Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference
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Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc · Jan 2011
Using ultrasound imaging to identify landmarks in vertebra models to assess spinal deformity.
Scoliosis is a type of spinal deformity that commonly develops in adolescents. Cobb angle, using the most tilted vertebrae, is the gold standard to assess scoliosis on radiographs. However, regularly taking radiographs introduces harmful ionizing radiation to patients, thus non-ionizing radiation methods have been explored for many years. ⋯ The second study showed laminae and transverse processes could be recognized from ultrasound images. The difference of the width of the laminae between the phantom and the ultrasound image was 0.3 mm. Therefore, it is feasible to use the proposed method and the laminae from the ultrasound images to assess the severity of scoliosis.
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Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc · Jan 2011
The center for integration of medicine and innovative technologies (CIMIT): a proven model to speed the cycle of healthcare innovation.
CIMIT is a Boston-wide consortium of premier clinical, research and academic institutions dedicated to improving patient care through application of innovative enabling technology.
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Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc · Jan 2011
Advancing neuromodulation using a dynamic control framework.
The current state of neuromodulation can be cast in a classical dynamic control framework such that the nervous system is the classical "plant", the neural stimulator is the controller, tools to collect clinical data are the sensors, and the physician's judgment is the state estimator. This framework characterizes the types of opportunities available to advance neuromodulation. In particular, technology can potentially address two dominant factors limiting the performance of the control system: "observability," the ability to observe the state of the system from output measurements, and "controllability," the ability to drive the system to a desired state using control actuation. ⋯ In this paper, we provide an overview of the control system framework for neuromodulation, its practical challenges, and investigational devices applying this framework for limited applications. To help motivate future efforts, we describe our chronically implantable, low-power neural stimulation system, which integrates sensing, actuation, and state estimation. This research system has been implanted and used in an ovine to address novel research questions.
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In this paper, we describe our prototype of an ultrasound guidance system to address the need for an easy-to-use, cost-effective, and portable technology to improve ultrasound-guided procedures. The system consists of a lockable, articulating needle guide that attaches to an ultrasound probe and a user-interface that provides real-time visualization of the predicted needle trajectory overlaid on the ultrasound image. Our needle guide ensures proper needle alignment with the ultrasound imaging plane. ⋯ Overall, our system eliminates the experience required to develop the fine hand movement and dexterity needed for traditional ultrasound-guided procedures. The system has the potential to increase efficiency, safety, quality, and reduce costs for a wide range of ultrasound-guided procedures. Furthermore, in combination with portable ultrasound machines, this system will enable these procedures to be more easily performed by unskilled practitioners in non-ideal situations such as the battlefield and other disaster relief areas.
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Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc · Jan 2011
The frequency of saccades correlates to peak velocity in symmetrical disparity vergence.
A pure vergence stimulus requires the two eyes to turn equally inward or outward theoretically resulting in a pure symmetrical vergence response. However, saccades, a rapid conjugate eye movement, are frequently observed in vergence responses. This investigation sought to systematically quantify whether the occurrence of saccades within symmetrical vergence responses is correlated to vergence peak velocity. ⋯ The occurrence of saccades is negatively correlated to vergence peak velocity. When the velocity is slower, the number of saccades increases. This study suggests that the brain may initiate a saccade to facilitate a slow vergence movement, potentially to allow object recognition before binocular fusion.