Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 772

Abstract: The aim of the article is to analyze the command of a rehabilitation equipment. The presented rehabilitation equipment allows lower limb joints movements, in order to recover their functionality. The rehabilitation movements are known as continuous passive motion, term used in kinetotherapy.The command used is composed by of a pneumatic muscle supplied with air from a pressure proportional regulator and controlled by a reference module. The reference module, by means of rotary potentiometers, can generate up to six different values of ​​reference voltage which are transmitted as signals to the proportional controller. If no appeal to any of these benchmarks, the transmitted signal to the pressure regulator is a voltage that can be modified by an external potentiometer. The results of experiments shows that proportional pressure regulator allows easy modification of the pressure slope, with better results on rehabilitation movements.

Abstract: Surgical robots for biopsy procedure require pre-operative planning of trajectories prior to be used for needle guiding procedures. Virtual Reality (VR) technologies allow to simulate robotic biopsy procedure and to generate accurate needle trajectories that avoid vital organs. The paper presents a serial robot which can be used for biopsy procedure and a needle trajectory planning software based on VR technologies. A virtual environment has been modelled and simulations for robotic-assisted biopsy of the prostate have been performed.

Abstract: Bearing in mind the accessibility and portability of smartphones, they can become a driver assistant of any vehicle without taking into account the vehicle used. Thus, this is an inexpensive and mobile device, accessible to a wide range of platforms being able to analyze and advise the driver of situations that might endanger the safety in traffic. The application proposed in this paper aims to create a comprehensive database for multiple drivers that calibrates and updates its monitored parameters according to the selected profile. The Android operating system was used to create the application. This type of driver assistant is meant only to warn the driver, not to take control of the vehicle.

Abstract: This paper presents the design of an innovative system for the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders, in particular, the scoliosis. The product consists in a mechatronic device that is able to measure in real time the instantaneous position of the human spine, facilitating a precise diagnosis as well as continuous monitoring for prevention and/or treatment of spine disorders.

Abstract: Muscle pain can be elicited by any irritation of the nociceptors in the muscle or central sensitization in the central nervous system and represent a challenge for medical as well as for neurological rehabilitation. The most frequently described muscle pain syndromes are myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The use of infrared thermography in rehabilitation medicine for assessment of musculoskeletal disorders is not well documented in the current literature. This study is focused around MPS due to the more localized manifestations of this syndrome and it’s objective is to asses a correlation between the clinical findings, ultrasound examination and the thermal pattern of trigger points.

Abstract: Facial paralysis is a common affliction for the Rehabilitation Medicine practitioner. This type of paralysis is a very disabling condition. The lost sensation and muscle control in the territory of the facial nerve can cause difficulty in speech, swallowing, closing the eye (it can cause blindness if not tended carefully), it ca also cause vertigo (sometimes it’s so severe that the patient is unable to stand or walk) or the loss of taste in the anterior two thirds of the tongue. In healthy individuals the skin temperature distribution is symmetric. Lesions of the facial nerve are associated with an alteration of the normal skin temperature pattern. Infrared thermography is a valuable auxiliary tool for differential diagnosis, as it objectivizes the infrared thermal distribution on the facial skin.

Abstract: This paper presents researches developed by authors to design a motorized robotic wheelchair for disabled people. These devices enable disabled people perform many activities of daily living thus improving their quality of life. Proposed solution uses for traction one DC motor with steps adjustable angular speed, and for steering one smaller motor. It is presented the kinematic scheme of the proposed transmission and kinematic analysis. It is developed a CAD model of the transmission, mounted on a wheelchair. They are made simulation in Adams, in order to verify the functionality of the proposed transmission. The obtained results validate proposed transmission model and enable success implementation of this transmission to a wheelchair experimental model.

Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of using a new irrigation device to achieve the goals of root canal preparation for endodontic procedures. A secondary goal is to introduce the never before used physical approach of two-phase, two-component irrigation flow in the root canal. Our simulation results show great efficiency of the irrigation procedure in terms of the irrigant volume fraction and wall shear stress at the wall of the root canal over entire working length.

Abstract: Peritoneal Carcinomatosis (PC) carries a worse prognosis than other sites of systemic metastases. The combination of complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is on the verge of becoming the gold-standard treatment of PC, when feasible. In order to develop a HIPEC equipment, with complex inflow distribution system having multiple nozzles and a multipoint temperature measurement system, model based techniques will be used by the authors in order to design heating and flow controllers. Thus a functional model is needed for the concerned process such that the simulated model and the behavior of the real system coincide. This paper presents the experimental identification of the heater used on each of the flow channels that result in a transfer function model for the heating process. Also the model for the temperature sensor is obtained

Abstract: This paper proposes a study on the development of automated custom software that uses the targeted functional analysis (TFA) methodology, in order to provide solutions for the optimal concept of bespoke medical products obtained with additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. The software, Custom-Med, provides a friendly Lab View interface and is easily adaptable for any single part medical product. The functional analysis uses tools like FAST diagrams, product life cycle analysis, technical and economic matrices. The study focuses on the functionality of the product throughout its life cycle, starting with development, production, usage, maintenance and finishing with storage or disposal. These become key input parameters when running Custom-Med. The main advantages brought by deploying a custom software application tool that uses the TFA methodology are: accurate technical parts, high quality, and customization for AM applications and reduced time for product development. Custom-Med is tested for validation purposes on three distinct medical products which are: a mandibular surgical guide, an adaptive ophthalmic speculum and vacuum surgical device. All three products are used for intraoperative surgical procedures.