory exhalation like asthma patients in the prosperity of energy flow. The deficiency of energy flow is weakness to overcome the disease. The prosperity and the deficiency of energy flow are considered by body metabolic ratios (Basal metabolic Rate: BMR, Resting metabolic rate: RMR, Physical activity ratios: PASs). Development of subcutaneous fat is good in the person of prosperous energy flow. The person of prosperous energy flow is hard to overcome to heat weather than cold weather. The person of deficiency of energy flow has tendencies of low blood pressure, insufficiency of blood flow in the peripheral and being shocked. The person of deficiency of energy flow has tendencies of chronic fatigue syndrome or automatic nerve disorder. If the patient who has deficiency of energy flow has severe weight loss should be checked for the presence of disease. The observation of small and large of bone is to check the development and disorder of bone growth and aging. The observation of thickness and weakness of muscle is to check the development of muscle, particularly biceps, gastrocnemius, and rectus abdominal muscle. The observation of thickness and weakness of skin is to check the ability of regulating body temperature by sweating.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

${\ulcorner}$Hamsansachon Dongyi Suse Bowon Gabogubon${\lrcorner}$ , discovered in 2000, can give very precious information in order to study the formation and development process of ${\ulcorner}$Dongyi Suse Bowon${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner}$The Dircourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Disease${\lrcorner}$ . I examined, by comparison, changes in understanding pathology explained in ${\ulcorner}$Dongyi Suse Bowon${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner}$The Discourse on the Constitutional Symptoms and Disease${\lrcorner}$ of Gabobon and Sinchukbon, and consequently tried to define the concept of Dispositional Symptom(Dispositional disease) as below, in a point of view that ‘Dispositional Symptom(Dispositional disease)’ should be the key word in explaining the changes in understanding of pathology. Dispositional Symptom(dispositional disease) is a new concept that was first troduced in the Kyongjabon, not found in the Gabobon, and that played a key role in editing ${\ulcorner}$Dongyi Suse Bowon${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner}$The Discourse on the Constitutional Symptom and Disease${\lrcorner}$ . Dispositional Symptom(dispositional disease) means an innate temperament or a pathological tendency, which is already constructed in the system of an individual, prior to expression of specific diseases and symptoms, and can be a primary basis to tell the susceptibility and developing pattern of a certain disease, to decide how to treat and forecast the prognosis. Sinchukbon inductively categorized symptoms of the dispositional symptom (dispositional disease) into the concept of ‘Eight principles’, or eight standards of diagnosis, such as superficies-interior, cold-heat, and weakness-strength.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.747-763
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• 2000

through a literal study upon Arrhythmia between east and west medicine, the results were as follows 1. Arrhythmia is not only irregular cardiac beat but disorder of cardiac impulse making and conduction disturbance. it means almost irregularity of interval between two beat 2. In the east medicine, arrhythmia is represented various category as palpitation, continuous palpitation, dizziness, consumption which give the first consideration by the accompanied symptoms. A separate way in a diagnostics it become a base of diagnosis of diseases and decision of prognosis by the examination of pulse 3. In the west medicine, Arrhythmia is classified as disorder of heart rate, rhythm, conduction disturbance or tachycardia, bradycardia and it is concomitant with fatigue, palpitation, dyspnoea, syncope, chest discomfort 4. The diagnostic study of pulse condition which represent arrhythmia was started from $\mathbb{<}$Nae-Kyung$\mathbb{>}$ and it was revealed as pulse condition of rapid pulse, slow pulse, swift pulse, running pulse, knotted pulse, intermittent pulse etc. Out of them running pulse, knotted pulse, intermittent pulse which obviously are concomitant with irregularity of interval are clinically meaningful in a conditions of disease and decision of prognosis. and the significance of these pulse condition are transformed through the changes of the times 5. According to cause of disease it is classified by Arrhythmia(running pulse, knotted pulse, intermittent pulse) due to heat, cold, phlegm, deficiency(or insufficiency) and There are three categories of etiological factor that is, endogenous, exogenous and non-exo-endogenous factor. the endogenous factor is insufficiency of the heart Ki, deficiency of both Ki and blood, intemal stagnation of phlegm and fluid, stagnation of seven emotions. the exogenous factor is caused by stagnation of Ki and blood by six exogenous pathogenic factor and the non-exo-endgenous factors are improper diet, overstrain, traumatic injury. A cause of arrhythmia in western medicine are a organic and pathological change of the heart itself and malfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-131
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• 1998

1. In oriental medicine, the case of sinusitis can be explained, not only external invasion such as PUNG HAN(wind-cold), PUNG YUL(wind-hot), SHUP YUL(damp-heat), but also functional disorder of internal organ such as spleen(脾), lung(肺), kidney(腎) The western medicine classified the cause of sinusitis as two factors. That is bacterial infection factor-Haemophilus influenza, streptococcus pyogeues, streptococcus pneumonia- and viral infection factor-Rhinovirus, parainfluenza, Echo28, Coxsacki21, Sinusitis is complicated to allergic rhinitis, chronic otitis media purulent, chronic tonsilitis, sinubronchitis. On the condition of nasal septum deformity, turbinates deformity, nasal septum deviation, sinusitis can be developed. the predisposing factors of sinusitis is swimming, air pollution, malnutrition, shortage of immunity.2. According to survey, sinusitis occurred that children from 4 to 12 years old and from 5 to 7 years old occupied 70% 3. From the past history data, they experienced chronic tonsillar hypertropy(20%), otitis media, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, chronic sore throat, urticaria, milk allergy in sequence. 4. the symptoms of sinusitis is nasal obstruction, postnasal dripping, purulunt(yellow)or white discharge, cough, nose bleeding in sequence. nasal obstruction take the portion of 95%, postnasal dripping 65%, night time or early morning cough 60%. 5. The suffering period of sinusitis is 6 month minimum, 4 years maximum, most cases are included in a year. The suffering period of children was shorter than adult. 6. Diagnosis depend on inspection of nasal cavity, postnasal dripping, X-ray finding. 75% of patient(15case) showed both maxillary sinusitis, 25%(5cases) showed left or right maxillary sinusitis. 7. Treatment of oriental medicine, consist of Herb-medicine, acupuncture and exposing of Lazer beam. Kamihyunggyeyungyotang(加味荊芥蓮翹湯) is administered mainly as the medical therapy, Kamigwaghyangjeungkisan(加味藿香正氣散) Kimizwakwieum(加味左歸飮), Kamihyangsosan(加味香蘇散) is administered for a additional symptoms which occurred by influenza recurrence. Kamijeonxibackchulsan(加味錢氏白朮散) is administered to treat gastro-intestine trouble patients who have sinusitis. 8. The period of treatment is varied with patient conditions and X-ray finding. The minimal period is 35days, maximal period is 202days. So it took about 86days in average and about 50% of patient(10cases) is recovered in one or two month.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.646-669
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• 2004

By treating skin diseases with Hyungsang medicine and reviewing the clinical cases of them through classifying skin diseases into general care and into Hyungsang medical care, the writer came to the conclusion as followings. The skin is a house of Kyungnak, and it' s a place which Ki comes in and out, which human body controls conditions of his physiological function and which doctors can make a diagnosis from seeing it. The skin is subject to lung and large intestine in the point of organ, but in the point of movement, to spleen and stomach. Skin diseases come from unbalance of Ki and Hyul, mostly from fever in blood and also from Dam, Wind, Dampness and Dryness because of including fire. Generally skin diseases are treated according to classifying into distinctive symptoms, region, cause or time being occurred, and concomitant symptoms. After being divided into man and woman, age and youth, fatness and leanness, Jung Ki Shin Hyul type, visceral figures, Yukkyung shapes on Hyungsang medicine method, the remedy of skin diseases which is combined common meditation with Hyungsang medical method is efficacious. In distinguishing into man and woman, age and youth, man gets sick mainly by drinking liquor and exhausting Jung, woman is taken ill generally by indigestion and Damwha, especially by drinking liquor. Young child gets ill mostly from inherent weakness, but in many cases he is occurred by disturbed digestion, so he must be taken care of ingesting food. The aged becomes ill from weakening, so he must be treated according to reasons of diseases. To fatness and leanness, skin diseases are showed symptoms by weakened Yang, insufficient Yin or excess fever on the theory of upper and lower parts, by unbalance of Ki and Hyul on the theory of left and right, by Dryness and Dampness on the theory of front and rear and by insufficiency of vitality and combined fever on the theory of inside and outside. Therefore doctors must cure the symptoms according to the theory of upper and lower, left and right, front and rear and inside and outside. In type of Jung Ki Shin Hyul, the balances between Jung-Hyul and Shin-Ki are important points. Concretely Jung type comes to easily shortage of Jung or gathering abnormally Dampness and Dam, Ki type is easy to make a mass with Ki or to be deficient of Ki, Shin type comes to press seven emotions togather or to be insufficient of Yin and fever inside, and Hyul type is inclined to be deficient of Hyul and to become feverish or to be deficient of Ki. Therefore on the ground of the above reasons skin diseases come into existence. Inclusively in Jung-Hyul type , Ki must be moved on the base of full Jung-Hyul, so Wukmijiwhangtang or Samultang is prescribed basically. In Shin-Ki type , Jung-Hyul is saved on the base of moving Ki, so Hyangsosan or Yijintang is the proper prescription. Considering the visceral figures, doctors judge for diagnosis and remedy by putting together the elements, that is, great and small sizes of a set of features (eye, ear, mouth, nose), color and temper. The yukkyung types are classified according to many or few of Ki-Hyul, and then skin diseases appear by being inclined toward one side between Ki and hyul, or among the six atmospheric elements(wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire). Especially because Yangmyung type is full of much Ki and Hyul, and also has much fever in stomach, he gets skin symptoms frequently. So his prescription is based on taking off fever in stomach, and also he must be careful about regimen certainly.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-41
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• 2000

The meridian system is the most essential and basic connecting structure that maintains the vital activities of viscera and bowels by connecting them with each part of body's surface. Doctors can understand the healthy condition, and the region and deficiency-excessiveness of disease by observing the condition of Qi flowing. Deficiency and excessiveness could be differentiated by various symptoms expressed in meridian system. Especially there could be several clues like pain, heat-cold, protuberance-depression, change of color and shine in the line of channel leads to the judgment of deficiency-excessiveness The diagnosis of deficiency and excessiveness can be generalized by quantification of elastic status in skin surface along the meridian system. By comparing data from measurement of elastic condition with those from traditional deficiency and excessiveness, it could be utilized for the development of oriental medicine. All biological activities in the human body are based on meridian system according to the oriental medicine. Also the meridian system is viewed as basic and essential structure connecting internal viscera and each part of body. The areas of expressed channel phenomena are muscle to bone, muscle to muscle and bone to bone. These areas are called depression where meridian system is present and any changing state on those points can be measured. It could be difficult in diagnosing the reaction of meridian system because doctor can depend on his own judgment. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify and indexate channel reactions. To quantify the channel reactions, specially manufactured instrument was used to quantify the protuberance and depression to differentiate the deficiency and excessiveness. The results follow as below; 1. The elastic index measurement by the equipment proved a pattern of agreement showing the values that ranged within standard deviation 0.05kgf/cm throughout the experiment except few cases' measurement in CV-17. 2. To evaluate the state of deficiency & excessiveness of elastic index measurements in frontal point, elastic index measurements in the front paint were compared to the elastic index measured surrounding the point within 2.5 cm. Such result of indexing procedure was closely matched to the concept of palpitation. 3. If the elastic index values in the surrounding front point closely located to the elastic index values in the front point, the judgement on the state of deficiency and excessiveness was delayed. Otherwise, it was judged as deficiency or excessiveness. 4. Out of total 12 cases of comparing the elastic index values to the elastic index values in the surrounding front point, Three to nine front points were judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness. 5. Among the nine front points judged as either in the state of deficiency or excessiveness, Four cases were matched to the electric index measured by EAV that evaluating the internal organs by five different phases. If more clinical cases are accumulated, it is expected to systematically theorize and improve the concept of deficiency and excessiveness in the internal organs using the front point.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.205-223
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• 2010

In Korean Traditional Medicine(abbreviated to K.T.M.), hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis are the targets of the medical treatment. Furthermore sweating appearance is also one of the important symptoms which explain a particular situation of the patient in K.T.M. And at "Sanghanron(傷寒論)" which is a traditional chief clinical bible written by Jang Gi(張機) later Han dynasty(漢代) in China made full use of the various kinds of diaphoresis[汗法] as a main medical treatment with purgation therapy[下法] and emetic therapy[吐法]. So the sweat in itself not only is the disease, but also is one of the symptoms explain a disease pattern. This thesis inquires into "Hwangjenaegyeong(黃帝內經)" referring to sweat which is the origin of recognition to the sweat in K.T.M. Some theses similar to this research had been made progresses and already reported, but most of them have classified the contents into biology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment after the model of western medical theory. In the aspect of comparative studying with other literature and clinic practical using, we found characteristics of referring to sweat in "Hwangjenaegyeong(黃帝內經)". And we classify the characteristics into some categories as follows. 1. There are some terms which make a title including sweat and symbolize the characteristics, for example sweat of soul[魄汗], sweat of death[絶汗], sweat of streaming[灌汗], sweat of weakness[白汗], sweat of sleep[寢汗], sweat of bright and heat[炅汗], sweat of kidney[腎汗], sweat of escaping[漉汗], cold sweat[寒汗], sweat on the head[頭汗], hyperhidrosis[多汗], heavy sweat[大汗]. But there aren't spontaneous sweat[自汗] or sweat like a thief[盜汗] which are the normal terms referring to sweat in history of K.T.M. And there are several descriptions about sweat appearance such as sweating in half of body[汗出偏沮], sweating in the rear end and thigh and knee[汗出尻陰股膝], hyperhidrosis in the neck and aversion to wind[頸多汗惡風], hyperhidrosis in the head and face and aversion to wind[頭面多汗惡風], cannot stopping the sweating under head[頭以下汗出不可止], make a person sweat to one's feet[令汗出至足], sweating like escaping[漯漯然汗出], sweating like soaking[汗出如浴], sweating become moist[汗出溱溱], hardly escaping sweat[汗大泄], escaping sweating[漉漉之汗], sweat moisten the pores [汗濡玄府], ceaseless sweating like pouring[汗注不休] sweating like pouring and vexation[汗注煩心], damp with sweat[汗汗然], sweating spontaneously[汗且自出], removal of fever with sweat drying[熱去汗稀]. That can be divided into sweat region and sweat form. 2. There are detailed explanations of the principle of perspirations caused by hot weather, hot food, hard working and meeting damp pathogen. 3. There are some explanations of the principle of removing fever due to the excessive heat from internal and external body through sweating by replenishing the body fluid. And many descriptions about overcoming the febrile disease by dropping temperature through sweating and many diaphoresis for curing. 4. There are some descriptions about five Jang organs perspirations and attachment of five mucous body fluid to five Jang organs. 5. There are pathogenic progresses after sweating affected by the Six Atmospheric Influences and water. And detailed explanations of disease mechanism a sweat leading to another disease. 6. There are descriptions about various sweat absent situations.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Objectives : It is necessary that the international classification of diseases (ICD) be examined in order to comprise the third revision of the Korean Classification of Disease on Oriental Medicine (KCD-OM) and disease classification in the oriental internal medicine field. It is essential that the selection, classification and definition of disease and pattern names of oriental concepts in internal medicine be clear. Since 2008, the fifth revision of the Korean Classification of Disease (KCD-5) has been used in Korea. It was required to use the reference classification from the Oriental medicine area based on the ICD-10. Methods : In this review, the necessity for, meaning of and content of the third revision are briefly described. The ICD system was reviewed and KCD-OM was reconstructed. How diagnosis in the oriental internal medicine area had changed is discussed. Review and Results : In 1973, the disease classification of oriental medicine was established the basis on the contents of Dongeuibogam. It was irrespective of the ICD. As to the classification system in the Oriental internal medicine field, systemic disease was comprised of wind, cold, warm, wet, dryness, heat, spirit, ki, blood, phlegm and retained fluid, consumptive disease, etc. Diseases of internal medicine comprised a system according to the five viscera and the six internal organs and followed the classification system of Dongeuibogam. The first and second revisions were of the classification system based on the curriculum in 1979 and 1995. In 1979, in the first revision, geriatric disease and idiopathic types of disease were deleted, and skin disease was included among surgery diseases. This classification was expanded to 792 small classification items and 1,535 detailed classification items to the dozen disease classes. In 1995, in the second revision, it was adjusted to 644 small classes and 1,784 detailed classification items in the dozen disease classes. KCD-OM3 did KCD from this basis. It added and comprised the oriental medical doctor's concept names of diseases considering the special conditions in Korea. KCD-OM3 examined the KCD-OMsecond revised edition (1994). It improved the duplex classification, improper classifications, etc. It is difficult for us to separate the disease names and pattern names in oriental medicine. We added to the U code and made one classification system. By considering the special conditions in Korea, 169 codes (83 disease name codes, 86 pattern name codes) became the pre-existence classification and links among 306 U codes of KCD-OM3. 137 codes were newly added in the third revision. U code added 3 domains. These are composed of the disease name (U20-U33, 97 codes), the disease pattern name (U50-U79, 191 codes) and the constitution pattern name of each disease (U95-U98, 18 codes). Conclusion : The introduction of KCD-OM3 conforms to the diagnostic system by which oriental medical doctors examine classes used with the basic structure of the reference classification of WHO and raises the clinical study and academic activity of the Korean oriental medicine and makes the production of all kinds of nation statistical indices possible. The introduction of KCD-OM3 promotes the diagnostic system by which doctors of Oriental medicine examine classes using the association with KCD-5. It will raise the smoothness and efficiency of oriental medical treatment payments in the health insurance, automobile insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance, etc. In addition, internationally, the eleventh revision work of the ICD has been initiated. It needs to consider incorporating into the International Classification of Diseases some of every country's traditional medicine.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.