Mariana Rotariu

Photogrammetric Scanning and Applications in Medicine

Creating 3D models automatically from photographs is a relatively new technology. This sort of 3D scanning is based on the principles of photogrammetry, similar in methodology to panoramic photography; the photos are taken of one object and from different positions of camera in order to replicate the object. Paper approaches different typical anatomic surfaces by photogrammetric scanning and 3D reconstruction. Documented surfaces include anatomic surfaces like foot, upper body, head, and ear. The aim is to give users recommendations, which body part is suited best for this type of scanning, or even if a combination of photogrammetry and another 3D scanning technique is advisable. Comments like possible medical applications, quality of the results, required equipment and occurring problems are to be considered.

Photogrammetric Scanning Technique and Rapid Prototyping Used for Prostheses and Ortheses Fabrication

Paper approaches the feasibility of manufacturing of some types of prostheses and ortheses by using the photogrammetric scanning technique, 3D reconstruction of anatomic surfaces and Rapid Prototyping with 3D printers. Photogrammetric scanning appears to be the most cost effective technique but has some limitations in the reconstruction of anatomic surfaces. There are presented and discussed the processing steps used in the fabrication of a foot orthesis and of a prosthetic ear.

Graphical interface that interprets the moments collected from the contact between the stump and socket

Mathematical modeling is an interdisciplinary scientific research field with a wide range of applications in bioengineering (biomechanics processes) and rehabilitation. The vast majority of quantitative models of Bioengineering are formulated in terms of differential equations. Modeling and simulating the Biomechanics of rehabilitation process is an area of major interest in the current medical research. In this study, we aimed to develop an interface graphics, allowing the changing rates of transfer between any two compartments of the vital blunt-socket system. One method to obtain the status of recovery and balance is to develop a mathematical model in order to reduce the time of assessment and prediction. Analysis of the strength and the speed of muscle contraction can be described using a model of mathematically hyperbolic, which could open new avenues for the optimal choice of specific transfer rates to the level of prosthesis. An optimal choice for the recovery method gives more chances to maintain and improve the quality of life of the patient after amputation. A wrong choice for recovery methods and of type of dentures can determine major changes in the position and orientation of the foot joints and may cause points pressure maxima stump area. Experimental data collected from pressure sensors can be used to determine if the forces, moments that can change loading rates and determine if it has achieved good contact when the initial prosthesis and residual limb socket.

Probabilistic gate matrix for axon-inspired communication

Communication on an axon could be modeled by an array of logic gates, where each logic gate emulates a voltage-gated ion channel. In this paper the probability of correct communication is estimated using such a model and an associated reliability analysis for logic gates/circuits known as probabilistic gate matrix (PGM). Such an approach can easily be extended to other types of (regular) arrays of logic gates, and to more complex connection patterns, including even feedbacks (that could model the time dependence of neighboring voltage-gated ion channels on any given voltage-input ion channel).

Hydrokinetotherapy combined with facilitation techniques in the recovery of osteoarthritis

Motor recovery realized by using facilitation techniques has to practical indications, such as locomotor, rheumatologic, neurological and orthopedic trauma disorders. These use of these techniques has increased more and more, especially in the neurological illnesses, but unfortunately, they are neglected in the other diseases (rheumatologic and orthopedic trauma). In this paper, I aimed at merging two methods, namely: hydrokinetotherapy and facilitation techniques in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Due to the fact that in the recovery of this disorder is not usually indicated the use of exercises involving the load or the joint, we considered that the combination of these two methods, hydrokinetotherapy along with facilitation techniques might speed up the recovery process.

Analyze of liner influence in transtibial prosthetic taking into account tribological aspects

An objective method is proposed to evaluate the performance of a prosthetic patient in order to choose an optimized pair of prosthetic material for liner and cup. The surface pressure map over the residual limb is monitored in order to identify the zones where the mechanical work over the skin is increased and a decision system identifies the most suitable liner-cup pair according to stump geometry, patients characteristics and friction coefficient between skin and liner. The pressure and forces are considered to be the best probable ones during a gait cycle (an average value during a predefined number of trials). Experimental results and simulation are presented.

Graphical interface for analyze of temperature of skin at skin-liner interface

Patients comfort is one of the most important issues in prosthetics Pressures and forces, at skin-liner interface play the most important role in evaluation of this requirement. Beside this, temperature is an important factor that must be considered for analyze and prevent the deterioration of skin in wearing prosthesis. A graphical interface that display and analyze the temperature of the skin at skin-liner interface is proposed in this paper. The software has modules for sensor calibration, display records and prediction of temperature in location where sensors are located as function of ambient temperature. The predictor is based on a linear interpolator/extrapolator that is used to evaluate the temperature during a normal cycle of gait (normal walk for a defined period).

Performance Optimization of Blunt-Prosthesis-Rod Complex with Tribological Considerations

The interface blunt-prosthesis from blunt-prosthesis-rod complex is the subject of stress and friction due to forces that act in the walking stage. The dermal wounds and patients discomfort sensation that can appear can be alleviated or predicted by analyzing the stump’s pressure map taking into account tribological aspects. There are many studied related to transtibial prosthesis but studies that analyze the transfemoral prosthesis are relative rare. A analyze of pressure in blunt-prosthesis complex for transfemoral sub-ischeal prosthesis is proposed during a complete gait cycle.The experiments used three types of liners and a standard type of socket. The areas that are subject of maximum stress and friction are identified as the value of forces of moments that act n stump during a gait cycle. An integral measure and functional ones are proposed to evaluate for influence of each factor that can contribute to optimization of prosthesis and an empirical formulas that connect these measure for prediction is suggested. Theoretical approaches are presented along with experimental results and further research directions.

Modeling and Design of Prosthetic Abutment System to Evaluate the Complex Interface

The biomechanics of the stump-prosthesis system and of the biphasic interaction between bone and muscle and also between stump and prosthesis belongs to a new interdisciplinary field in which modeling and numerical simulation research is the best solution to capture and investigate particular biomechanical aspects that have a high degree of intra-and inter-individual variability. By means of the reverse dynamics method, during the foot resting on the floor stages, one may thus define the biomechanical models of the anatomic stump-prosthesis system. The solution suggested relies on a set of methods including techniques specific to medical imaging analysis and processing, graphical 3D representation of the anatomic model developed using experimental data and its manipulation for study-related purposes or for later processing.The CAD modeling of the anatomic structures and prosthesis components was done using a series of conventional techniques available in the CAD SolidWorks 2008 and CosmosWorks2008 programming environment. A prerequisite for a successful recovery process is the patient’s availability to get actively involved in a physical therapy program. The monitoring of patients with amputated limbs that leave the hospital and of the complications developed in time in these patients is difficult since some miss their periodic follow-up examinations or are referred to other specialized departments. Therefore, a prediction of the evolution of the diminished functional capacity of patients with amputated limbs by stump-prosthesis system design using the finite element method is much more efficient.

Mathematical modeling and simulation for keloid scars formation from the prosthetic blunt socket

The vast majority of mathematical models for the interaction between blunt-socket are formulated in terms of differential equations. We propose a mathematical model with the original small parameter for simulating the development process of scars, which is able to describe the emergent behaviors that occur during this process. This paper tries to simulate the formation process using data from keloide proceeds model healing of biology. From a medical point of view the physiological stages of wound healing the operators are: inflammation, proliferation, remodeling. Researchers and clinicians become more aware of the possibilities offered by the simulation of mathematical modeling. In this way we can recognize that there is a closely related relationship between the approaches in the analytical processing of the data obtained. A continuous interchange of the biological growth and remodeling from the drawn considerable attention in the last fifteen years. Modeling and simulation of keloid scar formation can provide valuable insights in the analysis and prediction of pressures directly proportional development of scar-socket interface. MATLAB simulation gives data on human body cells growth, division and turning into a command. In this system, is a small parameter asymptotic variable that shows pathological phenomena when cells growth too fast without any volume orders and develop scars called keloids. A graphical representation of the registered plan shows differences which can occur in the evolution of proliferating cells.