This book documents the state of the art in the field of ambient assisted living (AAL), highlighting the impressive potential of novel methodologies and technologies to enhance well-being and promote active ageing. It covers a broad range of topics, with sections on technological sensors and platforms, social robotics for assistance, assistance and care applications, health and medical support methodologies and technologies, as well as the analysis, modelling and design of AAL services. The book comprises a selection of the best papers presented at the 8th Italian Forum on Ambient Assisted Living (ForitAAL 2017), which was held in Genoa, Italy, in June 2017 and brought together researchers, technology teams and professional associations, as well as representatives of the Italian regions and advisors to the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, with the goal of developing a consensus on how to improve provisions for the elderly and impaired. The respective contributions offer valuable insights into how the latest advances can help address the needs of the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. They also underscore the need for AAL to continue moving toward multidisciplinary integration, so as to embrace the various disciplines that place the user of services at the centre of the design process.

In response to an infection (e.g., from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses), the immune system can deplete macrophages (specialized white blood cells) and produce cytokines that are pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. This counterproductive autoimmune response is represented mathematically as nonlinear chemotaxis diffusion. This book is directed to the computer-based modeling of chemotaxis inflammation. The spatiotemporal analysis is based on a model of three partial differential equations (PDEs). The three PDE model is coded (programmed) as a set of routines in R, a quality, open-source, scientific programming system. The numerical integration (solution) of the PDEs is by the method of lines (MOL). The three PDE model can be used for computer-based experimentation, for example, parameter variation and changes in the model equations or alternate models, to enhance a quantitative understanding of a postulated inflammation. This experimentation is illustrated by chapters pertaining to: (1) the computation and display of the PDE time derivatives, (2) the RHS terms of the PDEs with emphasis on the chemotaxis terms, (3) parameter variations to demonstrate parameter effects and sensitivities and (4) additonal terms in the PDEs to include PDE coupling and extensions of the basic PDE model.

This book presents the current state of the problem of describing the musculoskeletal system of a person. Models of the destruction of the endoskeleton and the restoration of its functions using exoskeleton are presented. A description is given of new approaches to modeling based on the use of weightless rods of variable length with concentrated masses. The practical application to the tasks of numerical simulation of the movements of the musculoskeletal system of a person is described. Exoskeleton models with variable-length units based on absolutely hard sections and sections that change their telescopic type length have been developed. The book is intended for specialists in the field of theoretical mechanics, biomechanics, robotics and related fields. The book will be useful to teachers, as well as graduate students, undergraduates and senior students of higher educational institutions, whose research interests lie in the modeling of anthropomorphic biomechanical systems.

This book presents an approach to postmortem human identification using dental image processing based on dental features and characteristics, and provides information on various identification systems based on dental features using image processing operations. The book also provides information on a novel human identification approach that uses Infinite Symmetric Exponential Filter (ISEF) based edge detection and contouring algorithms. Provides complete details on dental imaging; Discusses the important features of a human identification approach and presents a brief review on DICOM standard for dental imaging; Presents human identification approach based on dental features.

Maintaining quality of life in an ageing population is one of the great challenges of the 21st Century. This book and collection of illustrated CD lectures summarises how this challenge is being met by multi-disciplinary developments of specialty biomaterials, devices, artificial organs and in-vitro growth of human cells as tissue engineered constructs.
Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering is intended for use as a textbook in a one semester course for upper level BS, MS and Meng students. The 25 chapters are organized in five parts: Part one provides an introduction to living and man-made materials for the non-specialist; Part two is an overview of clinical applications of various biomaterials and devices; Part three summarises the bioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs; Part four presents the concepts, cell techniques, scaffold materials and applications of tissue engineering; Part five provides an overview of the complex socio-economic factors involved in technology based healthcare, including regulatory controls, technology transfer processes and ethical issues. Each chapter is supplemented with illustrated Power Point lectures and study questions in an easy to use CD to aid the reader in self-paced instruction.
Comprehensive introduction to living and man-made materialsLooks at clinical applications of various biomaterials and devicesBioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs are summarised

This book acts as a primer for radiographers upon performing computed tomography (CT) examinations. The focus resides in radiation physics, radiobiology, anatomy, imaging protocols and image evaluation. It seeks to provide readers insight into the practical and innovative approaches within CT, backed up with key literature and examples in practice. Recent innovations and the importance of new technology to acquire enhanced quality remain a focal point. These are essential in understanding the importance of dose optimization, patient anatomy and common pathology observed. Patient care will remain central in this book, supported with a dedicated chapter discussing effective communication, patient education, informed consent, coupled with the assessment of laboratory results and vital signs. The editors draw from recent publications and clinical expertise, supported with the growing trend of technological advances utilized within the CT environment. Critically, this volume focuses on the role of CT for an array of audiences but, more specifically, undergraduate and postgraduate radiographers worldwide.

This book presents a collection of studies on state-of-art techniques developed specifically for lignocellulose component derivation, and for the production of functional materials, composite polymers, carbonaceous biocatalysts, and pellets from lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on using sustainable chemistry and engineering to develop innovative materials and fuels for practical application. Technological strategies for the physical processing or biological conversion of biomass for material production are also presented. All chapters were contributed by respected experts in the field from around the globe, providing a broad range of perspectives on cutting-edge applications. The book offers an ideal reference guide for academic researchers and industrial engineers in the fields of natural renewable materials, biorefinery of lignocellulose, biofuels and environmental engineering. It can also be used as a comprehensive reference source for university students in chemical engineering, material science and environmental engineering.

This book fills the gap between fundamental and applied research in the use of nanomaterials in biomedical applications, covering the most relevant areas, such as the fundamental concepts of the preparation of nanostructures and regulatory requirements for their safe use in biomedical devices. It also critically discusses what has been achieved in the field, and what needs to be urgently addressed and reviews the state-of-the-art medical uses of nanomaterials for treating damaged organs and tissues. Combining the expertise of clinical researchers working in the field of tissue engineering and novel materials, the book explores the main topics regarding the characterization of materials, specific organ-oriented biomaterials and their applications, as well as regulations and safety. Further, it also examines recent advances, difficulties, and clinical requirements in terms of human bone, cornea, heart, skin and the nervous system, allowing readers to gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of current nanomaterial use in biomedical applications and devices, together with the challenges and future trends. This book is a valuable tool for multidisciplinary scientists and experts interested in fundamental concepts and synthetic routes for preparing nanomaterials. It is also of interest to students and researchers involved in cross-disciplinary research in nanomaterials for clinical applications and offers practical insights for clinicians as well as engineers and materials scientists working in nanoengineering.

Includes prospective cost effective, eco-friendly, and safe nanomaterials, synthesized through a facile path Covers synergistic effect of phytochemicals and nano-Ag antimicrobial agents from an antiviral perspective Includes surface coating systems and super absorbent materials for biomedical purposes Discusses nanobiotechnological applications for generating nanoalloys with synchronized nanostructural arrangement of alkaline earth metals and nanoscale dots of transition metal Explores life cycle assessment of the synthesized nanomaterials

This book systematically introduces the bionic nature of force sensing and control, the biomechanical principle on mechanism of force generation and control of skeletal muscle, and related applications in robotic exoskeleton. The book focuses on three main aspects: muscle force generation principle and biomechanical model, exoskeleton robot technology based on skeletal muscle biomechanical model, and SMA-based bionic skeletal muscle technology. This comprehensive and in-depth book presents the author's research experience and achievements of many years to readers in an effort to promote academic exchanges in this field. About the Author Yuehong Yin received his B.E. , M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, in 1990, 1995 and 1997, respectively, all in mechanical engineering. From December 1997 to December 1999, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow with Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, where he became an Associate Professor in July 1999. Since December 1999, he has been with the Robotics Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, where he became a Professor and a Tenure Professor in December 2005 and January 2016, respectively. His research interests include robotics, force control, exoskeleton robot, molecular motor, artificial limb, robotic assembly, reconfigurable assembly system, and augmented reality. Dr. Yin is a fellow of the International Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP).

This book discusses the emergence of diverse functional organizations in the visual pathway which could be spontaneously and solely initiated by the random feedforward wiring of neural circuits. It demonstrates that the structure of ON and OFF retinal ganglion cell (RGC) mosaics is projected onto V1 by retino-cortical feedforward mapping to induce higher cognitive functions. This book will be beneficial for both theoretical and experimental neuroscientists, as well as for researchers using brain-inspired neural network models.

This book explores the status of paper-based diagnostic solutions, or Microfluidics 2.0. The contributors explore: how paper-based tests can be widely distributed and utilized by semi-skilled personnel; how close to commercial applications the technology has become, and what is still required to make paper-based diagnostics the game-changer it can be. The technology is examined through the lens of the World Health Organization's ASSURED criteria for low-resource countries (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable to end-users). Its applications have to include: health technology, environmental technology, food safety, and more. This book is appropriate for researchers in these areas, as well as those interested in microfluidics, and includes chapters dedicated to principles such as theory of flow and surface treatments; components such as biomarkers and detection; and current methods of manufacturing. Discusses how paper-based diagnostics can be used in developing countries by comparing current diagnostic tests with the World Health Organization's ASSURED criteria Examines how paper-based diagnostics could be integrated with other technologies, such as printed electronics, and the Internet of Things. Outlines how semi-skilled personnel across a variety of fields can implement paper-based diagnostics

Circulating cell-free DNA is poised to transform cancer diagnosis and care; however, it carries technical challenges such as low abundance, fragmentation and sensitivity to biospecimen handling. Development of clinically useful assays hinges on understanding the unique technical aspects of working with cell-free DNA as a substrate. This book provides an in-depth summary of the technical issues impacting cell-free DNA purification from blood plasma and analysis in a cancer context, including design of PCR assays, sequencing library preparation and methylation analysis. Emerging fields such as extracellular vesicles and blood nucleases are also covered, as well as basic biology and considerations pertinent to biobanking.

This volume explores the latest engineering methods of mammalian cells that are useful for controlling the performance of engineered mammalian cells for future cell-based therapeutics and for better understanding of complex biological systems. The chapters in this book are organized into five parts. Part One described methods to engineer mammalian cells to sense biologically relevant inputs, such as cell contacts and soluble proteins. Part Two looks at techniques to engineer mammalian cells to sense artificial inputs, such as light and ultrasound. Part Three provides cutting-edge CRISPR-Cas-based methods to carry out highly multiplexed genome editing and spatiotemporally controlled genome editing. Part Four discusses ways to control and engineer biological events in mammalian cells in combination with chemical compounds and systems. Part Five explores techniques to engineer specific mammalian cells in targeted manners. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and authoritative, Mammalian Cell Engineering: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that allows scientists to successfully carry out their research, thus ultimately contributing to the future advancement of this field.

This book covers the medical condition of diabetic patients, their early symptoms and methods conventionally used for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. It describes various techniques and technologies used for diabetes detection. The content is built upon moving from regressive technology (invasive) and adapting new-age pain-free technologies (non-invasive), machine learning and artificial intelligence for diabetes monitoring and management. This book details all the popular technologies used in the health care and medical fields for diabetic patients. An entire chapter is dedicated to how the future of this field will be shaping up and the challenges remaining to be conquered. Finally, it shows artificial intelligence and predictions, which can be beneficial for the early detection, dose monitoring and surveillance for patients suffering from diabetes

This book describes how assistive technology can help handicapped, elderly and acutely sick people to manage their daily lives better and stay safe in the home. It discusses how safety is understood from an ethical, technical and social perspective, and offers examples of the problems that users, their helpers and professional carers have with assistive technology in everyday situations. The book provides insights from user-centred research and uses photographs to illustrate the main topic: how users and technology can work together to ensure safety. User-focused and combining experience with research, the book will interest users of these kinds of technology, health professionals who might introduce and/or prescribe them, engineers who develop and sell assistive technological gadgets, and architects who build safe homes - as well as researchers and students who work in these fields. It provides an overview of the existing technology, examines ways to test its effectiveness from the point of view of users, health professionals and researchers from different fields (architecture, education, engineering, facility management, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, rehabilitative medicine, physiotherapy, social science and speech therapy), and lists useful addresses, websites and literature

This book is part of a two-part volume book that highlights the latest advances in innovative bioceramics applied in the highly interdisciplinary area referred to as "translational medicine". This volume covers the basic principles and techniques used in the manufacture of bioceramics and biocomposites for various biomedical applications including drug delivery, implantable bionics and the development of the cardiac pacemaker, and bone tissue engineering. Furthermore, self-healing materials have been attracting increasing interest in both engineering and medical applications during the past two decades. Self-healing hydrogels are particularly interesting because of their ability to repair structural damages and recover their original functions, specifically in tissue engineering.

This book showcases the state of the art in the field of sensors and microsystems, revealing the impressive potential of novel methodologies and technologies. It covers a broad range of aspects, including: bio-, physical and chemical sensors; actuators; micro- and nano-structured materials; mechanisms of interaction and signal transduction; polymers and biomaterials; sensor electronics and instrumentation; analytical microsystems, recognition systems and signal analysis; and sensor networks, as well as manufacturing technologies, environmental, food and biomedical applications. The book gathers a selection of papers presented at the 19th AISEM National Conference on Sensors and Microsystems. Held in Lecce, Italy in February 2017, the event brought together researchers, end users, technology teams and policy makers.

Wearable Systems Based Gait Monitoring and Analysis provides a thorough overview of wearable gait monitoring techniques and their use in health analysis. The text starts with an examination of the relationship between the human body's physical condition and gait, and then introduces and explains nine mainstream sensing mechanisms, including piezoresistive, resistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, inductive, optical, air pressure, EMG and IMU-based architectures. Gait sensor design considerations in terms of geometry and deployment are also introduced. Diverse processing algorithms for manipulating sensors outputs to transform raw data to understandable gait features are discussed. Furthermore, gait analysis-based health monitoring demonstrations are given at the end of this book, including both medical and occupational applications. The book will enable students of biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, signal processing, and ergonomics and practitioners to understand the medical and occupational applications of engineering-based gait analysis and falling injury prevention methods.

This book presents the state-of-the-art techniques for the modeling, simulation, testing, compilation and physical synthesis of mVLSI biochips. The authors describe a top-down modeling and synthesis methodology for the mVLSI biochips, inspired by microelectronics VLSI methodologies. They introduce a modeling framework for the components and the biochip architecture, and a high-level microfluidic protocol language. Coverage includes a topology graph-based model for the biochip architecture, and a sequencing graph to model for biochemical application, showing how the application model can be obtained from the protocol language. The techniques described facilitate programmability and automation, enabling developers in the emerging, large biochip market.

This updated fourth edition provides current information on devices and is divided into diagnostic and treatment sections. Devices are described with the theory of operation and relevant anatomical and physiological considerations. Aspects of BMET work including test equipment, standards, and information technology are also discussed. The text covers a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment devices currently used in hospitals that students will likely encounter in their career. Principles of operation and examples of use are provided. This book is unique in that it is written by an experienced biomed tech with 30 years' experience in hospitals rather than by engineers with little frontline experience. It is also unique in that it provides ancillary materials on the web and is the only guide divided into diagnostic and treatment device sections. This new edition also includes two new chapters on computers, information technology, and networking as well as health technology management. From the previous edition: "The book presents a comfortable balance between clinical applications, basic technical information, and various pictures of medical technologies one will encounter in the field. Additionally, related anatomy and physiology principles and essential technical terms are a nice complement to the technologies presented. The everyday duties and responsibilities of a biomed are captured by the various 'true-to-life' scenarios introduced throughout the book." -Joey Jones, Madisonville Community College, Kentucky, USA This book is intended for students in biomedical engineering technology and healthcare technology management (BMET/HTM) programs as well as biomedical engineering students. Field service representatives, medical device designers, and medical device sales representatives will also find it useful.

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of philosophical, social, ethical, and legal challenges arising as a consequences of current advances in neurosciences and neurotechnology. It starts by offering an overview of fundamental concepts such as mental privacy, personal autonomy, mental integrity, and responsibility, among others. In turn, it discusses the influence of possible misuses or uncontrolled uses of neurotechnology on those concepts, and, more in general, on human rights and equality. Then, it makes some original proposals to deal with the main ethical, legal, and social problems associated to the use of neurotechnology, both in medicine and in everyday life, suggesting possible policies to protect privacy, neural data, and intimacy. Crossing the borders between humanities, natural sciences, bio-medicine, and engineering, and taking into account geographical and cultural differences, this book offers a conceptual debate around policy and decision making concerning some of the key neuroethical challenges of our times. It offers a comprehensive guide to the most important issues of neurojustice and neuroprotection, together with a set of new paradigms to face some of the most urgent neuroethical problems of our times.

Explains the basis of Brain Computer Interface and how it can be established using different EEG signal characteristics Covers the detail classification of different types of EEG signals with respect to their physical characteristics Explains detection and diagnosis of epileptic seizures from EEG data of a subject Reviews design and development a low cost and robust EEG acquisition system Provides mathematical analysis of EEG including MATLAB codes for students to experiment with EEG data

This book covers innovative breakthroughs in additive manufacturing processes used for biomedical engineering. More and more, 3D printing is selected over traditional manufacturing processes, especially for complex designs, because of the many advantages such as fewer restrictions, better production cost savings, higher quality control, and accuracy. Current challenges and opportunities regarding material, design, cost savings, and efficiency are covered along with an outline of the most recent fabrication methods used for converting biomaterials into integrated structures that can fit best in anatomy while still obtaining the necessary architecture, mechanical reliability, biocompatibility, and anti-bacterial characteristics needed. Additional chapters will also focus on selected areas of applications such as bionics, affordable prostheses, implants, medical devices, rapid tooling, and drug delivery. Additive Manufacturing Processes in Biomedical Engineering: Advanced Fabrication Methods and Rapid Tooling Techniques acts as a first-hand reference for commercial manufacturing organizations which are mimicking tissue organs by using additive manufacturing techniques. By capturing the current trends of today's manufacturing practices this book becomes a one-stop resource for manufacturing professionals, engineers in related disciplines, and academic researchers.