Extension Mechanism of a Flexible End for Colonoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: The significance of the distal tip extension mechanism (DTEM) arises when the insertion tube of the colonoscope is no longer able to move further inside the colon, and when a longer insertion tube is needed. The main focus of this research is to investigate the development of a novel distal tip extension mechanism (DTEM). METHODS: To characterize the performance of the DTEM, the ability of the DTEM to extend the distal tip of the colonoscope 16 cm is investigated. To determine the maximum number of turns that the extension knob needs to make in order to move the distal tip 16 cm, the DTEM is used to displace the distal tip in different colon configurations using the silicon tube of a colonoscopy training model (CTM). The experimentally collected data was presented and discussed to characterize the performance of the DTEM. RESULTS: The results showed that the DTEM is able to extend the distal tip 16 cm while the colon is in various configurations. Additionally, the impact of implanting the DTEM on the flexibility of the insertion tube was determined. DISCUSSION: The results of this research suggest that the DTEM will be an effective tool to help colonoscopists performing better colonoscopies.

Design of an Impedance-Controlled Hot Snare Polypectomy Device.

This paper goes through the process of first designing a feedback system that allows for the measuring of impedance while using the hot snare polypectomy method. The electrosurgical unit used in this study was the Olympus PSD-30. After the impedance-controlled feedback system was completed, the device was tested under a range of power settings from 10 W-50 W. The test was performed ex vivo using porcine colon samples. Using the information gathered from these tests, a technique of determining the threshold of perforation and implementing a system to automatically stop the applied current from the PSD-30 was developed. The data showed that after an increase in impedance of 25% from that of the initially measured impedance, perforation ensued in the tissue samples. Using this information, the device was programmed to interrupt the PSD-30 at this threshold point. This final design was tested and proved able to automatically prevent the event of perforation from occurring, resulting in the ability to prevent serious complications.

Development of a Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy Device for Body Composition Measurement.

Whole-body bioelectrical impedance analysis for measuring body composition has been well-explored but may not be sensitive enough to changes in the trunk compared to changes in the limbs. Measuring individual body segments can address this issue. A segmental bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy device (SBISD) was designed for body composition measurement and a prototype was implemented. Compensation was performed to adjust the measured values to correct for a phase difference at high frequencies and to counteract the hook effect when measuring the human body. The SBISD was used to measure five subjects and was compared against three existing analyzers. For most segmental measurements, the SBISD was within 10% of the R0 and R∞ values determined with a Bodystat Multiscan 5000 and an Impedimed SFB7. The impedance values from the third reference device, a Seca 514, differed significantly due to its eight-electrode measuring technique, meaning impedance measurements could not be compared directly.

Detection of endoscopic looping during colonoscopy procedure by using embedded bending sensors.

BACKGROUND: Looping of the colonoscope shaft during procedure is one of the most common obstacles encountered by colonoscopists. It occurs in 91% of cases with the N-sigmoid loop being the most common, occurring in 79% of cases. PURPOSE: Herein, a novel system is developed that will give a complete three-dimensional (3D) vector image of the shaft as it passes through the colon, to aid the colonoscopist in detecting loops before they form. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of connected links spans the middle 50% of the shaft, where loops are likely to form. Two potentiometers are attached at each joint to measure angular deflection in two directions to allow for 3D positioning. This 3D positioning is converted into a 3D vector image using computer software. MATLAB software has been used to display the image on a computer monitor. For the different configuration of the colon model, the system determined the looping status. RESULTS: Different configurations (N loop, reverse gamma loop, and reverse splenic flexure) of the loops were well defined using 3D vector image. CONCLUSION: The novel sensory system can accurately define the various configuration of the colon during the colonoscopy procedure.

One-step synthesis of carbon-supported Pd@Pt/C core-shell nanoparticles as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts and their enhanced activity and stability.

A close encounter with reality on core-shell catalysts for fuel cells: the outstanding significance of the work is (i) suggestion of a computational methodology to design a specific combination of core and shell materials in terms of both the activity and the durability, (ii) development of a novel facile synthesis of core-shell/C electrocatalysts, and (iii) experimental validation of the design and synthesis of the core-shell/C catalysts and their performance as well as long-term stability.

Opposite carrier dynamics and optical absorption characteristics under external electric field in nonpolar vs. polar InGaN/GaN based quantum heterostructures.

We report on the electric field dependent carrier dynamics and optical absorption in nonpolar a-plane GaN-based quantum heterostructures grown on r-plane sapphire, which are surprisingly observed to be opposite to those polar ones of the same materials system and similar structure grown on c-plane. Confirmed by their time-resolved photoluminescence measurements and numerical analyses, we show that carrier lifetimes increase with increasing external electric field in nonpolar InGaN/GaN heterostructure epitaxy, whereas exactly the opposite occurs for the polar epitaxy. Moreover, we observe blue-shifting absorption spectra with increasing external electric field as a result of reversed quantum confined Stark effect in these polar structures, while we observe red-shifting absorption spectra with increasing external electric field because of standard quantum confined Stark effect in the nonpolar structures. We explain these opposite behaviors of external electric field dependence with the changing overlap of electron and hole wavefunctions in the context of Fermi's golden rule.

Preliminary development of the Active Colonoscopy Training Model.

Formal colonoscopy training requires a significant amount of time and effort. In particular, it requires actual patients for a realistic learning experience. The quality of colonoscopy training varies, and includes didactic courses and procedures proctored by skilled surgeons. A colonoscopy training model is occasionally used as part of the training method, but the effects are minute due to both the simple and tedious training procedures. To enhance the educational effect of the colonoscopy training model, the Active Colonoscopy Training Model (ACTM) has been developed. ACTM is an interactive colonoscopy training device which can create the environment of a real colonoscopy procedure as closely as possible. It comprises a configurable rubber colon, a human torso, sensors, a display, and the control part. The ACTM provides audio and visual interaction to the trainee by monitoring important factors, such as forces caused by the distal tip and the shaft of the colonoscope and the pressure to open up the lumen and the localization of the distal tip. On the computer screen, the trainee can easily monitor the status of the colonoscopy, which includes the localization of the distal tip, maximum forces, pressure inside the colon, and surgery time. The forces between the rubber colon and the constraints inside the ACTM are measured and the real time display shows the results to the trainee. The pressure sensors will check the pressure at different parts of the colon. The real-time localized distal tip gives the colonoscopy trainee easier and more confident operation without introducing an additional device in the colonoscope. With the current need for colonoscopists and physicians, the ACTM can play an essential role resolving the problems of the current colonoscopy training model, and significantly improve the training quality of the colonoscopy.

Development of a colonoscopy add-on device for improvement of the intubation process.

A colonoscopy add-on device has been developed to reduce intubation time without modification of the current colonoscope and peripheral devices. One of the main purposes of the system is to minimize trauma caused by the distal tip of the colonoscope. The detachable sensory fixture at the end of the distal tip measures the distance between the distal tip and the colon wall in three directions, and the actuation system attached at the base of the colonoscope controls the distal tip by rotating two dial knobs. The device controls the distal tip to minimize contact between the distal tip and the colon wall, and the distal tip ideally points out the next possible lumen. A compatibility test of the infrared sensory system was carried out, and the design of the actuation system was accomplished. The system is integrated and controlled by a microprocessor. The device was tested in a silicon colon and porcine intestine. The results showed that a colonoscopist successfully reached the cecum with the aid of the colonoscopy add-on device without significant contact between the colon wall and the distal tip. The colonoscopy aid device was very helpful for the novice colonoscopist.

Surface property change of graphene using nitrogen ion.

We introduced nitrogen ions to modify the graphene surface and its property changes were investigated. A graphene layer grown on 6H-SiC(0001) was irradiated with 100 eV nitrogen ions. Surface property changes were studied using photoemission spectroscopy (PES), near edge x-ray adsorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS), and atomic force microscopy(AFM). N 1s core level spectra show that three kinds of nitrogen species, nitrogen gas, graphite-like and pyridine-like nitrogen were induced on the nitrogen ion implanted graphene surface.

Evaluation of the degradation of plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings using nano-indentation.

In this study, the disk type of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system for a gas turbine blade was isothermally aged at 1100 degrees C for various times up to 400 hours. For each aging condition, the thickness of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) was measured by optical microscope and mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus and hardness were measured by micro-indentation and nano-indentation on the cross-section of a coating specimen. In the case of micro-indentation, the mechanical properties of a Ni-base superalloy substrate and MCrAlY bond coat material did not significantly change with an increase in exposure time. In the case of nano-indentation, the gamma-Ni phase and beta-NiAl phase in the bond coat and top coat material show no significant change in their properties. However, the elastic modulus and the hardness of TGO show a remarkable decrease from 100 h to 200 h then remain nearly constant after 200 h due to the internal delamination of TBC. It has been confirmed that the nano-indentation technique is a very effective way to evaluate the degradation of a thermal barrier coating system.

Unidirectional Pt silicide nanowires grown on vicinal Si(100).

We investigated the structure and electronic properties of unidirectional Pt(2)Si nanowires (NWs) grown on a Si(100)-2 degrees off surface. We found that Pt(2)Si NWs were formed along the step edges of the Si(100)-2 degrees off surface with c(4x6) reconstructions that occurred on the terraces of Si(100) using scanning tunneling microscopy and the structure of formed NWs was found to be Pt(2)Si by core-level photoemission spectroscopy. Moreover, we confirmed that the electronic band structures of the NWs along the NW direction are different from those perpendicular to the NWs and the surface state induced by the Pt(2)Si NWs was observed with a small density of state using the angle-resolved photoemission spectra.