35 research outputs found
Connected piezoelectric sole for medical applications
No full textLe domaine de la santé, avec ses disciplines multiples, a connu une grande évolution, cela grâce à l’intégration de dispositifs intelligents dans l’analyse et le traitement des patients. De par les relations avérées entre les troubles de la marche et certaines maladies chroniques, comme la maladie de Parkinson ou l'hémiplégie, l’étude de la marche présente actuellement un enjeu majeur dans le secteur médical. Dans ce contexte, le sujet de thèse porte sur la réalisation d’un dispositif d’enregistrement de la marche pour le suivi du patient à distance. Le système en question est une semelle connectée constituée principalement de capteurs piézoélectriques en couches minces souples (3 μm d'épaisseur), développés dans le laboratoire IETR. Ces capteurs sont élaborés en utilisant un procédé de dépôt par voie chimique (CSD) et une feuille d'aluminium (Al) commerciale comme substrat. Afin d'augmenter la flexibilité des capteurs et de faciliter son insertion dans une chaussure, les films piézoélectriques sont encapsulés par laminage dans du polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET, 250 μm) qui sera découpé en forme de semelle. L’exploitation des informations fournies par les capteurs passe par une étape de conversion de données, cette étude mécanique du capteur permet de convertir les données issues du capteur en valeurs d’unité de force, que le podologue peut exploiter. Un système d’enregistrement et de transmission de données sans fils est intégré à la semelle pour la partie connectée du dispositif. L'originalité de ce travail réside à la fois dans l'approche de conception de l'appareil de suivi de la marche, car réalisé directement en concertation avec un podologue et dans la portabilité du dispositif, qui devrait permettre, à terme, le suivi d'un patient à domicile.The field of health, with these multiple disciplines, has undergone a great evolution, thanks to the integration of intelligent devices in the analysis and treatment of patients. Due to the proven relationships between gait disorders and some chronic diseases, such as Parkinson's or hemiplegia, the study of gait currently presents a major challenge in the medical sector. In this context, the thesis subject concerns the realization of a gait recording device for remote patient monitoring. The system in question is a connected sole consisting mainly of piezoelectric sensors in flexible thin layers (3 μm thick), developed in the IETR laboratory. These sensors are fabricated using a chemical deposition (CSD) process and commercial aluminum (Al) foil as the substrate. In order to increase the flexibility of the sensors and to facilitate its insertion into a shoe, the piezoelectric films are encapsulated by lamination in polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 250 μm) which will be cut into the shape of a sole. The exploitation of the information provided by the sensors goes through a data conversion stage, this mechanical study of the sensor makes it possible to convert the data from the sensor into force unit values, which the podiatrist can use. A wireless data recording and transmission system is integrated into the sole for the connected part of the device. The originality of this work lies both in the design approach of the device for monitoring gait, since it was carried out directly in consultation with a podiatrist, and in the portability of the device, which should eventually allow monitoring of a patient at home
Semelle piézoélectrique connectée pour applications médicales
No full textThe field of health, with these multiple disciplines, has undergone a great evolution, thanks to the integration of intelligent devices in the analysis and treatment of patients. Due to the proven relationships between gait disorders and some chronic diseases, such as Parkinson's or hemiplegia, the study of gait currently presents a major challenge in the medical sector. In this context, the thesis subject concerns the realization of a gait recording device for remote patient monitoring. The system in question is a connected sole consisting mainly of piezoelectric sensors in flexible thin layers (3 μm thick), developed in the IETR laboratory. These sensors are fabricated using a chemical deposition (CSD) process and commercial aluminum (Al) foil as the substrate. In order to increase the flexibility of the sensors and to facilitate its insertion into a shoe, the piezoelectric films are encapsulated by lamination in polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 250 μm) which will be cut into the shape of a sole. The exploitation of the information provided by the sensors goes through a data conversion stage, this mechanical study of the sensor makes it possible to convert the data from the sensor into force unit values, which the podiatrist can use. A wireless data recording and transmission system is integrated into the sole for the connected part of the device. The originality of this work lies both in the design approach of the device for monitoring gait, since it was carried out directly in consultation with a podiatrist, and in the portability of the device, which should eventually allow monitoring of a patient at home.Le domaine de la santé, avec ses disciplines multiples, a connu une grande évolution, cela grâce à l’intégration de dispositifs intelligents dans l’analyse et le traitement des patients. De par les relations avérées entre les troubles de la marche et certaines maladies chroniques, comme la maladie de Parkinson ou l'hémiplégie, l’étude de la marche présente actuellement un enjeu majeur dans le secteur médical. Dans ce contexte, le sujet de thèse porte sur la réalisation d’un dispositif d’enregistrement de la marche pour le suivi du patient à distance. Le système en question est une semelle connectée constituée principalement de capteurs piézoélectriques en couches minces souples (3 μm d'épaisseur), développés dans le laboratoire IETR. Ces capteurs sont élaborés en utilisant un procédé de dépôt par voie chimique (CSD) et une feuille d'aluminium (Al) commerciale comme substrat. Afin d'augmenter la flexibilité des capteurs et de faciliter son insertion dans une chaussure, les films piézoélectriques sont encapsulés par laminage dans du polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET, 250 μm) qui sera découpé en forme de semelle. L’exploitation des informations fournies par les capteurs passe par une étape de conversion de données, cette étude mécanique du capteur permet de convertir les données issues du capteur en valeurs d’unité de force, que le podologue peut exploiter. Un système d’enregistrement et de transmission de données sans fils est intégré à la semelle pour la partie connectée du dispositif. L'originalité de ce travail réside à la fois dans l'approche de conception de l'appareil de suivi de la marche, car réalisé directement en concertation avec un podologue et dans la portabilité du dispositif, qui devrait permettre, à terme, le suivi d'un patient à domicile
Semelle piézoélectrique connectée pour applications médicales
No full textThe field of health, with these multiple disciplines, has undergone a great evolution, thanks to the integration of intelligent devices in the analysis and treatment of patients. Due to the proven relationships between gait disorders and some chronic diseases, such as Parkinson's or hemiplegia, the study of gait currently presents a major challenge in the medical sector. In this context, the thesis subject concerns the realization of a gait recording device for remote patient monitoring. The system in question is a connected sole consisting mainly of piezoelectric sensors in flexible thin layers (3 μm thick), developed in the IETR laboratory. These sensors are fabricated using a chemical deposition (CSD) process and commercial aluminum (Al) foil as the substrate. In order to increase the flexibility of the sensors and to facilitate its insertion into a shoe, the piezoelectric films are encapsulated by lamination in polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 250 μm) which will be cut into the shape of a sole. The exploitation of the information provided by the sensors goes through a data conversion stage, this mechanical study of the sensor makes it possible to convert the data from the sensor into force unit values, which the podiatrist can use. A wireless data recording and transmission system is integrated into the sole for the connected part of the device. The originality of this work lies both in the design approach of the device for monitoring gait, since it was carried out directly in consultation with a podiatrist, and in the portability of the device, which should eventually allow monitoring of a patient at home.Le domaine de la santé, avec ses disciplines multiples, a connu une grande évolution, cela grâce à l’intégration de dispositifs intelligents dans l’analyse et le traitement des patients. De par les relations avérées entre les troubles de la marche et certaines maladies chroniques, comme la maladie de Parkinson ou l'hémiplégie, l’étude de la marche présente actuellement un enjeu majeur dans le secteur médical. Dans ce contexte, le sujet de thèse porte sur la réalisation d’un dispositif d’enregistrement de la marche pour le suivi du patient à distance. Le système en question est une semelle connectée constituée principalement de capteurs piézoélectriques en couches minces souples (3 μm d'épaisseur), développés dans le laboratoire IETR. Ces capteurs sont élaborés en utilisant un procédé de dépôt par voie chimique (CSD) et une feuille d'aluminium (Al) commerciale comme substrat. Afin d'augmenter la flexibilité des capteurs et de faciliter son insertion dans une chaussure, les films piézoélectriques sont encapsulés par laminage dans du polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET, 250 μm) qui sera découpé en forme de semelle. L’exploitation des informations fournies par les capteurs passe par une étape de conversion de données, cette étude mécanique du capteur permet de convertir les données issues du capteur en valeurs d’unité de force, que le podologue peut exploiter. Un système d’enregistrement et de transmission de données sans fils est intégré à la semelle pour la partie connectée du dispositif. L'originalité de ce travail réside à la fois dans l'approche de conception de l'appareil de suivi de la marche, car réalisé directement en concertation avec un podologue et dans la portabilité du dispositif, qui devrait permettre, à terme, le suivi d'un patient à domicile
COVID-19 and Literary Reflections of Isolation: Exploring Society and the Human Psyche in Louise Erdrich’s The Sentence
No full textThis study explores the narrative complexities of The Sentence (2021) by Louise Erdrich, situating it within the wide context of pandemic literature to illuminate the societal and personal impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The paper studies how this novel, set against the chaotic setting of 2020, encapsulates the essence of a global community grappling with unprecedented isolation, grief, and a collective search for resilience, using narrative analysis alongside literary and socio-psychological theories. This research underscores The Sentence as a crucial contemporary artifact that not only reflects but also aids in navigating the complexities of human experience during a crisis. The analysis reveals the skilled interlacing of personal and communal narratives by Erdrich, employing rich symbolism, character development, and cultural reflections to portray the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on society and the human psyche. This paper contributes to the expanding corpus of literary scholarship ( Ounissi, 2022) on pandemic narratives by stressing the significance of the novel as a cultural beacon of hope and understanding in times of profound societal change. Within the pages of the novel, Erdrich provides a perspective from which to view the present condition, urging a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of literature, society, and the enduring human spirit; at the same time, asking how responding to the pandemic has refashioned novel-writing.
Résumé
Cette étude examine les complexités narratives du roman The Sentence (2021) de Louise Erdrich, en l’inscrivant dans le vaste corpus de la littérature de pandémie afin de mettre en lumière les impacts sociaux et personnels de la crise du COVID-19. À travers une analyse narrative enrichie par des approches littéraires et socio-psychologiques, l’article explore comment ce roman, ancré dans le tumulte de l’année 2020, capture l’essence d’une communauté mondiale confrontée à un isolement inédit, au deuil, et à une quête collective de résilience. Cette recherche met en évidence l’importance de The Sentence en tant qu’oeuvre contemporaine essentielle, qui ne se contente pas de refléter la crise, mais propose également une boussole pour mieux appréhender les expériences humaines en temps de bouleversement. L’analyse révèle la manière dont Erdrich tisse habilement récits individuels et collectifs, mobilisant un symbolisme riche, un développement psychologique subtil des personnages, et des réflexions culturelles profondes pour illustrer les multiples effets de la pandémie sur la société et la psyché humaine. Ce travail s’inscrit dans le champ croissant des recherches littéraires sur les récits pandémiques (Ounissi, 2022), en soulignant la portée du roman comme repère culturel porteur d’espoir et de compréhension dans une époque de transformation sociale profonde. À travers ses pages, Erdrich offre une perspective singulière sur notre présent, invitant à repenser l’interconnexion entre la littérature, la société, et la résilience de l’esprit humain, tout en posant la question de savoir comment la réponse à la pandémie a redéfini l’écriture romanesque
Phenotypic diversity of Saharan wheat landraces growing on oasis farms in Algeria: the influence of climate and geography on the distribution of traits
No full textInternational audienceThe diversity of Algerian Saharan wheat is still poorly known. A total of 962 samples, among which farmers identified 57 bread wheat and four durum wheats landraces as well as three mixtures between the two species, were collected in six oases of the Adrar location and four of the Tamanrasset location. Seeds were grown in the Adrar experimental station, and plants were characterized using 15 descriptors related to spike, glume and kernel morphology. Frequency distributions were evaluated and diversity indices (H′) calculated for each descriptor. Polymorphism of descriptors was higher in bread wheat, compared to durum wheat. The highest H′ values were noted for kernel shape, kernel color, awn color, global beak shape and spike density in bread wheat and for awnedness, beak tip shape, hair on spikelet basis and marginal pubescence of the rachis in durum wheat. The frequency distributions significantly varied among landraces for most descriptors. Some also varied within landraces, indicating intra-variability or homonymy. Differences in frequency of distribution were observed between locations and among oases within locations for all descriptors. High diversity indices were noted for most of them. The distribution of phenotypic traits along the Saharan environmental gradient revealed a local adaptation of genotypes to extreme environmental conditions. The study confirmed the peculiarity and high diversity of the Algerian oasis wheat genetic resources and highlighted the importance of preserving them and using them in breeding programs
Gastrointestinal Parasite Infestation of the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Southern Algeria
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the prevalence and identification of gastrointestinal parasites in fecal samples of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria based on microscopic examination. A total of 46 fresh fecal samples were collected in the southern Algerian towns of Adrar, Tindouf, Ourgla, and Ain Salah, and nine samples from camel farms in Constantine. Samples were examined with the flotation technique. Results showed an infestation rate of dromedaries of 32.6% (15/46), with seven different gastrointestinal species: 25.4% protozoa (Balantidium coli, Eimeria dromederi), 16.3% nematodes (Nematodirus spp., Trichuris spp., others strongles), and 3.6% cestodes (Moniezia spp.). Dromedaries are more infested with protozoa than with nematodes or cestodes (p < 0.05). The type of sex has no significant influence on the rate of parasitic infestation. The Sahraoui breed (70%) appears more infested compared to the Tergui breed (31.42%) (p < 0.05). Dromedaries originating from the Ouargla region (73.68%) are the most infested compared to those originating from Adrar (18.18%), Ain Salah (10%), and Tindouf (33.33%) (p < 0.05)
Flexible Piezoelectric Thin Films for Podiatric Sensors with Wireless Communication
No full textInternational audienceFor reasons of availability and cost, patients are sent home increasingly early, with limited follow-up due to the complexity and size of medical devices. In this context, researchers from IETR and MIPS laboratories are working on a device which should monitor the progress of a patient, in order to detect early the aggravation of a disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or diabetes with walking disorders. The device is based on flexible piezoelectric thin films (3 µm thick) that can be used as podiatric sensors and have been developed by the IETR laboratory. The originality of this work lies both in the approach to the design of the gait-monitoring device—because it was carried out directly in consultation with a doctor from the University Hospital of Nantes and a podiatrist—and in the portability of the device, which should eventually allow the follow-up of a patient at home. For this study, the flexible piezoelectric sensors have been elaborated using a Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) process and a commercial aluminum (Al) foil as substrate. In order to increase the flexibility of sensors and to aid its insertion in a shoe, piezoelectric films have been encapsulated by lamination into polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 150 μm). In this paper, the elaboration and characterization of flexible piezoelectric sensors, analog-to-digital converter and wireless communication protocol used for data transmission are presented
Development of flexible piezoelectric sole with wireless communication for medical application
No full textInternational audienceThe subject of this article falls into the category of research themes on systems for medical applications with the objective of monitoring the patient at home via tools adapted to his pathology. In this context, we describe here the design of a sole for the analysis of the gait for detect the presence of anomalies in the foot characterized by a gait disorder, which can be related to a chronic disease. The collaboration with a podiatrist is an additional point in our study, it allows to define or better zones of significant pressure of the foot to analyze the data for transform these numeric values into medically exploitable information. The sole contains several pressure sensitive piezoelectric sensors developed at the IETR laboratory. The data obtained with the deformation of these sensors will be sent directly by Bluetooth using a wireless acquisition card, the information will automatically be saved on a cloud in which the doctor will have access at all times
Mechanical characterization of a piezoelectric sensor for podiatrist applications
No full textInternational audienceThe analysis of plantar pressures is an integral part of the series examinations carried out by the podiatrist, it allows him to visualize the distribution of the points of support and the movements of the foot during the different phases of walking. The system used for the analysis is a podiatry treadmillcomposed by piezoelectric sensors which react to the applied pressure. The recorded data will be converted into force data for a correct interpretation of the results by medical specialists. This article presents a part of the development of a podiatry sole based on piezoelectric sensors manufactured at the IETR-Nantes laboratory. The mechanical characterization of an industrial sensor (7BB-35-3L0) from Murata will be presented first to validate the repeatability and the reproducibility of the measurement method, which should allow to define the transfer function relating the output of the sensor to the applied stress. A Shimadzu EZ-X series universal electromechanical test frames are used to apply pressure to the sensor, at the same time as the machine records the force data, a national instrument acquisition card is connected to the sensor to collect his signal. Two methods are tested for the processing of the recorded data, the results obtained make it possible to validate a method which gives a constant coefficient representing the transfer function, thus leading to the final objective which is to characterize the flexible piezoelectric sensors manufactured at the IETR laboratory
Interconnection Study of the Adrar-In Salah-Timimoune (PIAT) Network to the North Network Considering Renewable Energy : Carried out by OS.Spa and CESI.Spa
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