Noncontact elastic wave imaging optical coherence elastography for evaluating changes in corneal elasticity due to crosslinking

The mechanical properties of tissues can provide valuable information about tissue integrity and health and can assist in detecting and monitoring the progression of diseases such as keratoconus. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is a rapidly emerging technique, which can assess localized mechanical contrast in tissues with micrometer spatial resolution. In this work we present a noncontact method of optical coherence elastography to evaluate the changes in the mechanical properties of the cornea after UV-induced collagen cross-linking. A focused air-pulse induced a low amplitude (μm scale) elastic wave, which then propagated radially and was imaged in three dimensions by a phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence tomography (PhSSSOCT) system. The elastic wave velocity was translated to Young’s modulus in agar phantoms of various concentrations. Additionally, the speed of the elastic wave significantly changed in porcine cornea before and after UV-induced corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). Moreover, different layers of the cornea, such as the anterior stroma, posterior stroma, and inner region, could be discerned from the phase velocities of the elastic wave. Therefore, because of noncontact excitation and imaging, this method may be useful for in vivo detection of ocular diseases such as keratoconus and evaluation of therapeutic interventions such as CXL

Radar-based Measurement of Pulse Wave using Fast Physiological Component Analysis

2022 International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT), 16-18 May 2022, Dublin, IrelandThis study proposes a fast blind signal separation technique for human arterial pulse wave propagation measurement. One of the authors previously developed a blind signal separation method called physiological component analysis that uses mathematical modeling of the measured physiological signals, including the pulse wave propagation, and this method improves the signal separation accuracy when applied to array signal processing. Physiological component analysis, however, is known to require long computation times because it is based on high-dimensional global optimization. In this paper, we propose a method to reduce the dimensionality of the decision variables for the optimization process that uses the Schelkunoff polynomial method. Using this dimension reduction technique, we propose a new algorithm, called fast physiological component analysis, and the performance of this algorithm is evaluated using numerical simulations

Generating a Super-resolution Radar Angular Spectrum Using Physiological Component Analysis

In this study, we propose a method for generating an angular spectrum using array radar and physiological component analysis. We develop physiological component analysis to separate radar echoes from multiple body positions, where echoes are phase-modulated by propagating pulse waves. Assuming that the pulse wave displacements at multiple body positions are constant multiples of a time-shifted waveform, the method estimates echoes using a simplified mathematical model. We exploit the mainlobe and nulls of the directional patterns of the physiological component analysis to form an angular spectrum. We applied the proposed method to simulated data to demonstrate that it can generate a super-resolution angular spectrum

Quantitative elasticity measurement of urinary bladder wall using laser-induced surface acoustic waves

The maintenance of urinary bladder elasticity is essential to its functions, including the storage and voiding phases of the micturition cycle. The bladder stiffness can be changed by various pathophysiological conditions. Quantitative measurement of bladder elasticity is an essential step toward understanding various urinary bladder disease processes and improving patient care. As a nondestructive, and noncontact method, laser-induced surface acoustic waves (SAWs) can accurately characterize the elastic properties of different layers of organs such as the urinary bladder. This initial investigation evaluates the feasibility of a noncontact, all-optical method of generating and measuring the elasticity of the urinary bladder. Quantitative elasticity measurements of ex vivo porcine urinary bladder were made using the laser-induced SAW technique. A pulsed laser was used to excite SAWs that propagated on the bladder wall surface. A dedicated phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PhS-OCT) system remotely recorded the SAWs, from which the elasticity properties of different layers of the bladder were estimated. During the experiments, series of measurements were performed under five precisely controlled bladder volumes using water to estimate changes in the elasticity in relation to various urinary bladder contents. The results, validated by optical coherence elastography, show that the laser-induced SAW technique combined with PhS-OCT can be a feasible method of quantitative estimation of biomechanical properties

Waterborne GPR survey for estimating bottom-sediment variability: A survey on the Po River, Turin, Italy

We conducted an integrated geophysical survey on a stretch of the river Po in order to check the GPR ability to discriminate the variability of riverbed sediments through an analysis of the bottom reflection amplitudes. We conducted continuous profiles with a 200-MHzGPR system and a handheld broadband EM sensor.Aconductivity meter and a TDR provided punctual measurements of water conductivity, permittivity, and temperature. The processing and interpretation of the GEM-2 and GPR data were enhanced by reciprocal results and by integration with the punctual measurements of the EM properties of the water. We used a processing flow that improved the radargram images and preserved the amplitude ratios among the different profiles and the frequency content at the bottom reflection signal.We derived the water attenuation coefficient both from the punctual measurements using the Maxwell formulas and from the interpretation of the GPR data, finding an optimal matching between the two values. The GPR measurements provided maps of the bathymetry and of the bottom reflection amplitude. The high reflectivity of the riverbed, derived from the GPR interpretation, agreed with the results of the direct sampling campaign that followed the geophysical survey. The variability of the bottom-reflection-amplitudes map, which was not confirmed by the direct sampling, could also have been caused by scattering phenomena due to the riverbed clasts which are dimensionally comparable to the wavelength of the radar pulse

High-performance control of dual-inertia servo-drive systems using low-cost integrated SAW torque transducers

Abstract—This paper provides a systematic comparative study of compensation schemes for the coordinated motion control of two-inertia mechanical systems. Specifically, classical proportional–integral (PI), proportional–integral–derivative (PID), and resonance ratio control (RRC) are considered, with an enhanced structure based on RRC, termed RRC+, being proposed. Motor-side and load-side dynamics for each control structure are identified, with the “integral of time multiplied by absolute error” performance index being employed as a benchmark metric. PID and RRC control schemes are shown to be identical from a closed-loop perspective, albeit employing different feedback sensing mechanisms. A qualitative study of the practical effects of employing each methodology shows that RRC-type structures provide preferred solutions if low-cost high-performance torque transducers can be employed, for instance, those based on surface acoustic wave tecnologies. Moreover, the extra degree of freedom afforded by both PID and RRC, as compared with the basic PI, is shown to be sufficient to simultaneously induce optimal closed-loop performance and independent selection of virtual inertia ratio. Furthermore, the proposed RRC+ scheme is subsequently shown to additionally facilitate independent assignment of closed-loop bandwidth. Summary attributes of the investigation are validated by both simulation studies and by realization of the methodologies for control of a custom-designed two-inertia system

Hybrid non-destructive technique for volumetric defect analysis and reconstruction by remote laser induced ultrasound

This PhD thesis is devoted to the design, development and implementation of a non-contact hybrid non-destructive testing (NDT) method applied to the analysis of metallic objects that contain embedded defects or fractures. We propose a hybrid opto-acoustic technique that combines laser generated ultrasound as exciter and ultrasound transducers as receivers. This work envisages a detailed study of the detection and one, two or three-dimensional reconstruction of defects, using the proposed hybrid technique and its application as a remotely controlled non-contact NDT. Our device combines several advantages of both photonic and ultrasonic techniques, while reduces some of the drawbacks of both individual methods. Our method relay on the combination of experimental results with high-resolution signal processing procedures based on different mathematical algorithms. Our basic experimental setup uses a nanosecond pulsed laser at 532nm wavelength that impacts onto the surface of the object under study. The laser pulse is rapidly absorbed into a shallow volume of material and creates a localized thermo-elastic expansion inducing a broadband ultrasound pulse that propagate inside the material. The laser beam scans a selected area of the object surface, being remotely controlled by means of a programmable XY scanner. For each excitation point, the ultrasound waves propagate through the object are reflected or scattered by material 3D defects. They are detected by ultrasound transducers and recorded with a PC data-acquisition system for a further process and analysis. As a first step, the time of flight analysis provides enough data for the location and size of the defect in 1D view. The detection capabilities of internal defects in a metallic sample are studied by means of wavelet transform, chosen due to its multi-resolution time-frequency characteristics. A novel algorithm using a density-based spatial clustering is applied to the resulting time frequency maps to estimate the defect’s position. For the 2D visualization and reconstruction of the defects we extended the signal analysis using the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT). We implement a novel 2D apodization window filtering applied along with the SAFT, and we show it removes undesired effects of the side lobes and wide-angle reflections of ultrasound waves, enhancing the reconstructed image of the defect. We move then towards the 3D analysis and reconstruction of defects and in this case we achieve and implement a fully non-contact and automatized experimental configuration allowing the scan areas on different object’s faces. The defect details are recorded from different angles/perspectives and a complete 3D reconstruction is achieved. Finally, we show our results on a complementary topic related to a particular case of the ultrasound propagation in solids. We were concerned on the physical understanding of the propagation and diffraction of ultrasound waves in solid materials from the first moment. The control of the diffraction pattern in solids, using an ultrasonic lens, would help focus/collimate the ultrasound reducing echoes and boundary reflections, resulting in a further improve NDT process. Phononic crystals have been used to regulate the diffraction and frequency response of ultrasonic waves traveling in fluids. However, they were much less studied in solid materials due to the difficulty of building the crystal and to high coupling losses. We perform detailed numerical simulations of the ultrasound propagation in a solid phononic crystal and we show focusing and the self-collimation effects. We further extend our analysis and couple our phononic crystal lens to a solid under study, showing that the diffraction control is preserved inside the target solid object trough the coupling material.Esta tesis doctoral versa sobre el diseño, estudio e implementación de un método híbrido, sin contacto, de ensayos no destructivos (NDT, non-destructive testing) para el análisis de objetos metálicos que contienen defectos o fracturas internas. Proponemos una técnica híbrida opto-acústica que combina ultrasonidos generados por impacto láser como excitador y transductores de ultrasonidos como receptores. El trabajo plantea un estudio detallado de la detección y reconstrucción en 1D, 2D y 3D de defectos presentes en un objeto metálico, usando la técnica híbrida de NDT sin contacto y controlado remotamente. Nuestro dispositivo presenta varias ventajas de las técnicas fotónicas y de ultrasonidos, reduciendo al mismo tiempo algunos inconvenientes de dichos métodos tomados por separado. Nuestro método combina resultados experimentales con simulaciones numéricas basadas en el procesado de señal de alta resolución. El montaje experimental consiste en un láser pulsado de ns a una longitud de onda de 532 nm, que impacta sobre la superficie del objeto. El pulso láser se absorbe, creando una expansión termoelástica localizada que induce un pulso de ultrasonidos de banda ancha que se propaga en el material. El láser, controlado remotamente, realiza un barrido sobre un área seleccionada de la superficie del objeto. Por cada punto de excitación, el ultrasonido se propaga a través del objeto y se refleja o dispersa en los defectos del material. Dichas ondas se detectan mediante transductores y se registran en un sistema de adquisición de datos para su ulterior procesado. En un primer paso, mediante el análisis del tiempo de vuelo, podemos localizar y determinar el tamaño del defecto en una vista 1D. Las capacidades de detección de defectos internos en una muestra metálica se estudian también mediante transformación wavelet debido a sus características de multi-resolución en tiempo y frecuencia. Se aplica un algoritmo novedoso de agrupamiento (clustering) espacial y se usan los mapas resultantes de tiempo y frecuencia para estimar la posición del defecto. Para la visualización 2D de los defectos ampliamos el análisis de la señal utilizando la técnica de focalización por apertura sintética (SAFT, synthetic aperture focusing technique). Implementamos un novedoso filtro de apodización 2D, juntamente con la técnica SAFT, y demostramos que elimina efectos no deseados, mejorando la resolución de la imagen reconstruida del defecto. El siguiente paso es un análisis y reconstrucción 3D. En este caso conseguimos una configuración experimental totalmente automatizada y sin contacto, permitiendo áreas de barrido sobre diferentes caras de un objeto. Los detalles de los defectos se registran desde diferentes ángulos, consiguiéndose una completa reconstrucción 3D. Finalmente, mostramos nuestros resultados en un tema complementario, relacionado con un caso particular de propagación de ultrasonidos en sólidos. Desde un primer momento, quisimos tener una comprensión física de la propagación y difracción de ondas de ultrasonidos en materiales sólidos. El control de los patrones de difracción en sólidos, mediante el uso de lentes ultrasónicas, ayudaría a la focalización/colimación del ultrasonido, reduciendo ecos y reflexiones en la superficie de contorno, mejorando del proceso de análisis NDT. Los cristales fonónicos se usan para regular la difracción y la respuesta en frecuencia de ondas de ultrasonido que se propagan en fluidos. No obstante, dichas estructuras se han estudiado mucho menos en materiales sólidos. Hemos realizado detalladas simulaciones numéricas de la propagación de ultrasonidos en un cristal fonónico sólido y hemos demostrado efectos de focalización y autocolimación. Finalmente hemos acoplado nuestra lente de cristal fonónico al sólido objeto de estudio, demostrando que el control de la difracción se conserva en el interior de dicho objeto a través del material de acoplamiento. Finalmente, proporcionamos una conclusión general sobre el trabajo declarado en esta tesis y un plan de trabajo futuro donde esta investigación puede extenderse y expandirse aún más a aplicaciones industriales en colaboración con el mercado de producciónPostprint (published version

Low-cost sensors accuracy study and enhancement strategy

Today, low-cost sensors in various civil engineering sectors are gaining the attention of researchers due to their reduced production cost and their applicability to multiple nodes. Low-cost sensors also have the advantage of easily connecting to low-cost microcontrollers such as Arduino. A low-cost, reliable acquisition system based on Arduino technology can further reduce the price of data acquisition and monitoring, which can make long-term monitoring possible. This paper introduces a wireless Internet-based low-cost data acquisition system consisting of Raspberry Pi and several Arduinos as signal conditioners. This study investigates the beneficial impact of similar sensor combinations, aiming to improve the overall accuracy of several sensors with an unknown accuracy range. The paper then describes an experiment that gives valuable information about the standard deviation, distribution functions, and error level of various individual low-cost sensors under different environmental circumstances. Unfortunately, these data are usually missing and sometimes assumed in numerical studies targeting the development of structural system identification methods. A measuring device consisting of a total of 75 contactless ranging sensors connected to two microcontrollers (Arduinos) was designed to study the similar sensor combination theory and present the standard deviation and distribution functions. The 75 sensors include: 25 units of HC-SR04 (analog), 25 units of VL53L0X, and 25 units of VL53L1X (digital).The authors are indebted to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the funding provided through the research project BIA2017-86811-C2-1-R, directed by José Turmo, and BIA2017-86811-C2-2-R, directed by Jose Antonio Lozano-Galant. All these projects are funded with FEDER funds. Authors are also indebted to the Secretaria d’ Universitats i Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Catalunya, Spain for the funding provided through Agaur (2017 SGR 1482). It is also to be noted that funding for this research has been provided for Seyedmilad Komarizadehasl by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación del Ministerio de Ciencia Innovación y Universidades grant and the Fondo Social Europeo grant (PRE2018-083238).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version