Motion Tracking System in Surgical Training

Introduction: Simulation technology is evolving and becoming the focus of attention in surgical training. The development of this technology in assessing open surgical skills is far behind when compared to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) training. Surgical skills such as suturing and tying surgical knots are assessed by an observational tool. It is labour-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, we explored the potential use of motion tracking system as a non-observational assessment tool for basic surgical skills

Classification of Cognitive Load and Expertise for Adaptive Simulation using Deep Multitask Learning

Simulations are a pedagogical means of enabling a risk-free way for healthcare practitioners to learn, maintain, or enhance their knowledge and skills. Such simulations should provide an optimum amount of cognitive load to the learner and be tailored to their levels of expertise. However, most current simulations are a one-type-fits-all tool used to train different learners regardless of their existing skills, expertise, and ability to handle cognitive load. To address this problem, we propose an end-to-end framework for a trauma simulation that actively classifies a participant's level of cognitive load and expertise for the development of a dynamically adaptive simulation. To facilitate this solution, trauma simulations were developed for the collection of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals of both novice and expert practitioners. A multitask deep neural network was developed to utilize this data and classify high and low cognitive load, as well as expert and novice participants. A leave-one-subject-out (LOSO) validation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of our model, achieving an accuracy of 89.4% and 96.6% for classification of cognitive load and expertise, respectively.Comment: 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other work

Mobile depth sensing technology and algorithms with application to occupational therapy healthcare

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe UK government is striving to shift its current healthcare delivery model from clini-cian–oriented services, to that of patient and self–care–oriented intervention strategies. It seeks to do so through Information Communication (ICT) and Computer Mediated Re-ality Technologies (CMRT) as a key strategy to overcome the ever–increasing scarcity of healthcare resources and costs. To this end, in the UK the use of paper–based information systems have exhibited their limitations in providing apposite care. At the national level, The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) identify home visits and modifica-tions as key levers in a multifactorial health programme to evaluate interventions for older people with a history of falling or are identified as being prone to falling. Prescribing Assistive Equipment (AE) is one such mechanism that seeks to reduce the risk of falling whilst promoting the continued independence of physical dexterity and mobility in older adults at home. In the UK, the yearly cost of falls is estimated at £2.3 billion. Further evidence places a 30% to 60% abandonment rate on prescribed AE by and large due to a ‘poor fit’ and measurement inaccuracies. To remain aligned with the national strategy, and assist in the eradication of measurement inaccuracies, this thesis employs Mobile Depth Sensing and Motion Track-ing Devices (MDSMTDs) to assist OTs in in the process of digitally measuring the extrin-sic fall–risk factors for the provision of AE. The quintessential component in this assess-ment lies in the measurement of fittings and furniture items in the home. To digitise and aid in this process, the artefact presented in this thesis employs stereo computer–vision and camera calibration algorithms to extract edges in 3D space. It modifies the Sobel–Feldman convolution filter by reducing the magnitude response and employs the camera intrinsic parameters as a mechanism to calculate the distortion matrix for interpolation between the edges and the 3D point cloud. Further Augmented Reality User Experience (AR-UX) facets are provided to digitise current state of the art clinical guidance and over-lay its instructions onto the real world (i.e., 3D space). Empirical mixed methods assessment revealed that in terms of accuracy, the arte-fact exhibited enhanced performance gains over current paper–based guidance. In terms of accuracy consistency, the artefact can rectify measurement consistency inaccuracies, but there are still a wide range of factors that can influence the integrity of the point-cloud in respect of the device’s point-of-view, holding positions and measurement speed. To this end, OTs usability, and adoption preferences materialise in favour of the artefact. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that MDSMTDs are a promising alterna-tive to existing paper–based measurement practices as OTs appear to prefer the digital–based system and that they can take measurements more efficiently and accurately

TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT OF HAND-EYE COORDINATION WITH ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Medical Education for the 21st Century

Medical education has undergone a substantial transformation from the traditional models of the basic classroom, laboratory, and bedside that existed up to the late 20th century. The focus of this text is to review the spectrum of topics that are essential to the training of 21st-century healthcare providers. Modern medical education goes beyond learning physiology, pathophysiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and how they apply to patient care. Contemporary medical education models incorporate multiple dimensions, including digital information management, social media platforms, effective teamwork, emotional and coping intelligence, simulation, as well as advanced tools for teaching both hard and soft skills. Furthermore, this book also evaluates the evolving paradigm of how teachers can teach and how students can learn – and how the system evaluates success

Effect of exercise modalities on equine kinematics and their application to training and rehabilitation

During training and rehabilitation exercises are frequently conducted with the aim of influencing the locomotor pattern of the horse. Various modalities such as training aids, polework, dry and water treadmills are commonly employed for this purpose, however, there is limited evidence of their effect on equine kinematics. A multidisciplinary team of riders, trainers, veterinarians, and therapists seek evidence-based decisions, when considering the use of these modalities, highlighting the need for further experimental studies to support exercise selection in practice. The aim of this body of work was to investigate the effect of a Pessoa Training Aid (study 1), walking over poles (study 2) and walking in a water treadmill (study 3 and 4) on equine trunk and limb kinematics.Participants were acclimatised to the use of the modalities as part of inclusion criteria and had a lameness grade of ≤1/5 on the AAEP scale. Study 1 utilised high-speed videography (125 Hz) and limb mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) (104 Hz) to quantify linear and temporal kinematics of working trot with and without a Pessoa Training Aid. Study 2 and 4 employed high-speed videography (240 Hz) and upper body mounted IMUs (60 Hz) to collect data on limb and trunk kinematics during walking over poles and walking post water treadmill exercise. Study 3 expanded upon these methods incorporating optical motion capture (240 Hz) to measure spinal kinematics in addition to limb and trunk kinematics during walking on a water treadmill from dry to 47cm water depth.Compared with a baseline of no intervention, the modalities induced kinematic changes. In study 1, the application of the Pessoa Training Aid resulted in a decrease in speed and stride length compared to without the training aid. Lumbosacral angle at maximum hindlimb retraction was decreased, suggesting that the lumbosacral junction was less extended at this point of the stride. Subjective evaluation identified an increase in dorsoventral displacement of the mid back, and grade of overall way of going based on British Dressage scoring. In study 2, walking over poles increased fore and hind limb range of motion, via increased swing phase flexion, compared to overground walking. This effect increased from ground poles to raised poles and only raised poles increased shoulder range of motion. Upper body kinematics indicated that the horse may use its head to balance over raised poles, as observed by increased craniocaudal ROM of the head and that mediolateral trunk motion increased over raised poles, which may be task completion or a compensation to facilitate pole clearance. Walking in water (study 3) induced similar responses, in terms of limb ROM increasing with water depth and, in support of previous work, increased flexion-extension ROM of the thoracic spine. Increased mediolateral ROM of the pelvis was observed with increased water depth, coinciding with peak hock flexion. This has some similarities with the findings over poles and together these findings suggest that increased mediolateral pelvic ROM may be a strategy to facilitate limb elevation, this is indicated for further work. Post water walking (study 4) the horses had a decrease in hindlimb fetlock extension at midstance and an increase in subjectively assessed hock oscillation. The latter may suggest that the horse has local muscle fatigue, affecting the stabilisers, which should be considered in training and rehabilitation planning and general management of the horses who use water treadmills as part of their routine and especially those who are still being acclimatised to this type of exercise.The outcome of these studies can support decision making to determine if the application of a given modality is warranted for a specific individual in relation to its training and/or rehabilitation goals. For example, the Pessoa Training Aid is prescribed for horses post kissing spine surgery due to the findings of increased spinal flexion during its use. The studies suggest that polework and water treadmill exercise are useful for increasing limb range of motion, but the action of the treadmill belt and the induction of increased limb retraction may influence the suitability of one over the other depending on the needs of the horse. The included studies have contributed novel information to the evidence base; however, caution should be applied when extrapolating the findings determined in non-lame horses to horses undergoing rehabilitation. The commentary provided in the thesis demonstrates the author’s contribution, outlines how this fulfils the doctoral criteria and more importantly that the studies presented can be utilised by the multidisciplinary team supporting the horse and provide some guidance regarding exercise selection in practice

Measuring Behavior 2018 Conference Proceedings

These proceedings contain the papers presented at Measuring Behavior 2018, the 11th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research. The conference was organised by Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with Noldus Information Technology. The conference was held during June 5th – 8th, 2018 in Manchester, UK. Building on the format that has emerged from previous meetings, we hosted a fascinating program about a wide variety of methodological aspects of the behavioral sciences. We had scientific presentations scheduled into seven general oral sessions and fifteen symposia, which covered a topical spread from rodent to human behavior. We had fourteen demonstrations, in which academics and companies demonstrated their latest prototypes. The scientific program also contained three workshops, one tutorial and a number of scientific discussion sessions. We also had scientific tours of our facilities at Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy, and the nearby British Cycling Velodrome. We hope this proceedings caters for many of your interests and we look forward to seeing and hearing more of your contributions

Analysis of the backpack loading efects on the human gait

Gait is a simple activity of daily life and one of the main abilities of the human being. Often during leisure, labour and sports activities, loads are carried over (e.g. backpack) during gait. These circumstantial loads can generate instability and increase biomechanicalstress over the human tissues and systems, especially on the locomotor, balance and postural regulation systems. According to Wearing (2006), subjects that carry a transitory or intermittent load will be able to find relatively efficient solutions to compensate its effects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Engineering and built environment project conference 2015: book of abstracts - Toowoomba, Australia, 21-25 September 2015

Book of Abstracts of the USQ Engineering and Built Environment Conference 2015, held Toowoomba, Australia, 21-25 September 2015. These proceedings include extended abstracts of the verbal presentations that are delivered at the project conference. The work reported at the conference is the research undertaken by students in meeting the requirements of courses ENG4111/ENG4112 Research Project for undergraduate or ENG8411/ENG8412 Research Project and Dissertation for postgraduate students