Portable Infrared-Based Glucometer Reinforced with Fuzzy Logic.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels owing to decreased insulin production or sensitivity. Current diagnostic approaches for gestational diabetes entail intrusive blood tests, which are painful and impractical for regular monitoring. Additionally, typical blood glucose monitoring systems are restricted in their measurement frequency and need finger pricks for blood samples. This research study focuses on the development of a non-invasive, real-time glucose monitoring method based on the detection of glucose in human tears and finger blood using mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The proposed solution combines a fuzzy logic-based calibration mechanism with an IR sensor and Arduino controller. This calibration technique increases the accuracy of non-invasive glucose testing based on MID absorbance in fingertips and human tears. The data demonstrate that our device has high accuracy and reliability, with an error rate of less than 3%, according to the EGA. Out of 360 measurements, 97.5% fell into zone A, 2.2% into zone B, and 0.3% into zone C of the Clarke Error Grid. This suggests that our device can give clinically precise and acceptable estimates of blood glucose levels without inflicting any harm or discomfort on the user.

Passive Articulated and Non-Articulated Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Gait Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review.

The aim of this work was to study the different types of passive articulated and non-articulated ankle-foot orthoses for gait rehabilitation in terms of working principles, control mechanisms, features, and limitations, along with the recent clinical trials on AFOs. An additional aim was to categorize them to help engineers and orthotists to develop novel designs based on this research. Based on selected keywords and their composition, a search was performed on the ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases from 1990 to 2022. Forty-two studies met the eligibility criteria, which highlighted the commonly used types and recent development of passive articulated and non-articulated ankle-foot orthoses for foot drop. Orthotists and engineers may benefit from the information obtained from this review article by enhancing their understanding of the challenges in developing an AFO that meets all the requirements in terms of ease of use, freedom of movement, and high performance at a relatively low cost.

Biomechanical Assessment of Endodontically Treated Molars Restored by Endocrowns Made from Different CAD/CAM Materials.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the deflection and stress distribution in endodontically treated molars restored by endocrowns from different materials available for the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technique using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The models represented extensively damaged molars restored by endocrowns from the following materials: translucent zirconia; zirconia-reinforced glass ceramic; lithium disilicate glass ceramic; polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) and resin nanoceramic. Axial and oblique loadings were applied and the resulting stress distribution and deflection were analyzed. The Mohr-Coulomb (MC) ratio was also calculated in all models. The translucent zirconia endocrown showed the highest stress concentration within it and the least stress in dental structures. The resin nanoceramic model was associated with the greatest stress concentration in dental tissues, followed by the PICN model. Stress was also concentrated in the distal region of the cement layer. The MC ratio in the cement was higher than 1 in the resin nanoceramic model. Oblique loading caused higher stresses in all components and greater displacement than axial loading, whatever the material of the endocrown was. The translucent zirconia model recorded deflections of enamel and dentin (38.4 µm and 35.7 µm, respectively), while resin nanoceramic showed the highest stress concentration and displacement in the tooth-endocrown complex.

Finite element analysis of stress distribution on the mandible and condylar fracture osteosynthesis during various clenching tasks.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of clenching tasks on the stress and strain of condylar osteosynthesis screws and plates, as well as on the stress, strain distribution and displacement on the whole mandible and bone surrounding screws. METHODS: Three-dimensional finite element models of the mandible, two straight four-hole plates and eight screws were established. Six static clenching tasks were simulated in this study: incisal clench (INC), intercuspal position (ICP), right unilateral molar clench (RMOL), left unilateral molar clench (LMOL), right group function (RGF) and left group function (LGF). RESULTS: Based on the simulation of the six clenching tasks, none of the inserted screws and plates were broken or bended. For the whole mandibular bone, the maximum von Mises stress and von Mises strain observed were yielded by the ICP. For the bone surrounding the inserted screws, the maximum von Mises stress and von Mises strain were yielded by the LMOL (49.2 MPa and 3795.1 µ). CONCLUSION: Clenching tasks had significant effects on the stress distribution on the condylar osteosynthesis and the bone surrounding screws. Contralateral occlusion task (LMOL) had the maximal results of von Mises stress and strain and healing problems could be occur, this result confirms the importance of soft diet after surgery.

Assessment of the Biomechanical Performance of 5 Plating Techniques in Fixation of Mandibular Subcondylar Fracture Using Finite Element Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the performances of 5 plating techniques for fixation of unilateral mandibular subcondylar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five titanium plating techniques for fixation of condylar fracture were analyzed using the finite element method. The modeled techniques were 1) 1 straight plate, 2) 2 parallel straight plates, 3) 2 angulated straight plates, 4) 1 trapezoidal plate, and 5) 1 square plate. Three-dimensional models were generated using patient-specific geometry for the mandible obtained from a computerized tomographic image of a healthy living man. Plates were designed and combined with the mandible and analyzed under a 500-N load. RESULTS: The single straight plate presented the most inferior performance; it presented maximum displacement and strain on cortical bone. The trapezoidal plate induced the least amount of strain on cortical bone and was best at resisting displacement. CONCLUSION: The trapezoidal plate is recommended for fixation of subcondylar fracture.

Evaluation of the rigidity of sagittal split ramus osteotomy fixation using four designs of biodegradable and titanium plates--a numerical study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the best design of biodegradable plates for providing rigidity when used for fixation of sagittal split ramus osteotomy. METHODS: A computerized tomography image of a patient was used to generate a 3D model of a hemi-mandible. Four plate designs were merged with the hemi-mandible. They were (1) straight plate, (2) double straight plate, (3) T-shaped plate, and (4) double Y-shaped plate. Four finite element models were analyzed using the properties of biodegradable materials for the plates, and four additional models were analyzed using titanium alloy properties. RESULTS: The models predicted that rigidity of fixation would be noticeably less among biodegradable plates than titanium plates. They also predicted that the most rigid design among the titanium plates would be the straight plate, but among the biodegradable plates, it would be the double Y-shaped plate. CONCLUSION: The double Y-shaped design is recommended when using biodegradable plates in fixation of sagittal split ramus osteotomy.