The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty and delays in procedures, but hospitals and surgeons still need a steady supply of product, meaning that the orthopedics industry must keep innovating. One thing is certain, 2020 will be a turbulent year for procedure demand. Early on, analysts predicted that because many orthopedic procedures are elective, they would be postponed to help free up space for critically ill patients. While the recovery of orthopedic procedures has begun more quickly than analysts initially expected, it seems likely it will take longer than expected to reach full recovery as we look into 2021. June ordering patterns were already much higher than May, but the quicker recovery may indicate a second decline (W-shaped) versus a sharp decline followed by a quick recovery (V-shaped).

New Device Quickly Detects Lithium Ions in Blood of Bipolar Disorder Patients

TBMG-3724407/01/2020

A group of Hokkaido University researchers has developed a paper-based device that can easily and cheaply measure lithium ion concentration in blood, which could greatly help bipolar disorder patients.

Smart Contact Lens Diagnoses, Treats Diabetes

TBMG-3723707/01/2020

A research team has developed wirelessly driven smart contact lens technology that can detect diabetes and further treat diabetic retinopathy just by wearing them.

Drowsy Driver & Child Left Behind - Prevention via in Cabin CO ₂ Sensing

2020-01-057304/14/2020

Can one technical solution help prevent drowsy drivers and detect a child left behind? Yes, using a single, maintenance-free, Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) gas sensor integrated in the cabin ventilation system. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an established proxy for ventilation needs in buildings. Recently, several studies have been published showing a moderate elevation of the indoor carbon dioxide level effect cognitive performance such as information usage, activity, focus and crisis response. A study of airplane pilots using 3-hour flight simulation tests, showed pilots made 50% more mistakes when exposed to 2,500 ppm carbon dioxide compared to 700 ppm. This has a direct impact on safety. All living animals and humans exhale carbon dioxide. In our investigations we have found that an unintentionally left behind child, or pet, can easily be detected in a parked car by analyzing the carbon dioxide trends in the cabin. Even an 8-month old baby acts as a carbon dioxide source, increasing

Rödjegård, Henrik, Franchy, Michael, Ehde, Staffan, Zoubir, Yassine, Al-Khaldy, Sam, Olsson, Patrik, Bengtsson, Carl, Nowak, Tony, O'Brien, Don

Smartphone Lab Delivers Test Results in ‘Spit’ Second

TBMG-3641304/01/2020

Using your phone to diagnose disease or track your medical condition is the holy grail for remote health monitoring. So far it’s been impractical to combine the two in a single device. Tech companies don’t want the regulatory headaches that would come from labeling phones as medical devices.

Your MDR Strategy: Start with a Gap Analysis

TBMG-3640704/01/2020

The 566-page Medical Device Regulation (MDR), which replaces the EU’s Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC) and the Directive on Active Implantable Medical Devices (90/385/EEC), has caused much discussion, training, debate, and stress in the medical device industry since its publication in May 2017. To say nothing of the changes in device regulation, the aggressive three-year implementation goal of May 26, 2020 has the industry as a whole — manufacturers, laboratories, and regulators — strategizing diligently as we step into 2020. This article briefly examines the current state of the MDR, including deadline extensions announced in the second corrigenda, a strategy to address material information, and what should be included in a gap analysis.

Leading Women in Engineering & Science: Maryam Zahabi, Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University

TBMG-3631103/01/2020

What led you to choose science and/or engineering as a career, particularly in the medical device field?

Identifying Automated Driving Systems-Dedicated Vehicles (ADS-DVs) Passenger Issues for Persons with Disabilities

J3171_201911 (Current)11/19/2019

It is expected that Level 4 and 5 automated driving systems-dedicated vehicles (ADS-DVs) will eventually enable persons to travel at will who are otherwise unable to obtain a driver's license for a conventional vehicle, namely, persons with certain visual, cognitive, and/or physical impairments. This information report focuses on these disabilities, but also provides guidance for those with other disabilities. This report is limited to fleet operated on-demand shared mobility scenarios, as this is widely considered to be the first way people will be able to interact with ADS-DVs. To be more specific, this report does not address fixed route transit services or private vehicle ownership. Similarly, this report is focused on road-worthy vehicles; not scooters, golf carts, etc. Lastly, this report does not address the design of chair lifts, ramps, or securements for persons who use wheeled mobility devices (WHMD) (e.g., wheelchair, electric cart, etc.), as these matters are addressed by

On-Road Automated Driving (ORAD) committee

Smart Brain Stimulators: Next-Generation Parkinson's Disease Therapy

TBMG-3534110/01/2019

Researchers at the University of Houston have found neuro biomarkers for Parkinson's disease that can help create the next generation of “smart” deep brain stimulators, able to respond to specific needs of Parkinson's disease patients. Those with the disease often undergo the high-frequency brain stimulation, a well-established therapy for the progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, but the therapy has been imprecise.

Self-Affinity of an Aircraft Pilot’s Gaze Direction as a Marker of Visual Tunneling

2019-01-185209/16/2019

For the last few years, a great deal of interest has been paid to crew monitoring systems in order to address potential safety problems during a flight. They aim at detecting any degraded physiological and/or cognitive state of an aircraft pilot or crew, such as visual tunneling, also called inattentional blindness. Indeed, they might have a negative impact on the performance to pursue the mission with adequate flight safety levels. One of the usual approaches consists in using sensors to collect physiological signals which are then analyzed. Two main families exist to process the signals. The first one combines feature extraction and machine learning whereas the second is based on deep-learning approaches which may require a large amount of labeled data. In this work, we focused on the first family. In this case, various features can be deduced from the data by different approaches: spectrum analysis, a priori modeling and nonlinear dynamical system analysis techniques including the

Berthelot, Bastien, Mazoyer, Patrick, Egea, Sarah, André, Jean-Marc, Grivel, Éric, Legrand, Pierrick

Application of Multi-Attribute Weighted Gray Target Decision in Automobile Noise Reduction Scheme Evaluation

02-12-03-001407/03/2019

In the selection of automobile noise reduction schemes, the lack of comprehensive quantitative index system and objective evaluation method is a serious problem. In this article, the methods of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and gray target decision were used to solve the problem. Firstly, AHP and gray target decision method were introduced respectively in detail. Secondly, three automobile noise reduction schemes were illustrated. Four types of data were selected as the decision indexes, and the weight coefficients of all the decision indexes were calculated using the AHP. Then multi-attribute mixed weighted gray target decision model was established. The optimum scheme was obtained by the calculation of the off-target distance and the sorting of the calculation results. The proposed method can quantify the evaluation process and overcome the disadvantages of the traditional analogy method. The example shows that the method is feasible.

Zhao, Zhendong

U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory

TBMG-3463606/01/2019

In October 1962, the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Unit was established with a goal of providing specialized medical and physiological support to help close the gap between Army combat aviation needs and human capabilities, and to protect aviators from altitude, climate, noise, acceleration, impact, and other stressors in a growing hostile environment. In 1969, the Army re-designated the unit as the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL).

Changing the Automation Conversation

TBMG-3440705/01/2019

With advancements in manufacturing processes and materials, components in many industries are more precise with a new level of complex shapes. There is significant demand to create parts and assemblies that perform better, last longer, and cost less to make. Manufacturers are increasingly focused on robotics or other automated systems to produce, assemble, and inspect these components. The new generation of robotic manufacturing cells incorporates advanced metrology sensors that enable them to perform tasks more accurately and with greater versatility. These robotic cells are typically referred to as Metrology Enhanced Automation (MEA).

Effectiveness of Workload-Based Drowsy Driving Countermeasures

2019-01-122804/02/2019

This study evaluated the effectiveness of alternative workload-based interventions intended to restore driver alertness following drowsy episodes. Unlike traditional drowsy driving studies, this experiment did not target sleep-deprived individuals, but rather studied normally rested drivers under the assumption that low-workload environments could trigger drowsy driving episodes. The study served as a proof of concept for varying the nature and onset of countermeasure interventions intended to disrupt the drowsiness cycle. Interventions to combat drowsiness attempted to target driver workload, either physical or cognitive, and included two primary treatment conditions: 1) physical workload to increase driver steering demands and 2) trivia-based interactive games to mentally challenge drivers. A benchmark comparison condition using music was also investigated to contrast the relative influence of workload-based interventions with passive listening to musical arrangements. The study also

Rayes, Freddy, Short, Maureen, Meyer, Jason, Llaneras, Robert

Aerospace & Defense Technology: April 2019

19AERP0404/01/2019

An Integrated Framework for Complex Radar System Design Thermoplastic Composites to Play Enhanced Role in Next-Generation Aerospace Applications Using Ruggedized Test Equipment to Solve Jet Engine Problems How FMC Developments Support Legacy and Next-Gen Data Needs XPONENTIAL 2019 - An AUVSI Experience Understanding the 'Black Art' of RF and Microwave Switching A New Approach to Satellite Communications Modular Biosensor Patch Identifying new biomarkers to help monitor cognition and stress in the human body could enhance human performance. Characterization of Bore Temperatures and Stresses in Small Caliber Gun Barrels Data gathered from physical testing will be compared to analytical methods used to assess barrel wall temperature profiles and barrel wall stress and strain. Simulation of Active Imaging Systems Better data could lead to systems that improve tactical target acquisition, particularly under adverse environmental conditions. Deep Installation Method for Three-Component

Enabling Expanded Aerospace Automation Using Tactile Cognition Analytics

2019-01-136003/19/2019

Aerospace assembly operations are still highly dependent on human labor and processes. This paper will describe and illustrate the transformational technologies that will enable replication of the human cognitive (in context) textural ability to assemble airplane and space structure. The paper will also provide use case examples where these innovative technologies have been applied successfully. Without context, data are just dots, floating around without meaning. With context data becomes an enlightened component of knowledge that brings value to information. In-context enlightened knowledge provides manufacturing visibility within factory operations. Visibility is a key component of the Smart, Brilliant, or Intelligent Factory.

Bullen, George Nicholas

Promising Diagnostic Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Identified

TBMG-3373302/01/2019

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified in live human brains new radioactive “tracer” molecules that bind to and “light up” tau tangles, a protein associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. Two studies were published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine describing testing of three candidate molecules in patients with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the use of one molecule to measure the accumulation of tau proteins.

Construction of a Multiple Driving Affective Scale

2018-01-188810/05/2018

The authors’ goal is to develop brakes that are more satisfying to users in sensory aspects by explaining the relationship between people’s state of mind and a vehicle’s physical quantities. However, there are no scales to measure such feeling. In this study, a psychological scale was constructed to measure the affective state of general automobile drivers, for the purpose of clarifying the effects of brake characteristics on the affective state. To construct the affective scale, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, a comparison of four types of vehicles was performed and then an interview survey was conducted to collect a broad sample of terms used to evaluate the affective state. From the results, it was hypothesized that the evaluation terms were divided into eight categories. For each hypothesized category, ten evaluation terms were selected from the terms obtained in the interviews, the items of the existing psychological evaluation scale, and the synonym

Matsuoka, Masanori, Muramatsu, Keiichi, Kaede, Kazunori, Watanuki, Keiichi, Shiimado, Toshihiro, Nishizawa, Yukio

Negative-Stiffness Vibration Isolation Facilitates Neuronal Research into Animal Learning and Memory

TBMG-3306210/01/2018

Micro- and nano-level microscopy, whether used in academic laboratories or industry, is susceptible to vibrations from the environment, requiring these instruments to employ vibration isolation systems. When measuring a very few angstroms, nanometers, or microns of displacement, an absolutely stable surface must be maintained to support the instrument. Any vibrations that are transferred into the mechanical structure of the instrument will cause vertical and horizontal noise, compromising data sets and limiting the ability to measure highresolution features.

Cognitive Model of the Internal Combustion Engine

2018-01-173809/10/2018

This paper describes research focused upon improved the quality of automobile engine quality. Methods and models were developed for estimating and predicting the technical condition of internal combustion engine (ICE), which provides usage of the decision support making in the search for minimum fuel consumption regimes. We developed models of multi-criterion, multiparametric optimization of energy and material-material characteristics of ICE according to the system approach. The developed methods and models for estimating and predicting the technical state of the functionally interconnected and interacting ICE components are performed taking into account their hierarchy and topologies, energy resource used and the fuel. The cognitive methodology has been used to make engine models researches and analysis. The paper focuses on the fuzzy logic approach applying, considering the indeterminacy, incompleteness and unclear information in the engines operation processes. Cognitive, imitation

Vychuzhanin, Vladimir, Rudnichenko, Nickolay, Shybaiev, Denys, Gritsuk, Igor, Boyko, Victor, Shybaieva, Natalia, Golovan, Andrii, Zaharchuk, Victor, Rabinovich, Ernest, Savchuk, Volodymyr, Zenkin E.Y., Evgeny

Mobile Health Platform

TBMG-2905906/01/2018

A mobile health technology was developed to monitor and predict a user’s psychological status, and to deliver an automated intervention when needed. The technology uses smart-phones to monitor the user’s location and ask questions about psychological status throughout the day.

Tiny Injectable Sensor Could Provide Unobtrusive, Long-Term Alcohol Monitoring

TBMG-2901006/01/2018

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a miniature, ultra-low power injectable biosensor that could be used for continuous, long-term alcohol monitoring. The chip is small enough to be implanted in the body just beneath the surface of the skin and is powered wirelessly by a wearable device, such as a smartwatch or patch. The goal of this work is to develop a routine, unobtrusive alcohol and drug monitoring device for patients in substance abuse treatment programs.

2021-12-29.TEST Theory of Collision Avoidance Capability in Automated Driving Technologies

2018-01-0044

04/03/2018

This paper proposes a theory to analyze the collision avoidance capability of automated driving technologies. The theory gives answers to a fundamental question whether automated vehicles fall into extreme conditions at all rather than another question how a vehicle reacts under extreme conditions (is it as safe as driver?). The theory clarifies the following matters: There are two types of hazards to cause collisions, cognitive hazards and behavioral hazards. Cognitive hazards are handled by controlling the upper limit speed of the automated vehicle including when stopped. There are two methods for handling behavioral hazards, preparation and response. The response known well is the coping method activated when the hazard is detected in the dynamic (operational) level. The preparation is the coping method operating at all time in the semantic (tactical) level. The collision condition in the semantic level is as follows, a collision occurs when the paths of two vehicles have a crossing

KINDO, Toshiki, Okumura, Bunyo