• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.168-177
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• 2016

In this paper we present an implantable pressure sensor to measure real-time blood pressure by monitoring mechanical movement of artery. Sensor is composed of inductors (L) and capacitors (C) which are formed by microfabrication and direct bonding on two biocompatible substrates (quartz). When electrical potential is applied to the sensor, the inductors and capacitors generates a LC resonance circuit and produce characteristic resonant frequencies. Real-time variation of the resonant frequency is monitored by an external measurement system using inductive coupling. Structural and electrical simulation was performed by Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) programs, ANSYS and HFSS, to optimize geometry of sensor. Ultrafast laser (femto-second) cutting and MEMS process were executed as sensor fabrication methods with consideration of brittleness of the substrate and small radial artery size. After whole fabrication processes, we got sensors of $3mm{\times}15mm{\times}0.5mm$. Resonant frequency of the sensor was around 90 MHz at atmosphere (760 mmHg), and the sensor has good linearity without any hysteresis. Longterm (5 years) stability of the sensor was verified by thermal acceleration testing with Arrhenius model. Moreover, in-vitro cytotoxicity test was done to show biocompatiblity of the sensor and validation of real-time blood pressure measurement was verified with animal test by implant of the sensor. By integration with development of external interrogation system, the proposed sensor system will be a promising method to measure real-time blood pressure.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.539-548
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• 2007

In the paper, a wireless charger with the function of auto-shutdown for fully implantale middle ear hearing devices (F-IMEHD) has been designed. The wireless charger can communicate with an implant module to be turned off automatically shutdown after an internal rechargeable battery has been fully-charged by electromagnetic coupling using two coils. For the communication with an implant module, the wireless charger uses the load shift keying (LSK) method. But, the variation of the mutual inductance due to the different distance between two coils can cause the communication error in receiving the fully-charged signal from an implant module. To solve the problem, the implemented wireless charger has a variable reference generator for LSK communication. The wireless charger generates proper level of the reference voltage for a comparator using an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). Through the result of experiment, it has been confirmed that the presented wireless charger can detect signals from implantable module. And wireless charger can stop generating electromagnetic flux after an implanted battery has been fully charged in spite of variable coil distance according to different skin thickness.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1995

For the administration of narcotic antagonist with short half-life and low patient compliance, the sustained release system using biodegradable matrix is effective. Polyphosphazenes are of considerable interest as biodegradable matrix systems for controlled release of drugs. In this study, biodegradable polyphosphazenes available for the sustained release implantable device were synthesized, and their application was examined. Poly[dichlorophosphazene] was synthesized by solution polymerization method and confirmed with IR spectrum. Poly[bis(ethyl glycinate) phosphazene] and poly[ (diethyl glutamate)-co-(ethyl glycinate)phosphazene] were then produced by substitution of amino acid alkyl esters for chloride side groups. Using these polymers, the implantable devices of 1 mm thickness and $10{\times}10\;mm$ size containing naloxone hydrochloride were prepared and their release and degradation profiles were measured. In the case of poly[bis(ethyl glycinate)phosphazene] with swelling characteristics, degradation rate was slower than the release rate, showing that the release rate is partly dependent on the swelling rate. In contrast, the degradation rate of polyl[(diethyl glutamate)-co-(ethyl glycinate)phosphazene] matrix was identical with release rate of naloxone hydrochloride. On the basis of these results, it is expected that these polymers can be applied to sustained release implantable systems delivering narcotic antagonist.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.640-644
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the safety and function of the newly developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reservoir called the V-Port. Methods : The newly developed V-Port consists of a non-collapsible reservoir outlined with a titanium cage and a connector for the ventricular catheter to be assembled. It is designed to be better palpated and more durable to multiple punctures than the Ommaya reservoir. A total of nine patients diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis were selected for V-Port insertion. Each patient was followed up for evaluation for a month after the operation. Results : The average operation time for V-Port insertion was 42 minutes and the average incision size was 6.6 cm. The surgical technique of V-Port insertion was found to be intuitive by all neurosurgeons who participated in the pilot study. There was no obstruction or leakage of the V-Port during intrathecal chemotherapy or CSF drainage. Also, there were no complications including post-operative intracerebral hemorrhage, infection and skin problems related to the V-Port. Conclusion : V-Port is a safe and an easy to use implantable CSF reservoir that addresses problems of other implantable CSF reservoirs. Further multicenter clinical trial is needed to prove the safety and the function of the V-Port.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.249-257
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• 2003

The bio-telemetry technologies, that use the wireless miniaturized telemetry module implanted in the human body and transmits several biomedical signal from inside to outside of the body, have been expected to solve the problem such as the patient's inconvenience and the limit for diagnosis. In the case of transceiver system using the wireless RF transmission method, the method of three-dimensional localization for implantable miniaturized telemetry module is necessary to detect the exact position of disease. A new method for three-dimensional localization using small loop antenna in the implantable miniaturized telemetry module was proposed in this paper. We proposed a method that can accurately determine the position of telemetry module by analyzing the differences in the strength of signal, which is received at each of the small size RF receiver array installed on the body surface.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.74-77
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• 2009

Implantable intrathecal pump is one of the therapeutic options for intractable pain. A 24-year-old male with complex regional pain syndrome was suffering from right lower extremity pain. He had all modalities of treatment including spinal cord stimulator. However, his pain had been worse in the past 6 months. His visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was 8-10 and he could not sit or walk. Only opioid was thought to be effective. Then, intrathecal pump was considered. We estimated the minimal effective dose of spinal morphine before implantation. 0.3 mg of morphine was injected intrathecally as a starting dose. Dosage had been increased up to 0.8 mg in 10 days. His VAS score decreased from 8 to 5. He could sleep without pain and walk with crutch. Therefore, intrathecal pump was inserted. He could tolerate to pain. This case suggests that intrathecal morphine delivery can provide effective treatment for intractable non-malignant pain.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2002

The IME(implantable middle ear) system is Promising due to its ability to free from sound feedback and Produce a good sound quality and intelligibility with low distortion even if it is operated with high gain for severe hearing impaired. The differential electromagnetic vibration transducer. which was developed for using in IME system and has two small magnets attached the same Pole facing in the coil. is not influenced by environmental external magnetic field. Besides, it has high vibration efficiency and good frequency response characteristics. In this Paper, using acoustic model of the transducer and ear model of normal Person. the signal transfer characteristics of the IME system are analyzed and investigated From the differences of the characteristics between normal ear and the IME system, it is Possible that design of the IME system that have the signal transfer characteristics similar to normal person's ear.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2017

Background The current indications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have expanded to include young patients with serious cardiac risk factors, but CIED placement has the disadvantage of involving unsightly scarring and bulging of the chest wall. A collaborative team of cardiologists and plastic surgeons developed a technique for the subpectoral placement of CIEDs in young female patients via a transaxillary approach. Methods From July 2012 to December 2015, subpectoral CIED placement via an axillary incision was performed in 10 young female patients, with a mean age of 25.9 years and mean body mass index of $20.1kg/m^2$. In the supine position, with the patient's shoulder abducted, an approximately 5-cm linear incision was made along one of the deepest axillary creases. The submuscular plane was identified at the lateral border of the pectoralis major, and the dissection continued over the clavipectoral fascia until the subpectoral pocket could securely receive a pulse generator. Slight upward dissection also exposed an entrance to the subclavian vein, allowing the cardiology team to gain access to the vein. One patient with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent augmentation mammoplasty and CIED insertion simultaneously. Results One case of late-onset device infection occurred. All patients were highly satisfied with the results and reported that they would recommend the procedure to others. Conclusions With superior aesthetic outcomes compared to conventional methods, the subpectoral placement of CIEDs via a transaxillary approach is an effective, single-incision method to hide operative scarring and minimize bulging of the device, and is particularly beneficial for young female or lean patients.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 1992

This paper describes the design of implantable 8-channel telemetering system to get physiological signals. The internal circuits of this system are designed not only to achieve as small size and low power dissipation as possible, but also to enable continuous measurement of physiological signals. Its main functions are to enable continuous measurement of physiological signals and to accomplish on-off power switching of an implantable battery by receiving appropriate command signals from an external circuit. To integrate implantable biotelemetry system, we performed layout of internal system using Lambda based $2{\mu}m$ n-well design rules. This system, used together with appropriate sensors, is expected to be capable of measuring and transmitting such significant parameters as pressure, pH, and temperature.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2013

Recently, various hearing aids are developed to overcome hearing loss. There are available hearing aids, such as air conduction hearing aid, implantable middle ear hearing aid and so on. But air conduction hearing aid is inconvenience caused by howling, and ossicle chain driving type implantable middle ear hearing aid has some week point due to problem of possible nercobiosis of coupling spot along incus long process. In recent years, in order to improve these shortcomings round window (RW) driving hearing aid has been paying attention. In this paper, the physical cochlear model is proposed for a performance evaluation of the RW driving hearing aids of a transducer. In order to verify an experiment proposed on a performance of physical cochlear model, the transducer which has ossicles characteristics is used. By measuring and comparing the frequency characteristics of transducer with ossicles and human temporal bone, performance of physical cochlear model was verified. As from the result of experiment, it is expected that an implemented cochlear model is useful for evaluating characteristics of RW transducer.