Artificial Intelligence technology and health care

This was my last semester report about artificial intelligence in our lives.


Abstract: this report will talk about the definition and history of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in the health care system. Then illustrate the many different applications of (A.I.) and robotics and the development and evolution from simple computer science applications to successfully use this technology in military support, space exploration, and entertainments, personal and special services and also in medicine to increase the success rate of operations and diagnosing illness in procedures. This report will also show the increasing use of robots in nursing homes and with patients with mental illness. This report will talk in depth about the use of robots as therapeutic pets and how they are built and their uses.



Report outline

1. Introduction
1.1. Definition
1.2. History

3

2. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (A.I.M.)
3

2.1. Robotic applications in hospitals
4

2.1.1. Data processing
4

2.1.2. Scanning machines
4

2.1.3. Surgical robotics systems
4

2.1.4. Nursing and personal assistant robots
4

2.1.5. Therapeutic robots
5

3. Conclusion
6

4. References
6









Introduction


Artificial intelligence has been expanding in every passing day since computer science was introduced to the world. Developers kept crating new technologies and improving other to fit our needs. In the past decade, robotic technology made a notable progress especially in probabilistic software which is used to operate the robots to help them tackle uncertainty problems. With flexibility, autonomy and human interaction attributes, the probability software was able to give robots the opportunity to be involved in many new fields, such as space exploration, entertainment, personal services, military support and medical applications [1].

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (A.I.M.)
What does artificial intelligence in medicine (A.I.M.) mean? Artificial intelligence is “the branch of computer science concerned with the development of machines having this ability”. [2]


With the continuous increasing number of patients, hospitals had to find a different way of filing that does not take a lot of space. Hence, electronic records were developed to store the patient’s information. Robotics were used in health care ever since, but they just do not have the humanoid stereotype shape that people have in their minds of robots. Computer tomography (C.T.) scan and magnetic resonance information (M.R.I.) have been used in hospitals for a long time. In the late 90’s, engineers introduced surgical robotic systems to hospitals. However, “they introduced a lot of technology at once and

failed to take into account operation room work flow, sterilization, and even how much space was available” [3] but now that they learned from that mistake, hospitals depend on using robotic systems. Thanks to this technology, doctors can perform surgeries and procedures with the help of robots because they are less invasive and have a higher success rate. They help doctors by displaying large three-dimension images of the surgery for more accurate actions while other robotic systems use nano-motion stabilizers laser projectors and light-emitting diode to give the doctors more precision[4].



Another uses of robotics in health care are the nursing and therapeutic robots used to interact with patients. Nursebot pearl is a mobile robot which is used in nursing homes to help guide and monitor elderly patients and patients with health problems. However, Paro is a therapeutic robot used in nursing houses and patients with mental illness, such as Down syndrome and autistic children. It is designed in the shape of a baby harp seal which was originally chosen to make people familiarize with rare animals. The robot is covered with white and soft fur that gives a natural feel. Under that it hides a complex network of sensors that respond to three different senses: vision, audio and touch. [5] The eyes can sense light and react to day and night, so it sleeps when there is no light. The robot can react to the source of sound and turn its head towards it. [5] It also has a voice recognition program that interacts with differently depending on how much time the patient spent with it.


Paro also has its own physiological life so when it has been working for a long time it will move slower and show tiredness which means that its internal batteries are low on power, but when recharged, it would be active and interact more lively. Its touching sensors can give the patients the feeling of a real pet while holding, stroking or touching it. The robot gives a different respond to how it is treated. All these sensors are linked with each other to give a realistic response. For example, the eyelids close when there is no light and the robot goes into sleeping mode. From my personal experience, since I was promoting this robot in particular I’ve learned the effects of animal therapy and the goals that paro was designed to serve. It was proven that animal therapy is helping special medical patients, such as patients suffering from autism or Down syndrome. But because animals could cause allergies or if upset or frustrated could attack patients, hospitals and nursing homes could not allow having animals for treatment. Instead, robotic pets such as paro are being used to take the real pet’s place to help patients relax, be motivated, improve their vital signs and help them improve their social and communication skills among inpatients and caregivers. After testing paro in hospitals and nursing homes, the results came to confirm the studies that these robots can improve patient’s Psychological, Physiological and Social communication. The tests were made to study the depression of patients. The test results were similar to the animal therapy, which means that therapeutic robots can replace animals in hospitals, nursing homes and apartments that do not allow residents to have a pet animal. [6]

Conclusion
Robotic system is the futuristic tools that will help the human race advance with technology and have a better and healthier lifestyle. It may save more lives and possibly reduce the death rate. From my past experience at the showroom and my observation, therapeutic robots such as paro can help improve the lives of not only elderly patients in nursing homes, but even autistic children as the cause and cure to this syndrome are still unknown. But after seeing an autistic child interacting with paro in the exhibition, I think doctors have a method to hopefully make studying the causes of autism easier.

References:
[1] Thrun, S. (2002). Probabilistic robotics. Communications of the ACM, 45(3).
[2] www.answers.com
[3] Brown, A. (2008). Calling doctor roboto. Mechanical engineering- CIME, (130.5). 18(1).
[4] Krupa, A., Gangloff, J., Doignon, C., Mathelin, M., Morel, G., Leroy, J., Soler, L., Marescaux, J. (2003). Autonomous 3-D positioning of surgical instruments in robotized laparoscopic surgery using visual servoing. IEEE transactions on robotics and automation, (19.5). 842.
[5] Marti, P., Pollini, A., Rullo, A. Engaging with artificial pets.
[6] http://paro.jp/english/therapy.html. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

What are GM Foods?

This is a paper I wrote.

Genetically modified foods(GM foods) are the latest and largest experiment in the history of mankind and we are the lab rats of this huge experiment. DNA is the blueprint of an individual living organism and stores the genetic information that is responsible of giving that particular organism its unique characteristics which is called Gene. Back in the 1900, scientists discovered that crossing plants can improve the plant species and get the desired characteristics. In 1986 genetically modified crops were firstly used in field tests, and then in 1992 the US Department of Agriculture approved the use of genetically engineered crops for commercial production. Like any new technology put in practice, genetically modified crops may have benefits and risks. As for GM crops, they have better yield than normal crops and are enriched with micro nutrients. In addition, they are cheaper to produce and have greater shelf life. But one of the benefits that people are arguing about is that they use fewer chemicals, thus they potentially improve the environment and human health. On the other hand, is it argued that these genetically modified crops are toxic and tend to have an effect on provoking allergic reaction while they contain an unstable gene which may result of unintended results or mutation. This paper will argue that we must not use GM technology for our food and the need of more research on the safety of GM crops.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) changed traditional agriculture completely in developing countries. From the first look, this new technology might seem efficient, with higher yields, pest and virus resistance, vitamin enriched and low costs, it makes it sound very good. But that does not mean there is a possible risk from manipulating living organisms. The alarming discoveries conducted by independent scientists report that GM foods are surely not healthy for human consumption, because of the lack of researches made to this day. [price, S. (2004)]

Genome scrambling is thought to have a disastrous outcome that makes the food safety about toxicity, allergies and antibiotic resistance becomes a serious concern. On the contrary, world health organization (WHO) says that all current used GM foods are safe and would not represent any risk on human’s health. [The lancet. (2002)] On the other hand, some scientists think that GM crops are not safe, because all plants produce harmful chemical substances that were derived from inedible ancestors that contain toxic tissues or organs. Thus, they are potentially harmful. The genetic engineered organism is a far more complex issue far beyond science. Hunger in southern Africa affects about 14 million people even with the US donating GM maize. For example, Zambia rejected the GM maize because their president says that he is not prepared to “use our people as guinea pigs”. [The lancet. (2002)] While the USA officials say that Americans have been eating it for years and GM crops still in trial in the US and Mexico, that does not leave the fact that GM foods have many disadvantages such as, biodiversity threats while farmers fear to be depending on chemical and biotechnology companies. Moreover, people are concerned about their health. It is thought that antibiotic resistant genes might out cross from GM crops to conventional ones. [The lancet. (2002)]

On the other hand, using GM cotton in China has been of great benefit to both the farmers and the environment. Farmers growing GM cotton use fewer insecticides. Until 1997, 10,000 insecticides poisoning and 400-1,000 deaths were reported annually. By the year 2000, insecticides use declined 80% in GM cotton fields, therefore farmers felt healthier, while 22% of conventional cotton farmers reported health problems. While GM soy makes 60% of GM crops and increased the soy organic matter and helped reduce carbon dioxide loss from soil to the air. It also helped reduce environmental damage and risks from pesticides on farmers. [Roush, R. (2004)] It was also noticed that consumers may have not rejected GM crops until activist campaigned against GM crops and it was also shown that risks from pesticides and greater on farmer’s health than the general public.

On the other hand, a large number of studies showed worrying results. For example GM crops have higher probability of mutation and scientists are interested in conducting researches and giving results, while industries ignore the mutation in order to benefit from making farmers buy their products. However, a wide range of studies show that consumption of dairy foods from animals fed GM foods is safe [Roush, R. (2004)]

To conclude this argument, genetically engineered crops are an evolutionary way to solve world hunger and have a cleaner environment and a healthier life. However, the studies conducted are not enough to give solid proof of the safety of GM foods. But that does not mean we should halt growing GM crops that are not eaten like cotton because it probably will not be a threat to human’s health.

References:

Better health channel. (2008). genetically modified food. Better health channel, full text available online.

Price, S. (2004). Danger! The hidden perils of GM crops. African business, (304), 14. Accessed 10/08/2007

Roush, R. (2004). Good, safe, banned. Review-institute of public affairs, 56 (3), SI1. Accessed 10/08/2007

The lancet. (2002). How safe is GM food? The lancet. 360 (9342), 1261. Accessed 18/06/2008

Safe food. (2001) full text available online.

Lets play Engineering

This site has a challanging game that not only will get you to understand the feilds engineering is involved in, but it will also help you discover the relations between each and every kind of engineering.

What is Engineering?

What is Engineering?
It is the art of making use of the natural sources of energy to make it useful and convenient for people.

Types of Engineering
The primary types of engineering are chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, and mechanical, yet there are many other types of engineering that are more specialized.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering is a technology used in laboratories to modify the genetic information (DNA) of a living organism. In theory, this technology allows genetic information to transfer between any organisms even between animals and plants!
Is GE safe? This site is arguing the use of this technology in the food we eat.

Extreme Engineering

extreme engineering one of the best shows I've ever seen on television.
This program is about massive man-made projects, such as building airports, skyscraper, futuristic and sci-fi made into reality.
Projects thought to be impossible to be made, Engineers make it possible.

Robots, the future is here

In the near future, an autonomous robotic wheelchair could take its user around the house with just a single vocal command. Currently being developed by MIT, the wheelchair is designed to learn on its own by experience, kind of like how humans do. Since it's supposed to respond to spoken commands and people speak differently, the aim is to personalize each wheelchair for its user.

To make the it work, the wheelchair has to be taken on a tour of the place, identifying each important landmark vocally like the kitchen or the bathroom. The wheelchair prototype is currently using a WiFi system that's responsible for making maps of the location. One of the further developments planned for the chair is mechanical arms that could be used to pick up and move objects. After the preliminary tests on MIT campus were through, the wheelchair is now on a trial run in a nursing home.