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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Eye Surgery Light

During eye surgery, the surgeon uses an illuminating instrument called an opthalmoscope for close examination of the retina or the interior of the eye. Ordinarily, electric power for the head-mounted light is supplied through a cord from an overhead swivel arm or a floor pedestal. Within limits of cord length and swivel arm movement, the surgeon has considerable freedom of motion. But when more than one opthalmoscope is involved, tangling and interference of the power cords becomes a problem. St. Luke's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio asked Lewis Research Center for assistance in finding a solution. Lewis responded with a battery-powered system that totally frees the surgeon of attached cords and swivels. Borrowing from space technology, Lewis used small, lightweight nickel-cadmium batteries that can deliver high intensity light for an hour and can be recharged overnight. The Opthalmoscope Powerpack consists of eight batteries in three containers affixed to a webbed belt, and a novel on-off switch equipped with a springloaded plexiglass "flapper." The belt pack is worn underneath the surgical gown and the flapper permits the doctor to activate the switch by elbow pressure. Lewis built five units and they have been in service at St. Luke's Hospital for a year. Used for routine examinations as well as for surgery, they have demonstrated excellent reliability.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

Cataract Surgery Tool

The NASA-McGannon cataract surgery tool is a tiny cutter-pump which liquefies and pumps the cataract lens material from the eye. Inserted through a small incision in the cornea, the tool can be used on the hardest cataract lens. The cutter is driven by a turbine which operates at about 200,000 revolutions per minute. Incorporated in the mechanism are two passages for saline solutions, one to maintain constant pressure within the eye, the other for removal of the fragmented lens material and fluids. Three years of effort have produced a design, now being clinically evaluated, with excellent potential for improved cataract surgery. The use of this tool is expected to reduce the patient's hospital stay and recovery period significantly.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2008

Adjustable-Viewing-Angle Endoscopic Tool for Skull Base and Brain Surgery

The term Multi-Angle and Rear Viewing Endoscopic tooL (MARVEL) denotes an auxiliary endoscope, now undergoing development, that a surgeon would use in conjunction with a conventional endoscope to obtain additional perspective. The role of the MARVEL in endoscopic brain surgery would be similar to the role of a mouth mirror in dentistry. Such a tool is potentially useful for in-situ planetary geology applications for the close-up imaging of unexposed rock surfaces in cracks or those not in the direct line of sight. A conventional endoscope provides mostly a frontal view that is, a view along its longitudinal axis and, hence, along a straight line extending from an opening through which it is inserted. The MARVEL could be inserted through the same opening as that of the conventional endoscope, but could be adjusted to provide a view from almost any desired angle. The MARVEL camera image would be displayed, on the same monitor as that of the conventional endoscopic image, as an inset within the conventional endoscopic image. For example, while viewing a tumor from the front in the conventional endoscopic image, the surgeon could simultaneously view the tumor from the side or the rear in the MARVEL image, and could thereby gain additional visual cues that would aid in precise three-dimensional positioning of surgical tools to excise the tumor. Indeed, a side or rear view through the MARVEL could be essential in a case in which the object of surgical interest was not visible from the front. The conceptual design of the MARVEL exploits the surgeon s familiarity with endoscopic surgical tools. The MARVEL would include a miniature electronic camera and miniature radio transmitter mounted on the tip of a surgical tool derived from an endo-scissor (see figure). The inclusion of the radio transmitter would eliminate the need for wires, which could interfere with manipulation of this and other surgical tools. The handgrip of the tool would be connected to a linkage similar to that of an endo-scissor, but the linkage would be configured to enable adjustment of the camera angle instead of actuation of a scissor blade. It is envisioned that thicknesses of the tool shaft and the camera would be less than 4 mm, so that the camera-tipped tool could be swiftly inserted and withdrawn through a dime-size opening. Electronic cameras having dimensions of the order of millimeters are already commercially available, but their designs are not optimized for use in endoscopic brain surgery. The variety of potential endoscopic, thoracoscopic, and laparoscopic applications can be expected to increase as further development of electronic cameras yields further miniaturization and improvements in imaging performance.

Bae, Youngsam↗
NASA NTRS2010

Real-Time Teleguidance of a Non-Surgeon Crew Medical Officer Performing Orthopedic Surgery at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station During Winter-Over

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research station located at the geographic South Pole, is the most isolated, permanently inhabited human outpost on Earth. Medical care is provided to station personnel by a non-surgeon crew medical officer (CMO). During the winter-over period from February to October, the station is isolated, with no incoming or outgoing flights due to severe weather conditions. In late June, four months after the station had closed for the austral winter, a 31 year old meteorologist suffered a complete rupture of his patellar tendon while sliding done an embankment. An evacuation was deemed to be too risky to aircrews due to the extreme cold and darkness. A panel of physicians from Massachusetts General Hospital, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Texas Medical Branch were able to assess the patient remotely via telemedicine and agreed that surgery was the only means to restore mobility and prevent long term disability. The lack of a surgical facility and a trained surgical team were overcome by conversion of the clinic treatment area, and intensive preparation of medical laypersons as surgical assistants. The non-surgeon CMO and CMO assistant at South Pole, were guided through the administration of spinal anesthetic, and the two-hour operative repair by medical consultants at Massachusetts General Hospital. Real-time video of the operative field, directions from the remote consultants and audio communication were provided by videoconferencing equipment, operative cameras, and high bandwidth satellite communications. In real-time, opening incision/exposure, tendon relocation, hemostatsis, and operative closure by the CMO was closely monitored and guided and by the remote consultants. The patient s subsequent physical rehabilitation over the ensuing months of isolation was also monitored remotely via telemedicine. This was the first time in South Pole s history that remote teleguidance had been used for surgery and represents a model for real-time guidance of CMO s working at remote duty stations.

Otto, Christian↗
DOE OSTI2021

Radiation Therapy of Lymphatic Fistulae After Vascular Surgery in the Groin

Lymphatic fistulas are common complications after vascular surgery, especially in the groin, and can lead to a prolongation of the inpatient stay, wound infections, and follow-up operations. Radiation therapy is one of the nonsurgical treatment options; however, evidence and discussion about the ideal dosage and timing are limited.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

AGTR1 blocker attenuates activation of Tenon's capsule fibroblasts after glaucoma filtration surgery via the NF-κB signaling pathway

Activation of Tenon's capsule fibroblasts limits the success rate of glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS), the most efficacious therapy for patients with glaucoma. Angiotensin type 1 receptor (AGTR1) is involved in tissues remodeling and fibrogenesis. However, whether AGTR1 is involved in the progress of fibrogenesis after GFS is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of an AGTR1 in scar formation after GFS and the potential anti-fibrosis effect of AGTR1 blocker. AGTR1 expression level was increased in subconjunctival tissues in a rat model of GFS and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2)-induced human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs). AGTR1 blocker treatment suppressed TGF-β2-induced HTF migration and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) expression. AGTR1 blocker treatment also attenuated collagen deposition and α-SMA and FN expression in subconjunctival tissues of the rat model after GFS. Moreover, AGTR1 blocker decreased TGF-β2-induced P65 phosphorylation, P65 nuclear translocation, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) luciferase activity. Additionally, BAY 11–7082 (an NF-κB inhibitor) significantly suppressed HTF fibrosis. In conclusion, our results indicate that AGTR1 is involved in scar formation after GFS. The AGTR1 blocker attenuates subconjunctival fibrosis after GFS by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings indicate that targeting AGTR1 is a potential approach to attenuate fibrosis after GFS.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1982

Retractor Tool for Brain Surgery

Proposed brain-surgery tool has an octogonal fixture for positioning latex tube over incision. Eight stainless-steel wires embedded in latex extend to hold positioning fixture. Another eight are also embedded in the latex. Concentric sleeves are successively inserted into expandable latex tube. The first sleeve is placed over a solid rod. Last sleeve is a stainless-steel tube 1 inch in diameter. It is overcoated with Teflon (or equivalent) material.

Helms, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Compensating For Movement Of Eye In Laser Surgery

Conceptual system for laser surgery of retina includes subsystem that tracks position of retina. Tracking signal used to control galvanometer-driven mirrors keeping laser aimed at desired spot on retina as eye moves. Alternatively or additionally, indication of position used to prevent firing of laser when eye moved too far from proper aiming position.

Juday, Richard D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Contour advection with surgery: A technique for investigating finescale structure in tracer transport

We present a trajectory technique, contour advection with surgery (CAS), for tracing the evolution of material contours in a specified (including observed) evolving flow. CAS uses the algorithms developed by Dritschel for contour dynamics/surgery to trace the evolution of specified contours. The contours are represented by a series of particles, which are advected by a specified, gridded, wind distribution. The resolution of the contours is preserved by continually adjusting the number of particles, and finescale features are produced that are not present in the input data (and cannot easily be generated using standard trajectory techniques). The reliability, and dependence on the spatial and temporal resolution of the wind field, of the CAS procedure is examined by comparisons with high-resolution numerical data (from contour dynamics calculations and from a general circulation model), and with routine stratospheric analyses. These comparisons show that the large-scale motions dominate the deformation field and that CAS can accurately reproduce small scales from low-resolution wind fields. The CAS technique therefore enables examination of atmospheric tracer transport at previously unattainable resolution.

Waugh, Darryn W.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Robotic Surgery

The Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning, or AESOP, was developed by Computer Motion, Inc. under a SBIR contract from the Jet Propulsion Lab. AESOP is a robotic endoscopic positioning system used to control the motion of a camera during endoscopic surgery. The camera, which is mounted at the end of a robotic arm, previously had to be held in place by the surgical staff. With AESOP the robotic arm can make more precise and consistent movements. AESOP is also voice controlled by the surgeon. It is hoped that this technology can be used in space repair missions which require precision beyond human dexterity. A new generation of the same technology entitled the ZEUS Robotic Surgical System can make endoscopic procedures even more successful. ZEUS allows the surgeon control various instruments in its robotic arms, allowing for the precision the procedure requires.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Space Technology for Palate Surgery

University of Miami utilized NASA's spacecraft viewing technology to develop the optical profilometer provides more accurate measurements of cleft palate casts than has heretofore been possible, enabling better planning of corrective surgery. Lens like instrument electronically scans a palate cast precisely measuring its irregular contours by detecting minute differences in the intensity of a light beam reflected off the cast. Readings are computer processed and delivered to the surgeon by a teleprinter.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1999

New approaches to virtual environment surgery

This research focused on two main problems: 1) low cost, high fidelity stereoscopic imaging of complex tissues and organs; and 2) virtual cutting of tissue. A further objective was to develop these images and virtual tissue cutting methods for use in a telemedicine project that would connect remote sites using the Next Generation Internet. For goal one we used a CT scan of a human heart, a desktop PC with an OpenGL graphics accelerator card, and LCD stereoscopic glasses. Use of multiresolution meshes ranging from approximately 1,000,000 to 20,000 polygons speeded interactive rendering rates enormously while retaining general topography of the dataset. For goal two, we used a CT scan of an infant skull with premature closure of the right coronal suture, a Silicon Graphics Onyx workstation, a Fakespace Immersive WorkBench and CrystalEyes LCD glasses. The high fidelity mesh of the skull was reduced from one million to 50,000 polygons. The cut path was automatically calculated as the shortest distance along the mesh between a small number of hand selected vertices. The region outlined by the cut path was then separated from the skull and translated/rotated to assume a new position. The results indicate that widespread high fidelity imaging in virtual environment is possible using ordinary PC capabilities if appropriate mesh reduction methods are employed. The software cutting tool is applicable to heart and other organs for surgery planning, for training surgeons in a virtual environment, and for telemedicine purposes.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS1996

Laparoscopic surgery in weightlessness

BACKGROUND: Performing a surgical procedure in weightlessness has been shown not to be any more difficult than in a 1g environment if the requirements for the restraint of the patient, operator, and surgical hardware are observed. The feasibility of performing a laparoscopic surgical procedure in weightlessness, however, has been questionable. Concerns have included the impaired visualization from the lack of gravitational retraction of the bowel and from floating debris such as blood. METHODS: In this project, laparoscopic surgery was performed on a porcine animal model in the weightlessness of parabolic flight. RESULTS: Visualization was unaffected due to the tethering of the bowel by the elastic mesentery and the strong tendency for debris and blood to adhere to the abdominal wall due to surface tension forces. CONCLUSIONS: There are advantages to performing a laparoscopic instead of an open surgical procedure in a weightless environment. These will become important as the laparoscopic support hardware is miniaturized from its present form, as laparoscopic technology becomes more advanced, and as more surgically capable crew medical officers are present in future long-duration space-exploration missions.

manned↗
NASA NTRS2001

Microarthroscopy System With Image Processing Technology Developed for Minimally Invasive Surgery

In a joint effort, NASA, Micro Medical Devices, and the Cleveland Clinic have developed a microarthroscopy system with digital image processing. This system consists of a disposable endoscope the size of a needle that is aimed at expanding the use of minimally invasive surgery on the knee, ankle, and other small joints. This device not only allows surgeons to make smaller incisions (by improving the clarity and brightness of images), but it gives them a better view of the injured area to make more accurate diagnoses. Because of its small size, the endoscope helps reduce physical trauma and speeds patient recovery. The faster recovery rate also makes the system cost effective for patients. The digital image processing software used with the device was originally developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center to conduct computer simulations of satellite positioning in space. It was later modified to reflect lessons learned in enhancing photographic images in support of the Center's microgravity program. Glenn's Photovoltaic Branch and Graphics and Visualization Lab (G-VIS) computer programmers and software developers enhanced and speed up graphic imaging for this application. Mary Vickerman at Glenn developed algorithms that enabled Micro Medical Devices to eliminate interference and improve the images.

Steele, Gynelle C.↗