Artificial intelligence-assisted repair of peripheral nerve injury: a new research hotspot and associated challenges

Artificial intelligence can be indirectly applied to the repair of peripheral nerve injury.Specifically,it can be used to analyze and process data regarding peripheral nerve injury and repair,while study findings on peripheral nerve injury and repair can provide valuable data to enrich artificial intelligence algorithms.To investigate advances in the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis,rehabilitation,and scientific examination of peripheral nerve injury,we used CiteSpace and VOSviewer software to analyze the relevant literature included in the Web of Science from 1994–2023.We identified the following research hotspots in peripheral nerve injury and repair:(1)diagnosis,classification,and prognostic assessment of peripheral nerve injury using neuroimaging and artificial intelligence techniques,such as corneal confocal microscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy;(2)motion control and rehabilitation following peripheral nerve injury using artificial neural networks and machine learning algorithms,such as wearable devices and assisted wheelchair systems;(3)improving the accuracy and effectiveness of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation therapy using artificial intelligence techniques combined with deep learning,such as implantable peripheral nerve interfaces;(4)the application of artificial intelligence technology to brain-machine interfaces for disabled patients and those with reduced mobility,enabling them to control devices such as networked hand prostheses;(5)artificial intelligence robots that can replace doctors in certain procedures during surgery or rehabilitation,thereby reducing surgical risk and complications,and facilitating postoperative recovery.Although artificial intelligence has shown many benefits and potential applications in peripheral nerve injury and repair,there are some limitations to this technology,such as the consequences of missing or imbalanced data,low data accuracy and reproducibility,and ethical issues(e.g.,privacy,data security,research transparency).Future research should address the issue of data collection,as large-scale,high-quality clinical datasets are required to establish effective artificial intelligence models.Multimodal data processing is also necessary,along with interdisciplinary collaboration,medical-industrial integration,and multicenter,large-sample clinical studies.

Pilot biomechanical design of biomaterials for artificial nucleus prosthesis using 3D finite-element modeling

Pilot biomechanical design of biomaterials for artificial nucleus prosthesiswas carried out based on the 3D finite-element method. Two 3D models of lumbar intervertebral discrespectively with a real human nucleus and with the nucleus removed were developed and validatedusing published experimental and clinical data. Then the models with a stainless steel nucleusprosthesis implanted and with polymer nucleus prostheses of various properties implanted were usedfor the 3D finite-element biomechanical analysis. All the above simulation and analysis were carriedout for the L4/L5 disc under a human worst--daily compression load of 2000 N. The results show thatthe polymer materials with Young's modulus of elasticity E = 0.1-100 MPa and Poisson's ratio v=0.35-0.5 are suitable to produce artificial nucleus prosthesis in view of biomechanicalconsideration.

Causes and management of prosthesis dislocation after artificial hip replacement

Objective To explore the causes and management of prosthesis disocation after artificaial hip replacement (AHR).Methods Seventeen patients with prosthesis dislocation after AHR during January 2000 to July 2010 were studied

Recent Advances in Finite Element Applications in Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement

As a new choice for the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease, artificial lumbar disc replacement has been widely used in clinical surgery. The finite element is a very effective method to predict and simulate the surgery effect. The purpose of this paper is to review the applications of finite element in artificial lumbar disc replacement, such as design of artificial lumbar disc prosthesis, risk and effect evaluation of artificial lumbar disc replacement, and assessment of operation methods. Lastly, we discuss the future development of finite element method applied in this field, including personalized design of the prosthesis, postoperative behavior guide, and artificial lumbar disc replacement combined with fusion surgery. In conclusion, as an invaluable complement to biomechanical experiments and clinical studies, the finite element method makes important contributions to our understanding of biomechanics of intervertebral disc, and plays an important role in the field of artificial lumbar disc replacement.

Design of 3D-printed Cable Driven Humanoid Hand Based on Bidirectional Elastomeric Passive Transmission

Motion control of the human hand is the most complex part of the human body.It has always been a challenge for a good balance between the cost,weight,responding speed,grasping force,finger extension,and dexterity of prosthetic hand.To solve these issues,a 3D-printed cable driven humanoid hand based on bidirectional elastomeric passive transmission(BEPT)is designed in this paper.A semi-static model of BEPT is investigated based on energy conservation law to analyze the mechanical properties of BEPT and a dynamical simulation of finger grasping is conducted.For a good imitation of human hand and an excellent grasping performance,specific BEPT is selected according to human finger grasping experiments.The advantage of BEPT based humanoid hand is that a good balance between the price and performance of the humanoid hand is achieved.Experiments proved that the designed prosthetic hand’s single fingertip force can reach 33 N and the fastest fingertip grasping speed realized 0.6 s/180°.It also has a good force compliance effect with only 430g’s weight.It can not only grab fragile objects like raw eggs and paper cup,but also achieve strong grasping force to damage metal cans.This humanoid hand has considerable application prospects in artificial prosthesis,human-computer interaction,and robot operation.

Potential Application of Entangled Porous Titanium Alloy Metal Rubber in Artificial Lumbar Disc Prostheses

Entangled Porous Titanium Alloy Metal Rubber(EPTA-MR)was used as a nucleus pulposus material in the design of non-fusion intervertebral disc prosthesis for the first time.A novel artificial lumbar intervertebral disc prosthesis was designed by reconstructing the lumbar model with reverse engineering technology,and the biomechanical behavior of the prosthesis was simulated under varied working conditions.The nucleus pulposus size was determined by the actual size of human prosthesis.EPTA-MR samples with different densities were prepared by medical titanium alloy wire experimental studies were conducted on static stiffness,damping energy consumption,and fatigue life.The results indicated that the static stiffness of EPTA-MR could reach approximately 1500 N mm and its loss factor remained higher than 0.2,and the variation range was relatively small,with excellent vibration damping capacity and bearing capacity.Among them,the overall performance of EPTA-MR with a density of 2.5 g em 3 was closer to that of the physiologic intervertebral disc.A macro experiment of five million fatigue vibration tests combined with microstructure observation exhibited a wear rate of only 0.9396 g-MC with no noticeable change in the internal micro-morphology.Therefore,the EPTA-MR has a broad application prospect as the nucleus pulposus material of artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis.