Daniel Lorias Espinoza

Novel laparoscopic home trainer.

Background Minimum-invasion surgery is performed by means of 2-dimensional visual feedback and without haptic sensitivity. This demands that specialty surgeons adapt to and develop new psychomotor abilities. These abilities can only be learned, developed, and maintained through training. Training technology has been divided into virtual trainers and physical trainers. The former, due to their high cost, have not had the expected academic impact, whereas the latter, although an excellent low-cost alternative, do not offer the visual handling options for refining the required psychomotor abilities. The purpose of this article is to describe the design of a box trainer which can establish a closer relationship with the visual and functional perspectives of optics during surgery, thus establishing better learning protocols. Methods A laparoscopic surgery trainer was designed and built based on the shape of the abdominal cavity formed during such surgery. The visual feedback is achieved with a color mini-camera whose position and orientation are controlled by means of a magnetic system with 0 and 45-degree optics options. Results A trainer which allows for changes in visual perspective, for developing abilities and skills, with optics other than those of 0 degrees within a geometric space similar to that of the pneumoperitoneum has been designed. Conclusions A training system which provides illumination and visual perspective conditions similar to those of real surgery using 0 and 45-degree optics has been designed. The training system is portable and easy to connect for training purposes. Its ports allow for various options that help to improve skills and propose new approaches.

Millimetric laparoscopic surgery training on a physical trainer using rats

PurposeTo demonstrate the possibility of laparoscopic technique training and refinement at the millimetric level.Material and MethodsA physical trainer and Winstar rats were used.ResultsThe training system is visually similar to pneumoperitoneum. The laparoscopic technique is perfected in a visual space illuminated by white light, with two-dimensional feedback and at a geometric level that allows for refinement of the technique.ConclusionsIt is possible to refine the technique at this geometric level at a low cost and without requiring laparoscopic equipment. In addition, optics tests indicate the possibility in the short term of refining the laparoscopic technique to the microanastomotic level.

Laparoscopic Nissen solo surgery using PMAT (first experience)

This article describes the use of a Postural Mechatronic Assistant Trainer (PMAT) in pediatric Nissen surgery. This mechatronic system enables users to establish the logistical considerations for solo surgery and determine the advantages this new tool offers for the autonomous handling of optics.

Advances in the Construction of ECG Wearable Sensor Technology: The ECG-ITM-05 eHealth Data Acquisition System

This paper presents recent advances in development of ECG WS (electrocardiogram wearable sensor) eHealth data acquisition systems (eHealth-DAQ) as part of an ongoing effort to produce low-cost, reliable biopotential monitoring equipment. The ECG-ITM05 eHealth DAQ is based on the recently introduced ADS1298 analog front end, MSP430F2618 ultra-low power micro controller and μSD memory card to produce a minimalist long-term measurement system. The equipment uses conductive fabrics sewed onto sportswear shirts as electrodes. Active electrodes help maintaining the quality of measured ECG similar to that of conventional electrodes in some locations. The equipment was used for monitoring various activities (sit-ups, twisting, power walking and gym bicycle riding) for evaluating the performance of the electrode sensing array. The results show that the equipment can be used for measuring long term ambulatory cardiac activity and is a versatile unit that allows in-system programming for implementing further signal processing algorithms.

Pre-competitive Development of a Portable EEG Auditory Evoked Potential Measurement System, Auxiliary in the Diagnostic of Hypoacusia

Undoubtedly, research and development activities in higher education institutions must have scientific, technological, social and economical impact in the surroundings. However, since the researcher’s productivity in Mexico is measured by the number of publications, the results seldom conclude in a true technological development. This paper describes the result of an initiative between Morelia Institute of Technology (ITM) and the Public Health Secretariat of the Michoacan State (SSM), to produce biomedical instrumentation to facilitate early diagnostic of hyoacusia in newborns. The EEG-ITM05, portable EEG data acquisition system, is the result of a 3-year ongoing effort to build a pre-competitive device. The equipment was tested on 10 unmedicated young adults and the results were compared to those obtained with a previous prototype, the EEG-ITM03 and a commercial instrument (Cad well 7200). The results obtained with the three instruments are consistent and suggest that the ECG-ITM05 can provide information for diagnostic of hypoacusia.

Design and Construction of a Continuous Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Recorder, Auxiliary in the Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Amongst the factors that benefit preventive treatment of cardiac patients are early detection and correct identification of cardiac arrhythmia patterns. However, in the State of Michoacán, Mexico, cardiac patients are seldom monitored as part of routine diagnostic in public health institutions due to the lack of ECG monitoring equipment. This paper describes the design and construction of an Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (ECG) Recorder, the ECGITM04. The ECG-ITM04 resulted from an initiative between Morelia Institute of Technology and the Michoacán State Public Health Secretariat to produce biopotential instrumentation for use as part of routine diagnostic in public health clinics. The 3-wire ECG monitoring device complies with several specifications: low-power consumption (battery operated), on-line graphics display, 7-days continuous data logger, patient electrical safety, minimal signal processing operations to facilitate the identification of cardiac arrhythmia patterns and a JTAG programming port so that the device can be updated without changing the data acquisition hardware.

Surgical instrument tracking using WiiMote technology for training in minimally invasive spine surgeries

In this paper, we present a tracking system to estimate the position of a surgical instrument used in minimally invasive spine surgeries for training. The purpose of our system is to get the information about movements and surgeons skills during the training. The system uses four infrared markers embedded on the surgical instrument of common used. At least two Wii Remote Control is needed for calculating the real position of the markers. In order to evaluate the progress of surgeons during the learning phase with incisions and placement of screws in the spine. Moreover, the tracking system has been integrated into a friendly inte<rface that shows the spine anatomy planes for visual feedback.

Microcontroller-based Biopotential Data Acquisition Systems: Practical Design Considerations

Non-invasive bioimpedance measurements are an important part of routine diagnostic procedures. ECG (Electrocardiograph), EEG (Electroencephalograph), EMG (Electromyography) and EOG (Electrooculograph) measurements are amongst the most common non-invasive measurements used for diagnosis. The advances in microcontroller technology over the past 25 years have resulted in general-purpose, low-cost, low-power devices that can perform many of the operations involved in the measurement, and analysis process. Although the data acquisition system architecture is similar for the different noninvasive biopotential measurements, practical considerations have to be taken into account for each particular biopotential measurement: rate of amplification, filter bandpass frequency, overall bandwidth and Analogue-to-Digital conversion rate. This chapter presents an overview of the electrical characteristics of different biopotential measurements and general data acquisition architecture for portable biopotential measurement equipment. This chapter also addresses the importance of electrical isolation to ensure patient safety while using biopotential measurement equipment. Two case studies are presented: a microcontroller-based EEG data acquisition system for measurement of auditory evoked potentials for diagnosis of hypoacusis and a microcontroller-based ambulatory ECG data acquisition system.