The 3-D Fast Gradient Echo (Turbo FLASH, Turbo Fast Low Angle Shot) sequence is optimized to achieve a good T1 contrast using variable excitation flip angles. In Turbo FLASH sequence, depending on the contrast preparation scheme, various types of image contrast can be established. While proton density contrast is obtained when using a short repetition time with a short echo time and small flip angles, T1 or T2 weighting can be obtained with proper contrast preparation sequences applied before the above proton density Turbo FLASH sequence. To maximize the contrast to noise ratio while retaining a sharp impulse response (smooth frequency domain response), the excitation flip-angle pattern is optimized through simulation and experiments. The TI (the delay after the preparation sequence which is a 180 degree inversion RF pulse in the IR T1 weighted imaging case), TD (the delay time between the Turbo FLASH sequence and the next preparation), and TR are also optimized fur the best image quality. The proposed 3-D Turbo FLASH provides $1mm\times1mm\times1.5mm$ high resolution images within a reasonable 5-8 minutes of imaging time. The proposed imaging sequence has been implemented in a Medison's Magnum 1.0T system and verified through simulations as well as human volunteer imaging. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed method.

For medical students and doctors, knowledge of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of brain is very important in diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. Two-dimensional (2D) tools (ex: anatomy book) or traditional 3D tools (ex: plastic model) are not sufficient to understand the complex structures of the brain. However, it is not always guaranteed to dissect the brain of cadaver when it is necessary. To overcome this problem, the virtual dissection programs of the brain have been developed. However, most programs include only 2D images that do not permit free dissection and free rotation. Many programs are made of radiographs that are not as realistic as sectioned cadaver because radiographs do not reveal true color and have limited resolution. It is also necessary to make the virtual dissection programs of each race and ethnic group. We attempted to make a virtual dissection program using a 3D image of the brain from a Korean cadaver. The purpose of this study is to present an educational tool for those interested in the anatomy of the brain. The procedures to make this program were as follows. A brain extracted from a 58-years old male Korean cadaver was embedded with gelatin solution, and serially sectioned into 1.4 mm-thickness using a meat slicer. 130 sectioned specimens were inputted to the computer using a scanner ($420\times456$ resolution, true color), and the 2D images were aligned on the alignment program composed using IDL language. Outlines of the brain components (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, lentiform nucleus, caudate nucleus, thalamus, optic nerve, fornix, cerebral artery, and ventricle) were manually drawn from the 2D images on the CorelDRAW program. Multimedia data, including text and voice comments, were inputted to help the user to learn about the brain components. 3D images of the brain were reconstructed through the volume-based rendering of the 2D images. Using the 3D image of the brain as the main feature, virtual dissection program was composed using IDL language. Various dissection functions, such as dissecting 3D image of the brain at free angle to show its plane, presenting multimedia data of brain components, and rotating 3D image of the whole brain or selected brain components at free angle were established. This virtual dissection program is expected to become more advanced, and to be used widely through Internet or CD-title as an educational tool for medical students and doctors.

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for automatic segmentation of 3-dimesional brain MR images. In order to segment 3-dimensional brain MR images, we start segmentation from a mid-sagittal brain MR image. Then the segmented mid-sagittal brain MR image is used as a mask that is applied to the remaining lateral slices. Then we apply preprocessing, which includes thresholding and region-labeling, to the lateral slices, resulting in simplified 3-D brain MR images. Finally, we remove remaining problematic regions in the 3-dimensional brain MR image using the connectivity-based thresholding segmentation algorithm. Experiments show satisfactory results.

In this paper, a new method to find the corpus callosum from sagittal brain MR images is proposed, which uses the statistical characteristics and shape information of corpus callosum. First, we extract regions satisfying the statistical characteristics of the corpus callosum and then find a region matching the shape information. In order to match the shape information, a new directed window region growing algorithm is proposed instead of using conventional contour matching algorithms. Using the proposed algorithm, we adaptively relax the statistical requirement until we find a region matching the shape information. Experiments show very promising results.

The aim of this work is to develop computerized 2-D radiation therapy planning system. The algorithms to compute dose for photon, electron, radioisotope have been developed, and dose distributions were superimposed on CT or MR images. Using object oriented modeling the structure of program has been designed for the efficient user-interface. Finally, a prototyp of 2-D radiation therapy planning system has been successfully applied in clinical cases for the demonstration.

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH)은 세포 내 특정 DNA 서열 이상을 염색체상에 보여주는 중요한 분자 세포 유전학 기법이다. CGH 기법에서는 세포 분열 중기의 염색체에서 준비한 형광 비율 영상의 정량적 분석을 위해서 Digital 영상 처리 기술이 쓰여야 한다. 본 논문에서는 최근 연구 개발된 영상 처리 algorithm들이 어떻게 CGH 기법에 쓰이는 지를 소개하려 한다. 각 염색체의 형광 비율 profile를 평균하기 위해, 염색체 영상의 이원화, 염색체 영상 뼈대 변환(skeletonization), 뼈대 정보의 변수화와 영상 명암의 재추출을 통한 굽은 염색체 영상 펴기 등이 언구되었다. 개발된 algorithm 들은 바이오메드랩 사의 ChIPS 핵형 정렬 시스템에 구현했다.

Discriminating the clutter signal from Doppler signal is the main function of CDP(color Doppler processor). Up to now, a general method of eliminating clutter signal is using IIR high pass filter. There are many filters that were introduced in other paper. In this paper, we propose the new method of filtering clutter signal. To the new method, we adopt an appropriate filter that can eliminate clutter filter most effectively.

In this paper, We proposed fast ultrasound image compression based on characteristics of ultrasound images. In the proposed method, wavelet transform is performed for non-zero coefficients selectively. It codes zero-tree symbols using conditional pdf (probability density function) as orientation of bands. It normalizes wavelet coefficients with threshold of each wavelet band and encodes those using a uniform quantizer. Experimental results show that the proposed method is the proposed method is superior in PSNR to LuraTech's method by about 1.0 dB, to JPEG by about 5.0 dB for $640\times480$ 24bits color ultrasound image.

A new method for enzyme immobilization has been developed to remove interference by potential interferents in body fluids. Instead of using electron mediators, we chose direct hydrogen peroxide measurement route. Extremely hydrogen peroxide-selective polymer was coated as an inner membrane to exclude interferents and then glucose oxidase(GOx) was entrapped by electropolymerization of inert monomers. There was no solvent casting step throughout the whole fabrication procedure but all membranes on Pt-Ir electrode were formed by electropolymerization. Thus, membrane thickness, quantity of enzyme loaded and can be controlled by electrochemical parameters. As a result, reproducibility of biosensor characteristics becomes remarkably improved in terms of mass production.

The present study employs weak shock theory and bio-heat transfer function to predict the temperature rise due to nonlinear propagation of high amplitude ultrasound. The theory shows that, for the focused ultrasound which is assumed to have an gaussian beam profile and has the focal intensity of $1000W/cm^2$, the temperature rise of liver tissue exposed for 1 second to the energy lost during nonlinear propagation goes up to about $30^{\circ}C$. This indicate that it is necessary to consider the nonlinear propagation induced heating enhancement when setting exposure condition of high intensity focused ultrasound used for cancer thermotherapy.

In this paper, the authors have implemented a blood flow simulator and a blood flowmeter probe using self-mixing effect of the laser diode. The purpose of the blood simulator is to simulate microvascular blood flow in tissue. It consists of melinex film (thickness = $125{\mu}m$) which has similar optical characteristics to epidermis and porous polyethylene filter (Vyon, porosity 35%, mean pore size $50{\mu}m$, thickness=1 mm) which has similar optical characteristics to dermis. The blood flowmeter probe consists of laser diode(5 mW, 780 nm wavelength), CD lens(focal lenght 12 mm), current-to-voltage converter, highpass filter, and preamplifier. It doesn't need optical fiber, therefore, implementation of the probe is simpler than conventional probe using optical fiber.

This paper describes a real time algorithm for blood flow estimation of LDF(laser Doppler flowmeter). Many algorithms for blood flow estimation are using power spectral density of Doppler signal by blood flow. In these research, the fast Fourier transformation is used to estimate power spectral density. This is a block processing procedure rather than real time processing. The algorithm in this paper used parametric spectral estimation. This has real time capability by estimation of AR(autoregressive) parameters sample by sample, and has smoothing power spectrum. Also, the frequency resolution is not limited by number of samples used to estimate AR parameter. Another advantage of this algorithm is that AR model enhance SNR.

In this study, an experiments and numerical simulation of a three chamber pneumatic cylinder for an intelligent AK-knee prosthesis is performed. The cylinder has a variable orifice which can be controlled automatically through a microprocessor controller as needed while amputee gaits. In the experiment, the cylinder was driven by a cam whose trajectory of simulates the normal gait and axial forces of cylinder with different of orifice opening was measured. The numerical simulations was based on thermodynamic and fluid mechanical consideration. The experimental results and the numerical results were in good agreement.

In this study, variation of ground reaction force and energy consumption are investigated while walking with four different AK prostheses in order to obtain basic biomechanical data for developing AK prosthesis for Korean. It is a important information to investigate ground reaction force(GRF) and energy consumption to evaluate efficiency and stability of the prostheses.

This study was conducted to characterize the gait of a person climbing or descending the stairs. Using our motion analysis system (Vicon 370), gait patterns of ten healthy females (18.8 - 19.6 yrs. old) were measured 1) when a subject tip-toed the stairs, 2) when a subject climbs the stairs with the whole foot, and 3) when a subject went down the stair, respectively. The results of each cases were compared with the data for the level walking collected from 21 healthy females in the previous studies. The stairway gait data can be used as a useful reference in the design of artificial limbs for the lower-limb amputee.

To understand the developmental process of the gait pattern from infancy to the adult, a gait analysis for a 14 months female infant has been performed for ten weeks. The gait parameters has been measured every other week since the week when she was able to walk without aid. The infant gait data at the tenth week of the test shows a similar pattern to the adult gait in many aspects including initial knee flexion, initial ankle dorsiflexion, the push-off pattern, etc. There is not a significant change in the hip flexion angle from week to week from the two weeks after the test started. To check the individuality in the collected data, more infant subjects are being tested presently.

In this paper, a transfemoral prosthesis with a microprocessor controlled pneumatic knee developed at KOREC is presented. The resistance of the knee is changed automatically via a microprocessor as the amputee's gait speed changes, so that the prosthetic side of the amputee can follow the sound limb. Gait analysis has been conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed prosthesis and the improvement of the gait pattern including the gait symmetry was observed.

The influence of gamma-irradiation sterilization on the creep and wear performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated by conducting the dynamic compressive creep tests and pin-on-disc sliding wear tests. The changes of microstructure property, relative crystallinity, oxidation index, percent crosslinking, were also measured and the relationship between these and creep and wear results was discussed.

In this study, we have established the technique to estimate the gradient waveforms distorted by the eddy current in MRI. After obtaining the eddy current effect transfer function using the finite element method, we have used the transfer function to estimate the output gradient waveforms at any points inside the imaging region. We also present experimental results to be compared with estimated ones.

We developed a digital x-ray medical imaging system using commercially available amorphous silicon image sensor plate. The image readout could be accomplished within 3.5 sec after radiation exposure and be displayed on a monitor through computer interface. This system needs not the conventional x-ray films and film processors, and also provides digital radiographic images. This system is the fastest digital radiography system developed so far, and expected to replace many of the conventional x-ray film systems or digital radiography systems.

3D TOF MR Angiography is able to obtain thinner slice thickness, higher SNR, therefore higher spatial resolution than 2D TOF MR Angiography. Since it uses longer TR than 2D TOF MRA to allow stronger in-flow effect, the background tissue may not be fully saturated. Thus background tissue signal can be further suppressed by MTS(Magnetization Transfer Saturation). Flow-compensation was accomplished by GMN(Gradient Moment Nulling), and tracking saturation was used to suppress vein signal. The different flow signal at the entry of the slab and output of the slab can be compensated by TONE(Tilted Optimized Non-saturating Excitation) RF pulse.

In this paper, an interleaved spiral scan imaging is investigated for an ultra fast MR imaging. The interleaved spiral technique has relative advantage over single shot spiral imaging with improved resolution and less inhomogeneity-related artifact. An improved reconstruction algorithm is devised with DC-offset correction. Some preliminary experimental results are shown at 1.0 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla whole body MRI system.

In this paper, we've studied on the Breakdownpatterns which hove an effect on Down-Time of Medical Equipment. This study is based on the statistics of MMS(Maintenance Management System) accumulated since the opening of Samsung Medical Center. We hope that this paper, which is acquired through the analysis about the seasonal feature, the work pattern feature and the period used, is useful to reduce a term of Down-Time and to retrench hospital management cost.

Various Endoscope Video System have been introduced and used at wide fields in our country. But this system doesn't have fuction available for recording of Video and Audio data at a time. So many problems were caused by this point, like loose of data accuracy, time and manpower consumption for re-editing prodedure and so on. For solving these problems, we made and modified some systems considering economical and practical aspects and tried to lift up efficiency of clinical usage.

To minimize the Y2K (year 2000) date aware problem of medical devices, we are developing a database that keeps the data such as equipment type, specification, serial number, model number, acquisition date, vendor, manufacturer of the device as well as the names of departments that installed and that is currently responsible for the management of the medical device. The database also keeps the information as to whether the device awares the date, whether it is affected by the Y2K problem or not, how to solve the problem, reference home page address, and so on. The data was collected via internet search of the FDA web site and related of manufacturers homepages. To manage the Y2K problem effectively, the database should be updated regularly to include recent information.

To minimize the failure rate of medical devices, the maintenance records for general X-ray, R/F X-ray, mobile X-ray, artificial dialyzer, ventilator, and automatic chemistry analyzer was analysed with regard to the cause of the failure. The parts responsible for the most frequent system failure was then worked intensively during the preventive maintenance. After this procedure, the faliure of the systems in a month decreased from 1.8 on average to 0.3.

As the need of enhanced medical treatment grows up, Purchasing step which include medical engineer's opinion has to be required. On this procedure, Medical Engineer Departments has used $\ulcorner$comparision chart$\lrcorner$. In this paper, How to compose and utilize comparison chart for purchasing of medical equipment by medical engineer in the hospital. It is made through the technical and objective investigation. From these points, We think that it can be available for proper installation and improved maintenance.

In this paper, visualization of Visible Human data offered by NLM(National Library of Medicine) is performed using $VTK^{TM}$. Computed Tomography Data set(axial, $587\times341\times256$, and the distance between slices 1mm) is used throughout the study. Before the actual visualization routine, 8 bit-reader class of VTK is developed to transform CT data to VTK dataset. After that, the visualization procedures are done to display 3D image on PC. VTK is freeware, not a commercial software. The results of VTK show relatively good image quality and slower processing time compared with the commercial softwares like IAP, IDL, AVS. Thus if processing time is not the critical factor, VTK is worthy to be used in visualization of the medical images.

Pulse echo techniques have been used for the conventional medical ultrasound imaging systems. However, their resolution is limited in the transmitted signal power. To overcome this limit, pulse compression method used in the radar systems was proposed. This system transmits a continuous coded signal and then compresses the received signal into the short and high resolution pulse by using correlator. The reflectors can be detected by cross-correlation between the transmitted signal and the received signal with the depth information. In this paper, we will present a comparative study of the performances of the most common sequences(pseudo-chirp, m-sequences, modified Golay code). The best result for improving resolution is obtained with the modified Golay Code.

The aim of this work is to develop 3-D stereotactic localization system in order to determine the precise shape, size and location of the lesion in the brain in the field of Stereotactic Radiosurgery(SRS) and neurosurgery using CT/MRI/angiography and multi-purpose QA phantom. The algorithms to obtain a 3-D stereotactic coordinates of the target have been developed, and targets on each CT image were superimposed each other on MR/angiography images without distortion corretion. This system was implented in Visual C++ as a PC-based application program.

In this study, the design of the single-chamber pacemaker tester is presented. It is important to test the functions of the pacemaker before it is implanted into the patient. A pacemaker tester, that is presented in this study, is able to examine pacemaker parameters such as sensing threshold and refractory period. We need to make artificial intracardiac electrogram in order to test the pacemaker parameters. We know from the previous practical examples that a triangle pulse is similar to the physiologic intracardiac electrogram. The tester generates the simplified electrograms and PC software examines the output pulses of the pacemaker which is VVIR mode in closed-loop simulation.

To induce perturbed magnetic field variations in the range of auto prescans permitted, we chose artificially shim values and applied manualy as DC offsets to X, Y, Z gradient amplifiers. The STEAM spectra were obtained from a localized region (8ml) of phantom's center and a Marquart Algorithm is employed to quantify MRS spectra. Results indicated that Creatine (Cr) which had a good correlation between a signal intensity and an area, changed little bit and showed extremly a stabilized state in perturbed magnetic field variations. Therefore, during the MRS experiments, to minimize the SNR reduction by means of unavoidable inhomogeneous magnetic fields, the present study suggested that the quantification method of relative ratios produced by replacing Cr concentration with standard quantify was most desirable.

Pulse conduction velocity is determined by areterial compliance, which is changed by lateral pressure of arterial wall. Hydrostatic pressure of the limb vessel is changed by body position, especially in elevated arm. The arterial pulse in the finger causes the blood volume to change, changing the optical density of the blood. Photoplethysmograph of index finger was obtained by LED and phototransistor. Pulse transmission time(PTT) was measured by the interval between the peak of ECG R wave and the peak of the finger plethysmogram. PTT was increased by upward position of arm, and decreased by downward position of the arm compared to horizontal position. This result suggests that relationship between finger plethysmography and postural change could be applied to evaluate clinical cardiovascular status.

It is necessary to maintain constant intravenous (IV) infusion rate. While infusion pump is able to control infusion rate with great accuracy, its rather large size and weight make it difficult for patients to move around. The most commonly used infusion device is gravity IV infusion set with its administration chamber being clamped according to the observed drip rate. In this case it may be easier and more accurate to maintain IV rate to given value if we automate the drip-counting process and tube-clamping work by electronic devices. We calculated volume infusion rate of specific fluid using optical drip rate meter which we had developed. To regulate fluid flow rate, we equipped the rate meter which we had developed with a miniaturized clamping apparatus using DC motor. Also, we Implemented drip detection and clamp control algorithm with PIC16C73 $\mu$-controller (Microchip). This system provides user interface through LCD display and key buttons.

In this paper, We designed the ECG-NIBP-$SpO_2$ patient monitor. This production can measure Electrocardiograph, Heart Rate, Noninvasive Blood Pressure, and Oxygen Saturation for Noninvasive Mehod and can display each information. These informations were implemented by the electrodes of ECG part, the cuff of NIBP module and the finger probe with light sensor of $SpO_2$ without injection of needle or catheter. In addition, We developed a new analysis algorithm and measurement technique for NIBP and $SpO_2$ to observe patient's conditions correctly.

The purpose of this study is to keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel, it is necessary to find ways of detecting and relieving drowsiness. For the estimation of our warning system, we measured the physiological parameters such as EEG, ECG, EOG while they performed a monotonous task intended to induce drowsiness. The effects of a oxygen, odor and various colors on the subjects while in a drowsy state were examined. It was found that a combination of a certain amount of oxygen and odor such as a menthol and yellow color can have a positive effect of relieving drowsiness.

In this study, We developed the CCD-EOG system using a CCD which could measure the eye movement. This system could minimize the effects by the noise, measure the exact position of the pupil, and record the eye movement.

The purpose of this study is to develope a validation method for driving simulator. Physiological responses such as EOG, ECG, and driver's behaviour were measured by using actual vehicles. The characteristics of the recognition of the acceleration by the human are investigated. These results showed that physiological responses was changed by the driving environment. Subject recognized that he drove more than real distance and turning angle.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the HRV(Heart Rate Variability) to visual and auditory stimulation. We analysed psychological effect and HRV of music, light, and music with light. The results show that HRV pattern is significantly related to the psychological effect, and HRV spectrum is useful to extract more information when various stimulation are presented.

Urinary incontinence therapy system has been developed using electric stimulation and biofeedback techniques. In the electric stimulation, bipolar current pulses with the frequency of 10-50Hz were applied to vagina muscle. To alleviate possible skin burning caused by locally focussed current silicone electrodes rather than conventional steel electrodes have been developed.

The urine analysis system implemented to measuring the primary color reaction of urinalysis strip. Fuzzy classifier based on fuzzy theory implemented so as to classify of 9 items in the urinalysis strip and proposed the automatic turning algorithm of mambership function in the fuzzy classifier to progress the reproduction of classify. To evaluation of clinical capability, the fuzzy classifier and automatic turning algorithm apples to standard strip and standard reagent.

The spectroscopic characteristic of 9 items in the urinalysis strip are measured to develop the urine analysis system. From experimental results, we determined the wavelength range which could accurately distinguish the degrees of 9 test items. Simulation is performed to distinguish the primary color reaction in the urinalysis strips using reflectance of urine strips, luminous intensity of LEDs, and spectral sensitivity of photodiodes. The simulation results agree well with experimental results by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer.

A planar-type silicon microelectrode array has been fabricated and used successfully in obtaining simultaneous multichannel recordings from peripheral nerve of invertebrates. This paper demonstrates that planar-type semiconductor electrode arrays are useful for studying traveling wave properties of action potential.

In this paper, we developed the process for depth-probe type silicon microelectrode arrays. The process consists of four mask steps only. The steps are for defining sites, windows, and for shaping probe using plasma etch from above, and for shaping using wet etch from below, respectively. The probe thickness is controlled by dry etching, not by impurity diffusion. We used gold electrodes with a triple dielectric system consisting of oxide/nitride/oxide. The shank of the probe taper from 200um to tens of urn tip and has 30 um thickness.

We have developed electrically driven portable ventilator and evaluated through in-vitro and in-vivo test. Ventilator is consists of DC servo motor(Kollmorgen), piston and ball screw, sensing system, power system with backup battery and micro controller. For the precise and stable volume control, the dynamic brake and the PI speed control loop is employed. The main functions are as followers; control, control+sigh, control/assist, control/assist+sigh and SIMV. The animal experiment showed stable performance when it is operated in control mode.

The sensing of urination level of bladder urine volume is effective for preventing the urinary incontinence which is one of the three major infirmities afflicting the elderly. In this study, we found that it is useful for manufactured ultrasonic urination sensor to measure between distance of anterior and posterior wall of bladder, as a preliminary experiment. Also, Thee was a intimate interrelation between urine volume level and interwall distance of bladder.

As the fundamental study to set up the algorithm of the X-ray dosimeter, we obtained the data using the designed X-ray input circuit and the semiconductor sensor. We measured the data of the ten time in the various kVp, mA and sec and then the obtained each data is averaged. After the data obtained under the circumstances of total 600, these data saved the database. We developed the algorithm of the X-ray dosimeter using the saved data. Later the result of this study is so important to design X-ray dosimeter.

Screw loosening and subsequent pullout can be attributed to the reduction in bone mineral density in the vertebrae manifested by osteoporosis in which the decrease in fixation strength between the cancellous bone and screw threads are accelerated by repeated loads exerted by patients own weight and activities following the surgery. In this study, the change in pullout strength of the pedicle screws was investigated before and after repeated loads were imparted. For this purpose. Diapason pedicle screws $(6.7\times40mm)$ were inserted onto fresh porcine spine specimens (T1-L5) after bone mineral density was measured using a DEXA. With an MTS, an axial load was applied at a loading rate of 0.33mm/sec until failure to measure the maximum pullout strength. Flexion moment of 7.5N-m was then imparted at 0.5Hz for 2000 cycles. It was found that the maximum pullout strength was exponentially related to BMD regardless of load types ($107.71\;\times\;\exp^{(1.43{\times}BMD)}r^2=0.93$, P<0.0001 without repeated load; ($107.71\;\times\;\exp^{(2.19{\times}BMD)}r^2=0.78$, P<0.0001 with repeated load). The results suggest that the reduction in pullout strength for pedicle screws is far more prominent in osteoporotic spine than in normal spine especially as number of repeated load was increased. More importantly, it was demonstrated that the level of bone mineral density and the activity level of the patient should be evaluated in more detail for successful implementation of pedicle screw systems in spinal surgery.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that even very small change of the cue direction in the treatment of the early osteonecrosis could affect the outcomes of operation. For this, the changes in stress transfer within the necrotic area of the femoral head were investigated under various directions and placements of the core utilizing finite element method. The loading of 3188N, which represents after-heel-strike, was imposed in cubic cosine pattern. All nodes on the most distal surface of the model were constrained in all directions. All materials included were assumed to have linear-elastic behavior. The result says that the critical stress, which causes collapse of the femoral head, was reduced when the core was oriented toward the posterior side of the femoral head regardless of location of the necrotic area. The same result was obtained either fibular bone grafting or cementation was adopted. As a consequence, the biomechanical study suggests that the core should be directed toward the loading point where the resultant force is applied to get more desirable treatment of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the early stage.

In this study, a three-dimensional geometrical parameterized finite element modeling of the lumbar spine is compared with the 3-D reconstruction model from 2-D CT image. feasibility and accuracy of the parameterized modeling method is evaluated compared with conventional 3-D reconstruction method from 2-D CT image.

In this paper, a speech processor which is the most important part of the cochlear implant is developed, to recover auditory ability for the sensorineural disorders who have damaged for their inner ear. This system consists of the analog and digital signal processing part, of which functions is the pre-processing and the main processing, respectively. The main processing is peformed in DSP processor (TMS320C31-40) by using S/W. Because the program is used in this system, it is possible to cope with the individual status of the patients, very easily.

In this paper the digital speech processing part of cochlear implant for sensorineural disorderly patients is implemented and simulated. We implement the speech processing part by dividing into three small parts - Filterbank, Pitch Detect, and Bandmapping parts. With the result, we conclude digital speech processing algorithm is implemented in FPGA perfectly. This means that cochlear implant can be made very small size.

A multi-parameter neuro muscular electrical simulator (NMES) system was developed to be used to find the optimal parameter condition in obtaining maximum muscle power and minimal fatigue. Since the performance of NMES is mainly determined by the characteristic of its output-stage circuit, we implemented 3 different circuits and compared output characteristics of them. Three amplifier circuits are; 1) a resonant switching converter, 2) a linear amplifier with a transformer, and 3) a step-up DC/DC converter with a high-voltage linear amplifier. Experimental results showed that the step up DC/DC converter with a high-voltage linear amplifier has the best performance.

The purpose of this study is to verify the biomechanical characteristics of the custom-made(our) pedicle screws which are designed the different types of shape, pitch, and profile. The results of experiments for our pedicle screw were summarized. 1) The screw of larger outer diameter showed greater holding strength. 2) The holding strength of cylindrical shaped screw was superior to that of conical shaped screw. 3) The holding strength of buttress shape of thread profile showed superior to that of V-shape. 4) The pull out and holding strength of our pedicle screws was superior to that of commercialized screw (Diapason and CD) which is widely used.

In this study, regional variation in vertebral bone density due to osteoporosis were investigated using a method that employs images from QCT. QCT images(1mm thick slices) of the first lumbar vertebra from a normal person (23/M, BMD=139.8mg/ml) and from an osteoporotic patient (54/F, BMD=82.0mg/ml) were obtained. Uniform settings (140kVp, 204mA) were used and images of 300 Hounsfield Unit or greater were selectied to filler out soft tissue interference. To assess the regional variation of the area fraction the vertebral body was divided into 3 layers and each layer contained 9 regions. Area faction was calculated based on image analysis data. Our results showed that the area fraction at the middle of the vertebra was quite lower than the endplate and peripheral regions, but the area fraction values from the osteoporotic patient were uniform throughout the entire height of the vertebral body, which indicates the significant drop of BMD had occurred near both end-plates due to the osteoporosis, especially at the peripheral regions. Our results suggest the susceptability of the vertebrae to compression fracture types in osteoporotic spine.

Recent development of digital technology has offered new possibilities for noticeable advances of hearing aids. Using the digital technology, it is possible to equip hearing aids with powerful features such as multi-channel nonlinear compression amplification and the feedback cancellation, these are often difficult to implement with analog circuits. Still, speech in noise is one of the major complaints of not only hearing impaired persons but also normal listeners. This paper describes speech intelligibility in background noise for both normal and hearing impaired listeners. Speech enhancement algorithms were implemented and compared for normal and sensorineural hearing impairment listeners.

We developed the high power telephone for hearing impaired person (HIP) who can't communicate with others by general telephone. The general telephone can't delivered enough sound for HIP to understand telephone speech. In this study, we developed the method of telephone speech amplification proper to HIP and effective howling suppression which occurred as a side effect of amplification. In our new telephone, speech sound is divieded to 3 band pass filter path, amplified respectively fit to HIP's hearing ability, and monitored howling in time domain. The result of test of our telephone showed that we can amplify the sound as much as 40dB, which is very useful to HIP, and make HIP increase the perception of telephone speech.

The automated ECG diagnostic systems that are used in hospitals have low performance of P wave detection when faced with some diseases such as conduction block. So, the aim of this study is the improvement of detection performance in conduction block which is low in P wave detection. Median QRS-T segments were subtracted from the raw data and residual in the QRS-T regions was zeroed. After band pass filtering, we applied approximated length transformation to detect P wave.

This paper is a study on compensation for error in estimation of mean pressure according to the change of arterial pressure shape. Because arterial pressure shape affects the mean pressure and blood volume which are important factors for measurement of blood pressure(BP), change of arterial pressure shape cause BP measurement error. In order to solve this problem, we add the compensation function C($\alpha$), depending on arterial pressure shape, to mathematical oscillometric model. Consequently, we could accurately estimate the blood pressure by correcting of the error using compensation function.

In this paper, we propose an algorithm to detect fetal movements using M-mode ultrasonography. To do this work automatically, we find the crosscorrelation between the current data vector of the depth direction of M-mode image and the previous one. In the crosscorrelation estimator, the variations of time lag $\tau$ at maximum crosscorrelation value means fetal movements. A woman in the 37th week of pregnancy was monitored and the ultrasonic image of fetus was recorded over 20-minute period to detect fetal movements using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography simultaneously. And the presented method was compared with maternal perception and B-mode ultrasonography observed by clinician. The maternal perception method detected only 57% of all fetal movements observed by clinician. The detection of the presented method corresponds to the clinician's detection result.

In previous study for correlation between P-wave Signal Averaged Electrocardiography (SAECG) and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) subjects, we showed that the duration of P-wave in subjects is longer than in controls. In this respect, the P-wave SAECG is a new method proving to be an accurate and independent noninvasive marker for the risk of PAF. To prove this suggestion, accurate detection and alignment of P-wave are indispensible. In previous study, we measured P-wave duration by manual. So it was not accurate and consistent. To measure the P-wave duration accurately and automatically, we have developed an automatic algorithm for P-wave duration measurement. We showed that the duration of P- wave in the subjects is longer than in controls with this algorithm.

Respiration monitoring is important in many clinical situations due to its relationship to vitality. But present commercial monitoring systems are bulky and expensive, so they are inadequate to be used for long term recording or out-patients application. We have developed a low cost, low power, handhold respiration monitoring system based on airflow measurement. Respiration flow is indirectly detected using a thermister or a themocouple sensor. Real time recording of respiration rate, abnormality detection and apnea alarming are available.

The discrete Wigner-distribution(DWD) was implemented for the time-frequency analysis of heart rate variability signals. The smoothed cross-DWD was used to estimate time-varying power spectrum. Spurious cross-terms were suppressed using a smoothing data window and a Gauss frequency window. The DWD is very easy to implement using the FFT algorithm. Experiment show that the DWD follows well the instantaneous changes of spectral content of heart rate variability signals, which characterize the dynamics of autonomic nervous system response.

A low cost, low power, portable cardiac event recorder as a tether-free biological signal processor was developed. Dual channel ECG signals are sampled at 128Hz in 12 bits resolution. Sampled data are continuously recorded in a circular buffer. If event button is pressed, 2 minutes data before and after the event are recorded in 512 Kbyte SRAM. Total 11 events can be recorded. Data can be transferred to PC through RS-232 protocol. It operates for two months by a half AA size 3.6V Lithium battery. The system size is $55\times55\times13[mm^3]$.

In this paper, we show the realtime 3D reconstruction algorithm with the sliced CT images. The preprocessing is thresholding, labeling, contouring, and extracting dominant point. we reconstruct 3D image with dominant points using dynamic matching technique. The software implemented in Visualc++ 5.0 as a window-based application program.

We report on the design of a low-noise 40 channel SQUID system for biomagnetism. We used low-noise SQUID sensor with the pickup coil integrated on the same wafer as the SQUID. The SQUID electronics were simplified by increasing the voltage output of the SQUID. The SQUID insert was designed to have low thermal load, minimizing the liquid helium loss. The digital signal processing provides versatile analysis tools and the software is based on the object-oriented programming. For the effective localization of the source location, solutions of the inverse problems based on the lead-field and the simulated anneal ins were studied.

This paper describes a multi-functional EEG (electroencephalogram) software. The software manages the patient's EEG data systematically and analyzes the signal and display the parameters on a PC monitor in real-time. Since the software provides various parameters simultaneously, user can observe patients multilaterally. Reference patterns of CSA and DSA can be captured and displayed on top of the monitor. And user can mark events of surgical operation or patient's conditions, so it is possible to jump to the points of events directly, when reviewing the recorded file afterwards. Many convenient functions are equipped and these are operated by mouse clicks.

Nonlinear energy operator(NEO) is usually used to estimate energy content of linear oscillator. We applied the modified nonlinear energy operator (MNEO) to detect R-peak of ECG and analyzed variation of R-R interval during sleep with nonlinear methods, piecewise correlation dimension and approximate entropy (ApEn) which estimate complexity of time series. ApEn applied to R-R interval reveals trends as sleep state changes.

We tested the capability of Pointwise Correlation Dimension(PD2), Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and LZ complexity, as alternative measures of a biological signal. For this purpose, we analyzed standard data and a healthy child's 24-hour heart rate variability. Our conclusion is as follows. First, PD2, ApEn and LZ complexity can be used for discerning chaotic attractor, white noise, and periodic signal. Second, these measures show different characteristics on day and night. Third, these measures can be used for detecting time-varying characteristics of biological signals.

The mucociliary system is one of the most important airway defense mechanisms, and knowledge of the ciliary beat frequency(CBF) is important in the understanding of this system. Using a laser light scattering method and fiber optic probe, we developed a simple and practical instrument for real-time in vivo measurements of CBF of cells in human nasal cavity. From the ciliated epithelium cells in an anterior end of middle terminator in nasal cavity, the signals of ciliary movement are transferred into a PC and analyzed by a autoregressive(AR) power spectrum. The mean CBF of 8 normal subjects was $7.1{\pm}1.1$(Hz). This instrument provided a convenient and reliable method of studying the mucociliary activity in the respiratory tract.

In this paper we suggested an automated method for detecting and counting rapid eye movement(REM) using EOG during sleep. This method is formulated by two step fuzzy logic. At first step, the velocity and the distance of single channel eye movement are used for the fuzzy input to get the possibility of being REM at each EOG. At second step, the two possibility values of both EOG from the first step and the correlation coefficient of both eye movements are used for the fuzzy logic input, and the output is the final possibility of being Rapid Eye Movement. We applied this algorithm to the normal and narcoleptic sleep data and compared the difference. We found the possibility that the count of REM can be a parameter that has significant physiological meanings.

ECG analysis is main techniques for diagnosing heart disease. In recent, some studies have been performed about detection of QT interval. But, it's difficult to detect QT interval because T wave is evasive. In this paper, we have detected peak point and end point of T wave and calculated QT interval. And the result has been compared with the other algorithm after detection of QT interval.

In this paper, we present the detection algorithm of interictal epileptic waveform using LVQ network and wavelet transform. First wavelet coefficients is used to represent the characteristics of a single channel EEG wave, and make a number of neural network input node smaller. Then, three-layer neural network employing LVQ network is trained and tested using parameters obtained from the first stage. This study showed that preprocessed EEG data can be successfully used to train ANNs to detect epileptogenic discharges with a high success.

Classification of extracellularly recorded action potential into each unit is an important procedure for further analysis of spike trains as point process. We utilize feedforward neural network structures, multilayer perceptron and radial basis function network to implement spike classifier. For the efficient training of classifiers, nonlinear energy operator that can trace the instantaneous frequency as well as the amplitude of the input signal is used. Trained classifiers shows successful operation, up to 90% correct classification was possible under 1.2 of signal-to-noise ratio.

Noise characteristics of preamplifier, the most essential part of on-chip signal processing circuitry for the active semiconductor neural probe, is the important factor determining the overall signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). We present a systematic design method for the optimization of SNR, based on the spectral characteristics of the electrode, circuit noise and extracelluar action potential. Analytical expression is derived to calculate total output noise power. Output SNR of 2-stage CMOS preamplifier is tailored to meet the given specification while the layout area is minimized.

In this experiment, we developed a mind switching device which uses $\alpha$-wave with its amplitude varying between the eye-open and closed states. If the subject closes eyes, the switch toggles with a small delay. The circuit consists of an amplifier, a filter and a switch. An instrument amplifier is used fur high CMRR and for high input impedance. An 8th order Butterworth filter was able to reduce noise satisfactorily. The signal is then converted to a DC level, and finally a Schmitt trigger was used to generate a switching pulse.

The important role of the ultrasonic Doppler system in the modem clinical medicine is to provide the clinical information of the vascular system. The ultrasonic pulsed wave(PW) Doppler system, a kind of the ultrasound Doppler system, is more available than the ultrasonic continuous wave(CW) Doppler system because it can evaluate the velocity and the direction of blood flow as well as the depth of vessel. However, the ultrasonic PW Doppler system has the disadvantage that the range of evaluating velocity of blood flow is limited(Nyquist limit). In order to solve this limit, we propose the algorithm for eliminating this aliasing in this paper. In addition, we propose the efficient signal processing algorithm.

The ultrasonic imaging systems using synthetic aperture beamforming has been formed in the way that one element transmits and then receives a pulse. Because the amplitude of a pulse from one element is too small to propagate a long distance, the SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio)is low. This paper proposes the method to make a circular wave almost equal to one generated by one element using several elements. The amplitude of the wave made up of several elements is much larger than that of one element. And we can improve the SNR.

We propose a new digital beamforming algorithm using an interpolation filter in ultrasonic imaging systems. We compared the performances of the proposed algorithm to those of the conventional digital bemforming algorisms, post-beamformer and phase rotation beamformer, by a computer simulation and experiments. The results show that the proposed algorithm has better performance than the others.

Although a single-element synthetic aperture system can produce high-resolution beam profile, it is not a highly practical system because of its low signal to noise ratio against conventional system's. A multi-element synthetic aperture processing has been proposed with defocusing in this paper. A multi element subaperture defocused to emulate a single element spatial response with high acoustic power. The results have higher signal to noise and better contrast resolution than conventional synthetic aperture method.

RGDF immobilized micro-patterned surface was developed to detect the functional state of platelets. Using photolithographic technology, an RGDF micro-patterned surface was prepared on silicon wafer. Platelet adhesion to this surface was observed by fluorescence microscopy after staining platelets with mepacrine. Nonactivated platelets pretreated with $PGE_1$ interacted incompletely with the RGDF micro-patterned surface, whereas activated platelets treated with ADP interacted with the surface extensively. These results show that the distinct selectivity of an RGDF-immobilized micro-patterned surface can be used to detect the functional state of platelets.

치과용 복합레진으로 사용하기 위해서 새로운 다관능성 메타크릴레이트 유도체를 합성하였으며, 이 유도체와 기존의 Bis-GMA를 혼합하여 새로운 복합레진을 만들었다. 제조된 복합레진의 물리적 물성 및 생체친화성은 기존의 Bis-GMA control보다도 더 우수하였다.

Lumbrokinase, potent fibrinolytic enzyme purified from earthworm, was immobilized onto polyurethane valves using photoreaction, photoreactive polyallyl-amino as a photoreactive linker. For evaluation of blood compatibility, lumbrokinase immobilized polymer valves were assembled into the total artificial heart (TAH). This TAH was implanted to 60kg healthy lamb for 1-3 days with the cardiac output 5 L/min. In the control lamb, the valves were untreated, in ore other, only valves on the right were treated, and in the remaining animal, only those on the left. To facilitate the thrombus formation, low doses of heparin were administered. For evaluation of the immobilized lumbrokinase, thrombus formation, proteolytic and fibrinolytic activity was measured. This data shows that lumbrokinase-treated polyurethane valves lead to decreased thrombus formation in vivo, and that their biocompatibility is therefore higher than that of untreated valves.

Triblock copolymers from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and D,L-lactide or $\varepsilon$-carprolactone were synthesized to prepare semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) with chitosan by U.V. irradiation method. Then, solute permeation through these semi-IPNs hydrogels were investigated. The structures of semi-IPNs were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and wide angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD). Equilibrium water content (EWC) of these hydrogels was in the range of 67-75%. The crystallinity, thermal properties and mechanical properties of semi-IPNs hydrogels were studied. All the hydrogels revealed a remarkable decrease in crystallinity as compared with PEG macromer itself. The tensile strengths of semi-IPNs hydrogels in dry state were rather high, but those of hydrogels in wet state decreased drastically. The permeabilities of solutes of hydrogels followed the swelling behaviors and were regulated by solute size.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the precipitation of calcium phosphate on titanium surface was affected by surface modification. To improve the bone conductivity, of titanium, samples were devided into 4 groups. Group 1 was immersed in 5M-NaOH solution at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. Group 2 was immersed in 5M-NaOH solution at $60^{\circ}C $ for 24 hours and heat-treated at $600^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. Group 3 was anodized in Hanks' solution at 1V, $25^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. Group 4 was anodized in Hanks' solution at 5V, $80^{\circ}C$ for 5 minutes. And then, all specimens were immersed in the MEM Eagle's medium whose composition was similar to that of extracellular fluid for 30 days. The precipitation of the calcium phosphate on implant surface was increased by the immersion in the NaOH solution, and more highly accelerated by heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$. The precipitation of the calcium phosphate on titanium implant was increased with the treatment of the anodic oxidation in Hanks' solution at 5V, $80^{\circ}C$.

The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of a permeability and blood compatibility for silicone/polypropylene combined membrane. Despite the overall good performances of polypropylene membrane, its long-lasting usage for artificial lung has been limited by serum leakage. In order to overcome this problem, we have newly fabricated polydimethylsiloxane(silicone)/polypropylene combined membrane(SPCM). SPCM has been proved to be serum leakage free in hours experimental. It has shown good long-lasting gas transfer and durability features.

The purpose of this paper is to develop diaphragm type pneumatic Left Ventricular Assist Device(LVAD) for clinical application and to evaluate its performance through the mock circulation and animal experiment. The blood housing and diaphragm are made by polyurethane. The relations of cardiac output us. beat rate and cardiac output vs. systolic-to-diastolic rate was estimated through the mock test and hemodynamic waves are recorded for the evaluation of VAD. We performed animal experiment and 4 animals survived more than 24hrs. As a result, the hemodynamic data and waves showed this system can be applicable to the animal experiment.

The kinetics of sulfite oxidation must be fast and the concentration of sulfite must be low to emulate oxygen uptake by blood. The kinetics were studied yielding a first order rate constant in sulfile, zero order in oxygen. Limitations of the technique were evaluated using the experimental rate constant and an adaptation of Lightfoot's approximation, while the reaction of hemoglobin is reversible and essentially instantaneous, that for sulfite is irreversible and finite. Thus if the approach to saturations not monotonic or if the mass transfer resistance is significantly lowered, e. g. when blood film thicknesses are thinner than a few hundred microns, deviations may occur.

DTET(Dual Transcutaneous Energy Transmission System) is the stable power transferring unit for TAH(Total Artificial Heart) which uses more power than any other artificial organ. It has better efficiency and safety than an ordinary single TET. By reducing the load, it can reduce the change of supplying current for each single TET and it causes the lower change of efficiency. The increment of magnetic flux in coils enables delivering power through thick skin. It can enable internal batteries remove when will be used in a failure of TET, for a lithium ion battery has heavier weight than TET. A DTET should be studied the effect between each coils that generate magnetic flux. It should be compared the advantage with the weakness when it is used.

For the aritificial heart valve, two types of valves-polymer and mechanical valve- are generally used. The polymer valve is used as a new low-cost artificial valve. Among the several properties of the artificial valve, the low-regurgitation property is important because it can provide better cardiac output characteristic. So in this study we analyzed and compared the regurgitation property of the mechanical valve which is generally used nowdays and the polymer valve which was made in our group. As results, the polymer valve showed the better regurgitation property compared to the mechanical valve approximately by 3 times, and increased the cardiac output by 10%.

The second telemetry is designed for supplying additional function which the first telemetry system doesn't have and as a part system of the External Management System (EMS). It makes a patient and an animal move more freely with wireless communication at a distance of free activity from the PC and can get most data from the first telemetry to send to the PC. Recently, our laboratory is developing a RF system for the second telemetry.

AMB(Active Magnetic Bearing) systems are popularly used in various areas. In biomedical engineering applications it is a key part of magnetically suspended rotary blood pumps. The special advantage of AMBs is that they enable the rotor to revolve with no physical contact and provide rotary blood pumps with better performances such as low hemolysis level. Fundamentally, AMB systems consist of three parts, proximity sensors for distance detection, microprocessor for control algorithm and power amplifiers for actuating electromagnets. We have developed an inductive type proximity sensor with satisfactory characteristics that can be used in AMB systems. Frequency response was flat at least up to 10 kHz and sensitivity, resolution$(>5{\mu}m)$ and sensing range(<5mm) of the sensor could be adjustable for various purposes. The characteristics of the completed model showed to have satisfactory behaviors compared with the commercially available ones that already appeared to have reliable behaviors in AMB systems.

The effect of unattached valve leaflet on flow field downstream of a floating and flapping polyurethane heart valve prosthesis was investigated. With a triggering system and a time-delay circuit the instantaneous velocity field downstream of the valve was measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) in conjunction with the opening posture of a flexible valve leaflet during a cardiac cycle. Reynolds shear stress distribution was calculated from the velocity fields and wall shear stress was directly measured by hot-film anemometry (HFA). The floating motion of the valve leaflet resulted in the reduction of pressure drop and recirculating flow region downstream of the valve.

In this study, we modeled moving-actuator type Total Artificial Heart (TAH) with cardiovascular system as a form of electric circuit. The bronchial circulation, important for the imbalance between the left cardiac output and the right one, was considered and added to the model. In the model, the relations of hemodynamic variables, just as blood pressures, volumes, or flow rates of each part of body, can be expressed as simultaneous first order ordinary differential equations. To solve the equations by the numerical analysis, Runge-Kutta forth order approximation method was adopted. The simulation software (SimTAH), implemented in C++ as a window-based application program, was developed to display the hemodynamic variables and to receive control inputs from users. SimTAH was evaluated by comparison of the simulation results with the results of mock-circulation tests, in vitro.

Most of Electroencephalography(EEG) systems currently being used in hospitals don't support a standardized communication protocol for the exchange of orders, data and results. ASTM: E1467 protocol was proposed to expedite the EEG data exchange between different EEG systems and eventually between hospitals. In this paper, we present an Electroencephalography Information System using ASTM: E1467 protocol, with which patient registration, orders, interpretation, and review can be performed electronically. The system is designed using a component-based methodology. Most of the components are written in Visual C++ and Visual Basic. JAVA is also used to implement some components.

The standardization of the dental chart proposed to computerization of the dental hospital information. To objective standardization, we gathered the dental chart from four university hospital(seoul, yonsei, kyunghee, pusan) and held a conference with dental physicians. From gathered charts, we classified the common and non-common items. We proposed the standardization to choose the most of the common items and necessary non-common things. The proposed chart include those items and the new things which the dental physicians want. After this paper, we will hold a conference with more dental physicians about more data to make more useful proposal.

In this paper, we propose the multi-axial classification system using parallel coding method that is systemic and flexible properties for representing dental clinical behavior. The methodology and organization of this thesis as follows. First, an analysis of other classification systems. Second, the domain of medical behavior and axises using selected elements was were determined. Third, the new code system is constructed of these common factors in properties of prediction of hierarchy, brevity, simplicity, flexibility and mnemonic usage. Finally, the framework of classification system for dental was made using multi-axial code system. The result of the this study, the eight bases axis of multi-axial code system is composed and can be basic information of research for construction of classification system of all medical domain.

To reveal the interconnected brain regions involved in human working memory, their functional connectivity was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). rCBF PET scans were peformed on 5 normal volunteers during the verbal and visual working memory tasks and PCA was applied. PCA produced the first principal components related with the increase of the difficulty and the second one which demonstrate the dissociation of verbal and visual memory system.

In this paper, we present a 3D visualization method of medical image on PC. Using morphological method, we used to segment 2D medical images (X-ray CT, MRI). Presented method is treating in some detail two operations : dilation and erosion. Also known as an isosurface, using a constant density surface make a target organ in 3D. In the whole procedure for visualization. The medical images are implemented by using Visual C++ 5.0 in activeX and IDL(interactive data language) under PC environment.

The purpose of this study is to develop 2D brachy-therapy plannig system using Visual C++ on the IBM PC. The method of Semi-orthogonal Localization was used and dose calculation is based on point dose computation model. The GUI of this planning system was designed for user's convenience and the dose distribution of Cs137 brachy-therapy is demonstrated.

In this paper, we present the result of feature points recognition and classification of radial pulse by the shape of pulse wave. And we analyze radial pulse in frequency domain. The recognition algorithm use the method which runs in parallel with both the data of ECG and differential pulse simultaneously to recognize the feature points. Also fie specified 3-time elements of pulse wave as main parameters for diagnosis and measured them by execution of algorithm, then we classify the shape of radial pulse by existence and position of feature points. lastly we execute frequency analysis on the feature points and get the power spectrum of radial pulse.

This paper describes a depth extraction algorithm in the stereo endoscopic images using adaptive window. First, The relation between the 3D coordinates in the world and the 2D coordinates in the image plane is estimated using camera calibration. Next, stereo matching is performed to find the conjugate pairs in the left and right images. To improve the precision of the matching result, adaptive window which can be varied on the shape as well as on the size according to the area characteristics is used. Finally, the result from the stereo matching and that of camera modeling are combined to extract the real depth information.

In this paper, we analysis 3 types of magnetic resonance image for determining whether brain infarction period is hyperacute or not. If its peirod is hyperacute, we can predict brain infarction transition direction. We use EPI(Echo Planar Image) for prediction of brain infarction transition direction. EPI is a good image for detecting brain infarction because EPI can detect the moving of water in brain which play an important role in deciding method of medical treatment. We utilize characteristics of 3 type of MRI and their relation in brain infarction patient for determining brain infarction period. By this method, we obtain each period characteristics and predict brain infarction transition direction more accurately comparing past method.

Image-guided surgery (IGS) system has become well known in the field of neurosurgery and spine surgery. A patient's anatomy is first registered to preoperatively acquired CT/ MRI data using the point matching algorithm. A magnetic field digitizer was used to measure the physical space data and the system was based on Workstation of Unix system. To evaluate the spatial accuracy of interactive IGS system, the phantom consisting of rods varied height and known location was used. The RMS error value between CT/MR images and real location was 3-4mm. For the more convenience of the surgery, we provide various image display modules.

Contrast-enhanced CT has an important role in the assessment of liver lesions. However, the optimal protocol to get most effective result is not clear. The main principle for deciding injection protocol is to optimize lesion detectability by rapid scanning when lesion-to-liver contrast is maximum. For this purpose, we developed a physiological model of contrast medium enhancement based on the compartment modeling and pharmacokinetics. Blood supply to liver was modeled in two paths. This dual supply character distinguishes the CT enhancement of liver from that of the other organs. The first path is by hepatic artery and the second is by portal vein. It is assumed that only hepatic artery can supply blood to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compartment. It is known that this causes the difference of contrast enhancement between normal liver tissue and hepatic tumor. By solving differential equations for each compartment simultaneously using computer program Matlab, CT contrast-enhancement curves were simulated. Simulated enhancement curves for aortic, hepatic, portal vein, and HCC compartments were compared with mean enhancement curves from 24 patients exposed to the same protocols as simulation. These enhancement curves were in a good agreement. Furthermore, we simulated lesion-to-liver curves for various injection protocols, and analyzed the effects. These may help to optimize the scanning protocols for good diagnosis.

We construct a volume whose boundary is a tetrahedron with triangular faces intersecting the cutting planes along the given contours. This volume is obtained by calculating the Delaunay triangulation slice by slice, mapping 2D to 3D as tetrahedron. Also, eliminate extra-voronoi skeleton and non-solid tetrahedron. In this paper, we propose new method to eliminate non-solid tetrahedron based on the modified extra-voronoi skeleton path. This method enable us to do a compact tetrahedrisation and to reconstruct complex shapes.

In this paper, we present the software on the development of the computerized imaging system for diagnosis and treatment plannig of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Soft tissue changes followed by orthognathic surgery mainly depends on surgical movements of hard tissue. Then, the stepwise multiple regression method was used to investigate the soft tissue changes followed by hard tissue changes. As a result of this research, we were able to develop a system which diagnoses automatic X-ray images and predicts soft tissue changes after othognathic surgery.

CT/MRI images were frequently taken to evaluate the anatomic structure and disease status, and to plan the treatment modality for oral and maxillofacial surgery. However, surgeons have many difficulties in reading and understanding 2D images without long time experiences. This study presents the method of 3D reconstruction with fine CT slices and its clinical application. We applied this method a clinical patient with oral and maxillofacial trauma and produced 3D reconstructed model which shows the fracture line in panfacial area and bone defect.

A new algorithm is developed that can reduce the metal artifact on CT caused by pedicle screws. Metal artifact has been recognized as a major problem in precise reading of CT images. In particular, spine surgeons have been bothered with the artifact appearing on CT taken after pedicle screw insertion. To reduce the artifact, our new algorithm first finds the center line from CT images, and then overlays an exact size screw image on the CT. The exact screw is obtained from an actual design specifications of screw, and the CT images are processed to maximize bone margins while minimizing screw images through adjusting the window width and level. 실험 결과 단순한 Window W/L 조절로는 해결되지 않는군요. This algorithm provides spine surgeons with more accurate CT images and thus better interpretation of CT to ascertain the success or failure of pedicle screw insertion.

Recently, there has been growing interest in the assessment of physiological parameters on brain perfusion that provide more information than pure morphologic diagnosis. Quantification of parameters that characterize cerebral micro-circulation with magnetic resonance imaging is of great relevance for clinical application. We determine the local tissue concentration by exponential relationship between the relative signal reduction S(t)/$S_0$ and local tissue concentration of contrast material $C_m(t)$ in dynamic susceptibility contrast enhanced MR imaging. And then we made relative regional blood volume map by calculating the area under the measured concentration-time curves $C_m(t)$ during first pass of paramagnetic contrast material as a preliminary step for perfusion map. These images make it possible to compare the rCBV in different brain regions in one individual at a time. We have it in contemplation to obtain arterial and brain signal time curves simultaneously to make absolute rCBV and perfusion (rCBF) map. These maps may provide the method of comparative investigations of different patients having strong variation in AIF.

The Virtual Reality Technology makes you feel like you are in the situation which has been made up by using the information inputted through the device which is connected with the body part. If the image which is taken from CT, MRI is reorganized in 3D, it can present the shape of the human organ more clearly. So It is more likely to be used in the operation which needs the diversified examination about mutual relation with each part in a place of 3D or confirmation of the planed information. We developed the Technology which can reorganize the image from the CT into the 3D data and represent the 3D movement of the finger according to the hand.

Virtual Brain-endoscopy is an effective method to detect lesion in brain. Brain is the most part of the human and is not easy part to operate so that reconstructing in 3D may be very helpful to doctors. In this paper, it is suggested that to increase the reliability, method of matching 3D object with the 2D CT slice. 3D Brain-endoscopy is reconstructed with 35 slices of 2D CT images. There is a plate in 3D brain-endoscopy so as to drag upward or downward to match the relevant 2D CT image. Relevant CT image guides the user to recognize the exact part he or she is investigating. VRML Script is used to make the change in images and PlaneSensor node is used to transmit the y coordinate value with the CT image. The result is test on the PC which has the following spec. 400MHz Clock-speed, 512MB ram, and FireGL 3000 3D accelerator is set up. The VRML file size is 3.83MB. There was no delay in controlling the 3D world and no collision in changing the CT images. This brain-endoscopy can be also put to practical use on medical education through internet.

The virtual surgery of Artificial Heart has focused on the simple fitting trial. But, as the processes of heart surgery being complex and detail, the requests of virtual surgery become more complex. One of the complex requests is volume editing. It may contain various editing functions: 3-dimensional cutting, registration, merging, splitting, inserting, deleting, translation and deformation. We have designed and implemented 3-dimensional volume editor that can be operated in Windows NT platform. With the results of this research, we can get convenient tools for the total virtual surgery system.

Purpose To investigate the difference of total activation in visual area, motor area, and cerebellum according to the stimulation paradigm. Materials and Methods Functional MR imaging was performed in 5 healthy volunteers with visual and motor activity using EPI technique. LED and Checker-Board stimulation were performed for visual activity. Thumb motion and Finger tapping were performed for motor and cerebellum activity. Time course data was obtained by calculating the total activation which was defined as the number of activated pixels x averaged pixel intensity. Results In the case of visual activity with LED stimulation, we found increased total activity of more than 100% compared with Checker-Board stimulation. In the case of motor area and cerebellum with Finger tapping stimulation, we found increased total activity of more than 100% and 150%, respectively compared with Thumb motion stimulation.

The purpose of the study was aimed to evaluate the BOLD contrast fMRI in occipital lobe and compare this imaging with metabolite changes based on $^1H$ MRS and MRSI before and after visual stimulation. As a result, the activation map were sucessfully produced by thresholding with minimum cross-correlate value of 0.45. In MRS, NAA/Cr ratio is almost same. however, latate was elevated almost 9 times higher than before activation. Lactate metabolic images were consistent with the BOLD effect map. The BOLD contrast fMRI is not enough to detect the activation area in human brain. so, the other modality was required such as lactate metabolic map.

In this paper, the electric properties of amorphous selenium specimen has been investigated. Amorphous selenium was thermally evaporated on the glass plate which had been deposited onto the interface by aluminium as an electrode. On the surface of the amorphous selenium, the aluminium electrode was deposited again in order to make an unit cell for dark current measurement. The dark current was measured while applying the bias voltage across the selenium layer in the range of 0V-2500 Volts. The leakage property of the amorphous selenium was significantly low at even high voltage range so it has good advantage as a X-ray receptor for digital radiography. For further study, the C-V curves measurement according to thicker amorphous selenium layer.

With xeroradiography appearance, DR (Digital Radiography) system have been studying for X-ray detection using photoreceptor. Also detection method for receptor charge change have been developing variably. We use photoreceptor material of a-Se(Amorphous Selenium) with high DQE, high SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) and high transformation efficiency of X-ray signals into electrical signals. After a-Se receptor is uniformly charged by using Arc discharge, X-ray is exposed. Then a-Se receptor produce subtle charge variation and MOSFET detect charge variations. The detected signal pass A/D converter and signal processing by PC. As results, the initial voltage is 8V. It has wide dynamic range needed digital radiography system. In this study, we obtained data with changing kVp(tube potential voltage) and fixed 8mAs(tube current by exposure time) in X-ray system. However MOSFET detector for X-ray signal is not tested X-ray mAs variations. But if MOSFET detector is tested X-ray mAs variation and exactly calibrated multichannel is made and noise-reduction is done, suitable DR system readout method will be done.

Prototype portal imaging device (EPID) based on CCD camera, which has a $20\times20cm^2$ field of view (FOV), has been developed and then tested by acquiring phantom images for 6 MV x-ray beam. While, among the captured images, each frame suffered notorious quantum noise, the frame averaging largely enhanced the image quality against quantum noise. Over 60 frames averaging, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was increased by $\sim20$ times and contrast was increased about 2 times in the skull-region of the acquired head-phantom image.

Recently the development of medical modality like as MRI, 3D US, DR etc is very active. Therefore it is more required not only the enhancement of quality in medical service but the improvement of medical system based on quantization, minimization, and optimization of high speed. Especially, as the changing into the digital modality system, it gets to start using ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) to realize one board system. It requires the implementation of hardware debugging and effective speedy algorithm with more speed and accuracy in order to support and replace existing device. If objected image could be linked to high speed process board with special interface and pre-processed using FPGA, it can be used in real time image processing and protocol of HIS(Hospital Information System). This study can support the basic circuit design of medical image board which is able to realize image processing basically using digitalized medical image, and to interface between existing device and image board containing image processing algorithm.

A quadrature RF coil has been developed for 0.3 Tesla permanent MRI systems. The quadrature RF coil is composed of a solenoid coil and a saddle shaped coil. To minimize the coupling ratio between the two coils, each coil is serially connected to a small extra loop. and the small loops are magnetically coupled to each other. By deliberately adjusting relative positions of the small loops, we have decreased the coupling ratio up to -30dB.

We investigated the effects of scintillation crystal surface treatment on gamma camera imaging. The NaI(Tl) and CsI(Tl) (20 mm (dia.) $\times10mm$ (thick) plate) scintillators were chosen for this study. Two different surface treatments, white and black reflectors, were applied to NaI(Tl) and CsI(Tl). The optical properties of generated scintillation light were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation and postion sensitive photo multiplier tube (PSPMT). We measured sensitivity, energy resolution and spatial resolution of a gamma camera system with the scintillators coupled to a PSPMT. Based on the results, we concluded that the careful consideration of surface treatments of the scintillator was necessary in order to develop the gamma camera having good sensitivity and spatial resolution.

In this paper, we infer the onset of the brain infarction from the MR image using evaluate signal intensities on diffusion weighted and turbo spin echo T2-weighted and FLAIR images. Infarcts were divided into four stages (hyperacute, acute, subacute, chronic) depending on period of onset. DWI is useful for the detection of early ischemic infarct, and stages of ischemic infarctions can be estimated by evaluating CR(conspicuity ratio) and CNR(contrast to noise ratio) on DW, T2, FLAIR images Hyperacute infarcts were visualized DWI. Acute infarcts were visualialized both DWI and T2 Weighted image.

In this paper, we describe a field measurement technique using multiple gradient echo method. For this purpose, 3 differential phase map is used between two images obtained in a single scan. The phase map is further processed to unfold phase folding (2n $\pi$). The inhomogeneity map is used to correct image distortion along readout gradient direction. Some experimental results obtained at 1.0 Tesla whole body MR system are shown with the proposed technique.

Visual observation and subjective assessments lack the objective evaluation of laser therapy effects of the epidermal pigmented lesions. In this study, we proposed the two methods; One is CIE(Commission International d'Eclairage) $L^*,\;a^*,\;b^*$ coordinate system($L^*$ : brightness, $a^*$ : red(+) $\sim$green(-) content, $b^*$ : yellow(+) $\sim$blue(-) content), and the other is the relative color difference measurement. And we applied these two methods for quantitative evaluation of the laser therapy effects.

It is an important issue that cavitation is always deal with shock wave. During operation with ESWL(Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotriptor), the cavitation bubbles are generated at the focal region. This phenomenon is an important problem because the cavitation bubbles have a harmful effect on the disintegration ability and the human body. In this paper, therefore, we investigate the relation between the cavitation and the radiated sound due to the ESWL.

An intelligent developer replenish system was developed for automatic film processor. The system detects the gray level of a developed film and determines the amount of the developer to be added to the system. Using the film darkness detection system, it was found that the film darkness is inversely proportional to the amount of light exposure, that the developer retrograde after developing certain number of films without replenishment and the number is dependent upon the parts of the body, and that the developer does not retrograde when 30 ml of developer is added after each chest film processing. The use of this system resulted in a decrease in the amount of developer by 40%.

The purpose of this study is a potentiality examination of an infrared camera system for the 3D navigator which can be used in the field of neurosurgery. Nowadays, CAS(computer aided surgery) technique using 3D navigator is rapidly spread into the neurosurgeric operation such as brain and spine surgery. Several techniques which can detect 3D position of a probe have been proposed. These include mechnical arm, magnetic field, optical and ultrasonic sensing methods. In this study, we decided that using optical sensing method and tested a conventional CCD camera with a infrared filter and LEDs. Pulnix TM-300 camra has sufficient spectral response in the range of near infrared. Acquired image of infrared LEDs also sufficient quality.

The purpose of this study is to design and develop the circuit of the dual mode syringe pump. Syringe pump is used in intensive care unit, delivery room, pediatric room, operating theater and other fields of hospital at present. Normally the syringe pump delivers one medicine in one case, but in case of intensive care unit, it is necessary to deliver more than two kinds of medicines at a time. Therefore we have designed dual mode syringe pump. We used RISC type microcontroller, PIC17C44 as master controller, and PIC16C73 as slave cpu using for the low power consumption. The performance of system is evaluated by analysis of the linearity and accuracy which is the most important factors in application. While the proposed system shows a acceptable linearity and accuracy, a further research about reducing the errorr should be done.

We have developed algorithm for calculating tumor dose from transmission dose in radiation therapy. Using data acquisition card and LabVIEW programming language, we acquired the signal from 9 ion chambers, processed and displayed it in real time. And we also developed GUI(Graphic User Interface) for system operation.

In this paper, a medical images retrieval method using feature extraction based on wavelet transform is proposed. We used energy of coefficients which is represented by wavelet transform. The proposed retrieval algorithm is comprised of the two retrieval. At first, we make a energy map for wavelet coefficient of a query image and then compare is to one of db image. And then we use an edge information of the query image to retrieve the images selected at the first retrieval once more. Consequently some retrieved images are displayed on screen.