BIODEVICES 2010 Abstracts

Full Papers Short Papers
Full Papers
Paper Nr: 9
Title:

TOWARDS PERSONALIZED DRUG DELIVERY: Preparation of an Encapsulated Multicompartment System

Authors:

Maik Hadorn and Peter E. Hotz
Abstract: Single liposomes and vesicles are successfully utilized as delivery vehicles of pharmaceuticals. However limitations of these unilamellar, single compartments led to the development of encapsulated multicompartment systems that establishes the prospect of multicomponent or multifunctional drug delivery systems. So far compartmentalization is restricted to binary systems. To realize a personalized drug delivery, a programmable linkage of n-entities of different content will be needed. Here we present both a programmable DNA-mediated linkage of three distinct vesicle populations and a novel encapsulation protocol. We discuss how the techniques established in this study might be used in personalized healthcare based on custom-tailored encapsulated multicompartment vesicular drug delivery systems.
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Paper Nr: 11
Title:

BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE. Application of an adaptive bi-stage classifier based on RBF-HMM.
Authors:

José Luis Martínez Pérez
Abstract: Brain Computer Interface is an emerging technology that allows new output paths to communicate the user’s intentions without the use of normal output paths, such as muscles or nerves. In order to obtain their objective, BCI devices make use of classifiers which translate inputs from the user’s brain signals into commands for external devices. This paper describes an adaptive bi-stage classifier. The first stage is based on Radial Basis Function neural networks, which provides sequences of pre-assignations to the second stage, that it is based on three different Hidden Markov Models, each one trained with pre-assignation sequences from the cognitive activities between classifying. The segment of EEG signal is assigned to the HMMwith the highest probability of generating the pre-assignation sequence. The algorithm is tested with real samples of electroencephalografic signal, from five healthy volunteers using the cross-validation method. The results allow to conclude that it is possible to implement this algorithm in an on-line BCI device. The results also shown the huge dependency of the percentage of the correct classification from the user and the setup parameters of the classifier.
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Paper Nr: 29
Title:

MICROCOMPUTERIZED RESPIRATORY SOUND RECORDER A Low Cost Device
Authors:

Daniel F. Ponte, Daniel Ponte, RAIMES MORAES, Leila M. Steidle, Deborah C. Hizume and Adriano M. Alencar
Abstract: Auscultation of breathing sounds is a common practice since the antiquity. In 1819, Laennec invented the stethoscope and published the first work on pulmonary disorders and their associated sounds. Since then, the auscultation was incorporated into medicine. The first electronic device to record and analyze physiological sounds was built in 1955, being followed by many other developments. In 2000, a task force of the European Respiratory Society established guidelines for computerized respiratory sound analysis (CORSA). Our work describes a low cost microcomputerized system, based on the CORSA guidelines, developed to acquire and record breathing sounds as well as respiratory flow waveforms. It consists of a four channel micro-controlled device that can simultaneously record sounds from three different sources and flow waveform. These signals are transmitted to a microcomputer running dedicated software that shows the waveforms on the screen and stores them into the hard disk. The developed device was tested in patients with heart failure, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia and asthma. Examples of the registered signals and results of a qualitative assessment of the developed system are presented.
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Paper Nr: 31
Title:

A study on bimetallic effects in microcantilever biosensors
Authors:

Mohd. Z. Ansari and Chongdu Cho
Abstract: This study investigates the bimetallic effects in a microcantilever biosensor induced due to change in ambient temperature. The cantilever is subject to both thermal and surface stresses. The biosensor exploits the surface-stress induced deflection to analyse the unknown molecules. However, due to bilayer structure of the cantilever thermal deflections are produced, which are a common source of noise in the deflection measurement. Thus, distinguishing surface-stress induced deflections from the thermal deflections is critical in accurate measurement by the biosensor. In this theoretical work, we show that both thermal stress and surface stress have linear effect on the cantilever deflections, and hence can be added algebraically to determine the absolute deflection produced entirely due to the surface stress variation.
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Paper Nr: 36
Title:

DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPACT X-RAY PIV SYSTEM AND NEW X-RAY FLOW TRACERS
Authors:

Sangjoon Lee and Sungyong Jung
Abstract: A compact X-ray particle image velocimetry (PIV) system employing a medical X-ray tube as a light source was developed to obtain quantitative velocity field information of opaque flows. The X-ray PIV system consists of a medical X-ray tube, an X-ray CCD camera, a programmable shutter for generating a pulse-type X-ray beam, and a synchronization device. Through performance tests, the feasibility of the developed X-ray PIV system as a flow measuring device was verified. In applying the developed system to biofluid flows, the most important prerequisite is to develop suitable flow tracers which should be detected clearly by the X-ray imaging system. Iopamidol was encapsulated into the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microparticles to fabricate such flow tracers. The characteristics of the fabricated microparticles were checked. With increasing the amount of crosslinker, the degree of crosslinking and the efficiency of the Iopamidol encapsulation were increased. This compact X-ray PIV system is a unique and useful for investigating various biofluid flows in laboratory experiments.
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Paper Nr: 55
Title:

DEVICE FOR PROSODIC SPEECH RESTORATION A Multi-Resolution Approach for Glottal Excitation Restoration
Authors:

O. Schleusing, Olaf Schleusing, P. Renevey, Jean-Marc Vesin, Valérie Schweizer and R. Vetter
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel device for the restoration of authentic characteristics in pathological speech uttered by subjects with laryngeal disorders. The device acquires and analyzes the original speech signal and reconstructs a speech signal with improved, healthy-like features in real-time. The pathological excitation is replaced by concatenation of randomly chosen healthy reference patterns. To restore authentic features, intervals between subsequent reference patterns are obtained through a multi-resolution approach. Short-term pitch variability is reproduced through a statistical variation model. Middle-term pitch variability exploits the correlation at the middle-term time scale between pitch and signal envelope. Long-term variability is obtained through adaptive wavetable oscillators; a novel, reliable and computationally efficient method. Performance was assessed with respect to two authentic features, namely breathiness and prosody. Preliminary results have shown that breathiness of the restored signal is clearly reduced, while prosody related features are slightly improved.
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Paper Nr: 65
Title:

Al2O3 nanolayer as evanescent waveguide for biomedical sensor application
Authors:

Agung Purniawan
Abstract: The aim of our research is to develop a sensitive sensor for biomedical applications. A nanolayer Al2O3 is used as evanescent waveguide. The material was deposited on a silicon wafer by using atomic layer deposition (ALD). In the present paper, we will report the preliminary results of our project such as deposition, characterization of nanolayer, and evanescent waveguide sensor design. Lambert beer’s law and some waveguide concepts are combined in the design to obtain the optimum parameters of the evanescent waveguide sensor. Furthermore, characterizations to investigate optical properties and internal stress of the thin film were done. Based on the results of lattice parameter analysis, we can conclude that thin film thickness have effect not only on sensitivity of the sensor but also on the mismatch stress between substrate and thin film. Design results show that a thickness of waveguide of 50 nm and an optical path length of the sensor of 1 mm can be used as waveguide dimension with a transmission of 75%. 50 nm thin film thickness shows low mismatch stress and that was shown by high radius curvature 32.34 m.
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Short Papers
Paper Nr: 4
Title:

QUANTITATIVE BIOCHEMICAL ASSAY ON A SURFACE MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE
Authors:

Ravi Prakash, Karan Kaler and Dipankar Chugh
Abstract: Quantitative analysis of chemical and biochemical molecules is an important requirement in many biochemical assays and can be a challenging task in microfluidic systems due to the smaller sample volumes. In the present study, we report on the detection and quantification of nucleic acid samples contained in nanoliter (nL) and picoliter (pL) droplets, formed by employing a DEP based surface microfluidic system. This surface microfluidic system utilizes non-uniform AC electric fields for dispensing multiple, nanoliter (and picoliter) sized aliquots of samples and reagents, which can furthermore be individually addressed, transported and mixed on-chip in a controlled and parallel fashion. Quantification of dsDNA samples is carried out using a fluorescence based Quant-IT™ PicoGreen® assay, performed on the surface microfluidic chip, while the low-level fluorescence emissions are quantified using a photo-multiplier tube. Our findings show that sample DNA concentrations remain uniform across the dispensed droplets, although the volume of droplets can be varied as per requirements. Experimental results furthermore prove that our DEP based and electric field assisted on-chip mixing methodology is at par with conventional mixing strategies such as vortexing, stirring etc. and more readily achieved compared to conventional closed channel microfluidic systems.
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Paper Nr: 14
Title:

A MEDICAL INFORMATION CONCENTRATOR : Acquisition Biosignals Module For A Mobile Telemedicine System

Authors:

Suhartono Tjondronegoro, Tati R. Mengko, Soegijardjo Soegijoko, Kastam Astami and Ediana Sutjiredjeki
Abstract: This paper describes the development of medical information concentrator to be used for a telemedicine unit in a mobile telemedicine system. The concentrator contains of an interface array which function to obtain biosignals coming from several medical instruments, such as ECG monitor, NIBP device, etc. The number of medical instruments connected to the concentrator can vary, though there must be a swap between the user’s requirement and the design complexity to optimize the design implementation. This concentrator provides connection of low-priced medical instruments which previously are incapable of directly link up to the necessary computer in a telemedicine unit. Hence, the cost for building a mobile telemedicine can be more economically. Comprehensively test of the concentrator has been conducted in a whole mobile telemedicine system. Results show recorded biosignals can be displayed by parts or collected beforehand as a medical record which may be sent to the doctor who satys alert in the hospital as the base unit.
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Paper Nr: 15
Title:

A NOVEL DEVICE FOR MEASURING MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE DURING DYNAMIC TASKS

Authors:

Hossein M. Hondori and Shih F. Ling
Abstract: Mechanical impedance is an important factor that the central nervous system takes into account while coordinating a motion. This research work thus aims to develop a new measurement for monitoring dynamic changes of mechanical impedance. The method is introduced and validated in the context. The results show that device correctly measures the dynamic force and impedance of an eccentric linear spring. Furthermore, 62 measurement trails on two human subjects (31 trials on each) confirmed that the value of mechanical impedance changes with adaptation. Finally, we propose a method for the assessment of motor recovery in the stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation sessions.
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Paper Nr: 16
Title:

Automatic Determination of Human Blood Types using Image Processing Techniques
Authors:

Vítor Carvalho, Ana Ferraz and Patrícia Bandão
Abstract: This paper presents a methodology to automatically determine human blood types using image processing techniques. As a reference, in the experimental analysis it was used the plate method, being registered the results with a digital camera. The obtained images were analyzed and processed with a custom application developed with IMAQ Vision from National Instruments, allowing the automatic blood type classification of the sample under test. The implementation in health units of a system based in the presented approach will enable between others, the risk reduction of fatal transfusions associated with wrong human blood type interpretation.
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Paper Nr: 21
Title:

A WIRELESS HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION
Authors:

Min-Chieh Hsiao, Navid Amini and Majid Sarrafzadeh
Abstract: This paper presents a novel childhood obesity prevention system called No Pain No Game which aims at encouraging children to fit physical exercise into their daily life; the more entertainment they demand, the more exercise they have to perform. The proposed system evaluates children’s activity level and assigns them corresponding amount of home entertainment time such as television viewing or playing video games. This way, children can obtain a sense of achievement, while parents can save the time without manually controlling the corresponding entertainment appliances. No Pain No Game gives parents full wireless control over the home’s power outlets without obliging them to struggle with their children. Furthermore, through No Pain No Game’s software interface, children are able to extend their home entertainment time without the presence of their parents.
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Paper Nr: 25
Title:

SIMPLY FABRICATED PRECISE MICROFLUIDIC MIXER WITH RESIST FLOW PATHS SEALED BY AN ACRYLIC LID
Authors:

Toshiyuki Horiuchi, Naoki Hayashi, Takuya Kitamura and Hiroyuki Watanabe
Abstract: A microfluidic mixer was simply and easily fabricated using 380-μm thick patterns of negative resist SU-8 as flow paths and sealing the paths by an acrylic lid plate. The SU-8 was mainly composed of epoxy resin, and it was hardened by the baking after the development. Because the too narrow flow paths were not practical, the target width of the flow-path was set at 30-100 μm. The aspect ratio limit for 1:1 line-and-space patterns increased when the pattern width became large and the lower numerical-aperture or higher F-number projection lens was adopted. The maximum aspect ratio for line-and-space patterns with a width of 26-53 μm was 6.5-8, corresponding to the pattern width and the numerical aperture. After snail-shape flow-path groove patterns were successfully fabricated, the resist block was covered by an acrylic lid plate and sealed using screws. After microtubes were attached to the entrance and exit holes, red and blue colored waters were injected into the two entrance tubes. As a result, two waters were mixed while passing through the snail-shape paths, and dark purple water was ejected from the exit. It was successfully verified that the easily and simply fabricated microfluidic mixer actually worked well.
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Paper Nr: 26
Title:

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEM WITH FEEDBACK FOR PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
Authors:

Eduardo Durana, Fernão Abreu, Vitor Santos and Arminda G. Lopes
Abstract: In physical rehabilitation, electrical stimulation is widely used as a therapeutic method. However, as it is not common to find portable devices, capable of integrating information from different sensors, and also with flexibility in signal generation and triggering. This paper presents an integrated electrostimulation system that encompasses all those facilities. The system integrates feedback signals coming from an accelerometer and is capable of adapting electrostimulation depending on motor performance. The device uses a microcontroller for the waveform generation, and allows controlled waveforms to be produced in response to signals read from feedback sensors. Besides this high versatility, the principle of the power generation employed by the device and additional hardware circuitry also provides mechanisms to ensure patient safety in the unlikely cases of malfunction of the microcontroller. Here we also present an example of application of the device that uses real time feedback information to control electrical stimulation.
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Paper Nr: 27
Title:

DESIGN OF A PORTABLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY DEVICE FOR BACK HERNIATED PATIENTS
Authors:

Halil I. Çakar, Onur Toker and SADIK Kara
Abstract: Up to 80 percent of people are affected by back herniation or another low-back disease in their life. Some studies have proven that there is a significant relation between paraspinal muscles and back herniation. In this study, a portable surface electromyography device was designed for measuring the muscular activity of paraspinal muscles from back herniated patients. The device’s gain value is adjusted to 1000, it includes a band-pass filter and a 50 Hz notch filter to eliminate power source interference noise and other electrically noises. The device designed as an electrically isolated single channel, and it is linked to Matlab software via the serial port of Personal Computer.
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Paper Nr: 28
Title:

Kinetic and kinematic gait assessment of paraplegic patients with and without ankle foot orthoses
Authors:

Enio A. Cacho, Karina Cristina Alonso, Fernando B. Martin and Alberto Cliquet Jr
Abstract: Objective: To assess the influence of rigid ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on paraplegic gait with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Methods: Ten control subjects and five complete paraplegics went through kinetics and kinematics gait evaluation without and with AFOs. Paraplegics also used 4 channels NMES, walker aided. Results: Cadence, in steps per minutes (94.6/6.8; 84.97/13.15; 13.02/4.11; 16.1/2.29), step length, in metres (1.31/0.15; 1.19/0.17; 0.55/0.11; 0.6/0.11) and % stance time (61.5/1.8; 62.93/3.37; 87.8/7.26; 89.9/2.6) for controls and paraplegics, without and with AFOs, respectively. Differences are shown for the controls as well as between paraplegic groups. Ankle joints kinematics displayed no significant changes. However, the ankle dorsiflexion, in the support phase, for controls and paraplegics with AFO was higher than expected (10.97/5.67; 15.48/8.08). Kinetic values were: maximum hip extensor moments (Nm/kg) of 1.84/0.48; 3.36/5.79; 1.45/0.59; 1.58/0.41 and maximum knee extensor moments of 3.53/0.52; 3.04/0.87; 1.44/1.37; 1.24/0.78. Conclusion: Within the paraplegic groups, through spatiotemporal results, gait with AFO was more effective. Nevertheless, the AFO allowed more ankle mobility than expected. Furthermore, lower limb loading, i.e. hip and knee moments generated during NMES+AFO paraplegic gait allows for bone mass increase.
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Paper Nr: 32
Title:

Development and evaluation of an on-chip potentiostat for biomedical applications
Authors:

Colm Mccaffrey
Abstract: Abstract: Potentiostat-based solutions are widely used as an instrumentation platform for electrochemical and biochemical sensing systems, which are extensively used in areas as diverse as biomedical analysis, food safety and monitoring of environmental pollutants. Biomedical diagnostics is a relatively new application area of these systems, which can allow for in vivo, long-term patient investigation outside of the hospital environment. It is expected that this emerging area will enable physicians to obtain radically new and unique diagnostic information. The development of such an on-chip potentiostat-based sensing system suitable for in vivo biomedical applications is the subject of the present study. The design is realized on a mixed signal silicon breadboard substrate which allows for a low cost and time efficient progression from concept to full integration on CMOS.
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Paper Nr: 45
Title:

GLOBAL BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION DURING WORK AND DAILY-LIFE ACTIVITIES
Authors:

Giancarlo Orengo, Michelangelo Bartolo, Giorgio Sandrini, Federica Amici, Sergio Iavicoli, Carmela Conte, Rossana Muscillo, Alberto Ranavolo, Maurizio Schmid, Tommaso D'Alessio, Giovanni Saggio, Francesco Draicchio and Alessio Silvetti
Abstract: Advances in technology in the last decades have provided the opportunity to observe human behaviour in the three dimensional space with great spatial accuracy. Optoelectronic techniques for measurements of human motions have been developed. However, it is found that, in the work environments, these methods are complicated to set up and can only easily be applied in laboratory. On the other hand, electronic sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, have been developed and applied to solve the relevant outdoor application problems of the image-based methods. These sensors have been evaluated for the 3D measurement of trunk, lower and upper segments, during posture, walking and rising from a chair, in both normal and pathological conditions. In the present study we used a device including accelerometers and gyroscopes in order to calculate the angular behaviour of the pelvis on the sagittal, frontal and horizontal plane, during the following tasks: walking, gait initiation, gait termination, seat-to-stand and stand-to-seat, squat, standing anterior and lateral reaching and grasping, anterior and lateral trunk flexion and trunk rotation. The assessment of pelvis during posture and movement is important in improving our understanding of the motor strategies at work and preventing injuries (i.e. low back pain) and mechanical whole body fatigue. The calculated angles were compared to that computed by a high-quality optical motion analysis system (SMART-E System, BTS, Milan, Italy) consisting of eight infra-red cameras (operating at 120 fps) to detect the movements in three-dimensional space of three retro-reflective markers (15 mm diameter). For the comparison of the Range of Motions (ROMs) we used the root mean squared error (RMS) whereas the Coefficient of Multiple Correlation (CMC) was used to evaluate overall waveform similarity of instantaneous angle curves. Preliminary results showed a high similarity between the extracted angle tracks (anterior-posterior behaviour on the sagittal plane, pelvic obliquity and intra-extra rotation of the pelvis) in all of the acquired tasks. We also found low errors in the computation of the corresponding ROMs. This study suggests to apply an accurate, inexpensive and simple method to measure the kinematics of the pelvis during common work and daily-life activities.
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Paper Nr: 46
Title:

Adaptive NIBP Low-Pulse Detection
Authors:

Ricardo G. Guiraldelli and Ricardo D. Luis de Rocha
Abstract: This paper presents a proposal of an adaptive device for low-pulse detection on NIBP measurements using an adaptive decision tree algorithm (AdapTree) and a probabilistic methodology, besides featuring learning related to expert knowledge.
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Paper Nr: 53
Title:

DETECTION OF DNA AT THE MICROCHIP
Authors:

Gi-Sung Joo, You-Cheol Jang, Islam Kamrul and Yong-Sang Kim
Abstract: We have demonstrated the separation and detection of DNA on the microchip based on amperometric with capillary electrophoresis. To enhance analytic perfermance such as throughput and analysis time, electrophoretic separation of DNA in capillaries or on microchips has been investigated using various microchip structures. Compared with commonly used laser induced fluorescence method, this method is more compatible with microchip and offer improved portability and miniaturization. Through Cyclic voltammetric experimental, we could optimized detection voltage for DNA. At the optimal detection voltage, DNA fragments were successfully separated and detected with high sensitivity and stable baseline.
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Paper Nr: 59
Title:

INTEGRATION OF SMART USER INTERFACES IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM OF POWERED WHEELCHAIRS
Authors:

Cristina Carletti and Sauro Longhi
Abstract: This paper presents a navigation system that extends the use of Electric Powered Wheelchairs (EPWs) to people with upper limbs impairments that prevent them the control of a traditional joystick-driven EPW. To achieve this aim, an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system and a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) have been introduced to enable the user to asynchronously perform and send the control commands to the navigation module, according to her/his limited residual capabilities. Moreover, a shared-control algorithm has been developed to translate the user’s guidance wishes into directions of motion that maximize the security and minimize the physical and cognitive effort for the user. A preliminary analysis of the proposed navigation system showed satisfactory results in terms of security and fulfillment of the user wishes.
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Paper Nr: 68
Title:

MEASURING THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF OOCYTES BY MEANS OF AN OPTICAL MICROSYSTEM A non invasive technique to estimate the evolution of oocytes maturity
Authors:

Ioana R. Ivascu, Bruno Wacogne, Ioana Ivascu, Christophe Roux, Christian Pieralli and Rabah Zeggari
Abstract: In this paper, we present an optical microsystem used to measure the refractive index of oocytes. The technique rely on the oocytes refraction properties on the optical coupling between optical fibers. A theoretical model of the system is established by means of matrix optics. A numerical fitting allows calculating the refractive index of the oocytes. In a first time we considered the oocytes like homogeneous spheres. In a second time, we considered that the oocytes consist of a shell (the zona pellucida) and a core (the cell). Experimental results showed that the refractive index of the oocytes increases during the maturation process. This behaviour is observed for both modelling of the oocytes (homogeneous and core-shell model). In this position paper, we also discuss the temporal evolution of the oocytes maturity and we point out that the maturation should not only be estimated visually but in a more continuous manner. The device we propose could be a solution for such non invasive measurements.
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Paper Nr: 70
Title:

Practical Design of Full Body Exoskeletons
Authors:

Stefan R. Taal, Stefan Taal and Yoshiyuki Sankai
Abstract: The development of full body, wearable exoskeletons has been limited by the constraints of weight and available power. Because of this it has not been possible to create one that augments all DoF of its human wearer with enough power to assist, e.g., nurses and other workers. To achieve more usefulness despite the limitations, a practical design approach that considers the motions and needs of the wearer is an appropriate tool to reveal new opportunities. This approach was used to find solutions for a fully supported 3DoF exo-spine, supported shoulder girdle motion, and other challenges that have so far received little or no attention. No extra actuators are required, thus adding a minimum to weight and power. The improvements found using this practical approach suggest related fields like rehabilitation could profit as well.
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Paper Nr: 71
Title:

Smart Collateral Ligament Balancer for Intra- and Postoperative Mediolateral Balance
Authors:

Shaban Almouahed
Abstract: The poor ligament balance performed at the time of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can cause postoperative instability and consequently early loosening of the prosthetic knee. The improper intraoperative assessment of ligamentous balance is due to the use of an accurate surgical instrument which tenses the medial and lateral collateral ligaments in uncontrolled way. A smart ligament balancer is proposed in this paper to assess and perform ligament balancing intra- and postoperative. A detailed three-dimensional model of the prototype is developed using CAD software in order to discuss the operation of this device. The intraoperative use of this balancer could allow to accurately reestablish a rectangular tibiofemoral gap with symmetric mediolateral load distribution across the whole range of knee flexion. On the other hand, the implanted balancer could be used postoperatively to assess ligamentous balance and to correct it when needed.
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Paper Nr: 77
Title:

VERTEBRAL METRICS: APPLICATION OF A MECHANICAL INSTRUMENT TO EVALUATE THE SPINAL COLUMN IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors:

Claudia Quaresma, João O’Neill, Jorge Branco and Mário F. Secca
Abstract: The incidence of problems related to rachialgiae is so frequent and usual that it must be studied as if it were an epidemic and social disease (Knoplich, 2003). It was built a completely mechanically and non-invasive system, designed as Vertebral Metrics, which is able to identify the position x, y and z of each spine apophysis, from the first cervical vertebra to the first sacral vertebra in standing position. The measuring part is the “body” of the instrument, and the “support”. This devise was applied in a pregnant woman in four moments of the pregnancy: 12; 20, 32 and 37 weeks. In the second moment of the evaluation of the spine the curvatures decrease when compared with the other moments of the evaluation, where an increase of these curvatures, related to rachialgie, is evident.
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Paper Nr: 78
Title:

BIOREACTOR FOR MECHANICAL CELL STIMULATION - Concept and Design
Authors:

J. G. Rocha, Jose L. Gomez Ribelles, S. Lanceros-Mendez, A. Pitaes and Vitor G. Correia
Abstract: Mechanical stimulation plays an important role in improving cell growth in the skeletal system, for example. In this article we describe a bioreactor in which cells in a three-dimensional scaffolds are stimulated by cyclically applied mechanical loads. The objective of this study is to develop a custom-designed bioreactor capable of applying controlled compressive loads to a cell-encapsulating scaffold. Its working principle is based on an innovative design of a feedback controlled electromagnetic actuator, which allows the application of compressive forces to the samples and at the same time, it allows the measurement of the produced displacement.
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Paper Nr: 5
Title:

DESIGN OF A HAND DYNAMOMETER FOR TESTING AND ANALYSIS OF HAND FUNCTIONS
Authors:

Han-Soo Kang, Hyu-Jeong Kim, Wan-Seok Ryu and Sung-Taek Chung
Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to analyze quantitatively the degree of injury and/or the progress of treatment for physical impairment. This study provided a more detailed study that evaluates all test parameters including maximum grip strength, duration of operation, average grip strength, acceleration work, dynamic endurance time and percent change in static endurance. In addition, a complete database management system is developed and used to store related training, evaluation, and personal information. Designed device in this paper developed a grip sensor using load‐cell transducer (≤60kg). The system will be efficient to operate and convenient to use, furthermore, it can be helped for understanding and analysis the progress of a patient during a doctor’s rehabilitation program.
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Paper Nr: 10
Title:

3-((2":2″,5″:2'''-terthiophene)-3″-yl) acrylic acid as Organic Field Effect Transistor For DNA Sensing
Authors:

Kean Aw, Noviana T. Salim, Jadranka Travas-Sejdic, Hui Peng and Wei Gao
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of organic field effect transistor (OFET) as a DNA sensor. We have synthesized a functionalised terthiophene monomer 3-((2":2″,5″:2'''-terthiophene)-3″-yl) acrylic acid (TAA) and has been successfully electrodeposited as an active layer of an OFET. The polymer was oxidised in order to increase its conductivity. A mobility of 0.25 cm2/V.s was achieved with an oxidising potential of 0.9 V. A preliminary DNA sensing test was performed on the OFET with poly TAA as active layer and a shift in threshold voltage was observed after DNA immobilization and hybridization, showing its potential as DNA sensor.
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Paper Nr: 17
Title:

MUSCLES’ CO-ACTIVATION IN A STATIONARY LIMB ALTERES ACCORDING TO THE MOVEMENT OF OTHER LIMB
Authors:

Hossein M. Hondori, Shih F. Ling and Reza Khosrowabadi
Abstract: This paper reports an interesting phenomenon of observable muscle co-contraction in stationary limbs according to the movement pattern in an oscillating limb. In the experiments the subject's electromyography signals of biceps and triceps of both left and right arm are recorded. Two experiments were conducted which are different in the posture of left and right arm. The first experiment is conducted when both forearms are in upright posture. In the second experiment though, the right forearm is moving. It was observed that the EMG of both biceps and triceps (i.e. co-activation) of the stationary limb follow that of the opposite moving limb. The reason can be addressed by the necessity of stabilizing the stationary limb when one executes motion in the counter limb. Moreover it can possibly be due to post-intention, pre-motion brain activities that may fire the muscles of both limbs similarly.
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Paper Nr: 22
Title:

ADVANCED COMPUTER MODELING FOR INTERSTITIAL MICROWAVE HYPERTHERMIA THERAPY - Comparison of two numerical methods in computational electromagnetics
Authors:

M.F.J. Cepeda, A. Vera, L. Leija, E. Ávila-Navarro, Candid Reig and E.A. Navarro
Abstract: Microwave hyperthermia therapy is the most recent development in the field of tumor ablation. The electromagnetic microwave irradiation applied to the tumor tissue causes water molecules to vibrate and rotate, resulting in tissue heating and subsequently cell death via thermal-induced protein denaturation. The main advantages of microwave technology, when compared with existing thermoablative technologies, include consistently higher intratumoral temperatures, larger tumor ablation volumes, faster ablation times, and an improved convection profile. The effectiveness of this technique is related to the temperature achieved during the therapy, as well as the length time of treatment and cell and tissue characteristics. To ensure that the desired temperature is obtained, the temperature of the tumor and surrounding tissue is monitored throughout hyperthermia treatment. To effectively treat deep-stead tumors, the interstitial antennas should produce a highly localized specific absorption rate pattern and be efficient radiators at different generator frequencies. Numerical electromagnetic and thermal simulations are used to optimize the antenna design and predict heating patterns. An advanced computer modeling of a double slot antenna for interstitial hyperthermia was designed using two different numerical methods, the Finite Element Method and a Finite-difference time-domain. The aim of this work is to compare and analyze both numerical methods.
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Paper Nr: 23
Title:

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC LABEL-FREE DNA BY USING POLYSILICON WIRE
Authors:

You-Lin Wu, Wen- Cheng Liu, Chung-Ping Hsu and Po-Yen Hsu
Abstract: In this paper we report the electrical measurement of sequence-specific and label-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by using poly-silicon (poly-Si) wire. Four single-strained (ss) DNA bases, adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanines (G), as well as double-stranded (ds) DNA sequences, ds(A-T) and ds(C-G), with different lengths and concentrations were dropped onto the poly-Si wire surface, and currents flowing through the poly-Si wire channel were determined. It is found that the amount change of the channel current delta I for ssDNAs with fixed length and fixed concentration is that T > C > G > A. For dsDNA sequence, we observe that ds(A-T) has higher delta I than does ds(C-G). We also prove that single base change in ssDNA is feasible by using the poly-Si wire sensor.
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Paper Nr: 37
Title:

LIGHT TRANSMISSION THROUGH GAUZE PAD SOAKED WITH BLOOD OR LIQUIDS TO DETECT VENOUS NEEDLE DISLODGEMENT
Authors:

Akihiro Takeuchi, Kai Ishida, Yasuo Morohoshi, Toshihiro Shinbo, Minoru Hirose and Noriaki Ikeda
Abstract: Accidents during hemodialysis such as a large amount of blood loss are often caused by venous needle dislodgement. To develop a bleeding sensor based on a photo sensor, we studied effects of liquids and porcine blood on light transmission through a thin gauze pad. The photo sensor consisted of an ordinary electrical circuit, a light emitting diode (lambda max = 645 nm), a photo diode, and a thin gauze pad placed between the diodes. The light transmitted through the gauze pad soaked with liquids or porcine blood was measured with a digital voltmeter. The liquids on a gauze pad, significantly increased the voltage (light transmission) from 0.33 +/- 0.004 V (SD) to 0.63 +/- 0.02 V (minimum, by reverse osmosis water) and to 0.70 +/- 0.03 V (maximum, by 50% glucose). The porcine blood significantly decreased the voltage from 0.33 V to 0.21 +/- 0.02 V in Hct 40%, to 0.27 +/- 0.02 in Hct 30%, to 0.30 +/- 0.02 V in Hct 20%. We confirmed that liquids significantly increased light transmission through the gauze pad, but porcine blood decreased light transmission. This opposite response can be used to distinguish liquids from blood on a gauze pad.
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Paper Nr: 43
Title:

COMPUTER SIMULATION OF MICROELECTRODE BASED BIO-IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENTS WITH COMSOL
Authors:

Alberto Yúfera and Alberto Olmo
Abstract: Electrical models for microelectrode-cell interfaces are essential to match electrical simulations to real bio-systems performance and correctly to decode the results obtained experimentally. The accurate response simulation of a microelectrode sensor to changes in the cell-electrode system, such as cell growth, enables the optimum microelectrode design process. We report the use of COMSOL quasi-static mode, contrary to other DC modes frequently used, including magnetic fields to calculate the bioimpedance of the system. A fully electrode-cell model has been built, and the effect of fibroblasts of different diameters on the simulated impedance of small microelectrodes (32-µm square) has been studied, in order to validate the model and to characterize the microelectrode sensor response to changes in cell size and density.
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Paper Nr: 49
Title:

DEVELOPMENT OF A BIODIAGNOSTIC DEVICE ASSAY FOR COAGULATION MONITORING
Authors:

Magdalena M. Dudek, Magdalena M. Dudek and Anthony J. Killard
Abstract: There is an urgent need for the development of reliable point-of-care devices capable of anticoagulant dose monitoring due to the increasing number of patients being treated with clotting control therapy. Miniaturized microfluidic systems made of polymers have gained great interest from the diagnostics industry in recent years. Due to the low cost of manufacturing and processing, they have been employed in the development of several disposable diagnostic systems. Herein, the concept of monitoring blood clotting properties by measuring a sample distance travelled in a lateral flow system was shown. Substances known to be strong coagulation activators were employed in the monitoring system. These were capable of inducing rapid clot formation and thus arrest of sample flow. The device was shown to be a viable tool for measuring the clotting status of samples containing different quantities of an anticoagulant.
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Paper Nr: 52
Title:

Adaptive Motion Artifact filter for Photoplethysmogram Extraction
Authors:

Omar Abdallah, Amparo P. Tarazona, Teresa M. Roca, Kawther Abo Alam and Armin Bolz
Abstract: Adaptive filters have been used to enable the robust measurement of photoplethysmogram (PPG) under conditions of the motion artifact which causes a high noise to the signal. In this adaptive filter a noise reference and a signal reference are used. The least mean square (LMS) method was applied to extract the actual signal from the noisy one. For the first approximation to generate the reference signal, a low pass filter is used. Based on the resulting signal, an appropriate reference signal is generated. This reference signal is in turn subtracted from the detected signal to generate a noise signal. The generated noise signal is modified to synthesize the noise reference signal. The synthesized reference noise is adjusted by the adaptive algorithm to the real one contained in the measurement, and then subtracted from the detected noisy signal. The filtered signals can be used to determine various physiological parameters such as the fractional oxygen saturation or the other blood components. Calculating the oxygen saturation using the filtered PPGs subjected to artifacts looks promising when compared to the calculated values using PPGs without motion artifacts, for the same case.
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Paper Nr: 54
Title:

Preselection of Neurostimulation Waveforms for Visual Prostheses using Genetic Algorithms
Authors:

H. Pomares, Alberto Guillén, Cristobal José Carmona and Alberto Guillen
Abstract: Among the variety of approaches for developing therapies for the blind, electrical neurostimulation of the visual pathways seems to be a promising choice. Delivering bi-phasic bioelectric pulses to the nerves implies the selection of values for a number of parameters within a wide range. This needs to be done for every implanted electrode, and for every patient. Nowadays, electrode arrays can include up to one hundred channels, and we expect to raise to thousands of them in a near future. This unavoidable task becomes extremely time-consuming both for the researcher and for the patient. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of tests to be carried out in vivo, we propose the use of multi-objective genetic algorithms that can provide a limited set of candidate waveforms to be tried.
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Paper Nr: 56
Title:

Low Noise Measurement of Photocurrent for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Authors:

Dan Cooley and David Andersen
Abstract: We have developed a data acquisition unit (DAU) for continuous, low noise measurement of glucose concentration in subcutaneous interstitial fluid (ISF). The system is comprised of a glucose sensor (Olesberg, 2006), op-amps for signal conditioning, and delta-sigma (∆-Σ) ADCs. The glucose sensor has two IR LEDs which emit light with wavelength of 2.2 to 2.4 μm where there are two peaks in the glucose absorption spectrum. The IR light propagates through a glass fluid chamber containing interstitial fluid and a linearly variable bandpass filter before impinging on a 32 channel photodiode array. The center frequency of the filter varies along one dimension of the filter, so that each photodiode is sensitive to equally spaced portions of the glucose absorption spectrum. Transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) convert the photocurrents into voltages which are sampled by ADCs. We developed a noise model which predicts the noise characteristics of the system. We use low noise metal film resistors to verify the DAU noise characteristics. Non-ideal characteristics such as limited photocurrent and low photodiode shunt resistance increase difficulty of obtaining low noise measurements. We demonstrate that the DAU provides low noise (41.7 dB SNR) photocurrent measurements and is suitable for use in a continuous glucose monitoring system.
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Paper Nr: 57
Title:

SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO EVALUATION IN SIGNAL AVERAGED ECG BY DERIVATIVE DYNAMIC TIME WARPING AND PIECEWISE LINEAR APPROXIMATION

Authors:

Miguel E. Bravo, Roberto L. Avitia, Lucio Cetto, Marco A. Reyna_Carranza and Miguel Bravo_Zanoguera
Abstract: Signal Averaged Electrocardiography is a technique widely used as an alternative to improve signal to noise ratio (SNR), but sometimes patient’s physiology may alter the characteristics of quasi-steady heartbeats that are assumed in the averaging. This paper evaluates the noise as a parameter for measuring the alignment heartbeats by Derivative Dynamic Time Warping (DDTW) and using Piecewise Linear Approximation (PLA) previously. The records were taken from a group of healthy individuals and the results show that the number of heartbeats averaged necessary to improve the SNR is less than the traditional method.
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Paper Nr: 58
Title:

An Enhanced Kinematic Model of the Human Thumb for an Artificial Hand
Authors:

Marc Franke and Martin Bogdan
Abstract: The opposability and circumduction of the thumb is in medical-anatomical literature usually contributed to the biomechanical function of the CMC (Carpometacarpal) joint between the trapezium and the 1st metacarpal. Hence, previous robot hands commonly are based on CMC joints providing a maximum of 2 DOF. We assume that the kinematic function of the thumb is additionally supported by the kinematic function of the STT (Scaphoid-Trapezium-Trapezoid) joint, which builds the radial carpal column. Our study is based on a previous work by Essers determining the specific movements of the STT joint. In this study, these results were combined with a kinematic 3D model of the human hand with focus on the kinematic of the radial carpal column. We set up a kinematic chain of the radial carpal column and the thumb bones to analyse the data gained from the measured movements. The simulations revealed, that the joint movement of the STT joint supports up to 1/3 of the motion range of the adduction, abduction, flexion and extension. Based on these results, we integrated the previous findings into a real kinematic model of the human thumb.
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Paper Nr: 61
Title:

An electronic interface for neural activity recording and stimulation
Authors:

Daniela Loi, Caterina Carboni, Gianmarco Angius and Massimo Barbaro
Abstract: A portable neural activity acquisition and stimulation system by means of tfLIFE implantable electrodes has been realized. The detecting circuit provides: a selective filtering made up of a 4th order high pass Multiple Feedback filter $(f_{-3dB}= 1.1kHz)$ and a 4th order low pass Multiple Feedback filter $(f_{-3dB}= 2kHz)$, a variable gain (24dB - 44dB) and a 16 bit analog to digital conversion. The stimulator allows to generate specific electrical signals through a digital-to-analog converter while stimulation parameters as frequency, duration and intensity are controlled by a digital microcontroller. Simulation results and first experimental results of the interface demonstrate how neural signals of a few of microvolts can be filtered, programmable amplified and digitalized without distortion.
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Paper Nr: 64
Title:

CAPACITIVE SENSING FOR PULSE RATE MONITORING
Authors:

Niall Tait
Abstract: This paper describes pulse rate monitoring using capacitive electrodes on finger or wrist. The technique uses a single frequency measurement suitable for low cost and low power applications. The system may enable convenient, comfortable, and continuous monitoring. Pulsatile flow resulted in approximately 5-10 fF of capacitance variation, a level easily measured using inexpensive capacitance measurement integrated circuits.
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Paper Nr: 79
Title:

Low-voltage Scratch-drive Micro-scalpels Controlled by a Binary-encoded Signal
Authors:

Jung Cho and Mark Arnold
Abstract: A novel approach to applying multi-stylus MEMS SDA Scratch-Drive-Actuator (SDA) micro-robots to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions is presented. The operation of MEMS SDA has been well demonstrated by the research of (Donald et al., 2008) (Donald et al., 2006)(Donald et al., 2003). We assume that such SDAs may be applied to the skin and powered by a bandage-like substrate. A method of controlling the turning operation of MEMS SDA Scratch-Drive-Actuator (SDA) micro-robots has been developed previously by our research: adding an additional stylus arm to control left and right rotation as well as using both arms to halt. In order to control multiple micro-robots without the complication of different stress curling that requires high voltages incompatible with dermatological applications, an alternative solution of controlling electrical connection between the parallel-plate body and the stylus arms is presented that uses a binary-encoded signal. Also an additional beam added to the body of SDA to be used as micro-scalpel can be controlled by this same signal.
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