Le traitement par ultrasons focalisés (HIFU) associé au contrôle par l’Imagerie de Résonance Magnétique (IRM) est une méthode prometteuse pour les thermothérapies de type non invasive sur patient en respiration libre. Une solution technologique pour l’amélioration du transfert de puissance électrique vers le transducteur ultrason autour d’un système d’adaptation d’impédance ajustable a été réalisée. Un chapitre a été consacré à la caractérisation des transducteurs par la mesure et simulation du champ acoustique spatial. Les deux derniers chapitres, concernent le développement d’outils logiciels autour de l’IRM. Une méthode de caractérisation des paramètres thermiques des tissus chauffés, utile pour une qualité d’asservissement de température optimale, a été développée. Enfin, une étude de faisabilité a été menée sur le couplage des mesures de déplacements rapides par ultrasons avec les mesures robustes fournies par IRM, ceci pour un meilleur suivi du mouvement des organes mobiles. / Treatment with Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) control is a promising method for xxx thermotherapy on patient free breathing. A technological solution for improving the transfer of electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer around a adjustable impedance matching system has been achieved. A chapter was devoted to the characterization of transducers acoustic field by measure and simulation. The last two chapters concern the development of software tools around the MRI. A method to determinate the thermal parameters of tissues heated, useful to compute an optimal temperature control was developed. Finally, a feasibility study has been conducted on the combination of fast ultrasound motion estimation with robust MRI motion estimation, this to improve the quality of the motion tracking.

by Leung Chung-chu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-107). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.iv / LIST OF PUBLICATIONS --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Background of the Rheopneumograph --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Electrical Bio-impedance (EBI) technique used in Rheopneumography --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Problems with analysis of Rheopneumograph --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- The EBI measurement unit --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Data analysis in Rheopneumography and the electrode design --- p.8 / Chapter 1.6 --- Modelling analysis in Rheopneumography --- p.9 / Chapter 1.7 --- Thesis outline --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Improvement to the impedance measurement system / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The Coherent Detection method in EBI signal --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- To discuss the problem in Coherent Detection method --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- To discuss the problem in Costas Receiver method --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2 --- The concept of the Amplitude Modulation Receiver --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- EBI measurement unit design using AM receiver technique --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- The C-Y receiver --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- A simple DC offset adjust circuit --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- 555KHz local oscillator and constant current source --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Selection of the low pass filter --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- The characteristic of the whole circuit and performance --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5 --- Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Data analysis in Rheopneumogram / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- The 5-10 electrode array method applied in Thorax Montage --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The definition of the 5-10 electrode array method --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- The advantage of the 5-10 electrode array method --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3 --- Signal analysis in subject-to-subject comparison --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- The relationship between the ECG and Rheopneumogram --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4 --- Identification of the best electrode location in Rheopneumograph using Pump-jet model --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- The fluid mechanical model device (Pump-jet model) --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Result and discussion --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5 --- Electrical conductivity studies in Silicon fluid-Graphite composites applied in EBI electrode array system --- p.62 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Experimental procedure and results --- p.63 / Chapter 3.6 --- Discussion --- p.73 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Model analysis for the Impedance Rheopneumogram / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2 --- Blood flow phenomenon study in Rheopneumogram using Pipeline model --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Model derivation --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Result and discussion --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3 --- Blood velocity study in Rheopneumogram using Pump-jet model --- p.94 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Result and discussion --- p.94 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.96 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- General discussion and Conclusion --- p.97 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- Reference --- p.101 / APPENDICES / Chapter I --- Measurement method in the study --- p.107 / Chapter II --- The simplification of an equation in pump-jet model --- p.109 / Chapter III --- The simplification of an equation in pipeline model --- p.111 / Chapter IV --- Impedance relation between body and electrode --- p.112 / Chapter V --- The procedure of the curve fitting --- p.113

The pressure ulcer is a well-known clinical problem that has plagued many patients in acute-care hospitals and chronic-care facilities. The pressure ulcer has the potential to diminish the quality of a patient's life by hindering the person's physical and emotional well-being. In addition, pressure ulcers are a high-cost problem. Past studies have shown that costs related to the treatment of pressure ulcers have reached 1.335 billion dollars a year in the United States alone. A pressure ulcer is defined as a lesion created by unrelieved pressure, which causes tissue ischemia and subsequently damages the underlying tissue. This sequence of events is mainly centered on ischemia. Ischemia is a condition created by an insufficient flow of blood to an organ or part of an organ such as the skin. The outcome of ischemia is cell death at the tissue level, which is commonly termed necrosis. In the past, researchers employed several different non-invasive techniques in order to detect changes in the condition of human skin when blood flow was restricted. The two most commonly used practices were Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Continuous Wave Ultrasound. Laser Doppler Velocimeter is used to measure cutaneous blood flow in a study region. The moving red blood cells in blood vessels cause a Doppler shift of incident laser light, which correlates with the velocity of blood flow. Continuous Wave Ultrasound involves an ultrasound signal, which is transmitted into the skin. The change in frequency of the reflected signal with respect to the transmitted signal provides an indication of blow flow. The objective of this research was to examine a method for the detection of arterial blood flow, which utilized the 4-electrode sensor for the measurement of Tissue Impedance or the Bio-impedance method. The system developed, for the synchronous detection method, consisted of both analog hardware and software tools. The analog hardware utilized synchronous detection. The software monitored and performed mathematical operations on the retrieved data. The system developed during this research demonstrated the ability to measure the pulsatile impedance of the skin and present the results in a fashion useful to healthcare providers.

In this thesis, we have performed systematical study of the complex impedance spectra(CIS) with the manganeses oxide thin films by the equivalent circuit model(ECM) composed of resistance and capacitance. The ECM has been utilized in analog of the electrical and dielectric properties of the granular films. The purpose of this research is to understand how the electrical- and magneto-transport properties in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3(LCMO),La0.8Ba0.2MnO3(LBMO),La0.67Sr0.33MnO3(LSMO(113)) and La0.67Sr1.33MnO4 (LSMO(214)) thin films, at various magnetic fields and temperatures. First of all, we demonstrate that the LSMO(214) and LSMO(113) can be sensitively affected by magnetic states on the manganite films. Our result provides further understanding of the dielectrics variation during the phase transition from an AFM insulating phase and/or a ferromagnetic metallic phase to a paramagnetic PM metallic phase. It is known that the strong correlation between the itinerant carriers and the local magnetic moments is the mechanism for FM/PM phase transition for LSMO(113), while the direct magnetic exchange coupling governed the AFM/PM phase transition and an indirect coupling to the status of intrinsic carriers for LSMO(214) films. These transitions can not be concludes directly by using a dc resistance measurement but can be clearly distinguished by the CIS measurement. On the other hand, the dc resistance (Rdc) and the relaxation time(£n) have the same tendency that this indicates the changes of £n matches to the electric transport properties for LCMO_90min and LSMO(214) thin films. We focus on the the dielectric properties of both samples are insensitive to temperature, revealing that the dielectric behavior is independent of magnetic phase transition but strongly associated with the transport properties. Therefore, the magnetic transitions can be most thoroughly investigated by combining CIS measurements and RC ECM, as well as by making dc resistance measurements. Moreover, the relative change of M£q(ac) is nearly larger than the dc resistive variation. This phenomenon, called giant magneto-impedance effect (GMI), implies that thehigh-frequency magnetotransport effect may enhance the performance of these manganese oxides for sensing the magnetic field. The CMI, have been analyzed by ECM, including two sets of parallel R and capacitance (C) components in series. The analyzing results the specific feature of grain boundaries(GBs) can be attributed to the interplay of magnetic moment spin disorder to ordering. The grain boundary (GB) effect can enhance low field magnetoresitance (LFMR) for artificial GBs, but shows very limited enhancement for those GBs in epitaxial films. This study finds that artificial GBs, which exhibit large LFMR, can be modeled as a non-conductive layer which disconnects the lattice periodicity of adjacent grains and contains no magnetic ions. The GBs in the present fully strained epitaxial film, which shows a relatively smaller LFMR, are more similar to a semi-continuous grain with continuous distribution of magnetic ions that align loosely parallel to the grain magnetic moment. In addition, we report in this study the high frequency magneto-transport properties, based on the classical model, of La0.8Ba0.2MnO3 and La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 thin films around their ferromagnetic transitions and under an external magnetic field. It is found that the specific features of magneto-impedance can be correlated with the complex magnetization response and the dielectric relaxation in corresponding phase states. The fast dielectric relaxation time, £nE, and the slow magnetic response, £nH, reflect the interplay of itinerant carriers and the magnetic coupling to the ac electromagnetic wave, indicating that the double exchange, or hopping, of carriers between O 2P and Mn 3d-eg states occur prior to the indirect magnetic coupling of adjacent Mn ions via strong Hunt¡¦s rules. Applied magnetic field enhances both electric and magnetic dipoles are now responding faster to the electromagnetic wave. The results of our work may provide a fundamental understanding of high frequency magnetic and electrical properties of the manganite films, and imply tips for device application of the films.

This work is primarily comprised of five self-contained papers. Three papers are applications oriented. A common element in the first three papers is that micro-perforated panels (MPP), the permeable membranes in diesel particulate filters, and a source impedance are all modeled as a transfer impedance. The first paper deals with enhancing the performance of micro-perforated panels by partitioning the backing cavity. Several different backing schemes are considered which enhance the performance without increasing the total volume of the MPP and backing. In the second paper, a finite element modeling approach is used to model diesel particulate filters below and above the plane wave cutoff frequency. The filter itself is modeled using a symmetric finite element model and results are compared to plane wave theory. After the transfer matrix of the filters is known, it is used in three-dimensional finite and boundary element models. The third paper is a tutorial that shows how a source impedance can be modeled using transfer impedance approaches in finite element analysis. The approach used is useful for better understanding the resonance effects caused by pipes upstream and downstream of the exhaust. The fourth paper examines the best practice for the two-load transmission loss measurement. This method was integral to obtaining the measurements for validating the diesel particulate filter models. The fifth paper proposes transmission and insertion loss metrics for multi-inlet mufflers. It is shown that the transmission loss depends on the amplitude and phase relationship between sources (at the inlets) whereas insertion loss depends on both the source strength and impedance for each inlet.

The objective of the proposed research is to design an experimental setup to assess the ability of impedance measurements to characterize mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) and embryoid body (EB) growth and differentiation. Existing quality assurance measurements used to stage the growth and differentiation of embryoid bodies are labor intensive and most often destructive to the cells, thus present methods are typically valid for a single time point. Bioimpedance measurements are non-invasive and non-destructive, presenting an alternative approach to this challenge. These measurements can be done continuously for real-time measurements on the changes in embryoid body growth and differentiation. A system capable of making bioimpedance measurements of ESC and EB suspensions was designed along with a biocompatible test device to hold the cells and Ag-AgCl electrodes. The system uses a lock-in amplifier to record the magnitude and phase changes of the ESC and EB suspensions when a 1 Vpp signal sweeping frequencies from 100 Hz to 100 kHz is applied. The system performance was validated with a test case of 1 mL of 0.1 M KCl. Then experiments with cell culture media, ESCs, and EBs were performed, with varying concentrations of cells and EBs. Experimental results for single ESC suspensions showed promise in detecting a difference in cell concentration between 2 million and 4 million cells in 0.5 mL of media. Results for four day old EBs were ambiguous, and we conclude that a different experimental set up is required due to EB settling during experimentation.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy has shown potential as a method for characterising biological tissue with the use of a tetrapolar electrode configuration. Brown et al. (2000) demonstrated that the configuration is capable of distinguishing between normal squamous epithelium and Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia (CIN). However little has been done to identify the volumes of tissue that contribute to the measured impedance. Brown et al. employed a probe with a single tetrapolar electrode set thus analysing single points of tissue. The probe was required to be moved in order to "sample" other areas of tissue. This method provides no spatial information of the lesion boundaries. The overall objective of this research was to design and construct an impedance mapping system (IMS) for objective virtual biopsy of lesions by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). Initially freshly excised cervical tissue was to be tested however as the study progressed this proved problematic and bovine blood was chosen as a suitable substitute. Specific aims were to; - .Investigate the spatial sensitivity distribution of the tetrapolar electrode configuration via finite element analysis (FEA). - Design a novel front end multiplexing system and multi-electrode array for mapping the impedance of the tissue of interest. - .Experimentally confirm the efficacy of the approach to identify regions of different impedances and their boundaries using bioimpedance mapping. The present study used finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the spatial variation in sensitivity of the tetrapolar electrode configuration and identify which volumes of tissue were included in the measured impedance. An impedance mapping device was also designed and constructed utilising the tetrapolar electrode configuration in an expanded array of 25 electrodes. This array allowed the surface of an area of tissue to be mapped and lesion boundaries identified in an objective manner. FEA was also used to model lesions in healthy tissue and the sensitivity fields associated with the tetrapolar configuration. The FEA indicated that anomalous results would be obtained when a lesion was located between a drive and measurement electrode pair. In this case the lesion resulted in an increase in impedance with respect to the impedance of healthy tissue, whereas a lesion should result in a decrease in measured impedance relative to that of healthy tissue. The anomaly was found to produce false negative results for small lesions up to 0.4 mm and even a lesion with radius of approximately 0.75 mm could be undetected as the measured impedance spectrum for such a lesion is similar to that of healthy tissue. Modelling also provided insight into the sensitivity fields for an electrode array and its efficacy in accurately measuring the surface impedance of tissue and lesions of interest. The impedance mapping system (IMS) developed used an array of 25 (5x5) electrodes. The array allows 64 individual tetrapolar measurements to be obtained at 16 locations, providing an impedance map of 49 mm2 on the surface of a tissue sample. Multiple measurements at each location reduce the chance of anomalous results since these can be identified and excluded. Software was developed to display the measured impedance maps and regions of different impedance were easily identified Testing of the IMS using bovine blood showed separation of the measured impedance for a range of haematocrit between 0 - 80%. Introduced volumes of red blood cells (RBC) or clots (to mimic lesions) to the plasma (haematocrit 0%) were also clearly identified using the IMS. It was seen that measurements made at the boundary of 2 different haematocrits (ie 2 volumes of different impedance) resulted in an anomalous result as indicated by the FEA modelling. However it was demonstrated that these anomalies can be used to objectively identify the introduced RBC (lesion) boundaries. A more efficient electrode stepping sequence was also developed taking advantage of the reciprocal nature of the tetrapolar electrode configuration. This development allows for the electrode array to be doubled in size using the same components, and to sample twice the surface area in the same time taken using the initially developed system. In summary, an impedance mapping system has been modelled, designed and developed for tissue characterisation by bioimpedance measurements. The technique has been shown experimentally to be able to detect regions of differ- ent impedance and is in agreement with the finite element analysis performed. Further development of the IMS will allow progressive monitoring of suspect lesions in-vivo and better identification of their spatial distribution for biopsy.

High Impedance Faults (HIFs) are undetectable by conventional protection technology under certain<p>conditions. These faults occur when an energized conductor makes undesired contact with a<p>quasi-insulating object, such as a tree or a road. This contact restricts the level of the fault current to a very low value, from a few mA up to 75A. In solidly grounded distribution networks where the value of the residual current under normal conditions is considerable, overcurrent devices do not protect against HIFs. However, such a protection is essential for guaranteeing public security, because of the possibility of reaching the fallen conductor and the risk of fire. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MEng (Electronic Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

abstract: The human ankle is a critical joint required for mobility and stability of the body during static and dynamic activity. The absence of necessary torque output by the ankle due to neurological disorder or near-fatal injury can severely restrict locomotion and cause an inability to perform daily tasks. Physical Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI) has explored the potential of controlled actuators to positively impact human joints and partly restoring the required torque and stability at the joint to perform a task. However, a trade-off between agility and stability of the control technique of these devices can reduce the complete utilization of the performance to create a desirable impact on human joints. This research focuses on two control techniques of an Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) namely, Variable Stiffness (VS) and Variable Damping (VD) controllers to modulate ankle during walking. The VS controller is active during the stance phase and is used to restore the ankle trajectory of healthy participants that has been altered by adding a dead-weight of 2 Kgs. The VD controller is active during the terminal stance and early-swing phase and provides augmentative force during push-off that results in increased propulsion and stabilizes the ankle based on user-intuitions. Both controllers have a positive impact on Medial Gastrocnemius (GAS) muscle and Soleus (SOL) muscle which are powerful plantar - flexors critical to propulsion and kinematic properties during walking. The VS controller has recorded an 8.18% decrease in GAS and an 9.63 % decrease in SOL muscle activity during the stance phase amongst participants while decreasing mean ankle position error by 22.28 % and peak ankle position error by 17.43%. The VD controller demonstrated a 7.59 % decrease in GAS muscle and a 10.15 % decrease in SOL muscle activity during push-off amongst the participants while increasing the range-of-motion (ROM) by 7.84 %. Comprehensively, the study has shown a positive impact on ankle trajectory and the corresponding muscle effort at respective stages of the controller activity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2020