Navigation Devices Research Articles

Evaluation of the Access Cube Patient-Mounted Navigation System for CT-Guided Percutaneous Needle Placement—A Phantom Study

Free-hand computed tomography (CT)-guided interventions are common in interventional radiology. Their accuracy and technical success are highly dependent on the skill and experience of the performing interventionalist. This study evaluates a new, patient-mounted navigation device, which aims to facilitate percutaneous interventions—the Access Cube (AC). Sixty punctures were performed on 2 phantoms (rigid vs nonrigid) comparing the Free-Hand Method (FHM) to the AC on measures of accuracy, time, and the need for intraprocedural scans. Using the AC, punctures were significantly more accurate (3.8 mm ± 1.3 mm vs FHM 6.7 mm ± 4.5 mm, P = .004), significantly faster (263.1 s ± 84.4 s vs FHM 411.2 s ± 141.0 s, P < .001) and needed significantly fewer intraprocedural scans (1.4 ± 0.6 vs FHM 2.8 ± 0.4, P < .001). The AC may enable interventionalists to perform faster and more accurate punctures in a clinical setting.

Visual saliency assistance mechanism based on visually impaired navigation systems

Visually impaired people face significant challenges in their work, studies, and daily lives. Nowadays, numerous visually impaired navigation devices are available to help visually impaired people solve daily life problems. These devices typically include modules for target recognition, distance measurement, and text reading aloud. They are designed to help visually impaired people avoid obstacles and understand the presence of things around them through text reading aloud. Due to the need to avoid all potential obstacles, the target recognition algorithms embedded in these devices must recognize a wide range of targets. However, the text reading aloud module cannot read all of them. Therefore, we designed a visual saliency assistance mechanism that simulates the regions that humans may pay the most attention to in the whole picture. The output of the visual saliency assistance mechanism is overlaid with the target recognition result, which can greatly reduce the target number of text reading aloud. This way, the visually impaired navigation device can not only help to avoid obstacles but also help visually impaired people understand the interest targets of most people in the whole picture. The visual saliency assistance mechanism we designed consists of three components: a spatio-temporal feature extraction (STFE) module, a spatio-temporal feature fusion (STFF) module, and a multi-scale feature fusion (MSFF) module. The STFF module fuses long-term spatio-temporal features and improves the temporal memory between frames. The MSFF module fully integrates information at different scales to improve the accuracy of saliency prediction. Therefore, this proposed visual saliency model can assist in the efficient operation of visually impaired navigation systems. The area under roc curve judd (AUC-J) metric of the proposed model was 93.9%, 93.8%, and 91.5% on three widely used saliency datasets: Holly-wood2, UCF Sports, and DHF1K, respectively. The results show that our proposed model outperforms the current state-of-the-art models.

GNSS Signal Quality in Forest Stands for Off-Road Vehicle Navigation

One of the basic possibilities of orientation in forest stands is the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Today, these systems are used for pedestrian orientation and also for off-road vehicle navigation. This article presents the results of research aimed at measuring the quality of GNSS signal in different types of coniferous and deciduous vegetation for the purpose of optimizing the navigation of off-road vehicles. To determine the structure (density) of the forest stand, tachymetry was chosen as the reference method. The Trimble Geo 7X cm edition device with Tornado for 7X antenna devices using real time VRS (virtual reference station) method was used to measure GNSS signal quality. This article presents the results of recorded numbers of GNSS satellites (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou) during the driving of a terrain vehicle in two different forest locations. Significant presented results include the deviations of vehicle positions determined by GNSS from tachymetrically precisely measured and marked routes along which the vehicle was moving. The authors of the article focused on the accuracy of determining the position of the vehicle using GNNS, as the most commonly used device for off-road vehicle navigation. The measurement results confirmed the assumption that the accuracy of positioning was better in deciduous forest than in coniferous (spruce) or mixed vegetation. This research was purposefully focused on the possibilities of navigation of military vehicles, but the achieved results can also be applied to the navigation of forestry, rescue and other types of off-road vehicles.

Research on Error Correction Technology in Underwater SINS/DVL Integrated Positioning and Navigation

Underwater vehicles are key carriers for underwater inspection and operation tasks, and the successful implementation of these tasks depends on the positioning and navigation equipment with corresponding accuracy. In practice, multiple positioning and navigation devices are often combined to integrate the advantages of each equipment. Currently, the most common method for integrated navigation is combination of the Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) and Doppler Velocity Log (DVL). Various errors will occur when SINS and DVL are combined together, such as installation declination. In addition, DVL itself also has errors in the measurement of speed. These errors will affect the final accuracy of the combined positioning and navigation system. Therefore, error correction technology has great significance for underwater inspection and operation tasks. This paper takes the SINS/DVL integrated positioning and navigation system as the research object and deeply studies the DVL error correction technology in the integrated system.

Basic principles of piezo transducer efficiency evaluation method

Piezoelectric elements are one of the sources of alternative energy, the production of which does not require the use of fossil fuels harmful to the environment and the planet's climate. In this regard, the expansion of the scope of piezoelectric elements happens more and more intensively every year. The designs of piezoelectric elements that are capable of generating electricity as a result of external mechanical influences are in high demand. This demand is due to the ability to operate the most important navigation devices, smartphones, and low-voltage chargers from the received electricity in the absence of external sources of the latter or its high cost when generated by other methods. Due to the fact that piezoelectric elements have a number of specific properties due to their crystal structure, shape, size, and electrical characteristics, it is necessary to develop the selection criteria of these devices, guided by the most rational approach based on economic feasibility, market availability, and optimal manufacturability. Currently, a wide range of models of piezoelectric elements is presented that can meet the need of any customer on the Russian market despite numerous economic sanctions. Selection of the most efficient model is a major challenge for companies that use piezoelectric elements as separate components in the composition of series-produced electronic devices. There is no methodology for selecting such products; however, they can be in great demand due to multifold offers from suppliers. The method that is suggested allows the simulation of a piezoelectric element under settings that are similar to actual operating conditions, the analysis of their impact on the displacement of the piezoelectric element’s end, which is its primary characteristic under the conditions of the considered scheme, as well as the evaluation of properties and the development of recommendations for use based on the variation of its main dimensions (length, thickness), as well as the applied voltage included in the developed model, and analysis of their influence to the displacement of the end of the piezoelectric element, which is the main characteristic of the piezoelectric element under the conditions of the considered scheme. Based on the results of modeling the piezoelectric element, the most acceptable models are selected.

Development of an in-vitro model based on patient vessel geometry for simulated use testing in neurointerventional surgery.

Neurointerventionalists use in-vitro vascular models to train for worst-case scenarios and test new devices in a simulated use environment to predict clinical performance. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), any neurovascular navigation device should be able to successfully navigate two 360-degree turns and two 180-degree turns at the distal portion of the anatomical model. Here, we present a device benchmarking vascular model that complies with FDA recommendations. Our vascular model was assembled from quantitative characterization of 49 patients who underwent CT angiography either for acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion or for aneurysm treatment. Following complete characterization of these data, the vascular segments were 3D reconstructed from CT angiograms of 6 selected patients that presented with challenging anatomy. The curvature and total rotational angle were calculated for each segment and the anatomical parts that complied with FDA recommendations were fused together into a single in-vitro model. The model was constructed containing two common carotid branches arising from a type two aortic arch and the dimensions of the overall model exceeded the recommendations of the FDA. Two experienced neurointerventionalists tested the model for navigation difficulty using several devices on an in-vitro perfusion system and concluded that the model provided a realistic, challenging scenario. This model provides a first prototype designed according to FDA recommendations of cumulative angle while also integrating an aggregation of actual patient-specific anatomy. The availability of this clinically relevant benchmark model presents a potential standardized approach for neurovascular device testing.

Electrically tunable magnetic sensor for satellite-free global positioning

Navigation and positioning technologies play a key role in modern human activities. Currently, navigation devices are mostly dependent on the global navigation satellite systems, for example, the global positioning system (GPS). However, it is known that GPS signals can be jammed or spoofed or otherwise fail. As the need for GPS independent navigation increases in some practical application scenarios, novel navigation techniques based on the geomagnetic field have been developed. A main task of geomagnetic navigation is to obtain the amplitude and direction of the geomagnetic field accurately. Here, we introduce an alternative scheme for vectorial measurements of the local geomagnetic field for magnetic positioning based on the biological ferric sulfide cluster, which exists in the magnetoreceptor protein/cryptochrome complex in certain avian species. We find that by observing the number of peaks and the proportional rate of spectrum on resonance, both the direction and intensity of the magnetic field can be determined. Therefore, our findings may provide a fresh insight into magnetic field measurement and also suggest further guidelines for the design and operation of satellite-free navigation systems based on the electrically tunable inorganic biological molecules.

First-in-human trial of Stabilizer device in neuroendovascular therapy

ObjectivesFlow diverter or stent implantation to intracranial target lesion requires large inner diameter microcatheter navigation. The exchange method using stiff long wire is often necessary if it is difficult to navigate over the regular guidewire. However, this method has an intrinsic risk of vessel damage and may cause severe complications. We investigated the safety and efficacy of a new device, the Stabilizer device for navigation in a first-in-human clinical trial under the Certified Review Board agreement. Materials and methodsThe Stabilizer is a 320 cm length exchange wire with a stent for anchoring and is compatible with a 0.0165” microcatheter. The trial design is a prospective single-arm open-label registry. Inclusion criteria are elective flow diverter treatment or stent-assisted coiling, expected to be difficult to navigate a microcatheter with a regular micro guidewire, and obtained documented consent. The primary endpoint of the study was a hemorrhagic complication. ResultsFive patients were enrolled in this trial. The median age is 52 years, ranges from 41 to 70, and all patients were female. Three aneurysms were located on the internal carotid artery, one on the vertebral artery, and one on the basilar artery. Basilar artery aneurysm was treated by stent-assisted coiling and others were treated by flow diverter deployment. All cases successfully navigate microcatheter for the treatment by the trial method using Stabilizer device without any adverse event. ConclusionsThe results from this first-in-human consecutive five cases show the safety of the Stabilizer device in neuro-endovascular therapy for navigation of devices to the intracranial target lesion.

Detachable Shuddering Device for Visually Impaired People

Abstract: Our eyes are an important part of our health. Everyone rely on their eyes to see universe and make sense around them. Therefore, over the last decades, the development of navigation devices capable of guiding the blind through indoor and outdoor scenarios that has remained a challenge. Many researchers are working to assist visually impaired people in different ways like camera based assistance , voice based assistance , ultrasonic based assistance and in some advance way like transplantation of real eyes but that’s not possible in every case. The main idea of the proposed system is to make person aware of the path and the obstacle in path they are walking. Blind people do lead a normal life, but they definitely face troubles. Let us have an emphatic look at some of their daily life problems and challenges faced by them. The biggest challenge for a blind person especially for one with complete loss of vision is navigation. Obviously blind people roam easily around their familiar atmosphere without any help. But what when they are at unfamiliar place at that time the most valuable thing for a disabled is gaining independence. Conditions like cataract, glaucoma, diabetic-related retinopathy, macular degeneration are some eye disease that can lead to vision loss so instead of showing sympathy to give them an empathetic look here a vibrating hardware is presented. Because vibration is something that could be felt by everybody due to that we present a shuddering hardware for visually impaired people for the purpose of navigation.

Preliminary investigation of SEZUAL device for basic material identification and simple spatial navigation for blind and visually impaired people

Purpose we present a preliminary set of experimental studies that demonstrates device-aided echolocation enabling in blind and visually impaired individuals. The proposed device emits a click-like sound into the surrounding space and returning sound is perceived by participants to infer the surrounding environment. Materials and methods two sets of experiments were set up to evaluate the echolocation abilities of nine blind participants. The first setup was designed to identify four material types based on the sound reflection properties of materials, such as glass, metal, wood, and ceramics. The second setup was navigation through a basic maze with the device. Results experimental data demonstrate that the use of the proposed device enables active echolocation abilities in blind participants, particularly for material identification and spatial mobility. Conclusion the proposed device can potentially be used to rehabilitate disabled blind and visually impaired individuals in terms of spatial mobility and orientation.

Gaussian Process for GPS Receiver Predictor and INS GPS Integration

Global Positioning System (GPS) has become important and necessary in daily life. It is possible to reach any destination using GPS, which is included in many lands and marine applications. In this work, GPS was applied to a real navigation boat, integrated with the inertial navigation system (INS) device, and installed on the boat. The navigational devices were linked to the (mission planer) program, through which the results of the navigation process were shown. The system can provide better navigation performance accuracy and reliability due to the integration between GPS and INS. The data extracted from the navigation devices are processed using the Gaussian process (GP) prediction algorithm, to perform the GPS synchronization with the INS and predict the GPS cut-off values for specified periods. The prediction results of the GP algorithm are effective for the cut-off GPS data as the apparent error amount of the algorithm is low. In addition the inertial navigation system provides the location, speed, and position of the boat, but it contains a cumulative error that increases over time. On the other hand, the GPS better accuracy with a lower data rate than the INS, so the integration system between INS/GPS is necessary. It must be developed to overcome the negatives in both systems. Two types of integration were introduced and implemented herein: loosely and tightly. From the results obtained, one can see that the tight system is better at improving errors.

Navigation Aid use and Human Wayfinding: How to Engage People in Active Spatial Learning

AbstractIn our daily life navigation systems play a pivotal role. These technical aids are used to find a way in unknown environments. Nowadays, they are already integrated into cars or available as smartphone apps. However, navigation is not necessarily successful when using such navigation aids. A highly debated but widely accepted consensus is that the increased use of navigation aids is associated with decreasing navigation skills (i.e., cognitive skills) and social interaction. In the current discussion paper, we therefore want to focus on how to reduce such (possibly) detrimental effects while engaging people in active spatial learning during the use of a navigation device. As we will demonstrate, such an active engagement can be realized rather easily and in a very simple manner: an explicit instruction (and people’s will to follow it). The way the instruction and the task are presented does not seem to matter (i.e., self-read, experimenter-read, or AI-read). The most simple but decisive element for effective wayfinding may be found on the individual psychological level, rather than on the design level for artificial systems. Thus, our discussion paper wants to 1) provide ideas on how to reduce possible detrimental effects in wayfinding (short-term and long-term) and 2) stimulate research on the psychological issues in addition to the technical issues.

Outlier Detection of Crowdsourcing Trajectory Data Based on Spatial and Temporal Characterization

As an emerging type of spatio-temporal big data based on positioning technology and navigation devices, vehicle-based crowdsourcing data has become a valuable trajectory data resource. However, crowdsourcing trajectory data has been collected by non-professionals and with multiple measurement terminals, resulting in certain errors in data collection. In these cases, to minimize the impact of outliers and obtain relatively accurate trajectory data, it is crucial to detect and clean outliers. This paper proposes an efficient crowdsourcing trajectory outlier detection (CTOD) method that detects outliers from the trajectory sequence data in both spatial view and temporal view. Specifically, we first use the adaptive spatial clustering algorithm based on the Delaunay triangulation (ASCDT) algorithm to remove the location offset points in the trajectory sequence. After that, based on the most basic attributes of the trajectory points, a 6-dimensional movement feature vector is constructed for each point as an input. The feature-rich trajectory sequence data is reconstructed using the proposed temporal convolutional network autoencoder (TCN-AE), and the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) channel attention mechanism is introduced. Finally, the effectiveness of the CTOD method is experimentally verified.

Dual-band valley topological refraction materials for bulk elastic waves manipulation

Valley topological refraction material (TRM) of elastic wave and its direction signal transmittance with robustness against structural disturbance is crucial for various applications such as communication, navigation and detection devices for medical and industrial purpose. However, the existing TRM is limited by the single topological band, which obviously hinders the exploration of the multi-band topological ultrasonic devices to guarantee its efficiency and stability. Here, we demonstrate the dual-band valley TRM for elastic waves, in which the valley edge states and their robustness are investigated. Furthermore, the topological refractions of the valley edge states from the interface into the free space at zigzag termination in two frequency bands are explored, where the mode conversion of the bulk elastic wave occurs at interface termination. Interestingly, the full mode conversion from longitudinal to transverse waves is revealed in the low frequency band while the non-full mode conversion between the longitudinal and transverse takes place in the high frequency band. The researched dual-band elastic TRM could facilitate the potential applications in multi-band and multi-directional devices.

Real-time Navigation for Vascularized Lymph-node Transplantation Using Projection Mapping with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence.

The medical imaging projection system (MIPS) is a real-time surgical navigation device using indocyanine green (ICG) emission signals and active projection mapping. The difference between the object and the projected image is within 1 mm, and the time lag is within 0.1 seconds. We herein report the application of the MIPS to vascularized lymph-node transplantation (VLNT) surgery for lower extremity lymphedema to detect inguinal lymph nodes and perform color-coded navigation surgery for lymph-node resection. A left superficial inguinal lymph node was planned to be used as a donor for VLNT to the right lower leg in a 73-year-old woman with lower extremity lymphedema. Under general anesthesia, multiple intradermal injections of 0.1 ml of ICG were administered around the left inguinal donor site. The MIPS showed a clear linear projection image from a lateral injected point connecting to a lateral superficial inguinal lymph node. The left superficial circumflex iliac artery and vein were dissected for vascularized VLNT. Intraoperative real-time MIPS navigation continuously guided the transection plane colored by ICG fluorescence signals without shifting the visual focus from the surgical field. This is the first report of the intraoperative use of ICG projection mapping for VLNT donor-site surgery. The MIPS was able to visualize functional lymph nodes to facilitate minimally invasive donor-site surgery.

Performance Evaluation of a Typical Low-Cost Multi-Frequency Multi-GNSS Device for Positioning and Navigation in Agriculture—Part 2: Dynamic Testing

Dynamic performance of a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning device (PD) is of interest to end users of satellite-based auto-guidance systems (AGS) for agricultural vehicles, especially when a low-cost PD is used. This study evaluated the overall dynamic performance in an agricultural environment for the PDs paired with multi-frequency multi-GNSS receivers and antennae, including low-cost and legacy ones. The dynamic performance was evaluated in terms of reacquisition time, heading accuracy, positioning accuracy, and guidance accuracy at short and medium baselines of RTK (Real Time Kinematic) positioning. The dynamic testing was conducted using an instrumented vehicle with test PDs to perform the test runs on agricultural fields and asphalt roads. The test results proved that the dynamic performance of the low-cost PD was not inferior to that of the legacy one and accurate enough to be used as a positioning sensor for the auto guidance of agricultural vehicles. It could reacquire an RTK-fix solution within 4 s after a 3-s GNSS signal blockage and achieve sub-degree-level accuracy of the heading measurement for agricultural vehicles traveling in an open-sky environment. Furthermore, the low-cost PD could obtain a 4-cm-level dynamic RTK positioning accuracy and agricultural vehicle guidance accuracy of less than 3 cm. The techniques and test results from this study provided additional guidelines for determining the overall dynamic performance of the GNSS PDs and AGSs on an agricultural tractor.

Traffic-Responsive Signal Control at Intersections Using Real-Time Data of Vehicles Connected via V2X Communication

The positive effect of traffic-responsive signal control can be assured when real-time traffic data is reliable, but data reliability may be an issue that depends on the number of probe vehicles equipped with navigation devices or smartphones. However, there is a high chance of improving reliability with the recent deployment of connected vehicles (CVs) that use the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication data. Therefore, this paper proposes a traffic signal control strategy that utilizes V2X communication data obtained from CV operations, which is called the capacity waste reduction (CWR) strategy. In this strategy, vehicle queues on each road lane as an intersection approaches are initially estimated using V2X data. Then, the signal control algorithm determines the duration of the green signal for the currently applied phase based on the estimated vehicle queues. Furthermore, the strategy includes an algorithm for active priority signal control for the vehicles of bus rapid transit systems. The efficiency of the provided control strategy is tested with the VISSIM microsimulation program at different levels of the market penetration rate (MPR) of CVs. Based on the results of the experiment, the proposed strategy shows positive effects in both decreasing travel delay and increasing traffic flow even at the low levels of MPR of CVs. The results of the proposed strategy can be used as the base data for the development of smart intersection operations.

Trends in Computer-Assisted Surgery for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Germany: An Analysis Based on the Operative Procedure Classification System between 2010 to 2021.

Alignment strategies for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have changed significantly over time with a shift towards a more individualized alignment goal. At the same time, computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has gained interest for intraoperative control and accuracy in implant positioning and limb alignment. Despite the often discussed benefits and drawbacks of robotics and navigation for TKA, the routine use of these new devices on a day-to-day basis remains obscure. Therefore, nationwide hospital billing data based on the Operation Procedure Classification System (OPS) were retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany for the period from 2010 to 2021. OPS codes for primary total knee arthroplasty (OPS code: 5-822*) were further analyzed regarding the usage of computer navigation (additional OPS code: 5-988) or robotic devices (additional OPS code: 5-987). Gender and age at the time of surgery were also assessed. The results show a total of 2,226,559 primary TKAs were implanted between 2010 and 2021, of which 2,044,914 were performed conventionally (91.84% of all TKAs). A total of 170,276 TKAs were performed using navigation technique (7.65% of all TKAs) and another 11,369 TKAs were performed using robotics (0.51% of all TKAs). For the period from 2018 to 2021, a substantial increase in robot-assisted TKA (R-TKA) was observed, with an average increase rate of 84.74% per year, while the number of navigated TKAs declined (-3.67% per year). Computer-assisted surgery, and particularly robotics for TKA, are seeing growing popularity and stepwise translation into routine clinical use in Germany, with a steep increase rate of more than 80% per year since 2018. Nevertheless, the majority of TKAs are still performed using manual instrumentation, rendering conventional TKA the currently unchanged gold standard.

Development and Validation of Advanced Three-dimensional Navigation Device Integrated in da Vinci Xi® Surgical Robot for Hepatobiliary Surgery: Pilot Study

Development and Validation of Advanced Three-dimensional Navigation Device Integrated in da Vinci Xi® Surgical Robot for Hepatobiliary Surgery: Pilot Study

UAV NAVIGATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BASED ON THE SPECTRAL PORTRAIT OF TERRAIN

This paper focuses on investigating the navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using spatial-spectral representations of the terrain. This type of navigation is valuable in situations where GPS receivers and other navigation devices fail, but its implementation requires resolving several methodological challenges. One crucial aspect to consider is the impact of changes in illumination on the spectral characteristics of objects. The adoption of satellite-based solutions relying on optical patterns is not suitable for low-flying UAVs, and instead, utilizing service data from the spectral sensors on the UAV's meter display holds greater promise. This study examines an existing method that addresses illumination changes by utilizing the LightValue parameter for different cameras, both in laboratory and field conditions. Through experimentation, it has been established that the relationship between LightValue and the intensities of color components varies individually across different cameras. To correct for natural light variations, it is proposed to employ experimentally derived relationships specific to the sensory equipment brands. When designing navigation systems based on spectral representations of the terrain, it is advisable to select objects that exhibit the most consistent optical changes with respect to illumination.