A Comparative Analysis of U-Net and Vision Transformer Architectures in Semi-Supervised Prostate Zonal Segmentation

The precise segmentation of different regions of the prostate is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate-related diseases. However, the scarcity of labeled prostate data poses a challenge for the accurate segmentation of its different regions. We perform the segmentation of different regions of the prostate using U-Net- and Vision Transformer (ViT)-based architectures. We use five semi-supervised learning methods, including entropy minimization, cross pseudo-supervision, mean teacher, uncertainty-aware mean teacher (UAMT), and interpolation consistency training (ICT) to compare the results with the state-of-the-art prostate semi-supervised segmentation network uncertainty-aware temporal self-learning (UATS). The UAMT method improves the prostate segmentation accuracy and provides stable prostate region segmentation results. ICT plays a more stable role in the prostate region segmentation results, which provides strong support for the medical image segmentation task, and demonstrates the robustness of U-Net for medical image segmentation. UATS is still more applicable to the U-Net backbone and has a very significant effect on a positive prediction rate. However, the performance of ViT in combination with semi-supervision still requires further optimization. This comparative analysis applies various semi-supervised learning methods to prostate zonal segmentation. It guides future prostate segmentation developments and offers insights into utilizing limited labeled data in medical imaging

Integrating 3D Printed Grinding Tools and Closed- Loop Temperature Management for Optimal Surgical Outcomes

Grinding is a commonly employed surgical technique for the partial removal of bone. However, the grinding process often generates excessive heat at the interface, leading to localized temperature raise. This can result in irreversible damage to not only the bone but also surrounding tissues, such as nerves. Existing devices rely on the continuous application of coolant to mitigate temperature rise. With the rate and location of coolant deposition being primarily empirical, the current process brings potential risks to patients. In this study, a novel grinding device capable of continuously monitoring grinding temperatures and applying coolant precisely when needed is designed. Utilizing additive manufacturing techniques, a customized grinding tool head equipped with embedded temperature sensors and coolant channels is successfully created. This innovation has enabled the development of an intelligent closed-loop device that provides precise temperature control during surgery. The device effectively maintains the grinding surface temperature within the user-defined range, with a latency of less than 1 s. Furthermore, the design ensures that the coolant spray outlets remain unobstructed by debris during grinding and effectively removes debris at the interface, reducing the risk of potential complications, such as bone hyperplasia

3D printed zirconia ceramic tool for bone repair with multifunction of drug release, drilling and implantation

Ceramics is a promising material that has been widely used as artificial bones. However, most available investigations were devoted to new material development and implant structure design, while few of studies focused on innovative hybrid implants that can act not only as implants but also as surgery tools for solving specific health issues. This paper innovatively designed and additively-manufactured a zirconia ceramic surgery tool, which can not only act as a drilling tool, but also retain itself in the drilled hole after the surgery as bone scaffold, at the meantime delivery active ingredient (Vitamin C) for fast recovery. To achieve early intervention, the proposed zirconia ceramic tool was additively manufactured with inter-connected pore structures that can benefit the recovery. The zirconia ceramic surgery tools (with 50 %, 70 % and 80 % porosity) showed the required mechanical properties to act as a drilling tool. The tool also showed drug releasing function with the different diffusion rates based on drug diffusion experiments. The zirconia ceramic tool with Vitamin C coating also showed enhanced cell adhesion and accelerated cell growth based on the osteoblast induction assessment. Based on above, the proposed zirconia ceramic tool is expected to bring new possibilities for wide applications of ceramic tools in surgeries