Fuzzy methods in tremor assessment, prediction, and rehabilitation.

Tremor is a disabling condition for a large segment of population, mainly elderly. To the present date, there are no adequate tools to diagnose and help rehabilitation of subjects with tremor, but recently there is a tremendous surge of interest in the research in the field. We report on the use of fuzzy methods in applications for rehabilitation, namely in tremor diagnosing and control. We synthesize our results regarding the characterization of the tremor by means of nonlinear dynamics techniques and fuzzy logic, and the prediction of tremor movements in view of rehabilitation purposes. Based on linear and nonlinear analysis of tremor, and using fuzzy aggregation, the fusing of tremor parameters in global functional disabling factors is proposed. Nonlinear dynamic parameters, namely correlation dimension and Lyapunov exponent is used in order to improve the assessment of tremor. The benefits of the fuzzy fused tremor parameters rely on more complete and accurate assessment of the functional impairment and on improved feedback for rehabilitation, based on the fused parameters of the tremor. Further steps in rehabilitation may require external muscular control. In turn, the control of tremor by electrical stimulation requires movement prediction. Several neural and neuro-fuzzy predictors are compared and a neuro-fuzzy predictor is presented, allowing us five-step ahead prediction, with an RMS error of the order of 10%. The benefits of the neuro-fuzzy predictor are good prediction capability, versatility, and apparently a high robustness to individual variations of the tremor. The reported research, which extended over several years and included development of sensors, equipment, and software, has been aimed to development of products. The results may also open new ways in tremor rehabilitation.

Report of research activities in fuzzy AI and medicine at USF CSE.

Several projects involving the use of fuzzy and neuro-fuzzy methods in medical applications, developed by members of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, are briefly reviewed. The successful applications are emphasized.

[The correlations between the electromyographic display and the aspects involved with masticatory muscle contraction and phosphorus-calcium metabolism]. / Corelatii între reflectari electromiografice si unele aspecte legate de contractia muschilor manducatori si metabolismul fosfo-calcic.

The neuromuscular activity at the level of the stomatognathic system has a specific complexity, due to the multiple systemic functions, realizing the statistical and dynamical mandibular positions and the integration of the stomatognathic system at the level of the human body. Knowing that the neuroendocrine system represents an important factor for the over-systemic coordination of the stomatognathic muscular activity, we want to establish the implication and the neuroendocrine correlation in the stomatognathic muscular dysfunctions determined by some endocrine diseases.

[Microcirculation study by video-monitored intravital microscopy]. / Studiul microcirculatiei prin microscopie intravitala monitorizata video.

As a result of a interdisciplinary team's work, the in vivo study of microcirculation by video monitoring systems, adapted to the optic microscopy, opens new perspectives for the fundamental as such for the clinical and pharmacological research. The multiple possibilities of image acquisition on video tapes, as well as on colour films, offers a variety of post processing of the images through dedicated computer based programs, in order to obtain a precise measurement of the changes occurring in the living tissues. Furthermore, this technical devices along with a proper directed health program, may be used as a modern diagnostic tool in populational screening.

Techniques for evidencing the respiratory patterns and their temporal shift.

To enhance the efficiency of de visu or automatic detection and analysis of of the respiratory patterns, new techniques are introduced to process the respiratory signals. These techniques include: the dynamical frequency analysis, spectral envelope detection, three-dimensional representation of the spectral envelopes, and the 'respirogram'.

Frequency analysis of the acoustical respiratory response.

The frequency-domain analysis of respiration is used to put in evidence the respiratory reflexes, mainly the acoustical respiratory reflex. Based on the envelope of the spectrum, numerical parameters of the respiration are introduced and applied to determine respiratory patterns. The use of respirograms is also suggested.