• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.481-488
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• 2015

It is difficult to see a therapeutic effect from cardiovascular disease treatment methods in the case of a hardened chronic total occlusion (CTO), owing to the calcification of the deposition materials. However, lesion cells, such as CTOs, can be selectively necrotized without affecting the normal tissue using high-intensity ultrasound focused on one point. In this study, a phantom CTO was necrotized by a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy system, and the acoustic characteristics in the focal region were analyzed. An experimental HIFU device was constructed to discover the appropriate conditions for the necrosis of a phantom CTO. The transfer characteristics of the ultrasound changed in the focal region by the density difference of the phantom CTO. These changes were acoustically analyzed to choose the available frequency band for each density. On-off temperature control in the focal region was applied to prevent rapid temperature rises, which would otherwise affect normal tissue.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7449-7452
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) features with microvessel density (MVD) in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed in 62 patients (17 men and 45 women) with PTC. Tomtec software was applied to analyze the time intensity curve of CEUS. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the level of MVD in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Then the relationship between quantitative feature and the level of MVD was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: The mean peak intensity of PTC tissues was lower than that of peripheral thyroid parenchyma ($61.9{\pm}11.8%$ vs 100%, p<0.05). The MVDs of CD34 and CD31 antibodies staining were $38.0{\pm}6.1$ and $37.9{\pm}5.1$ respectively in 62 PTC samples. A significantly positive correlation was observed between peak intensity and MVD in PTC tissues ($P_{CD34}$<0.01, $r_{CD34}$=0.838, $P_{CD31}$<0.01, $r_{CD31}$=0.837). Conclusions: The peak intensity in CEUS could reflect the MVD in PTC tissues. Therefore, quantification of CEUS seems to be helpful for assessment of MVD in PTC tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2006

This study conducted the following experiment to examine and compare transdermal permeation effects according to parameters of ultrasound and physiochemical characteristics of meloxicam. Permeation by ultrasound among these experimental drugs was relatively higher and it was involved in COX-2 inhibition unlike other drugs. Recently use of oral agents has been rapidly increased, but it was not generalized to transdermal agent and this study selected meloxicam that transdermal permeation research using ultrasound was not performed and conducted transdermal permeation experiment with skin of hairless mouse and analyzed permeation with HPLC. It made gel first and analyzed permeation depending on frequency and intensity of ultrasound of meloxicam with the same experimental procedures as the above experiment. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. Transdermal permeation by ultrasound frequency was higher in 1.0 MHz and it was higher as intensity increased. In comparison by parameters of ultrasound, there was similar permeation in $1.0\;W/cm^2$ of continuous mode and $3.0\;W/cm^2$ of pulsed mode and it was effective to high intensity for using pulsed mode. It was found that duty cycle of ultrasound affected transdermal permeation in meloxicam gel used in this experiment and transdermal permeation was higher in used ultrasound as phonophoresis than non-ultrasound for anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.37-43
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• 2007

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3E
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• pp.107-110
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• 2010

In this paper, the rationale and contents of the special issue of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea regarding comprehensive reviews on past, present and future of biomedical ultrasound are described. Brief descriptions of invited articles are given, and efforts by all contributing authors are gratefully acknowledged.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2024

Ultrasonography examination has limitations in quantifying hepatic fat quantification. Therefore, this study aimed to experimentally demonstrate whether changes in signal attenuation during ultrasound imaging can be quantified using simulated hepatic phantoms to assess hepatic fat content. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the potential of ultrasound imaging for diagnosing hepatic fatty liver by analyzing the relationship between hepatic fat content and signal intensity in ultrasound images. In this study, we developed a total of five stimulated hepatic phantoms by homogeneously mixing water and oil. We confirmed the fat content of the phantoms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging, and measured signal intensity according to distance in ultrasound images to analyze the correlation and mean comparison between fat content and signal intensity. We observed that as the fat content increased, the ultrasound penetration intensity decreased, confirming the potential for quantifying hepatic fat content using ultrasound. Additionally, the analysis of the correlation between the measured fat content using MRI and the signal intensity measured in ultrasound images showed a high correlation. Statistical analysis in our study confirmed that as the fat content increased, the slope representing signal during ultrasound imaging (US-GRE) decreased. In this study, it was statistically confirmed that the US-GRE value of ultrasound images gradually decreases as the fat content increases, and it is believed that US-GRE can serve as a biomarker expressing fatty liver content.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2E
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• pp.55-63
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• 2010

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive surgical method mainly targeting deeply located cancer tissue. Ultrasound is generated from an extemally located transducer and the beam is focused at the target volume, so that selective damage can be achieved without harm to overlying or surrounding tissues. The mechanism for cell killing can be combination of thermal and cavitational damage. Although cavitation can be an effective means of tissue destruction, the possibility of massive hemorrhage and the unpredictable nature of cavitational events prevent clinical application of cavitation. Hence, thermal damage has been a main focus related to HIFU research. 2D phased array transducer systems allow electronic scanning of focus, multi-foci, and anti-focus with multi-foci, so that HIFU becomes more applicable in clinical use. Currently, lack of noninvasive monitoring means of HIFU is the main factor to limit clinical applications, but development in MRI and Ultrasound Imaging techniques may be able to provide solutions to overcome this problem. With the development of advanced focusing algorithm and monitoring means, complete noninvasive surgery is expected to be implemented in the near future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.10-26
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• 2019

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging new technology with considerable potential to treat various neurological diseases. With refinement of ultrasound transducer technology and integration with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, transcranial sonication of precise cerebral targets has become a therapeutic option. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound can produce targeted lesions via thermal ablation of tissue. MRgFUS-mediated stereotactic ablation is non-invasive, incision-free, and confers immediate therapeutic effects. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of MRgFUS in 2016 for unilateral thalamotomy in medication-refractory essential tremor, studies on novel indications such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disease, and brain tumors are underway. MRgFUS is also used in the context of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening at low intensities, in combination with intravenously-administered microbubbles. Preclinical studies show that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening safely enhances the delivery of targeted chemotherapeutic agents to the brain and improves tumor control as well as survival. In addition, BBB opening has been shown to activate the innate immune system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaque clearance and promotion of neurogenesis in these studies suggest that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening may be a new paradigm for neurodegenerative disease treatment in the future. Here, we review the current status of preclinical and clinical trials of MRgFUS-mediated thermal ablation and BBB opening, described their mechanisms of action, and discuss future prospects.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2001

This study was performed to observe the effect of ultrasound(1.0MHz, $0.75W/cm^2\;and\;1.0W/cm^2$) irradiation on cultured MC3T3-E1 cell, osteoblastic like cell with respect to the proliferation, protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells. The results were as follows: 1. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. 2. The protein synthesis was not apparently increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. 3. The alkaline phosphatase activity level was not apparently increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. From the above results and other literatures, we could suggest that the ultrasound with the appropriate intensity and frequency may have important roles in stimulation of cell proliferation. Therefore the ultrasound may be used in the acceleration of the bone regeneration and bone fracture healing.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Purpose: The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the power output of ultrasound in Korean clinics and compare the value with Korean and global standards. Methods: A total of 69 units were measured for ultrasound power output. The normal range of power output level was ${\pm}30%$ of the output set according to KFDA standards. Device model, manufacturer, ERA, and BNR were obtained via simple questionnaires. A portable ultrasound power meter was used for output measurement. Results: 37 machines, with reported ERA values, were assessed for power output per unit area. Of these machines, 13 (37.14%) were considered to be compliant with US FDA standards at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, $20W/cm^2$ and 18 (51.43%) were considered within KFDA standards. The remainder of the machines were outside the standard error and evidenced irregular output levels, even though most of them were the same model. Conclusion: Appropriate ultrasound intensity is incredibly important for safety and effective use. Therefore, the KFDA standards regarding ultrasound may require revision in light of global standards, including BNR and ERA additionally, attention should be paid to regular calibration for safe use in clinical practice.