• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2020

Endoscopic spine surgery is an advanced surgical technique for spinal surgery since it minimizes skin incision, muscle damage, and blood loss compared to open surgery. It requires, however, accurate positioning of an endoscope to avoid spinal nerves and to locate the endoscope near the target disk. Before the insertion of the endoscope, a guide needle is inserted to guide it. Also, the result of the surgery highly depends on the surgeons' experience and the patients' CT or MRI images. Thus, for the training, a number of haptic simulators for spinal needle insertion have been developed. But, still, it is difficult to be used in the medical field practically because previous studies require manual segmentation of vertebrae from CT images, and interaction force between the needle and soft tissue has not been considered carefully. This paper proposes AI-based automatic vertebrae CT-image segmentation and haptic rendering method using the proposed need-tissue interaction model. For the segmentation, U-net structure was implemented and the accuracy was 93% in pixel and 88% in IoU. The needle-tissue interaction model including puncture force and friction force was implemented for haptic rendering in the proposed spinal needle insertion simulator.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2013

Tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) can measure the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectrum and calculate the equivalent dose for the complicated radiation field in space. In this paper, we developed and characterized a TEPC for radiation monitoring in International Space Station (ISS). The prototype TEPC which can simulate a 2 ${\mu}m$ of the site diameter for micro-dosimetry has been tested with a standard alpha source ($^{241}Am$, 5.5 MeV). Also, the calibration of the TEPC was performed by the $^{252}Cf$ neutron standard source in Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). The determined calibration factor was $k_f=3.59{\times}10^{-7}$ mSv/R.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.1302-1305
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• 2003

In this paper we analyzed the effect of compliance mismatch with respect to the thickness variation of elastic foundation(fatty tissue) in end-to-end anastomosis. This study considered the preliminary deformed shape induced by suturing in the anastomosis of coronary artery and PTFE with different diameters using simplified suturing model and the fatty tissue surrounding heart and coronary artery for more accurate result using finite element method. Area compliance(C$\sub$A/) was used to analyze the final deformed shape of the anastomotic part with respect to the thickness variation of fatty tissue under mean blood pressure, 100 mmHg(13.3kPa). The results obtained were as follows : 1. When the elastic foundation, assumed to be incompressive material, surrounded the grafts in anastomosis, the compliance mismatch of artery and PTFE was improved by 47∼72%. 2. As the initial diameter ratio(R$\sub$I/) became larger, the higher difference of compliance was induced in spite of elastic foundation surrounding grafts.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.429-431
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• 2002

Metabolic analysis of biological tissues, the interventional radiology in MRT (Magnetic Resonance Treatment) and for clinical diagnoses, representation of 4-Dimensional (4D) structural information (x,y,z,t) of biological tissues is required. This paper discusses image representation techniques for those 4D MR Images. We have proposed an image reconstruction method for ultra-fast 3D MRI. It is based on image interpolation and prediction of un-acquired pictorial data in both of the real and the k-space (the acquisition domain in MRI). A 4D MR image is reconstructed from only two 3D MR images and acquired a few echo signals that are optimized by prediction of the tissue motion. This prediction can be done by the phase of acquired echo signal is proportioned to the tissue motion. On the other hand, reconstructed 4D MR images are represented as a 3D-movie by using computer graphics techniques. Rendered tissue surfaces and/or ROIs are displayed on a CRT monitor. It is represented in an arbitrary plane and/or rendered surface with their motion. As examples of the proposed representation techniques, the finger and the lung motion of healthy volunteers are demonstrated.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.639-646
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• 2010

The APAM's quantitative effectiveness and comparative study in preventing and treating pressure ulcer has not been sufficiently evaluated mainly because of uncertainty of pressure load input and lack of interpretation of dynamic perfusion recovery characteristics of soft tissue. The purpose of this paper was to quantify and analyze the alternating pressure characteristics of APAM as a preventive measure for pressure ulcers. To quantify the alternating load to human body, we introduced alternating pressure profile concept and developed parametric model of the profile. Regarding pressure level and cycle time, 3 global and 7 local periodic parameters were used to define the profile such as light, standard, typical and heavy duty profile shape. Pressure impulse ratio of light duty is the lowest but pressure fluctuation is significantly high. For the same duty shape, contact conditions are changed with alternating cycle time and more dramatically in shorter alternating cycle time conditions. We can conclude that if we use shorter alternating cycle time on APAM's operation we can get more positive effects regarding to inflated contact time condition. We proposed the quantitative methods on tissue viability study of external loading by simultaneous measurement of interface pressure and tissue perfusion with proper alternating pressure profile conditions.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2020

This paper deals with relative position estimation using a Kalman filter (KF) based on inertial sensors that have been widely used in various biomechanics-related outdoor applications. In previous studies, the relative position is determined using relative orientation and predetermined segment-to-joint (S2J) vectors, which are assumed to be constant. However, because body segments are influenced by soft tissue artifacts (STAs), including the deformation and sliding of the skin over the underlying bone structures, they are not constant, resulting in significant errors during relative position estimation. In this study, relative position estimation was performed using a KF, where the S2J vectors were adopted as time-varying states. The joint constraint and the variations of the S2J vectors were used to develop a measurement model of the proposed KF. Accordingly, the covariance matrix corresponding to the variations of the S2J vectors continuously changed within the ranges of the STA-causing flexion angles. The experimental results of the knee flexion tests showed that the proposed KF decreased the estimation errors in the longitudinal and lateral directions by 8.86 and 17.89 mm, respectively, compared with a conventional approach based on the application of constant S2J vectors.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 1999

Serum from mouse orally ingested with tissue cyst forming stain (Me49) of Toxoplasma gondii was assayed by Western blot and immunofluorescene assay (IFA) to establish early responses in antigenicity of the parasite in mouse model of foodborne toxoplasmosis. Sera were collected weekly to blot the RH antigen transferred onto nitrocellulose paper after being separated by 12% SDS-PAGE. With the second week serum, 34 kDa protein (p34) was detected uniquely, and all antigens of T.gondii were detected with the sera from 3 or 4 weeks. p34 was not a member of the major surface membrane proteins and confirmed to be localized in the rhoptry by IFA. It was secreted into parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) during the entry into host cells. 10.3% of sera detected p34, while all the ELISA positive sera detected the band. It has diagnostic usefulness of presumed T.gondii infection. We suggest the name of the p34 protein as ROP9.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.343-347
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• 2008

Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity were measured in the atrium of a swine heart. Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation in an atrium has rapidly emerged at the treatment of symptomatic reentrant arrhythmia associated with accessory pathway or Atrioventricular (AV) node conduction. The thermal properties of an atrium are definitely necessary for these treatments because, in thermal treatments, conductivity and diffusivity are significant factors in the relationship between the applied RF power and the resulting atrium temperature rise. Thermal properties were measured using a self-heated thermistor probe. Thermistor probes were inserted into the tissue of interest and were used to supply heat within the tissue as well as to monitor the temperature rise in the tissue. The measurements were performed at temperatures of 25, 37, $50^{\circ}C$. Atrium thermal conductivity ranged from 5.17$\pm$0.12 mW/cm$^{\circ}C$ at $25^{\circ}C$ to 5.33$\pm$0.08 mW/cm$^{\circ}C$ at $37^{\circ}C$. Atrium thermal diffusivity ranged from 0.00132$\pm$0.00007$cm^2$/sec at $25^{\circ}C$ to 0.00138$\pm$0.00003 $cm^2$/sec at $50^{\circ}C$. This paper also present the thermal property comparison of both chambers of a heart (ventricle and atria).

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 1994

Pulp and palm of the hand and heel of the sole are anatomically unique. Satisfactory reconstruction of these areas presents the plastic surgeon with many challenges and requires durable and sensible skin coverage, minimal donor morbidity and reliable operative procedure. We presents 7 clinical cases of sensate instep free flap transfer in this paper during the last 2 years. Three cases were soft tissue defects due to crushing and avulsion injury on the pulp of finger. 1 case was unstable scar and redundant flap after reconstruction of soft tissue dect of palm and 1 case was contracture of first web of hand. One case was a soft tissue defect due to avulsion injury on heel. Lastly, one case was chronic osteomyelitis with open wound on lateral malleolar area. Follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 2 years. Through the whole follow-up period, all flaps were viable and durable to persistant stress or weight bearing and were sensible enough to porotect the recocstructed area from injuries and maintain functions. In conclusions, the instep free flap should be considered as a valuable tool in reconstruction of hand and extremity requiring durability and sensation.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2010

In this paper, tactile response characteristics in medical haptic interface are investigated to characterize the feeling of contact between the finger skin and the organic tissue when a finger is dragged over tissue. In order to represent the tactile feeling, a prototype tactile display incorporating Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid has been developed. Tactile display devices simulate the finger's skin to feel the sensations of contact such as compliance, curvature and friction. Thus, the tactile display provides the surface information of organic tissue to the surgeon using different actuating mechanisms ranging from the conventional mechanical motor to the smart material actuators. In order to investigate the compliance feeling of human finger's touch, vertical force responses of the tactile display under the various magnetic fields have been assessed. Also, frictional resistive force responses of the tactile display are investigated to simulate the action of finger's dragging. From the results, different tactile feelings are observed as the applied magnetic field is varied and arrayed magnetic poles combinations. This research gives a smart technology of tactile displaying.