Biomedical subjects

P Frenger

Publications and source records attributed to P Frenger.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Inexpensive complex hand model.

This paper describes a functional model of the human hand suitable for design and testing of various motion control systems. A five digit arrangement (four fingers with opposable thumb) with anthropomorphic joints is used which provide a physiologic range of motion from the phalanges through the wrist. These joints can be operated by various actuators (ie: contractile wire, stepper motors, hydraulics, pneumatics) with or without position/force feedback sensors. The construction techniques utilize cheap, readily obtainable materials which can easily be formed and assembled with common modelmaker's tools. Students and teaching laboratories will be able to afford the basic hand system. The model is sophisticated enough to serve as a platform for non-trivial applications such as research (prosthetics/rehabilitation), teaching, and aids for the handicapped. Construction plans are available from the author.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1994

Inexpensive speech recognition techniques.

Improvements in technology have enabled creation of speech recognition hardware and software products which are easily affordable. This paper briefly reviews these techniques and describes several commercially available products which utilize them. Both speaker-dependent and speaker-independent techniques are included. The author concludes by describing a microprocessor-controlled, trainable, voice recognition board which he built for medical applications which is based on a commercial $5 speech recognition integrated circuit.

Computers↗

PubMed1992

Contractile wire biomechanical actuators.

Several metal alloys have been discovered which, when fabricated into wire, contract strongly when heated and relax with cooling. The contractile force can be modulated under microcomputer control to produce a compact, powerful and durable mechanical actuator. This technique has a number of advantages over motor-driven servos in robotics and medicine. This paper reviews previous applications of contractile wire, then presents two types of biomechanical actuators built by the author.

Alloys↗

PubMed1991

A software-controlled EKG simulator.

This design allows generation of a wide range of waveforms from subaudio to ultrasonic directly via software. Waveforms may be calculated on the fly by suitable algorithms or produced from previously created lookup tables. The heart of the design is a fast 16-bit processor which directly executes the Forth programming language. A simple R/2R digital-to-analog converter is coupled to a parallel output port to produce the desired waveforms. This device has been used to generate realistic-appearing normal and abnormal EKG tracings in the lab.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1990

Medicine in the twenty-fourth century.

This paper discusses one vision of medicine's future as penned by a noted current writer of science fiction. Medical progress is seen as an outgrowth of the overall advancement of human technology, especially as a result of routine exploration of deep space. Much of 24th century medicine is to be based on the merging of bioengineering with the classical medical arts. A great deal more will be known about the human animal then than now, so more healing can be done. In spite of numerous items of medical gadgetry at his disposal, the physician of 400 years hence will remain sympathetic and caring.

Forecasting↗

PubMed1989

The silicon synapse or, neural net computing.

Recent developments have rekindled interest in the electronic neural network, a form of parallel computer architecture loosely based on the nervous system of living creatures. This paper describes the elements of neural net computers, reviews the historical milestones in their development, and lists the advantages and disadvantages of their use. Methods for software simulation of neural network systems on existing computers, as well as creation of hardware analogues, are given. The most successful applications of these techniques, involving emulation of biological system responses, are presented. The author's experiences with neural net systems are discussed.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed1988