Introducing the keyconcept approach to the analysis of language: the case of regulation in COVID-19 diaries.

Using the Mass Observation corpus of 12 of May Diaries, we investigate concepts that are characteristic of the first coronavirus lockdown in the UK. More specifically, we extract and analyse concepts which are distinctive of the discourses produced in May 2020 in relation to concepts used in the 10 previous years, 2010-2019. In the current paper we focus on the concept of regulation, which we identify through a novel approach to querying semantic content in large datasets.

Bioengineering, augmented reality, and robotic surgery in vascular surgery: A literature review.

Biomedical engineering integrates a variety of applied sciences with life sciences to improve human health and reduce the invasiveness of surgical procedures. Technological advances, achieved through biomedical engineering, have contributed to significant improvements in the field of vascular and endovascular surgery. This paper aims to review the most cutting-edge technologies of the last decade involving the use of augmented reality devices and robotic systems in vascular surgery, highlighting benefits and limitations.

Hybrid Simulation and Planning Platform for Cryosurgery with Microsoft HoloLens.

Cryosurgery is a technique of growing popularity involving tissue ablation under controlled freezing. Technological advancement of devices along with surgical technique improvements have turned cryosurgery from an experimental to an established option for treating several diseases. However, cryosurgery is still limited by inaccurate planning based primarily on 2D visualization of the patient's preoperative images.

A Systematic Review on Methods and Tools for the In Situ Fenestration of Aortic Stent-Graft.

In situ fenestration of stent-graft represents a potential option for the treatment of aortic diseases in patients unsuitable for standard endovascular repair. The best fenestration strategy to restore perfusion of collateral vessels after their coverage by an endograft depends mainly on the anatomical area. Several tools are employed as fenestration devices, including needles, radiofrequency probes, and laser systems, used in conjunction with other instrumentation to provide enough support and stability during the procedure.

A simple, realistic walled phantom for intravascular and intracardiac applications.

Purpose: This work aims to develop a simple, anatomically and haptically realistic vascular phantom, compatible with intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound. The low-cost, dual-layered phantom bridges the gap between traditional wall-only and wall-less phantoms by showing both the vessel wall and surrounding tissue in ultrasound imaging. This phantom can better assist clinical tool training, testing of intravascular devices, blood flow studies, and validation of algorithms for intravascular and intracardiac surgical systems.

Definition of Proficiency Level by a Virtual Simulator as a First Step Toward a Curriculum on Fundamental Skills for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR).

Objective: At present, there is no proficiency-based curriculum for endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) using virtual reality (VR) surgical simulators, whereas such curricula are available for the treatment of iliac and/or superficial femoral artery disease. The purpose of this work was to compute proficiency, defined by a benchmark level determined by the performance of experts, using a commercial VR simulator as a first step of a curriculum on EVAR.

Materials And Methods: Expert endovascular surgeons (with more than 150 EVAR cases as first operators) from 12 major Italian centers completed three cases of EVAR of increasing difficulty level 3 times each, using the Angio Mentor simulator (by Simbionix) and Gore devices.

In situ diode laser fenestration: An ex-vivo evaluation of irradiation effects on human aortic tissue.

The in situ laser fenestration is an interesting option for the endovascular treatment of short-necked aneurysms with an intraoperative modification of a standard endograft. According to literature evidence, diode laser emitting in the near-infrared wavelength (810 nm) can be successfully used to fenestrate the endograft fabric. This paper describes a three-dimensional navigation system for the accurate targeting of the fenestration site, then reports results of an ex vivo study to assess whether the laser operative conditions, which ensure the fabric fenestration, are harmless for the biological tissue surrounding the endoprosthesis.

Perceptual Limits of Optical See-Through Visors for Augmented Reality Guidance of Manual Tasks.

Objective: The focal length of available optical see-through (OST) head-mounted displays (HMDs) is at least 2 m; therefore, during manual tasks, the user eye cannot keep in focus both the virtual and real content at the same time. Another perceptual limitation is related to the vergence-accommodation conflict, the latter being present in binocular vision only. This paper investigates the effect of incorrect focus cues on the user performance, visual comfort, and workload during the execution of augmented reality (AR)-guided manual task with one of the most advanced OST HMD, the Microsoft HoloLens.

A tele-ultrasonographic platform to collect specialist second opinion in less specialized hospitals.

In non-urban scenarios: rural areas or small cities, there is often a limited access to specialistic healthcare due to the inherent challenges associated with recruitment, retention, and access to healthcare professionals. Telemedicine is an economical and effective way to address this problem. In this research, we developed a framework for real-time communication during ultrasound examination that combines interaction via standard video conference protocols and basic AR functionalities (commercial) and a custom-developed application.

Design of a sensorized guiding catheter for in situ laser fenestration of endovascular stent.

Purpose: The in situ fenestration of a standard endograft is currently limited by difficulties in targeting the fenestration site under fluoroscopic control and by the lack of a safe method to perforate the graft. Evidence in the literature suggests the use of a 3 D electromagnetic navigator to accurately guide the endovascular instruments to the target and a laser to selectively perforate the graft. The aim of this work is to provide design guidelines to develop a sensorized catheter to guide the laser tool to the fenestration site and conduct preliminary testing of the feasibility of the proposed solution.