scholarly journals A Mass-Producible Washable Smart Garment with Embedded Textile EMG Electrodes for Control of Myoelectric Prostheses: A Pilot Study

Sensors ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Milad Alizadeh-Meghrazi ◽  
Gurjant Sidhu ◽  
Saransh Jain ◽  
Michael Stone ◽  
Ladan Eskandarian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Electrical Signal ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Prosthetic Devices ◽  
Myoelectric Prostheses ◽  
Textile Electrodes ◽  
Power Spectral ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Continuous Use

Electromyography (EMG) is the resulting electrical signal from muscle activity, commonly used as a proxy for users’ intent in voluntary control of prosthetic devices. EMG signals are recorded with gold standard Ag/AgCl gel electrodes, though there are limitations in continuous use applications, with potential skin irritations and discomfort. Alternative dry solid metallic electrodes also face long-term usability and comfort challenges due to their inflexible and non-breathable structures. This is critical when the anatomy of the targeted body region is variable (e.g., residual limbs of individuals with amputation), and conformal contact is essential. In this study, textile electrodes were developed, and their performance in recording EMG signals was compared to gel electrodes. Additionally, to assess the reusability and robustness of the textile electrodes, the effect of 30 consumer washes was investigated. Comparisons were made between the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with no statistically significant difference, and with the power spectral density (PSD), showing a high correlation. Subsequently, a fully textile sleeve was fabricated covering the forearm, with 14 textile electrodes. For three individuals, an artificial neural network model was trained, capturing the EMG of 7 distinct finger movements. The personalized models were then used to successfully control a myoelectric prosthetic hand.

scholarly journals Assessing Stability of Crutch Users by Non-Contact Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3001
Author(s):  
Achilles Vairis ◽  
Suzana Brown ◽  
Maurice Bess ◽  
Kyu Hyun Bae ◽  
Jonathan Boyack
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Time Derivative ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Physically Disabled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Novice Users ◽  
Noise Ratio ◽  
Physically Disabled People

Enhancing gait stability in people who use crutches is paramount for their health. With the significant difference in gait compared to users who do not require an assistive device, the use of standard gait analysis tools to measure movement for temporary crush users and physically disabled people proves to be more challenging. In this paper, a novel approach based on video analysis is proposed as non-contact low-cost solution to the more expensive alternative with the data collected from processed videos, two values are calculated: the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of acceleration, and the Signal to Noise Ratio of the jerk (time derivative of acceleration), to assess the user’s stability while they walk with crutches. The adopted methodology has been tested on a total of 10 participants. Five are temporary users of assistive devices with one being a long-term user and the other four novice users, and five are disabled participants who use those assistive devices permanently. Preliminary results show differences between novice users, long-term users, and physically disabled users. The approach is promising and could improve the assessment of crutch user stability, allowing for the correction of gait for individuals while using an inexpensive non-contact setup and preventing unnecessary falls.

scholarly journals Development of Washable Silver Printed Textile Electrodes for Long-Term ECG Monitoring

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 6233
Author(s):  
Abreha Bayrau Nigusse ◽  
Benny Malengier ◽  
Desalegn Alemu Mengistie ◽  
Granch Berhe Tseghai ◽  
Lieva Van Langenhove
Keyword(s):  
Silver Chloride ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Polyester Fabric ◽  
Signal Quality ◽  
Ecg Monitoring ◽  
Textile Electrodes ◽  
Elastic Strap ◽  
Silver Silver ◽  
Silver Silver Chloride

Long-term electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring is very essential for the early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. However, commercially used silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes have drawbacks, and these become more obvious during long-term signal monitoring, making them inconvenient for this use. In this study, we developed silver printed textile electrodes from knitted cotton and polyester fabric for ECG monitoring. The surface resistance of printed electrodes was 1.64 Ω/sq for cotton and 1.78 Ω/sq for polyester electrodes. The ECG detection performance of the electrodes was studied by placing three electrodes around the wrist where the electrodes were embedded on an elastic strap with Velcro. The ECG signals collected using textile electrodes had a comparable waveform to those acquired using standard Ag/AgCl electrodes with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 33.10, 30.17, and 33.52 dB for signals collected from cotton, polyester, and Ag/AgCl electrodes, respectively. The signal quality increased as the tightness of the elastic strap increased. Signals acquired at 15 mmHg pressure level with the textile electrodes provided a similar quality to those acquired using standard electrodes. Interestingly, the textile electrodes gave acceptable signal quality even after ten washing cycles.

Adaptive identification methods of nonlinear random electrical signal

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 431-438
Author(s):  
Jian Liu ◽  
Lihui Wang ◽  
Zhengqi Tian
Keyword(s):  
Wavelet Transform ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Electrical Signal ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
State Variable ◽  
Signal Characteristics ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Kalman Filter Algorithm

The nonlinearity of the electric vehicle DC charging equipment and the complexity of the charging environment lead to the complex and changeable DC charging signal of the electric vehicle. It is urgent to study the distortion signal recognition method suitable for the electric vehicle DC charging. Focusing on the characteristics of fundamental and ripple in DC charging signal, the Kalman filter algorithm is used to establish the matrix model, and the state variable method is introduced into the filter algorithm to track the parameter state, and the amplitude and phase of the fundamental waves and each secondary ripple are identified; In view of the time-varying characteristics of the unsteady and abrupt signal in the DC charging signal, the stratification and threshold parameters of the wavelet transform are corrected, and a multi-resolution method is established to identify and separate the unsteady and abrupt signals. Identification method of DC charging distortion signal of electric vehicle based on Kalman/modified wavelet transform is used to decompose and identify the signal characteristics of the whole charging process. Experiment results demonstrate that the algorithm can accurately identify ripple, sudden change and unsteady wave during charging. It has higher signal to noise ratio and lower mean root mean square error.

A compact guided-wave EMAT with pulsed electromagnet for ferromagnetic tube inspection

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 951-958
Author(s):  
Tianhao Liu ◽  
Yu Jin ◽  
Cuixiang Pei ◽  
Jie Han ◽  
Zhenmao Chen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Receiver Coil ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Corrosion Defects

Small-diameter tubes that are widely used in petroleum industries and power plants experience corrosion during long-term services. In this paper, a compact inserted guided-wave EMAT with a pulsed electromagnet is proposed for small-diameter tube inspection. The proposed transducer is noncontact, compact with high signal-to-noise ratio and unattractive to ferromagnetic tubes. The proposed EMAT is designed with coils-only configuration, which consists of a pulsed electromagnet and a meander pulser/receiver coil. Both the numerical simulation and experimental results validate its feasibility on generating and receiving L(0,2) mode guided wave. The parameters for driving the proposed EMAT are optimized by performance testing. Finally, feasibility on quantification evaluation for corrosion defects was verified by experiments.

Improvement Of Curvilinear Diagrams Of Concrete Deformation

2019 ◽  
pp. 99-104
Keyword(s):  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Peak Load ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Concrete Structures ◽  
Deformation Model ◽  
Reinforced Concrete Structures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Deformation Diagrams

Problems when calculating reinforced concrete structures based on the concrete deformation under compression diagram, which is presented both in Russian and foreign regulatory documents on the design of concrete and reinforced concrete structures are considered. The correctness of their compliance for all classes of concrete remains very approximate, especially a significant difference occurs when using Euronorm due to the different shape and sizes of the samples. At present, there are no methodical recommendations for determining the ultimate relative deformations of concrete under axial compression and the construction of curvilinear deformation diagrams, which leads to limited experimental data and, as a result, does not make it possible to enter more detailed ultimate strain values into domestic standards. The results of experimental studies to determine the ultimate relative deformations of concrete under compression for different classes of concrete, which allowed to make analytical dependences for the evaluation of the ultimate relative deformations and description of curvilinear deformation diagrams, are presented. The article discusses various options for using the deformation model to assess the stress-strain state of the structure, it is concluded that it is necessary to use not only the finite values of the ultimate deformations, but also their intermediate values. This requires reliable diagrams "s–e” for all classes of concrete. The difficulties of measuring deformations in concrete subjected to peak load, corresponding to the prismatic strength, as well as main cracks that appeared under conditions of long-term step loading are highlighted. Variants of more accurate measurements are proposed. Development and implementation of the new standard GOST "Concretes. Methods for determination of complete diagrams" on the basis of the developed method for obtaining complete diagrams of concrete deformation under compression for the evaluation of ultimate deformability of concrete under compression are necessary.

Percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis: a long-term retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 1405-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Staudt ◽  
Holger Joswig ◽  
Gwynedd E. Pickett ◽  
Keith W. MacDougall ◽  
Andrew G. Parrent
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Medication Usage ◽  
Free Response ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Time To Recurrence ◽  
Significant Difference

OBJECTIVEThe prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS-TN) is higher than in the general population (idiopathic TN [ITN]). Glycerol rhizotomy (GR) is a percutaneous lesioning surgery commonly performed for the treatment of medically refractory TN. While treatment for acute pain relief is excellent, long-term pain relief is poorer. The object of this study was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous retrogasserian GR for the treatment of MS-TN versus ITN.METHODSA retrospective chart review was performed, identifying 219 patients who had undergone 401 GR procedures from 1983 to 2018 at a single academic institution. All patients were diagnosed with medically refractory MS-TN (182 procedures) or ITN (219 procedures). The primary outcome measures of interest were immediate pain relief and time to pain recurrence following initial and repeat GR procedures. Secondary outcomes included medication usage and presence of periprocedural hypesthesia.RESULTSThe initial pain-free response rate was similar between groups (p = 0.726): MS-TN initial GR 89.6%; MS-TN repeat GR 91.9%; ITN initial GR 89.6%; ITN repeat GR 87.0%. The median time to recurrence after initial GR was similar between MS-TN (2.7 ± 1.3 years) and ITN (2.1 ± 0.6 years) patients (p = 0.87). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the time to recurrence after repeat GR between MS-TN (2.3 ± 0.5 years) and ITN patients (1.2 ± 0.2 years; p < 0.05). The presence of periprocedural hypesthesia was highly predictive of pain-free survival (p < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSPatients with MS-TN achieve meaningful pain relief following GR, with an efficacy comparable to that following GR in patients with ITN. Initial and subsequent GR procedures are equally efficacious.

scholarly journals A206 EVOLUTION OF PEDIATRIC AUTOIMMUNE CHOLANGITIS AND PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS INTO ADULTHOOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 234-236
Author(s):  
P Willems ◽  
J Hercun ◽  
C Vincent ◽  
F Alvarez
Keyword(s):  
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis ◽  
Sclerosing Cholangitis ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Autoimmune Cholangitis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
One Year ◽  
Liver Tests

Abstract Background The natural history of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in children seems to differ from PSC in adults. However, studies on this matter have been limited by short follow-up periods and inconsistent classification of patients with autoimmune cholangitis (AIC) (or overlap syndrome). Consequently, it remains unclear if long-term outcomes are affected by the clinical phenotype. Aims The aims of this is study are to describe the long-term evolution of PSC and AIC in a pediatric cohort with extension of follow-up into adulthood and to evaluate the influence of phenotype on clinical outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with AIC or PSC followed at CHU-Sainte-Justine, a pediatric referral center in Montreal. All charts between January 1998 and December 2019 were reviewed. Patients were classified as either AIC (duct disease on cholangiography with histological features of autoimmune hepatitis) or PSC (large or small duct disease on cholangiography and/or histology). Extension of follow-up after the age of 18 was done for patients followed at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. Clinical features at diagnosis, response to treatment at one year and liver-related outcomes were compared. Results 40 patients (27 PSC and 13 AIC) were followed for a median time of 71 months (range 2 to 347), with 52.5% followed into adulthood. 70% (28/40) had associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (78% PSC vs 54% AIC; p=0.15). A similar proportion of patients had biopsy-proven significant fibrosis at diagnosis (45% PSC vs 67% AIC; p=0.23). Baseline liver tests were similar in both groups. At diagnosis, all patients were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Significantly more patients with AIC (77% AIC vs 30 % PSC; p=0.005) were initially treated with immunosuppressive drugs, without a significant difference in the use of Anti-TNF agents (0% AIC vs 15% PSC; p= 0.12). At one year, 55% (15/27) of patients in the PSC group had normal liver tests versus only 15% (2/13) in the AIC group (p=0.02). During follow-up, more liver-related events (cholangitis, liver transplant and cirrhosis) were reported in the AIC group (HR=3.7 (95% CI: 1.4–10), p=0.01). Abnormal liver tests at one year were a strong predictor of liver-related events during follow-up (HR=8.9(95% CI: 1.2–67.4), p=0.03), while having IBD was not (HR=0.48 (95% CI: 0.15–1.5), p=0.22). 5 patients required liver transplantation with no difference between both groups (8% CAI vs 15% CSP; p=0.53). Conclusions Pediatric patients with AIC and PSC show, at onset, similar stage of liver disease with comparable clinical and biochemical characteristics. However, patients with AIC receive more often immunosuppressive therapy and treatment response is less frequent. AIC is associated with more liver-related events and abnormal liver tests at one year are predictor of bad outcomes. Funding Agencies None

scholarly journals 1005 Antibiotic-Impregnated Calcium Sulfate Beads Are Not Effective in the Primary Prevention of Infection in Open Femur and Tibia Fractures

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Fung ◽  
A Ward ◽  
K Patel ◽  
M Krkovic
Keyword(s):  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Calcium Sulfate ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Open Fractures ◽  
Prevention Of Infection ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tibia Fractures ◽  
Systemic Antibiotics

Abstract Introduction Infection is a major complication of open fractures. Antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate (AICS) beads are widely used as an adjuvant to systemic antibiotics. Whilst their efficacy in the secondary prevention of infection is established, we present the first retrospective study evaluating AICS beads in the primary prevention of infection in open fractures. Method 214 open femur and tibia fractures in 207 patients were reviewed over a seven-year period. 148 fractures received only systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. 66 fractures also received AICS beads. The occurrence of acute infection (wound infection and acute osteomyelitis) was recorded, as well as that of long-term complications (chronic osteomyelitis, non-union and death). Results Fractures that received AICS with systemic antibiotics had an overall acute infection rate of 42% (28/66), compared to 43% (63/148) in fractures that received only systemic antibiotics (p &gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in infection rate even when fractures were stratified by Gustilo-Anderson grade. There was also no significant difference in the rate of long-term complications. Conclusions Our results indicate that the adjuvant use of AICS beads is not effective for the primary prevention of acute infection or long-term complications in open leg fractures. Further research is needed to elucidate the factors influencing the outcomes of AICS use.

scholarly journals Long-Term Mortality after Histoplasma Infection in People with HIV

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Joseph Cherabie ◽  
Patrick Mazi ◽  
Adriana M. Rauseo ◽  
Chapelle Ayres ◽  
Lindsey Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Modern Art ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Early Mortality ◽  
Late Mortality ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Common Opportunistic Infection ◽  
Long Term Survivors ◽  
Long Term Mortality

Histoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV (PWH); however, no study has looked at factors associated with the long-term mortality of histoplasmosis in PWH. We conducted a single-center retrospective study on the long-term mortality of PWH diagnosed with histoplasmosis between 2002 and 2017. Patients were categorized into three groups based on length of survival after diagnosis: early mortality (death < 90 days), late mortality (death ≥ 90 days), and long-term survivors. Patients diagnosed during or after 2008 were considered part of the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. Insurance type (private vs. public) was a surrogate indicator of socioeconomic status. Out of 54 PWH infected with histoplasmosis, overall mortality was 37%; 14.8% early mortality and 22.2% late mortality. There was no statistically significant difference in survival based on the availability of modern ART (p = 0.60). Insurance status reached statistical significance with 38% of survivors having private insurance versus only 8% having private insurance in the late mortality group (p = 0.05). High mortality persists despite the advent of modern ART, implicating a contribution from social determinants of health, such as private insurance. Larger studies are needed to elucidate the role of these factors in the mortality of PWH.

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