Human machine interfaces for robot-assisted colonoscopy: a clinical survey

In the last decade, a variety of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) have been designed for robot assisted colonoscopy, including different input devices, assistive tools and feedback. However, few studies aiming at assessing the best features of the HMI have been performed so far, leading to a lack of knowledge about the optimal HMI able to minimize the cognitive and physical load of the operators and maximize their performace. Herein, we present the results of a survey administered to more than 70 endoscopists across different European countries, to get insights about the clinicians’ desires on the next generation HMI for robot assisted colonoscopy.This work was supported by the ATLAS project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 813782.Peer ReviewedPreprin

A. Training Simulators for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Current and Future Perspectives

Over the last decades, visual endoscopy has become a gold standard for the detection and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. However, mastering endoscopic procedures is complex and requires long hours of practice. In this context, simulation-based training represents a valuable opportunity for acquiring technical and cognitive skills, suiting the different trainees’ learning pace and limiting the risks for the patients. In this regard, the present contribution aims to present a critical and comprehensive review of the current technology for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy training, including both commercial products and platforms at a research stage. Not limited to it, the recent revolution played by the technological advancements in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality, and computational tools on simulation-based learning is documented and discussed. Finally, considerations on the future trend of this application field are drawn, highlighting the impact of the most recent pandemic and the current demographic trends

Multi-level-assistance robotic platform for navigation in the urinary system: design and preliminary tests

This work was supported by the ATLAS project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 813782. This work was also partially supported by French State Funds managed by the “Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR)” through the “Investissements d’Avenir” (Investments for the Future) Program under Grant ANR-10-IAHU-02 (IHU-Strasbourg).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Design and testing of a robotic device for bowel lengthening

The following thesis focuses on translational research, which combines the emergent and exciting world of robotic implants with tissue regeneration engineering. The ultimate goal is the treatment of a devastating disease called Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) in paediatrics patients. The SBS is associated with the loss of a big portion of bowel and the consequential inability of the patient to absorb enough nutrients. While existing surgical procedures and intestinal transplants lead to several complications, the solution proposed here involves the in-vivo regeneration of intestinal tissue through mechanotransduction. This thesis introduces a robotic implant for inducing bowel growth, without compromising the internal flow, by applying controlled distraction forces extraluminally. With the ultimate goal of developing a device sized for paediatric patients, a scalable design is presented, with two sets of specifications; one for humans and one for piglets. A prototype sized for 20 kg pigs is built and assessed through benchtop experiments. The final prototype, controllable by a laptop, has a cylindrical body of 21x2.5 cm and is encapsulated in two layers of biocompatible materials. In order to generate an animal model of the paediatric SBS, six pigs of 20 kg underwent 75-80% short bowel resection. Three of these animals received the implants, while the other three worked as a control group. One animal from the group that received the implant successfully grew 87 mm of bowel. The remaining two had to be prematurely euthanised. While the robot successfully overcame the design challenges of the medical implant, the interface with the biological tissue needs to be further investigated

Tyrosinemia type I: long-term outcome in a patient treated with doses of NTBC lower than recommended

[No abstract available

Malattie Metaboliche Ereditarie

Seconda Edizion

35. Healthcare (Data Science in)

This Encyclopedia brings together jurists, computer scientists, and data analysts to map the emerging field of data science and law for the first time, uncovering the challenges, opportunities, and fault lines that arise as these groups are increasingly thrown together by expanding attempts to regulate and adapt to a data-driven world. It explains the concepts and tools at the crossroads of the many disciplines involved in data science and law, bridging scientific and applied domains. Entries span algorithmic fairness, consent, data protection, ethics, healthcare, machine learning, patents, surveillance, transparency and vulnerability.Peer ReviewedPreprin

Reduction of plasma taurine level in children affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta during bisphosphonate therapy

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a heritable disease of connective tissue characterized by increased bone fragility. To date, bisphosphonates seem to be the most promising therapy, at least for children. In the last decade experimental and clinical studies indicate that several amino acids are implicated in bone mineralization. Particularly, taurine is localized in matrices of the bone and can regulate osteoblast metabolism with antiosteopenic effect. To investigate a possible interaction between pharmacological effects of bisphosphonates and amino acids involved in bone metabolism, we performed plasma and urine amino acids analysis in children affected by OI before and during treatment with bisphosphonates. Fourteen prepubertal children with moderate to severe types of OI, 8 males and 6 females, aged from 2 to 11 years (mean (SD) 6,9 ± 2,53) were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated with neridronate infusion (1 mg/Kg/body weight) every three months. Plasma and urine specimens for amino acid analysis were kept at baseline (T0) and three months after each infusion of four consecutive cycles (T1-T4). A significant decrease in respect to the pre-treatment levels (T0) was observed after the fourth infusion for taurine (p < 0.01). In addition, urinary excretion of this amino acid showed a significant decrease after the fourth infusion. No significant correlations were found between plasma level or urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, taurine, arginine and lysine in respect to bone mineral density. The progressive reduction of plasma taurine found in our patients treated with bisphosphonates could be implicated in the action mechanism of this drug in OI and possibly in other disorders of bone metabolism. This knowledge could provide new opportunities to improve treatment with bisphosphonates and address novel strategies for the therapeutic approach to bone disorders. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Design of a magnetic actuation system for a microbiota-collection ingestible capsule

Minimally invasive wireless devices, allowing the sampling of gut’s bacteria, are needed for a longitudinal understanding of the role of the microbiota on the human health. Herein, we present a novel magnetic actuation system fitting inside a 11.5 x 30.5 mm wireless ingestible capsule. Lacking any electronic components, the capsule robot is designed for the collection of microbiota’s samples through mechanical brushing. Wireless activation and in situ sampling are enabled by an external permanent magnetic source. This component, when approaching the capsule, progressively allows: (1) the adhesion of the device to the mucosa, (2) the exposure of the brushes, and (3) the sampling by multiple rotations. Numerical and analytical models were developed for dimensioning the system, and were validated by benchtop experiments.This work was supported by the ATLAS project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 813782.This work was also part of the CISAS (MIUR-CNR) project, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft