In last few decades, medical imaging techniques have been developed startling progress. Especially in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), many imaging techniques such as chemical shift imaging, flow imaging, diffusion and perfusion imaging, fast imaging, susceptibility imaging and functional imaging have been studied and many of them were well known as useful diagnostic instruments. In this paper, recently developing techniques, i.e., NMR microscopy, fringe field imaging and functional imaging will be presented.

심장과 혈관의 고해상도 영상을 얻어 심질환에 관한 정보를 얻는데는 혈관조영기(Angiograph)가 가장 유용하게 사용되고 있다. 본 연구는 혈관조영기의 정량분석을 위한 영상 알고리즘을 구현하였다. 심장의 수축 이완에 따른 심벽의 부위별 움직임과 심장 체적 변화를 측정 수치화하고 혈관을 따라가면서 혈관의 두께를 기록하는 프로그램을 작성하였다. 영상획득과정에서 생기는 잡음과 위치오차를 없애는 전처리를 거친 후에 구조적 형태 인식법(Structural Pattern Recognition)으로 인식 알고리즘을 구현하였다. 14장의 심장의 수축이완 연속사진과 2장의 관상동맥 혈관조영사진을 분석한 결과 비교적 정확한 측정을 해내는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다.

A new algorithm using a measure for edge detection from ultrasonic image is proposed. Ultrasonic image is blurred by pre-processing for removing speckle noises and precise edge placement is not clear. Because extracted edge from blurred image is thick, a measure utilizing the absolute difference of mean between two windows is used to thin the thickness of extracted edge in blurred image. The algorithm is effective to process blurred image due to the noise filtering that remove speckle noises. Results of the proposed algorithm using a measure show good edge detection performance comparing with other gradient edge operators.

Intravascular ultrasound images of coranary artery contain very important informations on heart disease. The intimal contours on the image show informations and data to examine intravascular problems of patients. A new computation algorithm to detect the intimal and adventitial contours from the intravascular images was developed. An Image processing on gray level image was used. It uses arrays of pixels in each radial lines on the images. A "Robert" filter was adopted at first step for one dimensional image processing. Some other calculation techniques were developed to inclose the accuracy of automatically detected contours. The standard contour data to compare with automatically detected contour data were obtained through manually tracing by experienced cardiological medical doctors. The result of the new algorithm shows high accuracy of 80 % matching with the standard contour data.

An automatic multiframe procedure for tracking signalized points on multiple, differently moving discontinuous surface is described. The position of markers which attached on human body give us some important information such as velocity, acceleration, angular velocity and angular acceleration, etc, of the rigid objects. Generally, the detected objects occufying some area in images rather than a point because of the generic size of the marks or the smeared effects of the camera. To solve the problem we used a modified clustering algorithm.

본 논문은 반복 수축 변환의 프랙탈(fractal) 이론에 근거한 심전도 데이터 압축에 관한 연구이다. 심전도 데이터에 반복 함수계(Iterated Function System : IFS) 모델을 적용하여 신호 자체의 자기 유사성(self-similarity)을 반복 수축 변환으로 표현하고, 그 매개변수만을 저장한다. 재구성시는 변환 매개변수를 반복 적용하여 원래의 신호에 근사되어지는 값을 얻게 된다. 심전도 데이타는 부분적으로 자기 유사성을 갖는다고 보고, 부분 자기-유사 프랙탈 모델(piecewise self-affine fractal model)로 표현될 수 있다. 이 모델은 신호를 특정 구간들로 나누어 각 구간들에 대해 최적 프랙탈 보간(fractal interpolation)을 구하고 그 중 오차가 가장 작은 매개변수만을 추출하여 저장한다. 이 방법을 심전도 데이타에 적용한 결과 특정 압축율에 대해 아주 적은 재생오차 (percent root-mean-square difference : PRD)를 얻을 수 있었다.

We have developed a biological signal measurement, archiving, and communication system (SiMACS). The front end of the system is the intelligent data processing unit (IDPU) which includes ECG, EEG, EMG, blood pressure, respiration, temperature measurement modules, module control and data acquisition unit, real-time display and signal processing unit. IDPUS are connected to central data base unit through LAN(Ethernet). Workstations which receive signals from central DB and provide various signal analysis tools are also connected to the network. The developed PC-based SiMACS is described.

We have developed biological signal measurement modules and data acquisition and control card for a biological signal measurement, archiving, and communication system (SiMACS). Biological signals included in this system are ECG, EEG, EMG, invasive blood pressure, respiration, and temperature. Parameters of each module can be controlled by PC-base IDPU (intelligent data processing unit) through a data acquisition and control card. The data acquisition and control card can collect up to 16 channels of biological signals with sampling rate of $50\;{\sim}\;2,000Hz$ and 12-bit resolution. All measurement moduls and data acquisition functions are controlled by microcontroller which receives commands from PC. All data transfers among PC, microcontroller, and ADC are done through a shared RAM access by polling method for real rime operation.

In this paper, we present the software part of the intelligent data processing unit (IDPU), which plays an important role in SiMACS. The software system processes ECG, EEG, EMG, blood pressure, respiration, temperature signals, and extracts some information about patient conditions. It displays the patient condition information and the signal data synchronously, and manages them together with other patient personal data in a network-based client/server environment. The software system is designed in an object-oriented paradigm, and implemented in C++ as a window-based application program.

In this paper, we present a signal analysis workstation in which the user can scrutinize and quantify biological signals, observe the effects of various signal processing algorithms on them, and eventually get some interpretation of clinical use. Within the system, the user can also access all the information in the central data base, such as patient personal information, biological signal information, and insert his interpretation results obtained into the data base after his careful observation. The software system is designed in an object-oriented paradigm, and written in C++ as a window-based application program.

시각자극에 의해 머리표면에서 발생하는 Transient Evoked Potential을 검출하여 Source Tracing Method를 이용하여 뇌의 시각인지영역을 추정하였다. 본 과정에서 TEP검출방식은 average method를 이용하였고, 신경흥분에 대한 물리적 모델로 Single Current Dipole Model을 이용하고, 머리기하에 대한 3중구각모델을 이용하여 Forward Problem을 풀었다. Inverse Problem은 current dipole의 6개의 parameter에 대한 Least Square Error Method를 이용하여 신경흥분의 위치를 추정하였다. 이러한 결과와 생리학적으로 밝혀진 시각경로와의 비교결과 유사성이 확인되었다.

1Hz에서 20Hz까지의 단속 주파수를 지닌 청각자극을 가해 얻은 EEG신호에서 자극에 따른 신호의 정성적이고 정량적인 특성을 카오스 분석방법을 통해 밝혔다. 먼저, 뇌전위 신호에 전반적으로 나타나는 일반적인 카오스 특징(fractal mechanism, 1/f frequency spectrum, positive lyapunov exponent등등)이 확인되어졌다. 유발전위에 대해서는 자극의 주파수에 따른 주기 배증을 경유한 카오스로 가는 길(route to chaos)과 2차원 pseudo-phase portrait의 뿌앙까레 단면에서의 기하학적 모양(topological property)의 변화가 관찰되어졌고, 자발전위가 포함된 유발전위에 대해서는 적절한 bases를 지닌 3차원 phase space에서 기이한 끌개(chaotic attractor)가, 유발전위의 정보를 지닌채 보여졌다. 끝으로 자극 주파수(단속 주파수와 반송 주파수) 변화와 측정이 이루어진 머리표면에서의 공간적 위치에 따른, lyapunov exponent값 변화가 의미있게 해석되어졌다. 이 결과는 무질서하게 보이는 뇌전위신호에서 주어진 청각자극에 대한 정보를 얻는 새로운 방법을 제시하게 된다.

This paper describes the effect of autonomic nervous activity on Heart rate variability and peripheral blood pressure with power spectral analysis and its characteristics of chaotic attractors. The aim of this paper is to access the applicability of spectral and dimension analysis of heart rate variability and peripheral blood pressure, attributed to changes in autonomic nervous system activity. About 60 mininutes of Heart rates and synchronized peripheral blood pressure were recorded on 10 healthy man while various mental and physical conditions. The results shows the availability to evaluate the autonomic nervous activities.

To represent the overall potential distribution on the entire scalp it is necessary to interpolate between sampled EEG(electroencephalogram) values, we describe a method to interpolate between scalp recorded EEG data which obtained from electrodes irregularly disposed on the scalp, using polynomial interpolation. This method can analyze the variance of source temporally or spatially and present continuous distributed topographic mapping of the EEG records. In the result, we obtained the overall potentials distribution on the entire scalp from the EEG records of a patient which was known to epilepsy.

Petubation in the fundamental frequency and in the peak amplitude of the EGG signal derived with a four-electrode EGG system were investigated for the purpose of developing useful measures for the detection of layngeal pathology. The data were compared to the degree of amplitude perturbation and frequency perturbation. There was a close relation between amplitude perturbation and frequency perturbation analysis of EGG signal and degree of laryngeal pathology.

This paper proposes a new inductance minimization scheme for a gradient system of arbitrarily selected shape. Although it is important to minimize the gradient coil inductance to reduce the current switching time, such minimization has been possible only for cylindrical or parallel biplanar coils. By using small current loops on arbitrarily selected surface as optimization elements, the inductance of the whole circuit can be minimized using the loop's self- and mutual-inductances. Wire positions can be easily derived from the loop current distribution. Preliminary studies for the design of x-directional surface gradient coil show the utility of tile proposed gradient coil design scheme.

We develope a assistant system of foot pressure distribution for improvement gait Pattern, adapted working speed, and minimitation of muscle fatigue of the sensory feedback type FES system(SEFES). This measurement system consist of mat type pressure sensor with piezo electric films. The pressure data signal multiflexed input scanning method processed A/D conversion after two step amplify and integrate. Matrix sensor interface to PC for pseudo color display by level of Pressure distribution data. This measurement system clinically evaluated in hemiplegic patients. It has produced acceptable results with optimal location of the food sensor's pressure point and avoid the muscle fatigue.

We developed electric wheelchair INMEL-VI which is motorized wheelchair for practical use. The field test results of long time show some problems to disabled in daily use. INMEL-VII is designed to solve the problems of INMEL-VI and to adjust condition by the Korean Industrial Standards about the motorized wheelchair. Especially, it is improved to have durability, driving safety, and convenience of manipulating. In the driving field test in indoors and outdoors, it has been estimated to have a high practical use for powered walking aids to disable's daily life.

Despite the simplicity of processing, a conventional autocorrelation function(ACF) method for the precise determination of fetal heart rate (FHR) has many problems. In case of weak or noise corrupted Doppler ultrasound signal. the ACF method is very sensitive to the threshold level and data window length. It is very troublesome to extract FHR when there is a data loss. To overcome these problems, the high resolution pitch detection algorithm was adopted to estimate the FHR. This method is more accurate, robust and reliable than the ACF method. With a lot of calculation, however, it is impossible to process real time FHR estimation. This paper is presented a new FHR estimation algorithm for real time processing.

A comparative study was made of the valvular sounds produced by normal prosthetic valves with thrombosed prosthetic valves. Comparisons of the closing sound were made for the power frequency spectra associated with individual valves. We used periodogram approach to obtain the spectral characteristics of the valve. Spectral analysis system was tested in mock circulatory system by comparing normal valves with those produced by the same valves but having simulated thrombosis at the hinge of the valve. The heart sounds was recorded from two patients having normal mechanical valve and thrombosed mechanical valve. The estimated spectrum of the thrombosed mechanical valve displayed lower apparent peak frequency than that of the normal valve. The results showed that frequency spectra gave information pertinent to the valve malfunction. Sound spectral analysis is simple and alternative diagnostic tool for early detection of prosthetic valve mal function.

Three component velocity measurements with a refractive index-matching technique was used to investigate the flow characteristics in the atrio-pulmomnary (AP) Fontan connection under the steady flow condition. A strong swirl was observed in the extra-cardiac conduit and the main pulmonary artery (MPA). Maximum velocity magnitude in the MPA was about 0.8 m/s near the posterior wall at 6 liter/min. Swirling motion of the flow as well as geometric abnormalities of the connection are important factors in energy loss across Fontan connections.

Three-dimensional steady and pulsatile flows in an end-to-side anastomosis were investigated using a finite difference method in order to understand the flow dynamics in the preferential development of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia or thrombosis. Steady flow results revealed that a double helical vortex was formed in the host artery and flow recirculations near tow and heel regions were limited due to the secondary flow. Oscillating wall shear stress with significant secondary flow might be the flow dynamic reason of developing intimal hyperplasia or thrombosis.

This study is focused on investigating the mechanical properties of the human cornea and its shape through the inverse nonlinear finite element approach using the clinical and experimental data. The results of the inverse approach were used to construct the finite element model of the photorefractive excimer laser surgery for the myopia patients. The results of the finite element model were compared with those of the current clinical experiences and showed good agreements. Finally this study came to the conclusion that the finite element method has potential of the application to the medicine.

In order to study the shape and dimensions of heart, the procedures to reconstruct a three dimensional left ventricular geometry from two dimensional echocardiographic images is studied including the coordinate transformation, curve fitting and interpolation utilizing three dimensional position registration arm. Nonlinear material property of the left ventricular myocardium was obtained by finite element method performed on the reconstructed geometry and optimization techniques which compare the computer predicted 3D deformation with the experimentally determined deformation. Afterwards using the obtained nonlinear material propertry the stress distribution related with oxyzen consumption rate was analyzed.

Calcium(Ca) ion plays an important role to trigger the secretion of important neurotransmitters. Since Ca ion flows into the cell thru the ion selective channel, the conductance of which depends on the transmembrane potential, the voltage-dependent characteristic of Ca ion channel is crucial to elucidate the stimulus-secretion coupling of exocytosis. The present study measured the Ca ion currents thru a whole-cell configuration patch at the transmembrane potential clamped at various desired levels in the rat chromaffin cell. The resultant current-voltage relationship was differentiated to obtain dynamic conductance at each clamped voltage. Based on these measured data, five numerical parameters were extracted to reveal electrical properties of Ca ion inflow process thru the voltage-gated channel. The present study can be applied to comparing the electrical characteristics of Ca channel under different experimental conditions. Also, further study is warranted to model the conformational changes of the channel molecules.