Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2008
Optimizing a head-tracked stereo display system to guide hepatic tumor ablation.
Radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive intervention that introduces -- under 2D ultrasound guidance and via a needle-like probe -- high-frequency electrical current into non-resectable hepatic tumors. These recur mostly on the periphery, indicating errors in probe placement. Hypothesizing that a contextually correct 3D display will aid targeting and decrease recurrence, we have developed a prototype guidance system based on a head-tracked 3D display and motion-tracked instruments. ⋯ Initial candidates were an augmented reality see-through head-mounted display and a virtual reality "fish tank" system. We describe the system requirements and explain how we arrived at the final decision. We show the operational guidance system in use on phantoms and animals.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2008
The relationship between hip flexion/extension and the sagittal curves of the spine.
The objective of this study was to develop a finite element model (FEM) in order to study the relationship between hip flexion/extension and the sagittal curves of the spine. A previously developed FEM of the spine, rib cage and pelvis personalized to the 3D reconstructed geometry of a patient using biplanar radiographs was adapted to include the lower limbs including muscles. ⋯ Additional simulations showed that the hamstrings and gluteal muscles were responsible for the transmission of hip flexion to pelvic rotation with the legs straight and flexed respectively, and the important influence of knee bending on lordosis modulation during lower limb positioning. The knowledge gained through this study is intended to be used to improve operative patient positioning.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2008
Initial implementation of mixed reality simulation targeting teamwork and patient safety.
Patient safety is one of the most pressing challenges of modern healthcare. Being a multifactorial problem, patient safety requires improvement interventions on multiple levels including individual, team and organization as a whole. ⋯ Each simulation session was followed by facilitated debriefing and teaching new team communication skills. Team performances were assessed by both direct observation and team's self-assessment where each team member assessed his or her own performance as well as the performance of all other team members (360 degree assessment).
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2008
In vivo robotics for natural orifice transgastric peritoneoscopy.
Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is potentially the next paradigm shift in minimally invasive surgery. Currently, NOTES procedures are performed using modified endoscopic tools with significant constraints. ⋯ The design and kinematic configuration of the robot allows for its complete insertion into the peritoneal cavity, and provides intuitive visualization and sufficient force application for tissue manipulation within the dexterous workspace. The NOTES robot successfully demonstrated various capabilities in a non-survival natural orifice surgical procedure in a porcine model suggesting the feasibility of using miniature in vivo robots for performing natural orifice procedures within the peritoneal cavity.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2008
IT-based information management in health care networks: the MedoCom approach.
Transinstitutional information systems support collaboration beyond the borders of single health care institutions. Information management in health care networks aims at establishing systematic information processing in order to contribute to the network's strategic goals. Health care networks can be characterized by complex and even conflicting goal systems. ⋯ The framework is used to deduce effects of network characteristics on information management. Concluding, we present an architectural approach of a management platform for health care networks. The framework as well as the management platform are parts of our MedoCom approach.