Microphone array based methods are gradually applied in the front-end speech enhancement and speech recognition improvement for cochlear implant in recent years. By placing several microphones in different locations in space, this method can collect multi-channel signals containing a lot of spatial position and orientation information. Microphone array can also yield specific beamforming mode to enhance desired signal and suppress ambient noise, which is particularly suitable to be applied in face-to-face conversation for cochlear implant users. And its application value has attracted more and more attention from researchers. In this paper, we describe the principle of microphone array method, analyze the microphone array based speech enhancement technologies in present literature, and further present the technical difficulties and development trend.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of tendon insertion medialized repair in treatment of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (L/MRCT). Methods The clinical and imaging data of 46 L/MRCT patients who underwent arthroscopic insertion medialized repair between October 2015 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 20 females with an average age of 57.7 years (range, 40-75 years). There were 20 cases of large rotator cuff tears and 26 cases of massive rotator cuff tears. Preoperative imaging evaluation included fatty infiltration (Goutallier grade), tendon retraction (modified Patte grade), supraspinatus tangent sign, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and postoperative medializaiton length and tendon integrity. The clinical outcome was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, shoulder range of motion (including anteflexion and elevation, lateral external, and internal rotation) and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength before and after operation. The patients were divided into two groups (the intact tendon group and the re-teared group) according to the integrity of the tendon after operation. According to the medializaiton length, the patients were divided into group A (medialization length ≤10 mm) and group B (medialization length >10 mm). The clinical function and imaging indexes of the patients were compared. Results All patients were followed up 24-56 months, with an average of 31.8 months. At 1 year after operation, MRI showed that the medializaiton length of supraspinatus tendon was 5-15 mm, with an average of 10.26 mm, 33 cases in group A and 13 cases in group B. Eleven cases (23.91%) had re-teared, including 5 cases (45.45%) of Sugaya type Ⅳ and 6 cases (54.55%) of Sugaya type Ⅴ. At last follow-up, the VAS score, ASES score, shoulder anteflexion and elevation range of motion, lateral external rotation range of motion, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in internal rotation range of motion between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). The Goutallier grade and modified Patte grade of supraspinatus muscle in the re-teared group were significantly higher than those in the intact tendon group, and the AHD was significantly lower than that in the intact tendon group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). Except that the ASES score of the intact tendon group was significantly higher than that of the re-teared group (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the other postoperative clinical functional indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of re-tear, VAS score, ASES score, range of motion of shoulder joint, and anteflexion and elevation muscle strength between group A and group B (P>0.05). ConclusionTendon insertion medialized repair may be useful in cases with L/MRCT, and shows good postoperative shoulder function. Neither tendon integrity nor medialization length shows apparent correlations with postoperative shoulder function.
Objective To compare the differences between the up-lobectomy by single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery and traditional uni-portal video assisted thoracic surgery, summarize and analyze the technical points of single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery, and explore the surgical effect and value of promotion. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent radical upper lobectomy at the Thoracic Surgery Department of Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital from March 2023 to June 2024. The patients were divided into two groups according the surgical procedure: a single-micromini-assisted group (patients underwent up-lobectomy by single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy) and a traditional uniportal group (patients underwent traditional uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy). Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results We finally included 62 patients. There were 30 patients with 16 males and 14 females at an average of 57.4±10.8 years in the the single-micromini-assisted group and 32 patients with 20 males and 12 females at an average age of 57.6±8.7 years in the traditional uni-port thoracoscopy group. Both groups successfully completed minimally invasive surgery.The baseline data were consistent between the two groups. The operation time was shorter in the single microport assisted group [(146.03±30.79) min vs. (171.41±36.41) min, P=0.004] than that in the traditional uni-port thoracoscopy group with a statistical difference. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain score, dissected lymph node number, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative tube time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, or the incidence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conclusion Single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery can maximize the advantages of three-portal and uni-portal VATS, and effectively avoid the disadvantages of three-portal and uni-portal VATS, which can significantly shorten the operation time, without increasing the postoperative pain and complications, is a more minimally invasive, safer and more convenient surgical method.