Bern University of Applied SciencesEngineering and Information Technology

2/2013 Magazine

hi tech

Research that benefits people

Diagnosis

Therapy

Rehabilitation

Sport

There has been a paradigm shift in cardiovascular medi-

cine. Therapy no longer depends solely on new drugs,

but mostly on devices such pace-makers, defibrillators,

stents and artifical heart valves.

While we medical practitioners certainly think about ideas

and potential concepts for medical and therapeutical de-

vices as part of our day-to-day work, it is often difficult to

work with industry to put them into effect. Intellectual-

property issues arise and companies hesitate to invest

into high-risk development.

Moreover, their primary focus is on generating profits from

marketable products. The BUAS-EIT is not commercially

oriented. Its engineers have ready access to the latest

technologies and are familiar with their use. Everything

they need is usually available under one roof and, should

that not be the case, they have networks at their disposal

from which to source their requirements.

A particular benefit of the BUAS-EIT to us doctors is the

practical, problem-solving approach that its engineers

take to their work. They understand that people do not

behave like machines and that, in taking care of them, we

always need to be ready for the unexpected and able to

react to it appropriately. Having worked with each other

for many years, physicians and engineers now share a

common language. We physicians know how to define

our requirements precisely and the BUAS research staff

know how to translate the ideas into practice in a manner

appropriate to patients’ needs.

It is important that people be freed up to work on projects

for long periods of time. Today, we at the University of Bern

and our colleagues at the BUAS-EIT share doctoral stu-

dents. Formally, these students work at the University,

where I supervise their dissertations, but they are also ac-

tively involved in projects at the BUAS-EIT. Candidates

who have completed their master’s degree may apply for

their doctorate at the University. Specialists with that de-

gree of interdisciplinary training are very much in demand

in today’s medical technology industry; they are at the cre-

ative heart of the medical-technology innovations for which

Switzerland has earned international recognition.

Prof. Dr. med. et phil. nat. Rolf Vogel Head of Cardiology, Solothurn Hospitals

E D I T O R I A L

Prof. Dr. med. et phil. nat. Rolf VogelHead of Cardiology at the Solothurn Bürgerspital Hospital and the Cantonal Hos-pital in OltenPhoto: Sahli

BUAS-EIT – bringing high-technology disciplines together under one roof

I m PR E S S U m

Editors Patrick Studer, Diego Jannuzzo Translations Nicholas MacCabeAdress BUAS-EIT, hitech-Redaktion, P.O. Box, CH-2501 Biel, SwitzerlandEditors’ e-mail hitech@bfh.ch Homepage hitech.bfh.chWebsite hitech.bfh.chPrint run 1000 copiesGraphic design, layout Ingrid ZengaffinenPrinted by Stämpfli Publikationen AG, Wölflistrasse 1, P.O. Box CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland – hitech 2/2013: June 2013

German, French and English editions of this magazine

are available on: www.hitech.bfh.ch

Focus 3 Research that benefits people

BUAS-EIT – bringing high-technology disciplines together under one roof 4 Institute for Human Centered Engineering (HuCE)

6 Activity recognition and tracking in sport and healthcare

7 Towards more reliable glaucoma diagnosis

8 Innovative oesophageal long-term ECG

10 VoiSee – modern electronics help those with severe visual impairment

12 New vaginal sensors for stress urinary incontinence diagnosis

13 How to make artificial respiration a safer process

14 mSc in Biomedical Engineering: An open door into science, research, development, and other interesting positions

17 Automatic segmentation of aortic dissections

18 Helping physician and patient see clearly

19 Virtual reality training in hand surgery

20 OCT enables the use of femtosecond lasers for cataract surgeries

21 Helping to reduce myopia in childhood

23 Treatment for osteoarthritis in ankles

24 Vaporising medicinal plants at the correct temperature

25 Recovering normal balance with Balance FreedomTm

27 The Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology

28 Technology meets rehabilitation

Events 30 Graduation ceremony

31 News

2 /2013 hitech 32 hitech 2 /2013

Title page: C. Tschopp wearing a PARTwear sensor during volleyball training. PARTwear makes it possible to analyse training sessions in detail as an aid to enhanced performance.Photo: Ulrich Känzig (BASPO)Graph: Jonas Hubacher

4 hitech 2/2013

Core skill – the key to applied researchWhile interdisciplinarity between its complementary key

technologies is critical to innovation at HuCE, in-depth

knowledge and sound core skills in each of them are

equally decisive. All its six laboratories are engaged in ap-

plied research and development. By presenting more than

a dozen publications at international conferences and in

research journals each year, HuCE researchers are able to

share their latest results with colleagues worldwide.

Even more important, these activities also provide the

Institute’s teaching faculty and young engineers with

the opportunity for face-to-face exchanges with their

peers on new ideas and problem-solving approaches.

The HuCE laboratories’ core areas of expertise are:

– Complex signal and image processing and control.

– High-speed hardware algorithms in FPGAs or ASICs,

low- power chip design technologies.

– In-house development of miniaturised, mechanic and

electronic systems from prototype to production (3D print-

ing, PCB assembly, ASIC bonding).

– High-resolution optical measurement for surfaces and

3D images.

– Optics and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

– Computer-based perception and virtual reality.

– Sensor systems, RFID, biometrics, haptic perception.

– Robotics and automated manufacturing technology.

– Numerical analysis, statistics, data mining.

– Medical-technology applications in biomechanics, intel-

ligent medical instruments, electronic implants, imaging

in medical technology.

Close contacts with Industry – the key tosuccessful productsThe industrial surrounding and the numerous ongoing in-

dustrial projects have played a key role in determining the

technologies on which the Institute is focusing. The core

skills in which the individual research groups have chosen

to specialise reflect the requirements of the Institute’s in-

dustrial partners, which is why further focus on the core

skill has been made in recent years. HuCE has also placed

a clear strategic emphasis on the following three growing

areas of interdisciplinary applications.

– OCT, from optics via signal processing and hardware

algorithms to image processing, with denoising and im-

age segmentation for medical applications.

Flexible collaboration models – the key totailormade SmE projectsThe HuCE’s objectives are different from those of engineer-

ing consultant companies, which is reflected in its approach

to handling industry and research mandates. At the begin-

ning of an R&D project, technical specifications can often still

be somewhat vague and the approach required to imple-

ment them may seem unclear. The Institute’s flexible col-

laboration models are especially useful in such situations.

The «flex model», for example, is based on a time and not on

cost estimation, while the «open model» can guarantee the

availability of engineers’ time based solely on an initial esti-

mation of the required resources. In addition, it offers clients

the option of doubling the engineering resources devoted to a

project without prior reservation if needed. With either model,

it is usually possible to get an industrial project up and running

within a week. The HuCE is able to offer this degree of flexibil-

ity thanks to the mix of industrial and internal projects on

which it is engaged and its willingness to accord higher prior-

ity to its industrial over its internal research projects.

Contact:

> marcel.jacomet@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch

Interdisciplinarity – the key forinnovative developmentInnovation takes place in people’s heads. Having an inter-

disciplinary team working on a project often provides a

basis for ideas and solutions that are both unconventional

and creative. The wide range of subjects taught at the

HuCE institute with its six research laboratories (see box),

three B.Sc. and two M.Sc. degree programs, enables the

Institute to foster plenty of active interdisciplinary collabo-

ration between the individual curriculums it offers – its

B.Sc. in Electrical and Communications Engineering,

B.Sc. in Micro- and Medical Technology and B.Sc. in In-

formation Technology, as well as its M.Sc. in Engineering

and M.Sc. in Biomedicine.

2/2013 hitech 5

– Sensors in industrial applications and sensor networks

for sports and rehabilitation.

– In addition to the BME Lab, all HuCE research groups

are active in interdisciplinary medical technology appli-

cations.

The Institute’s first spin-off companies demonstrate that

HuCE engineers are in touch with the needs of industry

and are able to develop successful products.

Highly motivated research scientists – the key to efficient project executionThe Institute’s 60 highly motivated scientific and teaching

staff are its most precious resource. Shortly after com-

pleting their bachelor or master’s degrees, the HuCE’s

young engineers often work with faculty members on in-

dustrial, CTI and SNSF projects. While the problems these

projects address are rarely spectacular, they are invaria-

bly absorbing. An increasingly important contribution is

also being made by those B.Sc. graduates enrolled in the

Institute’s two specialised M.Sc. programs. Part-time em-

ployment at the institute alongside their master studies

gives students the possibility to both specialise and to

satisfy their urge to become involved in industrial and re-

search work as soon as possible.

Collaboration with SmEs – the key to a modernengineering curriculumPractical problems from industry are the most interesting

and challenging assignements for engineers. Besides the

insights they offer into real-life product-development

problems in various industrial sectors, these industrial

projects frequently affect HuCE in ways which go beyond

the projects themselves. Solutions developed for one pro-

ject often influences approaches in related R&D projects.

Feedback from these industrial projects is very valuable

and is a condition to provide a highly practical orientation

in the engineering curriculum.

Prof. Dr. marcel JacometHuCE Institute Director,BUAS-EIT (Bern University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology) Photo: arteplus.ch

F O C U S | I N S T I T U T E F O R H U M A N C E N T E R E D E N G I N E E R I N G ( H U C E )

Technology serving human beings. Making that vision reality is one of the major chal-

lenges facing the Institute for Human Centered Engineering. After all, the greatest

possible reward for a young engineer is to see his or her ideas and creative inspiration

result in a product that is both useful and commercially successful.

Institute for Human Centered Engineering (HuCE)The six research groups:HuCE - BME Lab: Biomedical engineeringHuCE - cpvrLab: Computer perception and virtual realityHuCE - microLab: Hardware algorithms in micro-electronics, signal processing and controlHuCE - roboticsLab: Micro-mechanical and mobile robot systemsHuCE - optoLab: Optics; optical coherence tomography (OCT)HuCE - scienceLab: Services, sensory perception, measurement technology, mathematical modeling, statistics

Institute for Human Centered Engineering(HuCE)

The majority of HuCE Institute team relaxing after a demanding conference in Zermatt in 2011.Photo: BUAS-EIT

2 /2013 hitech 7

Towards more reliable glaucoma diagnosis

Glaucoma is one of the most common diseases which can result in blindness. Worldwide,

it is estimated that the condition afflicts some 70 million people, half of whom are unaware

that they are affected.

Dr. sc. ETH Sonja Spichtig Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG project managerPhoto: arteplus.ch

At present, increased levels of intraocular pressure (IOP)

are the only risk factor associated with glaucoma which

can be treated medically. While IOP can fluctuate substan-

tially during a single day, the systems currently available

can measure it only sporadically and for a few seconds.

The IOP measurements now being used to diagnose and

manage glaucoma are thus mere snapshots of a continu-

ous and variable process.

Experts believe that IOP fluctuations, particularly those re-

sulting in short periods of peak pressure during the night,

contain significant indicators which would support more

reliable glaucoma diagnosis. Early diagnosis is critical, be-

cause any nerve damage which has already occurred is

irreversible. Moreover, continuous day-long time series data

would provide insights into the physiological factors affect-

ing glaucoma and make it possible to prescribe medication

appropriate to individual patients. Physicians therefore re-

quire new systems which would make it possible to measure

IOP continuously, as is done with blood pressure.

Swiss MicroTechnology AG (SMT, a subsidiary of the Zie-

mer Group) began selling its PASCAL tonometer in 2004.

Thanks to its dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) measure-

ment methodology, this device can obtain very precise IOP

measurements, undistorted by the properties of the pa-

tient’s cornea. The PASCAL system is acknowledged as

the most exact and precise tonometer available in today’s

market. Numerous studies confirm the accuracy of its

measurements and SMT has patented its DCT technology.

Innovative DCT contact lensesIn order to measure IOP continuously over a 24-hour peri-

od, the DCT technology is being integrated into a contact

lens. The Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) and

the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern

Switzerland (FHNW) are working together on a Swiss Fed-

eral Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) pro-

ject to develop the new DCT contact lenses. The BUAS’s

HuCE - microLab is developing a miniaturised data logging

device which can be worn on the body, as well as addi-

tional sensors and software to evaluate the data they gen-

erate. The FHNW’s Institute of Optometry is designing spe-

cial lenses which can house the DCT device which will

make the requisite measurements and which can be worn

comfortably by a large proportion of the population.

The project has already made its first IOP measurements

using wired DCT contact lenses. That is a world first by the

project team – the first-ever direct IOP measurement of

several hours’ duration. This is the longest period over

which IOP has so far been measured independently of the

attributes of the patient’s cornea.

The objective of the next stage of development is to replace

the wired DCT contact lenses with telemetric DCT contact

lenses which will be powered by, and transmit data to, the

HuCE - mibrolab’s RFID data logger. This will enable meas-

urements to be made for longer periods of time, as well as

making the lenses more comfortable to wear and moving the

project a decisive step closer to its ultimate prototype.

Contact:

> sonja.spichtig@ziemergroup.com

> Info: www.ziemergroup.com

huce.ti.bfh.ch/microlab

6 hitech 2/2013

F O C U S | H U C E - M I C R O L A B

1 The network concept not only enables the developers to link up the new hardware they design, but also supports links to commercial third-party products.2 In 2011 the SFISM acquired a commercial LPM system from Abatec Austria for research and service purposes. It can be used for tactical analysis in team sports, physiological load analysis, activity recognition, the visualisation of measurement results and the like. The FSISM’s indoor and outdoor sports facilities are both equipped with this LPM system.

Activity recognition and tracking in sport and healthcare

Advances in sensor-building technology and in the way low-power micro-computers are manu-

factured and programmed have made it possible to develop new approaches to real-time

monitoring and the way activity is recorded and evaluated in championship sports, mass sports

and healthcare. Extendible networks of body sensors, coupled with flexible software to interpret

the data they generate, can now produce a multi-dimensional range of variables which can be

used to observe movement objectively and describe it with great accuracy. These descriptions

can be used to provide feedback during training sessions, both in sports and rehabilitation.

The PARTwear project, which is being carried out jointly

by the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen

(SFISM) and HuCE’s microLab, is taking the work of an

earlier body-sensor-network project a stage further. The

research group is engaged in developing the basic con-

cept and building the initial autonomous low-power nodes

which will be used in a modular, extendible network of

sensors. The objective is to record data from sensors

placed on the body which are as «invisible» as possible.

To qualify as «invisible» in this context, a sensor – and,

later on, an entire network of sensors – needs to be some-

thing an athlete (or a patient) can wear without it impeding

his or her actions in any way. The concept for the system

must be designed so that – with minimal support from

engineers – sports scientists and rehabilitation specialists

can use it for new monitoring tasks, producing the requi-

site hardware and software components themselves and

ultimately validating the new measurement methods for

which they are deployed1.

Currently, the project has developed a network of sensors

which can measure the body’s acceleration and heart

rate. The requisite data can either be stored locally, or, in

the case of the SFISM, transmitted to a Local Positioning

Measurement System (LPM2). We have also used these

networks on two inert objects, a racing bicycle and a BMX

bike, where we have measured acceleration using sen-

sors at the joints in the frame and fork as well as force,

frequency and power using additional sensors mounted

on the pedals.

Further research is being conducted into the use of sen-

sors in new applications. One such project is delivering

encouraging results measuring sprinters’ ground-contact

duration, horizontal force and step rates (see picture). We

have also managed to measure BMX riders’ cadence dur-

ing acceleration phases and the time they spend in the air.

In tennis we are trying to measure ball speed during

serves and count the number of forehand and backhand

strokes. In rowing, we intend to monitor rowing tech-

niques and the synchronicity between individual rowers in

a team.

Text: Dr. Josef Götte, Professor for Signal Processing and

Control Technology

Contact:

> josef.goette@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/microlab

A professional sprinter wearing body sensors.

Real-time data is displayed on the tablet.

Photo: BUAS-EITThe CTI project team from left to right: Roland E. Joos (FHNW), Marcel Jacomet (BUAS), Damian Weber (BUAS), Hartmut Kanngiesser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG), Josef Götte (BUAS), Daniela Nosch (FHNW), Sonja Spichtig (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG). Absent: Helga Seiler (FHNW), Markus Dachs (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG). Photo: Chris Eckert

From left: Michael Gasser (microLab), Martin Rumo (BASPO), Benjamin Habegger (microLab) and Damian Weber (microLab); absent: Dr. Josef GöttePhoto: BUAS-EIT

2/2013 hitech 98 hitech 2/2013

F O C U S | H U C E - M I C R O L A B

Innovative oesophageal long-term ECG

One-of-a-kind interdisciplinary collaborationIn an effort to avoid the disadvantages of conventional ECG

recordings mentioned above, physicians at the Cardiology

Department of the Inselspital Hospital in Bern set out to find

an alternative. Working in close collaboration with the HuCE

Institute and the University of Bern’s ARTORG Center for

Cardiovascular Engineering, they specified the require-

ments which an oesophageal long-term ECG should meet.

This technology involves recording the heart’s electrical ac-

tivity by means of a thin catheter inserted in the oesopha-

gus. The oesophagus is located behind the left atrium, a

point which is of particular significance for arrhythmia diag-

nosis. The proximity between the heart and the electrodes

makes it possible to record signals of excellent quality (see

ECG signals illustration above). After a short familiarisation

period, patients do not find the oesophageal ECG recording

process bothersome or unpleasant.

Innovative technological approachThe medical requirements placed on a long-term oesopha-

geal ECG recording system are very demanding. While the

patient’s comfort is a key consideration, it is also important

that the recordings are of a very high quality. That is why the

physicians and engineers working on this project are aiming

to miniaturise the entire recorder to the greatest possible

degree. Given that objective, it is important to ensure, for

example, that the quantity of data stored and the energy

used by the device are kept to a minimum. In order to achieve

this, innovative solutions such as sub-Nyquist sampling and

long-term ECG using a method which is well tolerated by

patients, thus helping to prevent the potentially severe con-

sequences which arrhythmias can have. A definite plus for

the patient.

Contact:

> Andreas.haeberlin@insel.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/microlab

Several thousand people in Switzerland suffer from heart

rhythm disorders, or arrhythmias. Those affected often do

not notice these disorders, particularly as they frequently

occur only briefly and then disappear. Nevertheless, arrhyth-

mias can lead to severe complications, such as strokes,

more or less unexpectedly. It is for this reason that timely

and correct diagnosis of heart rhythm disorders is very im-

portant.

The conventional method of identifying and dianosing ar-

rhythmias is to register a so-called long-term ECG. This in-

volves placing electrodes on the patient’s skin. These elec-

trodes are connected to an ECG recorder (see long-term

ECG recorder illustration above), which records the electri-

cal signals from the heart for several days. The recorded

ECG data are then examined for any relevant arrhythmia.

That, at least, is the theory. In practice, the ECG signals

(particularly those from the atria) are often of poor quality

and the ECG electrodes cause skin irritations which pa-

tients find bothersome.

ultra-low power chip technology, as used in the watch indus-

try, are being deployed. A powerful PC is required to process

the recorded ECG signals digitally. This involves filtering and

pre-classifying the data. The processed ECG data are then

presented to the physician in a clear format, which can be

interpreted rapidly. The prototype recorder developed for the

first clinical trials (see picture of long-term ECG recorders

below) already meets many of the requirements specified.

The recorder, which is worn behind the ear, is however still

relatively large and it can record data only for a few days.

OutlookThe close collaboration between physicians and engineers

has made it possible to analyse key aspects of oesophageal

long-term electrocardiography. Oesophageal long-term ECG

devices have already been used to diagnose relevant heart

rhythm disorders in several cases where conventional ECG

recordings were not diagnostic. The work jointly carried out

by the HuCE micro-lab and ARTORG means that physicians

at the Inselspital Hospital have been able to accumulate expe-

rience with this new technology and deploy it for diagnostic

purposes in ways which are unparalleled anywhere else in the

world. Based on the encouraging clinical results achieved to

date and the high levels of patient acceptance this method

enjoys, the project partners have decided to continue devel-

oping this innovative approach. The device will soon be min-

iaturised further and subjected to a new clinical evaluation.

The objective is to integrate the entire power source and all

the electronic components inside the thin oesophageal

catheter. This should ensure that the catheter is not visible

externally and that patients are able to wear it for several

weeks. This would make it possible to record high-quality

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are used to diagnose heart rhythm disorders. This often requires

ECG measurements to be carried out over many days. The quality of the recorded data is

often poor and patients are impaired by these investigations. That is why engineers and

physicians are working together to develop a better ECG diagnostic technology, oesopha-

geal long-term ECG.

Dr. med. Andreas HäberlinAssistant Physician, Cardiology/Electrophysio-logy, Inselspital Hospital, Bern & ARTORG Cardiovascular Engineering, University of BernPhoto: Adrian Zurbuchen (ARTORG)

Long-term ECG recorders:Conventional ECG recorderwhich records signals from

electrodes on the skin(above).

Oesophageal long-termECG recorder (below).

Note that the two pictures arenot to the same scale,

as the 1 euro coin in each photograph

indicates Photo: Adrian Zurbuchen

(ARTORG)

ECG signals: Simultaneous recordings – from an

oesophageal ECG device (above) and a conventional

long-term ECG device (below). The signal from the atrium has

a much greater amplitude on the oesophageal ECG

recording, making it much easier to identify.

Source: Cardiology Clinic, Inselspital Hospital

The project team:Marcel Jacomet,Josef Götte, Andreas Häberlin,Lukas Bösch,Thomas Niederhau-ser, Sandro Burn, Thanks Marisa, AndreasHabegger, Michael Nydeggerabsent: Rolf VogelPhoto: BUAS-EIT

10 hitech 2/2013

F O C U S | H U C E - B M E L A B

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an insidious ocular disease. It affects the very

area of the retina where vision is at its sharpest and clearest and on which the eye’s lens

automatically focuses. Those affected thus have their vision restricted to the periphery

of the eye, severely impairing the precision and focus of what they see. Because no cure has

yet been discovered, enlarging visual aids are the only effective way of addressing the

condition.

Individual configurationBesides having to cope with unfocused vision, AMD patients

also find that there is less contrast in the things they look at

and that they react unfavourably to bright ambient light. The

contrast and ambient brightness of VoiSee images can be

configured to suit individual patients, and initial tests have

shown that this in fact reduces the need for image enlarge-

ment. This means that VoiSee actually enables patients to

see things more clearly, as well as larger.

High acceptance levelsIn his master’s degree thesis, Aymeric Niederhauser evalu-

ated how well patients accepted the first VoiSee prototype

and what they thought of its performance. His conclusions

are unmistakably positive. «VoiSee enjoyed excellent levels

André Reber is an electrical engineer with his own small in-

dependent practice. When his otherwise hale and hearty

mother was diagnosed with AMD, he set out to find a techni-

cal solution which would allow her to remain mobile despite

her visual disability. He was confident of finding something

suitable, as this is a widespread condition. In industrialised

countries like Switzerland, three in ten people aged over 75

are affected, as are 50% of those aged 85 and over. How-

ever, he soon realised that, while there are very good station-

ary devices available for home use which enable the visually

impaired to read books and newspapers, for example, the

portable devices available either had too restricted an en-

largement focus, too small a screen or were too heavy and

bulky. An ideal portable device, it seemed, was faced with

the task of squaring the circle. On the one hand, texts have

to be enlarged substantially for AMD patients to read them,

while, on the other hand, the enlarged picture should ideally

display as many sequential words as possible, rather than

merely a few individual letters. That requires a large screen.

How, then, could the whole thing be kept light and small

enough for Mrs. Reber to use it at the shops to read labels

or at the station to ready the departure board?

André Reber’s solution was based on the use of special dis-

plays with modified optical characteristics generating a very

large picture in a virtual format.

He recognised that a device of this kind had significant po-

tential, both as a means of improving the quality of life en-

joyed by AMD patients and as a commercially viable prod-

uct. However, since he lacked the resources to develop the

idea on his own, he turned to the Biomedical Engineering

Lab (BME Lab) at the BUAS’s HuCE Institute.

The VoiSee principleA CTI project was set up, supervised by biomedical engi-

neers Prof. Dr. Jörn Justiz and Prof. Dr. Volker Koch, with

the objective of putting these ideas and concepts into prac-

tice. At first, this proved harder than originally expected. It

emerged that while the proposed solution would produce a

device which was highly portable, the optical technology it

required was extremely intricate, thus making it quite large

and, above all, expensive.

The BUAS researchers experimented with a number of new

concepts until they eventually had an inspiration which pro-

vided a breakthrough. By skilfully modifying existing display

systems, they were able to develop an approach which

made the new device simpler and cheaper, while at the

same time delivering a huge virtual screen. The design prin-

ciples are currently being patented and are thus still confi-

dential at this stage.

«The perceived size of our display is comparable to that of

a 53'' (=53 inches) television viewed from a distance of 1

metre», explains Jörn Justiz. With that amount of space, it

is possible to enlarge an image enormously and still display

a large quantity of text. The device has an inbuilt image

sensor which AMD patients can use to select the area they

want to view and then enlarge it.

of acceptance and most of those suffering from AMD said

they would immediately make a device like this part of their

everyday lives.» Another very encouraging sign was that

nearly all those interviewed said they would like to take part

in further trials, which may partly be explained by their desire

to be able to benefit from this system as soon as possible.

The HuCE - BME Lab is currently developing a prototype

which already incorporates all the key functions of the design

and is intended as a template for an initial low-volume pro-

duction run. The plan is to bring VoiSee to market by the end

of this year.

Contact:

> joern.justiz@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/bmelab

VoiSee – modern electronics help those with severe visual impairment

Prof. Dr. Jörn JustizCo-Head, HuCE - BME Lab Photo: arteplus.ch

2/2013 hitech 11

The VoiSee principle in action – a very large, virtual-format image which supports substantial enlargement despite the handy dimensions of the device itself.Diagram: HuCE - BME Lab

David Aymeric Niederhauser MSc in Biomedical EngineeringPhoto: arteplus.ch

Impression of what a person suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) actually sees. The red cross in the centre shows what the person is trying to focus on. Diagram: HuCE - BME Lab

2/2013 hitech 1312 hitech 2/2013

F O C U S | H U C E - B M E L A B

Prototype of an intravaginal sensor Photo: arteplus.ch

Many women suffer from stress urinary incontinence. This involves involuntary loss of urine

due to coughing or sporting activities, for example. The condition is usually caused by an

insufficiently rapid muscular reaction in the pelvic floor. Treatment is always preceded by a

thorough pelvic-floor examination. While vaginal sensors are available commercially, they do

not accurately measure reflex contractions, because they cannot simultaneously record

fast-changing muscular signals and changes in force intensity and force direction.

Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Volker M. Koch at the

HuCE - BME Lab in Biel – initially in the context of an in-

ternal BUAS project and then as part of his M.Sc. in Bio-

medical Engineering studies – research scientist Damien

Maurer has developed a number of chemically disinfect-

able intravaginal sensors, each of which is equipped with

electrodes and force sensors. These force sensors are

based on thin-film strain gage technology. Using an elec-

tromagnetic tracking system, it is also possible to deter-

mine the orientation and position of the sensor within the

vagina. The sensors can thus be used to provide signifi-

cant new data on the reaction processes of the pelvic-

floor muscles. These data have enabled functional pat-

terns to be identified which are useful in helping determine

treatment suitable for patients. The team is currently

awaiting approval from the Ethics Commission and Swiss-

medic. Once this has been obtained, they will soon be

able to start clinical trials with the devices, the only ones

of their kind worldwide. The team plans to publish its re-

sults in renowned scientific journals.

Success based on interdisciplinary collaborationDevelopment of these sensors would not have been possi-

ble without the best possible collaboration between the dis-

ciplines involved. In addition to its principal research partner,

Prof. Dr. Lorenz Radlinger (sports trainer and sports scientist

at the BUAS’s Department of Health), this project has also

benefited from the contributions made by lecturer (Privat-

dozent) Dr. Annette Kuhn (medical doctor, University Gynae-

cological Clinic, Inselspital Hospital), Helena Luginbuehl (PT,

MME, PhD cand.), Corinne Lehmann (physiotherapist, Insti-

tute of Physiotherapy, Inselspital Hospital) and Dr. Peter A.

Neukomm (engineer, BUAS-EIT).

By overcoming the initial challenges it faced, the team has

made a major step forward, increasing its knowledge and

expertise applicable to related issues. This project is not

only proving enriching for research, but for teaching as

well, which is also benefiting from the insights gained.

Contact:

> volker.koch@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/bmelab

New vaginal sensors for stress urinary incontinence diagnosis

Prof. Dr. Volker m. KochCo-Head, HuCE - BME Lab Photo: arteplus.ch

Damien maurerM.Sc. in Biomedical EngineeringB.Sc. in Microtechnology, research scientistHuCE - BME Lab Photo: arteplus.ch

Artificial respiration can result in serious, potentially fatal complications. Electrical

impedance tomography (EIT) is one possible way of improving this situation.

EIT is a safe, low-cost process enabling medical staff to

determine the electrical conductivity of specific areas of a

patient’s body. It supports remote monitoring of pulmo-

nary functions during artificial respiration (AR). While the

technology is not new, hospitals rarely use it at present -

mainly because of the effort required to place multiple

electrodes on a patient’s body and the poor quality of the

signals they produce.

Towards routine use in patient careAs part of his dissertation at the CSEM, Dr. Pascal Gag-

gero developed a belt-based EIT system with active elec-

trodes. The belt is easy to put on and has amplifiers close

to the electrodes which produce high-quality signals. This

work earned Dr. Gaggero the Electrosuisse ITG innovation

prize in November 2012.

A start-up company, Swisstom AG (www.swisstom.ch),

will now bring the invention to market. The idea is to inte-

grate EIT components into existing AR systems. The sys-

tem uses simple pictograms to display key respiration

data. These provide physicians with important lung-func-

tion data, enabling them to carry out AR more effectively

and thus avoiding the risk of complications such as col-

lapse or overextension of the lungs. AR devices with inte-

grated EIT measurement technology are setting new stand-

ards worldwide.

The HuCE - BME Lab at the BUAS-EIT in Biel is working

with Swisstom AG on a CTI project which is being super-

vised by Prof. Dr. Volker M. Koch and Prof. Dr. Jörn Justiz

and in which Dr. Gaggero is actively involved. Scientists at

Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and at the HSR in

Rapperswil are also taking part. Working with BME M.Sc.

student Andreas Waldmann, the BUAS researchers have

developed an automated measurement methodology which

quantifies the functional performance of EIT devices. They

are using a cylinder filled with saltwater as an idealised

model of the human thorax. Using an industrial-robot arm,

they can place objects such as plastic ball bearings inside

the cylinder. They have now created a test environment,

unparalleled elsewhere in the world, in which very precise,

and reproducible, EIT measurements can be made. This

is enabling the BUAS to establish an EIT competence

centre which will act as an independent laboratory using

standardised tests on the images generated by various

types of EIT device to assess their quality and suitability

for clinical use. It will be first of its kind in the world.

Contact:

> volker.koch@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/bmelab

How to make artificial respiration a safer process

Dr. Pascal O. GaggeroResearch scientistHuCE - BME LabPhoto: arteplus.ch

EIT-generated cross sectionalimages of the lungs -

after exhalation (left) andafter inhalation (right)

Source: HuCE - BME Lab

Prof. Dr. Volker m. KochCo-Head, HuCE - BME Lab Photo: arteplus.ch

14 hitech 2 /2013

The study program Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, offered by the

University of Bern in close cooperation with the BUAS-EIT, is a state-of-the-art

university-level interdisciplinary master's program in engineering and the life

sciences. It promotes scientific discovery and development of novel technologies.

Graduates have above-average career prospects in industry and research institu-

tions and can even enter doctoral programs.

F O C U S | H U C E - B M E L A B

MSc in Biomedical Engineering: An open door into science, research, development, and other interesting positions

module «Unrestricted Electives»Unrestricted electives can be freely chosen by the student

from the entire curriculum of the University of Bern and

the BUAS-EIT. It is advisable to select courses which fit

into the context of the student’s study plan, either to make

up for missing knowledge or to add new and interesting

aspects to the individual study program.

For the first time in Switzerland, graduates of universities

of applied sciences who have studied relevant disciplines

(e.g., electrical engineering, microtechnology, mechanical

engineering, physics, and computer science) are qualified

to commence a university-level master's program without

any preconditions. They can thus enter the world of sci-

ence and basic research as well as interesting positions in

industry.

The program offers a broad spectrum covering engineer-

ing, medicine, innovation management, regulatory affairs

and many other subjects. This gives students a strong

background that allows them to work both in develop-

ment projects in medical technology companies as well

as in basic research.

Almost all courses are held in English, which ensures an

international environment where one can learn the relevant

English vocabulary for business purposes. Today, this is

not only important for an international career but for all

qualified positions. In this program, students from the vicin-

ity of Bern get this additional benefit for free while being

able to stay in Switzerland with their friends and family.

Duration of Studies and Part-Time Professional Oc-cupationThe full-time study program takes 4 semesters, which

corresponds to 120 ECTS points. It can be extended to a

maximum of 6 semesters. When a student decides to

complete the studies in parallel to a part-time profession-

al occupation, further extension is possible on request. To

support regular part-time work, mandatory courses take

place (with rare exceptions) on only 3 days per week.

Basic modulesThe basic modules provide the students with the neces-

sary background to be able to fully understand the highly

complex subject matter in the specialized courses. All

students with an engineering background have to com-

plete all courses in the Basic Modules Human Medicine,

Applied Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, and Engi-

neering Mechanics.

major modulesThe choice of one of three major modules Musculoskele-

tal System, Electronic Implants, or Image-Guided Therapy

after the first semester constitutes the first opportunity for

specialization. Approximately one third of the major mod-

ules consist of mandatory courses. In the elective part of

the major module, the student is allowed to select any

course from the list of courses in the master’s program,

giving rise to a high degree of diversity and flexibility and

allowing for numerous course combinations.

master’s ThesisThe last semester is dedicated to a master’s thesis project

on an individually suited topic in an academic research

group or, for particular cases, in an industrial research and

development environment.

Contact:

> volker.koch@bfh.ch

> Info: www.ti.bfh.ch/bme-master

www.bioeng.master.unibe.ch

Course structure Diagram: BUAS-EIT

Prof. Dr. Volker m. KochProgram Director at BUAS-EIT, MSc in Biomedical EngineeringPhoto: arteplus.ch

major modulesElectronic ImplantsElectronic implants are devices like cardiac pacemakers and cochlear implants. Due to miniaturization and other develop-ments, many new applications become feasible and this exciting area is growing rapidly. In this module, students will learn about the basics of electronic implants. This includes, e.g., electronics, sensor and measurement technology, biomedical signal processing and analysis, microcontroller programming, actuator technology, and miniaturization of micro-electro-me-chanical systems. Application-oriented topics are also taught, e.g., cardiovascular technology and biomedical acoustics.

Image-Guided TherapyOriginally, medical imaging was only applied during diagnosis. Later, X-ray systems were introduced in operating rooms. Recently, fluoroscopes and non-ionizing ultrasound devices became the predominant imaging modalities used in Image-Guided Therapy. Today's developments furthermore try to integrate computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems in the operating room to support intra-operative navigation. In this major module, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of all technical fundamentals required to understand, improve and develop Image-Guided Therapy systems.

musculoskeletal SystemThe musculoskeletal system is the structural basis for our physical activities and its health has a profound influence on our quality of life. Musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies are the most costly ailments facing our health care systems. In this module, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the multi-scale organization of the musculoskeletal system, combining knowledge from the cell, tissue, organ to the body level. They will learn how to apply engineering, biological and medical theory and methods to resolve complex problems in biomechanics and mechanobiology.

2/2013 hitech 15

F O C U S | H U C E - C P V R L A B

1 3D model of the aorta,2 2D cross-section of the aorta,

3 3D image of the segmentation

Figures: HuCE - cpvrLab

Until fairly recently diagnosis of conditions affecting the aorta was carried out entirely by

hand – a very demanding and long-drawn-out process. Thanks to a new process developed

at the HuCE - cpvrLab, MRI data of an aortic dissection can now be rapidly and automati-

cally segmented

Aortic dissection is the result of a tear in the inner wall of

the aorta (the body’s principal artery). This causes the

blood to separate (or dissect) the internal and external lay-

ers of the aorta, thus creating a «false» channel filled with

blood. The organs of the body – initially the heart or the

brain – are thus no longer sufficiently irrigated. The ex-

treme pressure caused by dissection can even burst the

external wall of the aorta, a medical emergency which can

soon prove fatal if left untreated. Magnetic resonance im-

aging (MRI) is currently the standard method used to iden-

tify and evaluate aortic dissections. Besides identifying

the condition, MRI can also be used to make valuable cal-

culations of the blood flow rate, i.e. the speed at which it

is circulating. These data can be used in clinical analysis,

enabling medical staff to determine the precise nature of

a dissection and the treatment it requires. In order to de-

termine the flow rates at the tear points, it is necessary to

pinpoint the precise location of the entry points. Automat-

ic segmentation of 3-dimensional tomography data is one

way of doing this.

Applying the principle in practiceIn addition to the course of a dissection, the images also

provide much information on the surrounding tissue. How-

ever, for automatic evaluation of the relevant data, it is es-

sential to perform a full segmentation of the ascending and

descending aorta and the aortic arch in a first step. The

approximate position of the aorta within the images is ini-

tially estimated for segmentation. Based on this informa-

tion and the geometric properties of an aorta, the descrip-

tive parameters can be derived to create a virtual image of

the aorta (figure 1). This representation can then be used

to highlight – or to mask – the relevant zones of the aorta

in both 2-d cross-sectional images (figure 2) and 3-d visu-

alisations (figure 3). Since the membrane has on the indi-

vidual cross sections a tube-like shape, it can be detected

with the aid of a suitable filter for the detection of vessels

and, as the ultimate objective of the exercise, examine the

entry points.

Contact :

> marcus.hudritsch@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/cpvrlab

Automatic segmentation of aortic dissections

Stephan RaibleMSc in EngineeringComputer vision engineer at the Inselspital Hospital in BernPhoto: S. Raible

2/2013 hitech 17

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F O C U S | H U C E - C P V R L A B

Helping physician and patient see clearly

Speckle reduction and image segementation in 3D OCTIronically, it is precisely these computer-assisted process-

es which have the potential to deliver enormous benefits.

Identification and reconstruction of the blood vessels in the

choroid of the eye, for example, would provide an unprec-

edented wealth of information for evaluating and analysing

a large number of eye diseases. Scientists surmise that

pathological changes in these blood vessels are linked to

both macular degeneration and glaucoma.

The HuCE - cpvrLab is actively engaged in research on the

image-processing aspects of OCT and has developed an

innovative process for reducing image interference which

has rapidly delivered results of convincing quality. The al-

gorithm has recently also been adapted for use in a mas-

sively parallel hardware architecture, cutting processing

times from over an hour to only a few seconds.

Speckle reduction will also help the subsequent segmenta-

tion of the images – or indeed make it possible in the first

place. Based on the speckle-reduction filter it has devel-

oped, the HuCE - cpvrLab has gone on to create a process

sequence which can isolate the blood vessels of the retina

from volume images generated by commercial OCT de-

vices. By using these images to construct a 3D picture, it is

then possible to measure and visually represent the net-

work of blood vessels in isolation. Building on the potential

of these applications, the HuCE - cpvrLab has now initiated

a number of follow-up studies with external partners, en-

suring the continuing importance of image-processing and

OCT in the HuCE - cpvrLab’s work

Contact:

> cyrill.gyger@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/cpvrlab

Spoilsport specklesImage layering allows modern OCT scanners to generate

large volumes of image data for individual areas of tissue.

This makes it possible, for example, to produce high-reso-

lution 3D images of the human retina, which can then be

used in medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, the physical pro-

cesses used to record the images cause these OCT pic-

tures to be blighted by characteristic speckles, thus mak-

ing it substantially harder to evaluate them or to subject

them to further computer-assisted processes.

Speckle interference is one of the major challenges facing optical coherence tomography

(OCT) today. The phenomenon causes image noise and information distortion in OCT

images, thus not only making it difficult for opthalmologists to interpret them but also

constraining their use for further software-based processing in applications such as image

segmentation. The HuCE - cpvrLab has developed an algorithm which successfully coun-

teracts this phenomenon, thus opening up entirely new diagnostic possibilities.

Cyrill GygerMSc in Engineering / BSc in Computer Science, research scientistHuCE - cpvrLabPhoto: C. Gyger

OCT scan of a retina, before and after filteringImage: HuCE - cpvrLab

Adrian PauliMSc in Engineering / BSc in Computer Science, research scientistHuCE - cpvrLabPhoto: A. Pauli

Virtual reality training in hand surgery

Virtual training scenarioThe virtual training scenario is inspired by Müller’s AO

classification of bone fractures. A simulator is being de-

veloped based on the four steps in fracture therapy – in-

dication, access, repositioning and setting.

The simulator enables to carry out, and then evaluate, inter-

ventions in accordance with a clearly structured scenario.

The simulator is equipped with haptic input devices which

use force feedback to simulate the use of medical instru-

ments. These enable the surgeions to feel the forces which

arise when they use a surgical drill to put an implant in

place and then screw it into position.

Contact:

> robert.hauck@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/cpvrlab

Currently, computer-assisted training in hand surgery is

limited to e-learning modules. For hand-surgery opera-

tions, there are as yet no virtual reality simulators (using

a computer-generated, interactive virtual environment)

of the type used in pilot training. Such applications are

however already in use in other areas of medicine, such

as endoscopy or laparoscopy.

Training students by working with live patients has sev-

eral disadvantages. First, the number of suitable patients

in hospitals is limited. Second, there are ethical issues

regarding patient safety when students are trained by

working directly with them. Cadaver specimens and ar-

tificial bones can be used instead, but both are relatively

expensive. That is why using a simulator to provide stu-

dents with virtual training in surgical techniques helps

them to learn more effectively and to keep patients safe.

Today’s hand-surgery training uses traditional teaching methods, such as anatomical atlases,

medical text books, X-ray images, artificial bone models, cadaver disection and training

with live patients. As part of a BUAS-EIT research project, the HuCE - cpvrLab has

developed a virtual reality simulator which can be used to train students to carry out hand

surgery and to evaluate their work.

Robert HauckMSc in Computer Science from the University of Bern, research scientist HuCE - cpvrLabPhoto: arteplus.ch

Test environment used for interviews with hand surgeons in Switzerland and England in order to define the functional specifications a virtual reality simulator has to meet.Photo: HuCE - cpvrLab

2/2013 hitech 21

The BUAS-EIT’s HuCE - optoLab is engaged in an international dual research project with

partners in Hong Kong and Guangzhou in China. The University of Bern’s ARTORG Center

- Ophthalmic Technology Group is also taking part. The project is being funded by the

Swiss National Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

The project aims to gain a better understanding of the axial development of the eyeball, to

monitor it in a non-invasive fashion and ultimately to control it.

Helping to reduce myopia in childhood

The lens, which has been developed at the Hong Kong

Polytechnic University, modifies the image that the young

eye sees in such a way that it reconfigures its rates of

axial and volume growth. This in-depth monitoring of the

treatment aims to ensure that the different individual reac-

tions to the treatment yield the desired results in each

case – that is, improved visual perception lasting into old

age, but without the need for further continuous wear of

lenses and spectacles, or surgical intervention.

A system for clinical useIn order to prevent the recorded images (comprising more

than 140 million individual points per second) being blurred

by eye movement, the team working under Prof. Dr. Jens

Kowal at the University of Bern’s ARTORG Center will pro-

vide the expertise required to reconstruct the images ap-

propriately. They are working with the HuCE - optoLab to

develop software which minimises the blurring effects

caused by eye movement. The tool will subsequently be

used in clinical tests to help ophthalmologists reduce the

number of patients they will that need lifelong treatment

and sustainably improve their quality of life.

Contact:

> boris.povazay@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/optolab

myopia – an overlooked epidemic?Short-sightedness (myopia) is a pathological eye condi-

tion occurring worldwide which permanently impinges on

the quality of life. In addition to mild forms of distorted

axial length development of the eye, the condition also

manifests itself in more severe forms, leading to blindness

in some cases. Spectacles, contact lenses and, more re-

cently, even laser treatment have been used to correct

this ever-more-frequent condition. In countries character-

ised by pronounced genetic sensitivity and increasing eye

strain during childhood – in industrialised societies, in oth-

er words – intense and long hours of nearwork tends to

disturb the balance between the optical power of the eye-

ball and its length. In the age of the smartphone this con-

dition is also affecting increasing numbers of children and

adolescents.

Analysis carried out at the right stage of growthWhile a person is growing, biological mechanisms moni-

tor the shape of the eye and actively align it with the im-

ages they are seeing. In order to obtain a precise picture

of these changes, a team of highly motivated HuCE - op-

toLab staff is working on developing hardware and soft-

ware for an OCT system. Unlike conventional devices, this

will not only enable them to see into the highly sensitive

human retina, which is only a few tenths of millimetre in

thickness, but also into the dynamically changing choroid

layer and even into the sclera, the ridgid white shell which

gives the eyball its shape.

Through this initiative, the BUAS scientists support their

Chinese colleagues in large cities like Hong Kong, where

more than 90% of schoolchildren and students now suffer

from myopia. The new device they are developing will pro-

vide a controlled means of using a new and highly promis-

ing type of contact lens.

Dr. Boris PovažaySNSF research-project leader Photo: Lisa Kinz

New technologies such as high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) and femtosec-

ond laser surgery are already well established in the field of ophthalmology. The HuCE - opto-

Lab and Ziemer Ophthalmology are now working together on a project to combine this highly

accurate measurement method with the micrometer-scale optical knife to make cataract

operations safer and more exact.

OCT enables the use of femtosecond lasers for cataract surgeries

F O C U S | H U C E - O P T O L A B

The challenges of OCT integrationFor the project to be implemented successfully, demanding

objectives have to be met in the areas of designing and

implementing the spectrometer, scanner optics and signal

processing.

In order to generate an image of the whole anterior seg-

ment of the eye, including its lens, an SD OCT system with

a large measurement range and limited loss in signal qual-

ity at the extremity of the measurement area is required.

The system also needs to be incorporated into a mobile

FEMTO laser base station, an undertaking which requires

both a very precise mechanical fit and limited exposure to

shocks and sources of heat. The scanner presents further

challenges, because the highly complex objective of the

femtosecond laser is also used for the OCT laser. The

scanner itself will also house moving parts and a mirror-

articulated arm. Finally, in order to generate reproducible

high-quality images with substantial measurement depth,

additional special algorithms have to be used alongside the

usual signal-processing routines in the SD OCT system.

These algorîthms support a measuring range double that

of a conventional OCT system. The additional OCT makes

it possible to use the same device to measure the eye im-

mediately before and after the operation, thus significant-

ly enhancing the safety and reliability of the system.

Contact:

> michael.peyer@bfh.ch

christoph.meier@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/optolab

Patients afflicted with a cataract suffer from impaired vi-

sion whose extent can reach complete blindness. Some

50% of today’s worldwide population of blind people lost

their sight due to age-related cataracts. This lens opacity

is surgically treatable. The procedure usually involves us-

ing ultrasound to liquefy and remove the natural lens of

the eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens

(IOL) placed inside the capsular bag of the eye.

Application of femtosecond lasersNowadays, the eye lens can also be emulsified using mi-

crometer- scale femtosecond lasers – laser devices with

a high pulse frequency, an ultra-short pulse duration and

low pulse energy. Therefore the surgeon has to know the

exact depth of operation, in order to avoid damaging the

capsular bag. However, since eye geometry varies sub-

stantially from one patient to another, the required depth

needs to be assessed for each patient individually. This is

where OCT technology makes it possible to carry out rapid,

non-invasive layer-imaging of the eye. The «Seeing Surgical

Laser» CTI project is now working on developing a spec-

trometer-based OCT system (SD OCT) which will be in-

corporated into the Ziemer FEMTO laser system.

Christoph meierProfessor of Optical Science, Director HuCE - optoLab Photo: arteplus.ch

Ziemer FemtolaserLDV Z6: mobile

base station. Photo: Ziemer Ophthalmic

Systems AG

michael PeyerBSc in Microtechnology, MSc student,research scientist, HuCE - cpvrLabPhoto: arteplus.ch

20 hitech 2/2013

Research scientists Michael Peyer andMarkus Stoller at work on the spectrometer,optimising its transmission functionsfor a better image of the retina. Photo: Boris Považay

2/2013 hitech 23

In some cases, ankle arthritis might be cured by making a horizontal cut through the

heel bone and moving the lower part sideways. Is this always a good idea? A master

student, in collaboration with BUAS-EIT, is trying to find answers.

Treatment for osteoarthritis in ankles

Prof. Dr. Andreas Stahel Head HuCE - scienceLab Photo: BUAS-EIT

F O C U S | H U C E - S C I E N C E L A B

Rosablanca Ramirez MSc in Biomedical EngineeringPhoto: R. Ramirez

Experimenting with lower legsThe lower legs were placed in a loading apparatus. A thin

layer of pressure sensors was placed in the ankle joint. The

deformities were created by means of an aluminum wedge

on the lower part of the tibia (the bone section above the

ankle). The lower bone was cut obliquely and different dis-

placements sideways (surgical distal realignments) were

performed. A force replicating a single-leg stand was ap-

plied and the static pressure distribution was recorded.

A new statistical approachParameters, such as position of centroid of force, maxi-

mal pressure or the size of severely loaded areas were

then analyzed statistically. The analysis showed that de-

formities affect the ankle joint load distribution differently.

Although the overall alignment of the lower extremity is

the same, the changes in the ankle joint are different in

supramalleolar and inframalleolar deformities.

We found that non-anatomical alignment correction of the

hindfoot does not restore the ankle mechanics. Therefore,

cutting the heel bone and shifting it sideways may not be

appropriate for the treatment of ankle arthritis. These find-

ings underline that the ankle joint is part of a kinematic

chain involving the lower leg, the hind-, mid- and the fore-

foot.

Towards a tool for planning surgeriesA Finite Element Method (FEM) model was used as a first

step towards prediction of the load distribution. The pur-

pose of the simulation was to assess whether static pres-

sure distribution of the neutral position, as measured ex-

perimentally, could be reproduced using FEM results

based on a generic ankle model. Through comparison of

the FEM model with experimental data we verified that a

good FEM model could provide an ideal vehicle for the

study of joint contact stresses on a patient-specific basis.

It could become a helpful tool for planning surgeries.

Contact:

> andreas.stahel@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/sciencelab

Misalignment of the hindfoot is one of the main risk factors

for osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. It has been suggested

that asymmetric osteoarthritis can be addressed with a rea-

lignment surgery, as an alternative to total ankle replace-

ment. Only very recently PD Dr. med. Markus Knupp (Kan-

tonsspital Liestal) examined the problem carefully. He used

fourteen cadaveric lower legs and loaded them with forces

of 700 N (i.e. the full weight of a person) to measure the force

densities within the ankle joint.

In the framework of her Master’s thesis in Biomedical Engi-

neering at University of Bern, Rosablanca Paez Ramirez an-

alyzed the data gathered by the work of Markus Knupp. The

main goal was to examine the influence of the realignment

surgeries on the force distribution within the ankle joint.

Experimental setup, lower leg seen from behindPhoto: Dr. Markus Knupp

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Vaporising medicinal plants at the correct temperature

Bertrand Dutoit Professor of Sensor TechnologyHuCE - scienceLabPhoto: arteplus.ch

F O C U S | H U C E - S C I E N C E L A B

During phyto-inhalation, the active ingredients in a medicinal plant are inhaled by means of a vaporiser.

Thanks to a new heating device developed at the HuCE - scienceLab, it is now possible to heat a

vaporiser manufactured by Element Medical SA precisely, rapidly and efficiently.

Balance is critical to humans’ ability to walk upright. Certain diseases (such as MS) and old age

can severely impinge on our sense of balance. Building a device which diagnoses and treats

balance impairment, thus helping to reduce the risk of falling, was the obvious response.

Recovering normal balance with Balance FreedomTM

Feedback via a headbandThe Balance FreedomTM rehabilitation system was devel-

oped to complement the measurement unit. Should there

be indications of imminent loss of balance, the system

alerts the patient by means of a perceptible signal sent to

a headband. This biofeedback helps the patient to learn

to avoid a fall. The BUAS-EIT participated in the develop-

ment of this system as part of a CTI project.

In a further development project, the HuCE - scienceLab

was tasked with replacing the original measurement unit

with a low-cost, low-energy, miniature wireless version rep-

licating the functionality of the larger device. The solution

they developed uses a conventional commercial multi-me-

dia remote control unit and micro-controller system with an

infra-red-signal interface which executes a range of pre-

determined commands. This hardware is now housed in a

single small box attached to the headband. The device can

generate a range of vibro-tactile feedback signals in eight

different directions, acoustic feedback via bone conduc-

tion in four directions and an optical warning signal visible

to the patient. The system can also be used in sports –

particularly in training figure skaters and ice-hockey play-

ers. The devices are now being manufactured in low-vol-

ume production runs by Damedics GmbH, an engineering

firm based in the Biel region.

Contact:

> daniel.debrunner@bfh.ch

> J. Allum, Balance International Innovations

GmbH: jallum@b2i.info

> Info: www.b2i.info

Prof. Dr. J. Allum has been engaged in experimental re-

search on human balance at the Basel University Hospital

for many years. He has developed a specialised device,

SwayStarTM, with a wide range of applications for measuring

and evaluating a person’s balance when standing or walk-

ing. The device has been successfully deployed in many

clinics for monitoring and therapeutic purposes.

The SwayStarTM system has a measurement unit attached

to the lower part of the wearer’s back by a belt. Two high-

precision gyroscopes measure the angular deviation and

angular velocity of the wearer’s upper body. A Bluetooth®

wireless transmitter sends data to a PC, which records the

wearer’s movements. SwayStarTM’s software then records

and evaluates a number of variables specific to the wear-

er’s movements.

Daniel Debrunner Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the HuCE - scienceLab Photo: arteplus.ch

Balance FreedomTM:headband with feedbackmechanism and infra-red

remote controlPhoto: Lorenz Baer

Lorenz Baer BSc in Microtechnology,research scientist HuCE - scienceLabPhoto: L. Baer

The heating stationThe objective is to bring the vaporiser to the correct tempera-

ture in less than 10 seconds. To achieve that, the station’s

heating element needs to be raised to a much higher tem-

perature, about 100°C higher than the target temperature for

the vaporiser. The heating station is therefore equipped with a

powerful cartridge heater capable of reaching temperatures

of up to 330°C.

In order to ensure that all their active ingredients are re-

leased, the plants in the vaporiser need to be heated several

times. This means that the heating station may still be very

hot when the vaporiser is placed on it. It is therefore impor-

tant that the heating station be able to measure and control

the temperature of the vaporiser so as to prevent the plants

in it being overheated.

Temperature measurement is trickyMeasuring the temperature of the vaporiser when it is placed

on the heating station proved difficult. As professor Bertrand

Dutoit explains, “The vaporiser itself is too small for its tem-

perature to be measured directly, so we circumvented that

problem by measuring the cooling of the cartridge heater in

the heating station.”

A photo-electric cell detects when the vaporiser is inserted

on the heating station. Once the light threshold has been

crossed, the cartridge heater is activated. The station is then

able to determine the temperature of the vaporiser by refer-

ence to the cooling curve of the cartridge heater.

Three LED’s placed on the front panel of the heating station

indicate to the user when the plants have reached the re-

quired temperature. Because the temperature at which dif-

ferent medicinal plants release their active ingredients varies,

the heating station has an incremental potentiometer for

regulating the target temperature.

Several prototypes of this heating station are currently be-

ing tested. The finished product will soon be commer-

cially available.

Contact:

> bertrand.dutoit@bfh.ch

micha.kernen@bfh.ch

> Info: www.vapman.ch

During phyto-inhalation, a vaporiser is used to heat medici-

nal plants (phyto). The plants’ active ingredients are vapor-

ised and then inhaled (inhalation). Phyto-inhalation may be

used either therapeutically or as a means of enjoying the

benefits of certain herbs and essences.

The vaporiserVapman is a pocket-sized vaporiser manufactured by Ele-

ment medical SA. It enables the active ingredients in a plant

to be inhaled by heating it beyond its boiling point. For the

active ingredients in commonly used plants, the required tem-

perature is generally between 110°C and 230°C. Until now, a

special lighter had always been used to heat the Vapman. The

drawback of this approach was that it did not allow the plants

to be heated to a precise temperature. To address this, the

HuCE - scienceLab have developed an electronically con-

trolled heating station as an accessory to the Vapman.

micha KernenHuCE - scienceLab research scientistPhoto: arteplus.ch

Photo showing the new heating station(left) and the currentvaporiser (centre ) Photo: Micha Kernen24 hitech 2/2013 2/2013 hitech 25

2/2013 hitech 27

By harnessing advanced technologies and combining these with methods from

high-performance sports, the IRPT is helping people living with disability to realise

their full potential.

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology

is applying advanced locomotion-robotics systems to the

cardiopulmonary rehabilitation of patients who have suf-

fered a stroke. We have carried out similar work at the

Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil: that research involved

people with a spinal cord injury.

Advancing innovation in rehabilitation roboticsThe technology of rehabilitation robotics lies at the heart

of the IRPT’s endeavours and for this reason we have es-

tablished joint product development projects with major

players in the medical technology industry. A key IRPT part-

ner is the company Hocoma AG, a global leader in robotic

rehabilitation systems based near Zürich. One exemplary

research project involves Hocoma’s Lokomat gait reha-

bilitation robot which we have adapted for cardiopulmo-

nary rehabilitation and are presently assessing at our re-

search facility in Reha Rheinfelden (see pp. 28-29).

IRPT – a multidisciplinary team effortTo meet the complex challenges posed by research in the

field of medical technology and rehabilitation, a highly-

qualified multidisciplinary team has been established in the

IRPT. The team currently comprises a medical doctor with

specialisation in rehabilitation, two physiotherapists, a hu-

man movement scientist, together with specialists from

the various engineering disciplines. It is only through close

teamwork involving engineers and clinicians that real pro-

gress can be made. We hope that this brief overview and

the applications article on pages 28-29 will arouse your

interest and give you some insight into this fascinating and

rewarding field of research.

Contact:

> kenneth.hunt@bfh.ch

> Info: huce.ti.bfh.ch/irpt

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Tech-

nology (IRPT) was established in Burgdorf in 2011. Our

research programme is shaped by the idea of taking

methods which have been developed in the field of high-

performance sports and adapting these for the optimal

rehabilitation of patients with neurological impairments;

we are focused on the development and clinical assess-

ment of novel rehabilitation-engineering systems that

can be used for fitness training and assessment, even in

patients who have become severely disabled through in-

jury or disease. We term this approach cardiopulmonary

rehabilitation.

Close collaboration with rehabilitation centresThe IRPT works closely with leading rehabilitation centres

in Switzerland. Our principal medical collaborator is the

neuro-rehabilitation clinic Reha Rheinfelden. As described

on pages 28-29 of this issue, our research in Rheinfelden

Prof. Dr. Kenneth J. HuntHead, Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance TechnologyDivision of Mechanical EngineeringBUAS-EITPhoto: BUAS-EIT

F O C U S | I N S T I T U T E F O R R E H A B I L I T A T I O N A N D P E R F O R M A N C E T E C H N O L O G y

The IRPT’s research Lokomat at Reha Rheinfelden. Photo: IRPT

2 /2012 hitech 29

The World Health Organisation states that «every six seconds, someone’s quality of

life will forever be changed – they will permanently be physically disabled due to

stroke.» In Switzerland, every year more than 16 000 people experience a stroke.

Innovative rehabilitation methods are sought which facilitate recovery.

Technology meets rehabilitation

F O C U S | I N S T I T U T E F O R R E H A B I L I T A T I O N A N D P E R F O R M A N C E T E C H N O L O G y

Oliver StollerPhD candidate and Research Assistant, Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology, BUAS-EIT Photo: BUAS-EIT

2/2013 hitech 2928 hitech 2/2013

F O C U S | I N S T I T U T E F O R R E H A B I L I T A T I O N A N D P E R F O R M A N C E T E C H N O L O G y

Innovative clinical rehabilitation methods: therapy robots, virtual reality, and motor imageryOver the last decade several innovative rehabilitation meth-

ods have been developed. One of them is therapy with ro-

botic devices that can be used to improve locomotion or

cardiovascular fitness as mentioned before. The family of

therapy robots also includes devices to practice upper limb

functions. Recently, the ARMin III robot was evaluated for its

effectiveness in a multi-centre study. Patients after stroke

were recruited to receive conventional therapy or robot ther-

apy over an eight week period. The results have not been

fully analysed yet, but it is expected that they will support

trends from the literature indicating that electromechanical

or robotics-assisted training can add beneficial effects dur-

ing the upper limb recovery process in patients after stroke.

Going one step further, the Reha Rheinfelden initiated a pro-

ject to introduce the ARMin III for a wider spectrum of pa-

tients with other diseases of the brain or after an injury, e.g.

Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Spinal Cord Injury. It is

highly important to gain more knowledge on the clinical ap-

plicability and to develop treatment guidelines for these new

therapy methods.

Virtual reality has been widely used in the gaming industry

for decades and has now found its way into neurorehabilita-

tion. In cooperation with the University of Zürich, ETH Zürich,

and youRehab Inc. a multi-centre study (Bürgerspital Solo-

thurn, Inselspital Bern, and Reha Rheinfelden) was initiated

to evaluate the benefits of upper limb training comparing vir-

Research collaborationTechnology meets rehabilitation – that is the fundamental

idea of the joint cooperation between the Institute for Reha-

bilitation and Performance Technology (IRPT) and the Reha

Rheinfelden. Engineers and health professionals are working

together to develop, evaluate, and improve promising reha-

bilitation technologies for clinical practice. Here we describe

research directions within this collaborative programme.

CardioRobot: A cooperative research projectHuman endurance beats that of nearly all species on the

planet – this means that we are optimally designed to per-

form extended aerobic exercise (e.g. running, walking). Un-

surprisingly, regular aerobic exercise training has positive

effects on several healthcare related aspects such as cardio-

vascular fitness, stress reduction, body fat oxidation, and it

might be responsible for various health-conserving mecha-

nisms during our lifetime.

As a consequence of constrained immobilisation, the ma-

jority of patients suffering from serious disease such as

neurological or cardiac pathologies have low endurance for

exercise. Thus the early and continuous promotion of phys-

ical activity (e.g. cardiovascular exercise) is highly important

for maintenance and improvement of aerobic capacity in

these deconditioned individuals. The aim of the CardioRo-

bot project is to explore early cardiovascular exercise strat-

egies for patients suffering from severe neurological dis-

eases such as stroke.

We developed appropriate concepts to optimally facilitate

cardiovascular exercise in this population by refining existing

robotics-assisted training devices; we implemented a hu-

man-in-the-loop feedback-control structure to guide pa-

tients during robotics-assisted treadmill exercise by defining

specific target work rate profiles. Graded stress tests and

prolonged exercise have demonstrated effectiveness and

feasibility in the early stages after stroke. Patients had to

perform extensive workouts to reach their maximal aerobic

capacity; cardiovascular performance parameters (e.g. oxy-

gen uptake, respiratory volume and heart rate) were record-

ed continuously.

Currently, we are conducting a clinical intervention study at

the Reha Rheinfelden. Patients after stroke will randomly be

allocated to a cardiovascular intervention programme or to

conventional care only. We are interested in the feasibility

and efficacy of additional cardiovascular exercise in severely

impaired stroke patients using feedback-controlled robotics-

assisted treadmill exercise during the early rehabilitation

phase. We expect that this concept might have the potential

to improve aerobic capacity in non-ambulatory patients, and

could be prospectively used to explore the effects of early

cardiovascular exercise on several important health aspects

such as neural plasticity, motor recovery, and quality of life.

tual reality and conventional physiotherapy in patients after

stroke. With the help of movement sensors that are attached

to gloves, patients’ finger and arm movements can be dis-

played in real time on a computer screen. In this way, the

displayed fingers and arms can be directed to move and

manipulate objects in various virtual environments.

Can you imagine moving your arm to touch your head or

nose? The imagination of movements is called motor im-

agery. It is an easy-to-learn-and-use treatment technique

with its origin in sport psychology. If motor imagery is com-

bined with the physical performance of the imagined move-

ment it can help in re-learning of movements after stroke or

surgery. The technique is being investigated in several pa-

tient studies at the Reha Rheinfelden to develop successful

treatment strategies.

OutlookThe collaborative programme opens a variety of possibilities

to implement technology into clinical rehabilitation. Together,

patients’ needs and technological challenges can be met.

Contact:

> oliver.stoller@bfh.ch

c.schuster@reha-rhf.ch

> Info: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01679600

www.reha-rheinfelden.ch

Dr. Corina SchusterHead of Research Department Reha Rheinfelden, and Research Assistant, Institute for Rehabilitation and Performance Technology, BUAS-EITPhoto: BUAS-EIT

CardioRobot: The experimental setup of a graded stress test using feedback-controlled robotics-assis-ted treadmill exercise early after stroke Photo: IRPT

Graduation ceremony

IIHS small overlap crash test DTC Dynamic Test Center AG used a Renault Scénic II to carry out four crash tests to determine how pre-cisely a head-on collision between two cars could be reproduced using the static IIHS barrier and what im-provements to vehicle construction could be used to improve passenger protection in the IIHS small overlap crash test. Info: dtc-ag.chContact: bernhard.gerster@bfh.ch

News

BUAS-EIT Information Days13.06.2013 14 06.2013 (Information Technology and Medical IT in Biel)Info and registration:ti.bfh.ch/infotage

IT diploma theses exhibition14.06.2013, in Biel (Höheweg 80).

Techdays20.–21.09.2013 in Biel, Vauffelin and Burgdorfti.bfh.ch/techdays

Graduation ceremony21.09.2013 Bern Kursaal Arena

La famille canardTo mark its 25th anniversary, «Sen-sors.ch» has awarded a grant of CHF 5,000 to the «La famille canard» (in English, «the duck family») project. Xavier Mauron is currently working on his bachelor thesis in Microtech-nology on this subject, under the su-pervision of Prof. Bertrand Dutoit.Contact: bertrand.dutoit@bfh.ch

Prize for innovative energy systems Integrated Power Solutions AG (IPS AG), a Bern University of Applied Sci-ences spin-off, presented a new lith-ium-ion energy system at the Stutt-gart Logimat Industrial Fair, for which it was awarded first prize in the «Be-schaffen, Fördern, Lagern» (in Eng-lish, «Sourcing, shipping, storing») category.Contact: andrea.vezzini@bfh.ch

The search for the optimum The German specialist magazine «Mikroproduktion» published an arti-cle on the bachelor thesis written by a BUAS Mechanical Engineering stu-dent in the micro assembly section of its February 2013 edition. Beat Zulauf wrote his thesis, entitled «Computer-gestütztes Ausrichten optischer Fa-sern» (in English, «Computer-assisted optical-fibre configuration»), at the ALPS Institute’s Applied Fibre Tech-nology group.Contact: valerio.romano@bfh.ch

Prof. Dr. V.Koch receives awardProf. Dr. Volker M. Koch, the BUAS’sMSc in Biomedical Engineering pro-gramme director, became a Senior Member of the IEEE. Prof. Koch is cur-rently Vice-Chairman of IEEE Switzer-land and head of the Swiss IEEE chapter on Engineering in Medicine and Biology. The IEEE is the world’s largest professional association for the advancement of technology. Info: www.ieee.org

International exchange With effect from March 1, Alexander Leu has taken over the International Exchanges mandate from David-Olivi-er Jaquet-Chiffelle and Max Felser. He is responsible for matters relating to the international mobility of students (under the ERASMUS and IAESTE programmes) and of teaching faculty.Contact: international.ti@bfh.ch

Institute of mechanical Engineer-ing Systems Since April 1, 2013, the IFMS team has a new director, Norman Urs Baier, who is also responsible for the De-partment of Electrical and Communi-cation Technology. Contact: norman.baier@bfh.ch

Bachelor PlusFor many years, the Bern University of Applied Sciences has supported bilingualism. At the beginning of the coming academic year next Sep-tember, its existing range of bilingual programmes at the BUAS-EIT will be extended to include a new «Bache-lor Bilingue» programme. Thanks to this new curriculum, the BUAS-EIT is able to provide its students with an additional opportunity to make the most of their studies by improving their language skills while studying for their BSc degree.Info: ti.bfh.ch/bachelorplus

2 /2013 hitech 31

E V E N T S

The Bigballs Photo: BUAS-EIT

The spring graduates from the BSc programmes in Auto-

motive Technology, Electrical and Communication Tech-

nology, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering

and Microtechnology and Medical Technology received

their diplomas on March 8, 2013, as did 16 graduates

from the MSc in Engineering programme.

The diplomas were awarded at a festive graduation cere-

mony held at the Stade de Suisse in Bern.

E V E N T S

Many thanks to our sponsors:

Main sponsor: Noser Engineering

Co-sponsors: Puzzle ITC / Ziemer Ophthalmology

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