Utilisation of three-dimensional printed heart models for operative planning of complex congenital heart defects

Background and aim: To evaluate the accuracy of the three-dimensional (3D) printing of cardiovascular structures. To explore whether utilisation of 3D printed heart replicas can improve surgical and catheter interventional planning in patients with complex congenital heart defects. Methods: Between December 2014 and November 2015 we fabricated eight cardiovascular models based on computed tomography data in patients with complex spatial anatomical relationships of cardiovascular structures. A Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the accuracy of 3D printing by comparing dimension measurements at analogous anatomical locations between the printed models and digital imagery data, as well as between printed models and in vivo surgical findings. The contribution of 3D printed heart models for perioperative planning improvement was evaluated in the four most representative patients. Results: Bland-Altman analysis confirmed the high accuracy of 3D cardiovascular printing. Each printed model offered an improved spatial anatomical orientation of cardiovascular structures. Conclusions: Current 3D printers can produce authentic copies of patients` cardiovascular systems from computed tomography data. The use of 3D printed models can facilitate surgical or catheter interventional procedures in patients with complex congenital heart defects due to better preoperative planning and intraoperative orientation

Using of 3D Road Surface Model for Monitoring of Transverse Unevenness and Skid Resistance

AbstractQualitative characteristics of pavement in wide range reflects the pavement serviceability, which is a summary of the characteristics of the pavement, providing a fast, smooth, economical and especially safe driving of motor-vehicles. The target factor of pavement serviceability and safety of roads represents the quality of their surface properties. Within the Research Center of the University of Žilina are dealing among others with scanning the pavement surface in order to monitor the individual parameters of pavement serviceability. This paper deals with the creation, analysis and evaluation of 3D- road surface model in terms of two properties pavement serviceability – the rut depth and its texture

Non-invasive and Effective Method of the Pavement Investigation: Ground Penetrating Radar

AbstractRecently, a considerable large emphasis is put on diagnostic methods, which are non-invasive, simple, safe, time efficient and non-intrusive from the viewpoint of interference with traffic flow of particular road. From this point of view, very convenient is use of the GPR method in terms of the pavement and road investigation. We used two Horn antennas (1GHz and 2GHz) on the test field to verify its construction

Repeated GPR Measurements Carried Out On a Test Field Facility

AbstractThe repeated GPR measurements are carried out in order to investigate the internal changes in road construction after some time of usage. For this purpose, a test field constructed at the University of Žilina is used. The test field is investigated by GPR system with 2GHz horn type antenna. Based on the survey, the best degradation model and prediction of future pavement degradation will be set. Two results of GPR investigation are presented in this article

Utilization of Advanced Diagnostic Methods for Texture and Rut Depth Analysis on a Testing Pavement Section

Abstract Qualitative characteristics of pavement in wide range reflects the pavement serviceability, which is a summary of the characteristics of the pavement, providing a fast, smooth, economical and especially safe driving of motor-vehicles. The target factor of pavement serviceability and safety of roads represents the quality of their surface properties. In the framework of research activities performed in the Research Centre founded under the auspices of University of Žilina, individual parameters of pavement serviceability were monitored by pavement surface scanning. This paper describes the creation of a 3D - road surface model and its analysis and evaluation from the viewpoint of two pavement serviceability parameters - the rut depth and texture. Measurements were performed on an experimental pavement section used contemporary in an Accelerated Pavement Testing experiment. The long-term goal is to ascertain functions predicting degradation of these two pavement serviceability parameters.</jats:p

Non-invasive diagnostic methods for investigating the quality of Žilina airport’s runway

Abstract The Žilina airport was after almost 50 years of use measured by non-invasive methods including GPR and Profilograph GE in order to investigate the quality of the runway pavement at the chosen spots. Since it was just a pilot action, a sample of survey was carried out. The testing spots were placed where the geologic drill core J02 have been drilled out. The measurements performed by Profilograph GE were used to verify the quality of the pavement surface in term longitudinal unevenness by means of index IRI and C. The GPR survey was performed in 3D geometry, hence in the x- and y-direction. A horn type antenna with central frequency of 2 GHz was used on the test field in order to verify the thicknesses of pavement construction layers. Here, the result of a 3D survey is presented. The investigation confirms two sub-horizontal construction layers of the runway pavement. In some areas the GPR interpretation was not possible due to the signal attenuation. This significant signal attenuation is found mainly in the areas where the linear cracks are situated.</jats:p

Utilization of Advanced Diagnostic Methods for Texture and Rut Depth Analysis on a Testing Pavement Section

Qualitative characteristics of pavement in wide range reflects the pavement serviceability, which is a summary of the characteristics of the pavement, providing a fast, smooth, economical and especially safe driving of motor-vehicles. The target factor of pavement serviceability and safety of roads represents the quality of their surface properties. In the framework of research activities performed in the Research Centre founded under the auspices of University of Žilina, individual parameters of pavement serviceability were monitored by pavement surface scanning. This paper describes the creation of a 3D - road surface model and its analysis and evaluation from the viewpoint of two pavement serviceability parameters - the rut depth and texture. Measurements were performed on an experimental pavement section used contemporary in an Accelerated Pavement Testing experiment. The long-term goal is to ascertain functions predicting degradation of these two pavement serviceability parameters

Advanced Progressive Road Network Diagnostics Method Used to Monitor Changes in the Quality of the Pavement Surface

AbstractThe surface properties of pavements are a basic factor of their serviceability and one of the most important factors of their safety. For the prediction reasons of incoming reconstructions, repairs or any services, it is very important to know the development of particular parameters of surface properties in dependence on the traffic load and time aspect. An important factor of the road quality, firstly by asphalt pavements, is a transverse evenness expressed by ruts depth and skid resistance characterized by friction coefficient. In order to determine the development, these factors were analyzed the measurements of test sections on the highway and selected roads of first and second class every year. Constantly exchanging values of data, deficiencies in data collection, but also in the process of evaluation suggest to the need for further research. Within the Research Center of the University of Žilina, people are dealing with scanning of the pavement surface in order to monitor the individual parameters of pavement serviceability. This paper deals with the creation, analysis and evaluation of a 3D road surface model in terms of two properties of pavement serviceability – the rut depth and its texture. Measurements are realized on an experimental field with accelerated straining on the pavement-loading wheel. The long-term accent should be mentioned predictions functions of selected pavement serviceability parameters

IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSET MANAGEMENT IN ROAD ADMINISTRATION OF SLOVAK REPUBLIC

The article presents basic principles and solutions for the application of Asset Management as part of road administration in Slovakia. It deals with application of Assets management methods and best practices of global trends in road maintenance, repair and rehabilitation strategies. An effective public Asset Management combines principles and strategies of asset management used in private sector with sound practices and methods proven to be applicable by public road administrator and his digital information systems. The under-funding of road management leads to development of tools and methods, which enable us to define criteria for establishing priorities for investments into road assets