生物阻抗测量系统的改良

目的:针对目前现有的生物阻抗测量系统测量速度和精度不够的问题,提出相应的改进方法。方法:在信号发生部分采用AD公司的ADuC847微处理器作为核心微处理器;在信号采集部分采用Atmel公司的AT91RM9200微控制器芯片和TI公司的ADS1256芯片作为核心芯片。结果:生物阻抗测量系统的信号发生精度提高到12位,信号采集精度提高到24位,速度提高到30,000SPS。结论:对信号发生和信号采集方面速度和精度的提高,有效地提高了整个测量系统的速度和精确度。     

MRI检查在肝门部胆管癌诊断中的应用

目的:评价MR平扫、MRCP、DWI序列及MR动态增强扫描等不同MR检查方法对肝门部胆管癌的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析经手术及病理证实的9例肝门部胆管癌在上述不同MRI检查方法中所显示的影像特征,提高对肝门部胆管癌的诊断认识。结论:肝门部胆管癌在MRI平扫上表现为边界不清的等、稍长T1信号稍高T2混杂信号团块,MRCP可明确显示肝门区肝管狭窄、截断征象,远侧肝管的显著扩张,DWI序列病灶表现为扩散受限稍高信号,MR动态增强扫描动脉期病变表现为不强化或轻度强化,程度不一的延迟强化较具特征性,同时增强MR对胆管壁和邻近肝实质的侵犯、血管侵犯以及肝门、腹膜后淋巴结转移有明显的诊断价值。合理选择上述多种MRI检查方法结合临床胆管癌相关抗原、CA19-9检测能对大多数肝门部胆管癌做出正确诊断,对疾病的诊断、分型、临床治疗路径选择具有重要价值。     

基于直线电机的大视场快速光声显微成像系统

光声成像技术是近年来发展的一种新型的无损医学成像技术,它是以脉冲激光作为激发源,以检测的声信号为信息载体,通过相应的图像重建算法重建组织内部结构和功能信息的成像方法。该方法结合了光学成像和声学成像的特点,可提供深层组织高分辨率和高对比度的组织层析图像,在生物医学临床诊断以及在体成像领域具有广泛的应用前景。目前光声成像的扫描方式主要有基于步进电机扫描方式和基于振镜的扫描方式,本文针对目前步进电机扫描速度慢(10 mm×10 mm;0.001帧/s),振镜扫描范围小(1 mm2)的不足,发展了基于直线电机扫描的大视场快速光声显微成像系统。同一条扫描线过程中直线电机速度最高可达200 mm/s。该技术采用逐线采集光声信号的方式,比逐点采集光声信号的步进电机快800倍。该系统对10 mm×10 mm全场扫描的扫描速度为0.8帧/s。最大可扫描视场范围可以达到50 mm×50 mm。大视场快速光声显微成像系统的发展将为生物医学提供新的成像工具。     

MR维修体会

随着临床工作不断进步,临床检查科技也逐渐发展起来。比如,CT.MR在临床上的广泛应用充分体现了医学进步和严谨。尤其是MR对于医院各个疾病的诊断治疗有着非常重要的指导意义。在人体的组织中,有很大一部分组织的组成是水,而且不同部位在不同状态下,水分也不尽相同。MR利用核磁共振技术对身体进行全方面扫描,从而得到清晰的组织成像,医生可以根据各部分成像来判断人体组织是否有病变以及病变程度。如今MR在临床工作中作用已经是不可替代,不仅临床工作中需要在其他生物医学工程中也是不可或缺的。本文就生物医学工程中MR出现的问题进行分析,并对其常出现的故障提出了解决办法。     

基于虚拟仪器技术的血管壁动态信息无创检测与辅助诊断系统

为了在体外无损地实现对血管壁动态信息、心电和心音信号等医学信息多参数的综合同步检测以及分析和处理,利用虚拟仪器技术设计了血管壁动态信息多参数的无创检测辅助诊断系统．该系统硬件平台由信号输入模块、信号调理模块以及采集卡等三大模块组成。软件系统由开发虚拟仪器的流行软件LabVIEW编写,实现了数据的采集、实时显示、分析处理和存储等。初步的临床检测结果证实了本无创检测系统的可行性和临床应用的前景,为功能性无创辅助诊断与血管壁弹性（硬化）程度有关的血管疾病提供了一种新的方法。     

神经电生理信号多道同步采集和分析系统

单细胞多点同步记录技术在国内外已经被广泛应用,但在国内仍缺乏与国产或日产细胞电生理记录仪器相匹配的多通道同步生物电信号采集与分析系统。本文介绍了新近研制的可进行双通道甚至晚多通道细胞电生理信号采集的神经细胞电生理信号采集与分析系统,及其关键技术及实现方法和应用实例。     

人体生物磁场检测技术及其医学临床应用

人体生物磁场中含有丰富的有关人体内部器官与组织的信息,测量人体生物磁场的微弱信号有助于医学临床对疾病的诊断与治疗。本文在介绍人体生物磁场特性的基础上,系统阐述了人体生物磁场测量中的关键技术,包括:磁屏蔽技术、空间鉴别技术、和信噪比问题,并详细论述了超导量子干涉仪的工作原理和工作特性,最后结合医学临床的典型应用,论证了研究人体生物磁检测技术对有效提高人类医疗保健水平和生活质量的重要性。     

朗格罕细胞组织细胞增生症颅内垂体影像表现及相关临床表现

目的:探讨朗格罕细胞组织细胞增生症累及垂体的MR表现及相关临床表现。方法:搜集了6例确诊为朗格罕细胞组织细胞增生症并垂体表现异常的患儿,男5例,女1例,年龄2～11岁,平均(6±3)岁,对其影像及临床表现进行回顾性分析。结果:临床患儿主要以头面部包块,多饮、多尿等就诊。头颅MR平扫(T1WI)表现6例患儿神经垂体高信号全部消失,垂体柄增粗5例,垂体柄著征1例,垂体饱满1例,其中3例治疗后复查垂体及垂体柄均有变化。结论:神经垂体高信号消失,垂体柄增粗或著征为朗格罕细胞组织细胞增生症累及垂体的头颅MR表现。累及垂体者临床几乎都有多饮、多尿表现。目前,MRI是诊断朗格罕细胞组织细胞增生症累及垂体的唯一可靠的影像学检查方法,并对治疗后病情随访有重要作用。     

基于ADS8332的生理信号采集系统电路设计

本文介绍了医学生理信号的的特点,根据其特点设计出了针对医学生理信号进行采集的电路。该电路设计实现了基于16位的高精度A/D 转换芯片ADS8332 的医学生理信号采集系统,以基于Cortex-M3 内核的32 位微控制器STM32F103RD作为采集控制芯片,该系统电路可以实现对最多16 个通道的模拟医学生理信号进行采集。此电路设计充分利用了ADS8332 的高精度、低功耗、高采样速率的特点以及片上集成功能,并配合了信号调理电路和相应的抗干扰措施,因此保证了医学生理信号的采集精度和系统的稳定性。     

肝癌自发性破裂出血的MRI诊断

目的:探讨肝癌自发性破裂出血的MRI图像特征。方法:对6例经手术或肝动脉血管造影确诊为原发性肝癌破裂出血患者的MR图像进行回顾性分析,总结其临床特点及MRI图像特征。结果:6例患者均行MR平扫及增强扫描,肝被膜下出血4例,腹腔内出血2例。出血表现为T1WI呈高或等信号,T2WI呈高或低信号,5例可清晰显示肿瘤破口。结论:MR诊断肝癌自发性破裂出血及时、准确,T1WI及延迟扫描冠状位图像对诊断有定性意义。     

Advances in high-resolution quantitative proteomics: implications for clinical applications

The advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation, capable of accurate mass measurement and fast acquisition, have enabled new approaches for targeted quantitative proteomics. More specifically, analyses performed on quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometers operated in parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode leverage the intrinsic high resolving power and trapping capabilities. The PRM technique offers unmatched degrees of selectivity and analytical sensitivity, typically required to analyze peptides in complex samples, such as those encountered in biomedical research or clinical studies. The features of PRM have provoked a paradigm change in targeted experiments, by decoupling acquisition and data processing. It has resulted in a new analytical workflow comprising distinct methods for each step, thus enabling much larger flexibility. The PRM technique was further enhanced by a new data acquisition scheme, allowing dynamic parameter settings. The potential of the technique may radically impact future quantitative proteomics studies.     

High Speed Sub-GHz Spectrometer for Brillouin Scattering Analysis

The goal of this protocol is to build a parallel high-extinction and high-resolution optical Brillouin spectrometer. Brillouin spectroscopy is a non-contact measurement method that can be used to obtain direct readouts of viscoelastic material properties. It has been a useful tool in material characterization, structural monitoring and environmental sensing. In the past, Brillouin spectroscopy has usually employed scanning Fabry-Perot etalons to perform spectral analysis. This process requires high illumination power and long acquisition times, making the technique unsuitable for biomedical applications. A recently introduced novel spectrometer overcomes this challenge by employing two VIPAs in a cross-axis configuration. This innovation enables sub-Gigahertz (GHz) resolution spectral analysis with sub-second acquisition time and illumination power within the safety limits of biological tissue. The multiple new applications facilitated by this improvement are currently being explored in biological research and clinical application.     

脉冲耦合神经网络的并行加速优化算法研究

并行编程技术可以有效提高算法的执行效率。文中分别利用CPU的单指令多数据流扩展指令集（Streaming SIMD Extensions,SSE）技术和多核并行编程技术,对脉冲耦合神经网络（Pulse Coupled Neural Network,PCNN）分割算法进行并行编程优化,以减少算法的运行时间。实验结果表明,SSE技术以及多核并行编程技术大大加快了PCNN分割算法的运行速度,有效提高了算法的执行效率,在一定程度上解决了该方法计算量大、耗时多的问题,具有应用于医学图像处理的潜在价值。     

Impact of MR Acquisition Parameters on DTI Scalar Indexes: A Tractography Based Approach

Acquisition parameters play a crucial role in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), as they have a major impact on the values of scalar measures such as Fractional Anisotropy (FA) or Mean Diffusivity (MD) that are usually the focus of clinical studies based on white matter analysis. This paper presents an analysis on the impact of the variation of several acquisition parameters on these scalar measures with a novel double focus. First, a tractography-based approach is employed, motivated by the significant number of clinical studies that are carried out using this technique. Second, the consequences of simultaneous changes in multiple parameters are analyzed: number of gradient directions, b-value and voxel resolution. Results indicate that the FA is most affected by changes in the number of gradients and voxel resolution, while MD is specially influenced by variations in the b-value. Even if the choice of a tractography algorithm has an effect on the numerical values of the final scalar measures, the evolution of these measures when acquisition parameters are modified is parallel.     

High-speed atomic force microscopy: Structure and dynamics of single proteins

For surface analysis of biological molecules, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an appealing technique combining data acquisition under physiological conditions, for example buffer solution, room temperature and ambient pressure, and high resolution. However, a key feature of life, dynamics, could not be assessed until recently because of the slowness of conventional AFM setups. Thus, for observing bio-molecular processes, the gain of image acquisition speed signifies a key progress. Here, we review the development and recent achievements using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM). The HS-AFM is now the only technique to assess structure and dynamics of single molecules, revealing molecular motor action and diffusion dynamics. From this imaging data, watching molecules at work, novel and direct insights could be gained concerning the structure, dynamics and function relationship at the single bio-molecule level.     

Evaluation of radiomic texture feature error due to MRI acquisition and reconstruction: A simulation study utilizing ground truth

The purpose of this study was to examine the dependence of image texture features on MR acquisition parameters and reconstruction using a digital MR imaging phantom. MR signal was simulated in a parallel imaging radiofrequency coil setting as well as a single element volume coil setting, with varying levels of acquisition noise, three acceleration factors, and four image reconstruction algorithms. Twenty-six texture features were measured on the simulated images, ground truth images, and clinical brain images. Subtle algorithm-dependent errors were observed on reconstructed phantom images, even in the absence of added noise. Sources of image error include Gibbs ringing at image edge gradients (tissue interfaces) and well-known artifacts due to high acceleration; two of the iterative reconstruction algorithms studied were able to mitigate these image errors. The difference of the texture features from ground truth, and their variance over reconstruction algorithm and parallel imaging acceleration factor, were compared to the clinical “effect size”, i.e., the feature difference between high- and low-grade tumors on T1- and T2-weighted brain MR images of twenty glioma patients. The measured feature error (difference from ground truth) was small for some features, but substantial for others. The feature variance due to reconstruction algorithm and acceleration factor were generally smaller than the clinical effect size. Certain texture features may be preserved by MR imaging, but adequate precautions need to be taken regarding their validity and reliability. We present a general simulation framework for assessing the robustness and accuracy of radiomic textural features under various MR acquisition/reconstruction scenarios.     

A simple method for the preparation of fish chromosomes applicable to field work, teaching and banding

A method is described which has broad application for field acquisition of fish karyotypes for research and teaching. The benefits of the method include: low initial skill level, relatively inexpensive equipment and supplies, simplicity and speed, and the high quality of preparations. The technique was applied to a field study of Apogon maculatus which was shown to contain 34 chromosomes, 2 nucleolar organizing regions (NOR's), and resolvable G-bands.     

Programmable illumination and high-speed, multi-wavelength, confocal microscopy using a digital micromirror

Confocal microscopy is routinely used for high-resolution fluorescence imaging of biological specimens. Most standard confocal systems scan a laser across a specimen and collect emitted light passing through a single pinhole to produce an optical section of the sample. Sequential scanning on a point-by-point basis limits the speed of image acquisition and even the fastest commercial instruments struggle to resolve the temporal dynamics of rapid cellular events such as calcium signals. Various approaches have been introduced that increase the speed of confocal imaging. Nipkov disk microscopes, for example, use arrays of pinholes or slits on a spinning disk to achieve parallel scanning which significantly increases the speed of acquisition. Here we report the development of a microscope module that utilises a digital micromirror device as a spatial light modulator to provide programmable confocal optical sectioning with a single camera, at high spatial and axial resolution at speeds limited by the frame rate of the camera. The digital micromirror acts as a solid state Nipkov disk but with the added ability to change the pinholes size and separation and to control the light intensity on a mirror-by-mirror basis. The use of an arrangement of concave and convex mirrors in the emission pathway instead of lenses overcomes the astigmatism inherent with DMD devices, increases light collection efficiency and ensures image collection is achromatic so that images are perfectly aligned at different wavelengths. Combined with non-laser light sources, this allows low cost, high-speed, multi-wavelength image acquisition without the need for complex wavelength-dependent image alignment. The micromirror can also be used for programmable illumination allowing spatially defined photoactivation of fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate the use of this system for high-speed calcium imaging using both a single wavelength calcium indicator and a genetically encoded, ratiometric, calcium sensor.     

Can a finite set of knee extension in supine position be used for a knee functional examination?

The kinematic magnetic resonance imaging technique has been developed to provide a functional examination of the knee. Technical limitations require this examination to be performed in supine position, and the knee motion is represented by an assembly of static positions at different knee angles. However, the main knee function is to support the body weight and perform continuous motion, e.g. parallel squat. Our study quantified the knee kinematics of 20 healthy subjects in different motion conditions (finite and continuous) and in different mechanical conditions (continuous unloaded and continuous loaded). We evaluated the angular and localisation difference of a finite helical axis of the knee motion for parallel squat, continuous knee extension in supine position and the finite set of knee extension in supine position. We found large inter-individual dispersion. The majority of subjects had equivalent knee kinematics between continuous knee extension and the finite set of knee extension in supine position, but not between continuous knee extension in supine position and the parallel squat. Therefore, results from a functional examination of a finite set of knee extensions in supine position do not represent the knee motion in a parallel squat. Our results suggest that functional examination of the knee from magnetic resonance imaging do not necessarily reflect the physiological kinematics of the knee. Further investigation should focus on a new magnetic resonance imaging acquisition protocol that allows image acquisition during weight bearing or includes a special device which reproduces the loaded condition.     

Profile sequence analysis and database searches on a transputer machine connected to a Macintosh computer

An implementation of Profilesearch (a technique to search forrelationships between a protein sequence and multiply alignedsequences) for a parallel computer is described. The numbercrunchingmachine, consisting of 21 T800 transputers, is connected toa Macintosh IIcx host computer. The program utilizes a standardMacintosh application as its user–interface, resultingin a transparent and user–friendly environment for addressingthe parallel computer. The program is independent of the nwnberof available processors and exceeds the speed of a VAXstation3200 with only one transputer in operation, thus allowing cheapand fast database searches with a PC frontend. For a largernwnber of processors, the speed increase is approximately linearwith no obvious symptoms of saturation with the available maximwnof 21 transputers. The program and environment are usefid tosearch quickly and easily for similarities between a singlesequence or sequence set and individual sequences containedin a large database. The alignment is determined by typicaldynamic programming techniques.