Clinical contributions of exhaled volatile organic compounds in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Background: Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) are being considered as biomarkers for various lungs diseases, including cancer. However, the accurate measurement of extremely low concentrations of VOC in expired air is technically challenging. We evaluated the clinical contribution of exhaled VOC measured with a new, double cold-trap method in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Editor's Highlight: Prospective Analyses of Volatile Organic Compounds in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

Various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to be toxic. Although exhaled VOC patterns change in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, individual VOC profiles are not fully determined. The primary outcome was VOC characterizations; secondary outcomes included their relationships with sleep and clinical parameters in OSA patients.

Development of the bedridden person support system using hand gesture.

The purpose of this study is to support the bedridden and physically handicapped person who live independently. In this study, we developed Electric appliances control system that can be used on the bed. The subject can control Electric appliances using hand motion.

The evaluation of the discriminant ability of multiclass SVM in a study of hand motion recognition by using SEMG.

Electromyogram (EMG) is a kind of biological signal that is generated because of excitement of muscle according to the motor instruction from a brain. We have been experimentally developing the hand motion recognition system by using 4 channels forearm EMG signals. In our system, in order to classify measured EMG SVM (Support Vector Machine) that has higher discriminability is used.

Basic study on combined motion estimation using multichannel surface EMG signals.

To improve degree of freedom (DOF) of system control using surface electromyogram (SEMG), we made a basic study of the estimation of user's intended motion including combined motion which is performed by more than one basic motion simultaneously. Our developed system requested to obtain three SEMG characteristics of basic motion and one SEMG characteristics of rest state. This study defines the motion of grasp, supination and pronation as basic motion, and two combined motion which is "grasp +supination" and "grasp + pronation" are set.

Monte Carlo method for evaluating the effect of surface EMG measurement placement on motion recognition accuracy.

Surface electromyogram (SEMG) is one of the most important biological signal in which the human motion intention is directly reflected. Many systems use SEMG as a source of a control signal. (We call them "SEMG system").

Development of the device to detect SPO(2) in the field.

In case of disaster such as a severe earthquake, many sufferers will be generated at the disaster area. In this situation, we have a problem that sometimes rescuers are also injured by disaster. In order to avoid such damage, various kinds of rescue robots are being developed and used.

Development of the EEG measurement method under exercising.

It is said that the result of the game of sports is controlled by player's mental state. Especially, player's concentration greatly controls the result of the game. Therefore, we think that if player's mental state under exercising can be evaluated, it becomes possible to guide the player appropriately.

Application of least square method for muscular strength estimation in hand motion recognition using surface EMG.

In this study, we describe the application of least square method for muscular strength estimation in hand motion recognition based on surface electromyogram (SEMG). Although the muscular strength can consider the various evaluation methods, a grasp force is applied as an index to evaluate the muscular strength. Today, SEMG, which is measured from skin surface, is widely used as a control signal for many devices.

Development of the device to detect human's bio-signals by easy sensing.

A disaster like a big earthquake usually destroys many buildings and generates many sufferers. In this situation, sometimes a rescue person encounters a second disaster. This is the big problem to rescue sufferers.

Estimation of muscle strength during motion recognition using multichannel surface EMG signals.

The use of kinesiological electromyography is established as an evaluation tool for various kinds of applied research, and surface electromyogram (SEMG) has been widely used as a control source for human interfaces such as in a myoelectric prosthetic hand (we call them 'SEMG interfaces'). It is desirable to be able to control the SEMG interfaces with the same feeling as body movement. The existing SEMG interface mainly focuses on how to achieve accurate recognition of the intended movement.

Development of the hand motion recognition system based on surface EMG using suitable measurement channels for pattern recognition.

Conventional research on motion recognition using surface electromyogram (SEMG) is mainly focused on how to process with the signals for pattern recognition. However, it is of much consequence to the motion recognition that measurement channels position including useful information about SEMG pattern recognition is selected. In this paper, we present two topics for the hand motion recognition system based on SEMG.

The development of a white cane which navigates the visually impaired.

In this paper, we describe about a developed navigation system that supports the independent walking of the visually impaired in the indoor space. This system is composed of colored navigation lines, RFID tags and an intelligent white cane. In our system, some colored marking tapes are set on along the walking route.

The BOLD signal response for fluctuating stimulation images.

In the measurement of brain function by using fMRI, increasing of blood flow and decreasing of de-oxy-hemoglobin concentration as a cause of this increasing (BOLD: Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent) are measured. And brain activity is evaluated as the function of BOLD signal. In the f-MRI measurement, MRI data under stimulation and resting are measured periodically, and these data are compared and analyzed.

Development of the human interface equipment based on surface EMG employing channel selection method.

In this paper, we describe the human-interface equipment using surface electromyogram (SEMG) based on optimal measurement channels for each subject. In case the SEMG is used as a control signal, individual differences of SEMG are important issue to obtain high accuracy recognition of motions. To solve this problem, we propose a channel selection method of the suitable measurement channels for the recognition of motions.

Development of voice navigation system for the visually impaired by using IC tags.

There are about 300,000 visually impaired persons in Japan. Most of them are old persons and, cannot become skillful in using a white cane, even if they make effort to learn how to use a white cane. Therefore, some guiding system that supports the independent activities of the visually impaired are required.

Development of the navigation system for the visually impaired by using white cane.

A white cane is a typical support instrument for the visually impaired. They use a white cane for the detection of obstacles while walking. So, the area where they have a mental map, they can walk using white cane without help of others.

Influence of moving sight by turning over frequency.

In late years, f-MRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) are used for analysis of a visual function. In case of the study for a visual function, the checker flag pattern consists of white square and black square is usually used for sight stimulation. In sight stimulation using this pattern, a color of square (black and white) changes alternately at constant frequency.

The measurement technique of human's bio-signals.

A disaster like a big earthquake usually brings many destroyed buildings and many sufferers are generated in the disaster area. In this situation, sometimes a rescue person encounters a second disaster. This is the big problem to rescue sufferers.

Development of the input equipment for a computer using surface EMG.

SEMG (surface EMG) has many benefits, for example measuring SEMG is easy and a characteristic pattern of SEMG is obtained for each different movement. Therefore, SEMG that is generated by body movement is able to use as a control signal for some electric powered equipments. Our objective is the perfect control of the computer by using SEMG that is generated from forearms.

The EEG measurement technique under exercising.

Our purpose of the research is a development of the detecting method of EEG under exercising. Usually, measuring EEG is done in the quiet state. In case of the measuring EEG under exercising, a movement of the body causes vibration of electrodes and artifact for the EEG.

Time-dependence evaluation of the primary visual cortex by 1H MR-spectroscopy using a stimulation control system.

Unlabelled: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) is used to evaluate tumors and their remaining function under the assumption that event-related inspection and a method of data collection dependent on time are difficult. Therefore, this study examined the possibility that time depended on in MRS with a visual cortex. We conducted experiments using the following stimulations: REST: eyes are in a closed state,

Control: eyes are in an open state, and Continuous: consecutive stimulation and time dependence in the visual cortex.

A classification method of hand movements using multi channel electrode.

In this study, we describe the classification method of hand movements using 96 channels matrix-type(16times6) of multi channel surface electrode. Today, there are many systems that use the EMG as a control signal. As for those ordinary systems, it has some problem like most of them require the definition of measuring position.

Development of the EEG measurement technique under exercising.

Our purpose of this research is a development of the method that detects EEG of an athlete under exercising. If EEG under exercising can be measured, we can assess the mental condition of the athlete. Usually, EEG is measured in the shield room, and a subject is required rest in bed while measurement.

Development of a simple diagnostic method for the glaucoma using ocular Fundus pictures.

There are approximately 2 million people who have glaucoma. And about 90% of glaucoma patients have chronic type disease, and most of them do not notice of their disease. Finally they will lost their eyesight by this disease.