Hybrid Functional Electrical Stimulation and Robotic Assistance for Wrist Motion Training After Stroke: Preliminary Results.

This work presents preliminary results of a clinical study with sub-acute stroke patients using a hybrid system for wrist rehabilitation. The patients trained their wrist flexion/extension motion through a target tracking task, where electrical stimulation and robotic torque assisted them proportionally to their tracking error. Five sub-acute stroke patients have completed the training for 3 sessions on separate days.

The efficacy of hybrid neuroprostheses in the rehabilitation of upper limb impairment after stroke, a narrative and systematic review with a meta-analysis.

Background: Paresis of the upper limb (UL) is the most frequent impairment after a stroke. Hybrid neuroprostheses, i.e.

Contralaterally EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation during serious gaming for upper limb stroke rehabilitation: a feasibility study.

Introduction: Virtual Reality/serious games (SG) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapies are used in upper limb stroke rehabilitation. A combination of both approaches seems to be beneficial for therapy success. The feasibility of a combination of SG and contralaterally EMG-triggered FES (SG+FES) was investigated as well as the characteristics of responders to such a therapy.

The impact of visuospatial perception on distance judgment and depth perception in an Augmented Reality environment in patients after stroke: an exploratory study.

Background: Augmented Reality (AR)-based interventions are applied in neurorehabilitation with increasing frequency. Depth perception is required for the intended interaction within AR environments. Until now, however, it is unclear whether patients after stroke with impaired visuospatial perception (VSP) are able to perceive depth in the AR environment.

Anticipatory and Reactive Grip Force Control in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects several cognitive functions and causes altered motor function. Fine motor deficits during object manipulation are evident in other neurological conditions, but have not been assessed in dementia patients yet.

Objective: Investigate reactive and anticipatory grip force control in response to unexpected and expected load force perturbation in AD.

Ultrasound estimation of gestational age.

Many ultrasonologists feel that if they are unable to obtain a BPD measurement at the time of an ultrasound examination that they have somehow failed to do an adequate job. However, from the information outlined in this chapter, it can be seen that the biparietal diameter is only one measurement that can be taken of the fetus in order to estimate gestational age. Furthermore, since the recognition of variability in fetal head shape, absolute reliance on measurement of the fetal biparietal diameter for estimation of gestational age has become much less common, especially after 20 weeks of gestation.

Human fetal breathing movements after carbohydrate ingestion in fasting and nonfasting subjects.

Human fetal breathing movements were observed by means of the linear array real-time B-scan technique in 40 study sessions at 35 to 36 week's gestation. Fasting and nonfasting subjects received water or 75 gm of glucose orally. Fetal breathing activity, observed as movement of the chest wall, was analyzed.

Comparison of ultrasound femur length and biparietal diameter in late pregnancy.

A linear relationship between growth of fetal femur length (FL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) after 22 weeks' gestation is described. The normal ratio of femur length to BPD (FL/BPD ratio) was found to be 79 +/- 8%. Effective uses of the FL/BPD ratio include its use as a quality control check on femur length and BPD measurements and its use to diagnose short-limbed dwarfism, hydrocephalus, and microcephaly.

Ultrasound placental site in relation to bloody taps in midtrimester amniocentesis.

In an unselected, consecutive series of 137 midtrimester amniocenteses for prenatal genetic diagnosis, it was found that the incidence of blood contamination of amniotic fluid samples was similar regardless of placental site as determined by ultrasound localization. Three (5.8%) patients with anterior placental location versus 5 (9.

Private practice use of real-time B scan ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology.

An informal survey of 25 obstetrics and gynecology practices that use real time B scan ultrasound equipment was carried out to assess the economic and patient-care impact of such equipment. From this informal survey, it can be seen that the incorporation of real time B scan ultrasound scanning into private practice has become economically feasible and useful for the daily clinical management of obstetric patients. The implications and economics of such changes for obstetric health care costs remain to be assessed.

Fetal evaluation by real-time imaging.

The application of real-time imaging to the study of fetal morphology and function is an exciting advance. Rapid accurate study of fetal dynamics is possible with this apparently safe, noninvasive technique. Animal studies have revealed the general physiology of fetal breathing movements, which are now under extensive investigation with real-time imaging in the human.

Screening for intrauterine growth retardation using the ultrasound biparietal diameter.

Fifteen hundred patients were scanned to predict fetal age and weight by biparietal diameter measurement. three hundred eleven patients had more than one scan. Forty-three small for gestational age (SGA) babies were ultimately delivered in this population.