Methods of Skull Implants Modeling with Use of CAx and Haptic Systems

In these days, 3D models are introduced as new digital contents such as video games and data material for 3D printer. The demand of 3D modeling for ordinary people has been increased. While using existed hand-held 3D modeling system, users have to estimate unmeasured area through a display. Also users have to terminate consequently modeling with watching a process of modeling [Fudono et al. 2005]. In this paper, we propose a novel modeling system which indicates route guidance by means of area limitation of modeling at the beginning. Owing to area limitation of modeling, users can obtain desired 3D model with watching effective route guide for measuring and automatic termination of modeling. Users can obtain desired 3D model easily and quickly

Investigation of rail irregularity effects on wheel/rail dynamic force in slab track: Comparison of two and three dimensional models

This work develops a methodology for building haptic reality-based modeling systems by exploiting the complementary goals of haptic exploration and display. While the generally unstructured nature of haptic exploration makes it difficult to develop and control autonomous robotic fingers, simultaneous consideration of exploration and display provides a way to characterize the required sensing, control, finger geometry, and haptic modeling components. Both the exploring robot and haptic display must complement an appropriate virtual model, which can accurately recreate remote or hazardous environments. We present an example of haptic exploration, modeling and display for surface features explored using a three-degree-of-freedom spherical robotic fingertip with a tactile sensor.

Mechanical circulatory support emerged for the pediatric population in the late 1980s as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) (SynCardia Systems Inc., Tuscon, AZ) has been approved for compassionate use by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure as a bridge to heart transplantation since 1985 and has had FDA approval since 2004. However, of the 1,061 patients placed on the TAH-t, only 21 (2%) were under the age 18. SynCardia Systems, Inc. recommends a minimum patient body surface area (BSA) of 1.7 m(2), thus, limiting pediatric application of this device. This unique case report shares this pediatric institution's first experience with the TAH-t. A 14-year-old male was admitted with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe biventricular heart failure. The patient rapidly decompensated, requiring extracorporeal life support. An echocardiogram revealed severe biventricular dysfunction and diffuse clot formation in the left ventricle and outflow tract. The decision was made to transition to biventricular assist device. The biventricular failure and clot formation helped guide the team to the TAH-t, in spite of a BSA (1.5 m(2)) below the recommendation of 1.7 m(2). A computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax, in conjunction with a novel three-dimensional (3D) modeling system and team, assisted in determining appropriate fit. Chest CT and 3D modeling following implantation were utilized to determine all major vascular structures were unobstructed and the bronchi were open. The virtual 3D model confirmed appropriate device fit with no evidence of compression to the left pulmonary veins. The postoperative course was complicated by a left lung opacification. The left lung anomalies proved to be atelectasis and improved with aggressive recruitment maneuvers. The patient was supported for 11 days prior to transplantation. Chest CT and 3D modeling were crucial in assessing whether the device would fit, as well as postoperative complications in this smaller pediatric patient.

Some evolution trends in the context of modelling and simulation are the following: the use of Digital Mock Up (DMU) in the design process, and the use of physically-based approach in modelling, and haptic systems as a means for enhancing interaction with virtual models. Within this context our research work intends to investigate the use of haptic devices for interacting with DMUs built on physically-based models. The purpose is to show the added value gained in using simulation augmented with haptic interaction, the technological feasibility of the approach and the usefulness in several industrial fields. In order to achieve that, we have developed a high speed approximated simulator, allowing the haptic rendering of complex physically-based models in real-time.

A solid-surface model system was used to study the effects of gas atmospheres encountered in modified atmosphere packaging of vegetables on the survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and competing micro-organisms. The effects of increasing CO2 levels (from 5% to 20%), 100% N2 and 3% O2 were determined. The model system allowed for estimation of the growth of L. monocytogenes alone or in the presence of competing microflora. CO2 concentrations of 5–10% (with 5% O2 in N2) had no inhibitory effect, by comparison with air, on the growth and survival of pure cultures of L. monocytogenes. At 20% CO2 population densities were reduced up to day 8, but the final population densities reached were not. An atmosphere of 100% N2 allowed survival of pure cultures of L. monocytogenes, but populations did not significantly change (P > 0.05) during storage, whereas a low O2 (3%, balance N2) atmosphere allowed significant growth (P < 0.05) of L. monocytogenes. Growth and inhibitory activities of Enterobacter cloacae and E. agglomerans were inversely related to the concentration of CO2. By contrast, the growth and anti-listerial activities of Leuconostoc citreum increased with elevated CO2 concentrations. In the low O2 atmosphere, L. monocytogenes grew considerably better in the presence of populations from the indigenous microflora of lettuce than when in pure culture. The results indicate that the gas atmospheres present within modified atmosphere packages of minimally processed vegetables may affect the interactions between the pathogen and the natural competitive microflora sufficiently to indirectly enhance L. monocytogenes growth.

Over the last two decades, Mineral Resources Tasmania has been developing regional 3D geological and geophysical models for prospective terranes at a range of scales and extents as part of its suite of precompetitive geoscience products. These have evolved in conjunction with developments in 3D modeling technology over that time. Commencing with a jurisdiction-wide 3D model in 2002, subsequent modeling projects have explored a range of approaches to the development of 3D models as a vehicle for the better synthesis and understanding of controls on ore-forming processes and prospectivity. These models are built on high-quality potential field data sets. Assignment of bulk properties derived from previous well-constrained geophysical modeling and an extensive rock property database has enabled the identification of anomalous features that have been targeted for follow-up mineral exploration. An aspect of this effort has been the generation of uncertainty estimates for model features. Our experience is that this process can be hindered by models that are too large or too detailed to be interrogated easily, especially when modeling techniques do not readily permit significant geometric changes. The most effective 3D modeling workflow for insights into mineral exploration is that which facilitates the rapid hypothesis testing of a wide range of scenarios whilst satisfying the constraints of observed data.

This paper proposes an efficient way of modeling 3D faces by using only two — a frontal and a profile — images. Although it is desirable to utilize only one single image for 3D face modeling, more accurate depth information can be obtained if we use a profile face image additionally. Despite this seemly straightforward task, however, no standard solutions for 3D face modeling with two images have yet been reported. To tackle this problem, in our work, we first extract facial shape information from each image and then align these two shapes in order to obtain a sparse 3D face. Then, the observed sparse 3D face is combined into generic dense depth information. By doing so, we reflect both the observed 3D sparse depth information and smooth depth changes around facial areas in our reconstructed 3D shape. Finally, the intensity of the frontal image is texture-mapped onto the reconstructed 3D shape for realistic 3D modeling. Unlike other 3D modeling methods, our proposed work is extremely fast (within a few seconds) and does not require any complex hardware settings or calibration. We illustrate our 3D modeling results by using the MPIE-database and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Abstract. Nowadays, in light of the latest development in three-dimensional (3D) modeling technology, an essential role is given to the research and development of fully-automated or semi-automated processes in order to increase workflow effectiveness. A key challenge is thus to automate the process leading to the geometric model which supports the Building Information Modeling (BIM) or 3D-Geographical Information Systems (3D-GIS). This 3D model usually originates from image-based or range-based point clouds. This research is the beginning of the development of a 3D modeling approach that is semi-automatic, and possibly fully-automatic, by combining polygon surface fitting (polyfit) technique and monoscopic multi-image measurement system. With the advent of dense matching and Structure from Motion methods (SfM), point clouds can be generated from multiple images obtained from digital cameras. Then, to reduce the data and to allow for efficient processing, it is necessary to extract polygonal surface data from point clouds delivered by the dense matching process. The polygonal surface is then used for the basis of further manual monoscopic measurements which are achieved separately on each image to obtain more detailed 3D model. Next, this approach analyzed the polygonal surface deformations in comparison to the initial point cloud data. It can be seen how the resolution and noise of the original point clouds affect the subsequent Polyfit-based modeling and monoscopic measurements. The deformations and the accuracy evaluation have been undertaken using different open source software. Also, the geometric error in the polyfit-derived polyhedral reconstruction propagating to the subsequent monoscopic-derived measurements was evaluated. Finally, our modeling approach shows that it can improve the processing speed and level of detail of the 3D models achieved using existing monoscopic measurements. Typically geometric accuracy itself doesn’t have enough information to make accurate geometry model.

Heritage structures are important for tourism and for learning about nations’ history. Historical sites around the world are in damaged conditions due to various factors from the environment, man-made activities or natural calamities. To ensure safety and avoid further deterioration, digital re- construction of heritage sites can be used to create 3D virtual models of these structures for archiving and for inspection purpose. This paper presents a technique to reconstruct a high-quality image-based 3D model of a heritage structure. An exemplar-based inpainting algorithm was used for removing deformable obstacles such as trees in 2D images since such obstacles are unwanted in a final 3D model. They also create noise in the 3D modeling process, which makes the final 3D model less accurate. In this paper, an inpainting algorithm is applied to generate implied texture to fill holes that occurred from removing objects so that the generated 3D model does not contain any hole and becomes watertight. The modified exemplar-based inpainting algorithm was implemented on 2D images to remove unwanted objects, and then the image-based 3D modeling technique was applied to create a 3D model that did not contain any unwanted objects. The results show that the final 3D model is more accurate when applied the object removal process and the model provides better visualization for heritage structures.

Introduction. The “Smart Agroˮ committee of Research and Education Center “Engineering of the Future” has identified a number of tasks relevant for improving the efficiency of precision, soil-protecting and conservation agriculture. One of these tasks is the development of a digital multi-agent system, which provides a number of services for agricultural enterprises, developers and manufacturers of agricultural machinery. The purpose of the present study is to model an autonomous mobile robotic platform, including the development of software and hardware for trajectory control. Materials and Methods. To solve the problem, there are used modern CAx systems and their applications, the methods of 3D and full-body modeling, and the method of numerical solution of problems in solid mechanics. To expand and improve the standard functionality of CAx-systems (SolidWorks) in the software implementation of trajectory control algorithms, the methods and technologies of programming using API SolidWorks, VisualStudio C++ (MFC, ATL, COM) are used, and to build physical full-scale models ‒ Arduino and fischertechnik platforms. Results. The result of the study is a software and hardware module of trajectory control for an integrated (physical and virtual) model of a mobile robotic platform, which can be provided to the consumer as a service for technology autonomation. For the developed integrated model, control algorithms for various types of trajectories were tested. Discussion and Conclusion. The developed integrated software and hardware model of trajectory control can be used by developers and manufacturers of agricultural machinery, and directly by agro-enterprises for implementing typical technological processes. A feature of the implementation is an open hardware and software interface that provides the integration of mobile robotic platforms based on a digital multi-agent system.

With improvements in endovascular techniques, fewer aneurysms are treated by surgical clipping, and those aneurysms targeted for open surgery are often complex and difficult to treat. We devised a hollow, 3-dimensional (3D) model of individual cerebral aneurysms for preoperative simulation and surgical training. The methods and initial experience with this model system are presented. The 3D hollow aneurysm models of 3 retrospective and 8 prospective cases were made with a prototyping technique according to data from 3D computed tomographic angiograms of each patient. Commercially available titanium clips used in our routine surgery were applied, and the internal lumen was observed with an endoscope to confirm the patency of parent vessels. The actual surgery was performed later. In the 8 prospective cases, the clips were applied during surgery in the same direction and configuration as in the preoperative simulation. Fine adjustments were necessary in each case, and 2 patients needed additional clips to occlude the atherosclerotic aneurysmal wall. With these 3D models, it was easy for neurosurgical trainees to grasp the vascular configuration and the concept of neck occlusion. Practicing surgery with these models also improved their handling of the instruments used during aneurysm surgery, such as clips and appliers. Using the hollow 3D models to simulate clipping preoperatively, we could treat the aneurysms confidently during live surgery. These models allow easy and concrete recognition of the 3D configuration of aneurysms and parent vessels.

Tumorigenesis is a dynamic process involving growth, proliferation, heterotypic cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions and migration. Having traditionally relied on two-dimensional (2D) cultures for cancer research, it has been well-proven that these systems are unable to recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity of in vivo tumors effectively. Compelling evidence from various studies have shown that three-dimensional (3D) systems can overcome these limitations and can bridge the gap between 2D and animal models. These 3D models would be able to provide a deeper understanding of cancer pathogenesis and drug responses. Therefore, 3D spheroids of breast cancer were developed in less than 24 h in this thesis using the non-adhesive coating method. Expectedly, these breast cancer cells were able to form tight cluster of cells that simulated in vivo tumors in its architecture (the necrotic core) and expression of tumorigenic markers better than 2D monolayers. Three-dimensional models have been extensively used to determine in vivolike responses of investigational drugs and provide additional information on the efficacy of the drug in a more physiological system than 2D monolayers. However, many of the currently available techniques to assess drug-induced effects require dissociation of spheroids, large number of samples or complex technologies to visualize the drug responses making them destructive, time-consuming, and lacking real-time analysis. This has created a need for a physiologically relevant model that at the same time provides rapid, non invasive and longitudinal analysis of druginduced effects. Therefore, in this thesis, a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based 3D in vitro model has been developed to evaluate drug-induced apoptotic responses in a real-time manner. In this work, the FRET-based C3 biosensor, which detects the activation of caspase-3 enzyme during apoptosis, was employed. Therefore, when breast cancer cells were transfected with this biosensor (MCF7-C3), real-time information about the cell status under FRET imaging was achievable. Subsequently, on subjecting these spheroids to chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel, cells at the rim of the spheroid displayed a reduced FRET effect (47 % reduction for 2000 nmol/L paclitaxel treatment), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These results provide a proof-of-concept of using FRET-based biosensors in 3D models to detect and evaluate drug response in a non-invasive and time-series manner. Subsequently, this biomimetic 3D platform of MCF7-C3 cells was employed to screen various Au (I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes to assess their anti-cancer properties. The dose response curve and mitochondrial membrane potential analyses suggested that gold-complexed compounds had anti-cancer properties and the monomer compounds acted as controls not having any apoptosisinducing activity. Furthermore, it was confirmed by FRET imaging that these five gold complexes were able to activate caspase-3 enzyme, thus triggering apoptosis, in less than 72 h at a concentration of 5 μM on 2D. However, when these five compounds were tested in our 3D biomimetic model, the complexes were unable to elicit a response equivalent of their 2D response. This was further substantiated with the evaluation of FRET ratio of gold-complexed compounds and their corresponding monomer. This result demonstrates the applicability of using our 3D biomimetic system as an intermediate drug screening platform to bridge the gap between 2D and animal models for faster and efficient drug efficacy analysis. It is well-documented that cancer cells are not the only entities that constitute in vivo tumor. Cell types like fibroblasts, macrophages etc., interact with the cancer cells, in addition to providing physical support (dense ECM), thus contributing to the tumor microenvironment. As a step towards recreating an accurate tumor model in vitro, we have incorporated fibroblasts into our model system. In 24 h, a 3D coculture system comprising of FRET-based breast cancer cells and fibroblasts was formed. Further histological analysis have shown that this 3D co-culture system grown for a week resembled in vivo tumors more closely than their 3D monospheroid. It is believed that the additional involvement of fibroblasts in this FRETbased 3D co-culture model would enable better accuracy in screening and evaluating responses of investigational compounds. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that FRET-based 3D in vitro breast tumor models would serve as a novel platform for non-invasive imaging and longitudinal monitoring of rug-induced effects. Screening of NHC complexes as potential anti-cancer agents stand as a culmination of development of this 3D in vitro model. Additionally, the role of fibroblasts in tumor progression has been explored by incorporating them in our previously established 3D mono-spheroid model.

A coupling simulation based on a hydrodynamics and water quality model of the Pearl River Delta, China

Growing evidence propagates those alternative technologies (relevant human cell-based—e.g., organ-on-chips or biofabricated models—or artificial intelligence-combined technologies) that could help in vitro test and predict human response and toxicity in medical research more accurately. In vitro disease model developments have great efforts to create and serve the need of reducing and replacing animal experiments and establishing human cell-based in vitro test systems for research use, innovations, and drug tests. We need human cell-based test systems for disease models and experimental cancer research; therefore, in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models have a renaissance, and the rediscovery and development of these technologies are growing ever faster. This recent paper summarises the early history of cell biology/cellular pathology, cell-, tissue culturing, and cancer research models. In addition, we highlight the results of the increasing use of 3D model systems and the 3D bioprinted/biofabricated model developments. Moreover, we present our newly established 3D bioprinted luminal B type breast cancer model system, and the advantages of in vitro 3D models, especially the bioprinted ones. Based on our results and the reviewed developments of in vitro breast cancer models, the heterogeneity and the real in vivo situation of cancer tissues can be represented better by using 3D bioprinted, biofabricated models. However, standardising the 3D bioprinting methods is necessary for future applications in different high-throughput drug tests and patient-derived tumour models. Applying these standardised new models can lead to the point that cancer drug developments will be more successful, efficient, and consequently cost-effective in the near future.