Models of breast lesions based on three-dimensional X-ray breast images

This paper presents a method for creation of computational models of breast lesions with irregular shapes from patient Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) images or breast cadavers and whole-body Computed Tomography (CT) images. The approach includes six basic steps: (a) normalization of the intensity of the tomographic images; (b) image noise reduction; (c) binarization of the lesion area, (d) application of morphological operations to further decrease the level of artefacts; (e) application of a region growing technique to segment the lesion; and (f) creation of a final 3D lesion model. The algorithm is semi-automatic as the initial selection of the region of the lesion and the seeds for the region growing are done interactively. A software tool, performing all of the required steps, was developed in MATLAB. The method was tested and evaluated by analysing anonymized sets of DBT patient images diagnosed with lesions. Experienced radiologists evaluated the segmentation of the tumours in the slices and the obtained 3D lesion shapes. They concluded for a quite satisfactory delineation of the lesions. In addition, for three DBT cases, a delineation of the tumours was performed independently by the radiologists. In all cases the abnormality volumes segmented by the proposed algorithm were smaller than those outlined by the experts. The calculated Dice similarity coefficients for algorithm-radiologist and radiologist-radiologist showed similar values. Another selected tumour case was introduced into a computational breast model to recursively assess the algorithm. The relative volume difference between the ground-truth tumour volume and the one obtained by applying the algorithm on the synthetic volume from the virtual DBT study is 5% which demonstrates the satisfactory performance of the proposed segmentation algorithm. The software tool we developed was used to create models of different breast abnormalities, which were then stored in a database for use by researchers working in this field

Correlation of pre-operative cancer imaging techniques with post-operative gross and microscopic pathology images

In this paper, different algorithms for volume reconstruction from tomographic cross-sectional pathology slices are described and tested. A tissue-mimicking phantom made with a mixture of agar and aluminium oxide was sliced at different thickness as per pathological standard guidelines. Phantom model was also virtually sliced and reconstructed in software. Results showed that shape-based spline interpolation method was the most precise, but generated a volume underestimation of 0.5%

Introducing mobile edge computing capabilities through distributed 5G Cloud Enabled Small Cells

Current trends in broadband mobile networks are addressed towards the placement of different capabilities at the edge of the mobile network in a centralised way. On one hand, the split of the eNB between baseband processing units and remote radio headers makes it possible to process some of the protocols in centralised premises, likely with virtualised resources. On the other hand, mobile edge computing makes use of processing and storage capabilities close to the air interface in order to deploy optimised services with minimum delay. The confluence of both trends is a hot topic in the definition of future 5G networks. The full centralisation of both technologies in cloud data centres imposes stringent requirements to the fronthaul connections in terms of throughput and latency. Therefore, all those cells with limited network access would not be able to offer these types of services. This paper proposes a solution for these cases, based on the placement of processing and storage capabilities close to the remote units, which is especially well suited for the deployment of clusters of small cells. The proposed cloud-enabled small cells include a highly efficient microserver with a limited set of virtualised resources offered to the cluster of small cells. As a result, a light data centre is created and commonly used for deploying centralised eNB and mobile edge computing functionalities. The paper covers the proposed architecture, with special focus on the integration of both aspects, and possible scenarios of application.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Assessment of the effectiveness of medical simulators in the practical training of medical students: Preliminary results in MU-Varna

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, simulators have become part of most medical universities’ educational strategy. In recent years, Medical University of Varna has been equipped with the most modern medical simulators, aiming to meet the practical training needs of all specialties taught at the university.AIM: The aim of this study is to perform an initial assessment of the effectiveness in the use of simulators, as well as simulation-based training provided at the Medical University of Varna. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed a set of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the simulation training including: simulators accessibility, complexity and safety, as well as training environment and trainers’ preparedness. Based on these criteria, a questionnaire was developed and a survey conducted to study the students’ opinion on the training quality with two medical simulators: dental and anesthesiology. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Two groups of medical students - 73 students in dental medicine and 186 students in anesthesiology and intensive care, were enrolled in the study. The results showed a strong relationship between the students’ specialty and simulation training in all evaluation criteria except one. The results revealed that medical simulators play an essential role in the practical training of medical students, and may substantially improve their future medical performance. Medical University of Varna effectively integrates simulation medicine into its educational program

Isolation of high quality graphene from Ru by solution phase intercalation

2013 AIP Publishing LL

Management and Implementation of the TEMPUS IV BME- ENA Project in the Field of Biomedical Engineering Education

Access full text - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-736-9_115The TEMPUS IV BME-ENA: “Biomedical Engineering Education Initiative in Eastern Neighbouring Area” project aims to promote BME Education in four partner countries, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, through the creation of four joint postgraduate programs in line with the European policy and the most recent developments

A new generation web-based medical equipment management system

Healthcare delivery, today, is entirely technology-oriented and medical equipment plays a major role in improving the quality of patient care. However, the increased number of medical equipment installed in hospitals leads to problems associated with their proper management. In such an environment, with strong demands for high level health services and as low as possible costs, the rational management of medical equipment becomes particularly crucial. Therefore Clinical Engineering Departments (CEDs) in hospitals need to implement comprehensive Medical Technology Management programs, which should be able to address complex and multidimensional tasks requiring special expertise and dedicated tools in order to achieve the best results

Characterization of Commercial and Custom-Made Printing Filament Materials for Computed Tomography Imaging of Radiological Phantoms

In recent years, material extrusion-based additive manufacturing, particularly fused filament fabrication (FFF), has gained significant attention due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness in producing complex geometries. This paper presents the characterization of seven novel materials for FFF and twenty-two commercially available filaments in terms of X-ray computed tomography (CT) numbers, as tissue mimicking materials for the realization of 3D printed radiological phantoms. Two technical approaches, by 3D printing of cube samples and by producing cylinders of melted materials, are used for achieving this goal. Results showed that the CT numbers, given in Hounsfield unit (HU), of all the samples depended on the beam kilovoltage (kV). The CT numbers ranged from +411 HU to +3071 HU (at 80 kV), from −422 HU to +3071 HU (at 100 kV), and from −442 HU to +3070 HU (at 120 kV). Several commercial and custom-made filaments demonstrated suitability for substituting soft and hard human tissues, for realization of 3D printed phantoms with FFF in CT imaging. For breast imaging, an anthropomorphic phantom with two filaments could be fabricated using ABS-C (conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as a substitute for breast adipose tissue, and ASA-A (acrylic styrene acrylonitrile) for glandular breast tissue

Assessment of a method for manufacturing realistic breast lesions for experimental investigations

IntroductionThe development and optimization of novel diagnostic imaging prototypes heavily rely on experimental work. In radiology, this experimental work involves the use of phantoms. When testing novel techniques to demonstrate their advantages, anthropomorphic phantoms are utilized. The aim of this study was to investigate seven materials for 3D printing to replicate the radiological properties of breast lesions.MethodsTo achieve this objective, we utilized three fused filament fabrication materials, namely, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G), along with resins such as White v4 Resin, Flexible 80A v1 Resin, Model v2 Resin, and Wax40 v1 Resin, to 3D print seven irregularly shaped lesions. These lesions were used to prepare a set of seven physical phantoms, each filled with either water or liquid paraffin, and one of the printed lesions. The phantoms were then scanned using a mammography unit at 28 kVp. Additionally, six computational breast phantoms, replicating the shape of the physical phantoms, were generated. These computational models were assigned the attenuating properties of various breast tissues, including glandular tissue, adipose tissue, skin, and lesions. Mammography images were generated under the same experimental conditions as the physical scans. Both the simulated and experimental images were evaluated for their contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and contrast (C).DiscussionThe results indicated that the studied resins and filament-based materials are all suitable for replicating breast lesions. Among these, PLA and White v4 Resin exhibited the densest formations and can effectively approximate breast lesions that are slightly less attenuating than glandular tissue, while ABS and Flexible 80A v1 Resin were the least dense and can represent fat-containing breast lesions. The remaining materials provided good approximations for malignant lesions. These materials can be utilized for constructing phantoms for experimental work, rendering the model a valuable tool for optimizing mammography protocols, ensuring quality control of mammography X-ray equipment, and aiding in the diagnosis and assessment of breast cancer

СЪДЪРЖАНИЕ НА PB И CD В ПРАНА И НЕПРАНА ВЪЛНА ОТ ОВЦЕ ОТГЛЕЖДАНИ В РАЙОН С ПОВИШЕН ТЕХНОГЕНЕН КЛАРК

An ICP-ETAAS analyze of unwashed and washed sheep- wool for establishing of Pb and Cd have been conducted. A signifi cant difference in the contents of Pb (15.3- unwashed versus 8.15 mg/kg DM– washed wool) were established. The Cd – content were mean 0.69 (unwashed) versus 0.53 mg/kg DM– washed wool. No statistical differences were established. The authors conclude, that the environment infl uence signifi cant on the Pb- content of sheep- wool.Проведен е ICP-ETAAS анализ на прана и непрана овча вълна за установяване на Pb и Cd. Установени са достоверни разлики в съдържанията на Pb (15.3- непрана срещу 8.15 mg/kg АСВ- прана вълна). Средното съдържание на Cd е 0.69 (непрана) срещу 0.53 mg/kg АСВ (прана вълна). Разликите са статистически достоверни. Авторите заключват, че околното среда влияе достоверно върху съдържанието на Pb в овчата вълна