Search results for " Computer-Assisted"
showing 10 items of 1033 documents
Interactive multiobjective optimization for anatomy-based three-dimensional HDR brachytherapy.
2010
In this paper, we present an anatomy-based three-dimensional dose optimization approach for HDR brachytherapy using interactive multiobjective optimization (IMOO). In brachytherapy, the goals are to irradiate a tumor without causing damage to healthy tissue. These goals are often conflicting, i.e. when one target is optimized the other will suffer, and the solution is a compromise between them. IMOO is capable of handling multiple and strongly conflicting objectives in a convenient way. With the IMOO approach, a treatment planner’s knowledge is used to direct the optimization process. Thus, the weaknesses of widely used optimization techniques (e.g. defining weights, computational burden an…
Measuring guided waves in long bones: Modeling and experiments in free and immersed plates
2005
Guided waves, consistent with the A0 Lamb mode, have previously been observed in bone phantoms and human long bones. Reported velocity measurements relied on line fitting of the observed wave fronts. Such an approach has limited ability to assess dispersion and is affected by interference by other wave modes. For a more robust identification of modes and determination of phase velocities, signal processing techniques using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) were investigated. The limitations of FFT because of spatial resolution were addressed to improve the precision of the measured modes. An inversion scheme was developed for determining the plate thickness from the measured velocity. Experi…
Determination of Bubble Size Distribution Using Ultrasound Array Imaging
2020
In this article, ultrasonic phased arrays are deployed as an imaging tool for industrial process analysis. Such arrays are typically used for sonar, medical diagnosis, and nondestructive testing; however, they have not yet been applied to industrial process analysis. The precise positioning of array elements and high frequencies possible with this technology mean that highly focused images can be generated, which cannot currently be achieved using ultrasound tomography. This article aims to highlight the potential of this technology for the measurement of bubble size distribution (BSD) and to demonstrate its application to both intrusive and noninvasive process measurements. Ultrasound imag…
Software-supported image quantification of angiogenesis in an in vitro culture system: application to studies of biocompatibility
2002
Healing of soft tissue trauma and bone discontinuities following implantation involves acute inflammatory reactions and the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis). During angiogenesis new capillary vessels arise from the existing vasculature. Endothelial cells (EC) are the major cell type involved in angiogenesis. Corrosion of orthopaedic metallic implant materials (e.g. CoCr alloys) can cause locally high concentrations of heavy metal ions in the peri-implant tissues. Some divalent metal ions (Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+) lead to the activation of EC in vitro. Upon exposure to these ions. EC release cytokines and chemokines and increase the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules, which repr…
Effects of endodontic treatment on apparent Young’s modulus of human teeth: in vitro study using speckle interferometry
2012
The introduction of new techniques for endodontic procedures requires the analysis of the biomechanical behavior of dental structures. Digital speckle shearing pattern interferometry (DSSPI) is a nondestructive optical measuring technique that allows one to directly quantify deformations in teeth that are subjected to stress. DSSPI technique was applied to measure small deformations caused by flexion in different types of teeth. The test was carried out both before and after endodontic treatment with the ProTaper method in order to evaluate the variation of dental elasticity, taking into the account the type of tooth and the endodontic treatment. The results obtained show that dental elasti…
Study of smartphone suitability for mapping of skin chromophores.
2015
RGB (red-green-blue) technique for mapping skin chromophores by smartphones is proposed and studied. Three smartphones of different manufacturers were tested on skin phantoms and in vivo on benign skin lesions using a specially designed light source for illumination. Hemoglobin and melanin indices obtained by these smartphones showed differences in both tests. In vitro tests showed an increment of hemoglobin and melanin indices with the concentration of chromophores in phantoms. In vivo tests indicated higher hemoglobin index in hemangiomas than in nevi and healthy skin, and nevi showed higher melanin index compared to the healthy skin. Smartphones that allow switching off the automatic cam…
The Use of Atomic Force Microscopy in Determining the Stiffness and Adhesion Force of Human Dentin After Exposure to Bleaching Agents
2009
Introduction: Oxidant bleaching agents may induce several alterations on mineralized teeth tissues. Our aim is to study,at the ultrastructurallevel,mechanicalmodifications induced on dentin after exposure to different bleaching agents.Methods: Nanoindentation performed with atomic force microscopy was used to measure changes in dentin stiffness as well as the adhesion force between the tip and the tissue both in intertubular and peritubulardentin.Foreachspecimen,dentinlocalization, and bleaching agent, 100 independent nanoindentations were performed. Carbamide peroxide (30%) and hydrogenperoxide(35%) wereusedasbleaching agents. Results: A significant reduction of both stiffness and adhesion…
Response charactterization of ammonium tartrate solid state pellets for ESR dosimetry with radiotherapeutic photon and electron beams.
2001
Solid state pellets (1 mm thick) for electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry were made using ammonium tartrate as the radiation-sensitive substance. Their behaviour was experimentally investigated as a function of dose with 60Co gamma rays. The calibration function obtained permits measurements of absorbed dose in the 2-50 Gy range, with a combined uncertainty of +/-4%. The lowest detectable dose was about 0.5 Gy. These properties are comparable with or even better than those of ESR dosimeters made from other materials. The time stability of the ESR signal of ammonium tartrate dosimeters at different storage conditions after irradiation was studied. A rather complex behaviour was observed, …
Imaging of laser-excited tissue autofluorescence bleaching rates.
2009
Experimental methodology for imaging of laser-excited tissue autofluorescence bleaching rates has been developed and clinically tested. The fluorescence images were periodically captured from the same tissue area over a certain time, with subsequent detection of the fluorescence intensity decrease rate at each image pixel and further imaging the planar distribution of those values. Spectral features at each image pixel were analyzed with a hyperspectral imaging camera. Details of the equipment and image processing are described as well as some measurement results that confirm the feasibility of the proposed technology.
A Monte Carlo study of intersource effects in dome-type applicators loaded with LDR Cs-137 sources
2005
In this study, the dose rate distributions produced by low dose rate Cs-137 sources loaded in afterloadable dome applicators are studied using the Monte Carlo method. Dose differences between Monte Carlo results and calculations done using the superposition principle are within 1-3% in front of the applicator and between 3 and 10% near and along the longitudinal source axis. Consequently, the real doses to lateral vaginal wall, rectum and bladder are very close to the doses estimated applying the superposition principle, while the dose to the vaginal cuff has been overestimated by up to 10%.