• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1993 no.05
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• pp.28-30
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• 1993

We have investigated the feasibility study, especially for optimal TR, to obtain 3-D MR neurographic imaging (neurograms or nervography) which shows the distribution of peripheral nerve fibers at the human forearm using 4.7 T magnet. To peform a successful formation of MR neurographic imaging, nerve signal should be separated from the other signal comes from surrounding muscle or fat, because nerves are usually embeded in muscle or fat. Generally, it is well known that nerve has shoter T1 value than that of muscle. Thus, repetition time was optimized to maximize the signal intensity defference between the muscel and nerve. We have also used spin-echo(SE) sequence with long echo time($60{\sim}90\;msec$) to enhance the different signal intensity between muscles and pheriperal nerves base on the fact that muscle tissue has longer T2 relaxation lime than that or nerve.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to assess the lateral ventricle, which was some portion of brain and related to congenital anomalies, from 1, 2, 4, and 8 months of age in healthy micropigs. They were induced general anesthesia and performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 0.3 Tesla magnet. Each age group was evaluated by three subjects such as lateral ventricular volume, ventricular volume ratio and asymmetry. T1 weighted transverse images were acquired for calculation of lateral ventricular and corresponding brain parenchyma areas. The ratio of bilateral ventricle areas used to analyze the asymmetry. The mean ventricular volumes of each month were $676.74{\pm}25.58mm^3$ (1 month-old), $630.64{\pm}143.84mm^3$ (2 month-old), $992.12{\pm}106.03mm^3$ (4 month-old) and $1172.62{\pm}237.57mm^3$ (8 month-old), respectively. The ventricular volume ratio was the smallest at 2 month-old and re-increased from that age. The ratio was significantly different between 2 month-old and other age groups (p < 0.05). The value of bilateral area ratio showed within 1.5 in all experimental animals. Consequently the lateral ventricle showed a positive correlation with aging and symmetric shapes in both sides. The developmental pattern of the lateral ventricle provides basic data in micropigs as an experimental animal model for physiological and neurosurgical approach.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2001

Purpose : Within a clinically acceptable time frame, we obtained the high resolution MR images of the human brain, knee, foot and wrist from 3T whole-body MRI system which was equipped with the world first 37 active shield magnet. Materials and Methods : Spin echo (SE) and Fast Spin Echo (FSE) images were obtained from the human brain, knee, foot and wrist of normal subjects using a homemade birdcage and transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonators operating in quadrature and tuned to 128 MHz. For acquisition of MR images of knee, foot and wrist, we employed a homemade saddle shaped RF coil. Topical common acquisition parameters were as follows: matrix=$512{\times}512$, field of view (FOV) =20 cm, slice thickness = 3 mm, number of excitations (NEX)=1. For T1-weighted MR images, we used TR = 500 ms, TE = 10 or 17.4 ms. For T2-weighted MR images, we used TR=4000 ms, TE = 108 ms. Results : Signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 3T system was measured 2.7 times greater than that of prevalent 1.5T system. MR images obtained from 3T system revealed numerous small venous structures throughout the image plane and provided reasonable delineation between gray and white matter. Conclusion The present results demonstrate that the MR images from 3T system could provide better diagnostic quali\ulcorner of resolution and sensitivity than those of 1.5T system. The elevated SNR observed in the 3T high field magnetic resonance imaging can be utilized to acquire images with a level of resolution approaching the microscopic structural level under in vivo conditions. These images represent a significant advance in our ability to examine small anatomical features with noninvasive imaging methods.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1994

After proving home-made imaging pulse sequences including tailored RF pulse by phantom, susceptibility-contrast-enhanced MR venograms of cat brain were obtained using tailored RF gradient-echo(TRGE) method. Sagittal MR imaging of the cat brain obtained by TRGE technique shows several veins, for example, dorsal sagittal sinus, straight sinus, vein of corpus callosum and internal cerebral vein, etc., compared with cats anatomical figure. Tailored RF waveform was generated by PASCAL language in ASPECT 3000 computer(Switzland, Bruker). Rectangular-shaped slice profile with bi-linear ramp function as phase distribution in the slice, at which maximum value was 2$\pi$, was fourier transformed to make tailored RF pulse. Experimental MR imaging parameters were TR/TE=205/10 msec, slice thickness TH=7mm, maxtrix size=256$\times$256, in-plane resolution=0.62$\times$0.31mm$^2$, and field of view(FOV)=8cm for both conventional gradient-echo(GE) imaging and TRGE imaging techniques.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1715-1718
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• 2015

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging of breast, reported to be a high sensitivity of 94% to 100%, is the most sensitive method for detection of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate our clinical experience in MRI-guided breast lesion wire localization in Chinese women. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients with 46 lesions undergoing MRI-guided breast lesion localization were prospectively entered into this study between November 2013 and September 2014. Samples were collected using a 1.5-T magnet with a special MR biopsy positioning frame device. We evaluated clinical lesion characteristics on pre-biopsy MRI, pathologic results, and dynamic curve type baseline analysis. Results: Of the total of 46 wire localization excision biopsied lesions carried out in 44 female patients, pathology revealed fourteen malignancies (14/46, 30.4%) and thirty-two benign lesions (32/46, 69.6%). All lesions were successfully localized followed by excision biopsy and assessed for morphologic features highly suggestive of malignancy according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category of MRI (C4a=18, C4b=17, C4c=8,C5=3). Of 46 lesions, 37 were masses and 9 were non-mass enhancement lesions. Thirty-two lesions showed a continuous kinetics curve, 11 were plateau and 3 were washout. Conclusions: Our study showed success in MRI-guided breast lesion wire localization with a satisfactory cancer diagnosis rate of 30.4%. MRI-guided wire localization breast lesion open biopsy is a safe and effective tool for the workup of suspicious lesions seen on breast MRI alone without major complications. This may contribute to increasing the diagnosis rate of early breast cancer and improve the prognosis in Chinese women.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

Purpose : Information about electrical activity inside the brain during fMRl scans is very useful in monitoring physiological function of the patient or locating the spatial position of the activated region in the brain. However, many additional noises appear in the EEG signal acquired during the MRI scan. Gradient induced noise is the biggest one among the noises. In this work, we propose a gradient noise reduction method using the independent component analysis (ICA) method. Materials and Methods : We used a 29-channel MR-compatible EEG measurement system and a 3.0 Tesla MRI system. We measured EEG signals on a subject lying inside the magnet during EPI scans. We selectively removed the gradient noise from the measured EEG signal using the ICA method. We compared the results with the ones obtained with conventional averaging method and PCA method. Results : All the noise reduction methods including the averaging and PCA methods were effective in removing the noise in some extent. However, the proposed ICA method was found to be superior to the other methods. Conclusion : Gradient noise in EEG signals acquired during fMRI scans can be effectively reduced by the ICA method. The noise-reduced EEG signal can be used in fMRI studies of epileptic patients or combinatory studies of fMRI and EEG.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2003

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of the gradient switching noise on the ECD source localization with the EEG data recorded during the MRI scan. Materials and Methods : We have fabricated a spherical EEG phantom that emulates a human head on which multiple electrodes are attached. Inside the phantom, electric current dipole(ECD) sources are located to evaluate the source localization error. The EEG phantom was placed in the center of the whole-body 3.0 Tesla MRI magnet, and a sinusoidal current was fed to the ECD sources. With an MRI-compatible EEG measurement system, we recorded the multi channel electric potential signals during gradient echo single-shot EPI scans. To evaluate the effect of the gradient switching noise on the ECD source localization, we controlled the gradient noise level by changing the FOV of the EPI scan. With the measured potential signals, we have performed the ECD source localization. Results : The source localization error depends on the gradient switching noise level and the ECD source position. The gradient switching noise has much bigger negative effects on the source localization than the Gaussian noise. We have found that the ECD source localization works reasonably when the gradient switching noise power is smaller than $10\%$ of the EEG signal power. Conclusion : We think that the results of the present study can be used as a guideline to determine the degree of gradient switching noise suppression in EEG when the EEG data are to be used to enhance the performance of fMRI.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.47-47
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• 2003

Abstract: RF Birdcage Resonator는 높은 자장 균질성과 신호 대 잡음비의 특성이 좋음으로 인해 MRI와 MRS 연구에 보편적으로 사용되고 있다. 본 연구는 인체를 비롯한 동물실험을 위한 다양한 실험대상에 따라 코일의 크기를 예측하여 Birdcage Resonator를 개발하였다. Unloaded와 Loaded 상태에서의 전기적인 성향을 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 따라 일반적인 분석을 하였을 뿐 아니라 실제적인 실험을 통한 분석도 하였다. Introduction: Birdcage Resonator 는 자장 균일성이 뛰어나고 신호대잡음비가 좋아 Magnetic Resonance Imaging과 Spectroscopy에 유용하게 사용되어지고 있다. 이 연구에서는 실험대상에 따른 여러 가지의 Birdcage Resonator를 개발하기 위해 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 사용한 일반적인 이론적 방법론을 이용하여 코일을 분석하였을 뿐 아니라 실제 제작한 후 실험을 통한 실질적인 영상분석도 병행하여 진행하였다. Method: 실질적인 개발에 앞서 Lumped Element Circuit Theory를 통해 이론적인 분석으로부터 나온 여러 parameter들을 정리하였다. 제작 후 실험적인 분석은 Network Analyzer (HP 4195A, 미국)를 통한 1차적인 분석을 한 후 최종적으로 3T MRI 장비 (메디너스, 한국)에서 수행하였다. 제작된 Birdcage Resonator의 종류는 기본적으로 Low-Pass Filter를 적용한 12-column 구조이다. 각각의 직경과 element의 길이는 다음과 같다. 1) 직경 13cm, element의 길이 22cm, 2) 직경 15cm, element의 길이 22cm, 3) 직경 17 cm, element의 길이 25cm. Result and Discussion: 여러 parameter들을 이론적으로 계산하여 실제 Birdcage Resonator를 제작하여 실험적인 분석을 한 결과 많은 차이가 있음을 알 수 있었다. 그 이유는 이론적인 계산에서는 생각되지 않았던 요인들이 실제 제작에 있어서는 많은 영향을 미쳤기 때문인 것이다. Network Analyzer를 통한 1차적인 분석 후에도 실제의 Magnet Field내에서 또 다시 차이가 나는 것 또한 같은 이유에서이다. 그러므로 Birdcage Resonator 제작에 있어서 이러한 여러 요인들을 충분히 고려하여야 할 것이다. Acknowledgement: 본 연구는 2002 년도 한국과학재단 목적기초연구사업 (과제번호 : R0l-2002-000-00294-0 (2002) 지원아래 수행되었다.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.228-234
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• 2020

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. SPIONs are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as contrast agents and targeted delivery in nanomedicine using external magnet sources. SPIONs act as an artificial peroxidase (i.e., nanozyme), and these reactions were highly stable in various pH conditions and temperatures. In this study, we report a nanozyme ability of the clustered SPIONs (CSPIONs) synthesized by the oil-in-water (O/W) method and coated with biocompatible poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). We hypothesize that the CSPIONs can have high sensitivity toward H2O2 derived from the reaction between a fixed amount of glucose and glucose oxidase (GOX). As a result, CSPIONs oxidized a 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) commonly used as a substrate for hydrogen peroxidase in the presence of H2O2, leading to a change in the color of the substrate. We also utilized a colorimetric assay at 417 nm using various glucose concentrations from 5 mM to 1.25 μM to validate β-D-glucose detection. This study demonstrated that the absorbance value increases along with increasing the glucose level. The results were highly repeated at concentrations below 5 mM (all standard deviations < 0.03). Moreover, the sensitivity and limit of detection were 1.50 and 5.44 μM, respectively, in which CSPIONs are more responsive to glucose than SPIONs. In conclusion, this study suggests that CSPIONs have the potential to be used for glucose detection in diabetic patients using a physiological fluid such as ocular, saliva, and urine.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2001

For veterinary imaging diagnosis, we obtained MR images of the canine brain, spine, kidney and pelvis from 3T MRI system which was equipped with the world first 3T active shield magnet. Spin echo (SE) and fast Spin Echo (FSE) images were obtained from the canine brain, spine, kidney and pelvis of normal and sick dogs using a homemade birdcage and transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonators operating in quadrature and tuned to 128 MHz. In addition, we employed a homemade saddle shaped RF coil. Typical common acquisition parameters were as follows: matrix=512$\times$512, field of view (FOV)=20cm, slice thickness=3 w, number of excitations (NEX)=1. For T1-weighted MR images, we used TR=500 ms, TE=10 or 17.4 ms. For T2-weighted MR images, we used TR=4000 ms, TE=108 ms. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 3T system was measured 2.7 times greater than that of prevalent 1.57 system. The high resolution images acquired in this study represent more than a 4-fold increase in in-plane resolution relative to conventional images obtained with a 20 cm field of view and a 5 mm slice thickness. MR images obtained from 3T system revealed numerous small venous structures throughout the image plane and provided reasonable delineation between gray and white matter The present results demonstrate that the MR images from 3T system could provide better diagnostic quality of resolution and sensitivity than those of 1.5T system. The elevated SNR observed in the 3T high field magnetic resonance imaging can be utilized to acquire images with a level of resolution approaching the microscopic structural level under in vivo conditions. These images represent a significant advance in our ability to examine small anatomical features with noninvasive imaging methods. Moreover, MRI technique could begin to apply for veterinary medicine in Korea.