Characteristics of Evacuation Guidance Sounds for the Visually-Impaired during Fire Alarms

Recently, various intelligent evacuation guidance systems that can be applied in buildings were studied. Technology development for the evacuation of vulnerable people such as the visually-impaired is necessary. Voice guidance is a method used to lead the visually-impaired toward the evacuation route. However, it is necessary to review whether it is possible to hear and understand the voice guidance during the sounding of fire alarms. In this study, simulations were conducted to predict the sound power level of the voice guidance device that can secure an acceptable sound transmission index of the guide sound and the appropriate distance from the voice guidance device, when a fire alarm sound is generated in a hallway space. The study found that an acceptable sound transmission index was achieved when the sound power level was 100 dB and the appropriate type of sound device was found to be a necklace-type headset or a regular headphone.

Development of a miniaturized robotic guidance device for stereotactic neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE Consistently high accuracy and a straightforward use of stereotactic guidance systems are crucial for precise stereotactic targeting and a short procedural duration. Although robotic guidance systems are widely used, currently available systems do not fully meet the requirements for a stereotactic guidance system that combines the advantages of frameless surgery and robotic technology. The authors developed and optimized a small-scale yet highly accurate guidance system that can be seamlessly integrated into an existing operating room (OR) setup due to its design. The aim of this clinical study is to outline the development of this miniature robotic guidance system and present the authors’ clinical experience. METHODS After extensive preclinical testing of the robotic stereotactic guidance system, adaptations were implemented for robot fixation, software usability, navigation integration, and end-effector application. Development of the robotic system was then advanced in a clinical series of 150 patients between 2013 and 2019, including 111 needle biopsies, 13 catheter placements, and 26 stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) electrode placements. During the clinical trial, constant modifications were implemented to meet the setup requirements, technical specifications, and workflow for each indication. For each application, specific setup, workflow, and median procedural accuracy were evaluated. RESULTS Application of the miniature robotic system was feasible in 149 of 150 cases. The setup in each procedure was successfully implemented without adding significant OR time. The workflow was seamlessly integrated into the preexisting procedure. In the course of the study, procedural accuracy was improved. For the biopsy procedure, the real target error (RTE) was reduced from a mean of 1.8 ± 1.03 mm to 1.6 ± 0.82 mm at entry (p = 0.05), and from 1.7 ± 1.12 mm to 1.6 ± 0.72 mm at target (p = 0.04). For the SEEG procedures, the RTE was reduced from a mean of 1.43 ± 0.78 mm in the first half of the procedures to 1.12 ± 0.52 mm (p = 0.002) at entry in the second half, and from 1.82 ± 1.13 mm to 1.57 ± 0.98 mm (p = 0.069) at target, respectively. No healing complications or infections were observed in any case. CONCLUSIONS The miniature robotic guidance device was able to prove its versatility and seamless integration into preexisting workflow by successful application in 149 stereotactic procedures. According to these data, the robot could significantly improve accuracy without adding time expenditure.

A novel miniature robotic guidance device for stereotactic neurosurgical interventions: preliminary experience with the iSYS1 robot

OBJECTIVE Robotic devices have recently been introduced in stereotactic neurosurgery in order to overcome the limitations of frame-based and frameless techniques in terms of accuracy and safety. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the novel, miniature, iSYS1 robotic guidance device in stereotactic neurosurgery. METHODS A preclinical phantom trial was conducted to compare the accuracy and duration of needle positioning between the robotic and manual technique in 162 cadaver biopsies. Second, 25 consecutive cases of tumor biopsies and intracranial catheter placements were performed with robotic guidance to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and duration of system setup and application in a clinical setting. RESULTS The preclinical phantom trial revealed a mean target error of 0.6 mm (range 0.1–0.9 mm) for robotic guidance versus 1.2 mm (range 0.1–2.6 mm) for manual positioning of the biopsy needle (p < 0.001). The mean duration was 2.6 minutes (range 1.3–5.5 minutes) with robotic guidance versus 3.7 minutes (range 2.0–10.5 minutes) with manual positioning (p < 0.001). Clinical application of the iSYS1 robotic guidance device was feasible in all but 1 case. The median real target error was 1.3 mm (range 0.2–2.6 mm) at entry and 0.9 mm (range 0.0–3.1 mm) at the target point. The median setup and instrument positioning times were 11.8 minutes (range 4.2–26.7 minutes) and 4.9 minutes (range 3.1–14.0 minutes), respectively. CONCLUSIONS According to the preclinical data, application of the iSYS1 robot can significantly improve accuracy and reduce instrument positioning time. During clinical application, the robot proved its high accuracy, short setup time, and short instrument positioning time, as well as demonstrating a short learning curve.