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Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 1990 March |
| 32-1 High Performance Biomaterials | 
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High Performance Biomaterials The aim of this research is to prolong the life time of endoprostheses to much greater than ten years, through the application of advanced biocomposite materials such as alumina, zirconia, hydroxyapatite, ceramic filled ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and ceramic coated Ti alloy. Proof testing using joint simulators, wear testers, and cell incubation systems, is used to investigate the long-term mechanical reliability and biocompatibility of devices using these materials. |
| 32-2 Advanced Disease Diagnosis Systems | 
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Advanced Disease Diagnosis Systems Accurate diagnosis of abnormal tissue (e. g. cancer) requires a great deal of information. Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques, three dimensional images of tissue structure, together with information on chemical composition, can be obtained non-invasively, providing a great deal of useful information to support the diagnostician. This study has three major goals which are： The development of novel computational techniques for ultrafast processing and display of NMR data, the development of an advanced optical three-dimensional NMR data display system, and the development of precise diagnosis methods using these techniques. |
| 33-1 Higher Order Brain Functions | 
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Higher Order Brain Functions The higher order brain functions such as perception, recognition, movement control, behaviour, emotion and intention are related to biochemical molecular processes occurring in the brain tissue. In this investigation, the distribution and roles of the various chemical messengers (amines, amino acids, hormones, and so on) in the brain are being studied using non-invasive techniques such as in vivo high resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging. |
| 33-2 Biomimetic Actuators using Polymer Gels | 
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Biomimetic Actuators using Polymer Gels In this project, high performance mechanochemical materials are under investigation with a view to the development of a biomimetic actuator (an actuator which converts chemical energy into work). The material currently under investigation is polyvinyl alchohol hydrogel, and it is hoped that significant improvements in the response time and contraction power of this material will be obtained. So far, a power generation capability close to that found in human muscles has been achieved. |
| 34-1 Fundamental Studies for a Near-infrared CT Scanner | 
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Fundamental Studies for a Near-infrared CT Scanner The absorption coefficient of Near Infrared (NIR) radiation in living tissue is very low, and so it appears possible to construct a NIB CT scanner which works by detecting the transmission of NIR radiation through living tissue. Investigations so far have indicated that NIR CT scanners will be able to give much valuable information about the oxygenation state of organs such as the heart and brain, thus enabling analysis of the relationship between mental activity and the oxygenation of the brain. However, the interaction of NIR radiation and living tissue is not as yet fully understood, and so this project aims to achieve an understanding of the fundamental phenomena of scattering and absorption of light by living tissue, to provide basic data for the development of NIR CT scanner systems. |
| 34-2 Evaluation of the Biocompatibility of Biomaterials | 
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Evaluation of the Biocompatibility of Biomaterials In this study, the in vivo biocompatibility of materials such as alumina, zirconia, hydroxyapatite, Ti-alloys, and PMMA, have been evaluated using a cell culture technique. In this work, new evaluation criteria such as cell morphology and cell adhesion strength have been adopted in addition to the classical criteria of initial adhesion rate, relative growth rate, and so on. The biomaterials were made into disks with various different surface roughnesses, and seeded with L-929 cells in 2ml of Eagle's MEM 10% fetal calf serum. The disks were then placed in culture dishes and incubated at 37℃ in humidified air containing 5% CO2. The cell morphology and adhesion strength were measured by image analysis and biomechanical techniques, and the relative growth rates were assessed by cell counting. |
