Feasibility of a Planar Coil-Based Inductive-Capacitive Water Level Sensor with a Quality-Detection Feature: An Experimental Study.

This paper presents a new water-level-sensing mechanism based on planar coils fabricated on a printed circuit board (PCB). In addition to level, the sensor detects any relative increase in conductivity compared to that of clean water, which is an indicator of its quality. The sensing mechanism utilizes the eddy current induced in the water column, the corresponding change in the coil inductance, and the change in the turn-to-turn capacitance of the coil in the presence of water. Although several level sensors are available, there is none that gives the level and quality information using a single sensing element. Since both water quantity and quality measurements are fundamental in realizing efficient water and wastewater management, obtaining these two parameters from the same sensor is very beneficial. A scalable, planar coil-based sensor that helps achieve this goal is designed, fabricated, and tested in a laboratory setting. The results illustrate that the reactance of the sensor coil measured at a frequency (1 kHz for the prototype) much lower than the self-resonance of the coil gives reliable information about the level of water, while the measurement made at resonance, using an inductance-to-digital converter, is a clear indicator of its conductivity and, hence, quality.

Comparative study of silicone membrane simulator and animal eye models for sub-Tenon's block.

To compare and assess silicone membrane-based sub-Tenon's block (STB) simulator and animal eye model (goat's eye) for practicing STB in terms of anatomical similarity and feel of texture of eye layers. The study included 34 participants (26 learners and 8 consultants) from tertiary ophthalmic centres. The participants were divided into groups A and B. Group A performed STB on the goat's eyes before using the silicone membrane simulator. Group B performed STB on the simulator and further proceeded to the goat's eye. Participants had to rate the anatomical similarity and feel of the texture for the simulator model on a scale of 0-10 and share their preference between the two models. In group A, the scores given to the simulator model and the feel of texture of layers were 8.05 ± 0.88 and 7.97 ± 1.07, respectively, and the scores given to the animal model and the feel of texture of layers were 8.11 ± 0.97 and 8.21 ± 0.88, respectively. Group B participants scored the simulator model and feel of texture of layers with 8.13 ± 0.95 and 8.25 ± 0.99, respectively. Overall, 89% participants preferred the simulator; the reasons included ease of usage, helpful warning system, absence of biological waste, and facility for repeatable training. The study validated anatomical accuracy, preference, and ability of usage of the STB simulator. For broader usage, further study involving higher number of participants is recommended.

Accuracy enhancement in reflective pulse oximetry by considering wavelength-dependent pathlengths.

Objective.Noninvasive measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2) using transmissive photoplethysmography (tPPG) is clinically accepted and widely employed. However, reflective photoplethysmography (rPPG)-currently present in smartwatches-has not become equally accepted, partially because the pathlengths of the red and infrared PPGs are patient-dependent. Thus, even the most popular 'Ratio of Modulation' (R) method requires patient-dependent calibration to reduce the errors in the measurement ofSpO2using rPPGs.Approach.In this paper, a correction factor or 'pathlength ratio'ßis introduced in an existing calibration-free algorithm that compensates the patient-dependent pathlength variations, and improved accuracy is obtained in the measurement ofSpO2using rPPGs. The proposed pathlength ratioßis derived through the analytical model of a rPPG signal. Using the new expression and data obtained from a human hypoxia study wherein arterial oxygen saturation values acquired through Blood Gas Analysis were employed as a reference,ßis determined.Main results.The results of the analysis show that a specific combination of theßand the measurements on the pulsating part of the natural logarithm of the red and infrared PPG signals yields a reduced root-mean-square error (RMSE). It is shown that the average RMSE in measuringSpO2values reduces to 1 %.Significance.The human hypoxia study data used for this work, obtained in a previous study, coversSpO2values in the range from 70 % to 100 %, and thus shows that the pathlength ratioßproposed here works well in the range of clinical interest. This work demonstrates that the calibration-free method applicable for transmission type PPGs can be extended to determineSpO2using reflective PPGs with the incorporation of the correction factorß. Our algorithm significantly reduces the number of parameters needed for the estimation, while keeping the RMSE below the clinically accepted 2 %.

Toward Continuous Breath Monitoring on a Mobile Phone Using a Frugal Conducting Cloth-Based Smart Mask.

A frugal humidity sensor that can detect changes in the humidity of exhaled breath of individuals has been fabricated. The sensor comprises a humidity-sensitive conducting polymer that is in situ formed on a cloth that acts as a substrate. Interdigitated silver electrodes were screen-printed on the modified cloth, and conducting threads connected the electrodes to the measurement circuit. The sensor's response to changing humidity was measured as a voltage drop across the sensor using a microcontroller. The sensor was capable of discerning between fast, normal, and slow breathing based on the response time. A response time of ∼1.3 s was observed for fast breathing. An Android-based mobile application was designed to collect sensor data via Bluetooth for analysis. A time series classification algorithm was implemented to analyze patterns in breathing. The sensor was later stitched onto a face mask, transforming it into a smart mask that can monitor changes in the breathing pattern at work, play, and sleep.

Development of a Load-Cell Based Palpation Sensor Suitable for Ophthalmic Anesthesia Training.

Palpation is the process of using one's hand to perform a physical examination. Ophthalmic anaesthetists palpate the orbital bone around the eye, to locate anatomical markers to help them guide the needle safely for regional needle block into the orbital cavity. The anaesthetists are provided very little training on palpation procedure due to the lack of a suitable training system. Inadvisable palpation can cause damage to the soft tissue if the applied force is more than required. There is a necessity to provide ophthalmic anaesthetists with the relevant knowledge about palpation and the force exerted during this procedure. In this paper, a load cell based palpation sensor which can be integrated with recently developed ophthalmic anaesthesia training systems with a virtual instrument environment that is capable of mimicking the skin reaction to applied palpation with the variable warning threshold is proposed.

Feasibility Study of a Syringe Angulation Measurement System Suitable for Ophthalmic Regional Anesthesia Training.

Regional anaesthesia for the eye requires a needle that is inserted in a specific way into the eye orbit. Angulation of the needle is a concern for the ophthalmic anaesthetists. Inappropriate angulation can place the needle in an unsafe location or result in the unsafe release of the anaesthetic. Recently developed mannequin based ophthalmic training systems had a visual angulation warning; however, an automated quantifiable warning and the ability to provide a preemptive warning to the trainee would provide useful knowledge. In this paper, an angulation measurement methodology which uses two external cameras, in the mannequin system, which can accurately sense angulation in both the vertical and the horizontal axis of the syringe with customizable angle warning system, is presented. Details of the system developed, test results and the outcome are discussed.

A Multi-Electrode Electric Field Based Sensing System For Ophthalmic Anesthesia Training.

Local anesthesia administration prior to ophthalmic surgery involves inserting a syringe needle into a confined intraorbital space at the proper position, angle and depth. During this procedure ocular structures must remain unhurt and systemic complications must be avoided while achieving quick akinesia and analgesia. Animal cadavers do not emulate human anatomy accurately and human subject based training entails risk to the patient. Therefore, a training system that closely replicates the human ocular and orbital anatomy and provides the trainee with real-time feedback on the safety and effectiveness of the block administered would help reduce risks involved with real life procedures. This paper presents an anatomically accurate, rapid-prototyped manikin based training system for ophthalmic anesthetic blocks. The depth of penetration of the needle, the proximity of the needle to extraocular muscles and the touch of the needle to the muscles or optic nerve is detected by a multi-electrode electric field/capacitive sensing system. The eye structure of the manikin does not have any electrical connections to it, rendering it replaceable, thus, enabling the emulation of anatomical variations due to pathologies of the eye. A virtual instrument measures and computes the position of the needle and displays it to the trainee through an intuitive GUI with a 3D display of the orbital anatomy. The proposed capacitive sensing scheme has been validated by tests performed on a prototype system, thus demonstrating its usefulness for practical training purposes.

An efficient capacitive sensing scheme for an ophthalmic regional anesthesia training system.

Ophthalmic regional blocks are critical preoperative procedures involving the insertion of a syringe needle into the orbital cavity at such a position and angle that akinesia and analgesia is achieved without damage or harm to the eye and its associated musculature. A training system that accurately represents the orbital anatomical features and provides qualitative feedback on the performed anesthetic technique, can be of immense help in reducing risks involved in regional block administration. In this paper, a training system that employs a special but simple capacitive sensing scheme has been developed. A rapid prototyped eye-model has been used to ensure anatomical accuracy. Capacitive transmitter electrodes placed on the orbital wall along the length of the extraocular muscles are excited with a special excitation sequence and the displacement current at the needle of the syringe is measured using simple electronic unit and a Data Acquisition System, enabling the developed Virtual Instrument to detect the depth of penetration and proximity of the syringe needle to the ocular muscles. Additionally, the system detects needle touch of the muscles accurately. The proposed electrode array system and excitation schemes have been validated on a prototype system thus demonstrating its usefulness for practical training purposes.

A syringe injection rate detector employing a dual Hall-effect sensor configuration.

Injection of fluids in the body using needle syringes is a standard clinical practice. The rate of injection can have various pathological effects on the body such as the pain perceived or in case of anesthesia, the amount of akinesia attained. Hence, a training system with a modified syringe employing a simple measurement scheme where a trainee can observe and practice the rate of injection prior to administering on actual human subjects, can be of great value towards reduction of complications in real life situations. In this paper, we develop a system for measurement of syringe injection rate with two Hall-effect sensors. Ring magnets attached to the body of the syringe along with the dual Hall-effect sensor configuration help in determining the position of the piston with respect to the syringe body. The two Hall-sensors are arranged in a differential configuration such that a linear relationship is obtained between the volume of liquid in the syringe (in ml) and the Hall-effect sensor output voltages. A prototype developed validated the measurement scheme. The rate of injection was displayed in real-time with a LabVIEW based Virtual Instrument. The error was within acceptable limits illustrating its efficacy for practical training purposes.