This study aimed to produce a prototype system for non-contact vital sign monitoring of the elderly using microwave radar with the intention of reducing the burdens on monitored individuals and nursing caregivers. In ...This study aimed to produce a prototype system for non-contact vital sign monitoring of the elderly using microwave radar with the intention of reducing the burdens on monitored individuals and nursing caregivers. In addition, we tested the ability of the proposed prototype system to measure the respiratory and heart rates of the elderly in a nursing home and discussed the systems effectiveness and problems by examining results of real-time monitoring. The prototype system consisted of two 24-GHz microwave radar antennas and an analysis system. The antennas were positioned below a mattress to monitor motion on the body surface for measuring cardiac and respiratory rates from the dorsal side of the subjects (23.3 ± 1.2 years) who would be lying on the mattress. The heart rates determined by the prototype system correlated significantly with those measured by electrocardiography (r = 0.92). Similarly, the respiratory rates determined by the prototype correlated with those obtained from respiration curves (r = 0.94). Next, we investigated the effectiveness of the prototype system with 7 elderly patients (93.3 ± 10.56 years) at a nursing home. The proposed system appears to be a promising tool for monitoring the vital signs of the elderly in a way that alleviates the need to attach electrodes overnight to confirm patient safety.展开更多
The aim of this study was to measure the motion of the body surface induced by heartbeat by using a high-precision laser sensor in order to provide a reference for other research on medical remote sensing techniques t...The aim of this study was to measure the motion of the body surface induced by heartbeat by using a high-precision laser sensor in order to provide a reference for other research on medical remote sensing techniques that are unconstrained and non-contact. Body surface motions at some points on the chest and on the dorsal region were measured for eight men with a laser displacement sensor. For comparison, an electrocardiograph was also used to monitor the heartbeat. As a result, we confirmed cyclic motion of about 0.1 mm in amplitude everywhere on the body surface, not only from the front of the body but also from the back and the neck. In contrast, which part on the body was most suitable for measurement had to be taken into account because a difference in motion amplitudes was observed in different parts on the body. The amplitude of the motions also depended on the conditions of the body surface as well as underneath the skin. These results show the possibility of acquiring information about heartbeats from anywhere on the body by using an unconscious sensing technique, and the potential for the technique to monitor the condition of the body and personal physical characteristics.展开更多
In this paper,a support method for business planning and management using software is proposed in order to increase productivity in small and medium-sized industries.Our targets are job shop type production factories,...In this paper,a support method for business planning and management using software is proposed in order to increase productivity in small and medium-sized industries.Our targets are job shop type production factories,which manufacture products that meet specific demands from numerous customers.For these factories to be successful,speedy operational planning and effective management of operations progress for different models in variable quantities are essential.Moreover,effective production and operations management needs to be promoted.Thus,it is necessary to obtain a tool that enables the maximization of throughput using a bird’s-eye view of the entire shop floor and understanding it from the viewpoint of optimization.In our study,planning production and expediting follow-up are conducted using Gantt charts.The system is a simple analog tool that heuristically supports production management through worksite knowledge and experiences without conventional approaches.Furthermore,robotic process automation(RPA)was introduced to reduce the workload of workers.The effectiveness of this prototype system was confirmed by a review of different people in charge.展开更多
Many smaller manufacturers utilize production systems such as ＂individual production＂ and the ＂production of many models in small quantities.＂ In the processes for the ＂production of many models in small quantit...Many smaller manufacturers utilize production systems such as ＂individual production＂ and the ＂production of many models in small quantities.＂ In the processes for the ＂production of many models in small quantities＂ by multi-skilled workers, a manufacturer cannot make good use of the management method with standardized work tables used by large enterprises. Thus, it is necessary to develop ways to f＇md standardized work that is suitable for smaller enterprises. Therefore, we investigated two kinds of factories that utilized flexible manufacturing procedures for the ＂production of many models in small quantities,＂ and considered their work instructions, work contents, changeover methods, workers＇ abilities, etc. One of the compared processes was a case where there was defined standardized work, which was not observed. In the other, a QA （quality assurance） network was created to guarantee the quality. Based on the investigation results, we formulated improvement plans, had the supervisors review them, and clarified the characteristics of their problems. The results revealed areas where much attention was required to find standardized work for such processes. In addition, we made it possible to support the specification of difficult tasks and the renewal of standardized work by extending a standardized work table for the entry of workers＇ actions. This paper reports a method to define and make good use of standardized work tables and standardized work combination tables, i.e., a way to find and use standardized work based on the results of the previously mentioned factory investigation.展开更多
The authors previously developed a scaffold‐free tissue‐engineered construct(TEC)from mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Although the TEC exhibited even cell distribution and was successfully applied for cartilage repair ...The authors previously developed a scaffold‐free tissue‐engineered construct(TEC)from mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Although the TEC exhibited even cell distribution and was successfully applied for cartilage repair in animal models,it is unsuitable for relatively large‐scale cartilage defects due to its small size.To solve the problem,the authors recently developed a novel biomaterial,a centrifugally compressed cell‐collagen combined construct(C^(6))from a mixture of MSCs and atelocollagen,both of which are subjected to centrifugation.The results of the previous study indicated that C^(6) exhibited high cell viability(70%)and sufficient cell distribution similar to that of the TEC.In the present study,the morphology and gene expression of C^(6) were investigated.Histological ex-amination indicated that C6 is six times thicker(approximately 1 mm)than the TEC after a 7‐day culture.The C^(6) remained unchanged in scale with increased cell density after a 21‐day culture.Scanning electron microscopic observation indicated that C^(6) exhibited interconnected and porous microstructures,while the TEC had close‐knit microstruc-tures.Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the expression of sex‐determining region Y‐box 9 and runt‐related transcription factor 2 was significantly higher in C^(6) than that in TEC.展开更多
文摘This study aimed to produce a prototype system for non-contact vital sign monitoring of the elderly using microwave radar with the intention of reducing the burdens on monitored individuals and nursing caregivers. In addition, we tested the ability of the proposed prototype system to measure the respiratory and heart rates of the elderly in a nursing home and discussed the systems effectiveness and problems by examining results of real-time monitoring. The prototype system consisted of two 24-GHz microwave radar antennas and an analysis system. The antennas were positioned below a mattress to monitor motion on the body surface for measuring cardiac and respiratory rates from the dorsal side of the subjects (23.3 ± 1.2 years) who would be lying on the mattress. The heart rates determined by the prototype system correlated significantly with those measured by electrocardiography (r = 0.92). Similarly, the respiratory rates determined by the prototype correlated with those obtained from respiration curves (r = 0.94). Next, we investigated the effectiveness of the prototype system with 7 elderly patients (93.3 ± 10.56 years) at a nursing home. The proposed system appears to be a promising tool for monitoring the vital signs of the elderly in a way that alleviates the need to attach electrodes overnight to confirm patient safety.
文摘The aim of this study was to measure the motion of the body surface induced by heartbeat by using a high-precision laser sensor in order to provide a reference for other research on medical remote sensing techniques that are unconstrained and non-contact. Body surface motions at some points on the chest and on the dorsal region were measured for eight men with a laser displacement sensor. For comparison, an electrocardiograph was also used to monitor the heartbeat. As a result, we confirmed cyclic motion of about 0.1 mm in amplitude everywhere on the body surface, not only from the front of the body but also from the back and the neck. In contrast, which part on the body was most suitable for measurement had to be taken into account because a difference in motion amplitudes was observed in different parts on the body. The amplitude of the motions also depended on the conditions of the body surface as well as underneath the skin. These results show the possibility of acquiring information about heartbeats from anywhere on the body by using an unconscious sensing technique, and the potential for the technique to monitor the condition of the body and personal physical characteristics.
文摘In this paper,a support method for business planning and management using software is proposed in order to increase productivity in small and medium-sized industries.Our targets are job shop type production factories,which manufacture products that meet specific demands from numerous customers.For these factories to be successful,speedy operational planning and effective management of operations progress for different models in variable quantities are essential.Moreover,effective production and operations management needs to be promoted.Thus,it is necessary to obtain a tool that enables the maximization of throughput using a bird’s-eye view of the entire shop floor and understanding it from the viewpoint of optimization.In our study,planning production and expediting follow-up are conducted using Gantt charts.The system is a simple analog tool that heuristically supports production management through worksite knowledge and experiences without conventional approaches.Furthermore,robotic process automation(RPA)was introduced to reduce the workload of workers.The effectiveness of this prototype system was confirmed by a review of different people in charge.
文摘Many smaller manufacturers utilize production systems such as ＂individual production＂ and the ＂production of many models in small quantities.＂ In the processes for the ＂production of many models in small quantities＂ by multi-skilled workers, a manufacturer cannot make good use of the management method with standardized work tables used by large enterprises. Thus, it is necessary to develop ways to f＇md standardized work that is suitable for smaller enterprises. Therefore, we investigated two kinds of factories that utilized flexible manufacturing procedures for the ＂production of many models in small quantities,＂ and considered their work instructions, work contents, changeover methods, workers＇ abilities, etc. One of the compared processes was a case where there was defined standardized work, which was not observed. In the other, a QA （quality assurance） network was created to guarantee the quality. Based on the investigation results, we formulated improvement plans, had the supervisors review them, and clarified the characteristics of their problems. The results revealed areas where much attention was required to find standardized work for such processes. In addition, we made it possible to support the specification of difficult tasks and the renewal of standardized work by extending a standardized work table for the entry of workers＇ actions. This paper reports a method to define and make good use of standardized work tables and standardized work combination tables, i.e., a way to find and use standardized work based on the results of the previously mentioned factory investigation.
文摘The authors previously developed a scaffold‐free tissue‐engineered construct(TEC)from mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).Although the TEC exhibited even cell distribution and was successfully applied for cartilage repair in animal models,it is unsuitable for relatively large‐scale cartilage defects due to its small size.To solve the problem,the authors recently developed a novel biomaterial,a centrifugally compressed cell‐collagen combined construct(C^(6))from a mixture of MSCs and atelocollagen,both of which are subjected to centrifugation.The results of the previous study indicated that C^(6) exhibited high cell viability(70%)and sufficient cell distribution similar to that of the TEC.In the present study,the morphology and gene expression of C^(6) were investigated.Histological ex-amination indicated that C6 is six times thicker(approximately 1 mm)than the TEC after a 7‐day culture.The C^(6) remained unchanged in scale with increased cell density after a 21‐day culture.Scanning electron microscopic observation indicated that C^(6) exhibited interconnected and porous microstructures,while the TEC had close‐knit microstruc-tures.Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the expression of sex‐determining region Y‐box 9 and runt‐related transcription factor 2 was significantly higher in C^(6) than that in TEC.
