1,720,973 research outputs found

    Hybrid simulation using mixed reality for interventional ultrasound imaging training

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    Purpose : Ultrasound (US) imaging offers advantages over other imaging modalities and has become the most widespread modality for many diagnostic and interventional procedures. However, traditional 2D US requires a long training period, especially to learn how to manipulate the probe. A hybrid interactive system based on mixed reality was designed, implemented and tested for hand–eye coordination training in diagnostic and interventional US. Methods : A hybrid simulator was developed integrating a physical US phantom and a software application with a 3D virtual scene. In this scene, a 3D model of the probe with its relative scan plane is coherently displayed with a 3D representation of the phantom internal structures. An evaluation study of the diagnostic module was performed by recruiting thirty-six novices and four experts. The performances of the hybrid (HG) versus physical (PG) simulator were compared. After the training session, each novice was required to visualize a particular target structure. The four experts completed a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Results : Seventy-eight percentage of the HG novices successfully visualized the target structure, whereas only 45 % of the PG reached this goal. The mean scores from the questionnaires were 5.00 for usefulness, 4.25 for ease of use, 4.75 for 3D perception, and 3.25 for phantom realism. Conclusions : The hybrid US training simulator provides ease of use and is effective as a hand–eye coordination teaching tool. Mixed reality can improve US probe manipulation training

    The Role of Stable Anatomical Landmarks in Automated 3D Model Superimposition: A Closer Look

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    Objective: To evaluate the concordance of automated 3D superimposition methods applied to digital models, with a focus on methods that consider stable palatal regions as geometric reference landmarks versus those that do not. Design and setting: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study using digital model files of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in a university clinical setting. Participants: Sixty-one patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into three groups based on the type of orthodontic treatment they received: (20) non-extractive orthodontic treatment without intermaxillary elastics, (21) intermaxillary elastics, and (20) control subjects with no orthodontic movement. The inclusion criteria included the availability of complete pre- and post-treatment digital casts and the absence of significant craniofacial anomalies. Methods: Three superimposition methods were tested: (1) superimposition according to palate and palatal ridges, (2) best-fit superimposition of arches in occlusion, and (3) best-fit superimposition of individual arches. Discrepancies were identified by comparing the spatial positions derived from each method. Within three spatial axes, deviations of +/- 0.5 mm and +/- 1.15 degrees were not considered significant. Bland-Altman plots were used to quantify palatal rugae based and non-based spatial differences between methods. Differences in the superimposition results between the three patient groups were evaluated using ANOVA tests. Results: Differences in spatial position between the superimposition methods often exceeded the acceptable range. The results were compared between the three patient groups with a statistical significance of alpha = 0.05. In the present study, the high reliability of the superimposition method based on the palate and palatal ridges was observed. Conclusion: Superimposition methods based on the palate and palatal rugae provide superior accuracy in determining treatment-related changes in upper arch digital models. These findings illustrate the need for appropriate selection of superimposition techniques based on the study objective of using clinically relevant techniques

    Impacted and transmigrant mandibular canines incidence, aetiology, and treatment: A systematic review

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    BACKGROUND: The incidence of impacted and transmigrant mandibular canines in the mandible is not as high as that in the maxilla; consequently, it is more difficult to find clinical guidelines derived from sound studies based on large patient samples. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize currently available data pertaining to the incidence and aetiology of impacted and transmigrant mandibular canines and the success rates of different treatment strategies. METHODS: This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42014006175) and was conducted using PRISMA and CRD (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York) statement. A computerized search of studies published up to February 2016 was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical trials, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. To identify any relevant publications not included in this list, we manually searched the references lists of the selected articles. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool was utilized to classify the included articles. RESULTS: In total, 630 articles were identified after the removal of duplicates. A total of 13 studies published between 2001 and 2015 met all the eligibility criteria and were included for the final analysis. The sample size in these studies ranged from 14 to 112873 teeth, while their methodological quality ranged from low to medium. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings from our review, the incidence of canine impaction in the mandible ranges from 0.92 to 5.1 per cent, while that of canine transmigration ranges from 0.1 to 0.31 per cent. Various etiologies may play a role, including odontomes (up to 20 per cent) and lateral incisor anomalies (16 per cent). Surgical extraction (89 per cent in some studies) and orthodontic traction (20-32 per cent) are the most commonly used treatment strategies, with the latter showing a failure rate of 17 per cent in two studies

    Clear aligner orthodontic therapy of rotated mandibular round-shaped teeth: A finite element study

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    To evaluate, using the finite element method, the orthodontic rotational movement of a lower second premolar obtained with clear aligners, analyzing different staging and attachment configurations

    Augmented Reality System for Freehand Guide of Magnetic Endovascular Devices

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    Magnetic guide of endovascular devices or magnetized therapeutic microparticles to the specific target in the arterial tree is increasingly studied, since it could improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects. Most proposed systems use external permanent magnets attached to robotic manipulators or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems to guide internal carriers to the region of treatment. We aim to simplify this type of procedures, avoiding or reducing the need of robotic arms and MRI systems in the surgical scenario. On account of this we investigated the use of a wearable stereoscopic video see-through augmented reality system to show the hidden vessel to the surgeon; in this way, the surgeon is able to freely move the external magnet, following the showed path, to lead the endovascular magnetic device towards the desired position. In this preliminary study, we investigated the feasibility of such an approach trying to guide a magnetic capsule inside a vascular mannequin. The high rate of success and the positive evaluation provided by the operators represent a good starting point for further developments of the system

    3D ultrasound centerline tracking of abdominal vessels for endovascular navigation

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    Purpose: Vessel lumen centerline extraction is important for intraoperative tracking of abdominal vessels and guidance of endovascular instruments. Three-dimensional ultrasound has gained increasing acceptance as a safe and convenient surgical image guidance modality. We aimed to optimize vascular centerline detection and tracking in 3D ultrasound. Method: To overcome the intrinsic limitation of low ultrasound image quality, an active contour method (snake) was used to track changes in vessel geometry. We tested two variants of a classic snake using the image gradient and gradient vector field (GVF) as external forces. We validated these methods in liver ultrasound images of 10 healthy volunteers, acquired at three breath-holding instances during the exhalation phase. We calculated the distances between the vessel centerlines as detected by algorithms and a gold standard consisting of manual annotations performed by an expert. Results: Both methods (GVF and image gradient) can accurately estimate the actual centerlines with average Euclidean distances of 0.77 and 1.24 mm for GVF and gradient, respectively. Both methods can automatically follow vessel morphology and position changes. Conclusions: The proposed approach is feasible for liver vessel centerline extraction from 3D ultrasound images. The algorithm can follow the movement of the vessels during respiration; further improvements of hardware components are needed for a real-time implementation

    Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis

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    The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed

    Evaluation of the Dimensional Accuracy of 3D-Printed Aligners: An In Vitro Study Using Reverse Engineering Analysis

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    Background: This study aimed to investigate the dimensional deformation that can occur during the fabrication of a 3D-printed aligner made with the TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and determine if the manual removal of the print supports before final aligner curing affects the dimensional accuracy. Methods: 10 subjects with permanent dentition were selected, and a set of aligners was digitally designed using the uDesign Direct Aligner beta software (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea). Each aligner was 3D-printed using TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) twice: one copy was produced removing the print supports before final curing, whereas the other was cured with the supports still attached. The aligners were digitized and compared to the original design of the digitally designed aligner using RMS and Inter-second molar distance data to identify variations between 3D-produced aligners and their respective digital design. Results: the comparison between aligners produced in two different ways was statistically significant with a p-value < 0.0001 for both the records used. Conclusions: the manual removal of the print supports before final curing affects the dimensional accuracy of aligners made by direct 3D printing, permanently altering the aligner’s internal geometry, confirming that post-processing conditions significantly affect dimensional stability

    Variations on the Author

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    “Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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