Patient-Specific QA of Spot-Scanning Proton Beams Using Radiochromic Film

Radiochromic film for spot-scanning QA provides high spatial resolution and efficiency gains from one-shot irradiation for multiple depths. However, calibration can be a tedious procedure which may limit widespread use. Moreover, since there may be an energy dependence, which manifests as a depth dependence, this may require additional measurements for each patient. We present a one-scan protocol to simplify the procedure. A calibration using an EBT3 film, exposed by a 6-level step-wedge plan on a Proteus®PLUS proton system (IBA, Belgium), was performed at depths of 18, 20, 24 cm using Plastic Water®(CIRS, Norfolk, VA). The calibration doses ranged from 65 - 250 cGy (RBE) (relative biological effectiveness) for proton energies of 170 - 200 MeV. A clinical prostate + nodes plan was used for validation. The planar doses at selected depths were measured with EBT3 films and analyzed using one-scan protocol (one-scan digitization of QA film and at least one film exposed to a known dose). The gamma passing rates, dose-difference maps, and profiles of 2D planar doses measured with EBT3 film and IBA MatriXX-PT, versus the RayStation TPS calculations were analyzed and compared. The EBT3 film measurement results matched well with the TPS calculation data with an average passing rate of ~95% for 2%/2 mm and slightly lower passing rates were obtained from an ion chamber array detector. We were able to demonstrate that the use of a proton step-wedge provided clinically acceptable results and minimized variations between film-scanner orientation, inter-scan, and scanning conditions. Furthermore, for relative dosimetry (calibration is not done at the time of experiment), it could be derived from no more than two films exposed to known doses (one could be zero) for rescaling the master calibration curve at each depth. The sensitivity of the calibration to depth variations has been explored. One-scan protocol results appear to be comparable to that of the ion chamber array detector. The use of a proton step-wedge for calibration of EBT3 film potentially increases efficiency in patient-specific QA of proton beams.

Patient-specific bicuspid aortic valve hemodynamics study based on computer simulation and in vitro experiment

Bicuspid aortic valve(BAV)is a common congenital malformation of the aortic valve with various structural characteristics.Different types of BAV can cause secondary aortic diseases,including calcific aortic valve stenosis and aortic dilation,although their pathogenesis remains unclear.In this study,we first established patient-specific BAV simulation models and silicone models(Type 0 A-P,Type 1 R-N,and Type 1 L-R)based on clinical computed tomography angiography(CTA)and pressure data.Next,we applied a research method combining fluid-structure interaction(FSI)simulation and digital particle image velocimetry(DPIV)experiment to quantitatively analyze the hemodynamic,structural mechanical,and flow field characteristics of patients with different BAV types.Simulation-based hemodynamic parameters and experimental results were consistent with clinical data,affirming the accuracy of the model.The location of the maximum principal strain in the patientspecific model was associated with the calcification site,which characterized the mechanism of secondary aortic valve stenosis.The maximum wall shear stress(WSS)of the patient-specific model(>67.1 Pa)exceeded 37.9 Pa and could cause endothelial surface injury as well as remodeling under long-term exposure,thus increasing the risk of aortic dilation.The distribution of WSS was mainly caused by BAV type,resulting in different degrees of dilation in different parts guided by the type.The patient-specific model revealed a maximum viscous shear stress(VSS)value of 5.23 Pa,which was smaller than the threshold for shear-induced hemolysis of red blood cells(150 Pa)and platelet activation(10 Pa),but close to the threshold for platelet sensitization(6 Pa).The results of flow field characteristics revealed a low risk of hemolysis but a relative high risk of thrombus formation in the patient-specific model.This study not only provides a basis for future comprehensive research on BAV diseases,but also generates relevant insights for theoretical guidance for calcific aortic valve stenosis and aortic dilation caused by different types of BAV,as well as biomechanical evidence for the potential risk of hemolysis and thrombus formation in BAV,which is of great value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of BAV.

ArcCHECK Machine QA工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果

目的探讨ArcCHECK Machine QA工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果。方法利用ArcCHECK Machine QA工具和ArcCHECK体模对医用直线加速器进行性能测试,项目包括机架角度、机架旋转速度、机架旋转中心、多叶准直器和铅门位置的一致性、机架旋转出束时的平坦度和对称性,评估该工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果。结果旋转模式下机架平均旋转速度为3.6 deg/s,最大偏差约0.5 deg/s;机架旋转等中心形成的平均半径为0.4 mm,多叶准直器与铅门的最大距离正、负差异平均值分别为0.7 mm、-0.7 mm;旋转出束模式下Y方向的平坦度为1.8%,Y方向的对称性为1.1%,X方向的对称性为4.3%。结论ArcCHECK Machine QA工具可用于医用直线加速器常规及容积调强出束性能质量保证。

Implementation of Level-3 Autonomous Patient-Specific Quality Assurance with Automated Human Interactive Devices

Purpose: Patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) requires manual operation of different workstations, which is time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, developing automated solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy is a priority. The purpose of this study was to develop a general software interface with scripting on a human interactive device (HID) for improving the efficiency and accuracy of manual quality assurance (QA) procedures. Methods: As an initial application, we aimed to automate our PSQA workflow that involves Varian Eclipse treatment planning system, Elekta MOSAIQ oncology information system and PTW Verisoft application. A general platform, the AutoFrame interface with two imbedded subsystems—the AutoFlow and the PyFlow, was developed with a scripting language for automating human operations of aforementioned systems. The interface included three functional modules: GUI module, UDF script interpreter and TCP/IP communication module. All workstations in the PSQA process were connected, and most manual operations were automated by AutoFrame sequentially or in parallel. Results: More than 20 PSQA tasks were performed both manually and using the developed AutoFrame interface. On average, 175 (±12) manual operations of the PSQA procedure were eliminated and performed by the automated process. The time to complete a PSQA task was 8.23 (±0.78) minutes for the automated workflow, in comparison to 13.91 (±3.01) minutes needed for manual operations. Conclusion: We have developed the AutoFrame interface framework that successfully automated our PSQA procedure, and significantly reduced the time, human (control/clicking/typing) errors, and operators’ stress. Future work will focus on improving the system’s flexibility and stability and extending its operations to other QA procedures.

PBS质子治疗系统快速日检QA方案的应用研究

目的:通过分析IBA Sphinx Compact设备在迈胜紧凑型笔形束扫描质子治疗系统上的日检QA测量结果,评价该方案在质子治疗中的临床应用价值。方法:采用Sphinx Compact设备对迈胜S250i质子治疗系统进行连续30 d的日检QA测量,分析测量结果。结果:30 d内摆位激光灯与影像中心平均偏差为(0.42±0.27)mm;高能和低能笔形束的近端及远端深度误差均在0.50 mm以内;测量的所有光斑位置偏差不超过1.00 mm,尺寸偏差不超过7.5%;影像中心与射束中心偏差不超过0.75 mm;矩形射野平坦度相对偏差在0.5%左右;方野输出剂量偏差在1.0%以内。结论:Sphinx Compact设备能准确并快速测量AAPM TG-224号报告推荐的质子系统日检QA项目,提供实用且高效的解决方案,具有很好的临床实用价值。

五没食子酰葡萄糖靶向补体分子C1qa修复糖尿病小鼠主动脉内皮损伤的机制研究

糖尿病常伴随血管内皮损伤,显著加速血管病理进程,但其分子机制尚未阐明。已有报道证实,特殊的补体分子在血管损伤中扮演重要角色。该实验室既往研究发现,补体分子C1qa(Component 1,q Subcomponent,A chain)在糖尿病小鼠主动脉内皮层高表达,并且表达量随着心血管疾病的发展而增多。因此,该研究利用链脲佐菌素(streptozocin,STZ)诱导糖尿病小鼠模型,并研究了C1qa分子的食源性抑制剂,即五没食子酰葡萄糖(1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose,PGG)对糖尿病血管内皮的修复作用。结果表明,外源C1qa刺激会显著增加血管内皮的活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平,同时降低主动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能。相似地,糖尿病模型中,血管内皮C1qa的高含量伴随着ROS的过量合成,主动脉血管段的内皮依赖性舒张显著降低。而PGG灌胃3周后,糖尿病小鼠血糖下降至15.36 mmol/L,主动脉内皮C1qa表达量显著降低,ROS生成量减少了52.41%,血管内皮舒张率由47.06%升到68.41%。同时,NADPH氧化酶(NOX_(2)/NOX_(4))通路表达下调,提示ROS生成的关键通路被抑制,血管内皮氧化应激损伤显著减轻。因此,活性分子PGG靶向抑制C1qa,有利于修复糖尿病小鼠主动脉内皮损伤。

奇安信面向全行业发售新版QAX-GPT安全机器人

3月20日,奇安信集团宣布,新版QAX-GPT安全机器人面向全行业正式发售。据了解,经过持续打磨和优化迭代,新版安全机器人不仅对智能研判和智能问答进行了升级,还新增了智能调查、智能任务、智能报告和智能驾驶舱四项功能。相对于前一版,新版安全机器人有三大亮点。

QA在药企质量管理中的重要作用

质量管理是药企生产经营中需要重点关注的问题。在新时期药企不断发展的背景下,本文探讨了质量保证(QA)在药企质量管理中的重要性和作用。生产环节中,QA通过严格控制原料和产品质量安全,保障原材料来源的科学性和规范性;管理过程中,QA贯穿于药品生产整个过程,包括生产前的检查、过程监控和销售后的质量调查;企业发展方面,QA帮助药企提升市场竞争力,保障药品质量,保障用药安全。QA加强质量管理的措施,包括完善QA系统功能,优化偏差处理、变更控制和产品质量回顾等模块,构建专业化QA人员队伍。

QA-KGNet:一种语言模型驱动的知识图谱问答模型

基于知识图谱的问答系统可以解析用户问题,已成为一种检索知识、自动回答所询问题的有效途径.知识图谱问答系统通常是利用神经程序归纳模型,将自然语言问题转化为逻辑形式,在知识图谱上执行该逻辑形式能够得到答案.然而,使用预训练语言模型和知识图谱的知识问答系统包含两个挑战:(1)给定问答(questionanswering, QA)上下文,需要从大型知识图谱(knowledge graph, KG)中识别相关知识;(2)对QA上下文和KG进行联合推理.基于此,提出一种语言模型驱动的知识图谱问答推理模型QA-KGNet,将QA上下文和KG连接起来形成一个工作图,使用语言模型计算给定QA上下文节点与KG节点的关联度,并使用多头图注意力网络更新节点表示.在Commonsense QA、OpenBookQA和Med QA-USMLE真实数据集上进行实验来评估QA-KGNet的性能,实验结果表明:QA-KGNet优于现有的基准模型,表现出优越的结构化推理能力.

Indirect printing of hierarchical patient-specific scaffolds for meniscus tissue engineering

The complex meniscus tissue plays a critical role in the knee. The high susceptibility to injury has led to an intense pursuit for better tissue engineering regenerative strategies, where scaffolds play a major role. In this study, indirect printed hierarchical multilayered sca ffolds composed by a silk fibroin (SF) upper layer and an 80/20 (w/w) ratio of SF/ionic-doped β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) bottom layer were developed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between two types of sca ffolds pro- duced using di fferent SF concentrations, i.e., 8% (w/v) (Hi8) and 16% (w/v) (Hi16) was performed. In terms of architecture and morphology, the produced sca ffolds presented homogeneous porosity in both layers and no di fferences were observed when comparing both sca ffolds. A decrease in terms of mechanical performance of the sca ffolds was observed when SF concentration decreased from 16 to 8% (w/v). Hi16 revealed a static compressive modulus of 0.66 ± 0.05 MPa and dynamical mechanical properties ranging from 2.17 ± 0.25 to 3.19 ± 0.38 MPa. By its turn, Hi8 presented a compressive modulus of 0.27 ± 0.08 MPa and dynamical mechanical properties ranging from 1.03 ± 0.08 MPa to 1.56 ± 0.13 MPa. In vitro bioactivity studies showed formation of apatite crystals onto the surface of Hi8 and Hi16 bottom layers. Human meniscus cells (hMCs) and human primary osteoblasts were cultured separately onto the top layer (SF8 and SF16) and bottom layer (SF8/TCP and SF16/TCP) of the hierarchical sca ffolds Hi8 and Hi16, respectively. Both cell types showed good adhesion and proliferation as denoted by the live/dead staining, Alamar Blue assay and DNA quanti fication analysis. Subcutaneous implantation in mice revealed weak in flammation and sca ffold’s integrity. The hierarchical indirect printed SF sca ffolds can be promising candidate for meniscus TE sca ffolding applications due their suitable mechanical properties, good biological performance and possibility of being applied in a patient-speci fic approach.

Computerised tomography vs magnetic resonance imaging for modeling of patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty

AIM: To summarise and compare currently available evidence regarding accuracy of pre-operative imaging, which is one of the key choices for surgeons contemplating patient-specific instrumentation(PSI) surgery.METHODS: The MEDLINE and EMBASE medical literature databases were searched, from January 1990 to December 2013, to identify relevant studies. The data from several clinical studies was assimilated to allow appreciation and comparison of the accuracy of each modality. The overall accuracy of each modality was calculated as proportion of outliers > 3% in the coronal plane of both computerised tomography(CT) or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). RESULTS: Seven clinical studies matched our inclusion criteria for comparison and were included in our study for statistical analysis. Three of these reported series using MRI and four with CT. Overall percentage of outliers > 3% in patients with CT-based PSI systems was 12.5% vs 16.9% for MRI-based systems. These results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although many studies have been undertaken to determine the ideal pre-operative imaging modality, conclusions remain speculative in the absence of long term data. Ultimately, information regarding accuracy of CT and MRI will be the main determining factor. Increased accuracy of pre-operative imaging could result in longer-term savings, and reduced accumulated dose of radiation by eliminating the need for post-operative imaging and revision surgery.

Real-Time Patient-Specific ECG Arrhythmia Detection by Quantum Genetic Algorithm of Least Squares Twin SVM

The automatic detection of cardiac arrhythmias through remote monitoring is still a challenging task since electrocardiograms(ECGs)are easily contaminated by physiological artifacts and external noises,and these morphological characteristics show significant variations for different patients.A fast patient-specific arrhythmia diagnosis classifier scheme is proposed,in which a wavelet adaptive threshold denoising is combined with quantum genetic algorithm(QAG)based on least squares twin support vector machine(LSTSVM).The wavelet adaptive threshold denoising is employed for noise reduction,and then morphological features combined with the timing interval features are extracted to evaluate the classifier.For each patient,an individual and fast classifier will be trained by common and patient-specific training data.Following the recommendations of the Association for the Advancements of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI),experimental results over the MIT-BIH arrhythmia benchmark database demonstrated that our proposed method achieved the average detection accuracy of 98.22%,99.65%and 99.41%for the abnormal,ventricular ectopic beats(VEBs)and supra-VEBs(SVEBs),respectively.Besides the detection accuracy,sensitivity and specificity,our proposed method consumes the less CPU running time compared with the other representative state of the art methods.It can be ported to Android based embedded system,henceforth suitable for a wearable device.

A Systematic Approach for Making 3D-Printed Patient-Specific Implants for Craniomaxillofacial Reconstruction

Craniomaxillofacial reconstruction implants,which are extensively used in head and neck surgery,are conventionally made in standardized forms.During surgery,the implant must be bended manually to match the anatomy of the individual bones.The bending process is time-consuming,especially for inexperienced surgeons.Moreover,repetitive bending may induce undesirable internal stress concentration,resulting in fatigue under masticatory loading in v iv o and causing various complications such as implant fracture,screw loosening,and bone resorption.There have been reports on the use of patient-specific 3D-printed implants for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction,although few reports have considered implant quality.In this paper,we present a systematic approach for making 3D-printed patientspecific surgical implants for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction.The approach consists of three parts:First,an easy-to-use design module is developed using Solidworks®software,which helps surgeons to design the implants and the axillary fixtures for surgery.Design engineers can then carry out the detailed design and use finite-element modeling(FEM)to optimize the design.Second,the fabrication process is carried out in three steps:0 testing the quality of the powder;(2)setting up the appropriate process parameters and running the 3D printing process;and (3)conducting post-processing treatments(i.e.,heat and surface treatments)to ensure the quality and performance of the implant.Third,the operation begins after the final checking of the implant and sterilization.After the surgery,postoperative rehabilitation follow-up can be carried out using our patient tracking software.Following this systematic approach,we have successfully conducted a total of 41 surgical cases.3D-printed patient-specific implants have a number of advantages;in particular,their use reduces surgery time and shortens patient recovery time.Moreover,the presented approach helps to ensure implant quality.

Investigation of Error Detection Capabilities of Various Patient-Specific Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Quality Assurance Devices

The capability of error detection of patient-specific QA tools plays an important role in verifying MLC motion accuracy. The goal of this study was to investigate the capability in error detection of portal dosimetry, MapCHECK2 and MatriXX QA tools in IMRT plans. The 9 fields IMRT for 4 head and neck plans and 7 fields IMRT for 4 prostate plans were selected for the error detection of QA devices. The measurements were undertaken for the original plan and the modified plans, where the known errors were introduced for increasing and decreasing of prescribed dose (±2%, ±4% and ±6%) and position shifted in X-axis and Y-axis (±1, ±2, ±3 and ±5 mm). After measurement, the results were compared between calculated and measured values using gamma analysis at 3%/3 mm criteria. The average gamma pass for no errors introduced in head and neck plans was 96.9%, 98.6%, and 98.8%, while prostate plans presented 99.4%, 99.0%, and 99.7%, for portal dosimetry, MapCHECK2 and MatriXX system, respectively. In head and neck plan, the shifted error detections were 1 mm for portal dosimetry, 2 mm for MapCHECK2, and 3 mm for MatriXX system. In prostate plan, the shifted error detections were 2 mm for portal dosimetry, 3 mm for MapCHECK2, and 5 mm for MatriXX system. For the dose error detection, the portal dosimetry system could detect at 2% dose deviation in head and neck and 4% in prostate plans, while other two devices could detect at 4% dose deviation in both head and neck and prostate plans. Portal dosimetry shows slightly more capability to detect the error compared with MapCHECK2 and MatriXX system, especially in the complicated plan. It may be due to higher resolution of the detector;however, all three-detector types can detect various errors and can be used for patient-specific IMRT QA.

Influence of Clip Locations on Intraaneurysmal Flow Dynamics in Patient-specific Anterior Communicating Aneurysm Models with Different Aneurysmal Angle

To improve aneurysm treatment,this study examined the influence of clip locations on hemodynamic factors in patient-specific anterior communicating artery(ACoA)aneurysms with different aneurysmal angle.We proposed a simplified classification of ACoA aneurysms using aneurysmal angle,defined by the angle of pivot of the aneurysmal dome and the virtual two-dimensional plane created by both proximal A2 segments of anterior cerebral artery(ACA).ACoA aneurysms with three different aneurysmal angles,which are 15°,80°and 120°,were analyzed in our study.In this work,we obtained hemodynamics before and after clipping surgery with three clip locations based on clinical clipping strategies in three ACoA aneurysms with different aneurysm angles.Results showed that local high pressure occurs at impingement region of the ACoA aneurysm before clipping and new impingement region close to the clipping location after clipping treatment.For clipping the aneurysm with aneurysmal angle 15°and a wide neck,wall shear stress(WSS)distribution is more uniform when the clipping angle of two clips close to 180°comparing with other two angles.In addition,for clipping the aneurysm with aneurysmal angle 80°and 120°,local high pressure appears on new impingement region and high WSS distributes around the clipping location when the clip plane is normal to the direction of inflow of aneurysm from the dominance of A1 segment of ACA.Hence,we should avoid the impingement of inflow from the A1 segment and choose a favorable clipping location for the fastness of clip.The results of our study could preoperatively give a useful information to the decision of surgical plan.

Patient-specific instrumentation in total ankle arthroplasty

The recent increase in the adoption of total ankle arthroplasty(TAA)reflects the improvements in implant designs and surgical techniques,including the use of preoperative navigation system and patient-specific instrumentation(PSI),such as custom-made cutting guides.Cutting guides are customized with respect to each patient's anatomy based on preoperative ankle computed tomography scans,and they drive the saw intra-operatively to improve the accuracy of bone resection and implant positioning.Despite some promising results,the main queries in the literature are whether PSI improves the reliability of achieving neutral ankle alignment and more accurate implant sizing,whether it is actually superior over standard techniques,and whether it is cost effective.Moreover,the advantages of PSI in clinical outcomes are still theoretical because the current literature does not allow to confirm its superiority.The purpose of this review article is therefore to assess the current literature on PSI in TAA with regard to current implants with PSI,templating and preoperative planning strategies,alignment and sizing,clinical outcomes,cost analysis,and comparison with standard techniques.

MRI-Based Patient-Specific Left Ventricular Model to Determine the Effects of Trabeculae Carneae on the Diastolic and Systolic Functions

Introduction Trabeculae carneae are irregular structures that cover the endocardial surfaces of both ventricles of human heart and account for a significant portion of the ventricular mass.However,the role of trabeculae carneae in left ventricular(LV)function is not well understood.Previous reports suggested that trabeculae help squeeze blood from the apical region during systole[1].Our recent study suggests that trabeculae carneae hypertrophy and fibrosis contribute to increased LV stiffness in patients with diastolic heart failure,and severing free-running trabeculae carneae may improve diastolic compliance of the LV[2].Objective To understand the role of trabeculae carneae in the left ventricular diastolic and systolic functions using anatomically detailed patient-specific finite element models of the human LV.Methods(1)Image acquisition An explanted human heart was collected from a 63 year old female donor with a history of stroke and congestive heart failure within 24 hours postmortem from South Texas Blood and Tissue Center(San Antonio,TX).The heart was de-identified in accordance with Institutional Review Board(IRB)requirements and informed consent for research was obtained from the donor’s family.Three-dimensional MRI scanning was conducted on a 3T(128 MHz)MRI system(TIM Trio,Siemens Medical Solutions),comprised of a superconducting magnet with a 60 cm diameter accessible bore,when the heart was submerged in a saline filled plastic container.(2)Finite element analysis Three distinct LV models were derived from the MR images.The first model was the intact trabeculated model(TM)which contained all trabeculae carneae and papillary muscles.This high-resolution anatomically detailed 3D model of the LV was segmented from 2D MR images in DICOM format using Mimics(Materialise NV,Leuven,Belgium).The second model was the papillary model(PM),in which the papillary muscles remain intact but most of the trabeculae carneae were excluded in the smoothing process.The third model was the smooth model(SM)in which the trabeculae carneae and papillary muscles were excluded during image segmentation.Finite element(FE)models of the TM,PM and SM were created by meshing 3D reconstructions of the acquired MR images using tetrahedral elements(ICEM,Ansys Inc.,Canonsburg,PA).The mesh size was selected after a pilot study on mesh sensitivity.The passive cardiac muscle was characterized as a hyperelastic,incompressible,transversely isotropic material with a Fung exponential strain energy function.The material constants were determined by matching the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship with the empirical Klotz relation[3].A rule-based myocardial fiber algorithm was adopted to generate the myofiber directions [4].The active contraction(i.e.,systolic contraction)was modeled by the time varying'Elastance'active contraction model.The contractile parameter Tmax was determined and calibrated so that the FE predicted ejection fraction(EF)of TM matched the EF of a normal human heart at the specified end-systolic pressure[3].The analysis of the TM,PM,and SM models were implemented using the open-source finite element package FEBio(www.febio.org).In all models,the rigid body motion was suppressed by constraining the base from moving in all directions.The end-diastolic and end-systolic pressure-volume relationships(EDPVR and ESPVR)were obtained and characterized by an exponential function and the slope,respectively.Results Our simulation results showed that independent of the material model,the EDPVR curve shifts to the right in PM and SM compared to TM.However,the ESPVR curve may shift to the right or left in PM compared to TM,while shifting tothe right in SM for all material models.EDPVR was steeper in TM compared to PM and SM;however,ESPVR was found to be steeper in PM than in TM and SM.The predicted parameters of EDPVR and ESPVR showed lower average exponential term in PM and SM compared to TM,indicating a significant improvement in the compliance and global diastolic function of less trabeculated LV models(P<0.01).Similarly,the higher average elastance EEs and lower volume intersect in PM compared to TM,suggests that mild cutting of trabeculae carneae slightly improves the global systolic function of the LV(P=0.89).However,cutting all trabeculae carneae and papillary muscles in SM had a significant adverse effect on the global systolic function(P<0.01).Discussion and conclusions Most patient-specific LV studies in the literature have used smoothed ventricular geometries.We used high resolution MRI to capture the endocardial details of the LV.Though reproducing very fine trabeculae carneae was restricted by the MRI resolution,our results demonstrated the importance of considering endocardial structures,i.e.papillary muscles and trabeculae carneae,in the assessment of LV global function in patient-specific computational LV models.The present work is consistent with the observation that diastolic performance improved after severing trabeculae carneae due to a reduction in LV stiffness[2].Furthermore,our results also suggest that severing trabeculae carneae(without affecting papillary muscle)may improve LV systolic function.Our model results are consistent with experimental measurements using ex vivo rabbit heart perfusion [5].This improvement would be greater in hypertrophic hearts because trabeculae carneae are also hypertrophic and more fibrotic.Left ventricular hypertrophy is often associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).There is no effective treatment for HFpEF,which is characterized by impaired diastolic relaxation due to increased LV stiffness.Our results indicate that trabecular cutting could be an effective treatment for HFpEF.

Feasibility of Estimating Patient-Specific Dose Verification Results Directly from Linear Accelerator Log Files in Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

The feasibility of estimating patient-specific dose verification results directly from linear accelerator (linac) log files has been investigated for prostate cancer patients who undergo volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Twenty-six patients who underwent VMAT in our facility were consecutively selected. VMAT plans were created using Monaco treatment planning system and were transferred to an Elekta linac. During the beam delivery, dynamic machine parameters such as positions of the multi-leaf collimator and the gantry were recorded in the log files;subsequently, root mean square (rms) values of control errors, speeds and accelerations of the above machine parameters were calculated for each delivery. Dose verification was performed for all the plans using a cylindrical phantom with diodes placed in a spiral array. The gamma index pass rates were evaluated under 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria with a dose threshold of 10%. Subsequently, the correlation coefficients between the gamma index pass rates and each of the above rms values were calculated. Under the 2%/2 mm criteria, significant negative correlations were found between the gamma index pass rates and the rms gantry angle errors (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) as well as the pass rates and the rms gantry accelerations (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the rms values of the other dynamic machine parameters did not significantly correlate with the gamma index pass rates. We suggest that the VMAT quality assurance (QA) results can be directly estimated from the log file thereby providing potential to simplify patient-specific prostate VMAT QA procedure.

Study of Effect of Boundary Conditions on Patient-Specific Aortic Hemodynamics

Cardiovascular computational fluid dynamics(CFD)based on patient-specific modeling is increasingly used to predict changes in hemodynamic parameters before or after surgery/interventional treatment for aortic dissection(AD).This study investigated the effects of flow boundary conditions(BCs)on patient-specific aortic hemodynamics.We compared the changes in hemodynamic parameters in a type A dissection model and normal aortic model under different BCs:inflow from the auxiliary and truncated structures at aortic valve,pressure control and Windkessel model outflow conditions,and steady and unsteady inflow conditions.The auxiliary entrance remarkably enhanced the physiological authenticity of numerical simulations of flow in the ascending aortic cavity.Thus,the auxiliary entrance can well reproduce the injection flow fromthe aortic valve.In addition,simulations of the aortic model reconstructed with an auxiliary inflow structure and pressure control and the Windkessel model outflow conditions exhibited highly similar flow patterns and wall shear stress distribution in the ascending aorta under steady and unsteady inflow conditions.Therefore,the inflow structure at the valve plays a crucial role in the hemodynamics of the aorta.Under limited time and calculation cost,the steady-state study with an auxiliary inflow valve can reasonably reflect the blood flow state in the ascending aorta and aortic arch.With reasonable BC settings,cardiovascular CFD based on patient-specific ADmodels can aid physicians in noninvasive and rapid diagnosis.

Application of 3D printed patient-specific instrumentation in distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and advantages of 3D printed patient-specific instrumentation(PSI)assisted distal tibial tuberosity-high tibial osteotomy in the treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.Methods:75 patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were included in the study performed DTT-HTO in our hospital from August 2017 to August 2019.The patients were divided into the PSI group(n=39)and conventional group(n=36)According to whether PSI was used in surgery.The differences of lateral cortical fracture rate,time of intraoperative X-ray exposure,intraoperative blood loss,operative time,weight bearing line(WBL),Posterior tibial slope(PTS)and Caton-Deschamps index(CDI)were compared between the two groups.Visual analogue scale(VAS)scores and Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS)scores were recorded to evaluate knee pain and function before surgery and after surgery at 3 months and 12 months.Results:All 75 patients were followed up for more than 12 months,the ranged from 12-26(18.74±6.21)months.Three lateral cortical fractures in the conventional group and no fracture in PSI group.The lateral cortical fracture rate,time of intraoperative X-ray exposure,intraoperative blood loss,operative time in PSI group were lower than those in conventional group(p敿0.05).WBL in two groups were significantly improved after surgery(p敿0.05),and PTS,CDI were no statistically improved after surgery(p>0.05).While there was no statistically significant difference with WBL,PTS and CDI between two groups(p>0.05).At 1 months,3 months and 12 months after surgery;VAS and HSS scores in both groups were significantly improved compared with that before surgery(p0.05),and were no statistically significant difference between two groups.Conclusion:3D printed patient-specific instrumentation assisted DTT-HTO has significant clinical efficacy,and effectively standardized surgical procedures,meanwhile reduced the time of intraoperative X-ray exposure,intraoperative blood loss and risk of lateral cortical fracture.