1,720,969 research outputs found
Automatic tuning of myoelectric prostheses
No full textIn this paper a software package that uses a Fuzzy Logic Expert System (FLES) to compute myoelectric prosthesis control parameter values is presented and the experimental results from its preliminary practical application are discussed. The prosthesis system is the INAIL artificial arm powered by an electrical motor controlled by a microprocessor using myoelectric signals acquired from skin-surface electrodes placed on the patient muscle stump. The software package here presented, named MCA (Microprocessor Controlled Arm) Auto Tuning, is a software tool for a step-by-step controller parameters tuning procedure, useful for expert operators as well as unskilled amputee patients. The control parameters set-up and subsequent recurrent adjustment are necessary for the prosthesis correct working. These tasks are usually performed by skilled operator together with the patient in the prosthesis-maker laboratory, however this is quite unpractical and involves technicians' waste of time and patients' uneasiness. The MCA Auto Tuning package embodies technician expertize in control parameters set-up in a FLES module. The unskilled patient interacts with the graphical interface of the software, and is guided by the programme to tune the controller parameters in a step-by-step procedure that emulates the traditional expert-aided tuning procedure. The adoption of this program on a large scale may yield considerable economic benefits and improve the service quality supplied to the prosthesis users. In fact the time required to set the prosthesis parameters is remarkably reduced and, consequently, working time of technicians is reduced too, decreasing costs of prostheses makers and providers. Moreover, by using MCA Auto Tuning package the present troubles and outlays for the patient can be dramatically lowered since any artificial arm resetting requires only a few easy adjustment staying at hom
Treatment of the Partial Hand Amputation: An Engineering Perspective
No full textPartial hand amputation is perhaps the most frequent amputation level, worldwide. Although its annual incidence in western countries is roughly 1:18000 inhabitants, the treatments of partial hand amputations have modestly progressed so far. We have identified three main limitation factors to this progress: (i) the wide range of anatomical and functional presentations which makes difficult to find standardized and scalable solutions, (ii) the technological complexity in replacing the motor and sensory function of a lost digit in the size of a digit and (iii) the fact that a partial hand can be functionally successful mostly when it restores a lost opposition movement, i.e. the ability to oppose the thumb against the fingers while providing enough grasping force and aperture width. This paper presents an overview of the existing surgical and technological solutions for treating partial hand amputations, and is specifically targeted to (biomedical) engineers. We critically highlighted the advantages, limitations and open challenges. Remarkably, current fitting procedures rely on manual approaches by skilled prosthetic technicians rather than on modern engineering methods. Hence the objective of this work is to comprehensively but concisely overview the field in order to inspire engineers to develop new systems and procedures able to address current open issues
The Constant score and the assessment of scapula dyskinesis: Proposal and assessment of an integrated outcome measure
No full textThe Constant–Murley score (CMS) is a popular measure of shoulder function. However, its ability to monitor the evolution of patients during rehabilitation after rotator-cuff repair is controversial. Moreover, CMS does not account for possible alterations in the scapulo-humeral coordination (SHC, scapula dyskinesis), which are apparent in variety of shoulder pathologies. To address these issues, a new formulation of CMS was firstly proposed, which rates the “affected-to-controlateral side difference in SHC” of a patient with respect to reference values of asymptomatic controls (Scapula-Weighted CMS). Then, 32 patients (53 ± 9 year-old) were evaluated with CMS and SW-CMS at 45, 70, 90-day and >6-month after rotator-cuff repair, to test three hypotheses: (1) CMS and SW-CMS are largely responsive to change; (2) accounting (SW-CMS) or not (CMS) for scapula dyskinesis leads to statistically different scores and SW-CMS cannot be predicted from CMS without clinically relevant differences; (3) 90% of patients recover a side-to-side SHC similar to asymptomatic controls at 90 days. Results supported hypotheses 1 and 2. On the contrary (hypothesis 3), only 10% of patients recovered for SHC alterations at 90 days, and 50% at follow-up. These findings support the use of SW-CMS and the importance of treating scapula dyskinesis after rotator-cuff repair
Analysis for the design of a novel integrated framework for the return to work of wheelchair users
No full textBackground: Return to work represents an important milestone for workers who were injured during a workplace accident, especially if the injury results in needing a wheelchair for locomotion. Objective: The aim of the study was to design a framework for training novice wheelchair users in regaining autonomy in activities of daily living and in the workplace and for providing medical personnel with objective data on users' health and work-related capabilities. Methods: The framework design was accomplished following the "Usability Engineering Life Cycle" model. According to it, three subsequent steps defined as "Know your User", "Competitive Analysis" and "Participatory Design" have been carried out to devise the described framework. Results: The needs of the end-users of the framework were identified during the first phase; the Competitive Analysis phase addressed standard care solutions, Virtual Reality-based wheelchair simulators, the current methodologies for the assessment of the health condition of people with disability and the use of semantic technologies in human resources. The Participatory Design phase led to the definition of an integrated user-centred framework supporting the return to work of wheelchair users. Conclusion: The results of this work consists in the design of an innovative training process based on virtual reality scenarios and supported by semantic web technologies. In the near future, the design process will proceed in collaboration with the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL). The whole framework will be then implemented to support the current vocational rehabilitation process within INAIL premises
Virtual reality-based wheelchair simulators: A scoping review
No full textSense of presence (SoP) has recently emerged as one of the key elements promoting the effectiveness of virtual reality-based training programs. In the context of wheelchair simulators (WSs), the effectiveness of the simulation has been sought using different perception and interaction devices, providing the end-users with different levels of SoP. We performed a scoping review searching scientific and grey literature databases with the aim of assessing the extent of published research dealing with SoP and effectiveness of WSs. Sixty-two articles, describing 29 WSs, were included in the review. In spite of promising results, the high heterogeneity of the employed technological solutions, of the training programs and of their outcomes precluded drawing definitive conclusions about the optimal solution for the enhancement of SoP and thus of WSs’ effectiveness. Future research should focus on controlled trials in order to help researchers in assessing the most suitable technologies and methodologies for the application of WSs in clinical practice.</p
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe 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
Variations on the Author
Full text link“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
Artificial Sphincters to Manage Urinary Incontinence: A Review
No full textUrinary incontinence affects more than 300 million people worldwide. The implantation of a medical device called an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard treatment when conservative and minimally invasive therapies fail. In this article, the AUSs (extra-urethral and endo-urethral sphincters) available on the market, both presented at the research level and filed as patents, are reviewed. The ability of the different solutions to effectively replace the natural sphincter are discussed, together with advantages and some possible side effects, such as tissue atrophy, overall invasiveness of the implant, and so forth. Finally, future research priorities are discussed for both endo-urethral and extra-urethral approaches considering key engineering aspects, such as materials, compression and closure mechanisms, and implantation methods, with the long-term aim of developing an effective, reliable, durable, and minimally invasive AUS capable of restoring a normal quality of life for incontinent patients
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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