• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2016

A pressure measurement system was developed to verify magnitude and position of transferred pressure on the body surface during the intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) which is one of the most well-known methods for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Eighty force sensing resistors (FSR) were arranged on a mannequin leg and a hardware controller sensed, digitized, and transferred pressure data every second while IPC was being applied. Finally, sensed pressure data were color coded and visualized on the 3D model with lab-developed software. The pressure data were also saved to files for further analysis. Using this measurement system, the changing pattern of pressure was measured on the mannequin leg by changing both chamber pressure and cuff tightness. As a result, net pressure transferred onto the body surface is dependent on chamber pressure and cuff tightness. Under the same chamber pressure, the tighter a cuff was worn, the wider compressed area was and the shorter compression cycle was. Also transferred pressure was proportional to both chamber pressure and cuff tightness.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.581-597
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• 2012

Objectives : To explore the experiences of patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP) in a randomized controlled trial(RCT) of acupuncture. Methods : Five qualitative focus group interviews were conducted at three Korean Medicine Hospitals. Two to 4 participants from the same group(real or sham acupuncture) in the RCT of acupuncture for CLBP discussed their experiences and perceptions of the clinical trial and the acupuncture treatment. Transcribed data were read independently by researchers and analyzed to categorize information and identify themes. Results : A total of 14 participants were included. Most of them discovered positive aspects of being a study subject and a patient. They recognized the differences between experimental and real-world clinical settings such as formal procedures of treatment, and different acupuncture device. Participants also expressed the weaker sensation of acupuncture compared to the previous experience. Especially, they were well aware of the 'subjects' role themselves, thus they observed their changes of symptom closely. As subjects were generally satisfied with their treatment and they had a good feeling to acupuncture after the trial, they expressed their willingness to participate in the future clinical trial of acupuncture. Conclusions : Our finding suggests that the Korean patients' experience of participating in an RCT was generally positive. Their tendency to perform the 'subject' role might affect the trial's process or overall results.

• 보건의료산업학회지
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.223-234
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate accident cases involving electronic assistive devices, to determine how these accidents can be avoided and to devise preventative instructions for the handicapped who use these devices. Methods : This study was carried out from July 20 to October 3, 2015. A consent-based survey was conducted via mail and mobile phones targeting 700 electronic assistive device users, of which questionnaires from 290 users were collected and used in the analysis. Results : Accidents involving electronic assistive devices were investigated, especially the causes of the accidents and accident prevention education, as well as the status of the electronic assistive devices. The most common accident types were collision and falling, and it was found that the victims of the accidents usually suffered severe injury to their lower limbs. Most users used electronic assistive devices every day but rarely wore a safety belt because of discomfort. There were more incidents of collision and falling for older aged handicapped users, and the injury rate to the lower limbs was highest in handicapped elderly aged 50 years or older. Conclusions : In order to prevent accidents with electronic assistive devices in the future, a or management organizations must prepare specific safety guidelines and manage these accidents.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.15-22
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• 1999

The Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) has been used for hemiplegic patients in order to help their walking and to increase their balance function. Past studies have mainly focused on the PLS's influence on patients' walking without taking balance function into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effect of PLS on the standing balance in hemiplegic patients. Fifteen hemiplegic patients participated in this study: 10 men and 5 women, with an average age of 53.8 years. Standing balance was measured using a computerized dynamic posturography device under three conditions namely bare-foot standing, standing in shoes without PLS, and standing in shoes with PLS. The results were as follows: 1) The composite equilibrium scores of patients who stood in shoes only and stood in shoes with PLS were higher than those of patients who stood bare-foot. 2) There were no statistical difference in the composite equilibrium scores between the standing condition of patients who stood bare foot and that of patients who stood in shoes with PLS. In conclusion, it is not clear whether or not the PLS affects the standing balance of hemiplegic patients. Further study is required to determine the precise effect of the PLS on standing balance in hemiplegic patients who are not wearing shoes. This is particularly relevant in Korea culture where custom demands the removal of shoes when entering any house or even many restaurants.

• 로봇학회논문지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.132-143
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• 2017

While working in an industrial environment which requires extended periods of upright posture; workers tend to develop muscle fatigue due to the constant load on lower-limb muscles. In addition, when working while bending knees; muscle fatigue of lower back and hamstrings is increased due to the abnormal posture. This can lead to damage of muscles, induce musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce long-term working efficiency. Recent medical studies have shown that long-term working in an upright posture can induce musculoskeletal disorders such as foot fatigue, edema, pain and varicose veins. Likewise, medical and rehabilitation expenses have grown due to the increase in musculoskeletal conditions suffered by workers. For this problem, we aim to develop a device that can reduce the physical fatigue on the lower limbs by supporting the weight of workers during the extended periods of upright and bending postures in the industrial environments. In this paper, we have designed and manufactured a wearable weight support system; with a user intention algorithm that the users can maintain various postures. For validation of the developed system, we measured the muscle activity of the users wearing the system with EMG sensors.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.410-416
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• 2007

This paper presents quantitative analysis of a training system based on an unstable platform and a visual interactive system for improving sense of equilibrium. The training system consists of an unstable platform, a force plate, a safety harness, a monitoring device, and a personal-computer. To confirm the effects of the training system, fifteen young volunteers and five elderly volunteers went through a series of balance training using the system. During the training, we measured relevant parameters such as the time a subject maintain his or her center of pressure on a target, the time a subject moves his or her center of pressure to the target, and the mean absolute deviation of the trace before and after training with this system and training programs to evaluate the effects of the training. The results showed that the training system can successfully assess the gradual improvement of the postural control capability of the subject in the system and showed a possibility of improving balance of the subject. Moreover, the significant improvement in the postural capability of the elderly subject suggests that elderly subjects can benefit more from the training using the system for the improvement of sense of equilibrium.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.308-312
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• 2017

Skeletal muscle function plays a very important role in quality of life. However, skeletal muscle causes functional decline under aging or some diseases. Exercise and muscle training are good solutions to delay sarcopenia, but there are limitations to those who are uncomfortable in exercise. For this reason, alternative interventions for muscle sarcopenia are required, and many studies proved the increase of skeletal muscle mass by electrical stimulation. In conventional studies, however, mouse skeletal muscle cells have been mostly used in experiments to identify electrical stimulation conditions while human derived cells have not been frequently utilized in these studies. Stimulation used for rehabilitation has been uniformly treated without the consideration of aging. In addition, many studies have been used with conventional petri dish usually requiring many numbers of cells, which is not appropriate for rare. Moreover, they are not usually condition uniformity of electrical field. In this study, we have developed an electrical stimulation device which consumes a small amount of cells and can form a uniform electrical field. With the system, we analyzed the skeletal muscle differentiation and Myotube thickness depending on the electrical stimulation condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.159-170
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• 2007

Objectives : The 7-zone-diagnostic system is a diagnostic device to predetermine bodily locations by measuring the energy of a living body. This study was to investigate the relation between the different patterns of Factor AA in a 7-zone-diagnostic system and clinical parameters. The purpose of this study is to relate Korean traditional medicine and western medicine using the data from the 7-zone-diagnostic system and the clinical parameters. Methods : This study was carried out with the data from some clinical parameters. We made two groups according to the Factor AA patterns of VEGA-DFM 722, the 7-zone-diagnostic system The Factor AA patterns of Group A named hyperenergy is all the red bar graphs that arehigher than the normal range. The Factor AA patterns of Group B named hypoenergy is all the red bar graphs that are lower than the normal range. After the data from clinical parameters corresponding with conditions of each group were selected, the data from clinical parameters among each group was analyzed statistically. Results : The values of Weight, GOT, r-GTP, Uric acid and BMI of Group A are higher than those of Group B. The values of Sodium and Phosphorus of Group A are lower than those of Group B. Conclusions : To conclude, it is thought that Group A has a heat-excess type but Group B has colddeficient type.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.51-55
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• 2015

PURPOSE. Bone density at implant placement site is a key factor to obtain the primary stability of the fixture, which, in turn, is a prognostic factor for osseointegration and long-term success of an implant supported rehabilitation. Recently, an implant motor with a bone density measurement probe has been introduced. The aim of the present study was to test the objectiveness of the bone densities registered by the implant motor regardless of the operator performing them. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 3704 bone density measurements, performed by means of the implant motor, were registered by 39 operators at different implant sites during routine activity. Bone density measurements were grouped according to their distribution across the jaws. Specifically, four different areas were distinguished: a pre-antral (between teeth from first right maxillary premolar to first left maxillary premolar) and a sub-antral (more distally) zone in the maxilla, and an interforaminal (between and including teeth from first left mandibular premolar to first right mandibular premolar) and a retroforaminal (more distally) zone in the lower one. A statistical comparison was performed to check the inter-operators variability of the collected data. RESULTS. The device produced consistent and operator-independent bone density values at each tooth position, showing a reliable bone-density measurement. CONCLUSION. The implant motor demonstrated to be a helpful tool to properly plan implant placement and loading irrespective of the operator using it.

• 대한토목학회논문집
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.67-78
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• 1990

본 연구에서는 합리적이고 과학적인 포장 구조체의 유지 관리를 위하여 포장체의 구조적 상태를 평가하는데 중요하게 사용되는 포장체 각 층의 탄성계수 추정 방법에 대하여 연구하였다. 차량하중에 의한 포장체의 구조적 거동을 측정하는 비파괴시험 방법으로 Falling Weight Deflectometer(FWD)를 택하였으며, 측정 결과를 합리적으로 해석하기 위하여 다층탄성이론에 근거한 해석 프로그램을 사용하였다. 국내에서 널리 사용되고 있는 고속도로 단면 모델에 요인배치법(factorial design)을 적용하여 쇄석과 안정처리기층을 갖는 경우 각각에 대한 이론적 처짐특성을 분석하고, 이로부터 각 경우의 층별 탄성계수 추정식을 제안하였다. 처짐 변화율에 따른 탄성계수 변화율에 과한 상관식을 4층 구조체 층별로 개발함으로써 FWD시험의 처짐으로부터 포장체 각 층의 탄성계수를 추정할 수 있는 보다 효율적이며 정도가 높은 역산방법을 제안하고 이를 전산화하였다. 또한 4층 아스팔트 포장체의 실제 가능한 수치 모델에 대한 검증을 통하여 본 연구에서 제안한 역산 방법의 신뢰성 및 타당성을 입증하였다.