• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.506-512
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• 1997

Ultrasonic knives have been successfully used for the surgery of many medical fields. However, the conventional ultrasonic knives for surgical operation cannot be controlled its resonant frequency. So if the material to cut has different characteristic impedance then different ultrasonic knife will be needed. Because the optimum driving frequency of ultrasonic knife is different by characteristic impedance of material. In this work, using a frequency variable ultrasonic transducer made of multi-layered PZT vibrator, a frequency controllable ultrasonic knife will be suggested. The design and computation principles will be also derived. For this work, firstly, the characteristics of this ultrasonic knife will be analyzed by transmission line model equivalent circuit, and the free admittance characteristics and vibrational velocity distributions will be obtained. Secondly, we will design and make the frequency controllable electrical oscillator for driving this ultrasonic knife.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.270-275
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• 2015

Purpose : UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene) is one of the most widely used material in knife protection clothes because of high strength, elasticity, and light weight. The purpose of this study is to develop the accelerated life test method and predict the lifetime for the knife protection fabric composed by UHMWPE. Methods : In this study, degradation characteristics of UHMWPE fibers and knife protection fabric for cut resistance were evaluated under the hydrolysis and photo-degradation conditions. It was found out that the degradation rate of retained tensile strength was more significant in the photo-degradation than hydrolysis. Therefore, the failure time was determined as the time that the retained tensile strength in photo-degradation is less than 50%. Considering an acceleration factor for irradiance and exposure time, the lifetime was predicted from the calculated failure time. Results : As a result of the accelerated life test, the $B_{10}$ lifetime of knife protection fabric composed by UHMWPE fibers is estimated as 2.8 years for a 90% statistical confidence level. Conclusion: Since the lifetime is predicted by the view-point of radiant exposure in this study, there is a possibility that the estimated lifetime may differ from the actual lifetime. However, it is considered as an useful methodology to estimate the long-term lifetime of knife protection fabrics.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 1997

The optimal management of uveal melanoma is still a matter of controversy. To determine the effect of Gamma Knife surgery for patients with uveal malanoma. the authors reviewed the results of 5 patients underwent Gamma Knife sugery between Sep. 1993 and Dec. 1996. The mean age was 60.7 years ranging from 42.5 to 76.5 years. Median follow-up was 13.29 months and the patient with follow up period more than 6 months was 4. The mean tumor volume was $3442 mm^3$(mean diameter 15.3 mm) and all patients were irradiated with a mean maximum dose of 74Gy(range $60\~80\;Gy$), using the $50\%$ isodose. After Gamma Knife surgery. one pateint showed complete disapperance in tumor size with follow-up 32 months, one enucleation due to progression, and 2 no interval change. In regard to vision, one patient blind. one enucleation, and 2 patients had no interval change. According to our experiences, Gamma Knife surgery for uveal melanoma be able to achieve local tumor control, spare the eyeball, and have possibility of save vision.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.58-63
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• 2015

Image-guided neurosurgery (IGN) is a technique for localizing objects of surgical interest within the brain. In the past, its main use was placement of electrodes; however, the advent of computed tomography has led to a rebirth of IGN. Advances in computing techniques and neuroimaging tools allow improved surgical planning and intraoperative information. IGN influences many neurosurgical fields including neuro-oncology, functional disease, and radiosurgery. As development continues, several problems remain to be solved. This article provides a general overview of IGN with a brief discussion of future directions.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1995

This study was conducted to investigate the cutting mechanism of the reciprocating knife of combine harvester. The cutting operation of reciprocating knife was demonstrated through the cutting pattern diagram which was drawn by computer graphics. Various kinds and dimensions of standard-type reciprocating knives were analyzed by the developed program. The results are summarized as follows : (1) For the 50mm standard reciprocating knife, the bunching area and the maximum stalk-deflection were decreased rapidly according to the increase of cutting velocity ratio by 1.0 and decreased very slowly over this ratio. But, the secondary cut was occurred at ratio of 1.0 and increased rapidly over this ratio. (2) The 76mm standard knife showed better cutting mechanism than the 50mm, in two respects : the larger cutting area per one stroke and the lower revolutional speed of crank shaft for the same cutting velocity. (3) In respect to the bunching area and the secondary cutting length, the adequate height of 50mm standard reciprocating knife was 45~50mm. (4) In order to maintain the proper cutting mechanism, the adequate cutting velocity at forward speed of 0.5㎧ to 1.2m/s was from 0.4m/s to 1.2m/s for the standard knife.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.115-122
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• 2018

Although the current internationally recommended standard for the use factor (U) applied to CyberKnife is 0.05 (5%), the CyberKnife shielding standard is applied more stringently. This study, based on clinical data, was aimed at examining the appropriateness of existing shielding guidelines. Sixty patients treated with G4 CyberKnife were selected. The patients were divided into two groups, according to whether they underwent skull or spine tracking. Based on the results, the use factors for each wall ranged from 0.028 (2.8%) to 0.031 (3.1%) for the intracranial treatment and 0.020 (2.0%) to 0.022 (2.2%) for the body treatment. Excessive barrier thickness resulted in inefficient use of space and higher cost to the institutions. Furthermore, because the use factor is influenced by the position of the robot, the use factor determined based on the clinical data of this study would facilitate more reasonable treatment room design.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.194-201
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• 2007

Although Gamma Knife irradiates much more radiation in a single session than conventional radiotherapy, there were only a few studies to measure absolute dose of a Gamma Knife. Especially, there is no report of application of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) TRS-398 which requires to use a water phantom in radiation measurement to Gamma Knife. In this article, the authors reported results of the experiments to measure the absorbed dose to water of a Gamma Knife Model C using the IAEA TRS-398 protocol. The absorbed dose to water of a Gamma Knife model C was measured using a water phantom under conditions as close as possible to the IAEA TRS-398 protocol. The obtained results were compared with values measured using the plastic phantom provided by the Gamma Knife manufacturer. Two Capintec PR-05P mini-chambers and a PTW UNIDOS electrometer were used in measurements. The absorbed dose to water of a Gamma Knife model C inside the water phantom was 1.38% larger than that of the plastic phantom. The current protocol provided by the manufacturer has an intrinsic error stems from the fact that a plastic phantom is used instead of a water phantom. In conclusion, it is not possible to fully apply IAEA TRS-398 to measurement of absorbed dose of a Gamma Knife. Instead, it can be a practical choice to build a new protocol for Gamma Knife or to provide a conversion factor from a water phantom to the plastic phantom. The conversion factor can be obtained in one or two standard laboratories.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.560-567
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• 2024

Objective : We investigated how treating large brain metastasis (LBM) using 2-day fraction Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) affects tumor control and patient survival. A prescription dose of 10.3 Gy was applied for 2 consecutive days, with a biologically effective dose equivalent to a tumor single-fraction dose of 16.05 Gy and a brain single-fraction dose of 15.12 Gy. Methods : Between November 2017 and December 2021, 42 patients (mean age, 68.3 years; range, 50-84 years; male, 29 [69.1%]; female, 13 [30.9%]) with 44 tumors underwent 2-day fraction GKRS to treat large volume brain metastasis. The main cancer types were non-small cell lung cancer (n=16), small cell lung cancer (n=7), colorectal cancer (n=7), breast cancer (n=3), gastric cancer (n=2), and other cancers (n=7). Twenty-one patients (50.0%) had a single LBM, 19 (46.3%) had a single LBM and other metastases, and two had two (4.7%) large brain metastases. At the time of the 2-day fraction GKRS, the tumors had a mean volume of 23.1 mL (range, 12.5-67.4). On each day, radiation was administered at a dose of 10.3 Gy, mainly using a 50% isodose-line. Results : We obtained clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up data for 34 patients (81%) with 35 tumors, who had undergone 2-day fraction GKRS. These patients did not experience acute or late radiation-induced complications during follow-up. The median and mean progression-free survival (PFS) periods were 188 and 194 days, respectively. The local control rates at 6, 9, and 12 months were 77%, 40%, and 34%, respectively. The prognostic factors related to PFS were prior radiotherapy (p=0.019) and lung cancer origin (p=0.041). Other factors such as tumor volumes, each isodose volumes, and peri-GKRS systemic treatment were not significantly related to PFS. The overall survival period of the 44 patients following repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) ranged from 15-878 days (median, 263±38 days; mean, 174±43 days) after the 2-day fraction GKRS. Eight patients (18.2%) were still alive. Conclusion : Considering the unsatisfactory tumor control, a higher prescription dose should be needed in this procedure as a salvage management. Moreover, in the treatment for LBM with fractionated SRS, using different isodoses and prescription doses at the treatment planning for LBMs should be important. However, this report might be a basic reference with the same fraction number and prescription dose in the treatment for LBMs with frame-based SRS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2015

Purpose: To compare volumetric modulated arc therapy of RapidArc with robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of CyberKnife in the planning and delivery of SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment by analyzing dosimetric parameters. Materials and Methods: Two radiation treatment plans were generated for 29 HCC patients, one using Eclipse for the RapidArc plan and the other using Multiplan for the CyberKnife plan. The prescription dose was 60 Gy in 3 fractions. The dosimetric parameters of planning target volume (PTV) coverage and normal tissue sparing in the RapidArc and the CyberKnife plans were analyzed. Results: The conformity index was $1.05{\pm}0.02$ for the CyberKnife plan, and $1.13{\pm}0.10$ for the RapidArc plan. The homogeneity index was $1.23{\pm}0.01$ for the CyberKnife plan, and $1.10{\pm}0.03$ for the RapidArc plan. For the normal liver, there were significant differences between the two plans in the low-dose regions of $V_1$ and $V_3$. The normalized volumes of $V_{60}$ for the normal liver in the RapidArc plan were drastically increased when the mean dose of the PTVs in RapidArc plan is equivalent to the mean dose of the PTVs in the CyberKnife plan. Conclusion: CyberKnife plans show greater dose conformity, especially in small-sized tumors, while RapidArc plans show good dosimetric distribution of low dose sparing in the normal liver and body.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2011

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in patients with multiple brain metastases and to investigate prognostic factors related to treatment outcome. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed clinico-radiological and dosimetric data of 36 patients with 4-14 brain metastases who underwent GKRS for 264 lesions between August 2008 and April 2011. The most common primary tumor site was the lung (n=22), followed by breast (n=7). At GKRS, the median Karnofsky performance scale score was 90 and the mean tumor volume was 1.2 cc (0.002-12.6). The mean prescription dose of 17.8 Gy was delivered to the mean 61.1% isodose line. Among 264 metastases, 175 lesions were assessed for treatment response by at least one imaging follow-up. Results : The overall median survival after GKRS was $9.1{\pm}1.7$ months. Among various factors, primary tumor control was a significant prognostic factor ($11.1{\pm}$1.3 months vs. $3.3{\pm}2.4$ months, p=0.031). The calculated local tumor control rate at 6 and 9 months after GKRS were 87.9% and 84.2%, respectively. Paddick's conformity index (>0.75) was significantly related to local tumor control. The actuarial peritumoral edema reduction rate was 22.4% at 6 months. Conclusion : According to our results, GKRS can provide beneficial effect for the patients with multiple (4 or more) brain metastases, when systemic cancer is controlled. And, careful dosimetry is essential for local tumor control. Therefore, GKRS can be considered as one of the treatment modalities for multiple brain metastase.