• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2010

Retinal prostheses are being developed to restore vision for the blind with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since retinal prostheses depend upon electrical stimulation to control neural activity, optimal stimulation parameters for successful encoding of visual information are one of the most important requirements to enable visual perception. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses to different voltage stimulation parameters and compared threshold charge densities in normal and rd1 mice. For this purpose, we used in vitro preparation for the retina of normal and rd1 mice on micro-electrode arrays. When the neural network of rd1 mouse retinas is stimulated with voltage-controlled pulses, RGCs in degenerated retina also respond to voltage amplitude or voltage duration modulation as well in wild-type RGCs. But the temporal pattern of RGCs response is very different; in wild-type RGCs, single peak within 100 ms appears while in RGCs in degenerated retina multiple peaks (~4 peaks) with ~10 Hz rhythm within 400 ms appear. The thresholds for electrical activation of RGCs are overall more elevated in rd1 mouse retinas compared to wild-type mouse retinas: The thresholds for activation of RGCs in rd1 mouse retinas were on average two times higher ($70.50{\sim}99.87\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $37.23{\sim}61.65\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage amplitude modulation and five times higher ($120.5{\sim}170.6\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $22.69{\sim}37.57\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage duration modulation than those in wild-type mouse retinas. This is compatible with the findings from human studies that the currents required for evoking visual percepts in RP patients is much higher than those needed in healthy individuals. These results will be used as a guideline for optimal stimulation parameters for upcoming Korean-type retinal prosthesis.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.133-143
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• 2011

This paper proposes a mobile navigation system which haptically presents the way to go to visually impaired persons. In order to convey the tactile information to the visually impaired persons, we develop a new tactile module with a solenoid, a permanent magnet and an elastic spring. Furthermore, we suggest 2D vibration flow which originates from one point and gradually propagates to other points on a surface of the haptic navigation system. The tactile module and the vibration flow method are incorporated into the proposed haptic navigation system and they stimulate the user's finger pad and palm, respectively. We conduct experiments to investigate that the proposed navigation system haptically provides the direction to the users. From the experimental results, we verify that the proposed system can generate enough tactile sensation to guide the direction to go in real-time.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.651-656
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• 2011

Although prosthetic training was received, most of amputees mainly depend on visual feedback to use prostheses, not on cutaneous and proprioceptive sensibility. Our objective of this study was to determine if there are changes in the somatosensory sensibility of amputees compared to non-amputees using multi-channel vibration stimulation system. One transradial amputees and ten non-amputees were involved. To investigate changes of residual somatosensory sensibility at stump, we set up custom-made vibration stimulation system including eight actuators (4 medial and 4 lateral) and GUI-based acquisition system. The results showed that there was similar pattern of subjective response at most of channels among group as stimulation increases. However, amputees' subjective response at channel 8 for 238Hz vibration was more sensitive than that of healthy persons. With respect to channels, response at channel 4 (medial) corresponding region to flexor carpi ulnaris for transradial amputees was most sensitive than other channels. In addition, sensitivity of four medial channels was on average about 0.5 scale than that of four lateral channels. Somatosensory sensibility was amputee, women, and men in sensibility order.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2004

In this study for the prosthesis of the spatial and directional sensation for the blind, an ultrasonic scale system and an electronic compass system were developed. The ultrasonic scale utilizes 40 ㎑ sound for the detection of distance to the barrier and the spatial information is transferred to the blind by various sound interval, which is proportional to the distance. The electronic compass utilizes a magnetoresistor bridge for the detection of the magnetic field strength of earth in horizontal plane. The information for the direction of the earth's north is transferred by tactile stimuli by a vibrating motor band around upper head. Detection distance of the ultrasonic scale is ranged from 0.065 to 3.26 meters, and the detection angle resolution of the electronic compass is about 22.5 degrees. The integrated system of the ultrasonic scale and the electronic compass was developed. Distance information is converted to the location of the tactile stimulation along the clockwise direction by a vibrating motor according to the distance installed around upper head of the blind. The intent of this article is to provide an practical prosthetic tool of spatial and directional sensation for the blind. Daily practice of this system will improve the usefulness of this system.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.807-812
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• 2021

In order to be able to interact with the user to experience it as if it were real in virtual reality contents, input/output devices that make them feel the five senses of humans are required . In virtual reality (VR), devices that stimulate sight and hearing are the most representative. For a more realistic experience, suits and gloves that stimulate the sense of touch have recently been released, but there are not many cases applied to actual contents due to the limitation of device . In this paper, we analyze a virtual reality glove that can detect hand movement and touch in a virtual world. Based on the analysis, we propose an algorithm that can sense the intensity of collision with a VR object by tactile sense by improving the UI/UX using the vibration of the feedback method used in the existing virtual reality glove. In addition, the system implemented by the algorithm is applied to an actual case.

• Journal of Society of Occupational Therapy for the Aged and Dementia
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2018

Objective : Vibration stimulators are easier to obtain in clinical settings than other treatment tools, and it is advantageous that the arm activation training can be performed passively. Despite the following advantages, recent studies on vibration sense have not been activated yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vibration sensation on the hands of the affected upper limb on unilateral reduction of stroke patients. Method : Patients with unilateral neglect due to stroke were enrolled in this study for about 3 weeks from October 19, 2018 to November 7, The research design used ABA design among the single-subject experimental research design, and a total of 18 circuits (4 baseline, 6 intervention, 3 baseline regression) were performed once a day on weekdays Respectively. MMES-K was used to select the subjects. Line bisection test (LBT), Albert's test and Star Cancellation Test (SCT) were used as unilateral neglect test. For the analysis, the baseline and intervention period measurements were visually analyzed using graphs and mean values were used. Result : All three evaluations showed that the number of errors missed during the training period was lower than the baseline period, and this decrease remained after training. The error was reduced by an average of $2{\pm}1.2$ omissions and an average omissions of $0.6{\pm}0.5$ omitting an average of $4.5{\pm}1$ omissions in the line break test. As a result of the Albert test, the average error decreased by $22.5{\pm}1.9$ omissions and $8{\pm}7.3$ omissions and $0.3{\pm}0.5$ omissions, respectively. In the star clearance test, the average error decreased from $26{\pm}4.6$ to $21.8{\pm}1.7$ and $20{\pm}0$, respectively. Conclusion : In this study, vibrotactile stimulation therapy showed a continuous effect on improving unilateral neglect. Based on these findings, further research should be conducted in order to improve objectivity in future studies. Further research on various arbitration methods that maximize the effect of intervention will be needed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.1043-1046
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• 2011

건강에 대한 예방과 관리를 반영한 것이 대체의학이다. 대체의학 중에 이침(耳針)요법은 부작용이 적은 방법으로 널리 사용되고 있다. 이침요법은 간단한 교육과정을 거친 후 자가 진단을 통해 응급처치가 가능한 것으로 실생활에서 손쉽게 이용되고 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 심장에 해당하는 이(耳)혈 상응점을 자극하여 심장과 관련된 음성 요소의 변화를 측정하였다. 이를 위해 심장에 해당하는 이(耳)혈 상응점을 자극하기 전과 후의 음성을 수집하여 음성 분석 요소 중 Jitter와 2Formant Frequency Bandswidth을 적용하여 단위 시간안의 발음에서 성대 진동의 변화율과 공명강의 변화를 통해 심장과 음성의 상관성을 분석하는 연구를 수행하였다.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 1996

Type I, II, III are regarded as "true" joint receptors, type IV is considered a class of pain receptor. Type I, II and III mechanoreceptors, via static and dynamic input, signal joint position, intraarticular pressure changes, and the direction, amplitude, and velocity of joint movements. Type I mechanoreceptor subserve both static and dynamic physiologic functions. Type I are found primarily in the stratum fibrosum of the joint capsule and ligaments. Type I receptors have a low threshold for activation and are allow to adapt to changes altering their firing frequency. Type II receptors have a low threshold for activation. These dynamic receptors respond to joint movement. Type II receptors are thus termed rapidly adapting. Type II joint receptors are located at the junction of the synovial membrane and fibrosum of the joint capsule and intraarticular and extraarticular fat pads. Type III receptors have been found in collateral ligaments of the joints of the extremities. Morphologically similar to Golgi tendon organ. These dynamic receptors have a high threshold to stimulation and are slowly adating. Type IV receptors possess free nerve ending that have been found in joint capsule and fat pads. They are not normally active, but respond to extreme mechanical deformation of the joint as well as to direct chemical or mechanical irritation. Small amplitude oscillatory and distraction movements(joint mobilization) techniques are used to stimulate the mechanoreceptors that may inhibit the transmission of nociceptors stimuli at the spinal cord or brain stem levels.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 1996

Type I, II, III are regarded as "true" joint receptors, type IV is considered a class of pain receptor. Type I, II and III mechanoreceptors, via static and dynamic input, signal joint position, intraarticular pressure changes, and the direction, amplitude, and velocity of joint movements. Type I mechanoreceptor subserve both static and dynamic physiologic functions. Type I are found primarily in the stratum fibrosum of the joint capsule and ligaments. Type I receptors have a low threshold for activation and are allow to adapt to changes altering their firing frequency. Type II receptors have a low threshold for activation. These dynamic receptors respond to joint movement. Type II receptors are thus termed rapidly adapting. Type II joint receptors are located at the junction of the synovial membrane and fibrosum of the joint capsule and intraarticular and extraarticular fat pads. Type III receptors have been found in collateral ligaments of the joints of the extremities. Morphologically similar to Golgi tendon organ. These dynamic receptors have a high threshold to stimulation and are slowly adating. Type IV receptors possess free nerve ending that have been found in joint capsule and fat pads. They are not normally active, but respond to extreme mechanical deformation of the joint as well as to direct chemical or mechanical irritation. Small amplitude oscillatory and distraction movements(joint mobilization) techniques are used to stimulate the mechanoreceptors that may inhibit the transmission of nociceptors stimuli at the spinal cord or brain stem levels.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.130-134
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• 2008

Touch screen phone which is expected to play a big part of the mobile market for the next few years, has many merits but demerits of inaccurate feedback. It offers audio and tactile feedback to strengthen the weak point. This study aims to see if audio feedback and vibration feedback react upon each other under realistic conditions. We had a qualitative research in perception after using touch screen phone feedback. The result showed that with any feedback users were satisfied more than without any feedback and there was diversity in response. We ran the study again to see the performance level and the projective workload between the kind of feedback and interrupting feedback environment Performance rates were faster with audio feedback and according to the projective workload assessment users felt that task was easier and less annoying with audio-vibration feedback. The results suggest that audio feedback could be more effective than vibration feedback. A future study will figure out the relationship between the factors of qualitative-controlled feedback and learning time and the performance, and the main cause to make people prefer one feedback over another in a realistic world.