• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2008

Diagnostic and functional imaging device have been developed independently. The recognition that combining of these two devices can provide better diagnostic outcomes by fusing anatomical and functional images. The representative examples of combining devices would be PET/CT and SPECT/CT. Development and their applications of animal imaging and instrumentation have been very active, as new drug development with advanced imaging device has been increased. The development of advanced imaging device resulted in researching and developing for detector technology and imaging systems. It also contributed to develop a new software, reconstruction algorithm, correction methods for physical factors, image quantitation, computer simulation, kinetic modeling, dosimetry, and correction for motion artifacts. Recently, development of MRI and PET by combining them together was reported. True integration of MRI and PET has been making the progress and their results were reported. The recent status of imaging and instrumentation in nuclear medicine is reported in this paper.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2014

Objective : The aims of this study are to identify interpersonal differences in defining coordinates and to figure out the degree of distortion of the MRI and compare the accuracy between CT, 1.5-tesla (T) and 3.0T MRI. Methods : We compared coordinates in the CT images defined by 2 neurosurgeons. We also calculated the errors of 1.5T MRI and those of 3.0T. We compared the errors of the 1.5T with those of the 3.0T. In addition, we compared the errors in each sequence and in each axis. Results : The mean difference in the CT images between the two neurosurgeons was $0.48{\pm}0.22mm$. The mean errors of the 1.5T were $1.55{\pm}0.48mm$ (T1), $0.75{\pm}0.38$ (T2), and $1.07{\pm}0.57$ (FLAIR) and those of the 3.0T were $2.35{\pm}0.53$ (T1), $2.18{\pm}0.76$ (T2), and $2.16{\pm}0.77$ (FLAIR). The smallest mean errors out of all the axes were in the x axis : 0.28-0.34 (1.5T) and 0.31-0.52 (3.0T). The smallest errors out of all the MRI sequences were in the T2 : 0.29-0.58 (1.5T) and 0.31-1.85 (3.0T). Conclusion : There was no interpersonal difference in running the Gamma $Plan^{(R)}$ to define coordinates. The errors of the 3.0T were greater than those of the 1.5T, and these errors were not of an acceptable level. The x coordinate error was the smallest and the z coordinate error was the greatest regardless of the MRI sequence. The T2 sequence was the most accurate sequence.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5860-5866
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• 2012

BOLD technique in functional MRI has to apply multiple stimulations. However as the stimulation time increases failure rates rise. In this study we are proposing proper number of stimulations through our experiments. Ten normal people underwent functional MRI hand motor sanning and the paradigms were designed from first to seventh stimulation. Under Philips Intera Achieva 3.0T MR system and Invivo cop's Eloquence equipment, activation periods and rest periods were repeated ten times each, using BOLD EPI technique. Primary hand motor area stimulation and number of clusters, activation rates and number of activated clusters in and outside the region of interest were compared to each other. Number of clusters in region of interest was lower than others at second stimulation and became static from third stimulation. The stimulated ratios were elevated as the number of stimulations were increased but it was not proportional. Number of clusters outside the ROI became static from the third stimulation and started increasing from sixth stimulation. As results, given the activation ratios of ROI and out side the ROI, three times stimulation was the most appropriate because it does not affect accuracy, also decreasing the fatigue of patients by with the decreased scanning time.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2012

Purpose : During brain MRI scanning, subject's head motion can adversely affect MRI images. To minimize MR image distortion by head movement, we developed an optical tracking system to detect the 3-D movement of subjects. Materials and Methods: The system consisted of 2 CCD cameras, two infrared illuminators, reflective sphere-type markers, and frame grabber with desktop PC. Using calibration which is the procedure to calculate intrinsic/extrinsic parameters of each camera and triangulation, the system was desiged to detect 3-D coordinates of subject's head movement. We evaluated the accuracy of 3-D position of reflective markers on both test board and the real MRI scans. Results: The stereo system computed the 3-D position of markers accurately for the test board and for the subject with glasses with attached optical reflective marker, required to make regular head motion during MRI scanning. This head motion tracking didn't affect the resulting MR images even in the environment varying magnetic gradient and several RF pulses. Conclusion: This system has an advantage to detect subject's head motion in real-time. Using the developed system, MRI operator is able to determine whether he/she should stop or intervene in MRI acquisition to prevent more image distortions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.779-785
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• 2010

In pre-surgical evaluation of pediatric epilepsy, the combined use of multiple imaging modalities for precise localization of the epileptogenic focus is a worthwhile endeavor. Advanced neuroimaging by high field Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor images, and MR spectroscopy have the potential to identify subtle lesions. $^{18}F$-FDG positron emission tomography and single photon emission tomography provide visualization of metabolic alterations of the brain in the ictal and interictal states. These techniques may have localizing value for patients which exhibit normal MRI scans. Functional MRI is helpful for non-invasively identifying areas of eloquent cortex. These advances are improving our ability to noninvasively detect epileptogenic foci which have gone undetected in the past and whose accurate localization is crucial for a favorable outcome following surgical resection.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.104-104
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• 2001

Purpose： In this study, we investigated the possible motor pathways of hemiplegic stroke patients usin combined TMS and BOLD fMRI approach and evaluated the correlation between TMS a fMRI methods. Method： Four subjects, who demonstrated left hemiplegia after stroke, are included. TMS was performed using a Dantec Mag2 stimulator (Dantec Company, USA) in single puls mode with figure eight-shaped coil. Following TMS localization, The BOLD T2＊-weight images were acquired with echo planar imaging sequence (TR = 1.2 sec, TE = 60 msec, and flip angle = 90). Motor activation was studied by means of a repetitive fing flexion-extension task. The stimulation protocol comprised 10 cycles of alternating activati and rest (10 images per cycle). Total 60 cycles were performed and each cycle take abou 1.5 sec. The resulting images were then analyzed with STIMULATE (CMRR, U, o Minnesota) to generate functional maps using a student t-test (p < 0.0005) and cluste analysis.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.47-49
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• 2002

At present, the trend of magnetic field strength in MRI system is dramatically changing. In early 70, the only low field (<0.5T) was developed. It was technically difficult to develop the high field system. At that time, people believed that the fine MR imaging could not be obtained in the high field MR system due to the magnetic susceptibility effect. However, 1.5T system was evolved at the end of 80, and used for clinical usage. Thus, it was proved that the signal to noise ratio (SNR) could be greatly contribute to enhance the image quality. And, the results of functional MRI and MR spectroscopy could be improved in the higher field MR system. So, 8T system was eventually developed in Ohio State University Hospital at the end of 90. Therefore, there is no doubt that the system with the ultra high magnetic field strength will be developed near future in 21 century.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.101-101
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• 2002

PURPOSE： To separate activations from other physiological and artifactual component that contribute to functional MRI(fMRI) recordings and detect one consistently task-related component activated during the acupuncture stimulation, we try to take the ICA(Independent Component Analysis) method.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2003

In medical imaging, three-dimensional (3D) display using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) as a portable file format can give intuitive information more efficiently on the World Wide Web (WWW). The web-based 3D visualization of functional images combined with anatomical images has not studied much in systematic ways. The goal of this study was to achieve a simultaneous observation of 3D anatomic and functional models with planar images on the WWW, providing their locational information in 3D space with a measuring implement using VRML. MRI and ictal-interictal SPECT images were obtained from one epileptic patient. Subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered to MRI (SISCOM) was performed to improve identification of a seizure focus. SISCOM image volumes were held by thresholds above one standard deviation (1-SD) and two standard deviations (2-SD). SISCOM foci and boundaries of gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the MRI volume were segmented and rendered to VRML polygonal surfaces by marching cube algorithm. Line profiles of x and y-axis that represent real lengths on an image were acquired and their maximum lengths were the same as 211.67 mm. The real size vs. the rendered VRML surface size was approximately the ratio of 1 to 605.9. A VRML measuring tool was made and merged with previous VRML surfaces. User interface tools were embedded with Java Script routines to display MRI planar images as cross sections of 3D surface models and to set transparencies of 3D surface models. When transparencies of 3D surface models were properly controlled, a fused display of the brain geometry with 3D distributions of focal activated regions provided intuitively spatial correlations among three 3D surface models. The epileptic seizure focus was in the right temporal lobe of the brain. The real position of the seizure focus could be verified by the VRML measuring tool and the anatomy corresponding to the seizure focus could be confirmed by MRI planar images crossing 3D surface models. The VRML application developed in this study may have several advantages. Firstly, 3D fused display and control of anatomic and functional image were achieved on the m. Secondly, the vector analysis of a 3D surface model was defined by the VRML measuring tool based on the real size. Finally, the anatomy corresponding to the seizure focus was intuitively detected by correlations with MRI images. Our web based visualization of 3-D fusion image and its localization will be a help to online research and education in diagnostic radiology, therapeutic radiology, and surgery applications.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the appropriateness of gustatory features in product design affect product evaluation and accompanied response by using functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI). Through the pilot survey, we categorized the product designs into two groups based on the level of the appropriateness. The total of 40 product designs were selected as the experimental stimuli. 15 right-handed participants(mean age = 23.33, SD = 1.7) were scanned with 3T MRI machine(ISOL Tech, Oxford OR63). The experimental stimuli were passively presented inside the scanner. In post scanning session, participants were asked to measure their preference and buying intention to the product designs. The results show that both the preference and buying intention were significantly higher for the high appropriateness condition compared to those of low appropriateness designs. Caudate nucleus and putamen, areas related to the positive reward such as monetary acquisition showed greater activation in response to the designs of high appropriateness condition, compared to the low appropriateness designs.