International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics - Volume 39, issue 1-4

Authors: Leite, Alysson | Brasil, Lourdes | Gasparini, Marina | Parente, Marina | Lamas, Janice

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The creation of an entire system with a significant quantity of details that gets as closer as possible to reality is the point of the project 3D anatomical atlas applied to breast. For this, a series of tools and techniques were analyzed, discarded and chosen along the process of conception, considering studies and thesis' about biomedical modelling. Methontology was chosen as the methodology for this study. Protégé is being used for the ontology and Autodesk Maya …allowed the creation of the 3D model. Show more

Keywords: 3D model, breast, anatomy

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1495

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 451-455, 2012

Authors: Wu, Yue | Wang, Minghui | Luo, Yun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Patients with fecal incontinence suffer both physically and psychosocially. Puborectalis helps with continence, and dysfunction of this muscle may cause fecal incontinence. Though some medical treatments have been introduced, little work has been done on functional assist device to puborectalis. This paper presents a design of a functional assist device to human puborectalis with Ti-Ni shape memory alloy as the actuating part, and evaluates its deformation and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of this …device was confirmed by preliminary experiments conducted at body temperature. Show more

Keywords: Fecal incontinence, artificial sphincter, puborectalis, SMA

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1496

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 457-462, 2012

Authors: Nakano, Hiroshi | Nakano, Masami

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A new conceptual loading machine using a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) clutch has been proposed and developed to be used for evaluation and training system of muscle strength in leg rehabilitation. This loading machine, which is called MRF active loading machine, mainly consists of a newly designed MRF clutch and a reversible induction motor with an electromagnetic shaft locking device. In this paper, the total construction design of the MRF active loading machine and the detail of …the MRF clutch design are described, based on the usages for leg rehabilitation and electromagnetic field analyses, and the performances of the clutch are discussed. And also, the several usages of the MRF active loading machine are proposed. Show more

Keywords: Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid, MR fluid clutch, torque response, loading machine, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1497

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 463-469, 2012

Authors: Creutzburg, Tom | Rissing, Lutz | Lenarz, Thomas | Reuter, Günter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to design an electromagnetically driven microsystem serving as an ear implant to overcome amblyacousia, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations were conducted. The system consists of three parts, an upper system part, a lower system part and a plunger. The design process included mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal simulations. Based on the simulations a system layout was derived and the microactuator was fabricated on the basis of micro system technology processes in batch fabrication. The …assembly of the system was performed on system level. Show more

Keywords: Microactuator, hearing aid, MEMS, FEM simulation

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1498

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 471-477, 2012

Authors: Nomata, Takuya | Okuyama, Takeshi | Tanaka, Mami

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper describes the investigation of a relationship between contact stimulus and walking movements. Until now, a sensor system for measurement of contact stimulus applied to infants by diapers has been developed. The sensor comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film and a strain gauge. A dummy infant fitted with the sensor has been designed and built for measuring the contact stimuli during walking movement. Using this system, contact force and diaper friction against the skin are …measured as the contact stimuli. The features of obtained data are extracted by performing signal processing in order to investigate the feature of the contact stimuli during the walking movements. From the results of signal processing, time variation of the contact stimuli was obtained. The experimental results show that the feature of contact stimulus in relation to the walking movements can be evaluated. Show more

Keywords: Contact stimuli, sensor system, measurement, signal processing, diaper rash

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1499

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 479-485, 2012

Authors: Brasil, L.M. | Silva, J.F. | Rodrigues, T.J.M. | Damião, K.S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One of the most common elements of the workplace is noise pollution. One of the work environments considered among the nosiest is the dentists' office, since a great variety of the equipment used generates noise. The focus of the present study is the high speed hand-pieces, where it was found that noise from these was responsible for discomfort to professionals in the area of dentistry, and, also, their patients. Thus, the aim of this article is to …develop innovations in high speed hand-pieces, so that the level of noise would be reduced, which had satisfactory results. Show more

Keywords: High speed hand-pieces, noise, vibrations and waves

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1500

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 487-493, 2012

Authors: Wang, Ming | Ma, Quanchao | Zhang, Wenguang | Luo, Yun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The material properties of stents change with that of deformation due to work hardening. The whole deformation procedure of balloon expandable stent is a typical nonlinear process. Therefore, simplified procedures were applied in designing and optimizing stents with finite element method, typically omitting the process of stent crimping. In fact, plastic deformation and work hardening may occur during crimping, which may result in changes of material properties and affect the performance of stents. In this paper …a complete deformation procedure of two typical stents was simulated using finite element method. Their mechanical performances were evaluated and compared with those simulations using a simplified procedure (omitting the process of stent crimping). It was found that the work hardening caused by crimping has a significant influence on the stress distribution, recoil rate and the maximum expandable diameter of stent. Show more

Keywords: Crimping, work hardening, ball expandable stent

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1501

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 495-500, 2012

Authors: Čáp, Ivo | Čápová, Klára | Gombárska, Daniela | Czippelová, Barbora

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Modelling of blood flow in vessels offers a useful tool for vascular system examination. Propagation of blood pressure and blood flow pulses are analyzed in the present paper. The pulses shapes are significantly influenced by their reflections at vessels inhomogeneities. The whole body arterial model is used for different phenomena investigation. Influence of waves' reflections on their profiles is examined. Consequences of vessels bifurcations, stenosis and sclerosis are simulated and the simulated results are compared with …experimental data taken by means of PPG. Show more

Keywords: Blood flow, pressure waves in blood vessels, pressure wave reflection, computer simulation, blood flow modelling

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1502

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 501-506, 2012

Authors: Strapacova, Tatiana | Capova, Klara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper proposes utilization of eddy current inspection for detection of defects in the artificial heart valve. Artificial heart valves are prosthetic replacements which are used if the function of the natural heart valve is limited. A special type of prosthetic heart valve replacements is the Björk Shiley convexo-concave (BSCC) heart valve. The fractures of the BSCC artificial heart valve usually affect the outlet strut. If the fracture of the strut is not detected in time …the patient can die of heart attack. Detection of the fracture in the outlet strut is the concern here. Experimental measurements are performed in order to evaluate the detection capability of the technique and the sensitivity of response signal to dimensional parameters of a fracture. A BSCC heart valve prototype having the electromagnetic characteristics of the Co-Cr (Hayness 25) alloy is inspected with a probe. A non-conductive defect is positioned in the outlet strut and its dimensions are varied. The probe is positioned above the centre of the crack and the frequency of exciting signal is changed in a wide range. The presented results demonstrate that the sweep frequency technique can enhance eddy current inspection of a defect in BSCC heart valve. Show more

Keywords: Artificial heart valve, non-destructive inspection, eddy currents, sweep frequency technique, outlet strut fracture detection

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1503

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 507-511, 2012

Authors: Ma, Quanchao | Wang, Ming | Zhao, Chunxia | Luo, Yun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper proposes a muscle-like actuator inspired by the agonist-antagonist characteristic of biological muscles. As a preliminary study, we designed an agonist-antagonist actuator with a magnet pair as an agonist, elastic components as an antagonist, and an electromagnetic trigger. The mechanical properties of the magnet pair and the trigger were analyzed using the finite element method. In the experiments to verify the feasibility of the actuator, two types of elastic components (rubber bands and polymer …tubes with a specific structure) were respectively utilized. The effectiveness of the actuator was confirmed by experiments. Show more

Keywords: agonist-antagonist, actuator, permanent magnet, elastic component, coil

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1504

Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 513-519, 2012