Aesthetically pleasing and symmetrical breasts are the goal of reconstructive breast surgery. Sometimes, however, multiple procedures are needed to improve a reconstructed breast's symmetry and appearance. In order to avoid additional corrective procedures, we have developed a new method that uses a reverse engineering technique to produce what we call a new breast replica cast (NBRC). The NBRC is a mould of the contralateral healthy breast, designed according to preoperative laser 3D images. During surgery, the mould is used to help shape the new breast. With this method, we are able to achieve breast symmetry in terms of volume, projection, contour, and position on the chest wall more accurately, more quickly, and more safely than before.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 12064539Precise laser triangulation measurements of Er:YAG laser ablated volumes in hard dental tissues were made in order to verify the possible existence of a “hydrokinetic” effect which has been proposed as an alternative mechanism for hard-tissue laser ablation. No evidence of the hydrokinetic effect could be observed under a broad range of tested laser parameters and water cooling conditions. On the contrary, the application of water spray during laser exposure of hard dental material was observed to diminish the laser ablation rate in comparison with laser exposure under the absence of water spray. Our findings are in agreement with the generally accepted principle of action for Erbium laser ablation, which is based on fast subsurface expansion of laser-heated water trapped within the interstitial structure of hard dental tissues.
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 12641307An adequate residual-stress variation and frequently also improved corrosion resistance of a material are key requirements for usability of numerous machine components in various applications. Laser Peening was performed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, with pulse densities, i.e. 900 and 2500 pulses/cm2. The corrosion behaviour of the laser peened aluminium alloys was investigated in 3.5% NaCl water solution at ph7 and 23°C. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were conducted at a scanning rate of 10mV/s, starting at 2000mVSCE. Corrosion plots showed pitting corrosion attack. Surface conditions after corrosion tests at different pulse density levels were evaluated with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDS analysis and innovative non-destructive 3D surface metrology method.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 11752475The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of six injection moulding process parameters on the post-moulding shrinkage and warping of parts made from polypropylene filled with calcium carbonate, as used in large quantities throughout the automotive industry. For experimental purposes, standard test specimens were used for the determination of post-moulding shrinkage and warping. Each experiment was observed precisely through the measurement of acoustic emission (AE) signals and in-cavity pressure. We scanned each test specimen using an optical 3D scanner for accurate measurement of post-moulding shrinkage and warping. The optimal set of parameters that provides minimal post-moulding shrinkage and warping, was determined by the Taguchi method, together with nominally-the-best (type II) quality characteristic. The most influential parameter was statistically obtained through analysis of variance, which showed that packing pressure had the largest impact. The results from the measured AE signals showed clear correlation with the post-moulding shrinkage and warping, indicating the possibility of on-line monitoring the adequacy of the process by capturing AE signals.
F.13 Development of new production methods and tools or processes
COBISS.SI-ID: 16720150Project management of product/service orders has become a mode of operation in many companies. Although these are mostly cyclically recurring projects, risk management is very important for them. An extended risk-analysis model for new product/service projects is presented in this paper. Emphasis is on a solution developed in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The usual project activities risk analysis is based on evaluation of the probability that risk events occur and on evaluation of their consequences. A third parameter has been added in our model: an estimate of the incidence of risk events. On the basis of the calculated activity risk level, a project team prepares preventive and corrective measures that should be taken according to the status indicators. An important advantage of the proposed solution is that the project manager and his team members are timely warned of risk events and they can thus activate the envisaged preventive and corrective measures as necessary.
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 12916251