• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2011

Recently, we have proposed a hypothesis that spinal structures have a stress sensor driving feedback mechanism, In the human spine, spinal structure could react to modify muscular action in such a way so as to equalize stress at the disc, therefore reduce the risk of injury, In this analysis, abdominal muscle and abdominal pressure, which were not included in the previous study, were added to identify those effects in spine stability during upright stance posture for the case where the intervertebral disc plays the role of mechanoreceptor, The musculoskeletal FE model was consisted with detailed whole lumbar spine, pelvis, sacrum, coccyx and simplified trunk model. Muscle architecture with 46 local muscles containing paraspinal muscle and 6 rectus abdominal muscles were assigned according to the acting directions. The magnitude of 4kPa was considered for abdominal pressure. Minimization of the nucleus pressure deviation and annulus fiber average tension stress deviation was chosen for cost function. Developed model provide nice coincidence with in-vivo measurement (nucleus pressure). Analysis was conducted according to existence of co-activation of abdominal muscle and abdominal pressure. Antagonistic activity of abdominal muscle produced stability of spinal column with relatively small amount of total muscle force. In contrast to the abdominal muscle, effect of abdominal pressure was not clear that was partly depending on the assumption of constant abdominal pressure.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.266-274
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• 2009

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs most commonly in older individuals (between 65 and 75), and more in men and smokers. The most important complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rupture, which is most often a fatal event. An abdominal aortic aneurysm weakens the walls of the blood vessel, leaving it vulnerable to bursting open, or rupturing, and spilling large amounts of blood into the abdominal cavity. surface modeling is very useful to surgery for quantitative analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. the 3D representation and surface modeling an abdominal aortic aneurysm structure taken from Multi Detector Computed Tomography. The construction of the 3D model is generally carried out by staking the contours obtained from 2D segmentation of each CT slice, so the quality of the 3D model strongly defends on the precision of segmentation process. In this work we present deformable model algorithm. deformable model is an energy-minimizing spline guided by external constraint force. External force which we call Gradient Vector Flow, is computed as a diffusion of a gradient vectors of gray level or binary edge map derived from the image. Finally, we have used snakes successfully for abdominal aortic aneurysm segmentation the performance of snake was visually and quantitatively validated by experts.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.940-948
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• 2016

Objectives: This exploratory trial evaluated the possibility of quantitatively measuring several aspects during the "abdominal examination" of traditional Korean medicine. The main results of this study will be used to develop a new diagnostic device for abdominal examinations. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. Three certified Korean medical doctors assessed the existence of pressure pain, the elasticity of the abdominal muscle, and the tonus at CV12 as gold standards. Then, 2 well-trained investigators measured the pressure pain threshold (PPT), the indentation depth of a bar, and repelling force by pressing CV12. Each investigator measured the above 3 variables 2 times at 1 min intervals using a modified digital algometer. Reliability and validity tests of the 3 variables were performed. Results: There were statistically significant coefficients of intraclass correlation on the 3 variables both between and within the investigators (P<0.001). Also, PPT and repelling force showed statistically significant high sensitivity and specificity in a ROC curve. However, the indentation depth of the bar presented relatively low sensitivity. Conclusions: This new diagnostic method using a modified digital algometer could be a useful tool for quantitative measurement in "abdominal examinations". However, future rigorous clinical studies with a large population will be needed for the verification of its usefulness.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.46-48
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• 2007

In this study, we determined the optimum electrode pair for measuring the abdominal pressure using bio-impedance method. Because impedance changes differ from a weight, a height, contractile force, volume of muscle and blood other or whatever of individuals, it was quantified using values of impedance change, correlation coefficient and SNR. Our results showed the optimum electrode pair (1, 9) which could detect impedance changes due to an increase of the intensity of the abdominal pressure. The correlation coefficient and quadratic function between the RMS values of EMG and the impedance changes were 0.87 and $y=0.0014x^2$+0.0620x+0.6958, respectively. It demonstrated that the abdominal pressure could be measured non-invasively and simply using bio-impedance method. We propose that this optimum electrode configuration would be useful for future studies involving the convenient measurement of abdominal pressure by ambulatory urodynamics monitoring study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2001

This study was aimed to investigate the effect Chukdamtanggamibang on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) of male Sprague-Dawely rats, contractile force of guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle and abdominal aorta and femoral artery in rabbits. Blood pressure was not affected by Chukdamtanggamibang in rats. rCBF was significantly increased by Chukdamtanggamibang in a dose-dependent manner. Contractile force of isolated guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle evoked by His ({TEX}$ED_{50}${/TEX}) were inhibited significantly by Chukdamtanggamibang. Propranolol, indomethacin and methylene blue did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chukdamtanggamibang. Contractile force of isolated rabbit`s abdominal aorta and femoral artery evoked by NE ({TEX}$ED_{50}${/TEX}) were inhibited significantly by Chukdamtanggamibang. ODQ and L-NNA significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Chukdamtanggamibang in abdominal aorta, whereas propranolol did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chukdamtanggamibang. These results indicate that Chukdamtanggamibang can relax hitamine-induced contraction of guinea pig`s tracheal smooth muscle and that this inhibition involves, in part, the relation to the soluble guanylyl cyclase synthesis and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.199-201
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• 1987

We have recently experienced a rare case of abdominal aortic injury caused by deceleration force during fall in upright position. The patient was 43-year-old brick-layer fell from 12 meter height and sustained compression fracture of the spine and both legs. The aortic injury was unnoticed at that time. About 2 years later, marked stenosis of the distal abdominal aorta was found together with clinical manifestations of ischemia of both legs. Aorto-femoral bypass on both sides has completely relieved the symptoms, Similar type of abdominal aortic injuries could not be found in the literatures.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.1339-1342
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• 2007

In this study, we determined the optimum electrode pair for measuring the abdominal pressure using bio-impedance method and compared with conventional methods. Because impedance changes differ from a weight, a height, contractile force, volume of muscle and blood other or whatever of individuals, it was quantified using values of impedance change, correlation coefficient and SNR. Our results showed the optimum electrode pair (1, 9) which could detect impedance changes due to an increase of the intensity of the abdominal pressure. The correlation coefficient and quadratic function between the RMS values of EMG and the impedance changes were 0.87 and $y=0.0014x^2+0.0620x+0.6958$, respectively. It demonstrated that the abdominal pressure could be measured noninvasively and simply using bio-impedance method. We propose that this optimum electrode configuration would be useful for future studies involving the convenient measurement of abdominal pressure by ambulatory urodynamics monitoring study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.87-91
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• 2003

Objectives: To examine the relaxational response to the water extract of Rheum palmatum L. and Rheum undulatum L. on rat thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta. Methods: Segments of thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta obtained from rats immediately after delivery were mounted in organ baths superfused on a polygraph. Results : We found that the thoracic aorta segments responded to the water extract of genus Rheum with a dose-dependent vasorelaxation. At $10^{-4}$ M 5-HT, the maximal contraction force was 93.5% of the maximum KCI-response. The 5-HT induced contractions at $10^{-4}$ M were inhibited by 86.4% and 62.1 % after addition of the high concentrations of R. palmatum root (RPR) and leaf (RPL) and R. undulatum root (RUR) and leaf (RUL). At 10 mg/ml RPR and RUR, the relaxational response at thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta with and without endothelium were 86.4%, 83.2%, 85.8%, and 62.1% of the maximum 5-HT induced contraction. Conclusion: Our result showed that RPL and RUL induced dose-dependent vasorelaxation on rat thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta, and that RPL and RUL roots have more potent effects than the leaves.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.1170-1176
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• 2007

The conventional urodynamic monitoring is fulfilled by artificially filling a bladder with saline. Generally. it is difficult to evaluate the physiological functions of the storage and voiding of a bladder. With this aim, we constructed an ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM) system and proposed a novel method estimating abdominal pressure by measuring bio-impedance variations. Our system was clinically evaluated for 10 patients. It turned out to be that as the intensity of the abdomen contraction increased, the amplitude of bio-impedance signal and the RMS value of EMG increased more as compared to those who observed during the rest mode. Also, we determined the optimum electrode pair for estimating the abdominal pressure using bio-impedance method and consequently compared with the conventional methods. Because impedance changes differ from a weight, a height, contractile force, volume of muscle and blood other or whatever of individuals, it was quantified in terms of impedance change, correlation coefficient and SNR Our results showed the optimum electrode pair (1,9) which could detect impedance changes due to the increase of the intensity in the abdominal pressure. The correlation coefficient and quadratic function between the RMS values of EMG and the impedance changes were 0.87 and $y=0.0014x^2+0.0620x+0.6958$, respectively. Thus, our system demonstrated that the abdominal pressure could be measured noninvasively and conveniently by simply estimating bio-impedance values. We propose that this optimum electrode configuration would be useful for the future studies involving the handy measurements of abdominal pressure with our suggested ambulatory urodynamics monitoring system.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.68-76
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• 2017

Background: Abdominal bracing exercise (ABE) and abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE) improve the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function in various patients, yet the efficacy of ABE or AHE have not yet been evaluated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function during both ABE and AHE in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 40 healthy adults, who were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, each with 20 subjects. All subjects performed ABE (experimental group) and AHE (control group). The lumbar flexibility such as trunk flexion test (sitting and standing position) and schober test and pulmonary function such as the spirometer including forced vital capacity (FVC) and force expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) and chest circumference measurement (middle and lower chest) were measured, respectively. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function, respectively. Results: No significant effects of lumbar flexibility were observed on trunk flexion test from the sitting position (P=.478) and standing position (P=.096) in the ABE than in the AHE. However, the length of ABE was longer significantly than it of AHE (P=.024). No significant effects of lung function were observed on the FVC (P=.410) and $FEV_1$ (P=.072) in the ABE group than in the AHE group. And also, no significant effects of chest circumference measurement were observed on the inspiration (P=.468) and expiration (P=.563) in middle chest circumference and inspiration (P=.104) and expiration (P=.346) in lower chest circumference. Conclusion: This study indicated that the ABE is only more effective in lumbar flexibility by lumbar length difference than AHE in healthy adults.