Calm Technology for Biofeedback: Why and How?

We discuss several possibilities and fundamental difficulties when designing biofeedback systems based on calm technology. As a carrier for the discussion, we develop a novel biofeedback installation based on heart rate variability (HRV). The system is built-in to an elegant table and gives visual feedforward or feedback for relaxation based on breathing. When in feedforward mode, the system will show a sine wave of about 7 cycles per second, close to the well-known resonant breathing frequency. Alternatively, the amplitude of the movement can give feedback on the heart rate variability level, which is known to be directly associated with a reduced level of mental stress. The demonstrator has a pulse-plethysmography sensor which measures the beat-to-beat intervals of successive heart beats. The mechanical design of the actuator is designed to operate completely noiseless. Both the adaptive algorithm and the actuator are new to the best of our knowledge. Still new fundamental questions arise

Theoretical and quantitative analysis of cyanosis colouration in newborn

This paper investigate the occurrence of cyanosis’s blue colouration in newborn babies with the focused on a detailed version of the oxyhaemoglobin’s (HbO2) and deoxyhaemoglobin’s (Hb) transmission and reflectance spectrum in the vessel. A quantitative analysis of cyanosis colour is based on the cyanotic skin observer model. The proposed method formed a basis work of colour changes to implement in the future cyanosis baby manikin for baby simulation. A series of transfer functions described by the relationship of the light propagation in human skin. Results showed that the colouration of HbO2 is less saturated compared to Hb and its depends on the HbO2’s and Hb’s reflectance spectrum in the blood. Meaning that, the correct International Commission on Illumination (CIE)L ∗ a ∗b ∗ colour values of cyanosis in real newborn babies will be quantified and later to be implemented in a baby manikin. Despite of non-experimental methodology implemented, it is based on putting together knowledge from literature. In particular, the database of the absorbance spectra of HbO2 and Hb and the three-cone pigments with different absorption spectra of the colour receptors in the human retina. The results of newborn’s cyanosis colour was obtained and determined both in a two-dimensional International Commission on Illumination (CIE) 1931 xy and a three-dimensional CIE L ∗ a ∗b ∗

Comparative evaluation of two peripheral information systems using motion sickness subjective rating

Motion sickness (MS) mitigation devices have gained attention in the research related to automated vehicle (AV) driving. While different modalities have been proposed, the visual-related modality has shown promises as most activities inside the AV. In this study, we measured the level of MS experienced by the 38 participants using two visual-based prototypes when they underwent the automated driving test rides. Results indicated that participants experienced less MS when using P1 than P2

Level of motion sickness based on heart rate variability when reading inside a fully automated vehicle

This study investigates the level of experienced motion sickness when performing reading while being driven in fully automated driving under three different conditions. One condition was without any intervention while the other two conditions were with the visual (VPIS) and haptic (HPIS) peripheral information system. Both systems provided the upcoming navigational information in the lateral direction three seconds before the turning/cornering was done. It was hypothesized that with the peripheral information systems, the experienced motion sickness would be reduced compared to the condition where a peripheral information system was not present. Eighteen participants with severe motion sickness susceptibility were carefully chosen to undergo the conditions using an instrumented vehicle with the Wizard-of-Oz approach. The participants were required to read from a tablet during the whole 15-minutes of automated driving. Results from the heart rate variability (beats per minute, root means square of successive differences, and high-frequency component) indicated no statistically significant changes (p &lt; 0.05) in motion sickness found with the presence of HPIS and VPIS when performing reading when being driven in automated mode. However, results from this study were mixed and inconclusive, but overall findings indicated mild motion sickness was found in both VPIS and HPIS conditions.</p

Development of a Clinical Simulation Protocol for the Transfer of a Premature Fetal Manikin to the Perinatal-Life-Support System

Introduction:At present, Perinatal-Life-Support (PLS) research is progressing to offer extreme premature infants an extracorporeal environment for extended growth that mimics the natural womb closely. During the early phase development of this novel life-support technology, validation and training could be facilitated by the use of a medical simulation. By doing so, the need for animal testing can be greatly reduced. Within this abstract, the development to realize a wellorchestrated clinical simulation protocol is described, tailored to the specific needs of novel procedure(s) regarding the transfer of a premature fetus from the maternal uterus to the PLS system.Materials &amp; Methods:Throughout protocol development an iterative approach is used, initiated with a literature analysis and a review of existing obstetrics guidelines for premature births. Next, co-creation sessions and interviews with medical and engineering experts led to a holistic understanding of fetal physiology, patient and specialist needs, current procedures, task divisions, hospital resources and drug specifications. Expert feedback on drafts, checklists and an explanatory step-by-step video, led to multiple re-designs as unforeseen procedural difficulties arose. Verified with available data from literature, multiple perspectives and options were analyzed and weighed to ensure the advancement of a safe, hygienic, effective, and user-friendly simulation protocol.Results:We describe the development process of a simulation protocol and showcase an overview of the current protocol design through an infographic, outlining the different phases and tasks during a transfer procedure and the planning of involved medical experts within the operating theatre. We demonstrate that an iterative approach to protocol development for an unprecedented procedure allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges that a transfer to the PLS-system could bring.Conclusions:Using medical simulation during the early phase development process of the PLS-system allows us to train and validate novel practices, in particular the transfer procedure. With the demonstrated approach we aim to establish a thorough simulation protocol by providing a step-by-step plan, informed by literature and expert consultation. We expect to offer a realistic simulation training whilst also informing requirements for the future development of PLS-related devices and their validation

Gaining Situation Awareness Through A Vibrotactile Display To Mitigate Motion Sickness In Fully-Automated Driving Cars

Many previous studies mention that passive drivers or passengers of fullyautomated driving cars have less awareness of the surrounding and more experience to motion sickness symptoms when engaging in non-driving tasks. This occurrence is especially magnified when riding in an urban area with lots of junctions and corners. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of peripheral information about upcoming manoeuvres through a vibrotactile display in increasing the fully-automated driving car passengers’ awareness of situations and mitigating their motion sickness level. Twenty participants took part in the experiment which used a Wizard of Oz method to simulate autonomous driving, and the experiment was conducted in an instrumented car on a real road environment. Objective and subjective measurements were gathered. The results show that the implementation of the vibrotactile display increased situation awareness but failed to reduce the motion sickness. This study concludes that in order to mitigate motion sickness inside a fully-automated driving car, more specific information need to be included in the peripheral information. In addition, a device that can actively help in controlling the posture movements should also be implemented in the vehicle

Transfer Of A Preterm Baby From A Natural Womb

The present invention relates to a transfer assembly for transferring a preterm baby from a natural womb of a pregnant mammal to a transfer bag. The present invention further relates to a kit-of-parts for assembling a transfer assembly. Also the present invention relates to a transfer device and/or a birth canal retractor for use in a transfer assembly of the present invention. An alternative transfer device is provided as well. Further, the present invention relates to a method for transferring a preterm baby from a natural womb of a pregnant mammal to a transfer bag

Simulation-based development: shaping clinical procedures for extra-uterine life support technology

Background Research into Artificial Placenta and Artifcial Womb (APAW) technology for extremely premature infants (born &lt; 28 weeks of gestation) is currently being conducted in animal studies and shows promising results. Because of the unprecedented nature of a potential treatment and the high-risk and low incidence of occurrence, translation to the human condition is a complex task. Consequently, the obstetric procedure, the act of transferring the infant from the pregnant woman to the APAW system, has not yet been established for human patients. The use of simulation-based user-centered development allows for a safe environment in which protocols and devices can be conceptualized and tested. Our aim is to use participatory design principles in a simulation context, to gain and inte‑ grate the user perspectives in the early design phase of a protocol for this novel procedure.Methods Simulation protocols and prototypes were developed using an iterative participatory design approach; usability testing, including general and task specifc feedback, was obtained from participants with clinical expertise from a range of disciplines. The procedure made use of fetal and maternal manikins and included animations and protocol task cards.Results Physical simulation with the active participation of clinicians led to the difusion of tacit knowledge and an iteratively formed shared understanding of the requirements and values that needed to be implemented in the procedure. At each sequel, participant input was translated into simulation protocols and design adjustments.Conclusion This work demonstrates that simulation-based participatory design can aid in shaping the future of clinical procedure and product development and rehearsing future implementation with healthcare professional

Simulation-based development: shaping clinical procedures for extra-uterine life support technology

Background Research into Artificial Placenta and Artifcial Womb (APAW) technology for extremely premature infants (born &lt; 28 weeks of gestation) is currently being conducted in animal studies and shows promising results. Because of the unprecedented nature of a potential treatment and the high-risk and low incidence of occurrence, translation to the human condition is a complex task. Consequently, the obstetric procedure, the act of transferring the infant from the pregnant woman to the APAW system, has not yet been established for human patients. The use of simulation-based user-centered development allows for a safe environment in which protocols and devices can be conceptualized and tested. Our aim is to use participatory design principles in a simulation context, to gain and inte‑ grate the user perspectives in the early design phase of a protocol for this novel procedure.Methods Simulation protocols and prototypes were developed using an iterative participatory design approach; usability testing, including general and task specifc feedback, was obtained from participants with clinical expertise from a range of disciplines. The procedure made use of fetal and maternal manikins and included animations and protocol task cards.Results Physical simulation with the active participation of clinicians led to the difusion of tacit knowledge and an iteratively formed shared understanding of the requirements and values that needed to be implemented in the procedure. At each sequel, participant input was translated into simulation protocols and design adjustments.Conclusion This work demonstrates that simulation-based participatory design can aid in shaping the future of clinical procedure and product development and rehearsing future implementation with healthcare professional