Bio-electromagnetic Instrumentation Problems Related to the Human Body

Long bone fractures account for approximately 10% of all non-fatal injuries in the United States. A significant portion of them are due to osteoporosis. The objective of this project is to test different methods for detecting osteoporotic bones, both theoretically and experimentally. They include: 1. Steady-state electric current sensors – electric impedance tomography 2. Infrared scattering sensors 3. Microwave sensor

Experimental study for determining the parameters required for detecting ECG and EEG related diseases during the timed-up and go test

The use of smartphones, coupled with different sensors, makes it an attractive solution for measuring different physical and physiological features, allowing for the monitoring of various parameters and even identifying some diseases. The BITalino device allows the use of different sensors, including Electroencephalography (EEG) and Electrocardiography (ECG) sensors, to study different health parameters. With these devices, the acquisition of signals is straightforward, and it is possible to connect them using a Bluetooth connection. With the acquired data, it is possible to measure parameters such as calculating the QRS complex and its variation with ECG data to control the individual’s heartbeat. Similarly, by using the EEG sensor, one could analyze the individual’s brain activity and frequency. The purpose of this paper is to present a method for recognition of the diseases related to ECG and EEG data, with sensors available in off-the-shelf mobile devices and sensors connected to a BITalino device. The data were collected during the elderly’s experiences, performing the Timed-Up and Go test, and the different diseases found in the sample in the study. The data were analyzed, and the following features were extracted from the ECG, including heart rate, linear heart rate variability, the average QRS interval, the average R-R interval, and the average R-S interval, and the EEG, including frequency and variability. Finally, the diseases are correlated with different parameters, proving that there are relations between the individuals and the different health conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tiny Medicine: Nanomaterial-Based Biosensors

Tiny medicine refers to the development of small easy to use devices that can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Early diagnosis is the key to successfully treating many diseases. Nanomaterial-based biosensors utilize the unique properties of biological and physical nanomaterials to recognize a target molecule and effect transduction of an electronic signal. In general, the advantages of nanomaterial-based biosensors are fast response, small size, high sensitivity, and portability compared to existing large electrodes and sensors. Systems integration is the core technology that enables tiny medicine. Integration of nanomaterials, microfluidics, automatic samplers, and transduction devices on a single chip provides many advantages for point of care devices such as biosensors. Biosensors are also being used as new analytical tools to study medicine. Thus this paper reviews how nanomaterials can be used to build biosensors and how these biosensors can help now and in the future to detect disease and monitor therapies

Studies on Spinal Fusion from Computational Modelling to ‘Smart’ Implants

Low back pain, the worldwide leading cause of disability, is commonly treated with lumbar interbody fusion surgery to address degeneration, instability, deformity, and trauma of the spine. Following fusion surgery, nearly 20% experience complications requiring reoperation while 1 in 3 do not experience a meaningful improvement in pain. Implant subsidence and pseudarthrosis in particular present a multifaceted challenge in the management of a patient’s painful symptoms. Given the diversity of fusion approaches, materials, and instrumentation, further inputs are required across the treatment spectrum to prevent and manage complications. This thesis comprises biomechanical studies on lumbar spinal fusion that provide new insights into spinal fusion surgery from preoperative planning to postoperative monitoring. A computational model, using the finite element method, is developed to quantify the biomechanical impact of temporal ossification on the spine, examining how the fusion mass stiffness affects loads on the implant and subsequent subsidence risk, while bony growth into the endplates affects load-distribution among the surrounding spinal structures. The computational modelling approach is extended to provide biomechanical inputs to surgical decisions regarding posterior fixation. Where a patient is not clinically pre-disposed to subsidence or pseudarthrosis, the results suggest unilateral fixation is a more economical choice than bilateral fixation to stabilise the joint. While finite element modelling can inform pre-surgical planning, effective postoperative monitoring currently remains a clinical challenge. Periodic radiological follow-up to assess bony fusion is subjective and unreliable. This thesis describes the development of a ‘smart’ interbody cage capable of taking direct measurements from the implant for monitoring fusion progression and complication risk. Biomechanical testing of the ‘smart’ implant demonstrated its ability to distinguish between graft and endplate stiffness states. The device is prepared for wireless actualisation by investigating sensor optimisation and telemetry. The results show that near-field communication is a feasible approach for wireless power and data transfer in this setting, notwithstanding further architectural optimisation required, while a combination of strain and pressure sensors will be more mechanically and clinically informative. Further work in computational modelling of the spine and ‘smart’ implants will enable personalised healthcare for low back pain, and the results presented in this thesis are a step in this direction

Recent trends, technical concepts and components of computer-assisted orthopedic surgery systems: A comprehensive review

Computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) systems have become one of the most important and challenging types of system in clinical orthopedics, as they enable precise treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, employing modern clinical navigation systems and surgical tools. This paper brings a comprehensive review of recent trends and possibilities of CAOS systems. There are three types of the surgical planning systems, including: systems based on the volumetric images (computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound images), further systems utilize either 2D or 3D fluoroscopic images, and the last one utilizes the kinetic information about the joints and morphological information about the target bones. This complex review is focused on three fundamental aspects of CAOS systems: their essential components, types of CAOS systems, and mechanical tools used in CAOS systems. In this review, we also outline the possibilities for using ultrasound computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (UCAOS) systems as an alternative to conventionally used CAOS systems.Web of Science1923art. no. 519

Assistive mobility devices focusing on smart walkers : classification and review

In an aging society it is extremely important to develop devices, which can support and aid the elderly in their daily life. This demands means and tools that extend independent living and promote improved health. Thus, the goal of this article is to review the state of the art in the robotic technology for mobility assistive devices for people with mobility disabilities. The important role that robotics can play in mobility assistive devices is presented, as well as the identification and survey of mobility assistive devices subsystems with a particular focus on the walkers technology. The advances in the walkers’ field have been enormous and have shown a great potential on helping people with mobility disabilities. Thus it is presented a review of the available literature of walkers and are discussed major advances that have been made and limitations to be overcome

Um novo modelo de conceito para implantes ortopédicos instrumentados ativos

Doutoramento em Engenharia MecânicaTotal hip replacement (THR) is one of the most performed surgical procedures around the world. Millions of THR are carried out worldwide each year. Currently, THR revision rates can be higher than 10%. A significant increase of the number of primary and revision THRs, mainly among patients less than 65 years old (including those under 45 years old) has been predicted for the forthcoming years. A worldwide increase in the use of uncemented fixation has also been reported, incidence caused mainly by the significant increase of more active and/or younger patients. Besides the significant breakthroughs for uncemented fixations, they have not been able to ensure long-term implant survival. Up to date, current implant models have shown evidences of their inability to avoid revision procedures. The performance of implants will be optimized if they are designed to perform an effective control over the osseointegration process. To pursue this goal, improved surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols, innovative bioactive coatings (including those for controlled delivery of drugs and/or other bio-agents in the bone-implant interface), the concepts of Passive Instrumented Implant and Active Instrumented Implant have been proposed. However, there are no conclusive demonstrations of the effectiveness of such methodologies. The main goal of this thesis is to propose a new concept model for instrumented implants to optimize the bone-implant integration: the self-powered instrumented active implant with ability to deliver controlled and personalized biophysical stimuli to target tissue areas. The need of such a new model is demonstrated by optimality analyses conducted to study the performance of instrumented and non-instrumented orthopaedic implants. Promising results on the potential of a therapeutic actuation driven by cosurface-based capacitive stimulation were achieved, as well as for self-powering instrumented active implants by magnetic levitation-based electromagnetic energy harvesting.A artroplastia total da anca (THR) é um dos procedimentos cirúrgicos mais realizados à escala global. Milhões de THRs são realizadas todos os anos em todo o mundo. Atualmente, as taxas de revisão destas artroplastias podem ser superiores a 10%. O número de THRs primárias e de revisão têm aumentado e estima-se que cresçam acentuadamente nos próximos anos, principalmente em pacientes com idades inferiores a 65 anos (incluindo aqueles com menos de 45 anos). Também se tem verificado uma tendência generalizada para o uso de fixações não cimentadas, incidência principalmente causada pelo aumento significativo de pacientes mais jovens e/ou activos. Embora se tenham realizado avanços científicos no projeto de implantes não cimentados, têm-se verificado o seu insucesso a longo-prazo. Encontram-se evidências da ineficácia dos modelos de implantes que têm sido desenvolvidos para evitar procedimentos de revisão. O desempenho dos implantes será otimizado se estes foram projetados para controlarem eficazmente o processo de osseointegração. Para se alcançar este objetivo, têm sido propostas a melhoria das técnicas cirúrgicas e dos protocolos de reabilitação, a inovação dos revestimentos (onde se incluem os revestimentos ativos projetados para a libertação controlada de fármacos e/ou outros bio-agentes) e os conceitos de Implante Instrumentado Passivo e Implante Instrumentado Ativo. Contudo, não existem demonstrações conclusivas da eficácia de tais metodologias. O principal objetivo desta tese é propor um novo modelo de conceito para implantes instrumentados para se otimizar a integração osso-implante: o implante instrumentado ativo, energeticamente auto-suficiente, com capacidade de aplicar estímulos biofísicos em tecidos-alvo de forma controlada e personalizada. A necessidade de um novo modelo é demonstrada através da realização de análises de otimalidade ao desempenho dos implantes instrumentados e não-instrumentados. Foram encontrados resultados promissores para o controlo otimizado da osseointegração usando este novo modelo, através da atuação terapêutica baseada na estimulação capacitiva com arquitetura em co-superfície, assim como para fornecer energia elétrica de forma autónoma por mecanismos de transdução baseados em indução eletromagnética usando configurações baseadas na levitação magnética

LPcomS: Towards a Low Power Wireless Smart-Shoe System for Gait Analysis in People with Disabilities

Gait analysis using smart sensor technology is an important medical diagnostic process and has many applications in rehabilitation, therapy and exercise training. In this thesis, we present a low power wireless smart-shoe system (LPcomS) to analyze different functional postures and characteristics of gait while walking. We have designed and implemented a smart-shoe with a Bluetooth communication module to unobtrusively collect data using smartphone in any environment. With the design of a shoe insole equipped with four pressure sensors, the foot pressure is been collected, and those data are used to obtain accurate gait pattern of a patient. With our proposed portable sensing system and effective low power communication algorithm, the smart-shoe system enables detailed gait analysis. Experimentation and verification is conducted on multiple subjects with different gait including free gait. The sensor outputs, with gait analysis acquired from the experiment, are presented in this thesis

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 341)

This bibliography lists 133 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during September 1990. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance