Implante neural controlado em malha fechada

One of the challenges to biomedical engineers proposed by researchers in neuroscience is brain machine interaction. The nervous system communicates by interpreting electrochemical signals, and implantable circuits make decisions in order to interact with the biological environment. It is well known that Parkinson’s disease is related to a deficit of dopamine (DA). Different methods has been employed to control dopamine concentration like magnetic or electrical stimulators or drugs. In this work was automatically controlled the neurotransmitter concentration since this is not currently employed. To do that, four systems were designed and developed: deep brain stimulation (DBS), transmagnetic stimulation (TMS), Infusion Pump Control (IPC) for drug delivery, and fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) (sensing circuits which detect varying concentrations of neurotransmitters like dopamine caused by these stimulations). Some softwares also were developed for data display and analysis in synchronously with current events in the experiments. This allowed the use of infusion pumps and their flexibility is such that DBS or TMS can be used in single mode and other stimulation techniques and combinations like lights, sounds, etc. The developed system allows to control automatically the concentration of DA. The resolution of the system is around 0.4 µmol/L with time correction of concentration adjustable between 1 and 90 seconds. The system allows controlling DA concentrations between 1 and 10 µmol/L, with an error about +/- 0.8 µmol/L. Although designed to control DA concentration, the system can be used to control, the concentration of other substances. It is proposed to continue the closed loop development with FSCV and DBS (or TMS, or infusion) using parkinsonian animals models.

Desenvolvimento de protótipo de aplicativo móvel em Android® para o controle e acompanhamento nutricional da saúde óssea em mulheres menopáusicas

Following a drop in estrogen in the period of menopause some women begin to lose bone mass more than 1% per year reaching the end of five years with loss greater than 25%. In this regard, factors such as older age, low calcium intake and premature menopause favor the onset of osteoporosis. Preventive methods such as nutritional counseling to a proper diet and the support of technology through applications that assess dietary intake are essential. Thus, this study aimed to develop an application for Android® platform focused on the evaluation of nutritional and organic conditions involved in bone health and risks for developing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. To achieve this goal we proceeded to a study of 72 women aged 46-79 years, from the physical exercise for bone health of the Laboratory for Research in Biochemistry and Densitometry the Federal Technological University of Paraná program. Data were collected in the second half of 2014 through tests Bone Densitometry and Body Composition, Blood Tests, Anthropometric data and Nutrition Assessment. The study included women with a current diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis primary, aged more than 45 years postmenopausal. For the assessment of bone mineral density and body composition used the device Absorptiometry Dual Energy X-ray (DXA) brand Hologic Discovery TM Model A. For anthropometric assessment was included to body mass, height, abdominal circumference, Waist circumference and hip circumference. The instrument for assessing food consumption was used Recall 24 hours a day (24HR). The estimated intake of energy and nutrients was carried from the tabulation of the food eaten in the Software Diet Pro 4®. In a sub sample of 30 women with osteopenia / osteoporosis serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase tests were performed. The results demonstrated a group of women (n = 30) average calcium intake of 570mg / day (± 340). The analysis showed a mean serum calcium within the normal range (10,20mg / dl ± 0.32) and average values and slightly increased alkaline phosphatase (105.40 U / L ± 23.70). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the consumption of protein and the optimal daily intake of calcium (0.375 p-value 0.05). Based on these findings, we developed an application early stage in Android® platform operating system Google®, being called OsteoNutri. We chose to use Java Eclipse® where it was executed Android® version of the project; choice of application icons and setting the visual editor for building the application layouts. The DroidDraw® was used for development of the three application GUIs. For practical tests we used a cell compatible with the version that was created (4.4 or higher). The prototype was developed in conjunction with the Group and Instrumentation Applications Development (GDAI) of the Federal Technological University of Paraná. So this application can be considered an important tool in dietary control, allowing closer control consumption of calcium and dietary proteins.