Automated Balloon Control in Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta.

Objective: The goal of this study was to demonstrate the technical feasibility of automated balloon pressure management during resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in the pre-clinical setting.

Methods: This paper presents an intelligent balloon management device which automates the balloon inflation process, preventing the possibility of balloon over or under inflation, optimizes inflation pressure, and if indicated, deflates automating partial REBOA to allow the distal organ perfusion. Edwards TruWave pressure transducers are used to monitor the blood pressure proximal and distal to the balloon, as well as the internal balloon pressure.

Pre-clinical validation of virtual bronchoscopy using 3D Slicer.

Purpose: Lung cancer still represents the leading cause of cancer-related death, and the long-term survival rate remains low. Computed tomography (CT) is currently the most common imaging modality for lung diseases recognition. The purpose of this work was to develop a simple and easily accessible virtual bronchoscopy system to be coupled with a customized electromagnetic (EM) tracking system for navigation in the lung and which requires as little user interaction as possible, while maintaining high usability.

Robust ultrasound probe tracking: initial clinical experiences during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.

Purpose: In order to assist in the identification of renal vasculature and tumour boundaries in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, robust ultrasound probe calibration and tracking methods are introduced. Contemporaneous image guidance during these crucial stages of the procedure should ultimately lead to improved safety and quality of outcome for the patient, through reduced positive margin rates, segmental clamping, shorter ischaemic times and nephron-sparing resection.

Methods: Small KeyDot markers with circular dot patterns are attached to a miniature pickup ultrasound probe.

Restructuring of a peat in interaction with multivalent cations: effect of cation type and aging time.

It is assumed to be common knowledge that multivalent cations cross-link soil organic matter (SOM) molecules via cation bridges (CaB). The concept has not been explicitly demonstrated in solid SOM by targeted experiments, yet. Therefore, the requirements for and characteristics of CaB remain unidentified.