• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.880-890
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• 2010

The intrasvascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging technique is used to diagnose cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Recently, elasticity imaging methods have been investigated to diagnose blood clots attached to blood vessel intima. However, the IVUS imaging technique is an invasive method that requires a transducer to be inserted into blood vessel. In this paper, strain images are obtained of blood clots attached to blood vessel intima with data acquired from outside the blood vessel using a linear array transducer. In order to measure the displacement of blood vessel accurately, experimental data are acquired by steering ultrasound beams so that they can intersect the blood vessel wall at right angles. The acquired rf data are demodulated to the baseband. The resulting complex baseband signals are then processed by an autocorrelation algorithm to compute the blood vessel movement and thereby produce strain image. This proposed method is verified by experiments on a plastic blood vessel mimicking phantom. The efficacy of the proposed method was verified using a home-made blood vessel mimicking phantom. The blood vessel mimicking phantom was constructed by making a 6 mm diameter hollow cylinder inside it to simulate a blood vessel and adhering 2 mm thick soft plaque to the inner wall of the hollow cylinder. The RF data were acquired using a clinical ultrasound scanner (Accuvix XQ, Medison, Seoul. Korea) with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer by steering ultrasound beams in steps of $1^{\circ}$ from $-40^{\circ}$ to $40^{\circ}$ for a total of 81 angles. Experimental results show that the plaque region near the blood vessel wall is softer than background tissue. Although the imaging region is restricted due to the limited range of angles for which scan lines are perpendicular to the wall, the feasibility of strain imaging is demonstrated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis, including stimulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been known that diabetes is associated with accelerated cellular proliferation via VEGF, as compared to that under a normal glucose concentration. We investigated the effects of selective blockade of a VEGF receptor by using anti-Flt-1 peptide on the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in balloon injured-carotid arteries of OLETF rats and also on the in vitro VSMCS' migration under high glucose conditions. Material and Method: The balloon-injury method was employed to induce neointima formation by VEGF. For f4 days beginning 2 days before the ballon injury, placebo or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) specific peptide (anti-Flt-1 peptide), was injected at a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily into the OLETF rats. At 14 days after balloon injury, the neointimal proliferation and vascular luminal stenosis were measured, and cellular proliferation was assessed by counting the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. To analyze the effect of VEGF and anti-Flt-1 peptide on the migration of VSMCs under a high glucose condition, transwell assay with a matrigel filter was performed. And finally, to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on the VEGF-induced VSMC migration in vitro, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was observed by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Both the neointimal area and luminal stenosis associated with neointimal proliferation were significantly decreased in the anti-Flt-1 peptide injected rats, ($0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$ and $ 36.03{\pm}3.78%$ compared to $0.24{\pm}0.03mm^2\;and\;61.85{\pm}5.11%$, respectively, in the placebo-injected rats (p<0.01, respectively). The ratio of PCNA(+) cells to the entire neointimal cells was also significantly decreased from $52.82{\pm}4.20%\;to\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$, by the injected anti-Flt-1 peptide (p<0.05). On the VSMC migration assay, anti-Flt-1 peptide significantly reduced the VEGF-induced VMSC migration by about 40% (p<0.01). Consistent with the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on VSMC migration, it also obviously attenuated the induction of the MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions via VEGF in the VSMCS. Conclusion: Anti-Flt-1 peptide inhibits the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in a balloon-injured carotid artery model of OLETF rats. Anti-Flt-1 peptide also inhibits the VSMCs' migration and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA induced by VEGF under a high glucose condition. Therefore, these results suggest that specific blockade of VEGFR-1 by anti-Flt-1 peptide may have therapeutic potential against the arterial stenosis of diabetes mellitus patients or that occurring under a high glucose condition.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2003

Intra-Vascular Ultra-Sound (IVUS) transducers were developed for the application to diagnose coronary diseases. The transducer consists of 32 piezoelectric elements with a front insulation layer and a polymeric acoustic backing layer on a hollow alumina tube. The optimal geometrical structure of the transducer was designed through theoretical analysis of radiation patterns of the transducer. Samples of the IVUS transducers of the diameter of 3㎜ were fabricated to illustrate the design scheme. For the piezoelectric elements, 2-2 mode piezocomposite materials were employed. Experimental performance of the transducers showed good agreement with the design results, which verified feasibility of the transducer for IVUS applications.

• Proceedings of the Optical Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.02a
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• pp.241-242
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• 2009

도플러 효과를 이용해 피부의 혈류 속도 분포를 측정하였다. 고속 CMOS 이미지 센서를 사용하여 $256{\times}256$ 픽셀의 크기를 갖는 혈류 속도 영상을 측정하였다. 많은 의학 치료 분야에서 혈류 흐름에 대한 영상, 특히 모세혈관에서의 혈류 흐름에 대한 영상을 필요로 한다. 레이저 도플러 기술은 물체의 속도를 물체에 접촉하지 않고 측정할 수 있는 대표적인 기술로, 레이저 광의 코헤런트한 특성과 비접촉성 특성은 인체 피부의 혈류 속도를 측정하는데 좋은 특성을 제공한다.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.180-188
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• 2014

It is very important accurate diagnosis and quick treatment in cerebrovascular disease, i.e. stenosis or occlusion that could be caused by risk factors such as poor dietary habits, insufficient exercise, and obesity. Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA), it is well known as diagnostic method without using contrast agent for cerebrovascular disease, is the most representative and reliable technique. Nevertheless, it still has measurement errors (also known as overestimation) for length of stenosis and area of occlusion in celebral infarction that is built by accumulation and rupture of plaques generated by hemodynamic turbulence. The purpose of this study is to show clinical trial feasibility for 3D-SPACE T2, which is improved by using signal attenuation effects of fluid velocity, in diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. To model angiostenosis, strictures of different proportions (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%) and virtual blood stream (normal saline) of different velocities (0.19 ml/sec, 1.5 ml/sec, 2.1 ml/sec, and 2.6 ml/sec) by using dialysis were made. Cross-examinations were performed for 3D-SPACE T2 and TOF-MRA (16 times each). The accuracy of measurement for length of stenosis was compared in all experimental conditions. 3D-SPACE 2T has superiority in terms of accuracy for measurements of the length of stenosis, compared with TOF-MRA. Also, it is robust in fast blood stream and large stenosis than TOF-MRA. 3D-SPACE 2T will be promising technique to increase diagnosis accuracy in narrow complex lesions as like two cerebral small vessels with stenosis, created by hemodynamic turbulence.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1009-1011
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• 2013

최근 U-헬스케어 서비스가 증가함에 따라 예방과 건강증진 등에 관심과 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 이러한 U-헬스케어에 사용되는 ECG, EMG, PPG EEG등이 스마트폰 기반의 휴대용 장비와 연동된 센서들의 연구 역시 활발히 진행 중이다. 일반적으로 PPG신호는 적외선센서를 이용하여 모세혈관의 혈중 헤모글로빈 농도 변화에 의한 맥파를 측정한다. PPG신호의 잡음을 제거하기 위해 필터를 사용하였다. 필터된 정보를 ADC하여 스마트폰으로 BlueTooth통신을 이용하여 전송한다. 최종적으로 스마트 디바이스에 PPG신호를 그린다. 제작결과 PPG아날로그 신호를 보는 것과 동일하게 스마트 디바이스에 그릴 수 있음을 보였다. 이후 PPG신호를 이용하여 혈관건강도 및 건강예방의 측정의 연구를 계속해서 한다.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.259-266
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• 2010

The study focuses on the value of Micro CT, a high resolution X-ray imaging device, by using it on rats to observe the overall portal vein image of the liver and the microvasculature of each lobes, visualize the 4 segmental lobes and acquire 3D image of the microvasculature through the reconstruction of sectional image data. Less of the damage to liver of the 5 mice, the device was able to separate the liver into 4 segmental lobes and displayed the 4 portal vein microvasculature in 2D. By using the 3D MIP technique, observation of the whole portal vein system microvasculature in 3D image was made possible along with each of the portal vein segment's branches until the 6th branch. Measured the size of 6branch, the average was measured at 1branch : $0.51mm{\pm}0.08$, 2 branch : $0.32mm{\pm}0.12$, 3 branch : $0.23mm{\pm}0.11$, 4 branch : $0.19mm{\pm}0.08$, 5 branch : $0.13mm{\pm}0.06$, 6 branch : $70.5{\mu}m{\pm}14.1$. The 3D image and the images of the microvasculatures in the result of study proved that the Micro-CT can be considered many useful device in obtaining high resolution images.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.191-195
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• 2000

This study was undertaken to estimate the exposed dose of the medical personnel during the intracoronary radiotherapy procedure as a part of ongoing SPARE (Seoul National University Hospital Post-Angioplasty Rhenium) trial. Data of thirty-four patients among forty-two irradiated patients participating in this trial due to coronary artery stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. Intracoronary radiotherapy was delivered to the patient immediately after angioplasty ballooning. Prescribed dose was 17 Gy to media of the diseased artery and was delivered with $^{188}Re$ filled balloon catheter. Dosimetry was carried out with GM counter at eight different points. Ten centimeter and forty centimeter from the patient's heart were selected to represent maximum and whole-body exposed dose of the operator, respectively. Median delivered dose was 111.6 mCi with average treatment time of 576 seconds. Average exposed dose rate at 10 cm and 40 cm from the patient's heart were 0.43 mSv/hr and 0.30 mSv/hr, respectively. Average exposed doses per treatment were 0.07 mSv and 0.05 mSv for 10 cm and 40 cm from the patient's heart, respectively. Exposed doses measured are much lower than recommended limit of 50 mSv for radiation workers or 1 mSv for general population in ICRP-60. This study proves that current method of intracoronary radiotherapy incorporated in this trial is very safe regarding radiation protection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.70-70
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• 2003

경피적관상동맥성형술(CPTCA)이나 스텐트삽입술 후에 발생하는 재협착을 방지하기 위한 방사선을 조사하는 방법 중에 베타 입자를 방출하는 액체 선원을 catheter풍선 내에 넣어 일정 시간 방사선 조사 시키는 방법이 있다. 조사시킬 혈관의 길이가 길어 한번의 방사선 조사가 어려울 경우 영역을 분할하여 두 번에 나누어 조사할 경우가 있다. 조사영역의 겹치는 부근의 흡수선량이 고선량이나 저선량이 되는가를 알기 위하여 두 풍선간의 접근 거리에 따른 혈관내벽의 흡수선량 분포를 알아보았다. 풍선내의 액체 선원은 Ho-l66을 이용하였고 Ho-l66의 물리적 반감기는 26.8시간이고 최대에너지 1.85 MeV, 평균에너지 0.69 MeV와 최대에너지 1.77 MeV, 평균에너지 0.65 MeV를 갖는 베타 입자를 방출한다. Ho-l66 의 방사선 흡수선량을 측정하기 위하여 GafChromic 필름(Nuclear Associates, Carle Place, NY, USA)을 이용하였고, 방사선이 조사된 필름의 optical density는 videodensitometer(Wellhofer, Schwarzen-bruck, Germany)를 이용하여 값을 읽었다. Catheter 풍선은 직경이 3 mm 이고 길이가 20 mm인 것을 이용하였다. 혈관 내벽의 최대 흡수선량을 표준화하여 겹치는 부분의 흡수선량 분포를 접근 거리에 따라 구하였다. 또한 몬테카를로 시abf레이션으로 확인하였다. 두 풍선의 겹치는 부근의 선량 분포는 풍선 중앙에서 중앙사이의 거리가 21 mm 일 때 중앙에서 20% 증가하였고, 거리가 22 mm일 때와 23 mm일 때 각각 10%와 40%의 감소를 보였다. 풍선 도자의 풍선 안에 베타입자 방출 액체 선원을 넣어 혈관내벽에 방사선 조사하는 방법은 비정거리가 짧아 혈관 내벽 부근에만 방사선을 조사시키고 그 외 중요 장기에는 영향을 덜 미치는 장점이 있다. 그러나 혈관 내벽 표면으로 부터의 거리에 따라 흡수선량이 급격히 떨어지는 분포를 이루기 때문에 두 개의 풍선이 겹치는 부근의 흡수선량은 아주 작은 접근 거리에서도 급격한 변화를 보였다. 따라서 시술 중에 겹치는 부분을 아주 적게 분할하여 정확하게 차례차례로 조사시키기 위해서는 신중한 거리 조정을 하여야 한다.

• 순환기질환의공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.50-51
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• 2004