Refine
Year of publication
Institute
- IfB - Institut für Bioengineering (155) (remove)
Document Type
- Conference Proceeding (155) (remove)
Keywords
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (5)
- Clusterion (4)
- Limit analysis (4)
- Sonde (4)
- solar sail (4)
- Air purification (3)
- Eisschicht (3)
- Hämoglobin (3)
- Luftreiniger (3)
- MASCOT (3)
The paper presents a method for the quantitative assessment of choroidal blood flow using an OCT-A system. The developed technique for processing of OCT-A scans is divided into two stages. At the first stage, the identification of the boundaries in the selected portion was performed. At the second stage, each pixel mark on the selected layer was represented as a volume unit, a voxel, which characterizes the region of moving blood. Three geometric shapes were considered to represent the voxel. On the example of one OCT-A scan, this work presents a quantitative assessment of the blood flow index. A possible modification of two-stage algorithm based on voxel scan processing is presented.
We compare four different algorithms for automatically estimating the muscle fascicle angle from ultrasonic images: the vesselness filter, the Radon transform, the projection profile method and the gray level cooccurence matrix (GLCM). The algorithm results are compared to ground truth data generated by three different experts on 425 image frames from two videos recorded during different types of motion. The best agreement with the ground truth data was achieved by a combination of pre-processing with a vesselness filter and measuring the angle with the projection profile method. The robustness of the estimation is increased by applying the algorithms to subregions with high gradients and performing a LOESS fit through these estimates.
20 years after the successful ground deployment test of a (20 m) 2 solar sail at DLR Cologne, and in the light of the upcoming U.S. NEAscout mission, we provide an overview of the progress made since in our mission and hardware design studies as well as the hardware built in the course of our solar sail technology development. We outline the most likely and most efficient routes to develop solar sails for useful missions in science and applications, based on our developed `now-term' and near-term hardware as well as the many practical and managerial lessons learned from the DLR-ESTEC Gossamer Roadmap. Mission types directly applicable to planetary defense include single and Multiple NEA Rendezvous ((M)NR) for precursor, monitoring and follow-up scenarios as well as sail-propelled head-on retrograde kinetic impactors (RKI) for mitigation. Other mission types such as the Displaced L1 (DL1) space weather advance warning and monitoring or Solar Polar Orbiter (SPO) types demonstrate the capability of near-term solar sails to achieve asteroid rendezvous in any kind of orbit, from Earth-coorbital to extremely inclined and even retrograde orbits. Some of these mission types such as SPO, (M)NR and RKI include separable payloads. For one-way access to the asteroid surface, nanolanders like MASCOT are an ideal match for solar sails in micro-spacecraft format, i.e. in launch configurations compatible with ESPA and ASAP secondary payload platforms. Larger landers similar to the JAXA-DLR study of a Jupiter Trojan asteroid lander for the OKEANOS mission can shuttle from the sail to the asteroids visited and enable multiple NEA sample-return missions. The high impact velocities and re-try capability achieved by the RKI mission type on a final orbit identical to the target asteroid's but retrograde to its motion enables small spacecraft size impactors to carry sufficient kinetic energy for deflection.
The quest for life on other planets is closely connected with the search for water in liquid state. Recent discoveries of deep oceans on icy moons like Europa and Enceladus have spurred an intensive discussion about how these waters can be accessed. The challenge of this endeavor lies in the unforeseeable requirements on instrumental characteristics both with respect to the scientific and technical methods. The TRIPLE/nanoAUV initiative is aiming at developing a mission concept for exploring exo-oceans and demonstrating the achievements in an earth-analogue context, exploring the ocean under the ice shield of Antarctica and lakes like Dome-C on the Antarctic continent.
Clearance of blood components and fluid drainage play a crucial role in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). With the involvement of interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), two pathways for the clearance of fluid and solutes in the brain are proposed. Starting at the level of capillaries, flow of ISF follows along the basement membranes in the walls of cerebral arteries out of the parenchyma to drain into the lymphatics and CSF [1]–[3]. Conversely, it is shown that CSF enters the parenchyma between glial and pial basement membranes of penetrating arteries [4]–[6]. Nevertheless, the involved structures and the contribution of either flow pathway to fluid balance between the subarachnoid space and interstitial space remains controversial. Low frequency oscillations in vascular tone are referred to as vasomotion and corresponding vasomotion waves are modeled as the driving force for flow of ISF out of the parenchyma [7]. Retinal vessel analysis (RVA) allows non-invasive measurement of retinal vessel vasomotion with respect to diameter changes [8]. Thus, the aim of the study is to investigate vasomotion in RVA signals of SAH and PHH patients.
Recognition of subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by the use of retinal arterial vessels.
(2019)
Hypertension describes the pathological increase of blood pressure, which is most commonly associated with the increase of vascular wall stiffness [1]. Referring to the “Deutsche Bluthochdruck Liga” this pathology shows a growing trend in our aging society. In order to find novel pharmacological and probably personalized treatments, we want to present a functional approach to study biomechanical properties of a human aortic vascular model.
In this method review we will give an overview of recent studies which were carried out with the CellDrum technology [2] and underline the added value to already existing standard procedures known from the field of physiology.
Herein described CellDrum technology is a system to measure functional mechanical properties of cell monolayers and thin tissue constructs in-vitro. Additionally, the CellDrum enables to elucidate the mechanical response of cells to pharmacological drugs, toxins and vasoactive agents. Due to its highly flexible polymer support, cells can also be mechanically stimulated by steady and cyclic biaxial stretching.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have shown to be promising in disease studies and drug screenings [1]. Cardiomyocytes derived from hiPSCs have been extensively investigated using patch-clamping and optical methods to compare their electromechanical behaviour relative to fully matured adult cells. Mathematical models can be used for translating findings on hiPSCCMs to adult cells [2] or to better understand the mechanisms of various ion channels when a drug is applied [3,4]. Paci et al. (2013) [3] developed the first model of hiPSC-CMs, which they later refined based on new data [3]. The model is based on iCells® (Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), Madison WI, USA) but major differences among several cell lines and even within a single cell line have been found and motivate an approach for creating sample-specific models. We have developed an optimisation algorithm that parameterises the conductances (in S/F=Siemens/Farad) of the latest Paci et al. model (2018) [5] using current-voltage data obtained in individual patch-clamp experiments derived from an automated patch clamp system (Patchliner, Nanion Technologies GmbH, Munich).
The discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from somatic cells [1] and their ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) has provided a robust platform for drug screening [2]. Drug screenings are essential in the development of new components, particularly for evaluating the potential of drugs to induce life-threatening pro-arrhythmias. Between 1988 and 2009, 14 drugs have been removed from the market for this reason [3]. The microelectrode array (MEA) technique is a robust tool for drug screening as it detects the field potentials (FPs) for the entire cell culture. Furthermore, the propagation of the field potential can be examined on an electrode basis. To analyze MEA measurements in detail, we have developed an open-source tool.
Recent analysis of scientific data from Cassini and earth-based observations gave evidence for a global ocean under a surrounding solid ice shell on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Images of Enceladus' South Pole showed several fissures in the ice shell with plumes constantly exhausting frozen water particles, building up the E-Ring, one of the outer rings of Saturn. In this southern region of Enceladus, the ice shell is considered to be as thin as 2 km, about an order of magnitude thinner than on the rest of the moon. Under the ice shell, there is a global ocean consisting of liquid water. Scientists are discussing different approaches the possibilities of taking samples of water, i.e. by melting through the ice using a melting probe. FH Aachen UAS developed a prototype of maneuverable melting probe which can navigate through the ice that has already been tested successfully in a terrestrial environment. This means no atmosphere and or ambient pressure, low ice temperatures of around 100 to 150K (near the South Pole) and a very low gravity of 0,114 m/s^2 or 1100 μg. Two of these influencing measures are about to be investigated at FH Aachen UAS in 2017, low ice temperature and low ambient pressure below the triple point of water. Low gravity cannot be easily simulated inside a large experiment chamber, though. Numerical simulations of the melting process at RWTH Aachen however are showing a gravity dependence of melting behavior. Considering this aspect, VIPER provides a link between large-scale experimental simulations at FH Aachen UAS and numerical simulations at RWTH Aachen. To analyze the melting process, about 90 seconds of experiment time in reduced gravity and low ambient pressure is provided by the REXUS rocket. In this time frame, the melting speed and contact force between ice and probes are measured, as well as heating power and a two-dimensional array of ice temperatures. Additionally, visual and infrared cameras are used to observe the melting process.
The overall objective of this study is to develop a new external fixator, which closely maps the native kinematics of the elbow to decrease the joint force resulting in reduced rehabilitation time and pain. An experimental setup was designed to determine the native kinematics of the elbow during flexion of cadaveric arms. As a preliminary study, data from literature was used to modify a published biomechanical model for the calculation of the joint and muscle forces. They were compared to the original model and the effect of the kinematic refinement was evaluated. Furthermore, the obtained muscle forces were determined in order to apply them in the experimental setup. The joint forces in the modified model differed slightly from the forces in the original model. The muscle force curves changed particularly for small flexion angles but their magnitude for larger angles was consistent.
Electromechanical model of hiPSC-derived ventricular cardiomyocytes cocultured with fibroblasts
(2018)
The CellDrum provides an experimental setup to study the mechanical effects of fibroblasts co-cultured with hiPSC-derived ventricular cardiomyocytes. Multi-scale computational models based on the Finite Element Method are developed. Coupled electrical cardiomyocyte-fibroblast models (cell level) are embedded into reaction-diffusion equations (tissue level) which compute the propagation of the action potential in the cardiac tissue. Electromechanical coupling is realised by an excitation-contraction model (cell level) and the active stress arising during contraction is added to the passive stress in the force balance, which determines the tissue displacement (tissue level). Tissue parameters in the model can be identified experimentally to the specific sample.
We propose a stochastic programming method to analyse limit and shakedown of structures under random strength with lognormal distribution. In this investigation a dual chance constrained programming algorithm is developed to calculate simultaneously both the upper and lower bounds of the plastic collapse limit or the shakedown limit. The edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) using three-node linear triangular elements is used.
The vaginal prolapse after hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is often associated with the prolapse of the vaginal vault, rectum, bladder, urethra or small bowel. Minimally
invasive surgery such as laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and pectopexy are widely performed for the treatment of the vaginal prolapse with weakly supported vaginal vault after hysterectomy using prosthetic mesh implants to support (or strengthen) lax apical ligaments. Implants of different shape, size and polymers are selected depending on the patient’s anatomy and the surgeon’s preference. In this computational study on pectopexy, DynaMesh®-PRP soft, GYNECARE GYNEMESH® PS Nonabsorbable PROLENE® soft and Ultrapro® are tested in a 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor. The mesh model is implanted into the extraperitoneal space and sutured to the vaginal stump with a bilateral fixation to the iliopectineal ligament at both sides. Numerical simulations are conducted at rest, after surgery and during Valsalva maneuver with weakened tissues modeled by reduced tissue stiffness. Tissues and prosthetic meshes are modeled as incompressible, isotropic hyperelastic materials. The positions of the organs are calculated with respect to the pubococcygeal line (PCL) for female pelvic floor at rest, after repair and during Valsalva maneuver using the three meshes.
Biomechanical simulation of different prosthetic meshes for repairing uterine/vaginal vault prolapse
(2017)
Smoothed Finite Element Methods for Nonlinear Solid Mechanics Problems: 2D and 3D Case Studies
(2016)
The Smoothed Finite Element Method (SFEM) is presented as an edge-based and a facebased techniques for 2D and 3D boundary value problems, respectively. SFEMs avoid shortcomings of the standard Finite Element Method (FEM) with lower order elements such as overly stiff behavior, poor stress solution, and locking effects. Based on the idea of averaging spatially the standard strain field of the FEM over so-called smoothing domains SFEM calculates the stiffness matrix for the same number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) as those of the FEM. However, the SFEMs significantly improve accuracy and convergence even for distorted meshes and/or nearly incompressible materials.
Numerical results of the SFEMs for a cardiac tissue membrane (thin plate inflation) and an artery (tension of 3D tube) show clearly their advantageous properties in improving accuracy particularly for the distorted meshes and avoiding shear locking effects.
The human arm consists of the humerus (upper arm), the medial ulna and the lateral radius (forearm). The joint between the humerus and the ulna is called humeroulnar joint and the joint between the humerus and the radius is called humeroradial joint. Lateral and medial collateral ligaments stabilize the elbow. Statistically, 2.5 out of 10,000 people suffer from radial head fractures [1]. In these fractures the cartilage is often affected. Caused by the injured cartilage, degenerative diseases like posttraumatic arthrosis may occur. The resulting pain and reduced range of motion have an impact on the patient’s quality of life. Until now, there has not been a treatment which allows typical loads in daily life activities and offers good long-term results. A new surgical approach was developed with the motivation to reduce the progress of the posttraumatic arthrosis. Here, the radius is shortened by 3 mm in the proximal part [2]. By this means, the load of the radius is intended to be reduced due to a load shift to the ulna. Since the radius is the most important stabilizer of the elbow it has to be confirmed that the stability is not affected. In the first test (Fig. 1 left), pressure distributions within the humeroulnar and humeroradial joints a native and a shortened radius were measured using resistive pressure sensors (I5076 and I5027, Tekscan, USA). The humerus was loaded axially in a tension testing machine (Z010, Zwick Roell, Germany) in 50 N steps up to 400 N. From the humerus the load is transmitted through both the radius and the ulna into the hand which is fixed on the ground. In the second test (Fig. 1 right), the joint stability was investigated using a digital image correlation system to measure the displacement of the ulna. Here, the humerus is fixed with a desired flexion angle and the unconstrained forearm lies on the ground. A rope connects the load actuator with a hook fixed in the ulna. A guide roller is used so that the rope pulls the ulna horizontally when a tensile load is applied. This creates a moment about the elbow joint with a maximum value of 7.5 Nm. Measurements were performed with varying flexion angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°). For both tests and each measurement, seven specimens were used. Student ́s t-test was employed to determine whether the mean values of the measurements in native specimen and operated specimens differ significantly.
The structure of the female pelvic floor (PF) is an inter-related system of bony pelvis,muscles, pelvic organs, fascias, ligaments, and nerves with multiple functions. Mechanically, thepelvic organ support system are of two types: (I) supporting system of the levator ani (LA) muscle,and (II) the suspension system of the endopelvic fascia condensation [1], [2]. Significantdenervation injury to the pelvic musculature, depolimerization of the collagen fibrils of the softvaginal hammock, cervical ring and ligaments during pregnancy and vaginal delivery weakens thenormal functions of the pelvic floor. Pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, sexual dysfunction aresome of the dysfunctions which increases progressively with age and menopause due toweakened support system according to the Integral theory [3]. An improved 3D finite elementmodel of the female pelvic floor as shown in Fig. 1 is constructed that: (I) considers the realisticsupport of the organs to the pelvic side walls, (II) employs the improvement of our previous FEmodel [4], [5] along with the patient based geometries, (III) incorporates the realistic anatomy andboundary conditions of the endopelvic (pubocervical and rectovaginal) fascia, and (IV) considersvarying stiffness of the endopelvic fascia in the craniocaudal direction [3]. Several computationsare carried out on the presented computational model with healthy and damaged supportingtissues, and comparisons are made to understand the physiopathology of the female PF disorders.
Attitude and Orbital Dynamics Modeling for an Uncontrolled Solar-Sail Experiment in Low-Earth Orbit
(2015)
Enceladus explorer - A maneuverable subsurface probe for autonomous navigation through deep ice
(2012)
A 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor for the reconstruction of urinary incontinence
(2014)
Effectiveness of the edge-based smoothed finite element method applied to soft biological tissues
(2012)
Shakedown analysis of two dimensional structures by an edge-based smoothed finite element method
(2010)
Recently, the SHARP Corporation, Japan, has developed the world’s first "Plasma Cluster Ions (PCI)" air purification technology using plasma discharge to generate cluster ions. The new plasma cluster device releases positive and negative ions into the air, which are able to decompose and deactivate harmful airborne substances by chemical reactions. Because cluster ions consist of positive and negative ions that normally exist in the natural world, they are completely harmless and safe to humans. The amount of ozone generated by cluster ions is less than 0.01 ppm, which is significantly less than the 0.05-ppm standard for industrial operations and consumer electronics. This amount, thus, has no harming effects whatsoever on the human body. But particular properties and chemical processes in PCI treatment are still under study. It has been shown that PCI in most cases show strongly pronounced irreversible killing effects in respect of airborne microflora due to free-radical induced reactions and can be considered as a potent technology to disinfect both home, medical and industrial appliances.
Summary and Conclusions PCIs were clearly effective in terms of their antibacterial effects with the strains tested. This efficacy increased with the time the bacteries were exposed to PCIs. The bactericidal action has proved to be irreversible. PCIs were significantly less effective in shadowed areas. PCI exposure caused multiple protein damages as observed in SDS PAGE studies. There was no single but multiple molecular mechanism causing the bacterial death.
Recently, SHARP corporation has developed the world’s first “Plasma Cluster Ions (PCI)” air purification technology, which uses plasma discharge to generate cluster ions. The new plasma cluster device releases into the air positive and negative ions, which are harmless to humans and are able to decompose and deactivate airborne substances by chemical reactions. A lot of phenomenological tests of the PCI air purification technology on microbial cells have been conducted. And, in most cases, it has been shown that PCI demonstrate strongly pronounced killing effect. Although, the particular mechanisms of PCI action are still not evident. We studied variations in resistance to PCI among gram-positive airborne microorganisms, as well as some dose-dependent, spatial, cultural and biochemical properties of PCI action in respect of Staphylococcus spp, Enterococcus spp, Micrococcus spp.
Recently, SHARP corporation has developed the world’s first "Plasma Cluster Ions® (PCI)" air purification technology, which uses plasma discharge to generate cluster ions. The new Plasma Cluster Device releases positive and negative ions into the air, which are harmless to humans and are able to decompose and deactivate airborne substances by chemical reactions. In the past, phenomenological tests on the efficacy of the PCI air purification technology on microbial cells have been conducted. In most cases, it has been shown that PCI demonstrated strongly pronounced killing effects on microorganisms. However, the particular mechanisms of PCI action still have to be uncovered.
Mechanical stimulation of the cells resulted in evident changes in the cell morphology, protein composition and gene expression. Microscopically, additional formation of stress fibers accompanied by cell re-arrangements in a monolayer was observed. Also, significant activation of p53 gene was revealed as compared to control. Interestingly, the use of CellTech membrane coating induced cell death after mechanical stress had been applied. Such an effect was not detected when fibronectin had been used as an adhesion substrate.
The sorption of LPS toxic shock by nanoparticles on base of carbonized vegetable raw materials
(2008)
Immobilization of lactobacillus on high temperature carbonizated vegetable raw material (rice husk, grape stones) increases their physiological activity and the quantity of the antibacterial metabolits, that consequently lead to increase of the antagonistic activity of lactobacillus. It is implies that the use of the nanosorbents for the attachment of the probiotical microorganisms are highly perspective for decision the important problems, such as the probiotical preparations delivery to the right address and their attachment to intestines mucosa with the following detoxication of gastro-intestinal tract and the normalization of it’s microecology. Besides that, thus, the received carbonizated nanoparticles have peculiar properties – ability to sorption of LPS toxical shock and, hence, to the detoxication of LPS.
A melting probe equipped with autofluorescence-based detection system combined with a light scattering unit, and, optionally, with a microarray chip would be ideally suited to probe icy environments like Europa’s ice layer as well as the polar ice layers of Earth and Mars for recent and extinct live.
As a deduction from these results, we can conclude that proteins mainly in vitro, denaturate totally at a temperature between 57°C -62°C, and they also affected by NO and different ions types. In which mainly, NO cause earlier protein denaturation, which means that, NO has a destabilizing effect on proteins, and also different ions will alter the protein denaturation in which, some ions will cause earlier protein denaturation while others not.
The absence of a general method for endotoxin removal from liquid interfaces gives an opportunity to find new methods and materials to overcome this gap. Activated nanostructured carbon is a promising material that showed good adsorption properties due to its vast pore network and high surface area. The aim of this study is to find the adsorption rates for a carboneous material produced at different temperatures, as well as to reveal possible differences between the performance of the material for each of the adsorbates used during the study (hemoglobin, serum albumin and lipopolysaccharide, LPS).
One of interesting but not well known water properties is related to appearance of highly ordered structures in response to strong electrical field. In 1893 Sir William Armstrong placed a cotton thread between two wine glasses filled with chemically pure water. When high DC voltage was applied between the glasses, a connection consisting of water formed, producing a "water bridge"
We present the novel concept of a combined drilling and melting probe for subsurface ice research. This probe, named “IceMole”, is currently developed, built, and tested at the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences’ Astronautical Laboratory. Here, we describe its first prototype design and report the results of its field tests on the Swiss Morteratsch glacier. Although the IceMole design is currently adapted to terrestrial glaciers and ice shields, it may later be modified for the subsurface in-situ investigation of extraterrestrial ice, e.g., on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. If life exists on those bodies, it may be present in the ice (as life can also be found in the deep ice of Earth).
Tests with palm tree leaves have just started yet and scan data are in the process to be analyzed. The final goal of future project for palm tree gender and species recognition will be to develop optical scanning technology to be applied to date palm tree leaves for in–situ screening purposes. Depending on the software used and the particular requirements of the users the technology potentially shall be able to identify palm tree diseases, palm tree gender, and species of young date palm trees by scanning leaves.
The ”IceMole“ is a novel maneuverable subsurface ice probe for clean in-situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial water/brine. It is developed and build at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences’ Astronautical Laboratory. A first prototype was successfully tested on the Swiss Morteratsch glacier in 2010. Clean sampling is achieved with a hollow ice screw (as it is used in mountaineering) at the tip of the probe. Maneuverability is achieved with a differentially heated melting head. Funded by the German Space Agency (DLR), a consortium led by FH Aachen currently develops a much more advanced IceMole probe, which includes a sophisticated system for obstacle avoidance, target detection, and navigation in the ice. We intend to use this probe for taking clean samples of subglacial brine at the Blood Falls (McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica) for chemical and microbiological analysis. In our conference contribution, we 1) describe the IceMole design, 2) report the results of the field tests of the first prototype on the Morteratsch glacier, 3) discuss the probe’s potential for the clean in-situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial liquids, and 4) outline the way ahead in the development of this technology.
Summary: This paper presents a methodology to study and understand the mechanics of stapled anastomotic behaviors by combining empirical experimentation and finite element analysis. Performance of stapled anastomosis is studied in terms of leakage and numerical results which are compared to in vitro experiments performed on fresh porcine tissue. Results suggest that leaks occur between the tissue and staple legs penetrating through the tissue.
7th International Conference on Reliability of Materials and Structures (RELMAS 2008). June 17 - 20, 2008 ; Saint Petersburg, Russia. pp 354-358. Reprint with corrections in red Introduction Analysis of advanced structures working under extreme heavy loading such as nuclear power plants and piping system should take into account the randomness of loading, geometrical and material parameters. The existing reliability are restricted mostly to the elastic working regime, e.g. allowable local stresses. Development of the limit and shakedown reliability-based analysis and design methods, exploiting potential of the shakedown working regime, is highly needed. In this paper the application of a new algorithm of probabilistic limit and shakedown analysis for shell structures is presented, in which the loading and strength of the material as well as the thickness of the shell are considered as random variables. The reliability analysis problems may be efficiently solved by using a system combining the available FE codes, a deterministic limit and shakedown analysis, and the First and Second Order Reliability Methods (FORM/SORM). Non-linear sensitivity analyses are obtained directly from the solution of the deterministic problem without extra computational costs.