Single-trial estimation of quasi-static EMG-to-joint-mechanical-impedance relationship over a range of joint torques.

Joint mechanical impedance is commonly measured by applying dynamic perturbations about a joint at a fixed operating point/background torque, and quantifying torque change vs. angle change. Impedance characterization in functional tasks, therefore, requires multiple experimental trials over a range of operating points-a cumbersome, invasive, time-consuming and impractical task. As an alternative, studies have related EMG to impedance, after which EMG can estimate impedance without applying joint perturbations. But, the cumbersome calibration trials are still required. We describe a method of single contraction perturbations in which the background torque slowly ramps over the operating range, with EMG simultaneously acquired. Using one such "quasi-static" contraction for model training and another for testing, we show this method to be a reasonable surrogate for traditional second-order, linear impedance modeling. A simple, short-duration calibration results. We compared our single-trial ramp method to multiple constant background torque trials at 10, 20, 30, and 40% maximum effort (extension and flexion), finding only limited differences in traditional vs. EMG-based ramp impedance estimates (12-22%, most prominent at the two lower contraction levels). Such constant force and slowly-variable force contractions are relevant to many practical applications, including ergonomics assessment, prosthetic control and clinical biomechanics.

An optical relay approach to very low cost hybrid polymer-complementary metal-oxide semiconductor electrophoresis instrumentation.

Electrophoresis is an integral part of many molecular diagnostics protocols and an inexpensive implementation would greatly facilitate point-of-care (POC) applications. However, the high instrumentation cost presents a substantial barrier, much of it associated with fluorescence detection. The cost of such systems could be substantially reduced by placing the fluidic channel and photodiode directly above the detector in order to collect a larger portion of the fluorescent light. In future, this could be achieved through the integration and monolithic fabrication of photoresist microchannels on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor microelectronics (CMOS). However, the development of such a device is expensive due to high non-recurring engineering costs. To facilitate that development, we present a system that utilises an optical relay to integrate low-cost polymeric microfluidics with a CMOS chip that provides a photodiode, analog-digital conversion and a standard serial communication interface. This system embodies an intermediate level of microelectronic integration, and significantly decreases development costs. With a limit of detection of 1.3±0.4nM of fluorescently end-labeled deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), it is suitable for diagnostic applications.

A sit-ski design aimed at controlling centre of mass and inertia.

This article introduces a sit-ski developed for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in view of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic games. The design is predominantly based on controlling the mass distribution of the sit-ski, a critical factor in skiing performance and control. Both the antero-posterior location of the centre of mass and the sit-ski moment of inertia were addressed in our design. Our design provides means to adjust the antero-posterior centre of mass location of a sit-ski to compensate for masses that would tend to move the antero-posterior centre of mass location away from the midline of the binding area along the ski axis. The adjustment range provided is as large as 140 mm, thereby providing sufficient adaptability for most situations. The suspension mechanism selected is a four-bar linkage optimised to limit antero-posterior seat movement, due to suspension compression, to 7 mm maximum. This is about 5% of the maximum antero-posterior centre of mass control capacity (151 mm) of a human participant. Foot rest inclination was included in the design to modify the sit-ski inertia by as much as 11%. Together, these mass adjustment features were shown to drastically help athletes' skiing performance.

CMOS buried quad p-n junction photodetector for multi-wavelength analysis.

This paper presents a buried quad p-n junction (BQJ) photodetector fabricated with a HV (high-voltage) CMOS process. Multiple buried junction photodetectors are wavelength-sensitive devices developed for spectral analysis applications where a compact integrated solution is preferred over systems involving bulk optics or a spectrometer due to physical size limitations. The BQJ device presented here is designed for chip-based biochemical analyses using simultaneous fluorescence labeling of multiple analytes such as with advanced labs-on-chip or miniaturized photonics-based biosensors. Modeling and experimental measurements of the spectral response of the device are presented. A matrix-based method for estimating individual spectral components in a compound spectrum is described. The device and analysis method are validated via a test setup using individually modulated LEDs to simulate light from 4-component fluorescence emission.