• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In this paper we focus on NMR and MRI magnets, illustrating them with the NMR/MRI magnets that we are currently and will shortly be engaged: a 1.3GHz NMR magnet, an "annulus" magnet, and an $MgB_2$ whole-body MRI magnet. The opportunities with HTS include: 1) high fields (e.g., 1.3GHz magnet); 2) compactness (annulus magnet); and 3) enhanced stability despite liquid-helium-free operation ($MgB_2$ whole-body MRI magnet). The challenges include: 1) a large screening current Beld detrimental to spatial field homogeneity (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) uniformity of critical current density (annulus magnet); and 3) superconducting joints ($MgB_2$ magnet).

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.102-107
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• 2007

In molecular imaging studies via magnetic resonance imaging, in vivo cell tracking is an important issue for the observation of cell therapy or disease behavior. High resolution imaging and longitudinal study are necessary to track the cell movement. Since the field inhomogeneity extends over several voxels, we have performed the numerical analysis using the sub-voxel method dividing a voxel of MR image into several elements and the information about the field inhomogeneity distribution around the micro-beads. We imbedded ferrite-composite micro-beads with the size of $20-150{\mu}m$ in the subject substituted for cells to induce local field distortion. In the phantom imaging with the isotropic voxel size of $200{\mu}m^3$, we could confirm the feasibility of sub-voxel tracking in a 3.0 T MRI.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 1996

We have developed a fast steady state free precession interferometry (SSFPI) technique which is useful for the fMRl (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). As is known, SSFP sequence with a suitable adjustment of Vadient (readeut) allows us to measure precession angle 6 which in tw relates to the field inhomogeneity. Combining the two pulses (known as FID and Echo) in FADE (Fast Acquisition Double Echo) sequence, for example, one can obtain the interference term which is directly related to the precession angle It has been known that a fast high resolution magnetic field mapping is possible by use of the modified FADE sequence or SSFPI, and we have attempted to use the SSFPI technique for the susceptibility-induced fMRl. When the method is applied to the susceptibility effect based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRl), it was found that the direct susceptibility effect measurement was possible without perturbations such as the backgrounds and inflow effect. In this paper, simulation results and experimental results obtained with 2.0 Tesla MRI system are presented.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.761-769
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• 2022

Pads with high dielectric materials have been used in a variety of applications to locally improve the field sensitivity and homogeneity of RF pulses in clinical MRI studies. In this study, we aimed to improve such pads in consideration of the practical problems associated with the application of actual clinical images. A high permittivity pad to increase the attenuated B1 field strength was fabricated and tested in 7T MRI. Sim4Life simulation and experimental results show stronger and relatively uniform B1 near field. In order to improve the image quality in the whole cerebellum, known as a region with low sensitivity, a guide was made to reduce the mechanical change of the pad. In order to improve the wearing comfort, the pad was designed by dividing it into upper and lower parts. The facial pad showed an overall signal increase effect in areas such as the turbinate in the nasal cavity. Signal increase was expected in areas such as the frontal lobe and eyes, but the effect was either insignificant or it was difficult to see the effect in the imaging protocol. In conclusion, this paper showed a cerebellar-optimized pad with an improved nasal signal while maintaining its effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.43-45
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• 2021

Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) has been used as a safe, conventional and harmless diagnostic tool. However, thermal injuries have frequently been reported during MRI scanning due to the heat generated by the reaction with the magnetic field. It is recommended that metal-containing monitoring devices such as pulse oximetry and ECG monitoring leads should be removed prior to the start of the MRI scan, but these monitoring devices are inevitably placed in children or patients in the intensive care unit who have low compliance with the scan. Since the interaction between the metal probe or wire loop of pulse oximetry and the magnetic field can result in high thermal conduction, full-thickness burn can occur over the entire body surface during the MRI examination. Several cases of thermal burns from pulse oximetry on the fingers have been reported. However, we present a case of a full-thickness burn arising left earlobe in a 2-month-old child caused by the high conduction heat from pulse oximetry metal probe.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2003

In this paper we present a brief description and summary results of each of our recent activities in three areas, all devoted to NMR and MRI superconducting magnet technologies: 1) development of a high-field LTS / HTS NMR magnet; 2) development of a novel digital flux injector for slightly resistive NMR magnets; and 3) a proposal fer a low-cost MRI magnet system based on $MgB_2$ composite and an innovative cryogenic design / operation concept.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.70-72
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• 2004

The ferromagnetic pole piece of permanent magnet assembly for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is optimally designed to get high homogenious magnetic field, taking into account the non-linearity of the magnetic materials. In the design, the pole face is kept smooth and axis-symmetric by using B-spline parameterization, and nonlinear design sensitivity analysis is used for search direction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2017

As the Radiofrequency(RF) increases with the magnetic field strength, the wavelength of the RF excitation field becomes smaller, which leads to more the thermal effect in the human-body placed in the electric field. MRI scanner used was GE signa 1.5T, HDx 3.0T and Philips 3.0T with same routine clinical sequence protocol. Therefore temperature was measured before and after each scan. Taken the temperatures in the ear with ear infra-red type thermometer(Braun co). 3.0T were temperature increases more than $0.15^{\circ}C$ and GE 3.0T MRI equipment about $0.14^{\circ}C$ higher than the Philips 3.0T MRI(p<0.012). Psychogenic status was investigated by the survey respondents about their status can not just answer therefore, a little different from the expected. In our study of Thermal effect of clinical MRI with clinical protocol sequence, we found that the 3.0T in the body-temperature rise was greater than the 1.5T. Therefore, in clinical 3.0T examine the dangerous situation caused by the temperature rise occurred (burns, impaired thermoregulatory mechanism in patients with high-temperature damage, exhaustion occurs due to excessive sweating), not to appear the more watched the patient's condition with procedure.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.218-228
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• 2021

Due to their high degree of freedom to transfer and acquire light, fiber optics can be used in the presence of strong magnetic fields. Hence, optical sensing and imaging based on fiber optics can be integrated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic systems to acquire valuable information on biological tissues and organs based on a magnetic field. In this article, we explored the combination of MRI and optical sensing/imaging techniques by classifying them into the following topics: 1) functional near-infrared spectroscopy with functional MRI for brain studies and brain disease diagnoses, 2) integration of fiber-optic molecular imaging and optogenetic stimulation with MRI, and 3) optical therapeutic applications with an MRI guidance system. Through these investigations, we believe that a combination of MRI and optical sensing/imaging techniques can be employed as both research methods for multidisciplinary studies and clinical diagnostic/therapeutic devices.