• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.234-257
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• 2000

At present in the medical care, the study and effort for producing health service to consider efficiency, effectiveness, and quality are urgently called for because of the difficulty in the keen competition according to the inter- nationalization and opening, the operation in the medical institution service testing system, the change in the medical policy of KDRGs, and the lack of the health care cost increasing rate. As an alternative, the case management for the new management system is introduced in the U.S., and the Critical Pathway that is the method designing the contents of activity and its result has been developed and applied in order to anticipate and manage the patient-outcome for the realization of the cost-effective case-management. Thus, this study intended to analyze the effectiveness to obtain by developing the Critical Pathway presented as the method to improve the quality-betterment and cost effectiveness through the continuous and consistent patient management for the hysterectomy patient and applying it to the real practice. As a study method, this author formed a conceptual framework through considering five Critical Pathway used in the current U.S. and three Critical Pathway presented in the literature to develop the Critical Pathway for the hysterectomy patient, and made out the preliminary Critical Pathway through reviewing the old chart. This author made the verified the validity of the expert group about the developed Critical Pathway, and to confirm the possibility of practice application, completed and settled the final Critical Pathway after using the Critical Pathway to the hysterectomy patient from March 1st to 15th, 1997. Finally, to analyze the application-effect of the developed Critical Pathway, this author offered health care service applying the Critical Pathway to the hysterectomy patient from April 15th to August 31th, 1997. The guide for the Critical Pathway was carried out in advance by outpatient setting nurse for outpatient setting visit before the operation, and after hospitalization the primary nurse monitored the execution degree on the every duty. After discharge this author surveyed the complication through phone visiting, and one month after discharge surveyed the patient's reaction about the offered service when outpatient setting visit and analyzed the result. The source for health care cost was obtained by the statistics about the hospital charge which was offered by the General Business Department. The results were as follows. 1. It was decided that the vertical line of the Critical Pathway was made up of eight items such as monitoring/assessment, treatment, line/drains, activity, medication, lab test, diet, patient teaching, and the horizontal line of the Critical Pathway was made up of from hospitalization to discharge. 2. After the analysis of service contents through reviewing the old chart, it was decided that the horizontal line of the preliminary Critical Pathway was made up of from hopitalization to fourth postoperative day, and the vertical line of it was divided into eight items which were the contents to occur with the time frame of the horizontal line. 3. After the verifying the validity of the expert group about the preliminary Critical Pathway, the horizontal line was amended from hopitalization to third postoperative day, and taking their consensus, some contents of the horizontal line was amended and deleted. 4. From March 1st to 15th, 1997, to confirm the clinical suitability, this author offered eight hysterectomy patients the medical service through the Critical Pathway. The result was that three of them could be discharged at the expected discharge day, and the others later than that day. Supplementing the preliminary Critical Pathway through analyzing the cause of that delay- case, this author developed the final Critical Pathway. 5. There were no significant differences between the experimental and the control group in the incidence of complication(P > 0.05). 6. The 92.4% of experimental group was satisfied with the Critical Pathway service. 7. The length of hospital stay of the experimental group offered with the Critical Pathway service was 4.6 days and there was a significant difference that it was 1.3 days shorter than that of the control group(t=-29.514, P=0.000). 8. There wsa a significant difference that the mean medical charge per one patient of the experimental group offered the Critical Pathway service was cheaper \124,150 than that of the control group(t=-9.826, P=0.000). 9. The result that the author assumed and analyzed hospital income with the rate of turning bed was assumed that the increase of hospital income was \63,245,072 for that study, and the income increase was expected with \68,704,864 for a year. The result that this author applied the Critical Pathway to the hysterectomy patient have no differences in the incidence of complication, high satisfaction with that service, and the length of hospital stay decreased in the experimental group, and the mean hospital charge per one patient decreased, but hospital income increased. Suggestions for further study and nursing practice are as follows. 1. The study to apply the Critical Pathway for a year, verify the validity, and measure the effect repeatedly is needed. 2. To apply and manage the Critical Pathway effectively, the study to computerize it is needed. 3. The study to develop hospital-based Critical Pathway about other diseases or procedure, and measure the effect is needed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.489-494
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• 2009

In this study, we fabricated a plastic optical fiber based sensor which can monitor the respiration of a patient. The circumference changes of the abdomen were measured using a mirror, a light source and optical detectors because the circumferences of the abdomen could be varied with respiration. The intensity of the reflected lights were measured according to the changes of distance between mirror and plastic optical fiber connected to a light source and a photodiode-amplifier system using a Y-coupler. The respiration signals of fiber-optic sensor system were compared with those of the respiratory and temperature transducers of the $BIOPAC^{(R)}$ system. It is expected that a fiber-optic respiration sensor could be developed for real time respiration monitoring during MRI procedure based on this study.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.138-143
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• 2012

In the study, we were develop unification of examination paper switchboard that reduced the hassle about previously glucose measurement. Examination paper case was produced to magazine for minimize when you use the previously products occurred hand pollution or loss rate. And, Quantity of examination paper can be checked in real time by seeking the convenience of patients. In this study, we selected one model but you can product any examination paper case. Data was construct through surveys to questionnaires and satisfaction. Purchasing was received to high rating 67%. In this study, we were trying minimize inconvenience during self scan for diabetes patient. Further, we were suggest various products that were improve the functionality and practicality through practicality in design.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.71-75
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• 2019

Sleep apnea is a disease that causes various complications, and the polysomnography is expensive and difficult to measure. The purpose of this study is to develop an unrestricted wearable monitoring system so that patients can be examined in a familiar environment. We used a method to detect sleep apnea events and to determine sleep satisfaction by non-constrained method using SpO2 measurement sensor and 3-axis acceleration sensor. Heart rate and SpO2 were measured at the finger using max30100. After acquiring the SpO2 data of the user in real time, the apnea measurement algorithm was used to transmit the number of apnea events of the user to the mobile phone using Bluetooth (HC-06) on the wrist. Using the three-axis acceleration sensor (mpu6050) attached to the upper body, the number of times of tossing and turning during sleep was measured. Based on this data, this algorithm evaluates the patient's tossing and turning during sleep and transmits the data to the mobile phone via Bluetooth. The power source used 9 volts battery to operate Arduino UNO and sensors for portability and stability, and the data received from each sensor can be used to check the various degree between sleep apnea and sleep tossing and turning on the mobile phone. Through thisstudy, we have developed a wearable sleep apnea measurement system that can be easily used at home for the problem of low sleep efficiency of sleep apnea patients.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.321-327
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to develop a smart device-based Language Rehabilitation Program (LRP) to improve communication ability for the patients with language disability. The content of the LRP includes a variety of semantic categories and grammatical elements and consists of 17 semantic categories, 29 tasks and 3780 items to improve comprehension/production ability at word level, semantic category level, sentence level and discourse level. We developed LRP as a Windows-base management program and an Android-base language rehabilitation application. LRP was developed into an application for smart devices, providing real-time delivery of training contents, measurement and database of training task results, and patient progress and monitoring. A follow-up study will be conducted on the verification of the language rehabilitation effect using LRP by patients with language disability.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.755-767
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Cryoballoon catheter ablation for the treatment of patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) has been adopted globally, but there are limited multicenter reports of 12-month outcomes in the Korean patient population. This analysis evaluated the clinical performance and safety of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) according to standard-of-care practices in Korea. Methods: This evaluation of Korean patients with AF was conducted within the larger Cryo Global Registry, which is a prospective, multicenter, post-market registry. Freedom from a ≥30-second recurrence of atrial arrhythmias (after a 90-day blanking period until 12 months) and procedural safety were examined in subjects treated with CBA at 3 Korean centers. Results: Overall, 299 patients with AF (60±11 years old, 24.7% female, 50.5% paroxysmal AF) underwent CBA using the Arctic Front Advance cryoballoon. Of those, 298 were followed-up for at least 12 months. Mean procedure-, left atrial dwell- and fluoroscopy time was 76±21 minutes, 56±23 minutes, and 27±23 minutes, respectively. Freedom from AF recurrence at 12 months was 83.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.9-88.9%) in the paroxysmal and 61.6% (95% CI, 53.1-69.0%) in the persistent AF cohort. Rhythm monitoring was performed on average 4.7±1.4 times during the follow-up period. Serious device- or procedure-related adverse events occurred in 2 patients (0.7%). The 12-month Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from repeat ablation and cardiovascular-related hospitalization was 93.8% (95% CI, 90.4-96.1%) and 89.7% (95% CI, 85.6-92.7%), respectively. Conclusions: CBA is an efficient, effective, and safe procedure for the treatment of AF patients when used according to real-world practices in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was the clinical implementation of IGRT using KV CBCT for setup correction in radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: We selected 9 patients (3 patient for each region; head, body, pelvis)and acquired 135 CBCT images with CLINAC iX (Varian medical system, USA). During the scan, the required time was measured. We analyzed the result in 3 direction; vertical, longitudinal, lateral. Results: The mean setup errors at the couch position of vertical, lateral, and longitudinal direction were 0.07, 0.12, and 0.1 cm in the head region, 0.3, 0.26, and 0.22 cm in the body region, 0.21, 0.18, and 0.15 cm in the pelvis region respectively. The mean time required for CBCT was $6{\sim}7$ minute. Conclusion: The CBCT on the LINAC provides the capacity for soft tissue imaging in the treatment position and real time monitoring during treatment delivery. With presented workflow, the setup correction within reasonable time for more accurate radiation therapy is possible. And it's image can be very useful for adaptive radiation therapy(ART) in the future with improved image quality.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2010

Purpose: In order to evaluate the positional uncertainty of internal organs during radiation therapy for treatment of liver cancer, we measured differences in inter- and intra-fractional variation of the tumor position and tidal amplitude using 4-dimentional computed radiograph (DCT) images and gated orthogonal setup kilovolt (KV) images taken on every treatment using the on board imaging (OBI) and real time position management (RPM) system. Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive patients who underwent 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy for treatment of liver cancer participated in this study. All patients received a 4DCT simulation with an RT16 scanner and an RPM system. Lipiodol, which was updated near the target volume after transarterial chemoembolization or diaphragm was chosen as a surrogate for the evaluation of the position difference of internal organs. Two reference orthogonal (anterior and lateral) digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR) images were generated using CT image sets of 0% and 50% into the respiratory phases. The maximum tidal amplitude of the surrogate was measured from 3D conformal treatment planning. After setting the patient up with laser markings on the skin, orthogonal gated setup images at 50% into the respiratory phase were acquired at each treatment session with OBI and registered on reference DRR images by setting each beam center. Online inter-fractional variation was determined with the surrogate. After adjusting the patient setup error, orthogonal setup images at 0% and 50% into the respiratory phases were obtained and tidal amplitude of the surrogate was measured. Measured tidal amplitude was compared with data from 4DCT. For evaluation of intra-fractional variation, an orthogonal gated setup image at 50% into the respiratory phase was promptly acquired after treatment and compared with the same image taken just before treatment. In addition, a statistical analysis for the quantitative evaluation was performed. Results: Medians of inter-fractional variation for twenty patients were 0.00 cm (range, -0.50 to 0.90 cm), 0.00 cm (range, -2.40 to 1.60 cm), and 0.00 cm (range, -1.10 to 0.50 cm) in the X (transaxial), Y (superior-inferior), and Z (anterior-posterior) directions, respectively. Significant inter-fractional variations over 0.5 cm were observed in four patients. Min addition, the median tidal amplitude differences between 4DCTs and the gated orthogonal setup images were -0.05 cm (range, -0.83 to 0.60 cm), -0.15 cm (range, -2.58 to 1.18 cm), and -0.02 cm (range, -1.37 to 0.59 cm) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. Large differences of over 1 cm were detected in 3 patients in the Y direction, while differences of more than 0.5 but less than 1 cm were observed in 5 patients in Y and Z directions. Median intra-fractional variation was 0.00 cm (range, -0.30 to 0.40 cm), -0.03 cm (range, -1.14 to 0.50 cm), 0.05 cm (range, -0.30 to 0.50 cm) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. Significant intra-fractional variation of over 1 cm was observed in 2 patients in Y direction. Conclusion: Gated setup images provided a clear image quality for the detection of organ motion without a motion artifact. Significant intra- and inter-fractional variation and tidal amplitude differences between 4DCT and gated setup images were detected in some patients during the radiation treatment period, and therefore, should be considered when setting up the target margin. Monitoring of positional uncertainty and its adaptive feedback system can enhance the accuracy of treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of image-guided radiotherapy using ultrasonography which is non-invasive, without radiation exposure for prostate cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the setup variation of 1,105 images for 26 prostate cancer patients and the mean, standard deviation and 3D-error in AP, RL and SI directions. Setup variations were classified 0-1 mm, 1-3 mm, 3-5 mm, 5 mm and more. Results: The mean and standard deviation of setup variation in AP, RL and SI directions was $1.87{\pm}1.36mm$, $1.73{\pm}1.22mm$ and $2.01{\pm}1.40mm$. The 3D-error in AP, RL and SI directions was $3.63{\pm}1.63mm$. The frequency of setup variation in AP direction was 29 % in the range from 0 mm to 1 mm, 50.2 % in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm, 19.6 % in the range from 3 mm to 5 mm and 1.3 % in the range of 5 mm or more. In RL direction, the frequency was 31.3 % in the range from 0 mm to 1 mm, 52.5 % in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm, 15.8 % in the range from 3 mm to 5 mm and 0.5 % in the range of 5 mm or more. SI direction, the frequency of errors in the range from 0 mm to 1 mm was 26.3 %, 50.2 % in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm, 22.4 % in the range from 3 mm to 5 mm, and 1.1 % in the range of 5 mm or more. Conclusion: The setup error was highest in the SI direction of $2.01{\pm}1.40mm$. The frequency in each direction was the highest in more than 50 % in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm. $Clarity^{TM}$ Auto scan is possible to monitoring the motion of the prostate during the treatment and to repositioning the patient. In conclusion real-time image-guided radiotherapy using ultrasonography will be increase the reproducibility of radiation therapy.