• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.475-484
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• 2023

This study aimed to compare filters for reducing speckle noise in ultrasound images using clinical liver images. We acquired the clinical liver ultrasound images, and noisy images were obtained by adding 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.50 intensity levels of speckle noise to the liver images. The Wiener filter, median modified Wiener filter, gamma filter, and Lee filter were designed for the noisy images by setting window sizes at 3×3, 5×5, and 7×7. The coefficient of variation (COV) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated to evaluate noise reduction and various filters. Moreover, the filter with the highest image quality was selected and quantitatively compared to a noisy image. As a result, COV and CNR showed the noise improved result when the Lee filter was applied. Furthermore, the Lee filter image with a window size of 7×7 was noted to possess approximately a minimum of 1.28 to a maximum of 3.38 times better COV and a minimum of 2.18 to a maximum of 5.50 times better CNR than the noisy image. In conclusion, we confirmed that the Lee filter was effective in reducing speckle noise and proved that an appropriate window size needs to be set considering blurring.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1077-1086
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of quantitative ultrasound (US) parameters for the assessment of hepatic steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: In this single-center prospective study, 120 patients with clinically suspected NAFLD were enrolled between March 2019 and January 2020. The participants underwent US examination for radiofrequency (RF) data acquisition and chemical shift-encoded liver MRI for PDFF measurement. Using the RF data analysis, the attenuation coefficient (AC) based on tissue attenuation imaging (TAI) (AC-TAI) and scatter-distribution coefficient (SC) based on tissue scatter-distribution imaging (TSI) (SC-TSI) were measured. The correlations between the quantitative US parameters (AC and SC) and MRI-PDFF were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The diagnostic performance of AC-TAI and SC-TSI for detecting hepatic fat contents of ≥ 5% (MRI-PDFF ≥ 5%) and ≥ 10% (MRI-PDFF ≥ 10%) were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The significant clinical or imaging factors associated with AC and SC were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results: The participants were classified based on MRI-PDFF: < 5% (n = 38), 5-10% (n = 23), and ≥ 10% (n = 59). AC-TAI and SC-TSI were significantly correlated with MRI-PDFF (r = 0.659 and 0.727, p < 0.001 for both). For detecting hepatic fat contents of ≥ 5% and ≥ 10%, the areas under the ROC curves of AC-TAI were 0.861 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.786-0.918) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.757-0.897), and those of SC-TSI were 0.964 (95% CI: 0.913-0.989) and 0.935 (95% CI: 0.875-0.972), respectively. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that MRI-PDFF was an independent determinant of AC-TAI and SC-TSI. Conclusion: AC-TAI and SC-TSI derived from quantitative US RF data analysis yielded a good correlation with MRI-PDFF and provided good performance for detecting hepatic steatosis and assessing its severity in NAFLD.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.121-126
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• 1984

A new approach to texture classification for quantitative ultrasound liver diagnosis using run difference matrix was developed. The run difference matrix comprised the gray level difference along with a distances. From this run difference matrix, we defined several vectors and parameters such as DOD, DGD, DAD vector, SHP, SMO, SMG, LDE, LDEL etc.Each parameter values calculated in fatty, cirrhotic, normal and chronic hepatitic liver images were plotted in a plane and we found that RDM method was more sensitive to small structural changes than the conventional run length method and showed improved classification ability between the diseases.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.463-472
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• 2021

산부인과 초음파 검사에서 골반 장기를 관찰하기 위해 고주파수의 경질 탐촉자를 이용한 검사의 수요가 증가하고 있다. 하지만 임상에서는 경질 탐촉자의 정도관리가 제대로 시행되고 있지 않으며 평가 기준이 확립되지 않은 실정이다. 따라서 현재 사용되고 있는 산부인과용 초음파 장치 20대를 대상으로 58개의 경질 탐촉자와 20개의 곡면 탐촉자를 ATS-539 표준팬텀에 적용하여 각각의 영상을 획득 한 후 정량과 정성적으로 측정하였다. 정량측정은 종측정, 횡측정, 국소영역, 정성측정은 불응영역, 축방향/외측방향 분해능, 예민도, 기능적 해상도, 회색조와 동적범위를 실시하였다. 정량적 통계 분석 결과 횡측정, 국소영역에서 두 탐촉자 간 유의한 차이가 있었으며,(p<0.05) 정성적 비교 분석 결과 예민도, 기능적 해상도에서 차이점을 확인 할 수 있었다. 이는 탐촉자 간 갖는 주파수의 차이와 탐촉자의 주사 기하학의 차이로 발생 한 것으로 사료된다. 위와 같은 실험 결과를 토대로 횡 거리 평가의 허용 범위는 10%(±8 mm)으로 상향, 예민도의 허용 범위는 삼사분위(75%) 수준인 12 cm깊이인 6개까지 관찰, 기능적 해상도의 평가의 허용 범위는 삼사분위(75%) 수준인 6개(12cm), 6개(12cm), 11개(11cm), 9개(9cm), 6개(6cm)까지 관찰, 회색조와 동적범위의 표적의 깊이를 4cm 깊이의 50%인 2 cm 깊이에서도 측정이 가능하게 표적을 추가하는 것이 타당하다고 사료된다. 연구 결과를 통해 산부인과용 경질 탐촉자의 정도관리 평가 기준을 제시하였으며 본 연구가 향후 경질 탐촉자 전용 팬텀 제작을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 것으로 기대한다.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.114-120
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine the status of quality control using multipurpose phantom of ultrasound equipment used in hospital of veterinary college in South Korea by using ATS-539 multipurpose phantom so as to examine quantitative and objective new image evaluation method. Specialists discussed and analyzed multipurpose phantom images acquired by using convex transducer of 10 ultrasound imaging devices, currently used in 9 veterinary colleges, at 4.0-6.0 MHz. Total 8 items that can be measured with ATS-539 multipurpose phantom including dead zone, vertical and horizontal measurement, axial/lateral resolution, sensitivity, focal zone, functional resolution and gray scale/dynamic range were evaluated. For qualitative evaluation, valid decisions were made based on dead zone, axial/lateral resolution, and gray scale/dynamic range which are resolution index, and coefficient of variation (COV) and blind referenceless image spatial quality evaluator (BRISQUE) were found to increase objectivity. As a result of experiment, all the targeted ultrasonic devices were found appropriate from qualitative evaluation items of dead zone, axial/lateral resolution, and gray scale/dynamic range. In other evaluation items, they were found to be appropriate from focal zone and vertical measurement of quantitative evaluation while inappropriate from horizontal measurement, sensitivity, and functional resolution. COV value was 0.12 ± 0.04, and BRISQUE value was 47.77 ± 2.77, both analysis results show that the noise level of all ultrasonic devices was located within tolerance range. Upon image examination using ATS-539 multipurpose phantom, they were 100% appropriate with inspection standards of dead zone, axial/lateral resolution, and gray scale/dynamic range, and besides, focal zone and functional resolution can be used as evaluation items. In the field of veterinary medicine, 8 standard items using ATS-539 multipurpose phantom and image evaluation items using COV and BRISQUE can be used as standards for quality control of ultrasonography machine.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.241-250
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• 2022

It is known that chronic pain and injury of upper limb joint tissue in manual wheelchair users is usually caused by muscle imbalance, and the propulsion speed is reported to increase this muscle imbalance. In this study, kinematic variables, electromyography, and ultrasonographic images of the upper limb were measured and analyzed at two different propulsion speeds to provide a quantitative basis for the risk of upper extremity joint injury. Eleven patients with spinal cord injury for the experimental group (G_E) and 27 healthy adults for the control group (G_C) participated in this study. Joint angles and electromyography were measured while subjects performed self-selected comfortable and fast-speed wheelchair propulsion. Ultrasound images were recorded before and after each propulsion task to measure the acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The range of motion of the shoulder (14.35 deg in G_E; 20.24 deg in G_C) and elbow (5.25 deg in G_E; 2.57 deg in G_C) joints were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Muscle activation levels of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii increased at fast propulsion. Specifically, triceps brachii showed a significant increase in muscle activation at fast propulsion. AHD decreased at fast propulsion. Moreover, the AHD of G_E was already narrowed by about 60% compared to the G_C from the pre-tests. Increased load on wheelchair propulsion, such as fast propulsion, is considered to cause upper limb joint impingement and soft tissue injury due to overuse of the extensor muscles in a narrow joint space. It is expected that the results of this study can be a quantitative and objective basis for training and rehabilitation for manual wheelchair users to prevent joint pain and damage.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

목 적 : 소아 신질환 환자들의 골상태 평가 및 골다공증의 유병률을 산출하고 스테로이드 치료 기간 및 용량과의 연관성을 알아본 후 예방과 치료를 위한 진료에 지침을 마련하고자 시행하였다. 방 법 1994년 이후 아주대병원 소아과에서 신장질환을 진단 받은 환자들을 대상으로 초음파 골량측정법으로 골밀도를 측정한 후 한국 소아표준골밀도치를 참조하여 골상태를 평가하였고 환자의 임상소견 및 생화학적 지표들의 평균값간에 차이가 있는 지를 알아보았다. 결 과 : 골밀도를 측정 받은 환자는 총44명이었다. 진단시 나이는 6.7$\pm$4.2세였고, 골밀도 측정시 역연령은 9.3$\pm$4.2세, 골연령은 8.2$\pm$4.6세로 골연령이 저하되어 있었다. 질환별로는 특발성 신증후군 24명(54.5%), Henoch Shonlein 신염 7명(15.9%), IgA 신병증 5명(13.6%), 역류성 신병증 2명(4.5%), 기타 5명(11.4%)이었다. 환아 13명(29%)의 골밀도가 감소되어 있었고 이중 5명(11%)은 골다공증 범주에 속하였다 질환별로는 특발성 신증후군 1명(4%), Henoch Shonlein 신염 2명(29%), 역류성 신병증 1명(50%), 기타 1명(23%)이었다. 정상, 골감소증, 골다공증 세 군으로 나누었을 때 골밀도 측정시점까지 스테로이드 투여기간은 각각 26.5$\pm$27.3개월, 32.1$\pm$39.6개월, 8.9$\pm$12.9개월이었고, 투여한 축적 용량은 221.7 $\pm$248.6 mg/kg, 177.1 $\pm$302.9 mg/kg, 49.9$\pm$45.5 mg/kg이었으며 세 군간에 유의한 차이는 없었다. 스테로이드의 투여기간을 장기간(6개월이상)과 단기간(6개월 미만)으로 나누어 비교했을 때 골밀도 측정값 및 골관련 생화학적 수치들은 차이가 없었다.결 론 : 초음파 골량측정법이 보편화되지 않았지만 정상 참고치와 비교가 가능하였으며 측정결과 골감소증은 29%, 골다공증은 11%로 상당수에서 골상태가 비정상임을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구에서는 스테로이드 사용기간 및 축적용량이 골상내의 변화에 특별한 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 동일 환자들의 골상태의 변화관찰과 신질환 관련 골감소의 요인을 밝혀내기 위한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• 제27권2E호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2008

In recent years, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technologies have played a growing role in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Most of the commercial bone somometers measure speed of sound (SOS) and/or broadband ultrasonic attenuation (EUA) at peripheral skeletal sites. However, the QUS parameters are purely empirical measures that have not yet been firmly linked to physical parameters such as bone strength or porosity. In the present study, the theoretical models for wave propagation in cancellous bone, such as the Biot model, the stratified model, and the modified Biot-Attenborough (MBA) model, were applied to predict the dependence of phase velocity on porosity in cancellous bone. The optimum values for the input parameters of the three models in cancellous bone were determined by comparing the predictions with the previously published measurements in human cancellous bone in vitro. This modeling effort is relevant to the use of QUS in the diagnosis of osteoporosis because SOS is negatively correlated to the fracture risk of bone, and also advances our understanding of the relationship between phase velocity and porosity in cancellous bone.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2003

The purpose of this study investigated the anesthetic effects of lidocaine gel by phonophoretic transdermal delivery. The anesthetic effects were evaluated by two aspects as quantitative sensory testing and sensory nerve conduction study. Twelve healthy males(aged $23.25{\pm}2.09$ years) were studied. Exclusion criteria were ; pain, history of sensory disturbances and skin conditions in the areas to be examined. The subjects were divided into two groups; group I(lidocaine gel without ultrasound) and group II(lidocaine gel with ultrasound). The following results were obtained; 1. In changes of tactile threshold and electrical pain threshold, all groups were significantly increased(p<0.05). 2. In changes of electrical pain threshold, it was significantly differenced between the groups(p<0.05). We conclude that the transdermal delivery of lidocaine gel by phonophoresis has a possibility to use for surface anesthesia and the pain control of the superficial tissue.

• 센서학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.490-496
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• 2010

In this study, in order to overcome the weakness of acoustic field analysis which is generally used for ultrasonic probe performance evaluation, automatic acoustic field measurement system and evaluation parameters were proposed. The comparisons between acoustic field simulation and measured acoustic distribution data of normal and abnormal channels were conducted to evaluate the availability of proposed system and evaluation parameters. First, the impulse response characteristic of sample probe was investigated to classify the normal elements and abnormal elements. And then, normal channels and abnormal channels with abnormal element were chosen. The suggested 12 evaluation parameters were calculated using the acoustic fields of these channels. The availability of proposed automatic acoustic field measurement system and evaluation parameters was confirmed. And the performance evaluation of ultrasonic probe using acoustic field analysis could be easier and faster.