• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1995 no.11
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• pp.247-249
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• 1995

A new localized imaging technique of reduced imaging time using a locally-linear gradient is proposed. Since most fast MR imaging methods need the whole k-space data corresponding to the whole imaging area, there are limitations in reducing the minimum imaging time. The imaging method proposed in this paper uses a specially-made gradient coil generating a local ramp-shape field and uniform field outside of the imaging area. Conventional imaging sequences can be used without any RF/gradient pulse sequence modifications. The proposed localized imaging technique has been implemented on a 2.0 Tesla whole-body system at KAIST and the imaging results show the utility of the proposed technique.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 1996

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new localized imaging method of reduced imaging time luting a locally-linear gradient. Since most fast MR(Magnetic Resonance) imaging methods need the whole $\kappa$-space(Spatial frequency space) data corresponding to the whole imaging area, there are limitstions in reducing the minimum imaging time. The imaging method proposed in this paper uses a specially-made gradient coil generating a local ramp-shape field and uniform field outside of the imaging areal Conventional imaging sequences can be used without any RF/gradient pulse sequence modifiestions except the change in the number of encoding steps and the field of view.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.05d
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• pp.33-37
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• 2003

Endovaginal and endorectal receiver only surface coil were designed for MR imaging(MRI) and $^1H$ MR spectroscopy(MRS) for the uterine cervix and the prostate. The shape of endovaginal coil wire was rectangular with round comer. The shape of endorectal coil wire was long elliptic shape during insertion and circular shape after insertion. Conventional spin echo and fast spin echo sequences were used as T1 and T2 weighted imaging sequences, respectively. 3D volume localized in vivo $^1H$ MR spectroscopy of the human cervix and prostate was performed using PRESS or STEAM localization method. Using home-built endvaginal and endorectal coils, excellent T1 and T2 images were obtained to visualize early cervical and prostate tumors. 3D volume localized in vivo $^1H$ MRS was useful to differentiate the cancerous tissue from the normal tissue.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.481-491
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• 1995

Endovaginal and endorectal receiver only surface coils were designed for MR imaging (MRI) and $^1H$ MR spectroscopy (MRS) for the uterine cervix and the prostate. The shape of endovaginal coil wire was rectangular with round corner. Size of the coil wire was empirically determined for 7cm and 4cm along the long and short axis, respectively. The coil wire loop was supported by acryl handle and bent about $150^{\circ}$ at one side of the loop considering the average angle of the cervix to the vagina. We called this as a "spoon-type endovaginal coil". The wire of the endorectal coil was made of the flexible materials so that the wire loop became long elliptic shape by pushing the acryl handle into the plastic tube for the comfort of patients when the coil was inserted into the cervix. Then, the shape was maintained to be circle by popping out handle. Conventional spin echo (SE) and fast spin echo (FSE) sequences were used as 71 and 72 weighted imaging sequences, respectively. Matrix size was 128~$256{\times}256$. FOVs for surface coil and body coil were 14cm and 24cm, respectively. 3D volume localized in vivo $^1H$ MR spectroscopy of the human cervix and prostate was performed using PRESS or STEAM localization method with the following parameters . TR=3 sec, TE=135 msec for PRESS or 30 msec for STEAM, NEX=2, NS=48, Sl=2048, and SW=2500 Hz. Using home-built endovaginal and endorectal coils, excellent T1- and T2-images were obtained to visualize early cervical and prostate tumors. 3D volume localized in vivo IH MRS was useful to differentiate the cancerous tissue from the normal tissue.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

We proposed new light guide panel (LGP) fabrication method exploiting laser-processed inner scatterers and surface pattern. The proposed method has achieved LGP performance improvement in both brightness and uniformity. The inner scatterers and surface pattern of grid type were fabricated with a 2nd harmonic Nd:YAG pulse laser engraving system and a $CO_2$ laser scanning system, respectively. In the implementation of LGP, inner scatterers was arranged in accordance with linear or curved pattern with changing density and surface pattern was engraved on the surface of an inner-scatterers embedded LGP. The increase of scatterers' density and the use of surface patterns in both linear and curved pattern provided high luminance and uniformity enhancement. While thecurved pattern incorporated with increased scatterers' density and surface patterns yielded brightness improvement with preserving good uniformity, the linear pattern showed highly localized brightness near the light entrance of the LGP. We can also observe that the uniformity was mainly determined by pattern of inner scatterers, and the brightness was improved by the higher density and the utilization of surface patterns. From the results, the use of laser-processed inner and surface patterns can be a potential alternative for efficient and simple LGP fabrication method.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2007

The higher cognitive functions of the human brain including teaming are hypothesized to be selectively distributed across large-scale neural networks interconnected to the cortical and subcortical areas. Recently, advances in functional imaging have made it possible to visualize the brain areas activated by certain cognitive activities in vivo. Neural substrates for teaming and motivation have also begun to be revealed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a non-invasive indirect mapping of cerebral activity, based on the blood- oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast which is based on the localized hemodynamic changes following neural activities in certain areas of the brain. The fMRI method is now becoming an essential tool used to define the neuro-functional mechanisms of higher brain functions such as memory, language, attention, learning, plasticity and emotion. Further research in the field of education will accelerate the verification of the effects on loaming or help in the selection of model teaching strategies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to review brain study methods using fMRI in science education. In conclusion, a number of possible strategies using fMRI for the study of elementary science education were suggested.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2007

There have been no definitive preoperative diagnostic imaging studies for impalpable testes. We observed the effectiveness of laparoscopy for detecting impalpable testes not identified with ultrasonography (USG) or careful physical examination under general anesthesia. We retrospectively reviewed 117 patients (118 testes) who were operated upon for undescended testes from January 1998 to December 2004. The testes of these patients were palpable in 97(82 %) and impalpable in 21 (18 %). We analyzed the preoperative diagnostic method, site of the testes, operative method and operative findings of the 21 impalpable testes. Preoperative USG and physical examination under general anesthesia were performed on 20 patients, and 12 patients' testes could be localized. Eight patients whose testes could not be localized with USG and physical examination underwent laparoscopy. Seven of the 8 patients had testes in inguinal canal and 4 of these were atrophied and underwent orchiectomy because of atrophy (2) and vanishing (2). Only 1 patient had bilateral intraabdominal testes and one of the testes was atrophied. Laparoscopy was a useful method for detecting impalpable testes, but the clinical application might be limited because the location of atrophic or vanishing testes was mainly inferior to internal inguinal ring.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2005

This paper presents a new approach to investigate spatial correlation between independent components of brain alpha activity in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). To avoid potential problems of simultaneous fMRI and EEG acquisitions in imaging pure alpha activity, data from each modality were acquired separately under a 'three conditions' setup where one of the conditions involved closing eyes and relaxing, thus making it conducive to generation of alpha activity. The other two conditions -- eyes open in a lighted room or engaged in a mental arithmetic task, were designed to attenuate alpha activity. Using a Mixture Density Independent Component Analysis (MD-ICA) that incorporates flexible non-linearity functions into the conventional ICA framework, we could identify the spatiotemporal components of fMRI activations and EEG activities associated with the alpha rhythm. Then, the sources of the individual EEG alpha activity component were localized by a Maximum Entropy (ME) method that is specially designed to find the most probable dipole distribution minimizing the localization error in sense of LMSE. The resulting active dipoles were spatially transformed to 3D MRls of the subject and compared to fMRI alpha activity maps. A good spatial correlation was found in the spatial distribution of alpha sources derived independently from fMRI and EEG, suggesting the proposed method can localize the cortical areas responsible for generating alpha activity successfully in either fMRI or EEG. Finally a functional connectivity analysis was applied to show that alpha activity sources of both modalities were also functionally connected to each other, implying that they are involved in performing a common function: 'the generation of alpha rhythms'.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2020

In High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, effective localization of HIFU focus is important for developing a safe treatment plan. While Magnetic Resonance Imaging guided HIFU (MRIgHIFU) can visualize the ultrasound path during the treatment for localizing HIFU focus, it is challenging in ultrasound imaging guided HIFU (USIgHIFU). In the present study, a real-time ultrasound beam visualization technique capable of localizing HIFU focus is presented for USIgHIFU. In the proposed method, a short pulse, with the same center frequency of an imaging ultrasound transducer below the regulated acoustic intensity (i.e., Ispta < 720 mW/㎠), was transmitted through a HIFU transducer whereupon backscattered signals were received by the imaging transducer. To visualize the HIFU beam path, the backscattered signals underwent dynamic receive focusing and subsequent echo processing. From in vitro experiments with bovine serum albumin gel phantoms, the HIFU beam path was clearly depicted with low acoustic intensity (i.e., Ispta of 94.8 mW/㎠) and the HIFU focus was successfully localized before any damages were produced. This result indicates that the proposed ultrasound beam path visualization method can be used for localizing the HIFU focus in real time while minimizing unwanted tissue damage in USIgHIFU treatment.