• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2007

Background: Lumbar zygapophysial joints are a common source of chronic lower back pain and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) of the medial branches (MB) has been shown to be effective at providing substantial pain relief for chronic low back pain. Therefore, we carried out this study to determine the short term outcomes and prognostic factors of RF on the MB of patients with lumbar facet syndrome. Methods: We performed RF in fourteen patients who showed greater than 80% pain relief up to three times after a diagnostic MB block was conducted using 0.3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. Using 10 cm curved electrodes with 10-mm active tip, a 60 second, $80^{\circ}C$ lesion was made after electrical stimulation at 50 Hz for sensory and 2 Hz for motor nerve testing. The degree of pain relief was then assessed after 2 weeks, and again after 3 months using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a four point Likert scale. The outcome was regarded as 'success' if at least a 50% reduction in the VAS was observed. Possible prognostic factors between the two groups were also evaluated Results: The success rate was 71.4% (10/14) after three months of follow-up. However, there were transient complications, such as neuritis like syndrome, in 4 patients. In addition, short symptom duration and low minimal voltage (< 0.4 V) for sensory stimulation were shown to be the relevant prognostic factors for a successful outcome. Conclusions: RF may be an alternative to repeated MB block or intraarticular injection for palliation of lumbar facet syndrome. For better outcomes, early diagnosis and strict patient selection should be coupled with efforts to avoid anatomically incorrect RF.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2014

Purpose: Ultrasound-guided epidural caudal block for low back pain and radiating pain is often performed in the treatment of outpatients. However, this procedure has a failure rate of up to 25% even when it performed by an experienced physician. The authors investigate the effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided epidural caudal block in patients related to disc herniation or spinal stenosis. Materials and Methods: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural block was performed in 55 outpatients with LBP and radiating pain. Patient was placed in the prone position and sonographic image of sacral hiatus was obtained using linear probe. A 22-gauge needle was advanced into the sacrococcygeal membrane under ultrasound guidance and then medication was injected into the caudal epidural space. There were 31 cases of disc herniation, and 24 cases of spinal stenosis. Patients were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks by telephone interviews. Results: 53 of the 55 cases (96.4%) of needle insertion into the sacral canal under ultrasound guidance were successful. Gender was not significantly different between disc herniation group and spinal stenosis group. But there was a significant age difference between disc herniation group ($42.3{\pm}10.8$), and spinal stenosis group ($62.8{\pm}15.1$) [p<0.001]. The VAS score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks in disc group were 6.84, 3.1, 1.8 & 1.77. The VAS score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks in spinal stenosis group were 6.88, 3.58, 4.33 & 4.88. The VAS score in both groups was significantly improved after the procedure (p<0.001). Over time, the two groups were statistically significant differences in VAS score after adjusting for age (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural block seems to provide a high success rate and a significantly better response in disc group than spinal stenosis group.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.752-760
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• 2014

This paper proposes a conditional replenishment algorithm (CRA) to improve the visual quality (where spatial resolutions of the left and right views are mismatched) of a hybrid stereoscopic 3DTV that is based on the ATSC-M/H standard. So as to generate an enhanced view, the CRA is to choose the better substitute among a disparity-compensated view with high quality and a simply interpolated view. The CRA generates a disparity map that includes modes and disparity vectors as additional information. It also employs a quad-tree structure with variable block size by considering the spatial correlation of disparity vectors. In addition, it takes advantage of the disparity map used in a previous frame to keep the amount of additional information as small as possible. The simulation results show that the proposed CRA can successfully improve the peak signal-to-noise ratio of a poor-quality view and consequently have a positive effect on the subjective quality of the resulting 3D view.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.2264-2275
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• 1994

In this paper, image compression based on neural networks is presented with block classification and coding. Multilayer neural networks with error back-propagation learning algorithm are used to transform the normalized image date into the compressed hidden values by reducing spatial redundancies. Image compression can basically be achieved with smaller number of hidden neurons than the numbers of input and output neurons. Additionally, the image blocks can be grouped for adaptive compression rates depending on the characteristics of the complexity of the blocks in accordance with the sensitivity of the human visual system(HVS). The quantized output of the hidden neuron can also be entropy coded for an efficient transmission. In computer simulation, this approach lie in the good performances even with images outside the training set and about 25:1 compression rate was achieved using the entropy coding without much degradation of the reconstructed images.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.31-40
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• 2016

In this paper, we analyse the characteristics of the edge image and propose a new entropy coding optimized to the compression of the edge image. The pixel values of the edge image have the Gaussian distribution around '0', and most of the pixel values are '0'. By using this analysis, the Zero Block technique is utilized in spatial domain. And the Intra Prediction Mode of the edge image is similar to the mode of the surrounding blocks or likely to be the Planar Mode or the Horizontal Mode. In this paper, we make use of the MPM technique that produces the Intra Prediction Mode with high probability modes. By utilizing the above properties, we design a new entropy coding method that is suitable for edge image and perform the compression. In case the existing compression techniques are applied to edge image, compression ratio is low and the algorithm is complicated as more than necessity and the running time is very long, because those techniques are based on the natural images. However, the compression ratio and the running time of the proposed technique is high and very short, respectively, because the proposed algorithm is optimized to the compression of the edge image. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm provides better visual and PSNR performance up to 11 times than the JPEG.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.206-210
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• 2004

This paper proposes a new training system for equilibrium sense using unstable platform. This training system for equilibrium sense consists of an unstable platform, a computer interface circuit and software program. Postural instability changes the weighting of different types of sensory information and the state of the equilibrium maintenance system. In order to improve the equilibrium sense, we developed software program such as a block game, sine curve training (SCT) and pingpong game using Visual C++. Using this system and training programs, we performed an experiment to train the equilibrium sense of a subject. To evaluate the effects of balance training, the time maintained on the target and the moving time to the target are measured. As a result, the moving time to the target and time to maintain cursor on the target improved through repeating equilibrium sense training. It was concluded that this system was reliable in the evaluation of equilibrium sense. We expect that this system might be applied to clinical use as an effective balance training system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.199-202
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• 2008

고객의 통신 니즈가 다양해지고 통신 인프라가 대용량, 고속화 되고 단말이 지능화됨에 따라 이를 기반으로 IPTV의 셋탑, 컴퓨터 모니터, 이동통신 핸드폰이 이르기 까지 다양한 화면 사이즈의 단말을 통하여 서비스를 제공하고 있다. 이를 위해 원영상을 화면의 크기에 적합하게 크기를 변환하는 영상 리사이징 기술을 이용하게 되며, 그 방식은 DCT 방식과 공간 방식으로 나눌 수 있다. DCT방식은 원영상의 고주파 영역의 조정하여 크기를 변화하는 방식으로 열화는 최소화되나 DCT 변환을 위한 계산량이 많고 고정 크기 블록을 사용하므로 유연성이 떨어진다. 공간영역은 객관적인 평가에서 품질이 열화되더라도 시각적으로 눈에 민감한 영역의 변화를 최소화하는 것이다. 본 논문은 인간시각시스템을 기반으로 눈의 민간도가 높은 망막 이심율이 작은 영역에서는 DCT블록의 크기를 변화를 최소화시키고 망막이심율이 큰 영역에서는 블록의 변화를 크게 하는 가변 블록방식을 제안한다. 이를 통해 우수한 영상 품질을 확보하면서도 시각적으로 뛰어난 리사이징 영상을 얻을 수 있다.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.1121-1130
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• 2003

This paper proposes a new motion estimation algorithm using the temporal continuity of motion. We set up a wide global search region (GSR), which basically corresponds to the search region of FSA, and local search regions (LSRs), the positions for which are predicted by the motion vectors of the temporal neighbor blocks, are constructed in the GSR. The previous frame blocks that possibly have effects on the current block are to be the temporal neighbor blocks. Then Motion estimation is only performed in the areas made by LSRs. Experimental results show that the proposed method can maintain visual qualifies with significant reductions of complexity by reducing search regions, when compared to the conventional FSA.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.7 no.8
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• pp.1025-1034
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• 2004

This paper proposes an adaptive motion estimation algorithm using the temporal continuity of motion. We set up a squared global search region (GSR), which basically corresponds to the search region of FSA, and non-squared adaptive local search regions (LSRs), the positions for which are predicted by the motion vectors of the temporal neighbor blocks, are constructed in the GSR. The previous frame blocks that possibly have effects on the current block are to be the temporal neighbor blocks. Because motion estimation is only performed in the areas made by LSRs, we can estimate motion more correctly and reduce processing time. Experimental results show that the proposed method can enhance visual qualities with significant reductions of complexity by reducing search regions, when compared to the conventional methods.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 2001

Background: This purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy, occurrence of motor block and other side effects of 48 hr continuous postoperative epidural infusions with 0.125% ropivacaine with fentanyl or 0.15% ropivacaine with fentanyl. Methods: Forty patients undergoing Cesarean section were randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups received epidural injection of 2.0% lidocaine 19 ml and 0.75% ropivacaine 2-5 ml with fentanyl $50{\mu}g$ for 20 minutes before surgery. Following surgery, a continuous epidural infusion using a two- day infusor was given for 40 minutes for post-operative pain control. Group 1 (n = 20) then received 0.125% ropivacaine and 6 ug/ml of fentanyl at a rate of 2 ml/h. Group 2 (n = 20) received 0.15% ropivacaine and 6 ug/ml of fentanyl at the same rate. Visual analog scales (VAS) for pain during rest and movement, sensory change and motor blockade were assessed for 48 hr after surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in VAS for pain during rest or movement. The incidence of side effects was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Using 0.125% ropivacaine with fentanyl via an epidural route provided similar pain relief and side effects as 0.15% ropivacaine with fentanyl.