An Autonomous Wearable Sensor Node for Long-Term Healthcare Monitoring Powered by a Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting System

oai:ojs.ijet.ise.pw.edu.pl:article/2503In this paper, an autonomous wearable sensor node is developed for long-term continuous healthcare monitoring. This node is used to monitor the body temperature and heart rate of a human through a mobile application. Thus, it includes a temperature sensor, a heart pulse sensor, a low-power microcontroller, and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) module. The power supply of the node is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, but this battery has a limited lifetime. Therefore, a photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting system is proposed to prolong the battery lifetime of the sensor node. The PV energy harvesting system consists of a flexible photovoltaic panel, and a charging controller. This PV energy harvesting system is practically tested outdoor under lighting intensity of 1000 W/m2. Experimentally, the overall power consumption of the node is 4.97 mW and its lifetime about 246 hours in active-sleep mode. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate long-term and sustainable operation for the wearable sensor node

Effect of Laser Therapy on the Osseointegration of Immediately Loaded Dental Implants in Patients under Vitamin C, Omega-3 and Calcium Therapy

BACKGROUND: The use of laser therapy in the biostimulation of bone repair has been growing steadily.AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the radio-densitometric effect of low-intensity laser therapy on the osseointegration of immediately loaded dental implants in patients under vitamin C, omega-3 and calcium therapy.PATIENTS AND METHODS:  A single implant was placed in the mandibular first molar region of twenty patients which were equally divided into two groups. In the non-laser group, the healing phase was left to progress spontaneously without any intervention, while in the laser group it was augmented with low-level laser therapy of wavelength 904 nm in contact mode, continuous wave, 20 mW output power and exposure time 30 sec with a dose 4.7 J/cm2. Patients in both groups were given vitamin C, calcium and omega-3 starting one month preoperatively. Postoperative digital panoramas were taken immediately after surgery, 1.5 months and 6 months postoperatively. Changes in bone density along the bone-implant interface at the mesial, distal and apical sides were assessed using the Digora software.RESULTS: Independent student t-test was used to compare means of variables between the laser and the non-laser group while repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare bone densities at different times for the same group. Significant increased differences were observed at the mesial, distal and apical sides surrounding the implants of both groups per time. However, the rate of increase was significantly higher in the laser group.  The mean difference at the mesial side after 6 months was 21.99 ± 5.48 in the laser group and 14.21 ± 4.95 in the non-laser group, while it read 21.74 ± 3.56 in the laser group and 10.78 ± 3.90 in non-laser group at the distal side and was 18.90 ± 5.91 in the laser group and 10.39 ± 3.49 in non-laser group at the apical side. Significance was recorded at P = 0.004, P = 0.0001, and 0.001 at the mesial, distal and apical sides respectively.CONCLUSION: The low-intensity laser irradiation significantly promoted bone healing and speeded up the osseointegration process emphasising the laser’s biostimulatory effect

An innovative computer guided ridge splitting flapless technique with simultaneous implant placement: A case report

Purpose: In the conventional ridge splitting technique, a complete flap is raised to allow adequate visibility of the bone defect which can result in disturbance of vascular supply and increase bone resorption rates. In this case report, a new innovative computer guided closed alveolar ridge splitting flapless technique has been advocated to avoid this disruption. Materials and Methods: After thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation, the patient presented in this case report showed inadequate bone width in the missing first premolar region.The procedure involved a series of creating and designing special 3D virtual guide slits that can accommodate and precisely fit the tools used for the alveolar ridge splitting technique. Results: After a three months follow-up, the Implant was found to have successfully osseointegrated both clinically and radio-graphically. The Implant deviation from the pre-planned virtual implant position was as well found to be within an acceptable range. Conclusion: For the alveolar ridge with insufficient thickness, this flapless, computer guided ridge splitting technique can be a predictable, less invasive and an atraumatic technique with immediate implant placement

Facial alveolar bone wall width: a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study in Asians

Background: The width of the facial alveolar bone wall is crucial for long term successful esthetic outcomes of implants immediately placed into extraction sockets. A threshold of 2 mm is recommended to minimize buccal vertical bone resorption. Aim: To assess the width of the facial alveolar bone wall using cone-beam computed tomography images (CBCT). Methods: Retrospective CBCT images were acquired from a representative sample of Asians using the i-CAT® classic system with a 0.4 mm voxel size. At random, 200 CBCT images were selected according to predefined criteria. The DICOM file was imported into the i-Cat Vision® software. In the panoramic screen, the middle of each tooth was selected and, in the sagittal window, the middle cross section was selected for performing the measurements using a computer. The vertical distance from the alveolar crest (BC) - CEJ was measured. The width of the facial alveolar bone wall was measured at three locations: 1, 3, and 5 mm apical to BC. Descriptive statistics, frequency analyses, and multi-level comparisons were performed. Results: The sample consisted of 74 males and 126 females (mean age of 37.2 years; range 17-82 years). A total of 3618 teeth were assessed. There was no significant difference between the values of right and left sides, or between genders. However, statistically significant differences were observed between age groups at all levels. The distance from CEJ-BC varied from 0.4 to 4mm, with an overall tendency to increase with age. The mean width of the facial alveolar bone wall at anterior teeth was 0.9 mm and increased towards posterior regions. Rarely, a width of 2 mm was yielded (0.6-1.8 % for anterior teeth, 0.7- 30.8 % for posterior teeth). At a 5mm distance from BC, minimal widths of facial alveolar bone were identified for the anterior teeth. The frequency of dehiscence ranged from 9.9- 51.6 % for anterior and 3.1- 53.6 % for posterior teeth, respectively. Conclusion and clinical implications: A thin facial alveolar bone wall was usually present in both jaws. Hence, for most patients, adjunctive bone augmentation may be needed when installing implants in areas of esthetic concern.published_or_final_versionDental SurgeryMasterMaster of Dental Surger