scholarly journals Development of Low-cost Pressure Control Type Valves Using Buckled Tubes and Gate-mechanism

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Takumi KOBAYASHI ◽  
Tetsuya AKAGI ◽  
Shujiro DOHTA ◽  
Takashi SHINOHARA ◽  
So SHIMOOKA
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Pressure Control

scholarly journals Open source timed pressure control hardware and software for delivery of air mediated distensions in animal models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishna Patel ◽  
Jamie Hendren ◽  
Nathan Lee ◽  
Aaron D Mickle
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Graphical User Interface ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Solenoid Valve ◽  
Relative Ease ◽  
Bladder Distension ◽  
Data Acquisition Software ◽  
Number Of Cycles ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractStudying the visceral sensory component of peripheral nervous systems can be challenging due to limited options for consistent and controlled stimulation. One method for mechanical stimulation of hollow organs, including colon and bladder, are controlled distensions mediated by compressed air. For example, distension of the bladder can be used as an assay for bladder nociception. Bladder distension causes a corresponding increase in abdominal electromyography, which increases with distension pressure and is attenuated with analgesics. However, the hardware used to control these distensions are primarily all one-off custom builds, without clear directions how to build your own. This has made it difficult for these methods to be fully utilized and replicated as not everyone has access, knowledge and resources required to build this controller. Here we show an open-source Arduino based system for controlling a solenoid valve to deliver timed pressure distensions in the experimental model. This device can be controlled by one of two methods through direct TTL pulses from the experimenters data acquisition software (ex. CED Spike2) or by a graphical user interface, where the user can set the time before, during, and after distension as well as the number of cycles. This systems low cost and relative ease to build will allow more groups to utilize timed pressure distensions in their experiments.Specifications table

Posable Tensegrity-Constrained Inflatable Kinematic Graphical Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeline Wihardja ◽  
Kunj Patel ◽  
Laura Giner Munoz ◽  
Ellen Kim ◽  
Jonathan Luntz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinematic Analysis ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Graphical Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Novel Technology ◽  
Instantaneous Center

Abstract Inflatable devices have been used in various applications due to their low cost, light weight, simplicity, and ability to compactly stow yet deploy to large sizes with complex shape. Recently, soft robotics has added active shape change to inflatables’ otherwise static functionality. However, the required complex multi-chamber structures and active pressure control sacrifice many inherent advantages including simplicity and stowability. Many applications require only passive shape change (posability), where users manipulate a device manually, and the device simply holds its new posed shape. This paper explores a new approach using internal string-like tensile elements to provide posability while maintaining stowability and other inherent advantages of inflatables, leveraging concepts in the field of tensegrity mechanisms. Tensegrity constrained inflatables provide posable motion by allowing internal tensile strings to thread through loops as the shape is changed, where friction between the strings and loops retain the new pose. Graphical instantaneous center kinematic analysis techniques for traditional linkage systems are extended to include threaded tensegrity mechanisms, enabling analysis and design of complex posable tensegrity structures. A simple example prototype implementing bending with 1 DOF, demonstrates posable behavior, quantified in terms of the force required to change pose at different angles and pressures. The resulting bistable behavior is explained using the IC kinematic analysis. The kinematic techniques are also applied to the design of one degree of freedom functional building blocks which combine to create tensegrity configurations providing 2 DOF posability in two and three dimensions which are demonstrated through multiple hardware prototypes. The novel technology and design methods presented in this paper provide a foundation for the development of a class of new user-interactive inflatable devices with posable functionality and deploy and stow capability.

scholarly journals Portable flow board for storage of fruits and vegetables in mini-chambers with controlled atmosphere

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1105-1116
Author(s):  
Luis G. P. Carmelo ◽  
Aline A. Becaro ◽  
Marcos D. Ferreira ◽  
Adonai G. Calbo
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Controlled Atmosphere ◽  
Controlled Atmospheres ◽  
Gaseous Component ◽  
Gas Cylinder ◽  
Glass Tubes ◽  
Flexible Tubes

ABSTRACT A portable flow board system was developed in the present study with the aim to facilitate lab-scale experiments of controlled atmosphere (CA) with fruits and vegetables. This sturdy flow board combines ease fabrication, low cost and gas economy. Its functionality is provided by manifolds and gas mixers. Each gaseous component is supplied by a gas cylinder through a differential valve of adjusted pressure control, generally at 6 kPa, and forced through 13 standardized restrictors coupled to each manifold output. Controlled atmospheres are then formed with one, two or three gases in 13 gas mixers affixed to the flow board base, which are further conducted through flexible tubes to storage mini-chambers that can also be used to study metabolic consumption and production of gaseous components. The restrictors used in the flow gaseous components were manufactured from microhematocrit test-type capillary glass tubes following the hot forming method under continuous air flow. The portable flow board showed to be low cost and simple post-harvest equipment that allows preparing controlled atmospheres in open systems with stable composition and flow, in a manner similar to traditional flow boards with control of gas escape by barostats.

The design of low cost valve-and-pump compounded pressure control system for the hydro viscous clutch

Mechatronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 102310
Author(s):  
Guofang Gong ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Yongfeng Qin ◽  
Yakun Zhang ◽  
Chenchen Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Pressure Control System

scholarly journals A low-cost multi-patient pressure-controlled ventilation system with individualized parameter settings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alcendino Cândido Jardim-Neto ◽  
Carrie E. Perlman
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Mechanical Ventilators ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Controlled Ventilation ◽  
Pressure Controlled Ventilation ◽  
Multiple Patients ◽  
Pressure Controlled

AbstractIn a major health crisis, demand for mechanical ventilators may exceed supply. This scenario has led to the idea of connecting ventilation circuits in parallel to ventilate multiple patients simultaneously with the same machine. However, simple parallel connection may be harmful when the patients’ respiratory system mechanics differ. The aim of this work was to develop and test a low-cost, multi-patient, pressure-controlled ventilation system in which parameter settings could be individualized. Two types of circuits were built from polyvinyl chloride plumbing tubes and connectors, with ball valves and water columns used to control pressures. The circuits were connected to test lungs of differing compliances, ventilated in parallel at 20 cycles per minute and assessed for control error, variability and interdependency during peak inspiratory (20 to 35 cmH2O, in 5 cmH2O steps) and positive end-expiratory (5 to 20 to 5 cmH2O, in 5 cmH2O steps) pressure changes in one of the circuits. Results showed control errors lower than 1 cmH2O, a maximum standard deviation in pressure of 1.4 cmH2O and no dependency between the parallel circuits during the pressure maneuvers or a controlled disconnection/reconnection. This pressure-control system might be used to expand a commercial ventilator or, with constant gas inflow and an automated outlet valve, as a stand-alone ventilator with individually-controlled settings for multiple patients. In conclusion, the proposed solution is presented as a potentially reliable strategy for safely individualizing pressure-control parameters in a multi-patient ventilation system during a major health crisis.

Development of an Automatic Thermal, Electrical, and Mechanical Test Platform for Polymer-Derived Ceramics

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Li ◽  
He Shen ◽  
Jason Lin ◽  
Catherine Tang ◽  
Antony Ghobrial ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Test ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Thermomechanical Properties ◽  
Electromechanical Properties ◽  
Resistant Material ◽  
Corrosion Resistant ◽  
Polymer Derived Ceramics ◽  
Test Platform ◽  
Automated Platform

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDC), prepared through thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors, are piezo-resistive, high-temperature resistant, and corrosion resistant material. Due to their excellent thermomechanical and electromechanical (piezo-resistive) behavior with very large gauge factors, they have great potential in being used as sensing materials in harsh environment, and thus has received extensive attentions in recent years. A better understanding of their holistic thermomechanical and electromechanical properties is crucial to the improvement of both the material and corresponding sensor designs. However, there has been a lack of customized, low-cost, and automatic machine that allows researchers to study the complex properties of PDCs. In this paper, an automated platform is designed to study the electromechanical and thermomechanical properties of newly developed PDCs. Featured with automatic temperature control and pressure control capabilities, the platform is able to apply load smoothly from 0 N to 220 N, and add heat from 0 to 250°C.

scholarly journals Using Mobile Health to Enhance Outcomes of Noncommunicable Diseases Care in Rural Settings and Refugee Camps: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadi Saleh ◽  
Angie Farah ◽  
Hani Dimassi ◽  
Nour El Arnaout ◽  
Joanne Constantin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Poor Control

BACKGROUND Rural areas and refugee camps are characterized by poor access of patients to needed noncommunicable disease (NCD)–related health services, including diabetes and hypertension. Employing low-cost innovative eHealth interventions, such as mobile health (mHealth), may help improve NCDs prevention and control among disadvantaged populations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effect of employing low-cost mHealth tools on the accessibility to health services and improvement of health indicators of individuals with NCDs in rural areas and refugee camps in Lebanon. METHODS This is a randomized controlled trial study in which centers were allocated randomly into control and intervention sites. The effect of an employed mHealth intervention is assessed through selected quality indicators examined in both control and intervention groups. Sixteen primary health care centers (eight controls, eight interventions) located in rural areas and Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon were included in this study. Data on diabetic and hypertensive patients—1433 in the intervention group and 926 in the control group—was extracted from patient files in the pre and postintervention periods. The intervention entailed weekly short message service messages, including medical information, importance of compliance, and reminders of appointments or regular physician follow-up. Internationally established care indicators were utilized in this study. Descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics of participants, bivariate analysis, logistic and linear regression were conducted using SPSS (IBM Corp). RESULTS Bivariate analysis of quality indicators indicated that the intervention group had a significant increase in blood pressure control (P=.03), as well as a significant decrease in the mean systolic blood pressure (P=.02), mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P<.01), and in the proportion of HbA1c poor control (P=.02). Separate regression models controlling for age, gender, and setting showed a 28% increase in the odds of blood pressure control (P=.05) and a 38% decrease in the odds of HbA1c poor control (P=.04) among the intervention group in the posttest period. Females were at lower odds of HbA1c poor control (P=.01), and age was statistically associated with annual HbA1c testing (P<.01). Regression models for mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure, and mean HbA1c showed that a mean decrease in HbA1c of 0.87% (P<.01) pretest to posttest period was observed among the intervention group. Patients in rural areas belonging to the intervention group had a lower HbA1c score as compared with those in refugee camps (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS This study underlines the importance of employing integrative approaches of diseases prevention and control in which existing NCD programs in underserved communities (ie, rural and refugee camps settings) are coupled with innovative, low-cost approaches such as mHealth to provide an effective and amplified effect of traditional NCD-targeted care that can be reflected by improved NCD-related health indicators among the population. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03580330; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03580330 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70mhVEUwQ)

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