Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Wear of the Charite(R) lumbar intervertebral disc replacement investigated using an electro-mechanical spine simulator
The Charité® lumbar intervertebral disc replacement was subjected to wear testing in an electro-mechanical spine simulator. Sinusoidally varying compression (0.6–2 kN, frequency 2 Hz), rotation (±2°, frequency 1 Hz), flexion–extension (6° to –3°, frequency 1 Hz) and lateral bending (±2°, frequency 1 Hz) were applied out of phase to specimens immersed in diluted calf serum at 37 °C. The mass of the ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene component of the device was measured at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 million cycles; its volume was also measured by mi...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Moghadas, P., Mahomed, A., Shepherd, D. E., Hukins, D. W. Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research

Shape memory alloy-based biopsy device for active locomotive intestinal capsule endoscope
Recently, capsule endoscopes have been used for diagnosis in digestive organs. However, because a capsule endoscope does not have a locomotive function, its use has been limited to small tubular digestive organs, such as small intestine and esophagus. To address this problem, researchers have begun studying an active locomotive intestine capsule endoscope as a medical instrument for the whole gastrointestinal tract. We have developed a capsule endoscope with a small permanent magnet that is actuated by an electromagnetic actuation system, allowing active and flexible movement in the patient’s gut environment. In addi...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Le, V. H., Hernando, L.-R., Lee, C., Choi, H., Jin, Z., Nguyen, K. T., Go, G., Ko, S.-Y., Park, J.-O., Park, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Assessment of non-contacting optical methods to measure wear and surface roughness in ceramic total disc replacements
This study presents a method for measuring the low volumetric wear expected in ceramic total disc replacements, which can be used to replace intervertebral discs in the spine, using non-contacting optical methods. Alumina-on-alumina ball-on-disc tests were conducted with test conditions approximating those of cervical (neck region of the spine) total disc replacement wear tests. The samples were then scanned using a three-dimensional non-contacting optical profilometer and the data used to measure surface roughness and develop a method for measuring the wear volume. The results showed that the magnification of the optical ...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Green, N. C., Bowen, J., Hukins, D. W., Shepherd, D. E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A novel computational model for the hemodynamics of bileaflet mechanical valves in the opening phase
The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of the exact anatomical model of the aortic root and the realistic boundary conditions in the hemodynamics of the bileaflet mechanical heart valves. The model considered in this study is based on the St Jude Medical valve in a novel modeling platform. Through a more realistic geometrical model for the aortic root and the St Jude Medical valve, we have developed a new set of boundary conditions in order to be used for the assessment of the hemodynamics of aortic bileaflet mechanical heart valves. The results of this study are significant for the design improvement...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Jahandardoost, M., Fradet, G., Mohammadi, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Comparative study for surface topography of bone drilling using conventional drilling and loose abrasive machining
In this study, a comparison is made between conventional and a loose abrasive unconventional drilling technique for the surface characterization of the bone. The attempt has been made to show the feasibility of bone drilling with non-conventional technique and its aftereffect on the bone structure. The burr formation during conventional bone drilling was found to be more which leads to problems such as crack initiation and thermal necrosis. Scanning electrode microscope and surface roughness tester were used to characterize the surface of the fine drilled bone specimen and the results testified quite better surface finish ...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Singh, G., Jain, V., Gupta, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A low-cost, high-field-strength magnetic resonance imaging-compatible actuator
To perform minimally invasive surgical interventions with the aid of robotic systems within a magnetic resonance imaging scanner offers significant advantages compared to conventional surgery. However, despite the numerous exciting potential applications of this technology, the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging–compatible robotics has been hampered by safety, reliability and cost concerns: the robots should not be attracted by the strong magnetic field of the scanner and should operate reliably in the field without causing distortion to the scan data. Development of non-conventional sensors and/or actuators ...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Secoli, R., Robinson, M., Brugnoli, M., Rodriguez y Baena, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Mechanics of pericardial effusion: A simulation study
Pericardial effusion is a pathological accumulation of fluid within pericardial cavity, which may compress heart chambers with hemodynamic impairment. We sought to determine the mechanics underlying the physiology of the hemodynamic impairment due to pericardial effusion using patient-specific computational modeling. Computational models of left ventricle and right ventricle were based on magnetic resonance images obtained from patients with pericardial effusion and controls. Myocardial material parameters were adjusted, so that volumes of ventricular chambers and pericardial effusion agreed with magnetic resonance imaging...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Scardulla, F., Rinaudo, A., Pasta, S., Scardulla, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Design and development of a device to measure the deformities of clubfoot
This article describes a new device that can quickly and efficiently take several measurements on feet of various sizes and shapes. The use of this device was verified by measuring the deformities of real clubfeet. A silicone rubber clubfoot model was also used in this study to clearly illustrate the effectiveness with which the proposed device can measure the various deformities of clubfoot. It is envisaged that the use of this device will significantly reduce the time and effort orthopedists require to measure clubfoot deformities and develop and assess treatment plans. (Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanic...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Khas, K. S., Pandey, P. M., Ray, A. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Wear of PEEK-OPTIMA(R) and PEEK-OPTIMA(R)-Wear Performance articulating against highly cross-linked polyethylene
The idea of all polymer artificial joints, particularly for the knee and finger, has been raised several times in the past 20 years. This is partly because of weight but also to reduce stress shielding in the bone when stiffer materials such as metals or ceramics are used. With this in mind, pin-on-plate studies of various polyetheretherketone preparations against highly cross-linked polyethylene were conducted to investigate the possibility of using such a combination in the design of a new generation of artificial joints. PEEK-OPTIMA® (no fibre) against highly cross-linked polyethylene gave very low wear factors of 0...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - April 1, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: East, R. H., Briscoe, A., Unsworth, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Thanks to reviewers
(Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine)
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Tags: Thanks to reviewers Source Type: research

Effect of swirling blood flow on vortex formation at post-stenosis
In this study, inhibition of material deposition at the post-stenosis region by the swirling flow was observed. To reveal the underlying fluid-dynamic characteristics, pathline flow visualization and time-resolved particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted. Results showed that the swirling inlet flow increased the development of vortices at near wall region of the post-stenosis, which can suppress further development of stenosis by enhancing transport and mixing of the blood flow. The fluid-dynamic characteristics obtained in this study would be useful for improving hemodynamic characteristics of vascular graft...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Ha, H., Choi, W., Park, H., Lee, S. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Investigations of micron and submicron wear features of diseased human cartilage surfaces
This study has demonstrated that high-quality three-dimensional images of human cartilage surfaces could be obtained in a hydrated condition using laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Based on the numerical data extracted from improved image quality and quantity, it has been found that osteoarthritis evolution can be identified by specific surface features at the micrometer scale, and these features are amplitude and functional property related. At the submicron level, the spatial features of the surfaces were revealed to differ between early and advanced osteoarthritis grades. The effective indentation m...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Peng, Z., Baena, J. C., Wang, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Reverse engineering of complex biological body parts by squared distance enabled non-uniform rational B-spline technique and layered manufacturing
This article presents a squared distance minimization approach for weight optimization of non-uniform rational B-spline curve and surface to modify the geometry that exactly fits into the defect region automatically and thus to fabricate the scaffold specific to subject and site. The study showed that though the errors associated in the B-spline curve and surface were minimized by squared distance method than point distance method and tangent distance method, the errors could be minimized further in the rational B-spline curve and surface as the optimal weight could change the shape that desired for the defect site. In ord...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Pandithevan, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

An in vitro study of thermal necrosis in ultrasonic-assisted drilling of bone
In case of human bone fracture, the best way to better and faster knitting is when a traumatologist fixes the fractured bone ends by drilling and setting the immobilization plates by screws. Heat generation during bone drilling may result in thermal injury due to exposure to elevated temperatures, with potentially devastating effect on the outcome of orthopedic surgery. A recent and promising method for reducing temperature in bone drilling is the use of ultrasonic assistance, where high-frequency and low-amplitude vibrations are added in feed direction during cutting process. In this research, experimental tests are carri...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Shakouri, E., Sadeghi, M. H., Karafi, M. R., Maerefat, M., Farzin, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Multi-motion robots control based on bioelectric signals from single-channel dry electrode
This article presents a multi-motion control system to help severe disabled people operate an auxiliary appliance using neck-up bioelectric signals measured by a single-channel dry electrode on the forehead. The single-channel dry-electrode multi-motion control system exhibits several practical advantages over its conventional counterparts that use multi-channel wet-electrodes; among the challenges is an effective technique to extract bioelectric features for reliable implementation of multi degrees-of-freedom motion control. Using both time and frequency characteristics of the single-channel dry-electrode measurements, mo...
Source: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine - March 12, 2015 Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Shen, H.-M., Hu, L., Lee, K.-M., Fu, X. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research