• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2018

In this research, 15 patients were diagnosed with 1.5T and 3.0T MRI instruments (Philips, Medical System, Achieva) to minize Ferromagnetic artifact and find the optimized Tesla. Based on the theory that the 3.0T, when compared to 1.5T, show relatively high signal-to-ratio(SNR), Scan time can be shortened or adjust the image resolution. However, when using the 3.0T MRI instruments, various artifact due to the magnetic field difference can degrade the diagnostic information. For the analysis condition, area of interest is set at the background of the T1, T2 sagittal image followed by evaluation of L3, L4, L5 SNR, length of 3 parts with Ferromagnetic artifact, and Histogram. The validity evaluation was performed by using the independent t test. As a result, for the SNR evaluation, mere difference in value was observed for L3 between 1.5T and 3.0T, while big differences were observed for both L4, and L5(p<0.05). Shorter length was observed for the 1.5T when observing 3 parts with Ferromagnetic artifact, thus we can conclude that 3.0T can provide more information on about peripheral tissue diagnostic information(p<0.05). Finally, 1.5T showed higher counts values for the Histogram evaluation(p<0.05). As a result, when we have compared the 1.5T and 3.0T with SNR, length of Ferromagnetic artifact, Histogram, we believe that using a Low Tesla for Spine MRI test can achieve the optimal image information for patients with disk operation like PLIF, etc. in the past.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2006

Purpose : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging is performed at 3 Tesla MRI system. Since the gradient waveforms for the spiral-scan imaging have lower slopes than those for the Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), they can be implemented with the gradient systems having lower slew rates. The spiral-scan imaging also involves less eddy currents due to the smooth gradient waveforms. The spiral-scan imaging method does not suffer from high specific absorption rate (SAR), which is one of the main obstacles in high field imaging for rf echo-based fast imaging methods such as fast spin echo techniques. Thus, the spiral-scan imaging has a great potential for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields. In this paper, we presented various high-resolution images obtained by the spiral-scan methods at 3T MRI system for various applications. Materials and Methods : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging technique is implemented at 3T whole body MRI system. An efficient and fast higher-order shimming technique is developed to reduce the inhomogeneity, and the single-shot and interleaved spiral-scan imaging methods are developed. Spin-echo and gradient-echo based spiral-scan imaging methods are implemented, and image contrast and signal-tonoise ratio are controlled by the echo time, repetition time, and the rf flip angles. Results : Spiral-scan images having various resolutions are obtained at 3T MRI system. Since the absolute magnitude of the inhomogeneity is increasing in higher magnetic fields, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important. A fast shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal sectional inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the inhomogeneity map is applied. For phantom and invivo head imaging, image matrix size of about $100{\times}100$ is obtained by a single-shot spiral-scan imaging, and a matrix size of $256{\times}256$ is obtained by the interleaved spiral-scan imaging with the number of interleaves of from 6 to 12. Conclusion : High field imaging becomes increasingly important due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio, larger spectral separation, and the higher BOLD-based contrast. The increasing SAR is, however, a limiting factor in high field imaging. Since the spiral-scan imaging has a very low SAR, and lower hardware requirements for the implementation of the technique compared to EPI, it is suitable for a rapid imaging in high fields. In this paper, the spiral-scan imaging with various resolutions from $100{\times}100$ to $256{\times}256$ by controlling the number of interleaves are developed for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.976-983
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• 2000

In this paper, Bridcage type RF coils used widely as RF coils for MRI and its applicable type, spiral type RF coil are analyzed and designed using FDTD method. In low tesla (IT, 1.5T) MRI system, several tools have been used for the analysis and design of the RF coils for MRI. This includes, so-called, LC equivalent circuit method for predicting the resonance frequency of the coil and the Biot-Savart law to determine the field distribution within the coil. Both of the circuit analysis and Biot-Savart law are low frequency techniques. Therefore, at high frequency applications, the circuit model approximation breaks down because the coil geometry is a significant fraction of the wavelength. In this paper, we analyzed and designed RF coils for 3T MRI using FDTD method. This method is a full wave analysis and very accurate at low and high frequencies. Also, this RF coils are actually fabricated and FDTD models of RF coils for MRI are proven.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.19-26
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• 1993

Magnetic Resonance Image represents three-dimensional diagnostic imaging technique using both nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon and computer. Compared with computed tomography (CT), MRI have advantages harmless to patient's body, three-dimensional image with high resolution and disadvantages long data acquisition time because of long T1 relaxation time, relatively low signal to noise ratio, high cost of setting, also. As physiologic motion of tissue results in motion ghost in MRI, high 2.0Tesla make improve low signal to noise ratio. This study have aim to improve image quality with controling motion ghost of tissue. Supposing a moving pixel in constant frequency, one pixel make two ghosts which are same size and different anti-phase. So, this study will show adjust parameter on locational control of motion ghost. Author made moving phantom replaced by respiratory movement of human, researched change of motion frequency, FOV by location shift, and them decided optimal FOV (field of view). The results are as follows: 1. The frequency content of the motion determines how far the image always appear in phase-encoding direction, the morphology of the ghost image is characteristic of the direction of the motion and its amplitude. 2. Double FOV of fixed signal object for locational control of motion ghost is recommended. Decreasement of spatial resolution by increasing FOV can compensate on increasing of matrix in spite of scan time increasement.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.177-187
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• 2012

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) techniques are widely used in diagnosis of vascular disorders such as hemadostenosis and aneurism. Especially, phase contrast (PC) MRA technique, which is a typical non contrast-enhanced MRA technique, provides not only the anatomy of blood vessels but also flow velocity. In this study, we developed the 2- and 3-dimensional PC MRA pulse sequences for a low magnetic field MRI system. Vessel images were acquired using 2D and 3D PC MRA and the velocities of the blood flow were measured in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and the confluence of the two. The 2D PC MRA provided the good quality of vascular images for large vessels but the poor quality for small ones. Although 3D PC MRA gave more improved visualization of small vessels than 2D PC MRA, the image quality was not enough to be used for diagnosis of the small vessels due to the low SNR and field homogeneity of the low field MRI system. The measured blood velocities were $25.46{\pm}0.73cm/sec$, $24.02{\pm}0.34cm/sec$ and $26.15{\pm}1.50cm/sec$ in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and the confluence of the two, respectively, which showed good agreement with the previous experimental values. Thus, the developed PC MRA technique for low field MRI system is expected to provide the useful velocity information to diagnose the large brain vessels.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2011

Purpose : A new inhomogeneity correction method based on two-point Dixon sequence is proposed to obtain water and fat images at 0.35T, low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Materials and Methods : Joint phase-magnitude density function (JPMF) is obtained from the in-phase and out-of-phase images by the two-point Dixon method. The range of the water signal is adjusted from the JPMF, and 3D inhomogeneity map is obtained from the phase of corresponding water volume. The 3D inhomogeneity map is used to correct the inhomogeneity field iteratively. Results : The proposed water-fat imaging method was successfully applied to various organs. The proposed 3D inhomogeneity correction algorithm provides good performances in overall multi-slice images. Conclusion : The proposed water-fat separation method using JPMF is robust to field inhomogeneity. Three dimensional inhomogeneity map and the iterative inhomogeneity correction algorithm improve water and fat imaging substantially.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.610-619
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• 2020

Purpose The study aimed to investigate the role of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) in predicting incidental prostate cancer (PCa) or urothelial carcinoma (UCa) extension in urinary bladder (UB) cancer patients. Materials and Methods A total of 72 UB cancer patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy and 3 Tesla multiparametric MRI before surgery were enrolled. PI-RADS v2 ratings were assigned by two independent radiologists. All prostate specimens were examined by a single pathologist. We compared the multiparametric MRI findings rated using PI-RADS v2 with the pathologic data. Results Of the 72 UB cancer patients, 29 had incidental PCa (40.3%) and 20 showed UCa extension (27.8%), with an overlap for 3 patients. With a score of 4 as the cut-off value for predicting incidental PCa, the diagnostic accuracy was 65.3%, specificity was 90.7%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 66.7%. The diagnostic accuracy for incidental UCa extension was 47.2%, specificity was 92.3%, and PPV was 83.3%. Conclusion Despite the low diagnostic accuracy, the PPV and specificity were relatively high. Therefore, PI-RADS v2 scores of 1, 2, or 3 may help exclude the probability of incidental PCa or UCa extension.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.10
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• pp.1727-1730
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• 2016

Magnetic resonance imaging has a potential to produce clear anatomical as well as functional images of human body. However, the ability to diagnose is limited by signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the resolution of current medical systems. To remove the challenges prevalent due to the use of high field scanners, dedicated radio frequency coils are used. Transverse electromagnetic coils have an advantage of providing homogeneous magnetic field throughout the region but with low signal to noise ratio while surface coils have an advantage of providing higher signal to noise ratio but with low homogeneity. This research combines both the advantage into one by utilizing transmit only transverse electromagnetic radio frequency coils (8 channel) along with receive only surface coils (by varying the number) for better imaging of brain. A 7 Tesla 32-channel close fitting helmet shaped phased-array surface coils along with the combination of 8 channel transmit only transverse electromagnetic coils provided good homogeneity as well as significant SNR improvements throughout the human brain.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2003

In this study, the feasibility of magnetic resonance techniques for nondestructive internal quality evaluation of Korean red ginseng was examined. Relaxation time constants were measured using various grades of red ginsengs. Solid state magnetic resonance imaging technique was applied to image dried red ginsengs which have low moisture contents (about 13%). A 7 tesla magnetic resonance imaging system operating at a proton resonant frequency of 300 ㎒ was used for acquiring MR images of dried Korean red ginseng. The comparison test of cross cut digital images and magnetic resonance images of heaven grade, good grade with cavity inside, and good grade with white part inside red ginseng suggested the feasibility of the internal quality evaluation of Korean red ginsengs using MRI techniques. A good grade red ginseng included abnormal tissues such as cavities or white parts inside was observed by the signal intensity of MR image based on magnetic resonance properties of proton nucleus. Analysis on an one dimensional profile of acquired MR image of Korean red ginseng showed easy discrimination of normal and abnormal tissues. MR techniques suggested ways to detect internal defects of red ginsengs effectively.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2012

Phase Contrast MR Angiography(PC MRA) is excellent MRA technique for measuring the velocity of vessels in the human body. PC MRA need to at least four images for angiogram reconstruction and it caused longer scan time. Therefore, we used keyhole imaging combined PC MRA to reduce the scan time. However, keyhole imaging can lead the erroneous effects as loss of phase information or frequency discontinuous. In this study, we applied the keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA for improving the temporal resolution and also measured the velocity to evaluate the accuracy of phase information. We used 0.32T MRI scanner(Magfinder II, Scimedix, Korea). Using the 2D PC MRA pulse sequence, the vascular images for a human brain targeted on the Superior Sagittal Sinus(SSS) were obtained. We applied tukey window function for keyhole images to minimize the ringing artifact and erroneous factors that are induced frequency discontinuous and phase information loss. We also applied zero-padded algorithm to peripheral missing k-space lines to compare keyhole imaging results and the artifact power(AP) value was measured on the complex difference images to validate the image quality. Consider as based on our results, heavy image distortions and artifacts were shown until using at least 50% keyhole factor. Using above the 50% keyhole factors are shown well reconstructed and matched for magnitude images and velocity information measurements. In conclusion, we confirmed the image quality and velocity information of keyhole technique combined 2D PC MRA. Especially, measured velocity information through the keyhole imaging combination was similar to the velocity information of full sampled k-space image despite of frequency discontinuous and phase information loss in the keyhole imaging reconstruction process. Consequently, the keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA will give some clinical usefulness and advantages as improving the temporal resolution and measuring the velocity information via selecting the appropriate keyhole factor at low tesla MRI system.