Journal of medical engineering & technology
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Review Comparative Study
A review of high frequency oscillation ventilation in the neonate.
In this study the use of high frequency oscillation (HFO) to treat neonates with respiratory failure is analysed. The theories behind gas exchange during HFO are reviewed and its specific application to neonatal care discussed. ⋯ These interactions together with the specific HFO modes available on each ventilator should be taken into account when using a HFO for the first time or when switching from an alternative ventilation method. Medical staff who care for neonates suggest staff education and training into the variations of HFO will greatly improve its use in neonatal medicine.
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Statistical partitioning of images into meaningful areas is the goal of all region-based segmentation algorithms. The clustering or creation of these meaningful partitions can be achieved in number of ways but in most cases it is achieved through the minimization or maximization of some function of the image intensity properties. ⋯ In this paper we perform an automatically initialized expectation-maximization algorithm to partition the data in medical MRI images. We present analysis and illustrate results against manual initialization and apply the algorithm to some common medical image processing tasks.
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If sitting postures influence the risk of developing low back pain then it is important that quantification of sedentary work activities and simultaneous measurement of lumbar postural characteristics takes place. The objective of this study was to develop a system for identifying activities and their associated lumbar postures using fibre optic goniometers (FOGs). Five student subjects wore two FOGs attached to the lumbar spine and hip for 8 min while being recorded using a video camera when sitting, standing and walking. ⋯ Results indicated that each activity produced unique data, and could be independently identified from their motion profiles by three raters (k = 1). The data will be used to develop algorithms to automate the process of activity detection. This system has the potential to measure behaviour in non-clinical settings.