Electromyography computed tomography (EMG-CT) method is proposed for visualizing the individual muscle activities in the human forearm. An EMG conduction model was formulated for reverse-estimation of muscle activities using EMG signals obtained with multi surface electrodes. The optimization process was calculated using sequential quadratic programming by comparing the estimated EMG values from the model with the measured values. The individual muscle activities in the deep region were estimated and used to produce an EMG tomographic image. For validation of the method, isometric contractions of finger muscles were examined for three subjects, applying a flexion load (4.9, 7.4 and 9.8 N) to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger. EMG signals in the forearm were recorded during the tasks using multiple surface electrodes, which were bound around the subject’s forearm. The EMG-CT method illustrates the distribution of muscle activities within the forearm. The change in amplitude and area of activated muscles can be observed. The normalized muscle activities of all three subjects appear to increase monotonically with increases in the load. Kinesiologically, this method was able to estimate individual muscle activation values and could provide a novel tool for studying hand function and development of an examination for evaluating rehabilitation

No abstract

No abstract

This paper presents a novel indirect cryogenic cooling system, employing liquid nitrogen (LN2) as a coolant for machining the difficult-to-cut ASTM F-1537 cobalt chromium (CoCr) alloy. The prototype differs from the already existing indirect cooling systems by using a modified cutting insert that allows a larger volume of cryogenic fluid to flow under the cutting zone. For designing the prototype analytical and finite element thermal calculations were performed, this enabled to optimize the heat evacuation of the tool from the rake face without altering the stress distribution on the insert when cutting material. Turning experiments on ASTM F-1537 CoCr alloys were performed under different cutting conditions and employing indirect cryogenic cooling and dry machining, to test the performance of the developed system. The results showed that the new system improved surface roughness by 12%, and cutting forces were also reduced by 12%, when compared to existing indirect cryogenic cooling technique.

No abstract