@article{StadlerCornetFrenkler, author = {Stadler, Sebastian and Cornet, Henriette and Frenkler, Fritz}, title = {Assessing Heuristic Evaluation in Immersive Virtual Reality: A Case Study on Future Guidance Systems}, series = {Multimodal Technologies and Interaction}, volume = {7}, journal = {Multimodal Technologies and Interaction}, number = {2}, issn = {2414-4088}, doi = {10.3390/mti7020019}, pages = {19}, abstract = {A variety of evaluation methods for user interfaces (UI) exist such as usability testing, cognitive walkthrough, and heuristic evaluation. However, UIs such as guidance systems at transit hubs must be evaluated in their intended application field to allow the effective and valid identification of usability flaws. However, what if evaluations are not feasible in real environments, or laboratorial conditions cannot be ensured? Based on adapted heuristics, in the present study, the method of heuristic evaluation is combined with immersive Virtual Reality (VR) for the identification of usability flaws of dynamic guidance systems (DGS) at transit hubs. The study involved usability evaluations of nine DGS concepts using the newly proposed method. The results show that compared to computer-based heuristic evaluations, the use of immersive VR led to the identification of an increased amount of "severe" usability flaws as well as overall usability flaws. Within a qualitative assessment, immersive VR is validated as a suitable tool for conducting heuristic evaluations involving significant advantages such as the creation of realistic experiences in laboratorial conditions. Future work seeks to further prove the suitability of using immersive VR for heuristic evaluations and compare the proposed method to other evaluative methods.}, language = {en} } @article{SteigerFoltanPhilippetal., author = {Steiger, Tamara and Foltan, Maik and Philipp, Alois and M{\"u}ller, Thomas and Gruber, Michael and Bredthauer, Andre and Krenkel, Lars and Birkenmaier, Clemens and Lehle, Karla}, title = {Accumulations of von Willebrand factor within ECMO oxygenators: Potential indicator of coagulation abnormalities in critically ill patients?}, series = {Artificial Organs}, volume = {43}, journal = {Artificial Organs}, number = {11}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1525-1594}, doi = {10.1111/aor.13513}, pages = {1065 -- 1076}, abstract = {Clot formation within membrane oxygenators (MOs) remains a critical problem during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The composition of the clots-in particular, the presence of von Willebrand factor (vWF)-may be an indicator for prevalent nonphysiological flow conditions, foreign body reactions, or coagulation abnormalities in critically ill patients. Mats of interwoven gas exchange fibers from randomly collected MOs (PLS, Maquet, Rastatt, Germany) of 21 patients were stained with antibodies (anti-vWF and anti-P-selectin) and counterstained with 4 ',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The extent of vWF-loading was correlated with patient and technical data. While 12 MOs showed low vWF-loadings, 9 MOs showed high vWF-loading with highest accumulations close to crossing points of adjacent gas fibers. The presence and the extent of vWF-fibers/"cobwebs," leukocytes, platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs), and P-selectin-positive platelet aggregates were independent of the extent of vWF-loading. However, the highly loaded MOs were obtained from patients with a significantly elevated SOFA score, severe thrombocytopenia, and persistent liver dysfunction. The coagulation abnormalities of these critically ill patients may cause an accumulation of the highly thrombogenic and elongated high-molecular-weight vWF multimers in the plasma which will be trapped in the MOs during the ECMO therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{StelzerKrenkel, author = {Stelzer, Vera and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {2D numerical investigations derived from a 3D dragonfly wing captured with a high-resolution micro-CT}, series = {Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine}, volume = {30}, journal = {Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOS Press}, doi = {10.3233/THC-219010}, pages = {283 -- 289}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to their corrugated profile, dragonfly wings have special aerodynamic characteristics during flying and gliding. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to create a realistic 3D model of a dragonfly wing captured with a high-resolution micro-CT. To represent geometry changes in span and chord length and their aerodynamic effects, numerical investigations are carried out at different wing positions. METHODS: The forewing of a Camacinia gigantea was captured using a micro-CT. After the wing was adapted an error-free 3D model resulted. The wing was cut every 5 mm and 2D numerical analyses were conducted in Fluent® 2020 R2 (ANSYS, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). RESULTS: The highest lift coefficient, as well as the highest lift-to-drag ratio, resulted at 0 mm and an angle of attack (AOA) of 5∘. At AOAs of 10∘ or 15∘, the flow around the wing stalled and a K{\´a}rm{\´a}n vortex street behind the wing becomes CONCLUSIONS: The velocity is higher on the upper side of the wing compared to the lower side. The pressure acts vice versa. Due to the recirculation zones that are formed in valleys of the corrugation pattern the wing resembles the form of an airfoil.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StelzerTauwaldVielsmeieretal., author = {Stelzer, Vera and Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Vielsmeier, Veronika and Cieplik, Fabian and Kandulski, Arne and Schneider-Brachert, Wulf and W{\"u}nsch, Olaf and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Generation and Distribution of Surgical Smoke During High Frequency Electrocauterization}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV. STAB/DGLR Symposium 2022}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV. STAB/DGLR Symposium 2022}, editor = {Dillman, Andreas and Heller, Gerd and Kraemer, Ewald and Wagner, Claus and Weiss, Julien}, publisher = {Springer Nature Switzerland AG}, address = {Cham, Switzerland}, isbn = {978-3-031-40481-8}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-40482-5_53}, pages = {559 -- 568}, abstract = {Surgical Smoke is generated during the cauterization of tissue with high-frequency (HF) devices and consists of 95\% water vapor and 5\% cellular debris. When the coagulation tweezers, which are supplied with HF voltage by the HF device, touch tissue, the electric circuit is closed, and smoke is generated by the heat. In-vivo investigations are performed during tracheotomies where surgical smoke is produced during coagulation of tissue. Furthermore, in-vitro parametric studies to investigate the particle number and size distribution and the spatial distribution of surgical smoke with laser light sheet technique are conducted. With higher power of the HF device, the particles generated are larger in size and the total number of particles generated is also higher. Adding artificial saliva to the tissue shows even higher particle counts. The study by laser light sheet also confirms this. The resulting characteristic size distribution, which may include viruses and bacterial components, confirms considering the risk arising from surgical smoke. Furthermore, the experiments will provide the database for further numerical investigations.}, language = {en} } @article{StrechFollmannKlempereretal., author = {Strech, Daniel and Follmann, Markus and Klemperer, David and Lelgemann, Monika and Ollenschl{\"a}ger, G{\"u}nter and Raspe, Heiner and Nothacker, Monika}, title = {When Choosing Wisely meets clinical practice guidelines}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualit{\"a}t im Gesundheitswesen : ZEFQ = The journal of evidence and quality in health care}, volume = {108}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualit{\"a}t im Gesundheitswesen : ZEFQ = The journal of evidence and quality in health care}, number = {10}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1865-9217}, doi = {10.1016/j.zefq.2014.10.014}, pages = {601 -- 603}, abstract = {The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation launched the Choosing Wisely campaign in 2012 and until today convinced more than 50 US specialist societies to develop lists of interventions that may not improve people's health but are potentially harmful. We suggest combining these new efforts with the already existing efforts in clinical practice guideline development. Existing clinical practice guidelines facilitate a more participatory and evidence-based approach to the development of top 5 lists. In return, adding top 5 lists (for overuse and underuse) to existing clinical practice guidelines nicely addresses a neglected dimension to clinical practice guideline development, namely explicit information on which Do or Don't do recommendations are frequently disregarded in practice.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SuessMelznerDendorfer, author = {Suess, Franz and Melzner, Maximilian and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Towards ergonomics working - machine learning algorithms and musculoskeletal modeling}, series = {IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering}, volume = {1208}, booktitle = {IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, issn = {1757-899X}, doi = {10.1088/1757-899X/1208/1/012001}, abstract = {Ergonomic workplaces lead to fewer work-related musculoskeletal disorders and thus fewer sick days. There are various guidelines to help avoid harmful situations. However, these recommendations are often rather crude and often neglect the complex interaction of biomechanical loading and psychological stress. This study investigates whether machine learning algorithms can be used to predict mechanical and stress-related muscle activity for a standardized motion. For this purpose, experimental data were collected for trunk movement with and without additional psychological stress. Two different algorithms (XGBoost and TensorFlow) were used to model the experimental data. XGBoost in particular predicted the results very well. By combining it with musculoskeletal models, the method shown here can be used for workplace analysis but also for the development of real-time feedback systems in real workplace environments.}, language = {en} } @article{SuezerogluMelchiorsGassmannPalmie, author = {S{\"u}zeroglu-Melchiors, Sevim and Gassmann, Oliver and Palmi{\´e}, Maximilian}, title = {Friend or foe? The effects of patent attorney use on filing strategy vis-a-vis the effects of firm experience}, series = {Management Decision}, volume = {55}, journal = {Management Decision}, number = {6}, publisher = {Emerald}, issn = {0025-1747}, doi = {10.1108/MD-01-2016-0047}, pages = {1122 -- 1142}, abstract = {PurposeIn the intellectual property (IP) and management literature, the question of how external patent attorneys impact patent filings has been understudied. The purpose of this paper is to advance this area of research by examining how the use of external patent attorneys influences the patent filing strategies of firms and what impact firms? level of experience with the exclusive use of in-house resources has on filing strategies. This study, thus, provides insights into the strategic dimension behind patent filing, a process which is affected by patent attorneys? work and decision-making processes.Design/methodology/approachThe econometric analysis is based on a patent database of 922,553 patents which is combined with an EPO patent database covering applications from 1990 to 2010. The authors test the hypotheses for this study using patent indicators addressing the impact of in-house firm experience vs the use of external patent attorneys on firm?s filing strategy.FindingsThis research finds empirical evidence that external patent attorneys? work has an effect on patent scope, international scope, and patenting speed. Moreover, it can be shown that external patent attorneys have a positive impact on most filing dimensions, such as patent scope, international scope and the Patent Cooperation Treaty option, whereas the level of in-house firm experience has a negative impact on most filing dimensions. This implies that external patent attorneys seem to pursue a ?maximization approach? while experienced firms seem to pursue a more differentiated approach to filing patents, for instance, drafting narrower and more focused patents.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that effective filing strategies require an integrated approach between diverse IP stakeholders. More particularly, filing strategies should be communicated and aligned between all actors, including external patent attorneys in order to achieve the targeted patenting output.Originality/valueThe current study develops a patent filing typology, which accounts for patent attorneys? decision options. In providing insights into patent attorneys? work and their impacts on intellectual property rights management, the study is a useful complement to prior research, which has predominantly focused on applicants or examiners.}, language = {en} } @article{SuezeroğluMelchiors, author = {S{\"u}zeroğlu-Melchiors, Sevim}, title = {The supply side of IP management: Understanding firms' choices regarding IP intermediaries}, series = {World Patent Information}, volume = {50}, journal = {World Patent Information}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0172-2190}, doi = {10.1016/j.wpi.2017.08.002}, pages = {55 -- 63}, abstract = {Studies focusing on the supply side of IP management, particularly on the outsourcing of patent related work, are relatively rare. This paper aims to contribute to the IP literature in two ways. First, a definition of the IP service provider is proposed. Second, I consider three main hypotheses that determine a firm's preference for outsourced IP work. Using data on the outsourcing of patent renewal payments, I found evidence that the choice of IP supplier is affected by: (1) the firm's own IP maintenance capabilities, (2) the firm's IP knowledge utilization, and (3) the IP complexity.}, language = {en} } @article{TauwaldErzingerQuadrioetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Erzinger, Florian and Quadrio, Maurizio and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Tomo-PIV in a patient-specific model of human nasal cavities: a methodological approach}, series = {Measurement Science and Technology}, volume = {35}, journal = {Measurement Science and Technology}, number = {5}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, doi = {10.1088/1361-6501/ad282c}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-70393}, abstract = {The human nose serves as the primary gateway for air entering the respiratory system and plays a vital role in breathing. Nasal breathing difficulties are a significant health concern, leading to substantial healthcare costs for patients. Understanding nasal airflow dynamics is crucial for comprehending respiratory mechanisms. This article presents a detailed study using tomo-Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to investigate nasal airflow dynamics while addressing its accuracy. Embedded in the OpenNose project, the work described aims to provide a validation basis for different numerical approaches to upper airway flow. The study includes the manufacturing of a transparent silicone model based on a clinical CT scan, refractive index matching to minimize optical distortions, and precise flow rate adjustments based on physiological breathing cycles. This method allows for spatial high-resolution investigations in different regions of interest within the nasopharynx during various phases of the breathing cycle. The results demonstrate the accuracy of the investigations, enabling detailed analysis of flow structures and gradients. This spatial high-resolution tomo-PIV approach provides valuable insights into the complex flow phenomena occurring during the physiological breathing cycle in the nasopharynx. The study's findings contribute to advancements in non-free-of-sight experimental flow investigation of complex cavities under nearly realistic conditions. Furthermore, reliable and accurate experimental data is crucial for properly validating numerical approaches that compute this patient-specific flow for clinical purposes.}, language = {en} } @article{TauwaldMichelBrandtetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Michel, Johanna and Brandt, Marie and Vielsmeier, Veronika and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Experimental studies and mathematical modeling of the viscoelastic rheology of tracheobronchial mucus from respiratory healthy patients}, series = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, volume = {18}, journal = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {PAGEPress}, address = {Pavia, Italy}, issn = {2049-6958}, doi = {10.4081/mrm.2023.923}, pages = {12}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial mucus plays a crucial role in pulmonary function by providing protection against inhaled pathogens. Due to its composition of water, mucins, and other biomolecules, it has a complex viscoelastic rheological behavior. This interplay of both viscous and elastic properties has not been fully described yet. In this study, we characterize the rheology of human mucus using oscillatory and transient tests. Based on the transient tests, we describe the material behavior of mucus under stress and strain loading by mathematical models. METHODS: Mucus samples were collected from clinically used endotracheal tubes. For rheological characterization, oscillatory amplitude-sweep and frequency-sweep tests, and transient creep-recovery and stress-relaxation tests were performed. The results of the transient test were approximated using the Burgers model, the Weibull distribution, and the six-element Maxwell model. The three-dimensional microstructure of the tracheobronchial mucus was visualized using scanning electron microscope imaging. RESULTS: Amplitude-sweep tests showed storage moduli ranging from 0.1 Pa to 10000 Pa and a median critical strain of 4 \%. In frequency-sweep tests, storage and loss moduli increased with frequency, with the median of the storage modulus ranging from 10 Pa to 30 Pa, and the median of the loss modulus from 5 Pa to 14 Pa. The Burgers model approximates the viscoelastic behavior of tracheobronchial mucus during a constant load of stress appropriately (R2 of 0.99), and the Weibull distribution is suitable to predict the recovery of the sample after the removal of this stress (R2 of 0.99). The approximation of the stress-relaxation test data by a six-element Maxwell model shows a larger fit error (R2 of 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a detailed description of all process steps of characterizing the rheology of tracheobronchial mucus, including sample collection, microstructure visualization, and rheological investigation. Based on this characterization, we provide mathematical models of the rheological behavior of tracheobronchial mucus. These can now be used to simulate mucus flow in the respiratory system through numerical approaches.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TauwaldQuadrioRuettenetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Quadrio, Maurizio and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {High Spatial Resolution Tomo-PIV of the Trachea Focussing on the Physiological Breathing Cycle}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, publisher = {Springer}, abstract = {Investigations of complex patient-specific flow in the nasopharynx requires high resolution numerical calculations validated by reliable experiments. When building the validation base and the benchmark of computational fluid dynamics, an experimental setup of the nasal airways was developed. The applied optical measurement technique of tomo-PIV supplies information on the governing flow field in three dimensions. This paper presents tomo-PIV measurements of the highly complex patient-specific geometry of the human trachea. A computertomographic scan of a person's head builds the basis of the experimental silicone model of the nasal airways. An optimised approach for precise refractive index matching avoids optical distortions even in highly complex non-free-of-sight 3D geometries. A linear-motor-driven pump generates breathing scenarios, based on measured breathing cycles. Adjusting of the CCD cameras' double-frame-rate PIV-Δt enables the detailed analysis of flow structures during different cycle phases. Merging regions of interest enables high spatial resolution acquisition of the flow field.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TomerHagelMottoketal., author = {Tomer, Amir and Hagel, Georg and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen and Alt, Dorit and Barak, Miriam I. and Hadar, Irit}, title = {CAPELLA: A conceptual framework for adaptive life-long learning}, series = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 25-28 April 2017, Athens, Greece}, booktitle = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 25-28 April 2017, Athens, Greece}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON.2017.7943041}, pages = {1463 -- 1472}, abstract = {In this paper we describe a proposed framework for Cooperative Adaptive Personalized Education for Life-long Learning and Activation (CAPELLA). CAPELLA comprises four models: A Knowledge Organization Model, a Learning Process Model, a Community Collaboration Model and a Gaming Model. The underlying pedagogical approach is based on the four pillars of learning: Learning to know, learning to do, learning to collaborate and learning to be. Based on these models and principles, CAPELLA provides a theoretical framework that may assist IT developers to develop state-of-the-art educational platforms and advanced learning applications. Using an example of a UML Diagramming Workshop we demonstrate how CAPELLA incorporates the principles of Adaptive Learning.}, language = {en} } @misc{TreutweinHippLoescheletal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and Hipp, Matthias and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Second cancer risk after radiation of localized prostate cancer with and without flattening filter}, series = {Radiotherapy and oncology}, volume = {123}, journal = {Radiotherapy and oncology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/S0167-8140(17)32050-9}, language = {en} } @article{TreutweinLoeschelHippetal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and Hipp, Matthias and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Secondary malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer after intensity-modulated radiotherapy with and without flattening filter}, series = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, volume = {21}, journal = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/acm2.13088}, pages = {197 -- 205}, abstract = {Men treated for localized prostate cancer by radiotherapy have often a remaining life span of 10 yr or more. Therefore, the risk for secondary malignancies should be taken into account. Plans for ten patients were evaluated which had been performed on an Oncentra (R) treatment planning system for a treatment with an Elekta Synergy (TM) linac with Agility (TM) head. The investigated techniques involved IMRT and VMTA with and without flattening filter. Different dose response models were applied for secondary carcinoma and sarcoma risk in the treated region and also in the periphery. As organs at risk we regarded for carcinoma risk urinary bladder, rectum, colon, esophagus, thyroid, and for sarcoma risk bone and soft tissue. The excess absolute risk (EAR) was found very similar in the treated region for both techniques (IMRT and VMAT) and also for both with and without flattening filter. The secondary sarcoma risk resulted about one magnitude smaller than the secondary carcinoma risk. The EAR to the peripheral organs was statistically significant reduced by application of the flattening filter free mode concerning the flattening filter as main source of scattered dose. Application of flattening filter free mode can thus support to reduce second malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{TreutweinStegerLoescheletal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and Steger, Felix and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {The influence of radiotherapy techniques on the plan quality and on the risk of secondary tumors in patients with pituitary adenoma}, series = {BMC cancer}, volume = {20}, journal = {BMC cancer}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-020-6535-y}, pages = {1 -- 13}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: This planning study compares different radiotherapy techniques for patients with pituitary adenoma, including flatness filter free mode (FFF), concerning plan quality and secondary malignancies for potentially young patients. The flatness filter has been described as main source of photon scatter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients with pituitary adenoma were included. An Elekta Synergy™ linac was used in the treatment planning system Oncentra® and for the measurements. 3D plans, IMRT, and VMAT plans and non-coplanar varieties were considered. The plan quality was evaluated regarding homogeneity, conformity, delivery time and dose to the organs at risk. The secondary malignancy risk was calculated from dose volume data and from measured dose to the periphery using different models for carcinoma and sarcoma risk. RESULTS: The homogeneity and conformity were nearly unchanged with and without flattening filter, neither was the delivery time found substantively different. VMAT plans were more homogenous, conformal and faster in delivery than IMRT plans. The secondary cancer risk was reduced with FFF both in the treated region and in the periphery. VMAT plans resulted in a higher secondary brain cancer risk than IMRT plans, but the risk for secondary peripheral cancer was reduced. Secondary sarcoma risk plays a minor role. No advantage was found for non-coplanar techniques. The FFF delivery times were not shortened due to additional monitor units needed and technical limitations. The risk for secondary brain cancer seems to depend on the irradiated volume. Secondary sarcoma risk is much smaller than carcinoma risk in accordance to the results of the atomic bomb survivors. The reduction of the peripheral dose and resulting secondary malignancy risk for FFF is statistically significant. However, it is negligible in comparison to the risk in the treated region. CONCLUSION: Treatments with FFF can reduce secondary malignancy risk while retaining similar quality as with flattening filter and should be preferred. VMAT plans show the best plan quality combined with lowest peripheral secondary malignancy risk, but highest level of second brain cancer risk. Taking this into account VMAT FFF seems the most advantageous technique for the treatment of pituitary adenomas with the given equipment.}, language = {en} } @article{TroesterEcksteinKenneletal., author = {Tr{\"o}ster, Mark and Eckstein, Simon and Kennel, Paula and Kopp, Verna and Benkiser, Alina and Bihlmeier, Felicitas and Daub, Urban and Maufroy, Christophe and Dendorfer, Sebastian and Fritzsche, Lars and Schneider, Urs and Bauernhasl, Thomas}, title = {Person-specific evaluation method for occupational exoskeletons - Biomechanical body heat map}, series = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {132}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104671}, pages = {30}, abstract = {Human-centred and ergonomic work design is one of the most important drivers for increasing the competitiveness of the European Union. As a flexible, person-specific occupational measure, exoskeletons promise great potential for effectively reducing individual ergonomic stress. Digital human models can provide important insights and offer great potential for systematising the effect and targeted use of exoskeletons, supporting their effective implementation in practice. In this article, digital human models are applied on two levels. Firstly, a realistic industrial logistics scenario in which boxes had to be relocated is designed with the help of a digital human model for workplace and process planning and secondly, a new biomechanical evaluation methodology to analyse intended and unintended effects on internal stress on the human body is demonstrated by applying musculoskeletal exoskeleton human models of four test subjects. Finally, the modelled biomechanical support tendencies of one exoskeleton are preliminary validated using EMG measurement data of the back muscles collected from the four male workers. The preliminary analysis of two back-support exoskeletons to demonstrate the new methodological approach confirms the expected, intended effects in the lower back and reveals unintended effects, such as e.g. changes in knee kinetics when applying a soft or hard-frame exoskeleton. Furthermore, the exemplary results to demonstrate the methodological approach expose notable differences between the test subjects, which underlines the relevance of person-specific evaluation and consideration of exoskeleton support. The preliminary validation shows a correlation between the modelled and the EMG-measured biomechanical exoskeleton support of the considered back muscles.}, language = {en} } @article{UhrhanSchwindtWitte, author = {Uhrhan, Katja and Schwindt, Esther and Witte, Hartmut}, title = {Fabrication and Dielectric Validation of an Arm Phantom for Electromyostimulation}, series = {Bioengineering}, volume = {11}, journal = {Bioengineering}, number = {7}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2306-5354}, doi = {10.3390/bioengineering11070724}, abstract = {Electromyostimulation (EMS) is an up-and-coming training method that demands further fundamental research regarding its safety and efficacy. To investigate the influence of different stimulation parameters, electrode positions and electrode sizes on the resulting voltage in the tissue, a tissue mimicking phantom is needed. Therefore, this study describes the fabrication of a hydrogel arm phantom for EMS applications with the tissue layers of skin, fat, blood and muscle. The phantom was dielectrically validated in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz. We also conducted electromyography (EMG) recordings during EMS on the phantom and compared them with the same measurements on a human arm. The phantom reproduces the dielectric properties of the tissues with deviations ranging from 0.8\% to more than 100\%. Although we found it difficult to find a compromise between mimicking the permittivity and electrical conductivity at the same time, the EMS-EMG measurements showed similar waveforms (1.9-9.5\% deviation) in the phantom and human. Our research contributes to the field of dielectric tissue phantoms, as it proposes a multilayer arm phantom for EMS applications. Consequently, the phantom can be used for initial EMS investigations, but future research should focus on further improving the dielectric properties.}, language = {en} } @article{VisscherWyssSinghetal., author = {Visscher, Rosa and Wyss, C. and Singh, Navrag B. and Taylor, William R. and Dendorfer, Sebastian and Rutz, E. and Brunner, Reinald}, title = {Influence of TAL-TATS surgery on energy production of Tricepts Surae - A musculoskeletal modeling evaluation}, series = {Gait \& Posture}, volume = {81}, journal = {Gait \& Posture}, number = {Suppl. 1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.08.090}, pages = {381 -- 382}, language = {en} } @article{VoellnerWeberWeberetal., author = {V{\"o}llner, Florian and Weber, Tim A. and Weber, Markus and Renkawitz, Tobias and Dendorfer, Sebastian and Grifka, Joachim and Craiovan, Benjamin}, title = {A simple method for determining ligament stiffness during total knee arthroplasty in vivo}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, publisher = {Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-41732-x}, pages = {1 -- 8}, abstract = {A key requirement in both native knee joints and total knee arthroplasty is a stable capsular ligament complex. However, knee stability is highly individual and ranges from clinically loose to tight. So far, hardly any in vivo data on the intrinsic mechanical of the knee are available. This study investigated if stiffness of the native ligament complex may be determined in vivo using a standard knee balancer. Measurements were obtained with a commercially available knee balancer, which was initially calibrated in vitro. 5 patients underwent reconstruction of the force-displacement curves of the ligament complex. Stiffness of the medial and lateral compartments were calculated to measure the stability of the capsular ligament complex. All force-displacement curves consisted of a non-linear section at the beginning and of a linear section from about 80 N onwards. The medial compartment showed values of 28.4 ± 1.2 N/mm for minimum stiffness and of 39.9 ± 1.1 N/mm for maximum stiffness; the respective values for the lateral compartment were 19.9 ± 0.9 N/mm and 46.6 ± 0.8 N/mm. A commercially available knee balancer may be calibrated for measuring stiffness of knee ligament complex in vivo, which may contribute to a better understanding of the intrinsic mechanical behaviour of knee joints.}, subject = {Biomechanische Analyse}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WeberDoenitzBrawanskietal., author = {Weber, Joachim and Doenitz, Christian and Brawanski, Alexander and Palm, Christoph}, title = {Data-Parallel MRI Brain Segmentation in Clinicial Use}, series = {Bildverarbeitung f{\"u}r die Medizin 2015; Algorithmen - Systeme - Anwendungen; Proceedings des Workshops vom 15. bis 17. M{\"a}rz 2015 in L{\"u}beck}, booktitle = {Bildverarbeitung f{\"u}r die Medizin 2015; Algorithmen - Systeme - Anwendungen; Proceedings des Workshops vom 15. bis 17. M{\"a}rz 2015 in L{\"u}beck}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-662-46224-9_67}, pages = {389 -- 394}, abstract = {Structural MRI brain analysis and segmentation is a crucial part in the daily routine in neurosurgery for intervention planning. Exemplarily, the free software FSL-FAST (FMRIB's Segmentation Library - FMRIB's Automated Segmentation Tool) in version 4 is used for segmentation of brain tissue types. To speed up the segmentation procedure by parallel execution, we transferred FSL-FAST to a General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) using Open Computing Language (OpenCL) [1]. The necessary steps for parallelization resulted in substantially different and less useful results. Therefore, the underlying methods were revised and adapted yielding computational overhead. Nevertheless, we achieved a speed-up factor of 3.59 from CPU to GPGPU execution, as well providing similar useful or even better results.}, subject = {Kernspintomografie}, language = {en} }