A novel device to concurrently assess leukocyte extravasation and interstitial migration within a defined 3D environment.

Leukocyte extravasation and interstitial migration are key events during inflammation. Traditional in vitro techniques address only specific steps of cell recruitment to tissues and fail to recapitulate the whole process in an appropriate three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment. Herein, we describe a device that enables us to qualitatively and quantitatively assess in 4D the interdependent steps underlying leukocyte trafficking in a close-to-physiology in vitro context.

A micro-optical system for endoscopy based on mechanical compensation paradigm using miniature piezo-actuation.

The goal of the study was to investigate the feasibility of a novel miniaturized optical system for endoscopy. Fostering the mechanical compensation paradigm, the modeled optical system, composed by 14 lenses, separated in 4 different sets, had a total length of 15.55mm, an effective focal length ranging from 1.

A tool for computer-controlled lipoaspirate deposition in autologous fat grafting.

Background: In autologous fat grafting applied for tissue regeneration and morphologic/volumetric restoration, clinical evidence suggests that the uniformity of tissue distribution in the receiver site may influence regenerative outcomes and rates of complications.

Methods: This technical report describes the prototype of a computer-assisted deposition tool designed to maximize deposition uniformity. This is obtained by modulating the lipoaspirate flow through the cannula of the syringe as a function of the tool withdrawal speed by means of a DC motor that controls the movement of the syringe plunger.

Computer assisted planning of autologous fat grafting in breast.

Autologous fat grafting is an emerging and promising surgical technique in regenerative medicine, and its application is quickly spreading in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast. However, despite the advantages of the technique, surgical complications may occur, such as implanted tissue necrosis and resorption and onset of microcalcifications. In view of the hypothesis that the uniformity of the lipoaspirate transplantation is related to graft survival and a lower probability of complications, we developed an interactive lipomodeling planning software application based on a genetic algorithm that allows automatic optimization of the uniformity of fat tissue distribution.

Comparative assessment of 3D surface scanning systems in breast plastic and reconstructive surgery.

In this work, we compared accuracy, repeatability, and usability in breast surface imaging of 2 commercial surface scanning systems and a hand-held laser surface scanner prototype coupled with a patient's motion acquisition and compensation methodology. The accuracy of the scanners was assessed on an anthropomorphic phantom, and to evaluate the usability of the scanners on humans, thorax surface images of 3 volunteers were acquired. Both the intrascanner repeatability and the interscanner comparative accuracy were assessed.

Simulation of functional tricuspid regurgitation using an isolated porcine heart model.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The results of tricuspid annuloplasty to treat functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) are sometimes suboptimal, and alternative techniques are needed. In the absence of reliable FTR models, and in an effort to minimize the need for animal experiments, a reproducible bench-model was developed of FTR, that allowed the simulation of the anatomic features of the condition.

Methods: A fresh porcine heart was mounted on a rigid support that was placed into a basin filled with saline; a closed circuit was then created with a centrifugal pump, equipped with connection tubes.

A multi-tissue mass-spring model for computer assisted breast surgery.

The aim of this work was to develop and validate a 3D female breast deformation model for computer assisted breast surgery. Magnetic resonance (MR) image data of a patient undergoing breast biopsy, were acquired using two different protocols with the patient in prone position: (i) uncompressed breast and (ii) compressed breast, with lateral single breast compression, realized with a movable slab. The acquired images were then segmented using a semi-automatic procedure and from the extracted volumes of interest tetrahedral meshes representing skin, fat and mammary glands were generated.

New technologies for the assessment of breast surgical outcomes.

Background: Although interest in objective and quantitative breast surgical outcome assessment is rapidly increasing, published reports have yet to make a real impact on everyday clinical practice.

Objective: The authors offer a preliminary report on an innovative methodology customized for breast shape evaluation that, in our opinion, could overcome most of the technical and conceptual limitations of previous studies.

Methods: Three-dimensional/four-dimensional breast scanning was performed using a breast-dedicated prototype laser scanner made up of a handheld device, including a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera coupled to a spot laser source.

Motion compensation in hand-held laser scanning for surface modeling in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The purpose of this work is to develop a new integrated methodology for breast morphology assessment in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Such a methodology comprises hand-held laser scanning with active compensation of breathing motion and involuntary movements, in order to obtain a thorough and artifacts-free representation of patient breast shape. This was obtained by tracking surface motion with a configuration of passive markers fitted on the patient's thoraco-abdominal region.