Technology and Health Care - Volume 25, issue 4

Authors: Suzuki, Takashi | Takao, Hiroyuki | Fujimura, Soichiro | Dahmani, Chihebeddine | Ishibashi, Toshihiro | Mamori, Hiroya | Fukushima, Naoya | Murayama, Yuichi | Yamamoto, Makoto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although flow diversion is a promising procedure for aneurysm treatment, the safety and efficacy of this strategy have not been sufficiently characterized. Both mechanical properties and flow reduction effects are important factors in the design of an optimal stent. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the contributions of strut size and pitch to the mechanical properties (radial stiffness and longitudinal flexibility) and geometric characteristics (porosity and pore density) related to flow reduction effects. METHODS: Crimping and bending behaviors of the stents were simulated with the finite element method. The relationships between the mechanical …properties and geometric characteristics were investigated by changing the strut size and pitch. RESULTS: Within the porosity range of 79–82%, the radial stiffness of the stent was similarly influenced by either the strut size or pitch. However, the longitudinal flexibility tended to be influenced more by strut size than by pitch. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting the strut size rather than the pitch can change the mechanical properties while minimizing the change in porosity or pore density related to flow reduction effects. Show more

Keywords: Intracranial aneurysm, radial stiffness, longitudinal flexibility, finite element analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160535

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 611-623, 2017

Authors: Springer, Shmuel | Shapiro, Maxim

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is commonly used in rehabilitation. However, the optimal combination of phase-duration and amplitude for enhancing motor output is not yet resolved. OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of increasing phase-duration and amplitude on isometric knee extension force and discomfort, while controlling the effects of electrode-skin resistance and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Twenty-one healthy volunteers participated in the study. Stimulation was set at 250 μ sec phase-duration and 45 Hz to evoke 10% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps. Electrode-skin resistance was measured. Then, electrically induced …contraction (EIC) forces and discomfort level were measured under four conditions: Moderate (25%) or substantial increase (50%) from baseline amplitude with constant phase-duration and moderate (25%) or substantial increase (50%) in phase-duration with amplitude constant. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, EIC force was significantly higher in all intensification conditions, while discomfort was significantly greater in all conditions except for moderate increase in phase-duration (p = 0.44). Amplitude intensification produced significantly higher force and greater discomfort than phase-duration. Electrode-skin resistance and BMI were not significant covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Greater force is elicited by increasing amplitude than by similar increase in phase-duration; however, the associated discomfort is also higher. Clinicians may use phase-duration while conditioning for NMES. Show more

Keywords: Phase-duration, amplitude, neuromuscular electrical stimulation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160733

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 625-634, 2017

Authors: Janz, Viktor | Trampuz, Andrej | Perka, Carsten F. | Wassilew, Georgi I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate if the cultivation of sonicate fluid (SFC) in blood culture bottles (BCB) leads to a higher rate of bacterial isolations than agar plate culture (APC) and to investigate whether the utilization of BCB leads to a reduction in culture time. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 206 revision total knee and total hip arthroplasty patients comparing the results of both synovial fluid culture and SFC in both BCB and conventional APC. RESULTS: The use of BCB improved both the rate of …positive bacterial isolations and reduced the culture time for synovial fluid as well as SFC. Fifty-one patients showed a bacterial isolation in SFC-APC and 101 in SFC-BCB. For synovial fluid 24 patients showed a bacterial isolation on APC and 37 showed a bacterial isolation in BCB. The synovial fluid cultures showed growth on APC after an average of 2.8 days vs. 1.8 days in BCB. The SFC-APC showed growth after an average of 4.2 days vs. 2.9 days for SFC-BCB. CONCLUSIONS: The culture of synovial and sonicate fluid in BCB leads to more positive bacterial isolations and quicker bacterial growth than conventional agar plate cultures. Show more

Keywords: Sonication, periprosthetic joint infection, blood culture bottles, synovial fluid

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160660

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 635-640, 2017

Authors: Hossen, A. | Barhoum, A. | Jaju, D. | Gowri, V. | Al-Hashmi, K. | Hassan, M.O. | Al-Kharusi, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The spectral analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) shows a decrease in the power of the high frequency (HF) component in preeclamptic pregnancy compared with normal pregnancy; such a decrease is associated with an increase in the low frequency (LF) and the very low frequency (VLF) power. The physiological interpretation is that preeclamptic pregnancy is associated with a facilitation of sympathetic regulation and an attenuation of parasympathetic influence of HR compared with non-pregnancy and normal pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To use an efficient nased on spectral analysis non-invasive technique to identify preeclamptic pregnant subjects from normal …pregnant in Oman. METHODS: The soft-decision wavelet-based technique is implemented to find the power of the HRV bands in high resolution manner compared to the classical fast Fourier Transform method. Data was obtained from 20 preeclamptic pregnant subjects and 20 normal pregnant controls of the same pregnancy duration, obtained from Nizwa and Sultan Qaboos University hospitals in Oman. RESULTS: The soft-decision wavelet method succeeds to identify patients from normal pregnant with specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of 90%, 80% and 85%, respectively, compared to the FFT which results in 75% specificity, sensitivity and accuracy. CONCLUSION: The LF power obtained by Soft-decision wavelet decomposition is shown to be a successful feature for identification of preeclampsia. Show more

Keywords: Preeclampsia, normal pregnant, identification, HRV, soft-decision wavelet spectral analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160681

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 641-649, 2017

Authors: Banks, Amanda | Guo, Xiaoru | Chen, Junhong | Kumpaty, Subha | Zhang, Wujie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One major challenge of bioprinting is to develop a viable bioink to act as an extracellular matrix. This study investigated a novel method for bioprinting using a pectin based bioink. Besides pectin, Pluronic ® F-127 was incorporated into the bioink to obtain the desired shape during the initial bioprinting process at 37 ∘ C. Once an object was printed it was treated with Ca 2 + (pectin cross-linker) to create the final tissue/organ structure. The results indicated that pectin/Pluronic ® F-127 is a potential …bioink. Moreover, this methodology provides a novel and fast approach for bioprinting. Show more

Keywords: Bioprinting, bioink, pectin, hydrogel, scaffolds

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160764

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 651-655, 2017

Authors: Milosevic, Marina | Jovanovic, Zeljko | Jankovic, Dragan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mammography is considered the gold standard for early breast cancer detection but it is very difficult to interpret mammograms for many reason. Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) is an important development that may help to improve the performance in breast cancer detection. OBJECTIVE: We present a CAD system based on feature extraction techniques for detecting abnormal patterns in digital mammograms. METHODS: Computed features based on gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) are used to evaluate the effectiveness of textural information possessed by mass regions. A total of 20 texture features are extracted from each mammogram. …The ability of feature set in differentiating normal, benign and malign tissue is investigated using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier, Naive Bayes classifier and K-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) classifier. The efficiency of classification is provided using cross-validation technique. Support Vector Machine was originally designed for binary classification. We constructed a three-class SVM classifier by combining two binary classifiers and then compared his performance with classifiers intended for multi-class classification. To evaluate the classification performance, confusion matrix and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed. RESULTS: Obtained results indicate that SVM classification results are better than the k-NN and Naive Bayes classification results, with accuracy ratio of 65% according to 51.6% and 38.1%, respectively.The unbalanced classification that occurs in all three classification tests is reason for unsatisfactory accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained experimental results indicate that the proposed three-class SVM classifier is more suitable for practical use than the other two methods. Show more

Keywords: Breast cancer, mammography, texture analysis, multi-class classification, cross-validation, ROC analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160805

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 657-670, 2017

Authors: Peri, Elisabetta | Turconi, Anna Carla | Biffi, Emilia | Maghini, Cristina | Panzeri, Daniele | Morganti, Roberta | Pedrocchi, Alessandra | Gagliardi, Chiara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robot-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) is a widespread approach for locomotion rehabilitation but information about intervention frequency and duration is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of frequency and duration of a RAGT on motor outcome of children affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP). METHODS: Forty-four CP children (age 4–17) underwent one among four different intensive trainings with equal dose of intervention, combining Task-Oriented Physiotherapy (TOP) and RAGT: 40 sessions (4 sessions/week) over 10 weeks of sole TOP (group1) or RAGT (group2) or RAGT and TOP (2 + 2 sessions/week; …group3); 40 sessions in shorter period (4 weeks) of RAGT and TOP (5 + 5 sessions/week; group4). Each child was assessed before, after the training and after 3 months with: Ashworth, gross motor function measure (GMFM)-88, GMFM-66, six minutes walking test and gait analysis. RESULTS: No differences among the 4 protocols were highlighted although both groups with exclusive physiotherapy and RAGT obtained significant improvements in GMFM-88, GMFM-E and GMFM-66 while the mixed approaches did not show significant changes. CONCLUSION : Single-treatment approaches seem to be more effective than mixed approaches, independently from the duration (4 or 10 weeks). RAGT seems to have similar effect with respect to the traditional TOP, at least over 10 weeks. Show more

Keywords: Robot-Assisted Gait Training, lower limb rehabilitation, cerebral palsy, frequency and duration of intervention

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160668

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 671-681, 2017

Authors: Zeinali-Rafsanjani, Banafsheh | Mosleh-Shirazi, Mohammad Amin | Haghighatafshar, Mahdi | Jalli, Reza | Saeedi-Moghadam, Mahdi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Microbeam radiotherapy (MRT) is a treatment in which radiation field is divided into several separate fields of 10–100 μ m width and 100–400 μ m spacing. In this treatment, normal tissue can tolerate high doses that are delivered to its small volumes. OBJECTIVE: MCNPX 2.4 Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the dose distribution of MRT in a lung tumor in a simulated Rando phantom. METHODS: The effects of tissue inhomogeneities, using contrast media and changing the number of beams were investigated. Dose volume histograms and beam profiles of target and …organs at risk were assessed and the dose uniformity in the target region was evaluated using homogeneity. The conformity indices also used to quantify the conformation of the shape of prescribed isodose volume to the shape and size of the target. RESULTS: Tissue inhomogeneity of this region did not interfere significantly with target dose homogeneity. The use of contrast media or increasing the number of beams improved target dose homogeneity and decreased the dose to surrounding tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that further investigation and evaluation of MRT for treatment of chest tumors is worthwhile. Show more

Keywords: Microbeam radiotherapy, dose volume histogram, homogeneity index, conformity index

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170818

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 683-692, 2017

Authors: El Moudden, Ismail | Ouzir, Mounir | ElBernoussi, Souad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Speech disorders such as dysphonia and dysarthria represent an early and common manifestation of Parkinson’s disease. Class prediction is an essential task in automatic speech treatment, particularly in the Parkinson’s disease case. Many classification experiments have been performed which focus on the automatic detection of Parkinson’s disease patients from healthy speakers but results are still not optimistic. A major problem in accomplishing this task is high dimensionality of speech data. OBJECTIVE: In this work, the potential of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based modeling in dimensionality reduction is taken into consideration as the data smoothening tool …with multiclass target expression data. METHODS: On the basis of suggested PCA-based modeling, the power of class prediction using logistic regression (LR) and C5.0 in numeric data is investigated in publicly available Parkinson’s disease dataset Silverman voice treatment (LSVT) to develop an advanced classification model. RESULTS: The main advantage of our model is the effective reduction of the number of factors from p = 309 to k = 32 for LSVT Voice Rehabilitation dataset, with a fine classification accuracy of 100% and 99.92% for PCA-LR and PCA-C5.0 respectively. In addition, using only 9 dysphonia features, classification accuracy was (99.20%) and (99.11%) for PCA-LR, and PCA-C5.0 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our combined dimension reduction and data smoothening approaches have significant potential to minimize the number of features and increase the classification accuracy and then automatically classify subjects into Parkinson’s disease patients or healthy speakers. Show more

Keywords: Dimension reduction, classification, machine learning, dysphonia features, Parkinson’s disease

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170824

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 693-708, 2017

Authors: Singh, Vibhav Prakash | Srivastava, Subodh | Srivastava, Rajeev

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mammogram classification is a crucial and challenging problem, because it helps in early diagnosis of breast cancer and supports radiologists in their decision to analyze similar mammograms out of a database by recognizing the classes of current mammograms. This paper proposes an effective method for classifying mammograms using random forests with wavelet based center-symmetric local binary pattern (WCS-LBP). To classify mammograms, multi-resolution CS-LBP texture characteristics from non-overlapping regions of the mammograms are captured. Further, we examine most relevant features using support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). Finally, we feed the selected features to decision trees and construct random forests which …are an ensemble of random decision trees. Using wavelet based local CS-LBP features with random forest, we classify the test images into different categories having the maximum posterior probability. The proposed method shows the improved performance as compared with other variant features and state-of-art methods. The obtained performance measures are 97.3% accuracy, 97.3% precision, 97.2% recall, 97.2% F-measure and 94.1% Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC). Show more

Keywords: Computer-aided diagnosis, center symmetric-local binary pattern, discrete wavelet transform, random forest classifier, SVM-RFE, content-based image retrieval

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170851

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 709-727, 2017

Authors: Dong, Yi-Long | Cai, Chun-Yuan | Jiang, Gang-Yi | Qian, Yue-Nan | Yang, Guo-Jing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We studied the anatomic positioning of the femoral tunnel during simulated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an anteromedial portal approach in cadaveric models. METHODS: In thirty cadaveric human knee specimens, simulation of an arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed and the femoral tunnel was drilled using an anteromedial portal. A Kirschner wire was passed into the tunnel and radiographs were obtained. These radiographs were then evaluated in the coronal and sagittal planes. Angles between the axis of the femoral tunnel and the joint line in the coronal plane (alpha, α ) …or the femoral long axis in the sagittal plane (beta, β ) were calculated for each specimen. The external aperture of the femoral tunnel was defined as the point of exit of the Kirschner wire from the lateral femoral cortex. This was evaluated relative to a prescribed rectangle and coordinate axis, with the radiographic quadrant method of Bernard, to assess the accuracy of femoral tunnel placement. RESULTS: The mean α in the coronal plane was 48.53 ∘ , the mean β in the sagittal plane was 32.23 ∘ . All of the femoral tunnel external apertures were located outside of the rectangle CONCLUSION: We evaluated the positioning of the femoral tunnel and the external aperture of the femoral tunnel with the anteromedial portal technique. This study provides a reference standard to assess accurately femoral tunnel positioning on postoperative radiographs. Show more

Keywords: Femoral tunnel, external aperture, postoperative radiographs, ACL reconstruction

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160414

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 729-737, 2017

Authors: Bornemann, Rahel | Roessler, Philip P. | Rommelspacher, Yorck | Strauss, Andreas | Koch, Ernst M.W. | Pflugmacher, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Kyphoplasty is a proven minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with osteoporotic fractures. By augmentation of fractured vertebral body, however, a very large portion of the intervertebral structures will be destroyed. With the help of a new device (Vertect Jack Device), the erection of the vertebral body will be carried out more gentle. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the new method should be clinically tested for efficacy and safety for the first time. As a comparison results of previous treatments with kyphoplasty were used. METHODS: For Vertect Jack Device study …patients with painful vertebral fractures were selected in which conservative treatment had not yielded sufficient results. For comparison random data from the records of patients who had been treated with kyphoplasty were selected. The Vertect Jack Device was placed under the central fractures and then erected. After having restorted the vertebral height the device was removed and cement injected. Clinical and radiological examinations were carried out before and after 1,3, and 6 months. RESULTS: In the Vertect Jack Device Group the data of 40 patients were evaluated. For group 2 (kyphoplasty) 50 patients were selected. There was a significant difference in the duration of the surgery (Group 1: 27.4, Group 2: 45.9 minutes). A significant difference of 20 mm with regard to the reduction of VAS scores (0–100 mm pain intensity) was detected. Under the application of the Vertect Jack Device an average increase of 3.1 mm of vertebral height was achieved. In group 2, the erection averaged 0.4 mm. A correlation between the postoperative change of vertebral body height and VAS scores could not be detected in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The comparative analysis of this study shows that promising results can be achieved with the augmentation of vertebral fractures with the Vertect Jack Device. When compared with kyphoplasty, advantages show in terms of targeted and thus more gentle application possibility and better pain relief over a period of 6 months after surgery. Further study results should help to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of the new method. Show more

Keywords: Vertect Jack Device, vertebral augmentation, kyphoplasty

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160714

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 739-747, 2017

Authors: Gayol-Mérida, Diana A. | Plascencia, Gabriel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries are an important health care issue. This problem is even more evident with patients with neurological conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an analytical tool to predict the magnitude of the maximum stresses developed at the wheelchair cushion-patient contact area. METHOD: Newton’s polynomial interpolation method was applied in order to obtain correlations between the maximum stress developed and the weight of the patient and the maximum pressure and body mass index (BMI) of the participants. For this study it was recruited five able-bodies and nine patients with spinal cord injury. …RESULTS: The agreement between the computed stress values and those measured with the able-bodied group is excellent, but in the patients within the spinal cord injury group, the concordance is poor. The correlations were applied in data from Crawford’s study, and predictions of pressures show lack of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation between the weight of a person and the maximum stress developed by him or her while sitting for extended periods of time has been demonstrated. The lack of agreement between estimated and measured values in spinal cord injuries and Crawford’s data can be mainly attributed to some sort of neurological status. Show more

Keywords: Prediction of pressure injuries, numerical analysis, wheelchair cushions

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160803

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 749-760, 2017

Authors: Greven, Simon J. | Bornemann, Rahel | Roessler, Philip P. | Rommelspacher, Yorck | Frey, Sönke P. | Jansen, Tom R. | Sander, Kirsten | Wirtz, Dieter C. | Pflugmacher, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) change the natural spinal alignment and inevitably lead to a decreased quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in pulmonary function after VCF were treated by radiofrequency kyphoplasty (RF-TVA). METHODS: Twenty-five patients were treated with RF-TVA and analyzed in 3 subgroups taking into account the spinal location of the VCF. Pain as measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry-Disability-Index (ODI), vertebral height, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were assessed before, …directly after and 30 days after RF-TVA. RESULTS: The mean vertebral height was improved in all subgroups, with a minor reduction from one to 30 days postoperatively. The mean VAS and ODI significantly decreased in the main and upper diaphragm groups from baseline to the follow-up after 30 days. Patients treated below the main diaphragm region showed a significant improvement of ODI and a clear trend to significant improvements of VAS. PEF and FEV 1 were significantly improved in the main diaphragm group. FEV 1 also increased significantly in the upper diaphragm group with a clear trend to significance in the lower diaphragm group. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that RF-TVA may improve pulmonary function especially in cases where fractures are located in the main spinal region of the diaphragm. Show more

Keywords: Radiofrequency kyphoplasty, vertebral (compression) fracture, pulmonary function, lung function, PEF, FEV

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160488

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 761-769, 2017

Authors: Bahreinizad, Hossein | Salimi Bani, Milad | Hasani, Mojtaba | Karimi, Mohammad Taghi | Sharifmoradi, Keyvan | Karimi, Alireza

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The influence of various musculoskeletal disorders has been evaluated using different kinetic and kinematic parameters. But the efficiency of walking can be evaluated by measuring the effort of the subject, or by other words the energy that is required to walk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify mechanical energy differences between the normal and pathological groups. Four groups of 15 healthy subjects, 13 Parkinson subjects, 4 osteoarthritis subjects, and 4 ACL reconstructed subjects have participated in this study. The motions of foot, shank and thigh were recorded using a three dimensional motion …analysis system. The kinetic, potential and total mechanical energy of each segment was calculated using 3D markers positions and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Maximum value and sample entropy of energies was compared between the normal and abnormal subjects. Maximum value of potential energy of OA subjects was lower than the normal subjects. Furthermore, sample entropy of mechanical energy for Parkinson subjects was low in comparison to the normal subjects while sample entropy of mechanical energy for the ACL subjects was higher than that of the normal subjects. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggested that the subjects with different abilities show different mechanical energy during walking. Show more

Keywords: Mechanical energy, gait analysis, musculoskeletal disorders, biomechanics

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170843

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 771-780, 2017

Authors: Zadravec, Matjaž | Olenšek, Andrej | Matjačić, Zlatko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Treadmills are used frequently in rehabilitation enabling neurologically impaired subjects to train walking while being assisted by therapists. Numerous studies compared walking on treadmill and overground for unperturbed but not also perturbed conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare stepping responses (step length, step width and step time) during overground and treadmill walking in a group of healthy subjects where balance assessment robots applied perturbing pushes to the subject’s pelvis in sagittal and frontal planes. METHODS: During walking in both balance assessment robots (overground and treadmill-based) with applied perturbations …the stepping responses of a group of seven healthy subjects were assessed with a motion tracking camera. RESULTS: The results show high degree of similarity of stepping responses between overground and treadmill walking for all perturbation directions. Both devices reproduced similar experimental conditions with relatively small standard deviations in the unperturbed walking as well as in perturbed walking. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results we may conclude that stepping responses following perturbations can be studied on an instrumented treadmill where ground reaction forces can be readily assessed which is not the case during perturbed overground walking. Show more

Keywords: Balance assessment robot, stepping responses, pelvis perturbations, treadmill walking, overground walking

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160798

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 781-790, 2017

Authors: Wiinberg, Stig | Samuelsson, Göran | Larsson, Stefan | Nilsson, Barbro | Jönsson, Patrik X. | Ivarsson, Bodil | Olofsson, Per-Åke

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: National recommendations in Sweden recommend a safety distance of 3 meter (m) between mobile phones and medical-electrical (ME) equipment in hospitals. A questionnaire was used to investigate how often mobile phones were reported to interfere with ME products in clinical practice across Sweden. The results confirmed that ME equipment can be affected by mobile phone use but, the risk of the patient’s outcome being affected were minimal; no cases were identified which led to injury or death. In conclusion, the results support recommendations for a general safety distance of 0.5 m between mobile phones and ME …equipment in care environments. Show more

Keywords: Medical devices, cellular phone, mobile phone, patient safety, safety distance

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170810

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 791-796, 2017

Authors: Okeji, M.C. | Udoh, B.E. | Ihudiebube-Splendor, C.N. | Izge, I.Y. | Ekuma, K.O. | Emeter, J.O.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To assess the attitude to and perception of transvaginal sonography (TVS) among Nigerian women of mixed educational status in order to ascertain factors that may prevent them from submitting to TVS when recommended. METHODS: A Cross-sectional survey was adopted for the study. Subjects were enrolled from one missionary, one government and eight private hospitals. The instruments for data collection were visual analogue scale (VAS), to ascertain patients’ pain/discomfort experience, and a researcher-developed semi-structured questionnaire. The level of pain/discomfort on the VAS was categorized into four on a scale of 100. The categories were: 0–5 (no pain), 6–40 …(mild pain), 41–74 (moderate pain), and 75–100 (severe pain). RESULTS: The majority (50.6%) of the respondents who attained secondary education had positive attitude to TVS. The majority majority of the respondents (63.1%) preferred female sonographers. A majority of the respondents (54.1%) perceived TVS as not embarrassing, 78% did not consider it stressful, 96.9% reported that the sonographers were professional, 46.7% felt that a chaperon was needed, 98.4% reported there was enough privacy and 84.7% reported they needed prior information. Most of the respondents (82%) were willing to consent to TVS in future, 90.5% reported no pain, 8.6% reported mild pain/discomfort and 0.9% reported moderate pain. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of our respondents had a positive attitude to TVS and were willing to consent to TVS in future, hence it was acceptable to them. It was however observed that acceptability increased with increasing education. Show more

Keywords: Transvaginal sonography, attitude, perception, women, Nigeria

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170842

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 797-802, 2017

Authors: Xiao, Jianlin | Wang, Yang | Zhang, Minglei | Jiang, Rui | Zhu, Tongtong | Liu, Guangyao | Zuo, Jianlin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Publications describing the diagnosis and treatment of anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint are scarce. We report the case a 19-year-old female at 8 weeks’ gestation who presented with anterior fracture dislocation of the right sacroiliac joint, posterior fracture dislocation of the left sacroiliac joint (crescent fracture), and incomplete abortion resulting from high energy trauma. Orthopedic surgery involved standard anterior sacroiliac joint plating using an ilioinguinal approach combined with a modified Stoppa approach. Three attempts at complete abortion failed. Complete abortion was eventually achieved by dilatation and curettage two weeks after orthopedic surgery. Our findings reveal a need to improve …techniques for diagnosis and treatment of anterior fracture dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, so greater attention can be paid to the rapid and effective management of associated comorbidities, and those resulting from the initial trauma. Show more

Keywords: Anterior fracture dislocation, incomplete abortion, comorbidity, pelvic fracture

DOI: 10.3233/THC-160735

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 803-808, 2017

Authors: Liu, Jingjing | Ge, Bin | Lu, Tong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has developed rapidly and becomes a significant treatment for emergency. Current blood pumps for ECMO have different disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To design a pulsatile DC electromagnetic blood pump for ECMO. METHODS: The design is presented with a driving principle which the rectilinear reciprocation of a magnet inside energized solenoids is implemented, and with a structure of solenoids with compensation coils. Furthermore, a prototype was constructed and the performance indexes of it were measured with the experimental evaluations, where the acceleration experiment was performed without any loads, and the flows …were measured in the ranges of preload and afterload are 5 to 30 mmHg and 50 to 80 mmHg respectively when the frequency of the motion is 80 beats per minute. RESULTS: The electromagnetic force is greater than 1.4 N when the DC reaches 2.7 A and the flow of the prototype is greater than 3.0 L/min except the differences between the preload and the afterload are greater than or equal to 70 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The design of the blood pump for ECMO meets the theoretical and clinical requirements. Show more

Keywords: Pulsatile blood pump, DC electromagnet, solenoid with compensation coils

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170827

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 809-814, 2017

Authors: Cai, Zhipeng | Luo, Kan | Liu, Chengyu | Li, Jianqing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A smart electrocardiogram (ECG) garment system was designed for continuous, non-invasive and comfortable ECG monitoring, which mainly consists of four components: Conductive textile electrode, garment, flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)-based ECG processing module and android application program. Conductive textile electrode and FPCB-based ECG processing module (6.8 g, 55 mm × 53 mm × 5 mm) are identified as two key techniques to improve the system’s comfort and flexibility. Preliminary experimental results verified that the textile electrodes with circle shape, 40 mm size in diameter, and 5 mm thickness sponge are best suited for the long-term …ECG monitoring application. The tests on the whole system confirmed that the designed smart garment can obtain long-term ECG recordings with high signal quality. Show more

Keywords: Smart garment, conductive textile electrode, flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), electrocardiogram (ECG), long-term ECG monitoring

DOI: 10.3233/THC-170828

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 815-821, 2017