Robust Path Planning via Learning from Demonstrations for Robotic Catheters in Deformable Environments.

Objective: Navigation through tortuous and deformable vessels using catheters with limited steering capability underscores the need for reliable path planning. State-of-the-art path planners do not fully account for the deformable nature of the environment.

Methods: This work proposes a robust path planner via a learning from demonstrations method, named Curriculum Generative Adversarial Imitation Learning (C-GAIL).

Autonomous robotic surgery makes light work of anastomosis.

An autonomous robotic laparoscopic surgical technique is capable of tracking tissue motion and offers consistency in suturing for the anastomosis of the small bowel.

Inverse Reinforcement Learning Intra-Operative Path Planning for Steerable Needle.

Objective: This paper presentsa safe and effective keyhole neurosurgery intra-operative planning framework for flexible neurosurgical robots. The framework is intended to support neurosurgeons during the intra-operative procedure to react to a dynamic environment.

Methods: The proposed system integrates inverse reinforcement learning path planning algorithm combined with 1) a pre-operative path planning framework for fast and intuitive user interaction, 2) a realistic, time-bounded simulator based on Position-based Dynamics (PBD) simulation that mocks brain deformations due to catheter insertion and 3) a simulated robotic system.

A laboratory study of the accuracy of three electronic apex locators: influence of embedding media and radiographic assessment of the electronic apical limit.

Aim: To evaluate several factors that might interfere with the use of electronic root canal length measurement devices (ERCLMDs) in a laboratory setting, including two different embedding media (alginate and electroconductive gel), three different types of devices and the radiographic view on the assessment of the electronic readings.

Methodology: Thirty single-rooted extracted human mandibular premolars were selected. After access and canal pre-flaring, a size 10 K-file was inserted in the canal up to the major apical foramen under magnification (×10), and this length was recorded as the actual length (AL) of the canal.

Artificial intelligence for brain diseases: A systematic review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major branch of computer science that is fruitfully used for analyzing complex medical data and extracting meaningful relationships in datasets, for several clinical aims. Specifically, in the brain care domain, several innovative approaches have achieved remarkable results and open new perspectives in terms of diagnosis, planning, and outcome prediction. In this work, we present an overview of different artificial intelligent techniques used in the brain care domain, along with a review of important clinical applications.

Automated Steerable Path Planning for Deep Brain Stimulation Safeguarding Fiber Tracts and Deep Gray Matter Nuclei.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure consisting in the stereotactic implantation of stimulation electrodes to specific brain targets, such as deep gray matter nuclei. Current solutions to place the electrodes rely on rectilinear stereotactic trajectories (RTs) manually defined by surgeons, based on pre-operative images. An automatic path planner that accurately targets subthalamic nuclei (STN) and safeguards critical surrounding structures is still lacking.

The Accuracy of a New Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Software in the Preoperative Working Length Determination Ex Vivo.

Introduction: This study investigates the accuracy of 3D Endo software (Dentsply Sirona, Salzburg, Austria) to determine the working length when using preoperative cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans of extracted teeth, compared with conventional CBCT software and an electronic apex locator (EAL).

Methods: CBCT scans of 30 premolars were obtained. Using OnDemand3D software (Cybermed, Seoul, Korea), the measurement obtained from the coronal reference to the apical foramen (AF) was recorded as the conventional CBCT length.

Spontaneous Resolution of a Central Giant Cell Granuloma in a Child After an Incisional Biopsy: A Five-year Follow-up.

A central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is typically regarded as a benign lesion with osteoclastic activity. Treatment often involves surgical procedures that may cause deformities; however, minimally invasive approaches have been suggested for treating pediatric patients. We report a case of CGCG of the mandible in a 13-year-old boy who presented with a well-defined radiolucent area in the anterior mandible that was initially detected in a radiographic examination for orthodontic purposes.

Anisotropy of water droplets on single rectangular posts.

We report results of extensive experimental and numerical studies of the anisotropy of water drops deposited on single rectangular posts of mesoscopic size sculpted on different materials. Drops of different volume deposited on the top face of the posts assume an elongated shape along the post direction. Systematic investigations show that while the angle measured along the direction parallel to the post does not change, the one measured across them increases monotonically with the drop volume.

Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis: a comparison of two scoring systems.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory pruritic skin heterogeneous disease, which does not have an objective tool able to permit comparison between patients and to monitor changes due to a specific treatment. Several assessment methods have been developed to evaluate the AD.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between two observers in the assessment of the severity of AD applying SCORAD index and EASI in infants and young children with AD.

[The methodology and planning of an educational intervention in diabetic foot].

Diabetic foot is considered one of the most threatening and disabling complications for a diabetic patient: lesions of the extremities can become so severe that the person may risk the amputation of the toe, foot or leg. Methodology of planning and implementation of an educational intervention for the prevention of the diabetic foot is presented in its various steps: from the identification of priorities and contents to the problems and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the program.