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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

A microcomputer based controller for neuromuscular block during surgery.

A microcomputer based control system has been developed to automatically induce and maintain neuromuscular block during surgery. The system repeatedly adjusts the infusion rate of a muscle relaxant, succinylcholine, based on the evoked, rectified, and integrated electromyogram (EMG). The system was tested in 12 patients for a 30-min infusion period with a setpoint of 80% depression of the evoked, rectified, and integrated thenar EMG. The mean time to reach the setpoint for 10 of the patients was 5.5 (+/- 1.87 SD) min and the mean time for 95% recovery after infusion was stopped was 5.4 (+/- 0.83 SD) min. Average overshoot was 9.9% of the baseline (+/- 3.1% SD), and the average time within +/- 10% of the setpoint was 22.1 min (+/- 7.26 SD). The total dose of succinylcholine for these 10 patients ranged from 1.21 to 3.77 mg/kg with a mean of 1.92 mg/kg. The other two patients were relatively insensitive to the drug and the controller was unable to bring the response to the setpoint due to a ceiling placed on infusion rate by the control algorithm.

Computers↗
PubMed1993

Microcomputer-based cardiac field simulation model.

Cardiac field simulation is one of the frontier subjects in electrocardiogram theory study. The paper describes a complete cardiac simulation model implemented on an IBM-PC/AT microcomputer. This model uses a new algorithm for excitation propagation simulation. In comparison with the previous rule-based algorithms, the new algorithm shows better in simulation speed and simulation accuracy.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1988

Microcomputer-based system for data acquisition and analysis of oxygen uptake studies.

The use of a Warburg Respirometer to study oxidation reactions is tedious and time-consuming. A microcomputer-based oxygen uptake device that is more sensitive than a Warburg Respirometer is described. The device consists of stainless steel or Teflon reaction vessels coupled to ultrasensitive pressure transducers. A high speed analog to digital convertor is used to poll the transducers. The direct memory access (DMA) controller of an IBM XT is used to poll the convertor and store the data in memory. Software used to program the DMA controller and IBM XT is described. The reproducibility and utility of the device is demonstrated with a brief study of lipid oxidation.

Computer Systems↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Monitoring and improving the content of medical residents' ambulatory care experience: a microcomputer-based method using diagnosis clusters.

Changing patterns of medical practice necessitate increased experience in ambulatory settings for internal medicine residents. Residency program directors must monitor the content and balance of the ambulatory care experience. Evaluation of ambulatory care educational programs requires a concise method of describing the illnesses seen in each outpatient setting and of monitoring individual resident activities. The authors present an easily applied, microcomputer-based method of analysis using diagnosis clusters that has been found to be useful in evaluating and modifying the ambulatory care curriculum at their institution. It provides a concise description of individual ambulatory settings, affords an opportunity to compare each setting with national norms, and identifies areas of inadequate exposure in each resident's experience.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1990

Image processing by microcomputer on ultrastructure of griseofulvin-resistant fungi in favus.

The ultrastructure of 5 griseofulvin-resistant fungi of favus was studied by image processing with microcomputer. It was found that the cell walls of the fungi consisted of 8 layers, and the inner layer containing cytoplasm was loose. It was also found that all structures within the cytoplasm possessed a 1-3 layers integral envelope with chromatins in the nucleus. These might be contributing factors in the development of resistance to griseofulvin. This multiple-layered, thick cell wall might act as a barrier responsible for the impermeability of the cell to griseofulvin.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed1987

A microcomputer implementation of status and alarm algorithms in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit.

Algorithms have been developed for monitoring the cardiovascular status of patients on their return to an intensive care unit after cardiac surgery and also for giving an immediate alarm of a critical deterioration in this status. The two systems for implementing these algorithms were initially developed on Z80 based microprocessor systems and preliminary clinical trials based on the resulting instruments proved encouraging. For further clinical trials of the algorithms the systems have been integrated and implemented on a BBC microcomputer with a 6502 second processor. The development and structure of the programs for implementing the algorithms are described, together with the program input and output facilities and diagnostic techniques used to analyse the information output from the program.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1986

Microcomputer-based system for registration of oxygen tension in peripheral muscle.

For registration of oxygen tension fields in peripheral muscle a microcomputer based system was designed on the M6800 microprocessor. The system was designed to record the signals from a multiwire oxygen electrode, MDO, which is a multiwire electrode for measuring oxygen on the surface of an organ. The system contained patient safety isolation unit built on optocopplers and the upper frequency limit was 0.64 Hz. Collected data were corrected for drift and temperature changes during the measurement by using pre- and after calibrations and a linear compensation technique. Measure drift of the electrodes were proved to be linear and thus the drift could be compensated for. The system was tested in an experiment on pig. To study the distribution of oxygen statistically mean, standard deviation, skewness and curtosis were calculated. To see changes or differences between histograms a Kolmogorv-Smirnov test was used.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Evaluating control of breathing utilizing an on-line microcomputer.

This paper describes a system that was designed to evaluate ventilatory responses to hypercapnia, airway occlusion pressure (P100), as well as measuring ventilatory drive and timing. Parameters measured include minute ventilation (VE), breathing rate (f), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory time (TI), fractional inspiratory time (TI/TTot), mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), and end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2). These measurements allow for a thorough analysis of abnormalities of neural and neuromuscular ventilatory drive. The system's architecture was based primarily on currently available microcomputer components designed for the IEEE 696 bus.

Computers↗
PubMed1988

A microcomputer-based software interface for automatic acquisition of fetal monitoring data.

At University Hospital, interfaces are being designed to link-stand-alone patient care devices to Hospital Information System (HIS). The objective is to have an integrated HIS comprising of data from bedside patient monitors and from stand-alone devices such as infusion pumps, fetal monitors, and pulse oximeters. Interfaces are implemented with standard hardware and software design tools. The feasibility of designing a general purpose interface hardware based on a common microprocessor has been demonstrated for an IMED model 960 infusion pump. The present paper describes the implementation of the software component of the interface using standard microcomputer software packages. The device of choice was the Corometrics model 115 fetal monitor for implementing the software because it is used extensively at University Hospital and has built-in data communication hardware. The Corometrics model 115 fetal monitor was interfaced to an IBM Personal Computer (PC) model XT. Data acquired from the fetal monitor was used to provide data tables and graphs. The feasibility of designing and implementing a software interface capable of acquiring and processing data received from a stand-alone device (fetal monitor) was demonstrated. A description of the important aspects of the interface software design is presented in this paper. This design will eventually be part of the HIS. A brief discussion about the design modifications necessary to acquire data from multiple devices simultaneously is also included.

Fetal Monitoring↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new microcomputer-controlled neutron activation and analysis system. Description and applications for the analysis of bioenvironmental specimens.

A microcomputer-controlled irradiation and measurement system and a microprocessor-controlled sample changer have been installed at the SLOWPOKE-2 Facility at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). These systems can provide the gamut of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) techniques for the analyst. Custom software has been created for system control, data acquisition, and off-line spectral analysis using programs that incorporate Gaussian peak-fitting methods of analysis. The design and use of the equipment is discussed, and the performance is illustrated with results obtained from the analysis of marine sediment and biological reference materials.

Microcomputers↗
PubMed1990

A simple expert system shell for microcomputer-aided radiographic diagnosis.

A simple microcomputer-based expert system shell for radiographic diagnosis is described. The system interrogates the user by means of a simple question--and-answer approach on the radiographic findings in a given case and proffers a differential diagnosis from a database. The system also allows listing of both the radiographic findings pertinent to a specific diagnosis and all diagnoses in which a particular finding or combination of findings occur. The system database can be easily updated or modified by the user. The demonstration application for the expert system shell is the plain film diagnosis of osseous dysplasia.

Expert Systems↗
PubMed1983

The use of a patient-interactive microcomputer system to obtain histories in an infertility and gynecologic endocrinology clinic.

An inexpensive microcomputer has been programmed to obtain histories from patients attending an infertility and gynecologic endocrinology clinic. The system is directly interactive; patients enter their answers on a specially designed keyboard containing only "yes," "no," and "don't know" buttons and the numbers 1 to 5. A neatly formatted summary of the history is then provided by an interfaced printer. The history follows a branching pattern: Of the 330 questions incorporated in the program only 76 are asked in the course of the average history. The program contains numerous features which make it easy to use. For example, patients are provided with more detailed explanations of questions they find difficult to answer. These are produced either on command or automatically if the response time is prolonged. Crossover comparison with manual histories showed that the computer produces an accurate and exhaustive record containing many additional significant items. This system was designed to facilitate and not replace the physician interview. A confidential questionnaire revealed a high degree of consumer acceptance.

Computers↗
PubMed1983

An inexpensive, microcomputer-based, video densitometer for quantitating thin-layer chromatographic spots.

An inexpensive video densitometer based on an Apple II microcomputer using commercially available components was developed. The device was used to quantitate charred lipid and colored spots on thin-layer chromatography plates. The method is useful for lipid samples weighing 0.1 to 4 micrograms on high-performance plates and 1 to 20 micrograms on ordinary plates. The software automatically corrects for baseline drift due to dirt or nonuniformity in the plate.

Ceramides↗
PubMed1983

An optical comparator for measuring two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis records using an on-line microcomputer.

A comparator which makes it possible to compare two wet gels or photographic negatives or autoradiograms through a flickering light system has been built. The system consists of two special-purpose projectors which combine the images on a digitizing platform. When the lights are switched On and off out of phase, the positions of the common components remain unchanged, whereas those that are spatially displaced appear to jump from side to side and those present in one image but not the other switch on and off. This produces a flickering image in which differences are readily seen. Commercial camera lenses were used to construct the projectors and the overall specifications for the system are given. The coordinates of both the displaced components, as well as the selected standards from the two images, are digitized and entered automatically into an on-line microcomputer. By using an iterative procedure for collecting records from several superimposable records of the gel, it is possible to compensate for the lack of total reproducibility over the whole gels. These coordinates are then normalized and superimposed on a master map through a television display using a curser to adjust the coordinates. The whole procedure can be repeated for many gels using a common reference gel in the comparator, and the result is a set of normalized coordinates which can be plotted on a single map to provide a final record of the experiments.

Computers↗
PubMed1984

An inexpensive computerized enzyme kinetics system based on a Gilford spectrophotometer and an Apple IIe microcomputer.

A microcomputer-controlled data acquisition system for spectrophotometric enzyme kinetics measurements has been assembled. The system uses an Apple IIe computer which is interfaced to the binary coded decimal output of a Gilford spectrophotometer. No analog-to-digital converter had to be purchased. A BASIC program which collects timed absorbance readings every 500 ms, plots the data in real time, performs a linear regression of the data to measure the reaction rate, and calculates the enzyme activity concentration is given in full. Details describing the interfacing of the computer to the spectrophotometer are presented which will permit other laboratories to readily assemble their own systems using this hardware. Kinetic data acquired by the system are highly reproducible and agree well with data processed much more slowly by manual techniques from strip chart recordings.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1984

Microcomputer interface for computer-controlled enzyme kinetic studies with the monolayer technique.

A microcomputer interface for computer-assisted monolayer experiments was developed, tested, and used for analysis of the enzymatic hydrolysis by pancreatic phospholipases A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) of 1,2-didodecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-sulfate monitored under constant surface pressure. The interface described multiplexes two different analog signals onto one set of 12 data input lines to the computer. One signal is obtained from an electromicrobalance which measures surface pressure of a monomolecular substrate layer in a two-compartment trough. The second signal comes from a 10-turns precision potentiometer which measures the position of a surface barrier. Both signals together determine a velocity value which is output via four data lines to a DC motor that drives the barrier. Software developed specifically to drive the interface, to store data, and to keep pressure constant is described.

Animals↗