• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2009

This study was carried out to test feasibility of a granule fertilizer applicator for rapeseed seeding in paddy fields. The metering plate of a conventional applicator was modified for rapeseed seeding. The modified plate had new three seeding openings with total area of $342mm^2$. Average target discharging rates ranged from 6.3 to 21.0 g/s and correlated with opening areas. Application patterns of the rapeseed seeding showed M-shape. The coefficients of variation of the application showed 70.5% at 0.99 m/s of forwarding speed and 14.3 g/s of a discharge rate, and 77.7% at 1.72 m/s of a forwarding speed and 8.23 g/s of a discharge rate. The coefficients of variation in the direction of transverse of the tractor ranged from 7.3 to 47.7%. In rapeseed seeding tests using the applicator, seed damages rates were less than 15% due to the agitator, the seed hopper and the seeding plate break. Therefore, improvements of the applicator blow heads and seeding equipments were required in order to apply rapeseed efficiently.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 1986

From Nov. 1983 through Feb. 1986, 35 patients of uterine cervical cancer were treated by external radiation therapy and intracavitary radiation therapy using Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator. Age of the patients ranged from 32 to 70 years (median age: 53 years). All patients had follow up from 9 to 34 months and median follow up of 20 months.4 patients were in stage I, 25 were in stage II, 5 were in stage III and 1 was in stage IV. Overall regression rate was $80\%$ and uncorrected actuarial 2 year survival rate was $88\%$. The incindence of rectal complications were analyzed. There was no rectal complication in the patients who received less than 7000 rad maximal rectal dose, but 2 out of 17 patients who received more than 7000 rad developed moderate degree (grade 2) of rectal complication. In viewing of our results, Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator (3M) seemed to be an appropriate instrument for intracaviary radiation therapy in the patients of uterine cervical cancer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.553-560
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical risk according to the applicator heterogeneity, mislocation, and tissue heterogeneity correction through a dose verification program during brachytherapy of cervical cancer. We performed image processing with MATLAB on images acquired with CT simulator. The source was modeled and stochiometric calibration and Monte-Carlo algorithm were applied based on dwell time and location to calculate the dose, and the secondary cancer risk was evaluated in the dose verification program. The result calculated by correcting for applicator and tissue heterogeneity showed a maximum dose of about 25% higher. In the bladder, the difference in excess absolute risk according to the heterogeneity correction was not significant. In the rectum, the difference in excess absolute risk was lower than that calculated by correcting applicator and tissue heterogeneity compared to the water-based calculation. In the femur, the water-based calculation result was the lowest, and the result calculated by correcting the applicator and tissue heterogeneity was 10% higher. A maximum of 14% dose difference occurred when the applicator mislocation was 20 mm in the Z-axis. In a future study, it is expected that a system that can independently verify the treatment plan can be developed by automating the interface between the treatment planning system and the dose verification program.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2015

Purpose : The goal of this study was to verify and analyze the source position according to the curvature of the universal applicator and 4 different angle applicators when using RALS(Remote After Loading System). Materials and Methods : An interval of 1 cm and 15 second dwell times in each source position were applied for plan. To verify the accuracy of source position, we narrowed the distance between MultiSource container and GAFCHROMIC$^{(R)}$ EBT3 film by 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm so that the universal applicator transfer tube had some curvature. Also 4 applicators(Intrauterine tube: $0^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, Ovoid tube: $65^{\circ}$) were used in the same condition. The differences between desired and actual source position were measured by using Image J. Results : In case of using 4 different angles of applicator with the straight universal applicator transfer tube, the average error was the lowest for $0^{\circ}$ applicator, greatest for $65^{\circ}$ applicator. However, All average errors were within ${\pm}2mm$ recommended in TG-56. When MultiSource container was moved 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm towards the EBT3 film, the average errors were beyond ${\pm}2mm$. The first dwell position was relatively located in accuracy, while the second and third dwells were displaced by an increasing magnitude with increasing curvature of the transfer tube. Furthermore, with increasing the angle of applicators, the error of all other dwell positioning was increased. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that both the curvature of universal applicator transfer tube and the angle of applicators affect the source dwell position. It is recommended that using straight universal applicator transfer tubes is followed in all cases, in order to avoid deviations in the delivered source dwell position. Also, It is advisable to verify the actual dwell position, using video camera quality control tool prior to all treatments.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

In this study, a cylindrical ultrasound applicator is developed for the treatment of vagina and rectum in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy. A cylindrical transducer (PZT-8, 1=1.5 cm, thickness=1.5mm OD=2.5 cm) was used as an energy source for induction of hyperthermia. Three single-element applicators were constructed to examine the performance of the PZT material. Vector impedance was measured to determine driving frequency. The efficiencies of the elements were determined using a radiation force technique to evaluate the feasibility of using the applicator as a hyperthermia source. A multi-element ultrasound applicator was designed using the PZT-8 material for the treatment of vagina. Results from the vector impedance measurements showed maximum magnitude at 1.78, 1.77, and 1.77 MHz for applicator 1,2, and 3, respectively. The radiation force measurements showed that the acoustic power of 40 watts was obtained in all three elements. The average efficiencies of the elements were 61.4, 65.2, and 54.0% for element 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The designed ultrasound hyperthermia applicator could be used in combination with high dose rate brachytherapy for the treatment of vagina and rectum. The use of this applicator with intracavitary brachytherapy could offer improved tumor control by increasing radiosensitiyity of the tumor.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 1998

A herbicide applicator attached to a rice transplanter was developed to perform herbicide application and transplanting simultaneously. The prototype machine was composed of herbicide tank, discharge device, spinner, scattering plate and power drive. The application rate of the machine could be adjusted from 10 to 30 kg/㏊ and the application swath was 1.8m. According to the field test, application uniformity showed the range of 13.6~43.9％ in terms of CV(coefficient of variation) depending on the spinner speed, application height and shape of diffuser. The best uniformity could be achieved with the spinner speed of 30.8m/s and application height of 20cm. Field efficiency of the prototype was 4.7hr/㏊. Transplanting machine has field efficiency of 4.6hr/㏊ in Korea. By attaching the herbicide applicator, field efficiency became lowed only by 0.1hr/㏊, which was counted for filling time of herbicide. Simultaneous operation of transplanting and herbicide application had a of labor saying. The weed control efficacy was measured to be 96% in field when AC140 + Stomp and Londax + YRC was applied at the 65th day after transplanting. Nonanmae was treated by manual application to be compared to.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 1984

Various methods are available for determination of exposure time in intracavitary radiotherapy of the carcinoma of the uterine cervix. To determine the accuracy of dose calculation with isodose curve for TAO applicator, comparison with results calculated by computer for radiotherapy treatment Planning was done in 24 procedures done in 12 consecutive patients with the carcinoma of the uterine cervix from May to December, 1983. The results are as follows: 1. The average dose rate Per hour of Point A was 87.70 rad, being 89.91 rad ana 85.49 rad in left and right, respectively. 2. The average percentage of dose rate of point A calculated by isodose curve method over that by computer was $101.28\%$ and the difference was less than $5\%$ in 17 Procedures and over $10\%$ in only 3 procedures. 3. The average percentage in case of point B was $108.67\%$. In conclusion, in most cases the difference was less than 200 rad for point A and less than 100 rad for point B during 2 courses of intracavitary radiotherapy. And so the dose rate calculation with isodose curve for TAO applicator is comparatively accurate.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2023

Macular degeneration and glaucoma are representative age-related retinal diseases that rank second and third in the prevalence of retinal diseases, and are a kind of degenerative neurological disease. Irreversible visual acuity and visual field damage may occur, and the number of patients is rapidly increasing as the population ages. Since this retinal disease is a chronic disease, continuous drug treatment is required. There are various drug delivery methods for treatment, but direct injection of the drug into the intravitreal is the most effective for continuous delivery of the drug over a long period of time. In order to solidify Dexamethasone, a retinal disease treatment, and insert it into the primary intravitreal, it is important to develop a technology to miniaturize the treatment and an applicator to deliver the treatment. In this study, a mold technology was developed to integrate the cannula and hub, which are one part of applicator. In addition, surface treatment was performed on the outside of the cannula to improve the bonding strength between the cannula and the hub, and the bonding strength according to each condition was analyzed through a tensile test.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 1998

There are three different types of gynecological applicator sets available in microSelectron-high dose-rate(HDR) System by Nucletron; standard applicator set(SAS), standard shielded applicator set(SSAS), and Fletcher-Williamson applicator set(FWAS). Shielding effect of a SAS without shielding material was compared with that of a SSAS with shielding material made of stainless steel(density ${\varrho}=8,000kg/m^3$) at the top and bottom of each ovoid, and of a FWAS with shielding material made of tungsten alloy(density ${\varrho}=14,000kg/m^3$ at the top and bottom of each ovoid. The shielding effects to the rectum and bladder of these two shielded applicator sets were to be measured at reference points with an ion chamber and specially designed supporting system for applicator ovoids inside of the computerized 3-dimensional water phantom. To determine the middle point of two ovoids the measurement was performed with the reference tip of ion chamber placed at the same level and at the middle point from the two ovoids, while scanning the dose with the ion chamber on each side of ovoids. The doses to the reference points of rectum were measured at 20(Rl), 25(R2), 30(R3), 40(R4), 50(R5), and 60(R6) mm located posteriorly on the vertical line drawn from M5(the middle dwell position of ovoid), and the doses to the bladder were measured at 20(Bl), 30(B2), 40(B3), 50(B4), and 60(B5) mm located anteriorly on the vertical line drawn from M5. The same technique was employed to measure the doses on each reference point of both SSAS and FWAS. The differences of measured rectal doses at 25 mm(R2) and 30 mm(R3) between SAS and SSAS were 8.0 % and 6.0 %: 25.0% and 23.0 % between SAS and FWAS. The differences of measured bladder doses at 20 mm(Bl) and 30 mm(B2) between SAS and SSAS were 8.0 % and 3.0 %: 23.0 % and 17.0 % between SAS and FWAS. The maximum shielding effects to the rectum and bladder of SSAS were 8.0 % and 8.0 %, whereas those of FWAS were 26.0 % and 23.0 %, respectively. These results led to the conclusion that FWAS has much better shielding effect than SSAS does, and when SSAS and FWAS were used for gynecological intracavitary brachytherapy in microSelectron-HDR system, the dose to the rectum and bladder was significantly reduced to optimize the treatment outcome and to lower the complication rates in the rectum and bladder.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 1994

Purpose : The determination of electron beam output factor was investigated from individual applicator for various energy of ML-15MDX linear accelerator. The output factor of electron beam was extended from square to rectangular field in individual applicator size through with a least-square fit to a polynomial expression. Materials : In this experiments. the measurement of output was obtained from 2${\times}$cm$^2$ to 20${\times}$20cm$^2$ of field size in different applicator size for 4 to 15 MaV electron beam energy. The output factor was defined as the ratio of maximum dose output on the central axis of the field of individual applicator size to that of a given field size. Applicator factors were derived from comparing with the output dose of reference field size 10${\times}$10cm$^2$. The thickness of block was specially designed as 10mm in thickness of Lipowitz metal for field shaping in all electron energy. Two types of output curves are included as output factors versus side of square fields and that of variable side length for X and Y in one-dimensional to compare the expected values to that of experiments. Results : Expected output factors of rectangular which was derived from that of square fields in individual applicator size from 2${\times}$2cm$^2$ to 20${\times}$20cm$^2$ in different electron energy was very closed to that of experimental measurements within 2% uncertainty. However 1D method showed a 3% discrepancy in small rectangular field for low energy electron beam. Conclusion : Emperical non-linear polynomial regressions of square root and 1D method were performed to determin the output factor in various field size and electron energy. The expected output of electron beam of square root method for square field and 1D method for rectangular field were very closed to that of measurement in all selected electron beam energy.