• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.441-445
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the surgical results and prognostic factors for patients with soft cervical disc herniation with myelopathy. Methods : During the last 7 years, 26 patients with cervical discogenic myelopathy were undertaken anterior discectomy and fusion. Clinical and radiographic features were reviewed to evaluate the surgical results and prognostic factors. The clinical outcome was judged using two grading systems (Herkowitz's scale and Nurick's grade). Results : Male were predominant (4:1), and C5-6 was the most frequently involved level. Gait disturbance, variable degree of spasticity, discomfort in chest and abdomen, hand numbness were the most obvious signs. Magnetic resonance(MR) images showed that central disc herniation was revealed in 16 cases, and accompanying cord signal changes in 4. Postoperatively, 23 patients showed favorable results (excellent, good and fair) according to Herkowitz's scale. Conclusion : Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion effectively reduced myelopathic symptoms due to soft cervical disc herniation. The authors assured that the shorter duration of clinical attention, the lesser the degree of myelopathy and better outcome in discogenic myelopathy.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.02a
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• pp.841-847
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• 2007

최근 삶의 수준의 향상과 의학 기술의 발전으로 노인 인구가 증가하고 있다. 하지만 늘어나는 노인 인구에 비례하여 신체적 노화로 거동이 어려운 노인의 수 또한 증가하는 추세이다. 실제로 많은 노인 인구가 거동이 불편해 정상적인 생활을 하지 못하고 있기 때문에 보행 시 적절한 힘을 보조해 줄 수 있는 보행 보조 장치의 개발이 필요하다. 이 같은 보행 보조 장치를 개발함에 있어 보행자의 보행 패턴이 고려된다면 보행자의 걸음걸이에 맞춰 자연스럽게 힘을 보조해 줄 수 있기 때문에 보행자의 보행 단계 분류에 관한 연구가 선행되어야 한다. 그래서 본 논문에서는 하지 근전도 신호를 이용해 보행 단계를 구분하는 방법을 제안하고자 한다. 근전도 신호는 근육이 움직일 때 발생하는 아주 작은 전기적인 신호이다. 근전도 신호는 작은 잡음에도 민감하며, 전극을 부착하는 근육의 위치에 따라서도 값의 차이가 크기 때문에 근전도 신호의 획득 및 처리 방법이 중요하다. 위를 위해 피실험자 별 근육의 위치와 보행 속도를 달리하여 근전도 신호를 획득하고 획득한 신호로부터 여러 특징 값을 추출한다. 그리고 새로운 데이터에 대해 적응성이 강하고 시간에 따라 변하는 근전도 신호의 특성을 잘 반영할 수 있으며 각 집합(class)의 비선형 분리가 가능한 퍼지 최대-최소 신경망(Fuzzy Min-Max Neural Network: FMMNN)을 이용해 보행 단계를 분류해 본다. 실험 결과를 통해 제안한 방법의 타당성을 검증해 보고 보행자, 보행속도, 근전도 측정을 위한 근육의 위치가 보행 패턴 분류에 미치는 영향을 알아본다.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.754-765
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• 2020

Currently, Intelligent femoral prostheses that support the corresponding mode in walking and specific movements are being studied. Certain controls such as upstairs, sitting, and standing require a technique to classify control commands based on the user's intention because the mode must be changed before the operation. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a technique that can classify various control commands based on the user's intention in the intelligent thigh prosthesis system. If it is determined that the EMG signal needs to be compensated, the proposed technique compensates the EMG signal using the correlation between the strength and frequency components of the normal EMG signal and the muscle volume estimated by the pressure sensor. Through the experiment, it was confirmed that the user's intention was accurately detected even in the situation where muscle fatigue was accumulated. Improved intention detection techniques allow five control modes to be distinguished based on the number of muscle contractions within a given period of time. The results of the experiment confirmed that 97.5% accuracy was achieved through muscle tone compensation even if the strength of the muscle signal was different from normal due to muscle fatigue after exercise.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.323-333
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait patterns and muscle activations with increased loads during stair walking. Also, it can be used as descriptive data about continuous stair walking in a real life setting. Method : Twelve sedentary young male adults(Age: $27.0{\pm}1.8yrs$, Weight: $65.8{\pm}9.9kg$) without any lower extremity injuries participated in this study. Participants performed stair walking up 7 floors and their ascending and descending motion on each floor was analyzed. A wireless electromyography(EMG) were attached on the Rectus Femoris(RF), Biceps Femoris(BF), Gastrocnemius(GN), Tibialis Anterior(TA) muscle to calculate integrated EMG(iEMG), median frequency(MDF) and co-contraction index(CI). Chest and left heel accelerometer signal were recorded by wireless accelerometer and those were used to calculate approximate entropy(ApEn) for analyzing gait pattern. All analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 and for repeated measured ANOVA and Post-hoc was LSD. Results : During ascending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in Walking time between 1-2nd and other floors(p=.000), GN iEMG between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.043) floor, TA MDF between 1-2nd and 5-6th(p=.030), 6-7th(p=.015) floor and TA/GN CI between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.038) floor and ApEn between 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.003, y: p=.005, z: p=.006) floor. During descending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in TA iEMG between the 6-5th and 3-2nd(p=.026) floor, and for the ApEn between the 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.037, y: p=.000, z: p=.000) floor. Conclusion : Subjects showed more regular pattern and muscle activation response caused by regularity during ascending stairs. Regularity during the first part of stair-descending could be a sign of adaptation; however, complexity during the second part could be a strategy to decrease the impact.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2012

Purpose : This study investigated the validity of crosswalk signal time length with regards to elderly stroke patients. Methods : We recruited 60 elderly adults sixty years of age or older for our study. The participants were divided into three groups.Group A consisted of 20 healthy participants with no walking aids. Group B consisted of 20 stroke patients with no walking aids. Group C consisted of 20 stroke patients using a cane as a walking aid. We measured the walking times of participants for 7 m, 14 m and 21 m lengths. Results : Using an independent t test, there was a statistically significant difference in the walking times between Group A and Group B for all lengths. There was a statistically significant difference in the walking times between Group A and Group C for all lengths. There was no statistically significant difference in the walking times between Group B and Group C. There was a statistically significant difference between the three group when using ANOVA. Conclusion : From the results of this study, we infer that the signal times at crosswalks are inappropriate for elderly stroke participants who use a cane as a walking aid. Therefore further research should be conducted to determine the appropriate amount of additional time needed for the elderly to safely cross the street.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2013

In this study, we developed a falling recognition system to transmit SMS data through CDMA communication using a three axises acceleration sensor and a two axises gyro sensor. 5 healthy men were selected into a control group, and the fall recognition system using the three axises acceleration sensor and the two axises gyro sensor was devised to conduct an experiment. The system was attached to the upper of their sternum. According to the experiment protocol, the experiment was carried out 3 times repeatedly divided into 3 specific protocols: falling during gait, falling in stopped state, and falling in everyday life. Data obtained in the falling recognition system and LabVIEW 8.5 were used to decide if falling corresponds to that regulated in an analysis program applying an algorithm proposed in this study. In addition, results from falling recognition were transmitted to designated cellular phone in a SMS (Shot Message Service) form. These research results show that an erroneous detection rate of falling reached 19% in applying an acceleration signal only; 6% in applying an angular velocity; and 2% in applying a proposed algorithm. Such finding suggests that an erroneous detection rate of falling is improved when the proposed algorithm is applied incorporated with acceleration and angular velocity. In this study therefore, we proposed that a falling recognition system implemented in this study can make a contribution to the recognition of falling of the aged or the disabled.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.799-807
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• 2017

In this paper, a new method is proposed for estimating pedestrians' walking velocity based on lower-limb kinematics and wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. While the soles and ground are not in contact during the walking cycle, the walking velocity can be estimated by integrating the acceleration output of the inertial sensor mounted on the pelvis. To minimize the effects of acceleration measurement errors caused by the tilt of the pelvis while walking, the estimated walking velocity based on lower-limb kinematics is imposed as the initial value in the acceleration signal integration process of the pelvis inertial sensor. In the experiment involving outdoor walking for six minutes, sensor drift due to error accumulation was not observed, and the RMS error in the walking velocity estimation was less than 0.08 m/s.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.354-357
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• 2015

Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a rare, acquired disorder characterized by progressive unilateral facial atrophy of the skin, soft tissue, muscles, and underlying bony structures that may be preceded by cutaneous induration. It is sometimes accompanied by ipsilateral brain lesions and neurological symptoms. Here we present the case of a 10-year-old girl with right-sided PRS and recurrent monoplegic ataxia of the left leg. At 4 years of age, she presented with localized scleroderma over the right parietal region of her scalp; her face gradually became asymmetric as her right cheek atrophied. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed hemiatrophy of the face and skull base, and T2-weighted images showed increased signal in the right hemipons and hemicerebellar peduncle. Magnetic resonance angiography findings were unremarkable. She was treated with oral prednisolone, and her recurrent gait ataxia diminished within 2 months of the follow-up period. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second case of PRS presenting with an abnormal involvement of the ipsilateral hemipons.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2011

We have developed a wearable device that can convert sensor data into real-time step counts and activity levels. Sensor data on gait were acquired using a triaxial accelerometer. A test was performed according to a test protocol for different walking speeds, e.g., slow walking, walking, fast walking, slow running, running, and fast running. Each test was carried out for 36 min on a treadmill with the participant wearing a portable gas analyzer (K4B2), an Actical device, and the device developed in this study. The signal vector magnitude (SVM) was used to process the X, Y, and Z values output by the triaxial accelerometer into one representative value. In addition, for accurate step-count detection, we used three algorithms: an heuristic algorithm (HA), the adaptive threshold algorithm (ATA), and the adaptive locking period algorithm (ALPA). A regression equation estimating the energy expenditure (EE) was derived by using data from the accelerometer and information on the participants. The recognition rate of our algorithm was 97.34%, and the performance of the activity conversion algorithm was better than that of the Actical device by 1.61%.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.211-217
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• 2004

Chronic acquired hepatocerebral degeneration(CAHD) is a heterogenous that can occur with a primary neurologic, hepatic, or combined presentation. Symptoms and signs of that included progressive dementia, dysarthria, involuntary movements(including tremor, asterixis, and choreoathetosis), ataxia of limb and gait, typically in a patient with chronic liver cirrhosis. Characteristic radiologic findings is high signal on globus pallidus on T1W1 MRI. Recently, we experienced a patients, a 73-year-old female with CAHD presenting mental change, cognitive deficits, and various involuntary movement. In our patient, T1 weighted MRI of the brain showed symmetric high signal intensity in both basal ganglia. Increased ammonia $level(226{\mu}g/dl)$ in whole blood and a multiple anomalous vessels with spleno-renal shunt on abdominal CT were found. But, liver cirrhosis is absent. In admission care, these mental change and involuntary movements had a good response to herbal medication. We report on patient with CAHD which had a spontaneous spleno-renal shunt without liver disease.