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Article
Publication date: 4 January 2021

Huichao Wang, Qin Lian, Dichen Li, Chenghong Li, Tingze Zhao and Jin Liang

Reconstructing multi-layer tissue structure using cell printing to repairing complex tissue defect is a challenging task, especially using in situ bioprinting. This study aims to…

467

Abstract

Purpose

Reconstructing multi-layer tissue structure using cell printing to repairing complex tissue defect is a challenging task, especially using in situ bioprinting. This study aims to propose a method of in situ bioprinting multi-tissue layering and path planning for complex skin and soft tissue defects.

Design/methodology/approach

The scanned three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of the skin and soft tissue defect is taken as the input data, the depth value of the defect is then calculated using a two-step grid division method, and the tissue layer is judged according to the depth value. Then, the surface layering and path planning in the normal direction are performed for different tissue layers to achieve precise tissue layering filling of complex skin soft tissue defects.

Findings

The two-step grid method can accurately calculate the depth of skin and soft tissue defects and judge the tissue layer accordingly. In the in situ bioprinting experiment of the defect model, the defect can be completely closed. The defect can be reconstructed in situ, and the reconstructed structure is basically the same as the original skin tissue structure, proving the feasibility of the proposed method.

Originality/value

This study proposes an in situ bioprinting multi-tissue layering and path planning method for complex skin and soft tissue defects, which can directly convert the scanned 3D point cloud into a multi-tissue in situ bioprinting path. The printed result has a similar structure to that of the original skin tissue, which can make cells or growth factors act on the corresponding tissue layer targets.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2017

Dafeng Ji, Peng Wang, Xinhua Zhang and Xinrong Chen

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of rapid prototyping for human hand bones and additional artery with topological preservation.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of rapid prototyping for human hand bones and additional artery with topological preservation.

Design/methodology/approach

A serial of slices derived from spiral computed tomography human hand specimen was imported into 3DSlicer 4.4.0 to obtain a three-dimensional virtual model. The model is exported as a standard template library file. Additional arteries were structured according to the atlas and the bone model. Then, a real model was printed based on the virtual model. Measurements were approached in 11 parts of the virtual and real model.

Findings

There is no statistical difference between virtual and real model in 11 parts, and the topological characters were preserved.

Practical implications

This method can be used in reconstruction of clinical iconological blood vessel and anatomical education.

Originality/value

This paper shows that it is possible to keep the topological structure of blood vessel not only in painting but also in clinical data.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2015

Łukasz Januszkiewicz and Sławomir Hausman

The purpose of this paper is to compare the properties of simplified physical and corresponding numerical human body models (phantoms) and verify their applicability to path loss…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the properties of simplified physical and corresponding numerical human body models (phantoms) and verify their applicability to path loss modeling in narrowband and ultra-wideband on-body wireless body area networks (WBANs). One of the models has been proposed by the authors.

Design/methodology/approach

Two simplified numerical and two physical phantoms for body area network on-body channel computer simulation and field measurement results are presented and compared.

Findings

Computer simulations and measurements which were carried out for the proposed simplified six-cylinder model with various antenna locations lead to the general conclusion that the proposed phantom can be successfully used for experimental investigation and testing of on-body WBANs both in ISM and UWB IEEE 802.15.6 frequency bands.

Research limitations/implications

Usage of the proposed phantoms for the simulation/measurement of the specific absorption rate and for off-body channels are not within the scope of this paper.

Practical implications

The proposed simplified phantom can be easily made with a low cost in other laboratories and be used both for research and development of WBAN technologies. The model is most suitable for wearable antenna radiation pattern simulation and measurement.

Social implications

Presented results facilitate applications of WBANs in medicine and health monitoring.

Originality/value

A new six-cylinder phantom has been proposed. The proposed simplified phantom can be easily made with a low cost in other laboratories and be used both for research and development of WBAN technologies.

Details

COMPEL: The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2018

Lukasz Januszkiewicz, Paolo Di Barba and Slawomir Hausman

The purpose of this study is to develop a method to reduce the computation time necessary for the automated optimal design of dual-band wearable antennas. In particular, the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a method to reduce the computation time necessary for the automated optimal design of dual-band wearable antennas. In particular, the authors investigated if this can be achieved by the use of a hierarchical optimization paradigm combined with a simplified human body model. The geometry of the antenna under consideration is described via eight geometrical parameters which are automatically adjusted with the use of an evolutionary algorithm to improve the impedance matching of an antenna located in the proximity of a human body. Specifically, the antennas were designed to operate in the ISM band which covers two frequency ranges: 2.4-2.5 GHz and 5.7-5.9 GHz.

Design/methodology/approach

During the studies on the automated design of wearable antennas using evolutionary computing, the authors observed that not all design parameters exhibit equal influence on the objective function. Therefore, it was hypothesized that to reduce the computation effort, the design parameters can be activated sequentially based on their influence. Accordingly, the authors’ computer code has been modified to include this feature.

Findings

The authors’ novel hierarchical multi-parameter optimization method was able to converge to a better solution within a shorter time compared to an equivalent method not exploiting automatic activation of an increasing number of design parameters. Considering a significant computational cost involved in the calculation of the objective function, this exhibits a convincing advantage of their hierarchical approach, at least for the considered class of antennas.

Research limitations/implications

The described method has been developed for the design of single- or dual-band wearable antennas. Its application to other classes of antennas and antenna environments may require some adjustments of the objective functions or parameter values of the evolutionary algorithm. It follows from the well-recognized fact that all optimization methods are to some extent application-specific.

Practical implications

Computation load involved in the automated design and optimization can be significantly reduced compared to the non-hierarchical approach with a heterogeneous human body model.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the described application of hierarchical paradigm to the optimization of wearable antennas is fully original, as well as is its combination with simplified body models.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2006

Evan Malone and Hod Lipson

To seek to produce low‐voltage, soft mechanical actuators entirely via freeform fabrication as part of a larger effort to freeform fabricate complete electromechanical devices…

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Abstract

Purpose

To seek to produce low‐voltage, soft mechanical actuators entirely via freeform fabrication as part of a larger effort to freeform fabricate complete electromechanical devices with lifelike and/or biocompatible geometry and function.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors selected ionomeric polymer‐metal composite (IPMC) actuators from the literature and the authors' own preliminary experiments as most promising for freeform fabrication. The authors performed material formulation and manual device fabrication experiments to arrive at materials which are amenable to robotic deposition and developed an SFF process which allows the production of complete IPMC actuators and their fabrication substrate integrated within other freeform fabricated devices. The authors freeform fabricated simple IPMC's, explored some materials/performance interactions, and preliminarily characterized these devices in comparison to devices produced by non‐SFF methods.

Findings

Freeform fabricated IPMC actuators operate continuously in air for more than 4 h and 3,000 bidirectional actuation cycles. The output stress scaled to input power is one to two orders of magnitude inferior to that of non‐SFF devices. Much of this difference may be associated with process‐sensitive microstructure of materials. Future work will investigate this performance gap.

Research limitations/implications

Device performance is sufficient to continue exploration of SFF of complete electromechanical devices, but will need improvement for broader application. The feasibility of the approach for producing devices with complex, non‐planar geometry has not been demonstrated.

Practical implications

This work demonstrates the feasibility of freeform fabricating IPMC devices, and lays groundwork for further development of the materials and methods.

Originality/value

This work constitutes the first demonstration of complete, functional, IPMC actuators produced entirely by freeform fabrication.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2022

Yu-Hui Wang and Guan-Yu Lin

The purposes of this paper are (1) to explore the overall development of AI technologies and applications that have been demonstrated to be fundamentally important in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are (1) to explore the overall development of AI technologies and applications that have been demonstrated to be fundamentally important in the healthcare industry, and their related commercialized products and (2) to identify technologies with promise as the basis of useful applications and profitable products in the AI-healthcare domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a technology-driven technology roadmap approach, combined with natural language processing (NLP)-based patents analysis, to identify promising and potentially profitable existing AI technologies and products in the domain of AI healthcare.

Findings

Robotics technology exhibits huge potential in surgical and diagnostics applications. Intuitive Surgical Inc., manufacturer of the Da Vinci robotic system and Ion robotic lung-biopsy system, dominates the robotics-assisted surgical and diagnostic fields. Diagnostics and medical imaging are particularly active fields for the application of AI, not only for analysis of CT and MRI scans, but also for image archiving and communications.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneering attempt to clarify the interrelationships of particular promising technologies for application and related products in the AI-healthcare domain. Its findings provide critical information about the patent activities of key incumbent actors, and thus offer important insights into recent and current technological and product developments in the emergent AI-healthcare sector.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

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