A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of a Novel Approach for Wireless Stimulation

The elimination of integrated batteries in biomedical implants holds great promise for improving health outcomes in patients with implantable devices. However, despite extensive research in wireless power transfer, achieving efficient power transfer and effective operational range have remained a hindering challenge within anatomical constraints. Objective : We hereby demonstrate an intravascular wireless and batteryless microscale stimulator, designed for (1) low power dissipation via intermittent transmission and (2) reduced fixation mechanical burden via deployment to the anterior cardiac vein (ACV, ∼3.8 mm in diameter). Methods : We introduced a unique coil design circumferentially confined to a 3 mm diameter hollow-cylinder that was driven by a novel transmitter-based control architecture with improved power efficiency. Results : We examined wireless capacity using heterogenous bovine tissue, demonstrating >5 V stimulation threshold with up to 20 mm transmitter-receiver displacement and 20° of misalignment. Feasibility for human use was validated using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of the cardiac cycle, guided by pacer phantom-integrated Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI). Conclusion : This system design thus enabled sufficient wireless power transfer in the face of extensive stimulator miniaturization. Significance : Our successful feasibility studies demonstrated the capacity for minimally invasive deployment and low-risk fixation

A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of a Novel Approach for Wireless Stimulation

The elimination of integrated batteries in biomedical implants holds great promise for improving health outcomes in patients with implantable devices. However, despite extensive research in wireless power transfer, achieving efficient power transfer and effective operational range have remained a hindering challenge within anatomical constraints. Objective : We hereby demonstrate an intravascular wireless and batteryless microscale stimulator, designed for (1) low power dissipation via intermittent transmission and (2) reduced fixation mechanical burden via deployment to the anterior cardiac vein (ACV, ∼3.8 mm in diameter). Methods : We introduced a unique coil design circumferentially confined to a 3 mm diameter hollow-cylinder that was driven by a novel transmitter-based control architecture with improved power efficiency. Results : We examined wireless capacity using heterogenous bovine tissue, demonstrating >5 V stimulation threshold with up to 20 mm transmitter-receiver displacement and 20° of misalignment. Feasibility for human use was validated using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of the cardiac cycle, guided by pacer phantom-integrated Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI). Conclusion : This system design thus enabled sufficient wireless power transfer in the face of extensive stimulator miniaturization. Significance : Our successful feasibility studies demonstrated the capacity for minimally invasive deployment and low-risk fixation

Brain-Computer Interface Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation System for Ankle Movement

Abstract Background Many neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury, can cause chronic gait function impairment due to foot-drop. Current physiotherapy techniques provide only a limited degree of motor function recovery in these individuals, and therefore novel therapies are needed. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a relatively novel technology with a potential to restore, substitute, or augment lost motor behaviors in patients with neurological injuries. Here, we describe the first successful integration of a noninvasive electroencephalogram (EEG)-based BCI with a noninvasive functional electrical stimulation (FES) system that enables the direct brain control of foot dorsiflexion in able-bodied individuals. Methods A noninvasive EEG-based BCI system was integrated with a noninvasive FES system for foot dorsiflexion. Subjects underwent computer-cued epochs of repetitive foot dorsiflexion and idling while their EEG signals were recorded and stored for offline analysis. The analysis generated a prediction model that allowed EEG data to be analyzed and classified in real time during online BCI operation. The real-time online performance of the integrated BCI-FES system was tested in a group of five able-bodied subjects who used repetitive foot dorsiflexion to elicit BCI-FES mediated dorsiflexion of the contralateral foot. Results Five able-bodied subjects performed 10 alternations of idling and repetitive foot dorsifiexion to trigger BCI-FES mediated dorsifiexion of the contralateral foot. The epochs of BCI-FES mediated foot dorsifiexion were highly correlated with the epochs of voluntary foot dorsifiexion (correlation coefficient ranged between 0.59 and 0.77) with latencies ranging from 1.4 sec to 3.1 sec. In addition, all subjects achieved a 100% BCI-FES response (no omissions), and one subject had a single false alarm. Conclusions This study suggests that the integration of a noninvasive BCI with a lower-extremity FES system is feasible. With additional modifications, the proposed BCI-FES system may offer a novel and effective therapy in the neuro-rehabilitation of individuals with lower extremity paralysis due to neurological injuries

The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and Conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events

Investigation of Multi-Modal Haptic Feedback Systems for Robotic Surgery

The advent of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) led to significant benefits for patients at a cost of increase technical difficulty for surgeons. Robotic minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) was introduced to help eliminate some of the outstanding challenges by introducing improvements such as enhanced 3D vision and additional degrees of freedom. Unfortunately, RMIS resulted in a complete loss of haptic feedback, a problem that has persisted even after more than a decade of technology development.The limitations introduced by the loss of feedback in robotic surgery gave birth to innovations and significant research on haptic feedback systems (HFS). These systems aimed to provide an artificial sense of touch. Researchers have focused on many varieties of feedback technologies, most often relying on one specific feedback modality to help improve performance in a few, limited robotic surgical procedures.This research project set out to investigate multi-modal haptic feedback systems capable of providing benefits for many different robotic surgical applications. Having inherited an existing tactile feedback system designed for reducing crush injuries in robotic surgical procedures, this project implemented various critical enhancements for pneumatic normal force tactile feedback. Improvements to the sensing technology such as design of shear sensing mechanisms helped expand the application of haptics beyond grip force reduction.The development and integration of additional modalities of feedback including kinesthetic force feedback and vibration feedback, and design of a highly configurable software architecture allowed the application of the multi-modal HFS in several different RMIS applications. Evaluation of the system for knot tying in robotic surgery showed significant benefits in reducing suture breakage and improving knot quality. Application of the multi-modal HFS for palpation in robotic surgery helped improve detection non-compressible structures such as tumors and vessels in soft tissue phantoms. Finally, the system improved upon the previously developed unimodal tactile feedback systems with regards to reduction of grip force in RMIS.The results of these investigations highlight the importance of developing multi-modal haptic feedback systems that are able simulate the synergistic relationship between the various feedback modalities involved in real human touch. Robotic surgical systems have long been held back by their lack of comprehensive haptic feedback solutions. Multi-modal haptic feedback systems hold the promise of eliminating this long-standing problem and helping expand the application of robotics in surgical sciences

Investigation of Multi-Modal Haptic Feedback Systems for Robotic Surgery

The advent of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) led to significant benefits for patients at a cost of increase technical difficulty for surgeons. Robotic minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) was introduced to help eliminate some of the outstanding challenges by introducing improvements such as enhanced 3D vision and additional degrees of freedom. Unfortunately, RMIS resulted in a complete loss of haptic feedback, a problem that has persisted even after more than a decade of technology development.The limitations introduced by the loss of feedback in robotic surgery gave birth to innovations and significant research on haptic feedback systems (HFS). These systems aimed to provide an artificial sense of touch. Researchers have focused on many varieties of feedback technologies, most often relying on one specific feedback modality to help improve performance in a few, limited robotic surgical procedures.This research project set out to investigate multi-modal haptic feedback systems capable of providing benefits for many different robotic surgical applications. Having inherited an existing tactile feedback system designed for reducing crush injuries in robotic surgical procedures, this project implemented various critical enhancements for pneumatic normal force tactile feedback. Improvements to the sensing technology such as design of shear sensing mechanisms helped expand the application of haptics beyond grip force reduction.The development and integration of additional modalities of feedback including kinesthetic force feedback and vibration feedback, and design of a highly configurable software architecture allowed the application of the multi-modal HFS in several different RMIS applications. Evaluation of the system for knot tying in robotic surgery showed significant benefits in reducing suture breakage and improving knot quality. Application of the multi-modal HFS for palpation in robotic surgery helped improve detection non-compressible structures such as tumors and vessels in soft tissue phantoms. Finally, the system improved upon the previously developed unimodal tactile feedback systems with regards to reduction of grip force in RMIS.The results of these investigations highlight the importance of developing multi-modal haptic feedback systems that are able simulate the synergistic relationship between the various feedback modalities involved in real human touch. Robotic surgical systems have long been held back by their lack of comprehensive haptic feedback solutions. Multi-modal haptic feedback systems hold the promise of eliminating this long-standing problem and helping expand the application of robotics in surgical sciences