N. Shahid ¹, S. M. Omair ¹, M. W. Munir ¹, M. F. Shamim ², M. Z. Ul Haque ¹

Affiliations
1 Biomedical Engineering Department, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 College of Biomedical Engineering, Ziauddin University, Karachi, PK

Abstract

Objectives: This paper focuses on the evaluation of accuracy and reliability of previously designed oscillometric based Non Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) instrument by means of a comparative analysis with the standard cuff mercury sphygmomanometer based on auscultation. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Thirty healthy subjects between the ages of 18-23 were examined by successive application of both devices having identical cuffs and site of measurement. The analysis of means and bias values demonstrated that our designed oscillometric NIBP monitor under-read all blood pressure values compared to mercury manometer. Findings: The mean oscillometric NIBP readings (Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 119.65 ± 8.25, Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) 76.82 ± 6.12 and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) 91.1 ± 4.76) were significantly lower than its auscultatory counterpart (SBP 127.03 ± 8.7, DBP 81.4 ± 6.2 and MAP 96.6 ± 4.95). F-test showed that the devised prototype is precise and comparable to a reference mercury manometer. A p-value of <0.05 was recognized to be statistically considerable. Conclusively, the designed NIBP monitoring prototype exhibited a tendency to measure lower blood pressure values than the auscultatory sphygmomanometer; but both devices were well comparable. The difference found, was statistically significant but below the level of physiological significance. Application/Improvements: This oscillometric NIBP prototype may be used for training as well as learning objectives. Furthermore, this prototype can be improved by Arduino based microcontroller and kit in the future studies.

Keywords

Auscultatory Method, Brachial Artery, Non Invasive Blood Pressure, Oscillometric Method, Sphygmomanometer

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M. Z. Ul Haque ¹, Peng Du ², Leo K. Cheng ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Barrett Hodgson University, Karachi, PK
2 Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ

Abstract

Diabetic Foot Ulceration (DFU) is a type of Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) which usually arises in the unmyelinated smaller Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibers (IENF) of the foot. Skin biopsy is a diagnostic method to examine quantitatively IENF in the foot but examination is limited to the specific positions of the body. Computational models may provide an alternative approach to examine SFN. Formerly, an anatomical model of Normal IENF (NIENF), based on IENF Density (IENFD) at various locations in the human foot was presented. Therefore, in this study, a geometrically Interrupted IENF (IIENF) model is developed using reduced IENFD, to simulate SFN at miscellaneous locations of the human foot. This IIENF model was then compared with the NIENF model for the same location of the foot and observed reduced IENF network in this IIENF model as compared to NIENF model. Furthermore, approximately 98% of the realistic IENF terminals at the skin were generated using the modified Monte Carlo Algorithm (MCA) and the reduced empirical IENFD at the various locations of the foot. This IIENF model provides a starting platform for evaluating diabetic foot ulceration. The IIENF model may be used in future studies for functional consequences by stimulating the most distal sensory IENF of the skin of the foot.

Keywords

Diabetic Foot Ulceration, Computational Model, Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fiber, Monte Carlo Algorithm, Skin Biopsy, Small Fiber Neuropathy

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S. M. Omair ¹, M. F. Shamim ², A. Desai ¹, N. Shahid ¹, G. Munir ², M. Z. Ul Haque ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Barrett Hodgson University, Karachi, PK

Abstract

Obesity is a major concern of health risk universally, which consequently results in adverse impact on overall health. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a noninvasive method employed to measure the body fat using the individual’s weight and height. The aim of this study is to develop an automated BMI measuring device using load cells, ultrasonic sensor and PIC microcontroller. Moreover, statistical analysis to estimate the accuracy of the analog and the designed BMI instrument is presented. The height and weight data were collected from 18 to 75 years old random 100 subjects, 68 males and 32 females, using both analogue and designed digital prototype. The mean analog readings of weight, height and BMI of the studied population were 65.75±14.78 Kg, 1.65±0.1 m, and 23.93±4.34 Kg m^-2 respectively. The analog data readings are relatively in agreement with their counterpart digital mean value of weight (62.14±12.92 Kg), height (1.58±0.093 m), and BMI (25±4.65 Kg m^-2). The correlation coefficient of the designed BMI instrument and the analog readings has shown the accuracy of 97.9 % (weight), 95.1 % (height) and 97 % (BMI). In the future, the developed prototype may be employed to enhance the practical knowledge and skills for students and trainers in education and vocational institutions.

Keywords

Body Mass Index, Load Cell, Obesity, Statistical Analysis, Ultrasonic Sensor

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