Usage of RGB-D Multi-Sensor Imaging System for Medical Applications

This chapter presents an inclusion of 3D optical (RGB-D) sensors into medical clinical practice, as an alternative to the conventional imaging and diagnostic methods, which are expensive in many aspects. It focuses on obstructive sleep apnea, the respiratory syndrome that occurs in an increasing proportion of the population, including children. We introduce the novel application, a response to the request for an alternative pre-diagnostic method for obstructive sleep apnea in the region of Slovakia. The main objective of the proposed system is to obtain an extensive dataset of scans (head and face) from various views and add detailed information about patient. The application consists of the 3D craniofacial scanning system using multiple depth camera sensors. Several technologies are presented with the proposed methodology for their comprehensive comparison based on depth sensing and evaluation of their suitability for parallel multi-view scanning (mutual interference, noise parameters). The application also includes the assistance algorithm guaranteeing the patient’s head positioning, graphical interface for scanning management, and standardized EU medical sleep questionnaire. Compared to polysomnography, which is the golden standard for this diagnostics, the needed data acquisition time is reduced significantly, the same with the price and accessibility

Signal conditioning in process of high speed imaging

The accuracy of cinematic analysis with camera system depends on frame rate of used camera. Specific case of cinematic analysis is in medical research focusing on microscopic objects moving with high frequencies (cilia of respiratory epithelium). The signal acquired by high speed video acquisition system has very amount of data. This paper describes hardware parts, signal condition and software, which is used for image acquiring thru digital camera, intelligent illumination dimming hardware control and ROI statistic creation. All software parts are realized as virtual instruments

Automated Measurement of Traction Line Parameters for Railways

In Slovakia, various rail track segments are being rebuilt due to increased railroad speed and safety standards. Assembly wagons were fitted with an automated measurement device to assess the condition and geometry of the traction lines. The theory behind measuring fundamental traction line parameters like line height and stagger is discussed in this book chapter, along with the development of a measurement electronic device with appropriate sensors and a LabVIEW application for evaluating measured data and controlling and interacting with the electronic device. The Railways Research and Development Institute at Vrútky (Slovakia) is where the system was tested and put into use. This work also demonstrates effective and robust collaboration between the academic environment and praxis. The possibilities of using LabVIEW in industrial applications and its cooperation with the developed measuring device will be presented in this book chapter. The possibilities of communication of the device with the developed software and various methods of algorithm design using several structures found in the LabVIEW development environment will be presented

New method of LCD display viewing angle designation

Most people think that LCD monitors are low or zero in radiation. That is not true. The backlighting uses thousand volts for fluorescence and carries an electromagnetic field. Zero radiation LCD monitors use e.g. clear metallic grating in front of the display viewing area. The main goal of this contribution is optical properties analyze of radiation protected and no protected LCD displays. The analyze evaluates the display viewing angle which is one of the most important indicators for graphic information quality in the Human Computer Interface system

Tissue Analysis by Virtual Instrumentation

This paper introduces the possibilities of diagnostics and analysis of tissue via virtual instrumentation - LabVIEW. The two dimensional images shot by the camera provide information about the surface properties and degradation of a real skin. The main idea is based on the human skin parameters measured for healthy and ill skin. The aforementioned access provides parameters evaluation by creating a structure model. The anomalies are recognized by this model

Contactless Material Tensile Testing Using a High-Resolution Camera

This article deals with the use of contactless measurement with a high-resolution imaging device during tensile testing of materials in a universal tearing machine (UTM). Setting the material parameters in tensile testing is based on changes in the geometrical properties of the sample being tested. In this article, authors propose the method and system for automated measuring the height, width, and crack occurrence during tensile testing. The system is also able to predict the location of crack occurrence. The proposed method is based on selected algorithms of image analysis, feature extraction, and template matching. Our video extensometry, working with common inspection cameras operating in visible range, can be an alternative method to expensive laser extensometry machines. The motivation of our work was to develop an automated measurement system for use in a UTM

Protected microcomputers from VÚVT-Engineering

The paper presents properties of new protected microcomputer prototypes that recently developed VÚVTEngineering a.s. Žilina. The five new prototypes of protected microcomputers and displays provide users with important protection against radiated information leaking from a computer and suppress unfavorable effects of electromagnetic radiation on a man. The first part of contribution describes technical parameters of protected microcomputers and displays. The results of optical characteristics measurement and measurement of electric field radiation from the protected microcomputers are discussed in the second part of the contribution

New Aspects in Respiratory Epithelium Diagnostics Using Virtual Instrumentation

Subject of interest is trajectory analysis of moving object. Object is represented by respiratory epithelium cilium. Cilium trajectory and another parameter – beating frequency – are very important parameters in respiratory apparatus diagnostics. Main method of motion detection is Geometric Matching and gray level variance capturing. Primary experiments were taken on video phantoms simulating cilia movement using two camera systems: Marlin and PONTOS. All the phantoms were processed in LabVIEW development environment. Article focuses on acquisition conditions, preprocessing of videosequences and basic measurement on acquired phantoms

Field of Temperature Measurement by Virtual Instrumentation

This paper introduces about temperature determination for given dot of picture through image analysis. Heat transfer is the transition of thermal energy from a heated item to a cooler item. Main method of measurement of temperature in image is Pattern Matching, color scale detection and model detection. We can measure temperature dependency at time for selected point of thermo vision images. This measurement gives idea about the heat transfer at time dependences

Modeling and Verification of Heat Fields by Virtual Instrumentation

This paper introduces about simulation and verification of heat relations in DC/DC converter as a part of various mechatronics systems. Heat transfer is the transition of thermal energy from a heated item to a cooler item. Results of simulation were compared with values obtained by measurement with virtual instruments. Measurements were made at various operating conditions of DC/DC converter. This measurement gives idea about the heat transfer at time dependences