Hand-held Unit Research Articles

In vitrocomparison of digital and conventional bitewing radiographs for the detection of approximal caries in primary teeth exposed and viewed by a new wireless handheld unit

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic quality of a new wireless handheld unit (ADX4000; Dexcowin Co. Ltd, Korea) on conventional bitewings and its LCD screen for the detection of approximal caries in primary teeth. In total, 108 approximal surfaces of primary teeth were examined in vitro by 3 observers. Conventional films were viewed under subdued lighting conditions on a conventional view box. Digital 3.5 inch images were displayed on the built-in monitor of the ADX4000 and digital 17 inch images were viewed on a 17 inch monitor. The true caries diagnosis was based on histological assessment of the approximal surfaces after sectioning the primary teeth. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (A(z)) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic quality of imaging modalities. The areas under the ROC curves ranged from 0.786 (digital 17 inch) to 0.813 (digital 3.5 inch). No statistically significant differences were found between the three modalities for detecting approximal caries. It was concluded that the diagnostic quality of conventional film and digital images, which were exposed and viewed by a new wireless handheld unit, was comparable.

Breath Analyzer for Alcolocks and Screening Devices

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> Alcolocks and alcohol screening devices are becoming commonplace, and their use is expected to grow rapidly with cost reduction and improved usability. A new breath analyzer prototype is demonstrated, with the prospects of eliminating the mouthpiece, reducing expiration time and volume, improving long-term stability, and reducing life cycle cost. Simultaneous <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex Notation="TeX">${\hbox {CO}}_{2}$</tex></formula> measurements compensate for the sample dilution and unsaturated expiration. Infrared transmission spectroscopy is used for both the alcohol and <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex Notation="TeX">${\hbox {CO}}_{2}$</tex></formula> measurement, yet the entire system is contained within a small handheld unit. Experimental results are reported on the device sensitivity, linearity, resolution, and influence from varying measuring distance. The correlation between early and full-time sampling was established in 60 subjects. Basic concept verification was obtained, whereas resolution and selectivity still needs to be improved. Further improvements are expected by system optimization and integration. </para>

Forensic oral imaging quality of hand-held dental X-ray devices: Comparison of two image receptors and two devices

Recently, different portable hand-held and battery-powered dental X-ray units have become available. Especially for forensic odontological purposes, they offer diverse advantages such as for use in disaster areas and crime-scene locations as also in autopsy rooms and mortuaries. For any application, the most important feature of these hand-held devices is the delivered image quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the radiographic image quality acquired by two portable X-ray devices in combination with two types of image receptors and to compare the findings with the image quality of a standard intra-oral X-ray device. Eleven samples consisting of eight teeth, two dry skeletal specimens and one formalin-fixed mandible part were mounted on blocks for standardised (re)positioning. Radiological images were acquired with two hand-held (AnyRay ® 60 kVp, 0.02–4.00 mAs and NOMAD ® 60 kVp, 0.023–2.277 mAs) and one wall-mounted (MinRay ® 60/70 kVp 0.14–22.4 mAs) X-ray device combined with two image receptor systems (VistaScan ® phosphor storage plate (PSP) and SIGMA ® M CMOS Active Pixel technology sensor). The effect of X-ray source-to-object distance (SOD) was checked at 20 cm in conjunction with object to image receptor distances (OIDs) of 0.8 and 2.5 cm. For each parameter setup, the exposure times were run from low till high. An expert consent statement was achieved by agreement of four expert observers selecting the optimal images based on a developed four point quality rating system. Next, a selection of the images was assembled in a set of 198 observation screens and scored by seven observers. The observation screens were designed to compare observer scores, relations between devices, receptors and OIDs and images obtained from the different devices at equal exposure levels (mAs). All results were statistically analysed. Radiological image quality was significantly higher for phosphor plate compared with the CMOS digital receptor system ( p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a significantly superior image quality was obtained for OID = 0.8 than for OID = 2.5 ( p = 0.039). A significant difference in image quality between the three devices was also established ( p = 0.02). The present study demonstrated the feasibility of portable X-ray systems for forensic odontological applications based on rendering optimal image quality, provided an in vitro guideline of optimal parameter settings and offered a radiological image database usable in further research.

Tasting the Light

The article discusses technology by the U.S. company Wicab that lets blind people see by using their tongues. The focus of the article is a device called BrainPort, which is a sunglasses-mounted camera which sends data to a handheld unit. The unit converts light into electrical signals that the tongue can detect. Topics include how BrainPort allows blind people to interpret spatial information minutes after using the device and criteria for monitoring the progress of artificial sight.

Clinical report on a computer-controlled hand-actuated stapling system for general lung surgery: the first application in Japan

Computer-controlled stapling systems can improve lung tissue approximation during thoracic surgery. We report our experience with a handy system with computer-controlled placement of staples for lung resection in Japan. The iDrive system is the improved second version of the SurgAssist stapling system. It comprises a self-contained computer microprocessor and hand-held control unit combined with a digital loading unit (a power linear cutter with a blue or green cartridge) for use in open and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. The mounted control unit has two uses: (1) controlling accurate placement of the cartridge by orientating the tip of the rigid and curved shaft and (2) controlling the closure of the stapler and the firing. Each cartridge contains a programmed electronic device that triggers activation of the appropriate program in the self-contained microprocessor. The compression level on lung tissue is determined by the computer. From March to October 2008, the iDrive system was used 53 times in a consecutive series of 39 patients during open thoracic lung surgery. There were 12 women and 27 men. The following procedures were performed: lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection. The power linear cutters were used for stapling lung parenchyma for wedge resection in 6 patients, bullectomy in 1, segmentectomy in 2, and fissure division in 33. There were no stapling failures and no complications related to the staplers. The new computer-controlled stapling system may be safe and efficient for lung parenchymal tissue resection during open thoracic surgery.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Intensivists Using Hand-Held Echocardiography

Bedside transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provides rapid and noninvasive hemodynamic assessment of critically ill patients but is limited by the immediate availability of experienced sonographers and cardiologists. Forty-four patients in the medical ICU underwent near-simultaneous limited TTE performed by intensivists with minimal training in echocardiography, and a formal TTE that was performed by certified sonographers and was interpreted by experienced echocardiographers. Intensivists, blinded to the patient's diagnosis and the results of the formal TTE, were asked to determine whether left ventricular (LV) function was grossly normal or abnormal and to place LV function into one of the following three categories: 1, normal; 2, mildly to moderately decreased; and 3, severely decreased. Using the formal TTE as the "gold standard," intensivists correctly identified normal LV function in 22 of 24 cases (92%) and abnormal LV function in 16 of 20 cases (80%). The kappa statistic for the agreement between intensivist and echocardiographer for any abnormality in LV function was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52 to 0.93; p < 0.001). Intensivists correctly placed LV function into one of three categories in 36 of 44 cases (82%); in 6 of the 8 cases that were misclassified, the error involved an overestimation of LV function. The kappa statistic for agreement between the intensivist and echocardiographer with regard to placement into one of three categories of LV function was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48 to 0.88; p < 0.001). Intensivists were able to estimate LV function with reasonable accuracy using a hand-held unit in the ICU, despite having undergone minimal training in image acquisition and interpretation.

Low-Cost Handheld Global Positioning System for Measuring Surf-Zone Currents

Abstract Low-cost, handheld, L1 (1575.42 MHz) global positioning systems (GPSs) provide scientists with the opportunity to acquire position and velocity estimates at reduced expense (order of [O]$100), size (∼cell phone), weight (O[70 g]), and engineering time. Two different low-cost, handheld GPS units and four different position-correcting configurations are evaluated here to determine their practicality in measuring surf-zone currents. Three of the simpler configurations result in relative position and velocity errors of O(2 m) and O(0.5 m s−1) for stationary tests. Surf-zone position and velocity signal-to-noise spectral ratios for the three configurations suggest that only motions <0.01 Hz can be confidently estimated for these surf-zone systems. For the fourth configuration, a GPS handheld unit that internally records GPS carrier phase is postprocessed using more sophisticated software for position corrections to obtain absolute position and velocity estimates. Simple modifications are required to i...

Body-Worn Distributed MIMO System

In this paper, we analyze the performance of novel wearable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems, which consist of multiple electrotextile wearable antennas distributed at different locations on human clothing. For wearable applications, a semidirectional radiation pattern of the wearable patch antenna is preferred over an omnidirectional radiation of conventional dipole antennas to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to the human body and radiation losses. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the antennas is not constrained as a typical handheld unit. Through theoretical modeling and simulation, the wearable MIMO system is shown to demonstrate a significantly higher channel capacity than a conventional system on a handheld platform (e.g., a compact dipole array or a single dipole), due to enhanced spatial diversity and antenna pattern diversity. The unique effects of antenna directivity and location on the MIMO system capacity are investigated in terms of antenna correlation and effective gain under different wireless channel models. The advantage of a wearable system over a conventional system was further confirmed by detailed physical modeling through the combination of full-wave electromagnetic and ray-tracing simulations. Finally, complex channel response matrices were measured to characterize the performance of a body-worn MIMO system in comparison with a reference full-size dipole antenna. The 319% improvement in 10% outage capacity for the body-worn system over the reference system made of a full-size dipole antenna is consistent with the 288% improvement projected by theoretical modeling and the average 300% improvement found in the physical simulation of two typical indoor scenarios.

Aspects of advanced thermal management for flip chip on low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC)

PurposeOne of the major driving forces for the electronic industry is the consumer handheld units, where even more functions in a smaller volume and with longer battery time are requested. This leads to a higher energy‐ and interconnect‐density. Two challenges related to this request, that the industry is facing, are thermal management and reliability. This paper aim to discuss some aspects of using flip chip (FC) technology on low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) for this kind of products and to focus on the heat dissipation problem of an FC mounted die.Design/methodology/approachTest designs were developed and built to investigate SnAgCu bumps on LTCC, underfill and five different LTCC designs. The LTCC design parameters were thermal vias and heat spreaders. In the experimental part, the semiconductor junction temperature was measured over a diode in the semiconductor. Cross sections and infrared thermal imaging were used. The experiments were accompanied by FE‐modeling using ANSYS workbench.FindingsThe main reduction in temperature is related to the use of thermal vias and a via offset smaller than 60 μm. A 100 μm via diameter gives only a minor increase in the semiconductor junction temperature. Reducing the LTCC substrate thickness will decrease the junction temperature further.Originality/valueThis paper shows that FC on LTCC is a promising key technology for power amplifier modules.

Operator Exposure to Scatter Radiation from a Portable Hand‐held Dental Radiation Emitting Device (Aribex™ NOMAD™) While Making 915 Intraoral Dental Radiographs*

Operator exposure to backscatter radiation while using an Aribex NOMAD radiation emitting device (a portable, self-contained, cordless, hand-held dental X-ray unit) was determined while the operator employed various typical and atypical use scenarios during the exposure of 715 digital and/or film-based dental radiographs and 200 study control exposures. Study data was compared to the radiation safety occupational exposure annual Maximum Permissive Dose (MPD) of 50 mSv (5000 mrem) to determine the possible exposure risk to an unprotected operator using this device. The results showed the reproductive organs received the highest dose and the thyroid the least. The average operator whole body dose for the study was determined to be 0.047 mSv (4.47 mrem) or 0.09% of the annual MPD. Extrapolating the data as an expression of averaged annual operator exposure resulted in a whole body dose of 0.4536 mSv (45.36 mrem) or 0.9% of the annual MPD, These results are well below established occupation exposure limits and are compatible with those published by the manufacturer.

Automatic extraction of lean-tissue contours for beef quality grading

In evaluating beef quality, proper extraction of the boundary of lean-tissue from the section of beef rib is the crucial first step. The quality features of a beef carcass are determined by size, marbling state, and the colour of the lean-tissue on the 13th rib. Because of the inhomogeneous distribution and fuzzy pattern of the fat and lean-tissues on various beef-cuts, it is difficult to automatically extract a proper contour of the lean-tissue. In this research, image-processing algorithms have been developed to automatically extract the boundary of the lean-tissue in a robust way as human expert does. Algorithms include automatic threshold determination using Renyi entropy for beef-cut segmentation and contour modification, along with binary morphological approaches. The algorithms were applied to 36 beef-cut samples and successfully demonstrated contour extraction with average percentage error of 2.63% and average pixel distance error of 2.51 pixels when compared to results from a human expert. Computing time for the contour extraction process was around 5 s. A mobile image acquisition and processing system was also developed for on-site application. The system was composed of a hand-held image acquisition unit and a mobile computing unit mounted with a touch-pad screen. The algorithms developed were applied to the mobile processing unit as a supplementary grading device.

Electrical stimulation is a useful adjunct in the management of urinary incontinence in people with multiple sclerosis

Does neuromuscular electrical stimulation improve lower urinary tract dysfunction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), when given in addition to pelvic floor exercises and electromyographic biofeedback? Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation and blinded assessment of some outcomes. Twelve health-care facilities in Northern Ireland. Adults with MS with no hospital admissions in the preceding 3 months. They were required to have lower urinary tract dysfunction (involuntary leakage, > 8 voids per day, nocturia, or voiding dysfunction) but not to score more than 7.5 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) from 0 (normal) to 10 (death due to MS). Symptomatic prolapse, prostatic hyperplasia, infection and contraindications to electrical stimulation were exclusion criteria. Randomisation of 74 participants allotted 37 to each of two groups. Both groups were taught skills and strategies to prevent incontinence and trained in pelvic floor muscle exercises. Both groups were taught to perform the exercises with electrical stimulation via a hand-held unit with a vaginal or anal probe. The treatment group received active stimulation while the control group received sham stimulation. Both groups performed the exercises daily for 9 weeks. The exercises were reviewed with electromyographic biofeedback at a weekly clinic visit. The primary outcome was the number of leakage episodes per day as monitored by diary. Secondary outcome measures included gain in pad weight after use, voiding measures, symptom questionnaires, and assessment of pelvic floor muscle function using the Oxford classification and EMG. All outcomes were measured at 9, 16, and 24 weeks. In each group, 36 participants completed the study. At 9 weeks, the treatment group had significantly less incontinence, with 0.8 fewer episodes per day (95% CI 0.1 to 1.4) and 89 g lighter pads (95% CI 8 to 171) than the control group. The treatment group also had significantly larger voids, by 47 ml (95% CI 1 to 93), and significantly smaller post-void residual volumes. Symptoms were also rated as significantly less bothersome. At 24 weeks, however, pad weight was the only objective outcome that remained statistically significant. Nevertheless, patients in the treatment group still rated their symptoms as significantly less bothersome on two questionnaires. For people with MS, the addition of electrical stimulation to a program of pelvic floor muscle training and EMG biofeedback induces several improvements in lower urinary tract dysfunction. Although some improvements were temporary, symptoms remained less bothersome for 24 weeks.

Sensing Materials for the Detection of Chlorine Gas in Embedded Piezoresistive Microcantilever Sensors

AbstractEmbedded piezoresistive microcantilever (EPM) sensors provide a small, simple and robust platform for the detection of many different types of analytes. These inexpensive sensors may be deployed in battery-powered handheld units, or interfaced to small, battery-powered radio transmitter-receivers (motes), for deployment in mesh networks of many sensors. Previously, we have demonstrated the use of EPM sensors in the detection of hydrogen fluoride gas, organophosphate nerve agents, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), chlorinated hydrocarbons in water, and others. Here, we report on the design of EPM sensors functionalized for the detection of chlorine gas, or Cl2. We have constructed EPM sensors using composite materials consisting of a polymer or hydrogel matrix loaded with agents specific for the detection of Cl2 such as NaI. These materials were tested in both controlled laboratory conditions and in outdoor releases. Stability of the sensing materials under conditions of high temperature were also studied. Results are presented for gas exposures ranging from 1000 ppm to 20 ppm.

A study to determine the efficacy of a novel handheld light‐emitting diode device in the treatment of photoaged skin

The use of visible or near-infrared spectral light alone for the purpose of skin rejuvenation has been previously reported in the literature. These devices use large arrays of diodes to deliver light to the skin. In this study, a novel method of light-emitting diode (LED) photo rejuvenation incorporating a combination of these wavelengths delivered from a small handheld unit is proposed. Twenty-two subjects with facial rhytides received eight light therapy treatments over a course of 4 weeks, using the Omnilux handheld LED system. Assessment of global skin grading was evaluated at weeks 6, 9, and 12 by a dermatologist. Additional outcome measures included assessments of clinical photography and patient satisfaction scores. Seventy-four percent of the subjects reported a visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles at 8 weeks posttreatment. Combination red and near-infrared LED therapy delivered from a small portable handheld unit represents an effective and acceptable method of photo rejuvenation. Further studies to optimize the parameters of treatment are required.

Compact multiband planar monopole antennas for smart phone applications

A compact multiband planar monopole antenna is discussed. Tuning techniques, including offset feed, etching meandered slot and cutting tuning inset, are applied to the radiator in order to maximise the operating frequency range of the antenna. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed design covers the operating bands of seven wireless services including the DCS/PCS/W-CDMA/2.4-/5-GHz WLANs/Bluetooth and the WiMAX in United States. The design concept, step-by-step guidelines, radiation mechanism and the simulated and experimental results are carefully investigated. The finite-size ground plane effect is taken into account as well. This antenna features multiband operations, almost omnidirectional radiation patterns in one of the principal cuts, and a compact size of 22.75 times 20 mm 2 . It is especially suitable for smart phone applications which are involving in integrating multiple wireless services into a single hand-held unit.

Of Mice and Mentors: Developing Cyber-Infrastructure to Support Transdisciplinary Scientific Collaboration

hen Douglas Engelbart of the Stanford Re­search Institute (SRI) began refinements on an input device to simplify access to comput­ing systems in 1962, he was setting into motion a cascade of events that would ultimately alter the ways in which scientists worked together. Colloquially, Engelbart referred to his prototype pointing device as a “mouse,” a name he gave to the handheld unit when observing that the cord coming out of the back-end looked distinctively similar to a tail (the technical name for the patent was the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System). Most computer users today recognize the mouse as a main­stay of graphical user computing: a way of pointing, clicking, and dragging “virtual” objects onto either a personal or shared workspace. What users do not recognize is that the invention came out of a radically new way of thinking about knowledge and science.

The Camp PDA Experience

ABSTRACT This article describes PDA-based library instruction for second-year medical students. The class, “Camp PDA,” was set up to assist students in the installation and use of handheld devices and applications that are a required part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry's (UMDNJ) New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) curriculum. The students who participated in “Camp PDA” brought with them different devices, varied levels of skill with their handheld units, and different attitudes about the use of the PDA both in the classroom and in the clinical setting.

Portable Hand-held X-ray Unit: Effects of Motion

Background. Because the Aribex Nomad and other new portable x-ray units are held during use by the x-ray technician or operator, a concern has been raised about the effects of motion blurring on the quality of the dental radiographs.

Wireless Sensors with Advanced Detection and Prognostic Capabilities for Corrosion Health Management

Analatom, Inc. is developing the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system using its Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) corrosion sensors combined with a Texas Instruments MSP430 microprocessor for lower weight, lower power, higher sensitivity, and lower cost than conventional sensor systems. The system provides both strain and corrosion measurements in a package a few mils thick. This combination of data provides critical assessment of structural health, leading to prediction of failure. The MEMS sensors are permanently installed in a highvalued structure, such as a building, bridge or aircraft, and are connected to a data acquisition node. Data transmission and downloading uses a MaxStream ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 compliant chip for a wireless, self-organizing network that has low power requirements. The sensor network provides a low-cost, non-intrusive way to detect failures, or to signal ahead of time that preventative maintenance needs to be undertaken to prevent future more expensive replacement. Analatom, Inc. has developed the basic technology for a Portable Maintenance Support Tool (PMST). The device is unique and novel in that it uses a Micro Controller Unit in a handheld device to perform data analysis whilst maintaining a link with a Personal Computer based database for further support. The handheld prototype with a Liquid Crystal Display (LED) touch screen GUI takes readings from a variety of sensors and transfers the data wirelessly to a central PC hub. The handheld unit using the downloaded data from the sensor network can then provide a graphic display and additionally transfer those data to a workstation for further data analysis. Analatom, Inc. builds on its corrosion system platform (sensors, data acquisition unit, data storage) to develop a multiplexed system to obtain data from a variety of sensors, while further developing real time intelligent algorithms to monitor corrosion rates.

Fluorimetrische Pigmentanalyse im Obst - Einflussfaktoren auf das Fluoreszenzsignal

Reflectance spectroscopy has been established as an analytical method of assessing fruit ripeness and quality with hand-held units or in sorting lines. With the higher sensitivity of fluorescence spectroscopy, it is also possible to measure individual fruit compounds, which only appear in extremely low quantities. However, its application in practice is not possible till now, because the reabsorption and fluorescence quenching effects in the complex fruit tissue influence the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the fluorescence signal.