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ABSTRACT: In the event of a cardiac arrest during microgravity exposure, external chest compressions (ECCs) which form the main part of basic life support should be carried out while the advanced life support equipment is being deployed. This study was aimed to determine if there was any gender difference in the effectiveness of performing ECCs using a body suspension device to simulate lunar and Martian hypogravity and microgravity.
The volunteers performed ECCs during simulated microgravity (using the Evetts-Russomano method): lunar, Martian, and Earth/Control. Each volunteer performed 3 sets of 30 compressions with 6 s rest in between. The volunteers had their increase in heart rate measured and used the Borg scale to rate the intensity of work after each protocol.
The mean depth compressions for men during all gravitational simulations were higher than the women, but both sexes performed effective ECCs during the two tested hypogravity states. During simulated microgravity, men performed significantly deeper ECCs (mean +/- SD of 45.07 +/- 4.75 mm) than women (mean +/- SD of 30.37 +/- 4.75 mm). None of the women achieved the required mean depth of ECCs. Though the increase in heart rate was higher in women, no significant difference was seen in the Borg scale scores between genders during or after the performance of ECCs in microgravity.
The results suggest both genders can perform effective ECCs during simulated hypogravity. Women, however, cannot perform effective ECCs during microgravity simulation. These findings suggest that there is a gender difference when performing the Evetts-Russomano method.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 07/2012; 83(7):643-8. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 12/2011; 82(12):1161-3. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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01/2011; , ISBN: 978-953-307-514-3
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Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 11/2010; 81(11):1053-4. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Since 1970, the Moiré phenomenon has been employed as a method of clinical diagnosis in topographical analyses of the human body. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the main characteristics of the Moiré phenomenon and its use as a topographical method for clinical applications, particularly those related to postural deviations. A systematic search for papers written in English between 1966 and 2010 was performed according to pre-established selection criteria and the selected studies underwent a content analysis. The results showed an evolution in the method of Moiré topography (MT), which reflect an increasing effort to improve the accuracy and precision of the method, as well as to facilitate the interpretation of topograms using specific software. The Shadow and Projection Moiré techniques have more frequently been used in comparison with other techniques. On the other hand, the methodological procedures of MT are apparently not well defined in the literature. Although MT was shown to be useful in the detection of spinal deformities, there is still a lack of research in clinical settings, especially in the elderly. For the most part, the studies involve the tracking of scoliosis in school age children. Japan appears to be the most advanced country in terms of the application of MT.
Gait & posture 07/2010; 32(3):422-4. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 02/2009; 80(1):62-3. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The rapid evolution of telecommunication technology has enabled advances to be made in low cost video-conferencing through the improvement of high speed computer communication networks and the enhancement of Internet security protocols. As a result of this progress, eHealth education programs are becoming a reality in universities, providing the opportunity for students to have greater interaction at live surgery classes by means of virtual participation. Undergraduate students can be introduced to new concepts of medical care, remote second opinion and to telecommunication systems, whilst virtually experiencing surgical procedures and lectures. The better access this provides to the operating theater environment, the patient and the surgeon can improve the learning process for students. An analogical system was used for this experimental pilot project due to the benefits of it being low cost with a comparatively easy setup. The tele-surgery lectures were also transmitted to other universities by means of a Pentium 4 computer using open source software and connected to a portable image acquisition device located in the São Lucas University Hospital. Telemedicine technology has proven to be an important instrument for the improvement of medical education and health care. This study allowed health professionals, professors and students to have greater interaction during surgical procedures, thus enabling a greater opportunity for knowledge exchange.
Studies in health technology and informatics 02/2009; 150:866-70.
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ABSTRACT: In this paper, we describe the tests developed by our research team to evaluate the performance of eye tracking algorithms to quantify vertical and horizontal eye movements. To perform the tests, we created a special library to generate synthetic eye images, where we can control most characteristics of the eyes. It is possible to simulate the different situations observed during the acquisition of eye images of a real subject.
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2008. EMBS 2008. 30th Annual International Conference of the IEEE; 09/2008
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ABSTRACT: In this paper, we describe the tests developed by our research team to evaluate the performance of eye tracking algorithms to quantify vertical and horizontal eye movements. To perform the tests, we created a special library to generate synthetic eye images, where we can control most characteristics of the eyes. It is possible to simulate the different situations observed during the acquisition of eye images of a real subject.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2008; 2008:5765-8.
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01/2008; Morgan & Claypool Publishers.
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ABSTRACT: There is currently no effective method of measuring arterial blood gas tensions in austere environments such as in space or at high altitude. An alternative to direct arterial measurement is the sampling of arterialized earlobe blood, an accurate technique that has been in use in clinical medicine and physiology for more than 50 yr. We, therefore, developed an earlobe arterialized blood (EAB) collector for practical use in extreme environments.
The results from the EAB collector were compared with simultaneous samples of blood drawn from the radial artery. Six healthy subjects breathed a gas mixture of 12.8% O2 in N2 during 15 min of 8 degree head-down tilt. The blood samples were analyzed immediately.
The mean differences in Po2 between arterialized earlobe and radial artery samples were 0.25 +/- 1.25 mmHg for Po2 and 1.0 +/- 0.75 mmHg for Pco2; neither difference was significant. There was no difference between the pH values obtained by the two techniques.
This study suggests that arterialized blood sampled from the earlobe using the EAB collector may provide sufficiently accurate measurements of the Po2, Pco2 and pH of arterial blood for clinical or research use in extreme environments.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 05/2006; 77(4):453-5. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper describes a new technique to compensate the eye movements in dark adaptometry tests. The instrument is controlled by a personal computer and can be used in the investigation of several retinal diseases. The stimulus is delivered to the eye through the modified optics of a fundus camera using two light-channels: one for the stimulus presentation, and other for retinal visualization. Infrared images of the fundus are displayed on a video monitor and the stimulus position can be compensated in real time. These modifications provide the advantages of continuous monitoring of fixation and visualization of the retinal regions, thereby increasing the accuracy of dark adaptometry in patients with fixation problems.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:1952-5.
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ABSTRACT: This research purposes the development of a telemedicine system capable of remote monitoring and digitalization the patients biological signals. It includes a mobile device which transmits the patient electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) to a monitoring host using the wireless communication, allowing mobility to the patient in hospital or in his daily routine.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:2057-9.
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ABSTRACT: An equipment to support the medical diagnosis and the studies of human balance in real time is being developed. This equipment is based on a recent technique which quantifies the movement of the eyes based on digital image processing. During the development of the equipment, modifications to the original algorithm were applied to improve its performance, since a faster camera is being used. The purpose of this work is to show the improvements applied to this fast algorithm. These improvements are intended to decrease even more the processing time.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:3970-3.
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ABSTRACT: Preservation of astronaut crew health during an exploration mission to the Moon or Mars will be crucial to mission success. The likelyhood of a life threatening medical condition occurring during a mission to Mars has been estimated by NASA to be 1% per year. Since basic life support is a vital skill in critical care medicine, plans must be in place for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in both microgravity and hypogravity (i.e. on the surface of the Moon or Mars). Following the design of a body suspension device to simulate a hypogravity environment, subjects performed external chest compressions in 1G, 0.17G (Lunar), 0.38G (Mars) and 0.7G ('Planet X'). Chest compression adequacy was assessed by means of rate and depth. Heart rate immediately before and after 3 minutes of chest compression gave a measure of rescuer fatigue. Elbow flexion was measured using an electrogoniometer in order to assess the use of arm muscles to achieve chest compressions. This study found that depth (Lunar and Mars) and rate (Mars) of chest compression was below American Heart Association recommendations during hypogravity simulation in the female group. Furthermore, elbow flexion proved to be significantly greater during Lunar and Mars hypogravity simulation than that of the 1G control condition, suggesting that upper arm force may be used to counter the loss of body weight in an attempt to maintain adequate chest compression under these conditions.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:2904-7.
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ABSTRACT: This article presents a software program for visualization and processing of medical images. It provides an expansible set of techniques to help extracting visual information from medical images to be used in diagnosis support and in advanced scientific investigations.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:5790-3.
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ABSTRACT: An instrumented bicycle pedal was built and calibrated. The pedal has good linearity and sensibility, comparable to other instruments in the literature. This study aimed to perform accurate calibration of a tri-axial pedal, including forces applied, deformations, nonlinearities, hysteresis and standard error for each axis. Calibration was based on Hull and Davis method, which is based on the application of known loads on the pedal in order to create a calibration matrix.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2006; 1:4144-6.
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ABSTRACT: If a cardiac arrest occurs in microgravity, the aim of current emergency procedures is to treat the patient using a medical restraint system within 2 min. The patient may require treatment while medical equipment is being deployed. The capability for one person, unaided, to successfully perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is, therefore, of paramount importance. A new technique has been developed whereby the practitioner encircles the thorax of the patient with his/her legs to restrain the patient to allow CPR to be performed in microgravity.
Two investigators performed both this method (during parabolic microgravity) and traditional CPR (at +1 Gz) on an instrumented CPR mannequin. The mannequin was modified to ensure accurate chest compression and ventilation measurements during microgravity.
The mean (+/-SE) depth and rate of chest compression were 44.0+/-4.99 mm and 68.3+/-17.0 compressions x min(-1) respectively. Although the mean microgravity rate of compression proved significantly less (p < 0.05) than the +1 Gz mean (97.1+/-3.4 compressions x min(-1)), chest compression depth did not differ (p > 0.05) from +1 Gz measures (43.6+/-0.59 mm). The mean (+/-SE) microgravity tidal volume (VT) was 491+/-50.4 ml, which also did not differ (p > 0.05) from +1 Gz values (507.6+/-11.5 ml).
Although difficulties in performing this method during parabolic flight primarily affected compression rate, it may be possible to conduct basic life support using this technique in any microgravity environment.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 06/2005; 76(5):506-10. · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper describes an algorithm used to automatically determine the threshold sensitivity in a new dark adaptometer. The new instrument is controlled by a personal computer and can be used in the investigation of several retinal diseases. The stimulus field is delivered to the eye through the modified optics of a fundus camera. An automated light stimulus source was developed to operate together with this fundus camera. New control parameters were developed in this instrument to improve the traditional Goldmann-Weekers dark adaptometer.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2005; 2:1988-90.
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IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine 26(3):66-71. · 2.06 Impact Factor
