• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2008

The object of this study is to investigate the effects of intermittent cyclic stretching on the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) seeded onto aligned multi-layered fibrous scaffold. To make multi-layered fibrous scaffold, polyurethane (PU) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were electrospun alternatively, then were immersed into distilled water to extract PEO. Various types of scaffolds were fabricated depending on fiber directions, i.e., aligned or randomly oriented. The direction of stretching was either parallel or vertical to the fiber direction for the aligned scaffolds. The stretching was also applied to the randomly aligned scaffolds. The duration of stretching was 2 min with 15 min resting period. During the stretching, the maximum and minimum strain was adjusted to be 10 and 7%, respectively with the frequency of 1 Hz. The bioactivities of cells on the scaffolds were assessed by quantifying DNA, collagen, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels. And the cell morphology was observed by staining F-actin. SMCs under parallel stretching to the fiber direction responded more positively than those in other conditions. From the results, we could explain the morphological effect of a substrate on cellular activities. In addition the synergistic effects of substrate and mechanical stimuli effects were confirmed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.418-426
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• 2006

In the artificial heart application, productivity and hemodynamic properties of artificial heart valves are crucial in successiful application to long term in vivo trials. This paper is about manufacture and assessment of trileaflet polymer heart valves using vacuum forming process(VFP). The VFP has many advantages such as reduced fabrication time, reproducibility due to relatively easy and simple process for manufacturing. Prior to VFP of trileaflet polymer heart valves, polyurethane(Pellethane 2363 80AE, Dow Chemical) sheet was prepared by extrusion. The sheets were heated and formed to mold shape by vacuum pressure. The vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves fabrication is composed of two step method, first, leaflet forming and second, conduit forming. This two-step forming process made the leaflet-conduit bonding stable with any organic solvents. Hydrodynamic properties and hemocompatibility of the vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves was compared with sorin bicarbon bileaflet heart valve. The percent effective orifice area of vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves was inferior to bileaflet heart valve, but the increase of plasma free hemoglobin level which reflect blood damage was superior in vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves Vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves has high productivity, and superior hemodynamic property than bileaflet heart valves. Low manufacturing cost and blood compatible trileaflet polymer heart valves shows the advantages of vacuum forming process, and these results give feasibility in in vivo animal trials in near future, and the clinical artificial heart development program.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 1992

In thIns paper, a numerical simulation of steady laminar and turbulent flow in a two dimensional model for the total artificial heart is'presented. A trlleaflet polyurethane valve was simulated at the outflow orifice while the Inflow orifice had a trileaflet or a flap valve. The finite analytic numerical method was employed to obtain solutions to the governing equations in the Cartesian coordinates. The closure for turbulence model was achieved by employing the k-$\varepsilon$-E model. The SIMPLER algo rithm was used to solve the problem in primitive variables. The numerical solutions of the slulated model show that regions of relative stasis and trapped vortices were smaller within the ventricular chamber with the flap valve at the Inflow orifice than that with the trileaflet valve. The predicted Reynolds stresses distal to the inflow valve within the ventricular chamber were also found to be smaller wlth the flap valve than with the trlleaflet valve. These resu1ts also suggest a correlation be- tween high turbulent stresses and the presence of thrombus In the vicinity of the valves in the total artificial hearts. The computed velocity vectors and trubulent stresses were comparable with previ ously reported in vitro measurements in artificial heart chambers. Analysis of the numerical solo talons suggests that geometries similar to the flap valve(or a tilting disc valve) results in a better flow dynamics within the total artificial heart chamber compared to a trileaflet valve.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Recently, various types of pedicle screws have been developed considering the anatomical structure of the spine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pullout stiffness and strength of two types of commercial pedicle screws. The design of two type screws were single pitched thread (ST) pedicle screw and dual pitched thread (DT) pedicle screw, respectively. The tests were conducted in accordance with the ASTM standards using polyurethane (PU) test blocks which has anatomical structure of the spine. There was no significant difference in pullout stiffness between two types of screw. However, DT exhibited higher pullout strength than ST (p<0.05). Pedicle screw with dual pitched thread showed higher pullout strength without decrease in pullout stiffness compared to the standard pedicle screw. In conclusion, dual pitched thread design of the pedicle screw is considered to be more suitable than the single pitched thread for the anatomical structure of the spine.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 2006

The long-term use of indwelling urinary catheters can allow bacterial adhesion to their surfaces, followed by the catheter-associated urinary tract infection. In an attempt to minimize the bacterial adhesion, various amphiphilic polyurethanes (APUs) were synthesized as potential coating materials for urinary catheters. By varying composition of the soft segments such as PEO, PTMO, and PDMS, four different polyurethanes were synthesized. All the APU-coated urinary catheters had the smooth surfaces and showed higher hydrophilicity, compared to the commercial silicone catheters. In particular, the use of APUs with the higher PEG content significantly augmented hydrophilicity and remarkably reduced the total amount of bacteria adhering to the surface. Overall, the APUs prepared in this study provided the promising potential as coating materials for urinary catheters.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.171-178
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• 2024

Background: We developed a novel interlocking three-dimensional (3D) miniplate design with an adjustable configuration. As this device is new, surgeons must become familiar with its application. This study evaluated the usability and learning curves associated with the novel interlocking 3D miniplate for mandibular fracture fixation. Methods: The study participants, nine plastic surgeons, were asked to apply an interlocking 3D miniplate and a standard miniplate to polyurethane mandible models. The participants had completed the Basic Craniomaxillofacial Osteosynthesis course during residency and had operated on craniomaxillofacial fractures within the past 5 years. They were instructed to place the interlocking 3D miniplate three times and the standard miniplate once. We assessed the time required for implant placement, the comfort level of the surgeons, and the biomechanical stability of the plates. Biomechanical testing was conducted by subjecting the mandible to forces ranging from 10 to 90 N and the displacement was measured. Results: The results indicate increasing comfort with each attempt at placing the interlocking 3D miniplate, with a significant difference between the first and third attempts. Additionally, a reduction in application time was noted with repeated attempts, suggesting improved efficiency. Biomechanical tests showed comparable stability between the tested plates. Conclusion: Multiple attempts at applying the interlocking 3D miniplate resulted in increased comfort and reduced application time. These findings indicate that, despite its novelty, the interlocking 3D miniplate is relatively straightforward to apply and has a short learning curve. However, surgeons must have specific qualifications to ensure proper training and minimize errors during placement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.33-35
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• 2003

Over the last 30 years, water-swellable and water-insoluble hydrogels have been extensively investigated and developed, leading to a large family of materials which have found use in a wide range of biomedical applications such as carriers of soft tissues, wound healing, ophthalmological applications, membranes for artificial kidney, and materials for blood compatible and other medical devices[1-3]. (omitted)

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.147-150
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• 1986

This paper describes the implementation of a computerized radial pulse diagnosis by aids of a clinical expert. On this base, we composed of the radial pulse diagnosis system in korean traditional medicine. The system composed of a radial pulse wave detection system and a radial pulse diagnosis system. With a detection system, we detected Inyoung and Cheongu radial pulse wave and processed it. Then, we have got the characteristic parameters of radial pulse wave and also quantified that according to the method of Inyoung-Cheongu Comparison Radial Pulse Diagnosis. We defined the jugement standard of radial pulse diagnosis system and then we confirmed the possibility for realization of automatic radial pulse diagnosis in korean traditional medicine.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1990 no.11
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• pp.61-63
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• 1990

To develop better blood compatibility of commercial polyurethane(PU), PU surface was chemically modified wi th a hydrophobic perfluorocarhon or a hydrophilic polyethylene oxide(PEO) and/or sulfonated groups, respectively. The water contact angle of modified PUs varied from $110^{\circ}$ to $0^{\circ}$. All the modified PUs were more blood compatible than untreated PU. In particular, PEO-sulfonate grafted PUs showed a very enhanced antithrombogenicity due to the synergistic effect of PEO and $SO_3$ groups. Therefore more hydrophobic and hydrophilic PU surfaces are promising for improving the blood compatibility.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.123-126
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• 1992

In this paper, a numerical simulation of steady laminar and turbulent flow in a two dimensional model for the total artificial heart is presented. A trileaflet polyurethane valve was simulated at the outflow orifice while the inflow orifice had a trileaflet or a flap valve. The numerical solutions of the simulated model show that regions of relative stasis and trapped vortices were smaller wi thin the ventricular chamber wi th the flap valve at the inflow orifice than that with the trileaflet valve. The predicted Reynolds stresses distal to the inflow valve within the ventricular chamber were also found to be smaller with the flap valve than with the trileaflet valve. Analysis of the numerical solutions suggests that geometries similar to the flap valve(or a tilting disc valve) results in a better flow dynamics within the total artificial heart chamber compared to a trileaflet valve.