• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 1986

A prototype ultrasound sector B-scanner has been developed where the front-end hardware refers to all the necessary circuits for transmitting the ultrasound pulses into the human body and receiving the reflected echo signals from it. The front-end hardware can generally be divided into three parts, i.e., a pulse generator for insonification, a receiver which is responsible for processing of low-level analog signals, and a steering controller for driving the mechanical sector probe whose functions and design concepts are described in this paper. The front-end hardware is implemented which incorporates the following features: improvement of the axial resolution using a circuit which reduces the ring-down time, flexibility of generating time-gain compensation curve, and adoption of a one-chip microcomputer for generating the rate pulses based on the sensor output waveforms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.533-539
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• 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pelvic floor muscle contraction with image feedback on Abdominal muscle thickness. METHODS: Twenty three adults participated in this study. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound in three condition(rest, pelvic floor muscle contraction, pelvic floor muscle contraction with image feedback). Subjects was contraction pelvic floor muscle by general method. And ultrasound(convex probe, 3.5MHz) was used to image feedback for selective pelvic floor muscle contraction. One-way ANOVA was used to compare abdominal muscle thickness in three condition. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in external oblique(p=.514) and internal oblique muscle(p=.250) thickness by three condition. There was significant difference in transverse abdominis thickness by three condition (Transverse abdominis thickness was highest while Pelvic floor muscle contraction than pelvic floor muscle contraction with image feedback and rest.)(p=.000). CONCLUSION: This study shows that pelvic floor muscle contraction with image feedback increase the thickness of transverse abdominis lesser than general pelvic floor muscle contraction.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2016

An improved protocol on the synthesis of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives are reported. Previously, the thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives were prepared in a two-step procedure. Under the improved procedure, the thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives was readily prepared in a one-step reaction. This procedure was found to be more efficient than the previous protocol and also compared to the ultrasound bath and conventional heating methods in terms of yield and reaction time.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2014

Purpose: Ultrasound-guided epidural caudal block for low back pain and radiating pain is often performed in the treatment of outpatients. However, this procedure has a failure rate of up to 25% even when it performed by an experienced physician. The authors investigate the effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided epidural caudal block in patients related to disc herniation or spinal stenosis. Materials and Methods: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural block was performed in 55 outpatients with LBP and radiating pain. Patient was placed in the prone position and sonographic image of sacral hiatus was obtained using linear probe. A 22-gauge needle was advanced into the sacrococcygeal membrane under ultrasound guidance and then medication was injected into the caudal epidural space. There were 31 cases of disc herniation, and 24 cases of spinal stenosis. Patients were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks by telephone interviews. Results: 53 of the 55 cases (96.4%) of needle insertion into the sacral canal under ultrasound guidance were successful. Gender was not significantly different between disc herniation group and spinal stenosis group. But there was a significant age difference between disc herniation group ($42.3{\pm}10.8$), and spinal stenosis group ($62.8{\pm}15.1$) [p<0.001]. The VAS score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks in disc group were 6.84, 3.1, 1.8 & 1.77. The VAS score at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 2 weeks, 4 weeks in spinal stenosis group were 6.88, 3.58, 4.33 & 4.88. The VAS score in both groups was significantly improved after the procedure (p<0.001). Over time, the two groups were statistically significant differences in VAS score after adjusting for age (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural block seems to provide a high success rate and a significantly better response in disc group than spinal stenosis group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.272-276
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and safety of procedures using ultrasound equipment for acupuncture treatment. Methods: A pilot, prospective randomized, single blinded, crossover clinical study on the accuracy and safety of ultrasound-guided Gyeontonghyeol (BP-LE6) acupuncture treatment was conducted. Patients (n = 13) with shoulder pain were randomly divided into 2 groups. During Visit 1, ultrasound-guided BP-LE6 acupuncture was administered to the experimental group. In the control group, patients received BP-LE6 acupuncture (without checking ultrasound images) by manipulating the ultrasound probe as if administering ultrasound-guided acupuncture. Visit 2 was arranged within 7-14 days and the remaining procedures, other than those administered in Visit 1, were performed. In both the experimental group and control group, the number of needle insertions, and time required for the treatment to result in the patients feeling de-qi was recorded. The numeric rating scale (NRS) score for shoulder pain was recorded before and after the acupuncture treatment. Results: The number of needle insertions was $5.31{\pm}3.50$ times in the experimental group, and $6.62{\pm}3.38$ times in the control group, however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean time required to perform the procedure was $151.54{\pm}48.59$ seconds in the experimental group and $86.69{\pm}37.17$ seconds in the control group, which was statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The changes observed in numerical rating scale scores between groups were not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant difference, administering acupuncture using ultrasound guidance may lead to accurate needling with a reduced number of needle insertion attempts. A large-scale clinical study of better design should be conducted in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2014

Purpose: We aim to determine sciatic nerve bifurcation location and depth at the level of the popliteal fossa in Korean female. Materials and Methods: Thirty three subjects were enrolled in Korean female. M-turbo ultrasound system (SonoSite, bothell, WA, USA)with 38 mm high frequency linear array transducer, 13-6 MHz probe was used for ultrasound measurements. With subject lying prone, the location of the sciatic nerve in relation to the popliteal crease and skin to nerve distance were assessed via ultrasound. Analyses were performed with SAS version 9.3 using multiple linear regression. Results: Thirty three subjects were enrolled. Distance from the popliteal crease to the sciatic nerve was 4.5-7.5 (mean 5.7 cm), and the depth of the sciatic nerve from the skin was 1.8-3.2 (mean 2.4 cm). Multiple linear regression for the usefulness of the model has a p value of 0.036, shows between weight and depth. Conclusion: We show that variability exists for sciatic nerve bifurcation location in Korean female, The success rate is creased if consider the relations between weight and depth when performs sciatic nerve block in Korean female. In our study, a sciatic nerve block is recommend that performed 7.5 cm proximal to the crease in the popliteal fossa.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.476-482
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• 2010

The ultrasonic transient fields and B-mode images of a point target which were simulated for a medical ultrasonic probe with a few defective piezo-elements were compared with those for a normal probe. The present study considered a 3.5 MHz linear array probe whose acoustic beam was formed by the 64 active elements of total 192 elements. The results showed that the maximum amplitude and -3 dB width of the acoustic fields by main-lobes decreased linearly as the defective element number increased from one to four. However, the depths of foci remained almost unchanged, and the pressure differences between main-lobes and side-lobes tended to decrease due to rise in pressures in side-lobes. Such changes in ultrasonic fields affected the B-mode images of point targets. So the artifacts were formed in the right and left side of the target, and the lateral spatial resolutions were decreased while the axial resolution was almost the same.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.427-435
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• 2018

There was a shortage of research reports on sterilization criterion and contamination of ultrasonic probes. Therefore, in this study, we were going to provide a basic study to measure the level of microbial contamination in ultrasonic probes and to investigate the radiographer's awareness of infection. After the scan, samples were collected from the rubber part of the probe by opening a sterile swab (Transport Medium AM608-1S) for medical bacteria collection with the remaining gel removed with a paper towel. Also, the collected samples of bacteria were grown for seven days and then the laboratory was analyzed. Among the total 29 types of microorganisms, Micrococcus luteus 21(26%), Moraxella species 16(20%), Coagulase negative staphylococcus 8(10%), Bacillus species 5(7%), Bicillus circulans 3(5%), Acinetobacter lwoffii 2(2%), and 1 other Candida parapsilosis (1%) a number of bacteria and fungus, was detected. In a disinfectant experiment using LuciPac Pen on the Lumitester PD-30s, we cultured the rubber part of the probe two to three times to measure the bacteria. Bacteria decreased to 97% with Aquanax (alkaline reduced water 100%), 99% with Klarion wash (0.01% sodium hydroxide), 94% with Klarion disinfection (0.01% nitrous acid water), Sterilization was best with Klarion wash (0.01% sodium hydroxide). Therefore, guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of ultrasonic probes was required, and further development of probe-only disinfectants is required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2019

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS), is effective for tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of R-EBUS both a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy and identified factors associated with accurate diagnosis. The feasibility of molecular and genetic testing, using specimens obtained by R-EBUS, was also investigated. Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 211 patients undergoing R-EBUS without a guide-sheath and fluoroscopy, June 2016-May 2017. After excluding 27 patients of which the target lesion was not reached, 184 were finally included. Multivariate logistic regression was used, to identify factors associated with accurate diagnosis. Results: Among 184 patients, R-EBUS-guided biopsy diagnosed malignancy in 109 patients (59%). The remaining 75 patients (41%) with non-malignant results underwent additional work-ups, and 34 were diagnosed with malignancy. Based on final diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy was 80% (136/170), and sensitivity and specificity for malignancy were 76% (109/143) and 100% (27/27), respectively. In multivariate analysis, peripheral location (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.925; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.203-12.811; p=0.023), and central position of the probe (aOR, 2.435; 95% CI, 1.424-7.013; p=0.035), were associated with accurate diagnosis of malignancy. Molecular and genetic analyses were successful, in all but one case, with inadequate specimens. Conclusion: R-EBUS-guided biopsy without equipment, is effective for tissue diagnosis. Peripheral location and central position of the radial probe, were crucial for accurate diagnosis. Performance of molecular and genetic testing, using samples obtained by R-EBUS, was satisfactory.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2019

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) is widely used for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions. However, the utility of R-EBUS-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) for diffuse lung lesions (DLLs) remains unknown. We designed this study to evaluate the utility of R-EBUS-guided TBLB in DLLs. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients admitted from January 2016 to November 2017 who underwent TBLB for DLLs. The R-EBUS-guided TBLB and blind TBLB groups were compared. DLL was defined as any lung disorder that involved more than one segment of the lung. In both the groups, fluoroscopy and guided sheath were not used during TBLB. Results: A total of 127 patients underwent TBLB for DLLs (67 patients in the R-EBUS-guided TBLB group and 60 in the blind TBLB group). There were no differences in age, sex, and comorbid illnesses between the two groups. Furthermore, there was no difference in the TBLB diagnostic yield of the two groups (p=0.660) although more samples were collected from the R-EBUS-guided TBLB group (p=0.003). Procedure time was significantly longer in the R-EBUS-guided TBLB group than in the blind TBLB group (p<0.001). Thus, incidence of pneumothorax was significantly lower in the R-EBUS-guided TBLB group than in the blind TBLB group (p=0.032). Conclusion: Diagnostic yield in DLLs did not differ between the R-EBUS-guided TBLB and blind TBLB groups. Findings show that R-EBUS-guided TBLB in DLLs may reduce risk of pneumothorax.