Brain computer interface (BCI) is an information channel independent of routine brain output ways such as peripheral nerves and muscle organization. As a special human-computer interface mode, it provides a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices so as to exert control over those devices by ways other than primitive human communication. Controlling over mobile peripheral devices such as intelligent wheelchairs or nursing robots is a very important application of BCI technology in the future. This paper describes the newest progress of the above mentioned technology, analyzes and compares key techniques involved, and forecasts future development in this field.
Algorithms ; Brain Diseases ; rehabilitation ; Communication Aids for Disabled ; Computer Systems ; Electroencephalography ; instrumentation ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; User-Computer Interface

Objective:To observe and summarise the clinical effect of free groin flap in repairing of soft tissue defects in extremities, and to explore the selection of main vessel in a flap.Methods:From January 2018 to January 2021, 146 patients with soft tissue defects in extremities were treated with free groin flaps in the Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Guangxi Guilin Xing'an Jieshou Orthopaedic Hospital. There were 126 patients with traumatic wound and 20 with chronic ulcer. In addition, 86 of the patients with bone fracture and exposure of internal fixator, 18 with tendon, nerve or artery injuries or defects. There were 6 patients with severe infection and other 3 with deep dead space. The sizes of wound ranged from 2.0 cm×3.0 cm to 25.0 cm×6.0 cm. The flap was the same size as the wound and not enlarged. Firstly, the superficial branch of superficial iliac circumflex artery was explored as the axial artery for all the flaps, then the blood supply vessels of the flap were selected according to the availability of the axial artery. The size, course, adjacent and possible length to be freed of the axial artery and the accompanying veins of a flap were recorded. The donor sites were directly sutured and closed. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic.Results:Free groin flap were used to repair the wounds in all patients. However, the main blood supply vessel of the flap was not constant, and it was often required to adjust the way of flap harvesting. Superficial circumflex iliac artery was taken as the axial vessels in 141 patients (96.6%), among them, 133 cases(94.3%) had the superficial branch as the axis and 5 cases (3.6%) had deep branch as the axis. Three patients (2.1%) had the bone and soft tissue defects reconstructed with vascularised iliac mosaic osteocutaneous flap with superficial circumflex iliac artery as axial vessel and 5 cases(3.4%) had the superficial epigastric artery as axial vessel. The axial arteries were measured as follow: the superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was 0.5-0.9 mm in diameter and 7.0-9.0 cm in length, the outer diameter of the deep branch was 1.2-1.4 mm and 9.0-11.0 cm in length, and the outer diameter of superficial epigastric artery was 1.0-1.6 mm and 8.0-11.3 cm in length. All the flaps survived smoothly after surgery and the follow-up period ranged 6-40 (mean 26) months. The texture of the flaps was soft with good function.Conclusion:Free groin flap can be used to repair soft tissue defects in extremities. The main axial vessel is the superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery, followed by the deep branch or the trunk. The superficial abdominal artery can also be used as an axial vessel. Under the circumstances, the flap design needs to be adjusted without changing the supply area

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of senile neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) inpatients in south China, especially in Guangdong province, and explore the influencing factors for their medical expenses.Methods:The medical records of 7231 patients with NDDs≥65 years were collected in the electronic health database of our hospital from January 2010 to December 2019, including gender, age, admission ways, chief complaints, length of hospital stays and medical expenses. On the basis of median of the medical expenses (21 345 yuan) of these patients, they were divided into low cost (<21 345 yuan) group and high cost (≥21 345 yuan) group. Univariate Logistic analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were conducted to screen the influencing factors for medical expenses and the independent influencing factors.Results:(1) The main age group of geriatric inpatients with NDDs were 70-79 years (40.96%); the admission source was mainly outpatient (56.70%), and length of hospital stays of a large percent of patients (44.50%) were 8-14 d. (2) From 2010 to 2019, the number of hospitalized geriatric patients with NDDs showed an increasing trend year by year, the overall trend of length of hospital stays was shortened, and the medical expenses showed gradual increase; the causes of hospitalization, percentages of patients caused by infection, abnormal blood pressure and water-electrolyte metabolism disturbances showed decreased trend, percentages of patients caused by heart diseases, cerebrovascular accidents and mental-psychological diseases showed increased trend, and the proportions of patients caused by fracture/trauma/wound injuries were generally stable. The proportion of patients returning home and mortality rate after hospital discharge were declined, and the proportion of patients returning to other medical or community institutions was increased. (3) Living in ICU, length of hospital stays, diabetes, nosocomial infection, chronic kidney disease, urinary tract infection, tumble, body mass index, and anticholinergic drugs were independent risk factors influencing the medical expenses ( P<0.05). Conclusions:An aging trend is noted in patients with NDDs; the number of hospitalized patients and medical expenses increase year by year, and the length of hospital stays gradually decreases. In view of the many factors that influence the medical expenses of this disease, it is suggested to develop the corresponding standardized treatment plan for the main influencing factors in clinical practice.