Calin Corciova | University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi (original) (raw)

Papers by Calin Corciova

IntechOpen eBooks, Oct 8, 2023

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that combines the real world with virtual elements, provid... more Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that combines the real world with virtual elements, providing users with an enhanced interactive experience. AR has been used in a variety of fields, including medicine and bioengineering. In terms of training medical bioengineers, augmented reality can play a significant role in improving the learning process and understanding of human anatomy, medical procedures, and medical devices. Using AR technology, medical bioengineers can benefit from the following advantages in their training: three-dimensional visualization and interaction, medical procedure simulation, real-time guidance, collaboration and communication, medical device innovation and development. Using these technologies in the training of medical bioengineers, they can practice and become familiar with performing these procedures in a safe and controlled virtual environment. This can help increase confidence and practical skills before working in real life.

IFMBE proceedings, Sep 13, 2023

Compartmental models have proven to be useful in various forms of epidemics: Ebola, dengue fever,... more Compartmental models have proven to be useful in various forms of epidemics: Ebola, dengue fever, swine fever, flu, avian flu, etc. Such models have experienced a great development especially because of the multitude of practical applications, but also due to the many possibilities of software implementation. Although there are a few software tools, for example, EpiModel, they have limitations in modelling and use of language employed in the simulation. Measles can be described as a model with 4 compartments, SEIR, but for a better knowledge of all geographic implications in terms of vaccination, we propose a MSEIR model (S = susceptible, I = infected, R = recovered, vaccinated, E = exposed, M = maternally immune). The educational software created in MATLAB, can generate a graphical system, with specific interactions between compartments, starting with initial values set by the user as a result of specific epidemiological studies. After defining the compartments and their links, a generator will build the system of equations which models the compartmental system, solvable through numerical methods specific to measles. Optionally, the user will be able to view the system of differential equations using symbolic calculation. The solutions will be displayed graphically and will allow the user to compare the epidemic evolution with or without vaccine, as well as optimal policy for vaccination using the Jacobian matrix for determination of the endemic equilibrium. Graphical user interface is intuitive, educational, with the possibility of amending the transfer rate between compartments, parameters and initial values. The reproduction number R0 can be defined to be used in order to analyse the influence of it for fit the model with experimental data. The main novelty in this paper is composed mainly by a graphical interface an easy-to-use by student and researcher for in create abilities to use a compartmental model and at the same time, able to provide sufficient arguments in the decision making process and health policies. The other innovative approach is the possibility to define by user a symbolic equation for a compartmental model meanwhile the too will translate in mathematical one that can be solved by differential equation using numerical methods.

Internet of Things - New Insights [Working Title]

The Internet of Things (IoT) is currently rapidly being incorporated into many fields, but there ... more The Internet of Things (IoT) is currently rapidly being incorporated into many fields, but there are still some fields, such as healthcare, where IoT adoption is much slower. Medical IoT refers to a range of medical devices and people that rely on wireless communication to enable healthcare data exchange, remote monitoring, and patient rehabilitation for a better quality of life for the patient. Medical IoT can provide better medical care and rehabilitation services under the careful supervision of the physician, resulting in more cost-effective systems for hospitals as well as for the patient. Due to the regulatory, ethical, and technological challenges of biomedical hardware, the growth of medical IoT is still inhibited. The chapter provides an overview of the various technologies and protocols used for the Internet of Medical Things (IoT), with an overview of the current technologies, applications, and challenges.

2021 International Conference on e-Health and Bioengineering (EHB), Nov 18, 2021

This paper aims to highlight some techniques for improving the acquisition of ECG signals that ca... more This paper aims to highlight some techniques for improving the acquisition of ECG signals that can be subsequently analyzed and processed efficiently using software that contains visualization and filtering tools. The study of the ECG signal includes the generation and simulation of a signal, which is to be processed and the extraction of some characteristics by comparison between different algorithms as well as signal analysis techniques. It is also possible to create and detect certain artifacts that may appear during recordings. The software applications that provide such a toolkit for signal processing are developed under MATLAB programming environment. We also used LabVIEW - a graphical programming tool noted for programming by means of the structure of graphical blocks, which can provide a view of all elements built into the workspace, and an overview of the front panel.

Balneo Research Journal, Dec 5, 2020

Introduction. Postural defects are a real challenge for the contemporary world. Scoliosis, kyphos... more Introduction. Postural defects are a real challenge for the contemporary world. Scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis are diseases of the spine, with various evolutions and multiple changes of the other components of the thorax (shoulders, shoulder blades, ribs), as well as of the intrathoracic and even abdominal organs. Material and method. This paper presents a study on the need to use a smart orthosis in the prevention of postural defects, a study that is the preamble to the physical realization of such an orthosis. The smart orthosis will use inertial sensors capable of calculating orientation angles in a portable monitoring system that will calculate and represent the curvature of the spine. It is hoped that finding a non-invasive solution to identify the shape of the human back can help reduce the time required for medical rehabilitation sessions or can prevent possible postural defects. Results and discussions. In this study, the existing orthoses on the market that could fall into the category of rehabilitation devices used in the prevention of postural defects were evaluated and an intelligent orthosis was designed. Conclusions. At this time, the existence of an intelligent orthosis in the prevention of postural defects would lead to an improvement in health among the population. Also, this prosthesis would crown the work of physiotherapists by maintaining the results obtained.

In this project we present a preliminary report on the use of infrared thermography as a diagnost... more In this project we present a preliminary report on the use of infrared thermography as a diagnostic and monitoring tool in new born respiration rate. This contactless monitoring method it is absolute necessary because it is designed to monitor a very fragile category of patients: premature new born babies. Our biomedical signal of interests it is represented by the spontaneous breaths of the newborn. The novelty in this study is that we are able to apply the proposed monitoring technique to patients that are in a thermal controlled environment. The thermal signature [spatial/temporal patterns] of a patient has the potential of becoming a powerful new diagnostic and monitoring tool.

Starting with the essential elements of medical equipment maintenance, a multitude of interdepend... more Starting with the essential elements of medical equipment maintenance, a multitude of interdependent factors can be easily identified at all stages of medical equipment life, which, if neglected, greatly complicates the maintenance of the equipment, leading to high operating costs. If maintenance capabilities are considered at an early planning and purchasing stage, maintenance issues can be minimized. Proper maintenance throughout the life cycle of medical equipment involves all activities related to ensuring an adequate level of maintenance and limiting interruptions of medical devices with minor effects on medical activity. This paper proposes to analyze the life cycle of medical equipment in correlation with the application of a coherent technology management plan.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, is a progressive neurod... more Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that gradually eliminates the patient's cognitive function and ultimately causes death. For Alzheimer's, there is no treatment, no surgery and nothing will be as before. These facts led us to build a smart system that helps Alzheimer's patients and their families stay in constant contact. This eliminates the worst and most frequent incident in the sphere of this condition: forgetting the road to the house and the chaotic wandering on the streets of the patient. The proposed system has the following tasks: reminds the patient of the tasks they have to perform daily: the medication schedule, the medicines to be administered and a time display; monitoring the patient and, in case of emergency, the system detects if the patient falls, thus, the alarm is activated and the coordinates are sent automatically to the family by SMS. It is portable and easy to use even for an older patient.

International Conference on Advancements of Medicine and Health Care through Technology; 5th – 7th June 2014, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 2014

Patient satisfaction has been increasingly recognized as an important aspect in healthcare especi... more Patient satisfaction has been increasingly recognized as an important aspect in healthcare especially in the last decades when system reforms, increased competition for patients or an increased attention given to the quality of care have attracted more attention to patients’ needs and expectations. At the same time patient satisfaction is closely associated with various benefits such as greater patient involvement and compliance, increased staff morale, positive word of mouth or a decrease in patients’ litigation intent. The subject is also a very challenging one due to the particular nature of healthcare as a highly complex professional service. This often makes it difficult for scholars and professionals in the field to agree on a common definition or a common set of measures and determinants for patient satisfaction. The article takes on this challenge and aims to explore patients’ perspectives on aspects affecting their satisfaction with healthcare through four focus groups conducted on patients admitted to two teaching medical facilities in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Patient views are explored using focus groups as they provide the opportunity of eliciting rich quality data through spontaneous interactions. This also permits the uncovering of unanticipated issues that surveys may fail to identify. Results are obtained through qualitative analysis. Participants highly value positive interactions with the medical staff, expect a correct diagnosis and treatment and appear to be less influenced by administrative procedures or accommodation facilities. Most patients seem highly aware of the funding limitations pressuring the Romanian healthcare system. This awareness tends to make them limit their expectations to the point where they are satisfied with simply receiving treatment.

PubMed, 2013

Impedance plethysmography is a method for determining changes in body tissue volumes, based on th... more Impedance plethysmography is a method for determining changes in body tissue volumes, based on the measurement of electric impedance at the body surface. Because it is a non-invasive and cost-effective method to measure and analyze hemodynamics, it would bring to physiologists very important diagnostic information for the continuous care of critical patients with hemodynamic disorders. Methods: This study aimed at acquiring non-invasively and at analyzing plethysmografic waves by measuring the electrical impedance. For measurements we built a device that was designed as an injection module with a microcontroller, a programmable waveform generator, and a voltage controlled current source which generates a sinusoidal pulse with adjustable frequency (10-200 kHz) and adjustable intensity. In output, the device delivers an analogical signal representing the variation of the impedance of the explored section. The acquisition of the bioimpedance signal on PC was made easier by the use of a national instrument data acquisition device, the NI USB 6009. Results: The bioimpedance signal processing, the user interface and the display were managed by MATLAB. Sample impedance data for a test subject are presented. From the experimental results, it is shown that the proposed bioimpedance measuring system could provide good performance over the frequency range for central or peripheral territory. Conclusion: The clinical importance of these findings is that this method can measure vascular parameters noninvasively, continuously and more conveniently in humans.

Springer eBooks, 2011

ABSTRACT In this paper we present a design method for a class of 2D recursive filter banks with w... more ABSTRACT In this paper we present a design method for a class of 2D recursive filter banks with wedge-shaped channels, based on frequency transformations and 1D prototype filters. The design starts from a given analog prototype filter with specified parameters and a transfer function which is factorized into elementary functions. Applying adequate frequency transformations to these functions, the desired 2D filters are directly obtained in a factorized form, preserving the selectivity properties of their 1D counterparts. The approach is mainly analytical but also uses numerical approximations and is simple, efficient and versatile. These filter banks find applications in medical image analysis, as shown on some angiography images, for instance the detection of blood vessels with a specified orientation. A design example starting from imposed specifications and also some simulation results are provided.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of short term recordings (5 minutes) of ... more The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of short term recordings (5 minutes) of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the association between HRV and type of exercise, using an advanced computer software. For this study short term electrocardiogram recording was acquired during supine for 10 min using the BIOPAC MP 150 data acquisition system. AcqKnowledge Softwareversion 4.1.1. (BIOPAC Inc., Goleta, CA, USA) was used to analyze and remove from the recorded ECG all artefacts and ectopic beats. Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software 2.0 for Windows (The Biomedical Signal and Medical Imaging Analysis Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Kuopio, Finland) was used to generate the HRV parameters. Data acquisition was performed in a quiet room with temperature between 20 and 220C. The data were recorded between 9 and 10 am, after an adaptation period of 15 minutes. All individuals were asked to avoid caffeine and alcohol 24 hours before the tests. HRV time and frequency domain parameters during rest were calculated on 10 (6 males and 4 females) and after 10 minute of static exercise and 10minutes of dynamic exercise, using Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software 2.0. HRV is a non invasive assessement method of the autonomic nervous system activity which regulates heart rate (HR). The conclusion of our study was that there is a relation between HRV and type of exercise. Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software correlated very well the values with the referent method among healthy volunteers and may be used by researchers for HRV studies. Together with a modern heart rate monitor capable of recording RR intervals this freely distributed program forms a complete low-cost HRV measuring and analysis system.

2022 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical And Power Engineering (EPE), Oct 20, 2022

IntechOpen eBooks, Mar 3, 2021

Resumo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo evidenciar, em termos históricos, algumas manifestações in... more Resumo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo evidenciar, em termos históricos, algumas manifestações institucionais da organização da legalidade e do judiciário brasileiros que contribuíram para a formação e a reprodução de grupos juridicamente vulneráveis no País; estes, entendidos como sendo a parcela da população despida dos direitos que socorram suas principais necessidades ou do acesso à justiça que garanta efetividade aos poucos direitos legais por ela conquistados. Neste percurso, destaque também é dado às soluções estatais, bem como às construídas pela sociedade civil, a esta vulnerabilidade jurídica, verifi cadas nestas duas últimas décadas em virtude do processo de redemocratização no País. A pesquisa se desenvolveu a partir de uma abordagem indutiva, com base em dados históricos coletados em fontes bibliográfi cas e documentais. Palavras-chave: Judiciário. Grupos juridicamente vulneráveis. Acesso à justiça.

In the context of the 21st century, medicine cannot progress without the contribution of modern t... more In the context of the 21st century, medicine cannot progress without the contribution of modern technologies and engineering applications. Measuring as many biomedical parameters as possible and establishing correlations between them, can provide the physician with new tools for faster and more accurate diagnosis or for optimizing the treatment and recovery of various conditions, both to reduce costs and especially to improve patients quality of life. Kinematics is a part of the mechanics focused on the description of the movement. The kinematic sizes represent an exact geometric description of the spatial motion (3D) of the body that incorporates positions, velocities, and accelerations of the segments and angles of the body as well as angular velocities and angular accelerations between segments. Given the complexity of the biological system that is supposed to be modeled, development and application of biomechanical models of the human body are important areas in multi-section kinematics and dynamics of mechanical systems in general. The kinematic variables describe the geometry of the movement and are obtained from the approximation of the inverse dynamics. They represent the description of the movement and do not provide information about the content. If the motion of the body as a whole is analyzed, so that the data from the measurements are combined with the mathematical estimates the results can be used to evaluate the approximation of the inverse dynamics. This way you can discuss feedback not only subjective, expressed in terms of the patient, but objective and precise due to new technologies used.

QT prolongation has been associated with arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, but despite this i... more QT prolongation has been associated with arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, but despite this it has been less studied among patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. For measuring QTc we have used the new criteria of American Heart Association Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee. There were no significant differences in QTc, values between Alzheimer's disease patients and control subjects, but we found a significant increase of QTc in vascular dementia patients. Our data suggest that VaD patients have a high risks of sudden death associated with prolongation of QTc, compared with controls and AD patients.

Recovery from stroke is often slow and incomplete, leading to partial or complete loss of locomot... more Recovery from stroke is often slow and incomplete, leading to partial or complete loss of locomotion, daily activities and communication. Due to the existing limitations of the current recovery plans, new strategies have been suggested using robots and virtual reality devices. This study has developed a Kinect-based rehabilitation system to assist therapists in recovering from survivors of various types of stroke. The device consists of a Kinect module, peripheral of the type "add-on" that allows users to use the Xbox 360 console and a smart mirror made of an acrylic glass specially treated with a display located behind it. Is the first medical rehabilitation device that combines the technique of mirror rehabilitation with the Kinect-based technique that can be applied in post-stroke rehabilitation

IFMBE proceedings, Sep 18, 2019

The primary concern in present healthcare systems is increasingly shifting towards chronic diseas... more The primary concern in present healthcare systems is increasingly shifting towards chronic diseases. This presents itself with the difficulty to monitor and follow-up a demanding number of patients. Technology development allows to significantly improving the quality of life. The aim of this project is to monitor a number of vital functions while making it accessible for the patients and the care takers. The vital functions of interest were: heart’s electrical activity, heart rate, oxygen saturation levels in peripheral blood, arterial blood pressure, temperature and galvanic skin response. In addition, there is the possibility of geo-tracking. The system uses a Healthy Pi board for data acquisition using the Linux operating system. The ECG module is based on an operational amplifier with multiple filtering levels so as to acquire a series of signals corresponding to a physiological graph in one lead which are sent to an Atmega microcontroller. They are forwarded towards the Raspberry Pi platform which compiles and shows it on the attached display. Signal calibration was done using a simulator for ECG testing for physiological and pathological heart conditions (ventricular fibrillation, heart stroke). The pulse-oximetry module determines the oxygen saturation levels in blood, but also helps monitor/compare the peripheral values (upper limbs) of pulse against heart rate according to the ECG. The advantages of this system consist of: efficient, quick data acquisition and storage, remote real time monitoring, friendly user interface, possibility of geo-tracking, accessibility for the patients and care takers.