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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Improvement of blood compatibility of small intestinal submucosa used as engineering vascular scaffolds by nano-bionic surface modification].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nano-bionic surface modification in improving the blood compatibility of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) used as engineering vascular scaffolds. METHODS: SIS films were obtained from pig and underwent nano-bionic surface modification with plasma initiation technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphological features, including water contact angle, of the SIS films after nano-bionic surface modification. Modified SIS films were immersed into human platelet-rich plasma for 10 s and then observed for the adhesion of platelet on the surface thereof. Another modified SIS films were immersed into anticoagulant human blood to test the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and thrombin time (TT). Twenty dogs were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo cutting of bilateral femoral arteries and anastomosis with tube-like scaffolds made of modified or un-modified SIS films. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to examine the blood flow 1, 3, and 6 weeks after operation. The dogs were killed in batches 2 and 6 weeks after operation to take out the SIS vessels to observe the existence of mural thrombus and undergo microscopy. RESULTS: SEM showed island-like and groove-like surface morphology in the modified SIS films, and the water contact angle decreased from 105.3 degrees to 62.0 degrees. After treatment by anticoagulant human blood the PT, APTT, and TT of the modified SIS films increased from 30.5 s, 9.8 s, and 13.6 s to 81.5 s, 39.6 s, and 50.2 s respectively. SEM showed that the number of adhering platelets was less on the surface of the modified SIS films than on the surface of un-modified SIS films. Animal experiment showed that 4 blood vessels anastomosed with un-modified SIS tube became completely thrombosed within 3 hours, and the other 6 became completely thrombosed 3 days later, and the 10 blood vessels anastomosed with modified SIS tube remained patent till 6 weeks after operation. Gross observation showed that the implanted scaffolds made of modified SIS films had become biological tube-like 2 weeks after operation, and became integrated tubes with their inner walls covered with endothelial cells 6 weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Nano-bionic surface modified SIS film possesses good and persistent antithrombogenicity and shows excellent blood compatibility.

Animals↗

Bionic technology revitalizes native baroreflex function in rats with baroreflex failure.

BACKGROUND: We developed a bionic technology for the treatment of baroreflex failure and tested its efficacy in restoration of arterial pressure against head-up tilt (HUT) in rats with baroreflex failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bionic baroreflex system (BBS) was a negative feedback system controlled by a computer, the artificial vasomotor center. It sensed systemic arterial pressure (SAP) through a micromanometer placed in the aortic arch and automatically computed the frequency of a pulse train to stimulate sympathetic efferent nerves. We selected the celiac ganglion as the sympathetic vasomotor interface. To make this system bionic, the operational rule of the artificial vasomotor center (H(BRP-->STM); BRP indicates baroreceptor pressure; STM, electrical stimulation) was actively matched to that of the native center. First, we identified the open-loop transfer functions of the native baroreflex control of SAP (H(Native)) and the response of SAP to electrical stimulation of the celiac ganglion (H(STM-->SAP)). We computed H(BRP-->STM) from H(Native)/H(STM-->SAP) and transplanted the operational rule into the computer. In 10 rats with baroreflex failure, we evaluated the performance of the BBS during rapid hypotension induced by HUT. Abrupt HUT dropped SAP by 34+/-6 mm Hg in 2 seconds and by 52+/-5 mm Hg in 10 seconds. During real-time execution of the BBS, on the other hand, the fall in SAP was 21+/-5 mm Hg at 2 seconds and 15+/-6 mm Hg at 10 seconds after HUT. These arterial responses controlled by the BBS were indistinguishable from those by the native baroreflex. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the BBS revitalized the native baroreflex function in rats with baroreflex failure.

Animals↗

Performance of subjects fit with the Advanced Bionics CII and Nucleus 3G cochlear implant devices.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if subjects who used different cochlear implant devices and who were matched on consonant-vowel-consonant (CNC) identification in quiet would show differences in performance on speech-based tests of spectral and temporal resolution, speech understanding in noise, or speech understanding at low sound levels. DESIGN: The performance of 15 subjects fit with the CII Bionic Ear System (CII Bionic Ear behind-the-ear speech processor with the Hi-Resolution sound processing strategy; Advanced Bionics Corporation) was compared with the performance of 15 subjects fit with the Nucleus 24 electrode array and ESPrit 3G behind-the-ear speech processor with the advanced combination encoder speech coding strategy (cochlear corporation). SUBJECTS: Thirty adults with late-onset deafness and above-average speech perception abilities who used cochlear implants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vowel recognition, consonant recognition, sentences in quiet (74, 64, and 54 dB SPL [sound pressure level]) and in noise (+10 and +5 dB SNR [signal-to-noise ratio]), voice discrimination, and melody recognition. RESULTS: Group differences in performance were significant in 4 conditions: vowel identification, difficult sentence material at +5 dB and +10 dB SNR, and a measure that quantified performance in noise and low input levels relative to performance in quiet. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified tasks on which there are between-group differences in performance for subjects matched on CNC word scores in quiet. We suspect that the differences in performance are due to differences in signal processing. Our next goal is to uncover the signal processing attributes of the speech processors that are responsible for the differences in performance.

Adult↗

Clinical evaluation of the bionic glove.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical evaluation of the Bionic Glove, a prototype of a new functional electrical stimulation device designed to improve the function of the paralyzed hand after spinal cord injury. PATIENTS: Twelve people with spinal cord injury at C5-C7 who had used the device 6 months or more. SETTING: Measurements were made at the Institute "Dr Miroslav Zotović" in Belgrade as a part of a multicenter clinical trial. METHODS: Measures include Upper Extremity Function Test, Functional Independence Measure, and Quadriplegia Index of Function. RESULTS: The daily use of a Bionic Glove had two major effects: (1) increasing the power grasp; and (2) increasing the range of movements. Active force was significantly greater than passive tenodesis force, as shown in other studies. Most manual tasks improved significantly with the use of the assistive system, as judged by the time needed to complete a task or the subject's qualitative ratings of a task difficulty. Most subjects who retained some dexterity without the assistive system hesitated to use the assistive system to manipulate small objects. CONCLUSION: The Bionic Glove can significantly improve independence in people with C5-C7 spinal cord injury if their initial Functional Independence Measure and Quadriplegia Index of Function scores are 20% to 50% of the maximum values.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The bionic glove: an electrical stimulator garment that provides controlled grasp and hand opening in quadriplegia.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes the operation of the Bionic Glove, a new functional electrical stimulation (FES) device designed to improve the function of the paralyzed hand after spinal cord injury (SCI) or stroke. DESIGN: Signals from a sensor in the glove detecting voluntary wrist movement are used to control FES of muscles either to produce hand-grasp or to open the hand. When the glove is donned, conductive areas on its inside surface automatically make contact with self-adhesive electrodes on the skin. SETTING AND PATIENTS: This report concerns nine people with SCI who have used the device in their daily lives for up to a year or more. Measurements were made at clinics in Edmonton, Miami, and Chicago as part of a multicenter clinical trial. OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: The mean peak force of tenodesis grasp in the nine subjects increased from 2.6N (passive) to 11.3N (glove active). Active force was significantly greater than passive grasp force even when muscles were fatigued after repetitive grasp-release cycles. Most manual tasks improved significantly with the use of the glove, as judged by the number of tasks completed in a minute or the subjects' qualitative ratings of task difficulty. CONCLUSION: The Bionic Glove can provide significant improvement of hand function in people with C6-C7 SCI.

Adult↗

BIONic WalkAide for correcting foot drop.

The goal of this study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of using microstimulators (BIONs) to correct foot drop, the first human application of BIONs in functional electrical stimulation (FES). A prototype BIONic foot drop stimulator was developed by modifying a WalkAide2 stimulator to control BION stimulation of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. BION stimulation was compared with surface stimulation of the common peroneal nerve provided by a normal WalkAide2 foot drop stimulator. Compared to surface stimulation, we found that BION stimulation of the deep peroneal nerve produces a more balanced ankle flexion movement without everting the foot. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to measure the ankle and foot kinematics with and without stimulation. Without stimulation, the toe on the affected leg drags across the ground. The BIONic WalkAide elevates the foot such that the toe clears the ground by 3 cm, which is equivalent to the toe clearance in the unaffected leg. The physiological cost index (PCI) was used to measure effort during walking. The PCI is high without stimulation (2.29 +/- 0.37; mean +/- S.D.) and greatly reduced with surface (1.29 +/- 0.10) and BION stimulation (1.46 +/- 0.24). Also, walking speed is increased from 9.4 +/- 0.4 m/min without stimulation to 19.6 +/- 2.0 m/min with surface and 17.8 +/- 0.7 m/min with BION stimulation. We conclude that functional electrical stimulation with BIONs is a practical alternative to surface stimulation and provides more selective control of muscle activation.

Adult↗

A critical review of interfaces with the peripheral nervous system for the control of neuroprostheses and hybrid bionic systems.

Considerable scientific and technological efforts have been devoted to develop neuroprostheses and hybrid bionic systems that link the human nervous system with electronic or robotic prostheses, with the main aim of restoring motor and sensory functions in disabled patients. A number of neuroprostheses use interfaces with peripheral nerves or muscles for neuromuscular stimulation and signal recording. Herein, we provide a critical overview of the peripheral interfaces available and trace their use from research to clinical application in controlling artificial and robotic prostheses. The first section reviews the different types of non-invasive and invasive electrodes, which include surface and muscular electrodes that can record EMG signals from and stimulate the underlying or implanted muscles. Extraneural electrodes, such as cuff and epineurial electrodes, provide simultaneous interface with many axons in the nerve, whereas intrafascicular, penetrating, and regenerative electrodes may contact small groups of axons within a nerve fascicle. Biological, technological, and material science issues are also reviewed relative to the problems of electrode design and tissue injury. The last section reviews different strategies for the use of information recorded from peripheral interfaces and the current state of control neuroprostheses and hybrid bionic systems.

Animals↗

Glycemic and safety outcomes of the insulin-only bionic pancreas in older adults and individuals with impaired awareness of Hypoglycemia: a post hoc analysis of a randomized pivotal trial.

AIMS: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of iLet Bionic Pancreas (BP) in older adults and individuals with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH). METHODS: This post hoc analysis used individual participant-level data from the Insulin-Only Bionic Pancreas Pivotal Trial (n = 440; NCT04200313). Eligible participants (n = 96) with type 1 diabetes, aged ≥ 60 years and/or had IAH (Clarke score ≥ 4), were randomized to BP with aspart/lispro (BP-Asp/Lis; n = 45), BP with fast-acting aspart configuration (BP-Fiasp; n = 31), or standard care (SC; n = 20) for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with SC, time-in-range (70-180 mg/dL) significantly increased by 7.49 % (95 % CI: 2.61 to 12.38; ∼1.8 h/day) with BP-Asp/Lis and by 8.28 % (95 % CI: 3.15 to 13.41; ∼2.0 h/day) with BP-Fiasp, driven by reduced hyperglycemia. No significant differences were observed in hypoglycemia exposure. Severe hypoglycemia occurred in four participants (four events) on BP-Asp/Lis and one participant (two events) on SC. One diabetic ketoacidosis event occurred on BP-Fiasp due to an infusion set failure. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk, clinically vulnerable populations, the BP system significantly improved glycemic control while maintaining safety parity with respect to hypoglycemia risk, providing a resilient therapeutic alternative for vulnerable cohorts.

Humans↗

HiResolution and conventional sound processing in the HiResolution bionic ear: using appropriate outcome measures to assess speech recognition ability.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared speech perception benefits in adults implanted with the HiResolution (HiRes) Bionic Ear who used both conventional and HiRes sound processing. A battery of speech tests was used to determine which formats were most appropriate for documenting the wide range of benefit experienced by cochlear-implant users. STUDY DESIGN: A repeated-measures design was used to assess postimplantation speech perception in adults who received the HiResolution Bionic Ear in a recent clinical trial. Patients were fit first with conventional strategies and assessed after 3 months of use. Patients were then switched to HiRes sound processing and assessed again after 3 months of use. To assess the immediate effect of HiRes sound processing on speech perception performance, consonant recognition testing was performed in a subset of patients after 3 days of HiRes use and compared with their 3-month performance with conventional processing. SETTING: Subjects were implanted and evaluated at 19 cochlear implant programs in the USA and Canada affiliated primarily with tertiary medical centers. PATIENTS: Patients were 51 postlinguistically deafened adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech perception was assessed using CNC monosyllabic words, CID sentences and HINT sentences in quiet and noise. Consonant recognition testing was also administered to a subset of patients (n = 30) using the Iowa Consonant Test presented in quiet and noise. All patients completed a strategy preference questionnaire after 6 months of device use. RESULTS: Consonant identification in quiet and noise improved significantly after only 3 days of HiRes use. The mean improvement from conventional to HiRes processing was significant on all speech perception tests. The largest differences occurred for the HINT sentences in noise. Ninety-six percent of the patients preferred HiRes to conventional sound processing. Ceiling effects occurred for both sentence tests in quiet. CONCLUSIONS: Although most patients improved after switching to HiRes sound processing, the greatest differences were seen in the 'poor' performers because 'good' performers often reached ceiling performance, especially on tests in quiet. Future evaluations of cochlear-implant benefit should make use of more difficult measures, especially for 'good' users. Nonetheless, a range of difficulty must remain in test materials to document benefit in the entire population of implant recipients.

Adult↗

Evaluation of the Bionic trap to quickly kill mink (Mustela vison) in simulated natural environments.

The Bionic trap, with a bait placed at the back of a 6 cm aperture plastic cone, successfully killed nine of nine wild mink (Mustela vison) in simulated natural conditions. The average times to loss of consciousness and heartbeat were estimated at less than 60 (+/- 26) sec and 340 (+/- 55) sec, respectively, after firing the trap. This study confirmed that the Bionic trap can be expected to render greater than 79% of captured mink unconscious in less than or equal to 3 min (P less than 0.05).

Animal Welfare↗

Evaluation of the Bionic trap to quickly kill fisher (Martes pennanti) in simulated natural environments.

The Bionic trap equipped with a 10 cm aperture bait cone and cocked to eight notches quickly killed nine of nine fishers (Martes pennanti) in simulated natural conditions. Mean (+/- SE) estimated times to loss of consciousness and heartbeat were < or = 55 sec and 305 (+/- 8) sec, respectively after firing the trap. This study confirmed that the Bionic trap can be expected to render > or = 70% of captured fishers irreversibly unconscious in < or = 3 min (P < 0.05).

Animal Welfare↗

[Bionics: limits and perspectives].

Bionics, based on analogies between living beings and technical systems, neglect fundamental differences, e.g., on the one hand, technology uses high temperatures, a mean closed to all living beings and, on the other hand, the cells of all organisms keep high autonomy. The first fact makes it possible, e.g., to construct airplanes three or four powers of ten heavier than the heaviest birds, whereas the second fact enables each cell to reproduce itself, to restore lost limbs or even the whole organism, far beyond the reach of technology. The symbiosis of organisms and technical installations (biotechnology) or, on a higher level, of mankind and environment, may be a guiding star for future development.

Animals↗

["Bionic" arm prostheses. State of the art in research and development].

BACKGROUND: A new generation of arm prostheses is being developed worldwide. These so-called bionic prostheses are intended to offer additional functions, such as sensory feedback, extended range of possible movement, intuitive movement control as far as possible, and a more natural cosmetic appearance. STATE OF THE ART IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: In recent years, prosthetic components with much enhanced performance have been developed for use at various levels of the upper limb. Artificial hands that allow for additional grips are are being tested in clinical settings. Innovative methods of signal acquisition and communication with the patient are being intensively researched. CONCLUSION: Several patients have been provided with prototypes of new arm prostheses. At the moment, the results are limited by the restricted communication between patient and prosthesis. However, we can expect the options for prosthesis control to be extended in the near future.

Arm↗

Evaluation of Advanced Bionics high resolution mode.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the advantages of the Advanced Bionic high resolution mode for speech perception, through a retrospective analysis. Forty-five adult subjects were selected who had a minimum experience of three months' standard mode (mean of 10 months) before switching to high resolution mode. Speech perception was tested in standard mode immediately before fitting with high resolution mode, and again after a maximum of six months high resolution mode usage (mean of two months). A significant improvement was found, between 11 and 17%, depending on the test material. The standard mode preference does not give any indication about the improvement when switching to high resolution. Users who are converted within any study achieve a higher performance improvement than those converted in the clinical routine. This analysis proves the significant benefits of high resolution mode for users, and also indicates the need for guidelines for individual optimization of parameter settings in a high resolution mode program.

Adolescent↗

Bionic kidney.

Bionic Kidney is a project still in progress which aims at replacing all renal functions, which has been carried out in an ideal attempt to improve the overall results of Renal Replacement Therapy. It contains all the requisites for a complete rehabilitation from Uremia. As a futuristic mini-device implanted in the body, it should be a reliable support to Transplantation performance, considering the scarcity of kidney donors.

Bionics↗

Advanced bionics thin lateral and Helix II electrodes: a temporal bone study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the insertional properties of two cochlear implant electrodes recently developed by Advanced Bionics Corporation. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic study using human cadaveric temporal bones. METHODS: The electrode prototypes we tested are the Thin Lateral and Helix II arrays, which incorporate features designed to minimize insertional trauma. A total of eight electrodes (4 of each prototype) were evaluated after insertion into freshly fixed temporal bones. The electrodes were inserted by way of standard cochleostomies, and the specimens were subsequently dissected to assess electrode position, insertion depth, and intracochlear trauma. RESULTS: Quantitative data regarding insertion depths and contact distances from the modiolus are presented for all electrodes tested. The mean insertion depths were 368 degrees for the Thin Lateral electrodes, which are designed to approximate the lateral cochlear wall, and 436 degrees for the Helix II electrodes, which occupy a more medial position in the scala tympani. No evidence of insertional trauma was observed with either electrode. The ease of insertion and absence of trauma were confirmed during additional trials in which electrode behavior was directly observed during insertion into previously opened cochleas. CONCLUSION: Both electrodes performed favorably in our human temporal bone trials, and both arrays appear promising for clinical use, especially in patients with residual hearing in whom atraumatic insertion is an important objective.

Bionics↗

An ultra-low-power programmable analog bionic ear processor.

We report a programmable analog bionic ear (cochlear implant) processor in a 1.5-microm BiCMOS technology with a power consumption of 211 microW and 77-dB dynamic range of operation. The 9.58 mm x 9.23 mm processor chip runs on a 2.8 V supply and has a power consumption that is lower than state-of-the-art analog-to-digital (A/D)-then-DSP designs by a factor of 25. It is suitable for use in fully implanted cochlear-implant systems of the future which require decades of operation on a 100-mAh rechargeable battery with a finite number of charge-discharge cycles. It may also be used as an ultra-low-power spectrum-analysis front end in portable speech-recognition systems. The power consumption of the processor includes the 100 microW power consumption of a JFET-buffered electret microphone and an associated on-chip microphone front end. An automatic gain control circuit compresses the 77-dB input dynamic range into a narrower internal dynamic range (IDR) of 57 dB at which each of the 16 spectral channels of the processor operate. The output bits of the processor are scanned and reported off chip in a format suitable for continuous-interleaved-sampling stimulation of electrodes. Power-supply-immune biasing circuits ensure robust operation of the processor in the high-RF-noise environment typical of cochlear implant systems.

Algorithms↗

The bionic man: restoring mobility.

Bionics engineers are making increasingly bold and successful use of their tools to restore mobility to persons with missing or nonfunctional limbs. These tools include the latest materials, minielectronics and megacomputers, advanced robotic mechanisms, and algorithms. With crucial help from their pioneering users, they are learning how and where the residual sensorimotor system can be tapped in order to transmit its intents to replacement or reactivated body parts.

Animals↗