Showing papers in "Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing in 1999"

Physical activity monitoring based on accelerometry: validation and comparison with video observation.

Abstract: The objective of this feasibility study is to evaluate the use of the ‘Physilog’ device, an ambulatory physical-activity recorder based on acceleration measurement, for the monitoring of daily physical activities. Accelerations measured at the level of the chest and the thigh are recorded by Physilog over a period of 1 h in five normal subjects. A specially designed studio-like room allowing the performance of most usual activities of everyday life is used. A video film synchronised with the Physilog is obtained for each subject to check the accuracy of the data derived from Physilog. Based on the analysis of the average and the deviation of the acceleration signal, an algorithm is developed to classify the activities in four categories, i.e. lying, sitting, standing and locomotion. Compared with the video observations, the results from the algorithm show an overall misclassification of 10.7%, which is mainly due to confusion between dynamic activities and the standing posture. In contrast, the misclassification between postures is negligible. It is concluded that Physilog can be used in the clinical setting for the reliable measurement and long-term recording of most-usual physical activities.

Pelvis and lower limb anatomical landmark calibration precision and its propagation to bone geometry and joint angles.

Abstract: Human movement analysis using stereophotogrammetry is based on the reconstruction of the instantaneous laboratory position of selected bony anatomical landmarks (AL). For this purpose, knowledge of an AL's position in relevant bone-embedded frames is required. Because ALs are not points but relatively large and curved areas, their identification by palpation or other means is subject to both intra- and inter-examiner variability. In addition, the local position of ALs, as reconstructed using an ad hoc experimental procedure (AL calibration), is affected by photogrammetric errors. The intra- and inter-examiner precision with which local positions of pelvis and lower limb palpable bony ALs can be identified and reconstructed were experimentally assessed. Six examiners and two subjects participated in the study. Intra- and inter-examiner precision (RMS distance from the mean position) resulted in the range 6-21 mm and 13-25 mm, respectively. Propagation of the imprecision of ALs to the orientation of bone-embedded anatomical frames and to hip, knee and ankle joint angles was assessed. Results showed that this imprecision may cause distortion in joint angle against time functions to the extent that information relative to angular movements in the range of 10 degrees or lower may be concealed. Bone geometry parameters estimated using the same data showed that the relevant precision does not allow for reliable bone geometry description. These findings, together with those relative to skin movement artefacts reported elsewhere, assist the human movement analyst's consciousness of the possible limitations involved in 3D movement analysis using stereophotogrammetry and call for improvements of the relevant experimental protocols.

Spatial, temporal and wavefront direction characteristics of 12-lead T-wave morphology

Abstract: Three new approaches for the analysis of ventricular repolarisation in 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) are presented: the spatial and temporal variations in T-wave morphology and the wavefront direction difference between the ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation waves. The spatial variation characterises the morphology differences between standard leads. The temporal variation measures the change in interlead relationships. A minimum dimensional space, constructed by ECG singular value decomposition, is used. All descriptors are measured using the ECG vector in the constructed space and the singular vectors that define this space. None of the descriptors requires time domain measurements (e.g. the precise detection of the T-wave offset), and so the inaccuracies associated with conventional QT interval related parameters are avoided. The new descriptors are compared with the conventional measurements provided by a commercial system for an automatic evaluation of QT interval and QT dispersion in digitally recorded 12-lead ECGs. The basic comparison uses a set of 1100 normal ECGs. The short-term intrasubject reproducibility of the new descriptors is compared with that of the conventional measurements in a set of 760 ECGs recorded in 76 normal subjects and a set of 630 ECGs recorded in 63 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ten serial recordings in each subject of both these sets). The discriminative power of the new and conventional parameters to distinguish normal and abnormal repolarisation patterns is compared using the same set. The results show that the new parameters do not correlate with the conventional QT interval-related descriptors (i.e. they assess different ECG qualities), are generally more reproducible than the conventional parameters, and lead to a more significant separation between normal and abnormal ECGs, both univariately and in multivariate regression models.

Instrumentation for the measurement of electric brain responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation

Abstract: There is described a 60-channel EEG acquisition system designed for the recording of scalp-potential distributions starting just 2.5ms after individual transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses. The amplifier comprises gain-control and sample-and-hold circuits to prevent large artefacts from magnetically induced voltages in the leads. The maximum amplitude of the stimulus artefact during the 2.5ms gating period is 1.7 μV, and 5 ms after the TMS pulse it is only 0.9 μV. It is also shown that mechanical forces to the electrodes under the stimulator coil are a potential source of artefacts, even though, with chlorided silver wire and Ag/AgCl-pellet electrodes, the artefact is smaller than 1 μV. The TMS-compatible multichannel EEG system makes it possible to locate TMS-evoked electric activity in the brain.

Temporal feature estimation during walking using miniature accelerometers: an analysis of gait improvement after hip arthroplasty

Abstract: A new method for the detection of gait cycle phases using only two miniature accelerometers together with a light, portable digital recorder is proposed. Each subject is asked to walk on a walkway at his/her own preferred speed. Gait analysis was performed using an original method of computing the values of temporal parameters from accelerometer signals. First, to validate the accelerometric method, measurements are taken on a group of healthy subjects. No significant differences are observed between the results thus obtained and those from pressure sensors attached under the foot. Then, measurements using only accelerometers are performed on a group of 12 patients with unilateral hip osteo-arthritis. The gait analysis is carried out just before hip arthroplasty and again, three, six and nine months afterwards. A mean decrease of 88% of asymmetry of stance time and especially a mean decrease of 250% of asymmetry of double support time are observed, nine months after the operation. These results confirm the validity of the proposed method for healthy subjects and its efficiency for functional evaluation of gait improvement after arthroplasty.

Combined wavelet transformation and radial basis neural networks for classifying life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: Automatic detection and classification of arrhythmias based on ECG signals are important to cardiac-disease diagnostics. The ability of the ECG classifier to identify arrhythmias accurately is based on the development of robust techniques for both feature extraction and classification. A classifier is developed based on using wavelet, transforms for extracting features and then using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) to classify the arrhythmia. Six energy descriptors are derived from the wavelent coefficients, over a single-beat interval from the ECG signal. Nine different continuous and discrete wavelet transforms, are considered for obtaining the feature vector. An RBFNN adapted to detect and classify life-threatening arrhythmias is then used to classify the feature vector. Classification results are based on 159 arrhythmia, files obtained from three different sources. Classification results indicate the potential for wavelet based energy descriptors to distinguish the main features of the signal and thereby enhance the classification scheme. The RBFNN classifier appears to be well suited to classifying the arrhythmia, owing to the feature vectors' linear inseparability, and tendency to cluster. Utilising the Daubechies wavelet transform, an overall correct classification of 97.5% is obtained, with 100% correct classification for both ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Evaluation of frequency and time-frequency spectral analysis of heart rate variability as a diagnostic marker of the sleep apnoea syndrome.

Abstract: The sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) elicits a unique heart rate rhythm that may provide the basis for an effective screening tool. The study uses the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) to assess the diagnostic potential of spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) using two methods, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and the discrete harmonic wavelet transform (DHWT). These two methods are compared over different sleep stages and spectral frequency bands. The HRV results are subsequently compared with those of the current screening method of oximetry. For both the DFT and the DHWT, the most diagnostically accurate frequency range for HRV spectral power calculations is found to be 0.019–0.036 Hz (denoted by AB2). Using AB2, 15 min sections of non-REM sleep data in 40 subjects produce ROC areas, for the DFT, DHWT and oximetry, of 0.94, 0.97 and 0.67, respectively. In REM sleep, ROC areas are 0.78, 0.79 and 0.71, respectively. In non-REM sleep, spectral analysis of HRV appears to be a significantly better indicator of the SAHS than the current screening method of oximetry, and, in REM sleep, it is comparable with oximetry. The advantage of the DHWT over the DFT is that it produces a greater time resolution and is computationally more efficient. The DHWT does not require the precondition of stationarity or interpolation of raw HRV data.

Estimation of respiratory volumes from the photoplethysmographic signal. Part I : experimental results

Abstract: To evaluate the possibility of respiratory-volume measurement using photoplethysmography (PPG), PPG signals from 16 normal volunteers are collected, and the respiratory-induced intensity variations (RIIV) are digitally extracted. The RIIV signals are studied while reepiratory volume is varied. Furthermore, respiratory rate, body posture and type of respiration are varied. A Fleisch pneumotachograph is used as the inspired volume reference. The RIIV and pneumotachography signals are compared, and a statisical analysis is performed (linear regression and t-tests). The key idea is that the amplitude of the RIIV signal is related to the respiratory volume. The conclusion from the measurements is that there exists a relationship between the amplitude of the RIIV signal and the respiratory volume (R=0.842, s=0.428, p<0.005). Absolute measurements of the respiratory volume are not possible from the RIIV signal with the present set-up. The RIIV signal also seems to be affected by respiratory rate and type. More knowledge about respiratory parameters and improved sensor and filter design are required to make absolute measurements of volumes possible.

A model of the electrical behaviour of myelinated sensory nerve fibres based on human data.

Abstract: Calculation of the response of human myelinated sensory nerve fibres to spinal cord stimulation initiated the development of a fibre model based on electro-physiological and morphometric data for human sensory nerve fibres. The model encompasses a mathematical description of the kinetics of the nodal membrane, and a non-linear fibre geometry. Fine tuning of only a few, not well-established parameters was performed by fitting the shape of a propagating action potential and its diameter-dependent propagation velocity. The quantitative behaviour of this model corresponds better to experimentally determined human fibre properties than other mammalian, non-human models do. Typical characteristics, such as the shape of the action potential, the propagation velocity and the strength-duration behaviour show a good fit with experimental data. The introduced diameter-dependent parameters did not result in a noticeable diameter dependency of action potential duration and refractory period. The presented model provides an improved tool to analyse the electrical behaviour of human myelinated sensory nerve fibres.

N,N-dicarboxymethyl chitosan as delivery agent for bone morphogenetic protein in the repair of articular cartilage.

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), associated with N,N-dicarboxymethyl chitosan, is used to induce or facilitate the repair of articular cartilage lesions. This association is intended for the synergistic potentiation of the respective biological effects. Data show that BMP-7 enhances the in vivo proliferation of cells with chondrocytes phenotype in the articular environment, leading to partial healing of the articular surface of the lesions. N,N-dicarboxymethyl chitosan is found to be useful as a molecular carrier or drug delivery agent.

QT interval analysis on ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings: a selective beat averaging approach

Abstract: A computerised method for the analysis of QT intervals in ambulatory ECG recordings is presented. This approach is based on selective beat averaging which allows one to process P-QRS-T complexes together with the environment that characterises them. Long-term autonomic nervous system influences are accounted for by separating the analysis over different circadian periods. Effects of QT recovery time are taken into account by requiring a stable heart rate preceding each beat to be averaged. Before averaging, beats are resampled and realigned with respect to the R-wave peak estimated by parabolic interpolation. Averaged ECG templates are then analysed with an algorithm which automatically detects QRS complex and T-wave features. Repolarisation analysis is based on first and second derivatives of lowpass filtered ECG (recursive Butterworth filter). The QT/RR relationship and the circadian QT variation at identical heart rate were analysed in 14 normal individuals. When performed at stable heart rate conditions and when confined to well-defined circadian periods, the QT/RR relationship was strongly linear (r=0.95±0.06); in addition, the slope of this relation changed between day and night (respectively, 0.197±0.07 and 0.139±0.03, p<0.01). The range of circadian QT variation at identical heart rate was approximately 20 ms for both males and females.

Feasibility of using the automatic generating system for quartz watches as a leadless pacemaker power source

Abstract: An automatic power-generating system (AGS) which converts kinetic energy into electric energy for quartz watches was tested as a power source for implantable cardiac pacemakers. An automatic power-generating mechanism and a capacitor (0.33 F) were removed from a quartz watch (SEIKO) and encapsulated in a polyvinyl case. Characteristics of the AGS were investigated by acceleration equipment. The capacitor in the AGS was charged to 2.0 V (0.66 J) by placing it on the equipment for about 30 minutes. The equipment has a 2 Hz cycle and generates +/- 1.7 G at the end of each half cycle. The AGS (fully charged to 2.0 V) was used as the power source for a pulse generator circuit built using commercially available CMOS IC. The circuit generated pulses of 0.5 ms width at 1 Hz (60 pulses min-1). The voltage of the AGS was maintained at 1.6 V while it was being charged by the accelerations. The generator supplied pulses of 0.75 V, 1.47 mA through a 510 omega load. With fully charged AGS, the generator was also used to pace a mongrel dog's heart at 140 beats min-1 for 60 minutes. During pacing, the AGS supplied 420 mJ to the circuit and the cardiac muscle. The AGS was placed on the right ventricular wall of the mongrel dog under anaesthesia. Energy of 80 mJ is stored in a capacitor by the heart beating at about 200 beats/min for 30 minutes. Thus the AGS generated 13 microJ per heart beat. This result suggests that the AGS may supply enough energy for use in a cardiac pacemaker.

Temporal and spatial complexity measures for electroencephalogram based brain-computer interfacing.

Abstract: There has been much interest recently in the concept of using information from the motor cortex region of the brain, recorded using non-invasive scalp electrodes, to construct a crude interface with a computer. It is known that movements of the limbs, for example, are accompanied by desynchronisations and synchronisations within the scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG). These event-related desynchronisations and synchronisations (ERD and ERS), however, appear to be present when volition to move a limb occurs, even when actual movement of the limb does not in fact take place. The determination and classification of the ERD/S offers many exciting possibilities for the control of peripheral devices via computer analysis. To date most effort has concentrated on the analysis of the changes in absolute frequency content of signals recorded from the motor cortex. The authors present results which tackle the issues of both the interpretation of changes in signals with time and across channels with simple methods which monitor the temporal and spatial 'complexity' of the data. Results are shown on synthetic and real data sets.

Estimation of respiratory volumes from the photoplethysmographic signal. Part 2: A model study.

Abstract: A Windkessel model has been constructed with the aim of investigating the respiratory-volume dependence of the photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal. Experimental studies show a correlation between respiratory volume and the peak-to-peak value of the respiratory-induced intensity variations (RIIV) in the PPG signal. The model compartments are organised in two closed chambers, representing the thorax and the abdomen, and in a peripheral part not directly influenced by respiration. Cardiac pulse and respiration are created by continuous adjustment of the pressures in the affected compartments. Together with the criteria for heart and venous valves, the model is based on a set of 17 differential equations. These equations are solved for varying thoracic and abdominal pressures corresponding to different respiratory volumes. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the properties of the model. The PPG signals are created as a combination of peripheral blood flow and pressure. From these signals, the respiratory synchronous parts are extracted and analysed. To study some important limitations of the model, respiratory type and rate are varied. From the simulations, it is possible to verify our earlier experimental results concerning the relationship between respiratory volume and the peak-to-peak value of the RIIV signal. An expected decrease in the amplitude of the respiratory signal with increased respiratory rate is also found, which is due to the lowpass characteristics of the vessel system. Variations in the relationship between thoracic and abdominal respiration also affect the RIIV signal. The simulations explain and verify what has been found previously in experimental studies.

A catheter tactile sensor for measuring hardness of soft tissue: measurement in a silicone model and in an in vitro human prostate model.

Abstract: Tissue hardness is related to tissue composition, and this is often changed by disease. It is therefore of interest to measure the hardness in an objective and non-invasive way. A tactile sensor based on a vibrating piezoelectric ceramic element in a feedback loop is described. When the sensor touches an object it produces a frequency shift related to the hardness of the object. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro hardness measurement method using a catheter type version of the sensor. The method was evaluated in an established silicone tissue model and on human prostate tissue in vitro. A linear relationship was found with a high degree of explanation (R2=0.98) between a cone penetration hardness standard (DIN ISO 2137) applied to the silicone model and the corresponding frequency shift. The results from measurements on a human prostate tissue sample, fixed with formalin, showed that the relative hardness measured with the tactile sensor correlated (R=−0.96, p<0.001, N=60) with the proposed hardness related to the histological composition of the prostate tissue. The results indicated that hardness of prostate tissue, and maybe hardness of human tissue in general, can be expressed according to the cone penetration standard and that the hardness can be measured with this tactile sensory system. These findings hold the promise of further development of a non-invasive tool for hardness measurement in a clinical situation.

Analysis of the ST-T complex of the electrocardiogram using the Karhunen - Loève transform : adaptive monitoring and alternans detection

Abstract: The Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT) is applied to study the ventricular repolarisation period as reflected in the ST-T complex of the surface ECG. The KLT coefficients provide a sensitive means of quantitating ST-T shapes. A training set of ST-T complexes is used to derive a set of KLT basis vectors that permits representation of 90% of the signal energy using four KLT coefficients. As a truncated KLT expansion tends to favor representation of the signal over any additive noise, a time series of KLT coefficients obtained from successive ST-T complexes is better suited for representation of both medium-term variations (such as ischemic changes) and short-term variations (such as ST-T alternans) than discrete parameters such as the ST level or other local indices. For analysis of ischemic changes, an adaptive filter is described that can be used to estimate the KLT coefficient, yielding an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio of 10 dB (u = 0.1), with a convergence time of about three beats. A beat spectrum of the unfiltered KLT coefficient series is used for detection of ST-T alterans. These methods are illustrated with examples from the European ST-T Database. About 20% of records revealed quasi-periodic salvos of ischemic ST-T change episodes and another 20% exhibit repetitive, but not clearly periodic patterns of ST-T change episodes. About 5% of ischemic episodes were associated with ST-T alterans.

Mathematical modelling of non-invasive oscillometric finger mean blood pressure measurement by maximum oscillation criterion.

Abstract: A mathematical study is performed to assess how the arterial pressure-volume (P-V) relationship, blood pressure pulse amplitude and shape affect the results of non-invasive oscillometric finger mean blood pressure estimation by the maximum oscillation criterion (MOC). The exponential models for a relaxed finger artery and for a partly contracted artery are studied. A new modification of the error equation is suggested. This equation and the results of simulation demonstrate that the value of pressure estimated by the MOC does not exactly agree with the value of the true mean blood pressure (the latter being defined as pressure corresponding to maximum arterial compliance). The error depends on the arterial pressure pulse amplitude, as well as on the difference between the arterial pressure pulse shape index and the arterial P-V curve shape index. In the case of contracted finger arteries, the MOC can give an overestimation of up to 19 mmHg, the pressure pulse shape index being 0.21 and the pulse amplitude 60 mmHg. In the case of relaxed arteries, the error is less evident.

Atomic force microscopic measurement of the mechanical properties of intact endothelial cells in fresh arteries.

Abstract: Mechanical properties of living endothelial cells in the abdominal aortas and in the medial and lateral wall of aortic bifurcations obtained from rabbits were determined by means of an atomic force microscope (AFM), focusing on the locational differences. Force (F)-indentation (δ) curves of the cells were expressed by an exponential function: F=a(exp(bδ)−1), where a and b are constants. The parameters b and c(=ab) represent the rate of modulus change and initial modulus, respectively. The slope of F-δ curves a and the parameter c were higher in the medial wall than in the other sites, which is attributable to abundant stress fibres in endothelial cells in the medial wall. There were no differences in the parameter b among the three locations. These results indicate that endothelial cells are stiffer in the medial wall of aortic bifurcation than in the other regions.

Very low frequency variability in arterial blood pressure and blood volume pulse.

Abstract: Several parameters of the cardiovascular system fluctuate spontaenously owing to the activity of the autonomic nervous system. In the study, the simultaneous very low frequency (VLF) fluctuations of the arterial blood pressure, the tissue blood content and the tissue blood volume pulse are investigated. The latter two parameters are derived from the baseline BL and the amplitude AM of the photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal, measured on the fingertips of 20 healthy male subjects: the changes in the PPG parameters AM and BV, defined by BV=const.-BL, are related to the change in the tissue blood volume pulse and the total tissue blood volume, respectively. The VLF fluctuations in BV and AM are directly correlated, those of AM preceding those of BV by 4–13 heart-beats. The VLF fluctuations in the systolic (SBP) and the diastolic (DBP) blood pressure are inversely correlated to those of AM and BV, those of AM preceding those of SBP and lagging behing those of DBP by about one heart-beat. For most subjects, the period P of the PPG pulse, which is equal to the cardiac cycle period, directly correlates with AM and BV and inversely correlates with DBP and SBP. On average, the fluctuations fluctuations in tissue blood volume, systolic blood volume pulse, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and heart period, together with their interrelationship, can provide a better understanding of the autonomic nervous control of the peripheral circulation and a potential tool for the evaluation of its function.

Automatic detection of the electrocardiogram T-wave end.

Abstract: Various methods for automatic electrocardiogram T-wave detection and Q-T interval assessment have been developed. Most of them use threshold level corrsing. Comparisons with observer detection were performed due to the lack of objective measurement methods. This study followed the same approach. Observer assessments were performed on 43 various T-wave shapes recorded: (i) with 100 mms−1 equivalent paper speed and 0.5mVcm−1 sensitivity; and (ii) with 160 mms−1 paper speed and vertical scaling ranging from 0.07 to 0.02 m Vcm−1, depending on the T-wave amplitude. An automatic detection algorithm was developed by adequate selection of the T-end search interval, improved T-wave peak detection and computation of the angle between two 10ms long adjacent segments along the search interval. The algorithm avoids the use of baseline crossin direct signal differentiation. It performs well in cases of biphasic and/or complex T-wave shapes. Mean differences with respect to observer data are 13.5 ms for the higher gain/speed records and 14.7 ms for the lower gain/speed records. The algorithm was tested with 254 various T-wave shapes. Comparisons with two other algorithms are presented. The lack of a ‘gold standard’ for the T-end detection, especially if small waves occur around it, impeded adequate interobserver assessment and evaluation of automatic methods. It is speculated that a simultaneous presentation of normal and high-gain records might turn more attention to this problem. Automatic detection methods are in fact faced with ‘high-gain’ data, as high-resolution analogue-to-digital conversion, is already widely used.

Mechanotransduction pathways in bone: calcium fluxes and the role of voltage-operated calcium channels.

Abstract: Changes in strain distribution across the vertebrate skeleton induce modelling and remodelling of bone structure. This relationship, like many in biomedical science, has been recognised since the 1800s, but it is only the recent development of in vivo and in vitro models that is allowing detailed investigation of the cellular mechanisms involved. A number of secondary messenger pathways have been implicated in load transduction by bone cells, and many of these pathways are similar to those proposed for other load-responsive cell types. It appears that load transduction involves interaction between several messenger pathways, rather than one specific switch. Interaction between these pathways may result in a cascade of responses that promote and maintain bone cell activity in remodelling of bone. The paper outlines research on the early rapid signals for load transduction and, in particular, activation of membrane channels in osteoblasts. The involvement of calcium channels in the immediate load response and the modulation of intra-cellular calcium as an early signal are discussed. These membrane channels present a possible target for manipulation in the engineering of bone tissue repair.

Automated prostate recognition: a key process for clinically effective robotic prostatectomy.

Abstract: Clinical trials of PROBOT, a robotic system for prostate surgery, have shown that robotic surgery of soft tissue can be successful. Monitoring of the progress of the resection has shown to be a necessary feature of an effective robotic system for prostate surgery. It should provide the surgeon with a reliable method of assessing the cavity during resection. An automatic system for intraoperative monitoring of the progress of the resection during robotic prostatectomy consists of two subsystems: real-time intraoperative imaging of the prostate and automatic identification of the contour of the gland on each image. The development of a fully automatic scheme for prostate recognition on transurethral ultrasound scans is reported. A genetic algorithm has been developed to automatically adjust a model of the prostate boundary until an optimum fit to the prostate in a given image is obtained. An analysis of its performance on 22 different ultrasound images showed an average error of 6.21 mm. Use of a genetic algorithm and a constrained prostate model have shown to be a robust way to automatically identify the prostate in ultrasound images. The scheme is able to produce approximate prostate boundaries, without any human intervention, on ultrasound scans of varying quality. In addition to soft tissue robotic surgery, the genetic algorithm technique is also applicable to a wide range of computer assisted surgical techniques.

Computer modelling of the cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics of aqueduct stenosis.

Abstract: As the craniospinal space is a pressure loaded system it is difficult to conceptualise and understand the flow dynamics through the ventricular system. Aqueduct stenosis compromises flow, increasing the pressure required to move cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ventricles. Under normal circumstances, less than one pascal (1Pa) of pressure is required to move a physiological flow of CSF through the aqueduct. This is too small to measure using clinical pressure transducers. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program, CFX, has been used to model two forms of aqueduct stenosis: simple narrowing and forking of the aqueduct. This study shows that with mild stenoses, the increase in pressure required to drive flow becomes significant (86–125 Pa), which may result in an increased transmantle pressure difference but not necessarily an increased intraventricular pressure. Severe stenoses will result in both. Wall shear stresses increase concomitantly and may contribute to local damage of the aqueduct wall and further gliosis with narrowing.

Microstructures for studies of cultured neural networks

Abstract: A description is given of a functional silicon micromachined device that permits non-invasive, bidirectional, highly specific communication with cultured mammalian neurons. The heart of the system is a well structure that holds the cell in close proximity to a metal extracellular electrode while permitting normal outgrowth of axons and dendrites. An iterative approach is used to create a design that allows normal growth of the neurons while preventing their escape. An array of 16 such neurowells makes it possible to perform studies of biological neural network development and function with unprecedented detail.

Predicting movement during anaesthesia by complexity analysis of electroencephalograms.

Abstract: A new approach to predicting movement during anaesthesia by using complexity analysis of electroencephalograms (EEG) signals is presented. The raw EEG signal is first decomposed into six consecutive different scaling components by wavelet transform on the basis of its self-similarity. The Lempel-Ziv complexity measures C(n) are extracted from the raw EEG and its corresponding components by complexity analysis. Prediction of movement during anaesthesia is then made by a four-layer artificial neural network (ANN) using the C(n)s. The combination of these three different approaches enables the system to address the non-analytical, nonstationary, non-linear and dynamical properties of the EEG. From 20 dog experiments, 109 distinct EEG recordings are collected under isoflurane anaesthesia. Testing the ANN using the ‘drop one dog’ method, the performance obtained for the system in detecting movement is: sensitivity 88%, specificity 97% and accuracy 92%. Comparisons with other methods, such as spectral edge frequency, median frequency and principal component analysis, show that the proposed system has a certain advantage. This new method is computationally fast and well suited for realtime clinical implementation.

Classification of premature ventricular complexes using filter bank features, induction of decision trees and a fuzzy rule-based system.

Abstract: The classification of heart beats is important for automated arrhythmia monitoring devices. The study describes two different classifiers for the identification of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in surface ECGs. A decision-tree algorithm based on inductive learning from a training set and a fuzzy rule-based classifier are explained in detail. Traditional features for the classification task are extracted by analysing the heart rate and morphology of the heart beats from a single lead. In addition, a novel set of features based on the use of a filter bank is presented. Filter banks allow for time-frequency-dependent signal processing with low computational effort. The performance of the classifiers is evaluated on the MIT-BIH database following the AAMI recommendations. The decision-tree algorithm has a gross sensitivity of 85.3% and a positive predictivity of 85.2%, whereas the gross sensitivity of the fuzzy rule-bassed system is 81.3%, and the positive predictivity is 80.6%.

Multi-layer imaging of human organs by measurement of laser backscattered radiation.

Abstract: Laser backscattered radiations from tissue phantoms and human forearms are measured by a reflectance imager. Laser radiations are guided by an optical fibre, and the backscattered radiations are collected by three optical fibres in the measurement probe assembly, placed at distances of 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm from the input fibre. By placing the measurement probe on the phantom or tissue surface and matching the outline on the computer monitor, the reflectance data from the organ or the phantom are collected. These data, after digitisation, interpolation and filtering, are colour coded and displayed on the computer monitor. Using this imaging procedure, the abnormalities embedded at different depths in the phantoms are located. The structural changes due to colour, composition and blood flow in the multi-layer of human forearms of various subjects are qualitatively shown in reflectance images obtained by this procedure.

Real-time extraction of tissue impedance model parameters for electrical impedance spectrometer.

Abstract: This paper presents a new algorithm for real-time extraction of tissue electrical impedance model parameters from in vivo electrical impedance spectroscopic measurements. This algorithm was developed as a part of a system for muscle tissue ischemia measurements using electrical impedance spectroscopy. An iterative least square fitting method, biased with a priori knowledge of the impedance model was developed. It simultaneously uses both the real and imaginary impedance spectra to calculate tissue parameters R0, R∞, α and τ. The algorithm was tested with simulated data, and during real-time in vivo ischemia experiments. Experimental results were achieved with standard deviations of $$\sigma _{R_0 } = 0.80\% , \sigma _{R_\infty } = 0.84\% $$ , σα=0.72%, and στ=1.26%. On a Pentium II based PC, the algorithm converges to within 0.1% of the results in 17 ms. The results show that the algorithm possesses excellent parameter extraction capabilities, repeatability, speed and noise rejection.

Effects of multiple stenoses and post-stenotic dilatation on non-Newtonian blood flow in small arteries

Abstract: Fully-developed one-dimensional Casson flow through a single vessel of varying radius is proposed as a model of low Reynolds number blood flow in small stenosed coronary arteries. A formula for the resistance-to-flow ratio is derived, and results for yield stresses of τ0=0, 0.005 and 0.01 Nm-2, viscosities of μ=3.45×10−3, 4.00×10−3 and 4.55×10−3 Pa·s and fluxes of 2.73×10−6, ×10−5 and ×10−4 m3s−1 are determined for a segment of 0.45 mm radius and 45 mm length, with 15 mm abnormalities at each end where the radius varies by up to ±0.225 mm. When τ0=0.005 Nm-2, μ=4×10−3 Pa·s and Q=1, the numerical values of the resistance-to-flow ratio vary from\(\bar \lambda = 0.525\), when the maximum radii of the two abnormal segments are both 0.675 mm, to\(\bar \lambda = 3.06\), when the minimum radii are both 0.225 mm. The resistance-to-flow ratio moves closer to unity as yield stress increases or as blood viscosity or flux decreases, and the magnitude of these alterations is greatest for yield stress and least for flux.

Fractal-based image texture analysis of trabecular bone architecture.

Abstract: Fractal-based image analysis methods are investigated to extract textural features related to the anisotropic structure of trabecular bone from the X-ray images of cubic bone specimens. Three methods are used to quantify image textural features: power spectrum, Minkowski dimension and mean intercept length. The global fractal dimension is used to describe the overall roughness of the image texture. The anisotropic features formed by the trabeculae are characterised by a fabric ellipse, whose orientation and eccentricity reflect the textural anisotropy of the image. Tests of these methods with synthetic images of known fractal dimension show that the Minkowski dimension provides a more accurate and consistent estimation of global fractal dimension. Tests on bone x-ray (eccentricity range 0.25-0.80) images indicate that the Minkowski dimension is more sensitive to the changes in textural orientation. The results suggest that the Minkowski dimension is a better measure for characterising trabecular bone anisotropy in the x-ray images of thick specimens.