• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.161-169
• /
• 2021

Background and Objectives Fractional microneedle radiofrequency systems are popular options to increase elasticity in aging skin. Laser-assisted drug delivery is a promising method for the epidermal injection of topically applied drugs and cosmetic ingredients. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of topical delivery of L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for reducing photodamage. Materials and Methods In this prospective, single-center, split-face, controlled pilot study, six women (mean age, 48.0 years; range, 35-57 years; Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) exhibiting mild to moderate photodamage, underwent a single session of fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment. The patients were instructed to apply the antioxidant formulation to only one side of the face. Patients were evaluated 3 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks thereafter, using three-dimensional imaging and ultrasound. Ex vivo, the full-thickness human skin was used for molecular and histological evaluation. Statistical analysis was achieved by applying t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and one-way analyses of variance. Results Compared to the untreated side, the antioxidant-treated side exhibited a significant increase in dermal thickness (10.32% vs. 17.54%, p < 0.05), but not in skin elasticity (4.76% vs. 4.69%, p > 0.05). The difference in erythema between the sides was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). In the ex vivo model, expression of FGF2 in the skin was significantly increased after application of the antioxidant formulation, as compared to results obtained subsequent to fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment only (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that for the treatment of photodamaged skin, laser-assisted delivery of the antioxidant formulation is a safe and effective adjuvant modality following fractional microneedle radiofrequency.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.390-398
• /
• 2022

Ultrasound examination using ultrasound equipment is an ultrasound device that images human organs using sound waves and is used in various areas such as diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of diseases. However, if the quality of ultrasound equipment is not guaranteed, the possibility of misdiagnosis increases, and the diagnosis rate decreases. Accordingly, The Korean Society of Radiology and Korea society of Ultrasound in Medicine presented guidelines for quality management of ultrasound equipment using ATS-539 phantom. The DenseNet201 classification algorithm shows 99.25% accuracy and 5.17% loss in the Dead Zone, 97.52% loss in Axial/Lateral Resolution, 96.98% accuracy and 20.64% loss in Sensitivity, 93.44% accuracy and 22.07% loss in the Gray scale and Dynamic Range. As a result, it is the best and is judged to be an algorithm that can be used for quantitative evaluation. Through this study, it can be seen that if quantitative evaluation using artificial intelligence is conducted in the qualitative evaluation item of ultrasonic equipment, the reliability of ultrasonic equipment can be increased with high accuracy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.655-668
• /
• 2023

In radiography, an antiscatter grid is a well-known device for eliminating unexpected x-ray scatter. We investigate a new stationary grid artifact suppression method based on a nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) incorporated with Gaussian band-pass filtering. The proposed method has an advantage that extracts the Moiré components while minimizing the loss of image information and apply the prior information of Moiré component positions in multi-decomposition sub-band images. We implemented the proposed algorithm and performed a simulation and an experiment to demonstrate its viability. We did this experiment using an x-ray tube (M-113T, Varian, focal spot size: 0.1 mm), a flat-panel detector (ROSE-M Sensor, Aspenstate, pixel dimension: 3032 × 3800 pixels, pixel size: 0.076 mm), and carbon graphite-interspaced grids (JPI Healthcare, 18 cm × 24 cm, line density: 103 LP/inch and 150 LP/inch, ratio: 5:1, focal distance: 65 cm). Our results indicate that the proposed method successfully suppressed grid artifacts by reducing them without either reducing the spatial resolution or causing negative side effects. Consequently, we anticipate that the proposed method can improve image acquisition in a stationary grid x-ray system as well as in extended x-ray imaging.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.94-105
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated public opinion on the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. Methods: A questionnaire looking into perceptions on the use of modern medical devices was developed. It was distributed by a third party and data was collected. Results were analyzed through frequency analysis, chi-square analysis (χ²-test), frequency and cross analysis using R program. The measurement variable in the study was the respondent's perspectives and expectations on the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: There were a total of 3,000 responses and 80.8% of the respondents replied that there is a need for government-level discussion on endowing rights to Korean Medicine doctors as supervisors for safety management of radiation generating devices. Also, 83.3% of the respondents agreed the use of ultrasound imaging equipment in Korean Medicine clinics should be legalized. Conclusions: According to this study, respondents strongly support the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. This is the first study to investigate public opinion in this area and it provides a significant insight into the public needs and desires for a wider scope of practice for Korean Medicine in the healthcare system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2021.10a
• /
• pp.474-477
• /
• 2021

Recently, in order to prevent the proliferation of COVID-19, which began in earnest in 2020, an increasing number of places have been measuring the temperature and required to wear a mask. However, as wearing a mask and checking the temperature are typically measured directly by a person or by a single individual positioned in front of the machine, standards may vary based on the person's manual measurement method, wasting workforce. While standing in front of a device often measures the maximum temperature of the face, the standard of fever is also unclear. Both approaches can create bottleneck situations when checking large numbers of people. Furthermore, it is unable to conduct periodic measurements and tracking because the measuring machines are generally put only at the entrance. Thus, this study suggests a method for preventing the spread of infectious diseases by automatically identifying and displaying unmasked people and those with fever in real-time using a general camera, a thermal imaging camera, and an artificial intelligence algorithm.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2022

There is a major interest in diagnostic technology for multiple cancers worldwide. In order to reduce the difficulty of cancer diagnosis, a liquid biopsy technology based on a microfluidic device using trace amounts of biofluids such as blood is being studied. And optical biosensing, which measures the concentration of analytes through fluorescence imaging using biofluids, requires various strategies to improve sensitivity, and specialists and equipment are needed to carry out these strategies. This leads to an increase in diagnostic and production costs, and it is necessary to develop a technology to solve this problem. In this paper, we design and propose a fluorescent multi-cancer diagnostic sensing platform structure that implements passive self-separation technology and molecular recognition activation functions by fluid mixing, only with the geometry and microfluidic phenomena of microchannels based on self-driven flow by capillary force. In order to check the parameters affecting the performance of the plasma separation part of the designed sensor, the hydrodynamic diameter of the channel and the viscosity of the fluid were set as variables to confirm the formation of plasma separation flow through simulation. And finally, we propose an optimal sensor platform structure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.1179-1187
• /
• 2023

Recent advancements in modern transportation have led to the active development of various biomedical signal and medical imaging technologies. Particularly, in the field of cognitive/neuroscience, the importance of electroencephalography (EEG) measurement and the development of accurate EEG measurement technology in moving vehicles represent a challenging area. This study aims to extensively investigate and analyze the trends in technology research utilizing EEG during driving. For this purpose, the Scopus database was used to explore EEG-related research conducted since the year 2000, resulting in the selection of about 40 papers. This paper sheds light on the current trends and future directions in signal processing technology, EEG measurement device development, and in-vehicle driver state monitoring technology. Additionally, a ultra compact 32-channel EEG measurement module was designed. By implementing it simply and measuring and analyzing EEG signals, in-vehicle EEG module's functionality was checked. This research anticipates that the technology for measuring and analyzing biometric signals during driving will contribute to driver care and health monitoring in the era of autonomous vehicles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.88-97
• /
• 2024

Background: This study was to investigate effects of Correlation Analysis between Cervical-Vertebra Angle and Neck Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, Sternocleidomastoid Thickness of Patients with Forward Head Posture Design: Correlation Analysis. Methods: The subjects of this study were a total of 54 people in the forward head position and their ages were between 30 and 50 years old. The subjects cranio-vertebral angles, neck extension, neck flexion, neck rotation angles, neck flexor strength, neck extensor strength, sternocleidomastoid thickness were evaluated through measuring instruments. The thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured using an imaging ultrasound diagnostic device (ultra sound, Versana Premier, GE Medical systems, China). CVA was measured by measuring the side photo of the subject was taken with a camera and evaluated.. neck joint range of motion was measured through digital inclinometer for extension, flexion, and neck rotation. neck muscle strength was measured by measuring the using a digital sthenometer. Data analysis in this study was statistically processed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., USA). Correlation analysis was used and the statistical significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results neck extension(r= 0.70^**), neck flexion(r= 0.67^**), neck rotation(r= 0.56^**), neck extensor muscle strengt(r= 0.85^**), neck flexor muscle strength(r= 0.66^**), sternocleidomastoid thicknes(r= -0.81^**) It indicates that there is a correlation. Conclusion:These results improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture should include a program to improve the thickness of the SCM. In the future, study can be used as an evidentiary material for treatment interventions to improve the Cervical-vertebra angle of patients with forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.297-303
• /
• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study is reproducibility evaluation of deep inspiration breath-hold(DIBH) technique by respiration data and heart position analysis in radiation therapy for Left Breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods : Free breathing(FB) Computed Tomography(CT) images and DIBH CT images of three left breast cancer patients were used to evaluate the heart volume and dose during treatment planing system( Eclipse version 10.0, Varian, USA ). The signal of RPM (Real-time Position Management) Respiratory Gating System (version 1.7.5, Varian, USA) was used to evaluate respiration stability of DIBH during breast radiation therapy. The images for measurement of heart position were acquired by the Electronic portal imaging device(EPID) cine acquisition mode. The distance of heart at the three measuring points(A, B, C) on each image was measured by Offline Review (ARIA 10, Varian, USA). Results : Significant differences were found between the FB and DIBH plans for mean heart dose (6.82 vs. 1.91 Gy), heart $V_{30}$ (68.57 vs. $8.26cm^3$), $V_{20}$ (76.43 vs. $11.34cm^3$). The standard deviation of DIBH signal of each patient was ${\pm}0.07cm$, ${\pm}0.04cm$, ${\pm}0.13cm$, respectively. The Maximum and Minimum heart distance on EPID images were measured as 0.32 cm and 0.00 cm. Conclusion : Consequently, using the DIBH technique with radiation therapy for left breast cancer patients is very useful to establish the treatment plan and to reduce the heart dose. In addition, it is beneficial to using the Cine acquisition mode of EPID for the reproducibility evaluation of DIBH.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Machine Performance Check (MPC) is a self-checking software based on the Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID) to measure daily beam outputs without external installation. The purpose of this study is to verify the usefulness of MPC by comparing and correlating daily beam output of QA Beamchecker PLUS. Materials and Methods: Linear accelerator (Truebeam 2.5) was used to measure 10 energies which are composed of photon beams(6, 10, 15 MV and 6, 10 MV-FFF) and electron beams(6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV). A total of 80 cycles of data was obtained by measuring beam output measurement before treatment over five months period. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the consistency of the beam output between the MPC and the QA Beamchecker PLUS. In this study, if the Pearson correlation coefficient is; (1) 0.8 or higher, the correlation is very strong (2) between 0.6 and 0.79, the correlation is strong (3) between 0.4 and 0.59, the correlation is moderate (4) between 0.2 and 0.39, the correlation is weak (5) lower than 0.2, the correlation is very weak. Results: Output variations observed between MPC and QA Beamchecker PLUS were within 2 % for photons and electrons. The beam outputs variations of MPC were $0.29{\pm}0.26%$ and $0.30{\pm}0.26%$ for photon and electron beams, respectively. QA Beamchecker PLUS beam outputs were $0.31{\pm}0.24%$ and $0.33{\pm}0.24%$ for photon and electron beams, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between MPC and QA Beamchecker PLUS indicated that photon beams were very strong at 15 MV, and strong at 6 MV, 10 MV, 6 MV-FFF and 10 MV-FFF. For electron beams, the Pearson correlation coefficient were strong at 16 MeV and 20 MeV, moderate at 9 MeV and 12 MeV, and very weak at 6 MeV. Conclusion: MPC showed significantly strong correlation with QA Beamchecker PLUS when testing with photon beams and high-energy electron beams in the evaluation of daily beam output, but the correlation when testing with low-energy electron beams (6 MeV) appeared to be low. However, MPC and QA Beamchecker PLUS are considered to be suitable for checking daily beam output, as they performed within 2 % of beam output consistency during the observation. MPC which can perform faster than the conventional daily beam output measurement tool, is considered to be an effective method for users.