Detecting Pedestrians from a Video by Stereo Cameras

Kazuki Inumaru,Joo Kooi Tan,Hyoungseop Hyoungseop,Seiji Ishikawa 제어로봇시스템학회 2009 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.8

The technologies for safe driving assistance are of particular importance to escape pedestrians from traffic accidents. We have been doing research on detecting pedestrians by use of stereo cameras on an automobile and giving them priorities according to their degree of danger by analyzing their motions/behaviors. In this particular paper, we present a technique for detecting pedestrians employing stereo camera images. From a disparity map, each pixel on the image is voted on a depth image employing a 2-D Gaussian distribution and the region having a peak value of the vote is chosen as an object region. This region is represented by HOG features and judged if it is a human by SVM. Experimental results show satisfactory performance of the technique.

Infl uence of Strain Induced Martensite Formation of Austenitic Stainless Steel on Wear Properties

Yoon‑Seok Lee,Kazuki Ishikawa,Mitsuhiro Okayasu 대한금속·재료학회 2019 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.25 No.3

In this study, the wear characteristics and behaviors of both AISI304 and AISI316 austenitic stainless steels were evaluatedunder the diff erent rotation speeds, using block-on-ring wear testing machine. From the microstructure analysis, at the fi rst,the transition of strain induced-martensite was observed in wear-aff ected region of both AISI304 and AISI316. It is consideredthat the interfacial friction stress between test block and ring may trigger the phase transformation of meta-stable γ-fccto ε/α′ martensite. Moreover, it is also observed that the amount of martensite increases with increasing rotation speed forboth AISI304 and AISI316. The thickness of transformed martensite was deeper in AISI304, compared to AISI316 at allrotation speed. It can be explained by that the existence of molybdenum in AISI316 increases stacking fault energy, whichcan retard nucleation and growth of strain induced-martensite. Furthermore, reverse transformation was also detected atsubsurface layer of both AISI304 and AISI316.

Efficacy of Direct Injection of Etanercept into Knee Joints for Pain in Moderate and Severe Knee Osteoarthritis

Seiji Ohtori,Sumihisa Orita,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Yawara Eguchi,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Shunji Kishida,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Junichi Nakamura,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamoda,Miyako Suzuki 연세대학교의과대학 2015 Yonsei medical journal Vol.56 No.5

Purpose: Osteoarthritic (OA) pain is largely considered to be inflammatory pain. However, during the last stage of knee OA, sensorynerve fibers in the knee are shown to be significantly damaged when the subchondral bone junction is destroyed, and this can induce neuropathic pain. Several authors have reported that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in a knee joint plays a crucial role in pain modulation. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of etanercept, a TNFα inhibitor, for pain in knee OA. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with knee OA and a 2–4 Kellgren-Lawrence grading were evaluated in this prospectivestudy. Patients were divided into two groups; hyaluronic acid (HA) and etanercept injection. All patients received a single injectioninto the knee. Pain scores were evaluated before and 4 weeks after injection using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and they were compared between the groups. Results: Before injection, VAS and WOMAC scores were not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Significant pain relief was found in the etanercept group at 1 and 2 weeks by VAS, and at 4 weeks by WOMAC score, compared with the HA group (p<0.05). No adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion: Direct injection of etanercept into OA knee joints was an effective treatment for pain in moderate and severe OA patients. Furthermore, this finding suggests that TNFα is one factor that induces OA pain.

Mini-Open Anterior Retroperitoneal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Degeneration Disease

Seiji Ohtori,Sumihisa Orita,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Yawara Eguchi,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Shunji Kishida,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Junichi Nakamura,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamoda,Miyako Suzuki 연세대학교의과대학 2015 Yonsei medical journal Vol.56 No.4

Purpose: Surgery for lumbar spinal degeneration disease is widely performed. While posterior decompression and fusion are popular, anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is also used for treatment. Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) is commonly used for noninvasive ALIF; however, several complications, such as spinal nerve and psoas muscle injury, have been reported. In the current study, we examined the clinical efficacy and complications of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) for lumbar spinal degeneration disease. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with degenerated spondylolisthesis, discogenic pain, and kyphoscoliosiswere examined. All patients underwent OLIF surgery (using a cage and bone graft from the iliac crest) with or without posterior decompression, without real-time electromyography monitoring. Posterior screws were used in all patients. Visualanalog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Surgical complications were also evaluated. Results:Pain scores significantly improved after surgery, compared to those before surgery (p<0.05). There was no patient who underwent revision surgery. There was no spinal nerve, major vessel, peritoneal, or urinary injury. Few patients showed symptoms from psoas invasion. Conclusion: OLIF surgery produced good surgical results without any major complication.

Progressive Change in Joint Degeneration in Patients with Knee or Hip Osteoarthritis Treated with Fentanyl in a Randomized Trial

Tatsuya Fujii,Seiji Ohtori,Koshi Takana,Sumihisa Orita,Gen Inoue,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamoda,Miyako Suzuki,Yoshihiro Sakuma,Gou Kub 연세대학교의과대학 2014 Yonsei medical journal Vol.55 No.5

Purpose: Opioids improve pain from knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) and decreasethe functional impairment of patients. However, there is a possibility that opioids induce analgesia and suppress the physiological pain of OA in patients, thereby inducing the progression of OA changes in these patients. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possibility of progressive changes in OA among patients using opioids. Materials and Methods: Two hundred knee or hip OA patients were evaluated in the current prospective, randomized, active-controlledstudy. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 into three parallel treatment groups: loxoprofen, tramadol/acetaminophen, and transdermal fentanyl groups. Medicationwas administered for 12 weeks. Pain scores and progressive OA changes on X-ray films were evaluated. Results: Overall, pain relief was obtained by all three groups. Most patients did not show progressive OA changes; however, 3 patients in the transdermal fentanyl group showed progressive OA changes during the 12 weeks of treatment. These 3 patients used significantly higher doses than others in the transdermal fentanyl group. Additionally, the average pain score for these 3 patientswas significantly lower than the average pain score for the other patients in the transdermal fentanyl group. Conclusion: Fentanyl may induce progressive changes in knee or hip OA during a relatively short period, compared with oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or tramadol.

Efficacy of Combination of Meloxicam and Pregabalin for Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis

Seiji Ohtori,Gen Inoue,Sumihisa Orita,Masashi Takaso,Yawara Eguchi,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Shunji Kishida,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamoda,Miyako Suzkuki,Junich 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.5

Purpose: Osteoarthritic pain is largely considered to be inflammatory pain. Sensory nerve fibers innervating the knee have been shown to be significantly damaged in rat models of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in which the subchondral bone junction is destroyed, and this induces neuropathic pain (NP). Pregabalin was developed as a pain killer for NP; however, there are no reports on pregabalin use in OA patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pregabalin for pain in OA patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty-nine knee OA patients were evaluated in this randomized prospective study. Patients were divided into meloxicam, pregabalin, and meloxicam+pregabalin groups. Pain scores were evaluated before and 4 weeks after drug application using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Pain scales among groups were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Before drug application, there was no significant difference in VAS and WOMAC scores among the three groups (p>0.05). Significant pain relief was seen in the meloxicam+pregabalin group in VAS at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, and WOMAC score at 4 weeks, compared with the other groups (p<0.05). No significant pain relief was seen in the meloxicam only group in VAS during 4 weeks and WOMAC score at 4 weeks compared with the pregabalin only group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Meloxicam+pregabalin was effective for pain in OA patients. This finding suggests that OA pain is a combination of inflammatory and NP.

Transdermal Fentanyl for Chronic Low Back Pain

Seiji Ohtori,Gen Inoue,Sumihisa Orita,Yawara Eguchi,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Shunji Kishida,Masashi Takaso,Yasuchika Aoki,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Junichi Nakamura,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Gen Arai,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Ka 연세대학교의과대학 2012 Yonsei medical journal Vol.53 No.4

Purpose: Chronic low back pain is a common clinical problem. As medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally used; however, they are sometimes non-effective. Recently, opioids have been used for the treatment of chronic low back pain, and since 2010, transdermal fentanyl has been used to treat chronic non-cancer pain in Japan. The purpose of the current study was to examine the efficacy of transdermal fentanyl in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods: This study included patients (n=62) that suffered from chronic low back pain and were non-responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their conditions consisted of non-specific low back pain, multiple back operations, and specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Patients were given transdermal fentanyl for chronic low back pain. Scores of the visual analogue scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, as well as adverse events were evaluated before and after therapy. Results: Overall, visual analogue scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved significantly after treatment. Transdermal fentanyl (12.5 to 50 μg/h) was effective in reducing low back pain in 45 of 62 patients; however, it was not effective in 17 patients. Patients who experienced the most improvement were those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery. Adverse events were seen in 40% of patients (constipation, 29%; nausea, 24%; itching, 24%). Conclusion: Transdermal fentanyl significantly improved visual analog scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index scores in 73% of patients, especially those with specific low back pain awaiting surgery; however, it did not decrease pain in 27% of patients, including patients with non-specific low back pain or multiple back operations.

Injection of Bupivacaine into Disc Space to Detect Painful Nonunion after Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Surgery in Patients with Discogenic Low Back Pain

Seiji Kimura,Seiji Ohtori,Sumihisa Orita,Gen Inoue,Yawara Eguchi,Masashi Takaso,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamoda,Miyako Suzuki,Yoshihiro 연세대학교의과대학 2014 Yonsei medical journal Vol.55 No.2

Purpose: Bupivacaine is commonly used for the treatment of back pain and the diagnosis of its origin. Nonunion is sometimes observed after spinal fusion surgery;however, whether the nonunion causes pain is controversial. In the current study, we aimed to detect painful nonunion by injecting bupivacaine into the disc space of patients with nonunion after anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery for discogenic low back pain. Materials and Methods: From 52 patients with low back pain, we selected 42 who showed disc degeneration at only one level (L4-L5 or L5-S1) on magnetic resonance imaging and were diagnosed by pain provocation on discography and pain relief by discoblock (the injection of bupivacaine). They underwent ALIF surgery. If the patients showed low back pain and nonunion 2 years after surgery, we injected bupivacaine into the nonuniondisc space. Patients showing pain relief after injection of bupivacaine underwentadditional posterior fixation using pedicle screws. These patients were followed up 2 years after the revision surgery. Results: Of the 42 patient subjects, 7 showed nonunion. Four of them did not show low back pain; whereas 3 showed moderate or severe low back pain. These 3 patients showed pain reductionafter injection of bupivacaine into their nonunion disc space and underwent additional posterior fixation. They showed bony union and pain relief 2 years afterthe revision surgery. Conclusion: Injection of bupivacaine into the nonunion disc space after ALIF surgery for discogenic low back pain is useful for diagnosis of the origin of pain.

Mini-Open Anterior Retroperitoneal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion for Degenerated Lumbar Spinal Kyphoscoliosis

Seiji Ohtori,Chikato Mannoji,Sumihisa Orita,Kazuyo Yamauchi,Yawara Eguchi,Nobuyasu Ochiai,Shunji Kishida,Kazuki Kuniyoshi,Yasuchika Aoki,Junichi Nakamura,Tetsuhiro Ishikawa,Masayuki Miyagi,Hiroto Kamo 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.4

Study Design: Prospective case series. Purpose: To examine the clinical efficacy of mini-open anterior retroperitoneal lumbar interbody fusion: oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) for degenerated lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis. Overview of Literature: The existing surgical procedures for the treatment of spinal kyphotic deformity, including Smith-Petersen osteotomy, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, and vertebral column resection procedures, are invasive in nature. Extreme lateral interbody fusion to provide less invasive treatment of the deformity has been reported, but complications including spinal nerve and psoas muscle injury have been noted. In the current study, we examined the clinical efficacy and complications of OLIF for degenerated lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis. Methods: Twelve patients with degenerated lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis were examined. All patients underwent OLIF surgery (using a cage and bone graft from the iliac crest) with open pedicle screws or percutaneous pedicle screws, without real-time monitoring by electromyography. Visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index were evaluated before and 12 months after surgery, and fusion rate at OLIF cage, correction of the deformity, total blood loss, and surgical complications were also evaluated. Results: Pain scores significantly improved after surgery (p <0.05). Fusion rate was found to be 90%, balance parameters also improved after surgery (p <0.05), and average total blood loss was less than 350 mL. There was no spinal nerve, major vessel, peritoneal, or urinary injury, or breakage of instrumentation. Conclusions: OLIF surgery for degenerated lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis is less invasive than other procedures and good surgical results were produced without major complications.