Design of a wireless ureteropyeloscope

Ureteroscopy is a form of endoscopy that concerns itself with the urinary system. Flexible ureteropyeloscopes are instruments used to access the urinary system for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. An average ureteropyeloscope requires a repair for every 3 to 13 hours of use, or alternatively 6 to 15 procedures. Therefore, there is a need to increase the durability of the ureteropyeloscope to lower the frequency of repairs required. In addition, the number of cables in the workspace needs to be reduced for improved handling by the clinician. The present study details the design of an ureteropyeloscope, which is modelled after currently existing instruments. Current endoscopes use fibre-optics for lighting area of interest as well as image acquisition. However, the ureteropyeloscope discussed was developed with a camera at the distal end of the insertion tube as its image acquisition system. The images captured were transmitted to a monitor for viewing via a wireless transmission module. The ureteropyeloscope discussed in the study was aimed at increasing the durability of the deflection unit of the ureteropyeloscope, with primary component made of nitinol, and reducing the number of cables around the workstation by using wireless means to transmit images from image acquisition system to monitor

Effects Of Pulsation Frequency On Trailing Edge Plasma Actuators For Flight Control

This thesis details the aerodynamic testing of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator operating over a separation step created at the trailing edge of a modified NACA 0012 aerofoil. The work focuses specifically on the use of pulsed or interrupted plasma actuation as opposed to continuously driven actuation, to increase the change in the lift produced by activating the system. The behaviour of the actuation system is characterised in a lamina flow regime at a Reynolds number of 1.33 x 105 using force balance measurements. At zero incidence the actuator produced a peak change in CL of approximately 0.015. However, this result is sensitive to changes in the interruption frequency of the plasma, by changing the plasma drive waveform the system was able to produce both positive and negative changes in lift. A relationship was identified between the change in CL produced and the ratio of the plasma interruption frequency to the natural vortex shedding frequency. This effect was investigated using both time averaged particle image velocimetry (PIV) and instantaneous phase locked PIV images captured in sequence throughout the plasma interruption cycle. The phase locked images showed how variation in the pulsation frequency was able to produce bi-directional actuation by either constructively or destructively interfering with the vortex formation from the back of the separation step. This interference in turn altered the level of separation which was occurring, altering the degree of upwash in the wake and therefore the lift generated by the aerofoil. PIV images were also gathered for device operation at a Reynolds number of 2.3 x 104; this produced a much higher ratio of DBD jet energy to that of the freestream. These conditions showed modified actuator behaviour due to the increased authority over the flow. However, the data still showed a strong interdependence on the reinforcement or destruction of the vortex street by the actuator interruption. Furthermore, work was undertaken to develop an actuator topology based on thin metallised films along with a dielectric which was hardened against the chemical and electrical stresses present in a functioning DBD device. The failure mechanisms of metallised film actuators were investigated, and actuators with lifetimes exceeding 8 hours were demonstrated. A manufacture method for a silicon polymer (PDMS) – Kapton® laminate is detailed; this is shown to be highly resistant to both electrical breakdown and chemical attack by the oxygen plasma

Proceedings of the 8th Annual Summer Conference: NASA/USRA Advanced Design Program

Papers presented at the 8th Annual Summer Conference are categorized as Space Projects and Aeronautics projects. Topics covered include: Systematic Propulsion Optimization Tools (SPOT), Assured Crew Return Vehicle Post Landing Configuration Design and Test, Autonomous Support for Microorganism Research in Space, Bioregenerative System Components for Microgravity, The Extended Mission Rover (EMR), Planetary Surface Exploration MESUR/Autonomous Lunar Rover, Automation of Closed Environments in Space for Human Comfort and Safety, Walking Robot Design, Extraterrestrial Surface Propulsion Systems, The Design of Four Hypersonic Reconnaissance Aircraft, Design of a Refueling Tanker Delivering Liquid Hydrogen, The Design of a Long-Range Megatransport Aircraft, and Solar Powered Multipurpose Remotely Powered Aircraft

Space station System Engineering and Integration (SE and I). Volume 2: Study results

A summary of significant study results that are products of the Phase B conceptual design task are contained. Major elements are addressed. Study results applicable to each major element or area of design are summarized and included where appropriate. Areas addressed include: system engineering and integration; customer accommodations; test and program verification; product assurance; conceptual design; operations and planning; technical and management information system (TMIS); and advanced development

Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Summer Conference. NASA/USRA: University Advanced Design Program

The Advanced Design Program (ADP) is a unique program that brings together students and faculty from U.S. engineering schools with engineers from the NASA centers through integration of current and future NASA space and aeronautics projects into university engineering design curriculum. The Advanced Space Design Program study topics cover a broad range of projects that could be undertaken during a 20-30 year period beginning with the deployment of the Space Station Freedom. The Advanced Aeronautics Design Program study topics typically focus on nearer-term projects of interest to NASA, covering from small, slow-speed vehicles through large, supersonic passenger transports and on through hypersonic research vehicles. Student work accomplished during the 1990-91 academic year and reported at the 7th Annual Summer Conference is presented

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Conference on Manual Control

Manual control is considered, with concentration on perceptive/cognitive man-machine interaction and interface

INTER-ENG 2020

These proceedings contain research papers that were accepted for presentation at the 14th International Conference Inter-Eng 2020 ,Interdisciplinarity in Engineering, which was held on 8–9 October 2020, in Târgu Mureș, Romania. It is a leading international professional and scientific forum for engineers and scientists to present research works, contributions, and recent developments, as well as current practices in engineering, which is falling into a tradition of important scientific events occurring at Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology in the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures, Romania. The Inter-Eng conference started from the observation that in the 21st century, the era of high technology, without new approaches in research, we cannot speak of a harmonious society. The theme of the conference, proposing a new approach related to Industry 4.0, was the development of a new generation of smart factories based on the manufacturing and assembly process digitalization, related to advanced manufacturing technology, lean manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and manufacturing tools and equipment. The conference slogan was “Europe’s future is digital: a broad vision of the Industry 4.0 concept beyond direct manufacturing in the company”

Reports to the President

A compilation of annual reports for the 1985-1986 academic year, including a report from the President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as reports from the academic and administrative units of the Institute. The reports outline the year's goals, accomplishments, honors and awards, and future plans

Technology for large space systems: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 14)

This bibliography lists 645 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 1, 1985 and December 31, 1985. Its purpose is to provide helpful information to the researcher, manager, and designer in technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion, and solar power satellite systems