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In this paper we will present a fully implantable, pre-programmable stimulator with bi-directional communication still small enough for implantation in mice. The diameter of the stimulator is 12.5 mm prior to encapsulation. It can deliver stimulation pulses at a constant frequency and burst-like stimulation patterns with adjustable ON/OFF times. ON/OFF times and stimulation frequencies of up to 8 stimulation programs are stored in EEPROM prior to production of the device. The stimulation amplitude is adjustable and can be set by the user at any time. Stimulation program and amplitude are selectable by means of light-flashes through the skin. Information can be transferred back through the skin with a powerful light emitting diode. The stimulator can have a constant voltage or constant current output-stage and produces monophasic rectangular pulses at multiples of 122µs pulsewidth. Depending on the battery used, the device will work for a minimum time of three weeks if continuous stimulation with a stimulation frequency of 40 Hz is used. The device is built from commercially available surface mount components and is encapsulated by a coating of biocompatible silicone rubber. Use of modern microelectronics allowed us to develop a versatile and highly customizable stimulator that can easily be adapted for different applications. We believe this to be one of a few devices featuring adjustable output-amplitudes, selectable stimulation programs and bi-directional communication at a size that can be implanted into mice. Moreover, the use of standard-components allows the device to be built on a laboratory bench. In a preliminary short-term trial the devices performed well for one week. The ability to adjust the stimulation-amplitude will — especially in mice due the close proximity of other excitable structures — allow better selectivity of motor nerve stimulation and can avoid the problem of spread of current to adjacent sensory or motor nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an important precondition that the detection of intracranial pressure (ICP) for diagnosing intracranial diseases. However, currently the existing detection methods used in clinical are invasive. The paper is aimed at finding a non-invasive method to release the patient from suffering, which enables to detect the variation of patient's ICP effectively, then more evidences can be provided to the doctor for giving medicine. Based on analyzing and comparing several existing used non-invasive ICP detection methods, the relationship of flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) and intra-cranial medium and high pressure is found by the statistics of a number of clinical experiments. The FVEP can be picked up effectively by the instrument developed by the authors with improved Independent Component Analysis(ICA) method, while the potential latency corresponding to the wave crest of N2 wave in the FVEP waveform picked-up is linearly related to intracranial pressure, thus it is possible to obtain ICP by picking up the N2 wave of FVEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was proposed a toe-gap force measurement to estimate the lower limb muscular power. In the proposed method, the clipping toe-gap force is measured between the great toe and the digitus secundus. The toe-gap force in this situation, is muscles of the lower limb, which are supposed to have roles in the effort against falling. This study was used three experiments to determine whether or not the use of the toe-gap force measurement was useful from a practical viewpoint. First, the aging change in toe-gap force was examined by using the developed measuring device for 361 people included the elderly with physical weakness. Second, to examine the relation between the toe-gap force and falling, we were examined falling experience in a year for 82 healthy volunteers. Third, to examine the relation between muscular power and the toe-gap force, the results of the toe-gap force were compared to the result of the 10 m walking time for 153 healthy volunteers. We found following results: 1. the toe-gap force reflected the lower limb muscular power decrease rapidly from 65 years old. 2. The non-faller group demonstrated the factor of 1.3 greater toe-gap force compared with the faller group. The subjects who have less toe-gap force have experienced many falls. 3. the measured toe-gap force is closely related negative correlation to walking ability. This implies that the lower limb muscular power is reflected on the toe-gap force measurement. It is thus concluded that, the proposed method can be a practically useful method for evaluating quantitatively the lower limb muscular power of the elderly against fall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We thought to be found common expression change when person in tendency of the addiction contacted with a addiction object. We discover specific index from person's expression change of tendency of the addiction and suggest technique to calculate the addiction degree. This paper investigated the relevance of facial expression and dependency. There were various dependencies such as paid attention to the game available to be played online that we could play familiar in our life. On this research we investigated the change of the desire before situation suggested to play game and while playing game respectively by using an EMG and a stress measurement to examine the change of the desire. By this, there was a change of desire to the subject that has tendency of the addiction before the situation of play game being suggested and while doing the game. In addition, we investigated whether occurrence of the expression change became an index of a tendency to addiction when a change of a desire occurred. As the result, we found that the subject that has tendency of the addiction generates a change of the desire by stimulation such as a demonstration screen and any sound being suggested a game playing, and it was suggested that an expression changed by this stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To be context-aware, one of the central issues in sensor networks is location tracking, whose goal is to monitor the tracking path of a moving object. This paper describes our indoor location-tracking system for in-building, mobile, location-dependent healthcare applications. Ceiling-mounted beacons are spread through the building which publish location information on RF and ultrasonic signals and allows applications running on mobile and static nodes to learn their physical location. The target to be tracked carries listener node, this node listens the beacons information as they arrived and forwards these beacons to the base station. At the base station the multilateration was used to determine the location of the listener. This information at the base station was further processed to check the activity of the person. In the location-tracking system we also could calculate the user's activity, that is, how much the user moves in span of time. The monitored activity data of the patient can support doctor or caregiver to see the status of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the future of super aging society, it is predicted that the problem of disuse dementia becomes more serious all over the world. The screening is very important medical procedure for recovery. In Japan, KANA Pick-out Test(KPT)1-2) have been used as the most useful method of screening. As KPT isn't suitable for internationalization and self-screening, Color Meaning and Matching Test(CMMT) was invented first3), and Color Word Pick-out Test(CWPT)4) follows as an advanced method. In this paper, the sensitivity of CWPT on the basis of KPT was measured as the first evaluation. As the second evaluation, the work of prefrontal lobe was examined during the tests using a near infrared spectroscopy. These evaluations are led to appropriateness of CWPT to the screening test of early dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are many efforts for automated semantic web service composition, most of them are based upon the traditional AI planning techniques. Openness and dynamics of the Web environment limits the usage of previous approaches based upon the traditional AI planning techniques. This paper introduces a BDI agent system for semantic web service composition and invocation. Through some tests on healthcare web services, we found our BDI agent approach has the potential enough to improve robustness and flexibility of semantic web services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bluetooth is a short-range radio link conceived of replacing cable connections among portable and/or fixed electronic devices. As its robustness, low complexity, low power, and low cost, it has been well applied in many fields from computers and electric equipments to household electrical appliances and even telemedicine. This paper first introduced the Bluetooth technology and its application at present and in the future, especially in the telemedicine. And then a potential application in the wireless telemedicine is introduced. That's wireless HOLTER applied by the Bluetooth technology. As HOLTER until now is only limited to do some analyze work based on electrocardiogram, small store capacity and not support long distance communication, the new HOLTER applied by Bluetooth technology can support the live communication which can do a good favor to doctor and patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a document imaging system which scans various types of ECG sheets and stores the scanned sheets as JPEG image files to be retrieved by cardiologists. In our implementation, we use two simple machine learning techniques: one for classifying the ECG form and the other for recognizing a required set of attribute values depending on the scanned form. In order to classify an ECG form, as a training step, we built an average histogram for each ECG form using a pre-classified set of training data. A newly scanned image is assigned to the form that is in nearest distance on its histogram. To recognize a set of important attribute values, we used a multi-layered neural network and back propagation algorithm normally used in OCR. ECG sheets differ in layout and thus attributes. We analyzed each form of ECG sheets and constructed an XML file representing a set of attributes whose values are to be recognized later on. We have tested our system with a number of sheets printed from six different ECG devices including 12-lead ECG and Treadmill. When a 12-lead ECG sheet is scanned by a high-speed scanner, for instance, its image is classified and saved into the corresponding class, and a major set of attribute values is recognized and saved in the system's database; in our case, we use the attributes such as the patient's number, test date and time, Rate, PR, QRSD, QT, QTc, Axis (P, QRS, T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical impedance measurement methods have been proposed to study a large number of physiological events, especially due to the simplicity, low-cost and noninvasiveness of the technique. Acupuncture (Biological active points: BAPs) research has since become a very broad active area both in Asia and the West. These points are not uniformly distributed across all parts of the human skin and investigated in various ways for the purpose of scientifically establishing their existence. This paper describes a system to measure the characteristic frequency and reactance of BAPs and surrounding skin. The method uses the three-electrode technique with a constant sinusoidal current. The measurements were taken at 50 different frequencies between 1 Hz to 1 kHz. The input peak current value was set to below 5 µA maximum in order to reduce the electrical stimulus as much as possible. We show the dependence of the reactance on frequency, measured at PC-3, PC-4, PC-7 and the surroundings skin. The BAPs measuring method is well illustrated by a simple model of an equivalent electrical circuit that correlates well with experimental results. The values of the chosen components were determined to fit the equivalent circuit using the simulation. A new BAPs measurement system has the superior characteristics of noninvasiveness measurement and easy operation. The characteristic frequencies of BAPs are 20-30 Hz higher than that of the surrounding skin, and the reactances are about 45-50 KΩ smaller than that of the surrounding skin. The reactance and characteristic frequency of BAPs and surrounding skins can be observed simultaneously, which enables objective analysis. This system has the advantage of being able to instantaneously observe the characteristic frequency and reactance of BAPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have electrofused two cells which are P. japonicum and G. littoralis at the ‘Lab on a Chip' level. The microchannel platform was fabricated using poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) via the conventional softlithographic procedure, and the microelectrode patterns (we e-beam evaporated the titanium (as seed layer) and the gold with the thickness of 200 Å and 3000 Å and patterned by the chemical etching) were created on the surface of glass. Both the PDMS platform and electrode glass were aligned and combined via the oxygen plasma-treatment. The channel has two inlets and two types of cells were slowly introduced by using the syringe pumps and we stopped when the cells were positioned around the electrodes. We have applied 1 - 2 MHz AC field (Amplitude: 8 - 10 p-p) with rectangular wave shape to the microelectrodes to form the pearl-chain between the electrodes. Then, the cell-membranes contact closely each other. For the cell fusion, we again applied short DC pulse (amplitude: 250V/mm, duration: 10 - 100 ms) to the microelectrodes. A little pore was generated and finally two cells were fused to single cell. The fused cells were cultured in Nitsch medium containing growth regulators and some cells were cultured. We will investigate their viability with FDA (fluorescein diacetate). This results may encourage the maximum yield of 1: 1 heterologous fusion under the micro environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plant cell culture, the delivery of nutrition and gas (mainly oxygen) to the cells is the most important factor for viability. In this paper, we propose a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based micro culture system that is designed to have good aeration. PDMS is known to have excellent air permeability, and through the experimental method, we investigated the relation between the degree of air delivery and the thickness of the PDMS sheet covering the culture chamber. We determined the proper thickness of the cover sheet, and cultured protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum in a culture chamber covered with a PDMS sheet whose thickness 400 µm. The cells were successfully divided, and lived well inside the culture chamber for 10 days. In addition, protoplasts were cultured inside the culture chambers covered with the coverglass and the PDMS sheet respectively, and the microcolonies were formed well inside the PDMS covered chamber after 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a new fabrication method of pH-responsive microfluidic valves and suggest the feasibility as a microminiature systems without peripheral devices. Conventionally, in-situ photopolymerization method has been employed to build the micro functional structure inside microfluidic channel. Here, we suggest a new method allowing the mass production of stimuli-responsive microsystem through the use of pre-made microstructure as actuating element like assembly of commercial products in the factory. We have massively fabricated pH-responsive microspheres that act as actuating component through the use of PDMS-based microfluidic apparatus and ‘on the fly' photopolymerization method. By the incorporation of this microsphere into the microvalve during the fabrication process, we have produced the pH-responsive microfluidic valve in a simple way. The operation and the function of the fabricated microvalve were evaluated through the diverse experiments. The microvalve was successfully fabricated, and functioned well according to the pH change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrative micro-valve array is one of useful tools for the drug discovery, high-throughput screening. In this paper, we have developed a low-cost and easily manipulative pH-responsive micro-valve array. To prove the feasibility, we designed and fabricated the double micro-valves array, the tetrad micro-valves array and the octad micro-valves array. The platform of arrayed valve was fabricated by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the microsphere utilized as an actuating element was produced via "on the fly" photopolymerization method. The microspheres were manually incorporated into the arrayed PDMS platform. To construct the platform of valve arrays, we stacked 3 thin (thickness: around 140µm), patterned PDMS layers (hole-layer, membrane-layer, and upper-layer) and one PDMS bas-relief plate (thickness: around 8 mm), and the top was covered with the cover slip. The actuating pH-responsive microspheres (diameter: around 140µm) were incorporated into the microvalve units and they are located in the 700µm interval. Each valve unit was controlled to be opened and be closed by changing pH solutions passing through it. The operation and the function of the fabricated micro-valve arrays were evaluated through the diverse experiments. The integrated system was operated expediently and functioned well. The closing and opening times were around 50s and 60s, respectively. Sample solution-flow rate is 0.03 ml/min when the pressure is 50kPa operated by varying the height of water column. Linear flow control was achieved over a wide range of operating flow rates. Furthermore the fabrication process of pH-responsive-actuated micro-valve arrays using PDMS is simple and its performance is suitable for a disposable lab-on-a-chip. These stimuli-responsive micro-valves do not use any electrical or mechanical components, and have many potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the ability to measure the velocity of both physiological saline (PS) and in vitro blood in a rectangular polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) microchannel by means of the confocal micro-PIV system. The PDMS microchannel, was fabricated by conventional soft lithography, had a microchannel near to a perfect rectangular shape (300µm wide, 45µm deep) and was optically transparent, which is suitable to measure both PS and in vitro blood using the confocal system. By using this latter combination, the measurements of trace particles seeded in the flow were performed for both fluids at a constant flow rate (Re=0.021). Generally, all the velocity profiles were found to be markedly blunt in the central region mainly due to the low aspect ratio (h/w=0.15) of the rectangular microchannel. Predictions by a theoretical model for the rectangular microchannel have showed fairly good correspondence with the experimental micro-PIV results for the PS fluid. Conversely, for the in vitro blood with 20% haematocrit, small fluctuations were found on velocity profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, we discuss the suitability of various magnetic nanoparticles for different biomedical heating applications. Several magnetic iron oxide particles in the particle size ranging from 10 nm to 100 nm were prepared by chemical precipitation and magnetically characterized with respect to their specific heating power in alternating magnetic fields. The biomedical applications of the investigated particles are focused on magnetic hyperthermia, thermoablation, and magnetically induced remote controlled drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports design, fabrication and measurement results of a flexible microelectrode array for monitoring compound nerve action potential (CNAP) of a peripheral nerve. For building electrical nerve-signal-database up, the flexible microelectrode array was fabricated through a ‘polymer/metal multilayer processing technique' on a silicon wafer, and it was released by chemical ‘etch-release' scheme which results in no mechanical stress on the device. In vitro test had been conducted to examine interfacial impedance and signal transfer characteristics. The interfacial impedance was 420Ω/µm2 at 1 kHz. In vivo test had been carried out by implanting an assembly (composed of microelectrode array and a polygloycolic acid conduit) into a sciatic nerve of 10 male rats where nerve defect was 6 mm. after 3 month-implantation periods, sciatic nerve function was tested with gait analysis, and CNAP by using a bio-amplifier which was developed soley for this application. From the gait analysis, it was ascertained that nearly half of the original functions was restored, which is backed up by sciatic nerve function index (SNFI), −48.5±15.0. CNAP of the regenerated nerve through the proposed microelectrodes was examined through transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. From the TEM images, it was confirmed that proximal and distal nerve showed nearly same morphology and axon number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduced the application of hot-embossing technology (HET), a particular kind of thermoplastic replication process, to the development and fabrication of piezoelectric micro-pumps with non-moving valves. Typical development adopted in fabricating micro-pump was silicon-based MEMS (micro-electronic-mechanical system) process, e.g. DRIE (deep reacting ion etching) or ASE (advanced silicon etching), to obtain a fluidic channel with vertical wall inside the silicon wafer. The piezo-disc actuator was manually mounted onto the glass membrane. A cost-effective approach for the fabrication of micropump was conducted in this study and presented. A nonmoving- part (NMP) valve micro-pump using plastic wafer was designed, and the critical wafer with micro-fluidic channels was fabricated by HET process. Critical dimensions were inspected, and optimization of the HET process was done to minimize the dimensional deviation from the design. The embossed plastic wafer and a piezoelectric actuator were then mounted and sealed on a glass membrane. Testing of the assembled micro-pump was conducted and performance, in terms of flow rate and maximum pressure head versus frequency applied to the piezoelectric disc, was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a computational inference of transcriptional regulatory networks from transcription start sites identified by Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE). Inference of the regulatory networks is a challenging task, and is performed by analyzing observed dependencies of transcription levels. Binding of transcription factors to an upstream sequence of a gene enables transcription initiation from a specific genomic position. The position is called Transcription Start Site (TSS). Eukaryotes have multiple TSSs for a single gene, which reflect diversity in combinatorial regulation by transcription factors. By the CAGE high-throughput profiling genome-wide identification of activated TSSs under various experimental conditions yields CAGE transcriptome datasets. To distinguish transcription responses caused by the diversity in combinatorial regulations, inference that takes multiple TSSs into account will be more effective than the conventional ones using only transcription levels of microarray dataset. In this paper we report a feasibility study of inference of transcriptional regulatory network by using CAGE dataset. This is a preliminary study for inference that takes multiple TSSs into account. To perform inference of the regulatory networks, we used Bayesian network model which is appropriate to represent distribution of TSSs observed in CAGE dataset. Using the CAGE dataset published from the FANTOM3 project in RIKEN, we applied the model to inference of the regulatory networks of Mus musculus. For the purpose of the feasibility study, we compared inferred networks from the CAGE dataset with those from microarray dataset. Based on the comparative analysis, we confirmed that network inference by using the CAGE dataset is feasible like the case of conventional inferences by using microarray dataset. Based on the confirmation we discussed what we can reveal through the inference that takes into account multiple TSSs identified by a CAGE dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a coronary arterial tree model generated by the optimization algorithm for blood volume in a two-dimensional circular region. Using the geometric data from the computed arterial tree, we analyzed the flow and pressure at each segment. The node equation algorithm to determine the flow and pressure was developed to analyze the hemodynamics in a vascular network. This simplified method was applied to a complicated vascular network. Then, we simulated what would happen to the flow and pressure in the surrounding segments if a specific segment was blocked. Computational results showed that the blood in the vessels after the blocked artery was stagnated and low pressure region was formed, inducing ischemic tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of sensing system of human body. The main goal of our study was to expound the principle of sensing system of human body. We put forward the diagram of the model of sense mechanism. The diagram, which shows the model of human sensory system, is the basic of the modeling. We choose olfactory system, using the technology of electronic nose to measure gas. The signals can be collected by gas transducer array. We compare the method of pattern recognition of BP neural network technology and Self-organization models. The digitizing methods of sensing system model are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracortical activity play important role in generation of EEG-signal. Neuronal system in the brain seems to be specially sensitive to sources belonging to the class of functions: [Acos(αt)+Bsin(αt), exp(±αt), Bessel functions]. This representation could be reflect influence of external sources, for example electromagnetic fields, on the brain. In my previous papers I demonstrated the effect of electromagnetic field on the EEG-signal using nonlinear dynamics method - Higuchi's fractal dimension. The extracortical input from inhibitory neurons destroys the oscillatory structure of signal generated by extracortical input from excitatory neurons but do not suppresses it completely. The additional component is needed. The long-distance input from excitatory neurons take this role. The most important parameter in the model is postsynaptic neurotransmitter rate constants. It shows a biphasic effect changes for inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) in the EEG-signals during anesthesia. The similar behavior is visible for postsynaptic rate constants but in case of excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in epileptic EEG-signals. There are two opposed processes occur. The average excitatory soma potential (he) depend on total number of excitatory and inhibitory intracortical connections. The increase of maximum value of the he occurs for bigger number of excitatory connections. The shape of the curve depend on number of inhibitory connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the trial of making microcapsules including a bubble for shock wave drug delivery systems and evaluation of their mechanical properties. We have proposed drug delivery systems (DDS) using shock waves in order to apply micro/nano technology in the fields of biomedical engineering. In this system, a microcapsule including a gas bubble is flown in the blood vessel, and finally broken by shock induced microjet, then drug is reached to the affected part in the body as same as traditional DDS. In this paper, the mechanism for deformation and disintegration of capsules in our previous works is reviewed, and the trials of making special microcapsules are discussed. To determine Young's modulus of capsule membrane mentioned above, the membrane is deformed by the aspiration device and the deformation is compared with computational result by FEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system proposed in this paper has been designed to acquire and transmit vital signals from lavatory-attached acquisition device in ubiquitous healthcare environment. We focused on the system to be unconstrained and noninvasive by introducing automative measurement procedures. ECG, SpO2, BP, Bio-impedance and weight are measured and recorded. Users can check their present basic health information through the monitor beside lavatory as soon as completing each of procedures. All of the data set acquired are transmitted to main sever system located in healthcare-provider such as general hospital, public health center, etc via commercial network as well as classified and scored according to physiologically well-known criteria with a waterproof computer terminal. Early classification of individual data into normal, abnormal and emergency state just after measurement complete is very helpful to draw up in order among enormous data from many users both manageably and technically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency situations can occur anywhere and anytime in daily life. In this paper, measurement and transmit of immediately to data server to do the most important ECG of living body signal data after get electrocardiogram waveform using a wireless module in body of real time communication environment in this research, own hygienic condition study cardiac algorithm that can recognize emergency situation when find more than also being research process of home healthcare system that receive real time verification and it is main target that develop. Thereby electrocardiogram transmitting real time by server of hospital or emergency structure center developing algorithm that recognize emergency situation of when system and this signal that can do display by PDA or PC monitor of wireless communication situation are immediately patient's state as can do monitoring do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we suggest the optimal biological parameters from ANS (Autonomous Nervous System) for emotion identification. For this, 25 subjects were supposed to watch some video clips which induced either positive or negative emotion while we were measuring their ECG, GSR, and SKT. The collected data was processed and analyzed to identify emotion of subjects. Here, we used SVM(support vector machine) and Neural Network as a pattern recognition tool. Even though the two results from SVM and N/N method were little bit different in the degree of accuracy, we eventually could select 3 parameters of ANS. So we decided these three parameters as the optimal minimum parameters for emotion identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the effect of abnormal total cholesterol (TC) level on the bodycomposition parameters that can be measured non-invasively using bioelectrical Impedance analysis (BIA). A total of 190 subjects (86 males and 104 females) were recruited in the study which was conducted at the University of Malaya Student Health Clinic (UMHC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subjects' serum was collected for measurement of TC and bioelectrical impedance was measureed for bodycomposition. Subjects were divided into 2 groups according to their TC values. Group 1 (n=92) consists of subjects with normal TC value (<=5.2 mmol/L) and Group 2 (n=98) consists of subjects with high TC value (>5.2 mmol/L). Statistical analysis using independent sample t-test was used to investigate the relationship between BIA parameters and TC. The results revealed that there were differences in age, weight, body mass index(BMI), body capacitance (BC), extracellular mass (EM), lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total body water to total water ratio (TBW/TW) among the subjects with normal and abnormal TC. TC level was significantly higher in older subjects (p=0.000). In Group 2 the BC, FM, BMI, FM and BMR were significantly higher (p<0.05) while, EM, LBM and TBW/TW were higher in Group 1 (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in TC for subjects' gender (p=0.288) and height (p=0.364). There were also no significant differences in the bioelectrical tissue conductivity parameters (phase angle (PA) reactance (REA) and resistance (RES)) between Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results show that there were differences in BIA parameters among the TC levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Engineering (CE) is constantly looking for new alternatives that help health environment information control. Combining the management concept of CE with Information Technology (IT) application, one can add reliability and uniformity in the complied data. The velocity and remote access to information about Clinical Engineering activities can definitely help in the overall decision making process. In that same line of though this research project developed a new medical equipment management system, using PDA (personal digital assistant) as an IT tool for transfer and storage of information via wireless. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exist many different types of meditation. The mechanism why meditation improves people's health remains unclear. Since different meditations may activate different regions in brain, we can use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate it. We may simply divide meditation into two different types, which is forced meditation (FM) and non-forced meditation (NFM). The FM type may keep a phrase in mind, observe breathing, proceed mind imaging or any other actions to keep people's attention focused. Chinese original quiet sitting (COQS) is mainly one kind of traditional Chinese meditation. It contains two different parts: a short period of keeping phrase and receiving spiritual energy, and a long period of relaxation with no further action. The second part of it is really what we called "non-forced" type, whereas the first part is normally a forced one. In this paper, we want to find out the brain activation area precisely during FM and NFM. We studied the observing breathing meditation (OBM) and the first part of COQS as the FM type, and also studied the second part of COQS as NFM type. Our experimental results showed very different activation patterns among the brain between FM and NFM. The BOLD (Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent) signal changes had also been found. The posterior cingulated gyrus showed strong activation in OBM, the pineal gland and hypothalamus showed positive activation in the first and second stage of COQS separately. From our results, we found the basic meaning of the mechanism why meditation improves people's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric measurements as a function of temperature and frequency are reported for unmodified and ethylene glycol (MPEG)-modified collagen. Measurements were performed over the frequency range of 10Hz - 100kHz and temperatures from 22 to 200°C. The effect of γ-irradiation on the dielectric properties of these materials is observed in the whole temperature range. This fact is supported by lower values of ɛ′ and ɛ″ for irradiated unmodified and modified collagen than for non-irradiated collagen. Results of this paper suggest that the irradiation of these materials with dose 30kGy initiates the process of side and main chains degradation of the unmodified and modified collagen. The data obtained also indicate that the cross-linking of collagen with MPEG is an effective way to increase the thermal stability of collagen macromolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the assessment of facial muscle exercise using an oral cavity rehabilitative device. The physiological parameters investigated are labial closure strength (LCS), tongue strength (TS), right (ER) and left (EL) facial skin elasticity. A total of thirteen females aged forty years old and above with the mean age of 44.5 years old were recruited in the study. Subjects were given an oral rehabilitative device and were asked to perform lip stretching exercise using the device four times a day and takes three minutes per session. The measurement of LCS, TS and skin elasticity were measured using LCS, and tongue strength indicators in Newton (N) unit while the skin elasticity was measured using the Cutometer SEM 575 skin elasticity meter in ratio of pliability to the maximum extension. The physiological measurements were evaluated before and 14 weeks after the subjects performed the lip stretching exercise. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical package version 12 for Window XP. Wilcoxon sampled test was used to evaluate whether the medians of the parameters measured differ significantly. The preliminary findings showed that there are significant positive difference (p<0.05) between the median value of the LCS, TS, EL and ER before (LCS=5.2 N, TS=2.7N, EL=0.29, ER=0.41) and (LCS = 11.3 N, TS=4.7N, EL=0.58, ER=0.51) after performing the lip stretching exercise. The lip stretching exercise while improving the LCS and TS will indirectly nourish the facial tissue and strengthen the facial skin elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adequate treatment of the patients with moderate to severe mixed hearing loss (MHL) is not sufficiently possible with conventional hearing aids. These patients have enough cochlear reserve, but the additional middle ear disorder limits the usage of conventional hearing aids (gain limitation and distortion). The second possibility for such patients would be the bone conduction hearing aids, which indicate an insufficient gain for moderate to severe MHL. On the other hand because of good cochlear reserve there isn't an indication for cochlear implantation. Therefore there is no optimal way to give an adequate gain to patients with moderate to severe MHL. The new improved DACS-system (Direct Acoustic Cochlear Stimulation) realizes a direct transfer to the inner ear. In this way the conductive disorders of middle ear does not have any influence on the sound transfer. After an introduction of the functional principle of the system the pre- and postoperative audiological results of 4 implanted patients will be presented in this paper. The one year post operative results indicate a functional gain of about 50 dB HL and an SRT (Speech Reception Threshold) improvement of about 40 dB SPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forward a method using laser scanner and computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) technology which are commonly used in reverse engineering to reconstruct three dimensional (3D) facial model, so as to provide personal 3D model for reconstructive surgery and man-machine system design. The process of reverse engineering is described in detail. Commercial laser scanner is used to acquire thousands of 3D discrete points of a facial plaster model. The "cloud of point" file is used to build a 3D facial model. The different of 3D facial model we build composed of different quantity of surface. We compared the different 3D facial models with the "cloud of point", the accuracy is from 0.2mm to 0.01mm. The maximum errors are located in the area where curvatures are maximum. All the result is quite satisfactory for facial reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation design. Minimizing the quantity of surface according to facial character and not decrease accuracy is a focus for future work. This method is simple and wieldy, and can be used in other centres for a variety of application, such as artificial limb design, man-machine system design, virtual operation etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandibular discontinuity defects are most often due to tumor resection and trauma which affects a variety of oral function. Reconstruction plates were popularly applied to bridge mandibular defects after tumor resection. The esthetics and continuity of the mandible have been rehabilitated successfully. However, the function is difficult to reconstruct. Furthermore, skin or mucosal perforation, plate fracture and loss of retention screw were the serious complications resulting in reconstruction failure. For these reasons other alternative has been explored. In this paper, a novel mandibular prosthesis with perfect contour supporting bone chip and dental implant has been designed. The biomechanical effect of the novel prosthesis has been analyzed using the three-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The results showed that the novel mandibular prosthesis filled with bone chip and with heights of 20mm, dental abutment diameter of 4mm (1mm surrounding width), transversal hole space of 3mm and longitudinal space of 2mm, connection interface angel of 45 degree and boss-screw retention could reconstruct the defective mandible perfectly. The stress level in prosthesis-bone system was reasonable. The bone chip filled in the scaffold was also in the normal stress level, which kept it active and was to be useful for combination of bone and prosthesis. And the boss-screw retention was reliable and ensured smooth connection between prosthesis and normal bone segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetocardiography (MCG) signal is measured with the use of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with a flux-locked loop (FLL). The FLL circuit is a feedback circuit connected to the SQUID sensor, which cancels the input magnetic field with a generated field by the feedback coil. A reduction of actual magnetic field experienced by the SQUID sensor makes the SQUID an ideal flux-to-voltage converter. In this paper, an emulator for the SQUID sensor and the feedback coil has been proposed. Instead of the magnetic coupling between the original field and the generated field by the feedback coil, an electronic circuit was used to add an emulated signal with a function generator and the output signal of the FLL. By using the emulator, electrical characteristics of FLL circuits such as bandwidth, slew rate, feedback range, and time delay can be measured and optimized without use of SQUID sensors. This is useful to save time and to reduce costs and efforts in an early stage of development of the MCG system when a magnetically shielded room or real SQUID sensors operated in a dewar filled with liquid helium may not yet be available. The emulator may also be used as a multi-channel gain calibrator for system maintenance in a later use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the result of developments in computer technology in recent years, the calculation, simulation and analysis of the stress environment for the artificial hip prosthesis and the femur have been made possible. In order to perform an exact calculation, three-dimensional modeling with the hip prosthesis and femur is required. The modeling of a femur is done by reconstructing the femoral outline data from CT images using three-dimensional CAD. The outline extraction work is performed by the experience and subjectivity of the operator, and the reliability of the data and working efficiency is low. In this paper, algorithms that extract the femur outline from CT images automatically are proposed. A Snake-based outline extraction algorithm is used. Although this method is capable of extracting the cortical bone outline of femoral diaphysis with sufficient accuracy, there was high incorrect detection at the trochanter. The shape of the trochanter is complicated, and it is difficult to process using a simple algorithm. Therefore, we proposed a method of visually expressing the possibility that a certain pixel in an image is high or low. This method is capable of detecting portions of images with high differentiations in value (contrast changes rapidly). It can also detect outlines at the diaphysis and trochanter. The problems of this technique are that the pixels judged as possibly being a part of the outline appear in the portion that is not a true outline, and that the pixels judged as possibly being on the outline may not be continuous. When each method was used independently, neither was capable of performing a positive outline extraction. However, an outline sampling sufficiently high certainty was achieved when using the two methods simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for stable gel materials for phantoms used to validate optical CT scanners for the evaluation of radiotherapy gel dosimeters. Phantoms have previously been proposed based on addition of food coloring dyes to gelatine to simulate polymer gels. However, because optical extinction in these dyes operates via light absorption, they would be more suitable for simulating radiation sensitive radiochromic dosimetry gels in which the exposed region of the gel becomes more optically absorbing. To correctly simulate polymer type gels which operate via light scattering, it would be more realistic to add light scattering centers such as colloidal suspensions (sols) to the gels used in such phantoms. In this paper we present some of the results of the evaluation of a Vista optical CT scanner (Modus Medical Devices Inc.) using novel gel phantoms in which radiation exposed polymer gels are simulated by the addition of largely colorless sols of varying turbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

jPET-RD (for Rodents with depth of interaction (DOI) detectors) is the small animal PET scanner which is under development at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan. High sensitivity is expected without degradation of the spatial resolution by the use of four-layer DOI detectors in the scanner. The detector consists of four-layers of scintillation crystal array optically coupled to a position sensitive photo-detector and scintillation light controlled by a proper reflector arrangement in the crystal array provides information for the crystal of detection. A basic study such as the validation of the four-layer DOI encoding method and detector parameter optimization has been carried out with a subset of the crystal arrays; a 10 × 10 × 4 array of Lu2(1−x)Y2xSiO5 (LYSO, x=0.02). We determined detector parameters through the basic study and will compose the full-size detector with a 32 × 32 × 4 LYSO crystal array. In this paper, we introduce the jPET-RD system, detector design and its performance. The subset of crystal array in optimal design showed enough crystal identification performance and 12-17% energy resolutions for all layer crystals. The results confirm the expectation of the same level performance on the full-size detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an indirect adaptive image reconstruction technique using the conventional convolution backprojection (CBP) algorithm for local tomography was first described. Then a comparison between the direct adaptive multi-level scheme algebraic reconstruction technique (AMLS-ART) previously proposed by the author and the indirect adaptive CBP (ACBP) technique proposed in this study was made. The ACBP may be made in the following four steps: (1) Do image reconstruction using the initially acquired full projections; (2) Re-project the reconstructed image to the angles where the truncated projections were acquired; (3) Merge the re-projected projections with the truncated projections in the truncated regions and (4) Reconstruct the image using both the full and the merged projections. We found that the ACBP technique did provide much improved image quality and less truncation artifacts comparing to either using the truncated projections or full projections alone. However, comparing to AMLS-ART, the ACBP technique not only need longer reconstruction time because of the reprojection and merging operations, but the image quality was also less satisfactory, especially when the total number of projections is limited. The ACBP technique can hardly be used for dynamic adaptive local tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wavelet transform has emerged over recent years as a powerful time-frequency analysis tool favoured for the interrogation of complex nonstationary signals. In this paper a new wavelet based algorithm for detection of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia (VT) by analyzing ECG is presented. The proposed algorithm uses generalized regression neural networks (GRNNs) for detecting wavelet preprocessed ECG signals. A MATLAB routine using built in library functions for preprocessing removes high frequency noise. The preprocessed signal is applied to the spectral algorithm (SPEC) which works in frequency domain and analyses the energy content. If the algorithm decides that the ECG part contains VT, the result is accepted as true and no further investigation is required. On the other hand a further investigation is carried out to confirm the result or to disprove it. The terminal parts of the ECG signal are processed with a continuous wavelet transform, which leads to a time-frequency representation of the signal. The diagnostic feature vectors are obtained by subdividing the representations into several regions and by processing the sum of the decomposition coefficients belonging to each region. The neural network is then trained with these feature vectors. Based on this information GRNN classifies the ECG into presence or absence of VT. With this method, underlying features within the VT waveform are made visible in the wavelet time-scale half space. The proposed algorithm overcomes the non-sensitivity of SPEC algorithm utilizing its highly specific nature to the fullest, enabling the cardiologists and electro physiologists to detect VT with accuracy of more than 85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the critical issues of cardiac pacemakers and ICDs are the device size and power consumption problem. Because devices size for cardiac implant is limited, we always have to consider trade-off relationship between size and longevity. Accordingly, we proposed a MAC-sharing structure based on FPGA platform for small size and low power consumption. The MAC-sharing structure contains a single multiplier using a time division method, hence we reduce a system complexity and power consumption with this method. In this paper, we show the result of atrial fibrillation detection using the proposed structure based on a FPGA platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetocardiogram (MCG) is a biomagnetic field that is produced by cardiac electrical activity. The MCG signal can be measured with the use of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). A two-dimensional map, MCG topography, can be obtained from multi-channel MCG sensors. In this paper, principal component analysis (PCA) combined with an artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to remove a pulse-type artifact in the MCG signals. The algorithm is composed of a PCA module which decomposes the obtained signal into its principal components, followed by an ANN module for the classification of the components automatically. In the experiments with volunteer subjects, 97% of the decisions that were made by the ANN were identical to those by the human experts. After classification, the signal was restored through the reconstruction of the components that belong to the signal class. Using the proposed technique, the artifact was successfully removed from the MCG signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques are being applied to Surface Electromyography (SEMG) for classification using signal feature extraction. This research is aimed at using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) analysis of SEMG signals to develop and adopt a sound methodology for classification of the signals at different force levels. Traditional analysis methods such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) could not be used alone because muscle diagnosis requires time-based information. Therefore CWT was selected for this research as it includes time-based information as well as scales that can be converted into frequencies, making muscle diagnosis easier. CWT produces a scalogram plot along with its corresponding time-based frequency spectrum plot. Using both of these plots, extracted features of the dominant frequencies and the related scales can be used to train and validate a signal classifier based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). SEMG signals were obtained for a 10 second period sampled at 2048 Hz and digitally filtered using a Butterworth bandpass filter (5 to 500 Hz, 4th order). Signals were collected from the vastus medialis muscle of both legs of 45 healthy male subjects at 25%, 50% and 75% of their Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) force of the quadriceps. The extracted features selected for the two second period of the signal were the mean and median frequencies of the average power spectrum, and the RMS values at scale 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 of the scalogram. The signals were analysed using CWT in LabVIEW with its Signal Processing Toolset. In this paper, the results are presented to show that the selected extracted features are suitable for the classification of SEMG signals at different force levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical Practioners usually measure dorsiflection of the human joint angle for medical assessment purpose. In order to measure the joint angle, a more or less standard mechanical or electro-mechanical goniometer is used. But mechanical construction has many problems. This research is originated from the lack of user-friendly, versatile and not expensive apparatus which are commercially available. In this paper, we present new design concepts of goniometer utilizing the light refraction characteristics of optical fiber in order to measure angular displacement of the human joints. In order to form an asymmetrical beam profile at the end of fiber tips, we cut the end of fiber tip at an angle of 35 degrees. Phototransistor is used to measure beam intensity as a function of optical fiber angle with respect to optical axis of fiber. Thus the sensed signal represented an indirect measure of curvature angle. The result showed that asymmetrical beam profile provide wider linear relationship than symmetrical one. Eventually, overall performance of the proposed sensor is quite suitable for measurement of the human joint angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Putting stroke accounts for 40∼50% of total strokes during a golf rounding. Grasping force of putter griping and motion of wrists during a putting stroke are the most important factors for evaluation of the putting event. In this paper, we developed a wireless grip and acceleration measurement system using force sensors and accelerometers for detection and analysis of the golf putting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain therapy is an important part of the current health care system and will become even more significant in future, because of the demographic changes. Though there are shortfalls in medical care of patients with pain. There are not enough specialized clinics and most of the patients do not get adequate therapy. In this paper the authors present a system that can solve these problems in pain therapy and enables specialized clinics to increase their efficiency in order to increase the capacity for pain care. The system combines telemonitoring of patients with the ability to remote control the patient's infusion pump from afar. The physician is able to adapt the therapy of a patient without the need to visit him personally. Because of the fact, that the infusion pump applies analgesics that are able to cause vital harm, special interest is taken in the security and safety of the teletherapy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to describe a bulk-phase convection — diffusion transport of pulmonary surfactant in two-phase free surface flow. Transport in this system can be very complex because of interactions between surfactant and mechanical properties of the system (physicochemical hydrodynamics). Once adsorbed to the air — liquid interface with a surface concentration, surfactant alters an interfacial surface tension. As an interfacial stress balance, which governs the fluid mechanics, is a function of surface tension, a strong coupling exists between the surfactant transport dynamics and the fluid mechanics. Motivation for this study was the development of an understanding of surfactant transport dynamics during respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of premature infants, where the primary pathology is due to a low bulk surfactant concentration. In this physiologically significant case, the true physicochemical dynamics cannot be adequately understood without accounting for the bulk transport processes. To model this problem, we consider the mechanics of a semi-infinite gas bubble progression in a liquid-filled rigid-walled, axisymmetric tube with radius R under steady-state conditions. The presented model extends beyond previous models of surfactant transport in the systems that may relate to airway reopening. First, the adsorption kinetics and the equation of state are described using the non-linear Langmuir adsorption model. Most previous studies used a linear relationship between the surfactant concentration and the local surface tension. Linear models are valid only for the small departures from equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have developed a mobile biosignal monitoring system which was able to measure and transmit the bio-signal simply for emergency situation and transport of critical care patients inter- or intra-hospital. The developed system was made up of bio-signal measurement modules, wireless communication module, LCD for display, main controller for module integration, and battery. The system was able to measure not only multi-channel ECG signals, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, SpO2, respiration and body temperature but also image of the affected part from a patient or disaster area. The acquired data was transmitted to ultra mobile PC or PDA with a Bluetooth wireless communication. And the data could be transmitted to the central emergency center using CDMA communication via a laptop PC. Additionally, the system includes the real-time automatic algorithm to detect abnormal ECG activity. The experimental test with simulated situation showed the possibility to be effectively used at emergency situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An involuntary monitoring method, including device and algorithm, is proposed to detect the breath rate and heart rate by using an under-pillow pressure sensor during sleep. The sensor mechanism is composed of two fluid-filled incompressible polyvinyl tubes set in parallel and sandwiched between two acrylic plates. One end of each tube is hermetically sealed, and the other end is connected to one of two pressure sensors. Inner pressure in each tube therefore changes in accordance with breath motion and cardiac beating. By employing the á trous algorithm of dyadic wavelet transformation (DWT) to the measured pressure signal, the respiratory and cardiac cycle can be discriminated. The breath rate is obtained from the 6th scale of DWT approximation and the heart rate from the sum of 4th and 5th scales of DWT details after soft-threshold denoising. To minimize the latency in data processing and realize the highest real-time performance, the breath rate and heart rate are estimated by using waveforms directly derived from the DWT approximation and detail components without the reconstruction procedure. This method has been tested with a total of about 25 h data collected from 13 healthy subjects. By comparing the estimations with reference data, i.e. nasal thermistor output for breath and photoelectric plethysmograph for heart rate, the average heart rate detection sensitivity and positive predictivity are 99.01% and 98.53%, respectively, and similarly, the breath rate detection sensitivity and positive predictivity are 95.48% and 95.16%, respectively. This study suggests that the proposed method is promising as an involuntary monitor for breath rate and heart rate detections during sleep, and may become a widely used reliable and simple monitor for apnea and sudden death syndrome, as well as other sleep-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we were able to create an automatic overlapped placing of ambulance site using computer procedures and linear programming. This placing scheme uses two efficiency indexes Covered Rate and Overlapped Rate to evaluate the performance while placing the service area into our study area. The objective is to balance between covered rate and overlapped rate with a given ratio. Two phases were suggested, first phase is performed by honey cone search and minimum buffer search to choose the location of next potential site. The second phase moves the potential site so that the objective is met. The service areas of facilities are bounded by both acceptable traveling distance and service capacity. This means that the shape and size of service area changes while the facility point changes its location, which is fundamentally different from Bin Packing or Placement problem. Therefore, we have to extinct this study from them and referred as Overlapped Placing. The benefit of using auto Overlapped Placing is that based on the changing circumstances the alternative placing results can be generated relatively fast and easy to satisfy the need of deploying emergency service in a highly populated urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]