ECAI 2015 - International Conference – 7th Edition

Electronics, Computers and Artificial Intelligence

25 June -27 June, 2015, Bucharest, ROMÂNIA

An Expert System Architecture for Managing

the Biomaterials Used in Medical Devices
Mateescu Mihaela-Adina Pescaru Gheorghi ă
Economic Center for industry and services, "Lumina" The University Of South-East Europe
Romanian Academy Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, Romania gheorghita.pescaru@lumina.org
mateescuadina@yahoo.com

Abstract – Data describing biomaterials have a complex The end user via a graphical interface search
structure because they describe the so static characteristics criteria sets for a particular biomaterial. The system
and dynamic characteristics. These data also include time takes data from the knowledge base and following the
interaction with other organic or inorganic materials. Due outcome inference engine provides search results [8].
to their large variety looking for a particular biomaterial it
is difficult due to the complexity of their representation. A
representation of biomaterials by using the techniques of
expert systems can help identify a particular biomaterial.
By developing methods and analysis techniques for BIOMATERIALS
BIOMATERIALS
biomaterials increases measurement accuracy. Following EVALUATION
EVALUATION
their reconsideration they can not meet their purpose PROPERTIES
PROPERTIES
intitial medical device. This paper aims to outline the
architecture of an expert system that manages a database of HUMAN
biomaterials. HUMAN EXPERT
EXPERT
DECISION
DECISION
INTERFACE
INTERFACE
Keywords-component; biomaterials; expert system;
xml database field type

I. INTRODUCTION KNOWLEDGE
DATABASE
Characteristics of a biomaterial can be more
complex than those of a material due to the possibility
of including interfacing it with organic materials [1]. INFERENCE
In addition, rather biomaterials are found in devices ENGINE
and their description becomes more complex [2].
Many natural and synthetic materials are used in the
manufacture of modified biomaterials [3] and
BIOMATERIAL
understanding of the different properties of these BIOMATERIAL
PROPERTY
materials is important [4] and should be taken in PROPERTY
SEARCH
knowledge representation system of the expert system SEARCH
with the description of which the entire device [5]. The
characteristics of the devices are linked to the
characteristics of biomaterials (eg mechanical
performance depends on the physico-chemical END
END USER
USER
properties of the biomaterial.). INTERFACE
INTERFACE

II. ARCHITECTURE EXPERT SYSTEM

End User must have access to an interface enabling
it to look a certain biomaterial or device. The interface
must assist the end user in finding the desired
biomaterial.
Due to the complexity of biomaterials it is
necessary, the assessment of properties of
biomaterials, to be performed by a human expert [6],
and this is highlighted in Fig.1. Human expert
performs the classification properties of biomaterials
and introduce the knowledgebase [7]. The human
expert builds sets of rules that can represent certain
properties or leading them.
Figure 1. General flow
III. FUZZIFICATION OF BIOMATERIAL PROPERTIES
AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVICES INCORPORATES
THEM
The expert performs both biomaterials
classification according to properties, and construction
sets of rules that are based on properties (Fig.2). A
biomaterial can be characterized by:
Standard Specifications: These specifications
include national data standards and those given by
international standards organizations (ISO). These
specifications normally give details to: product testing,
method of calculating the results, admissible errors.

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 P-68 Mateescu Mihaela-Adina,Pescaru Gheorghita

Specifications Laboratory Analysis Laboratory After classification properties (data fuzzification

obtained, some of which are found in the standard operation) they will be related to other elements by
specification may be used to indicate the adequacy of implementing rule sets. These sets of rules will be
certain materials. Laboratory specifications may vary stored in database which contains knowledgebase [9].
depending on the precision and determination
methods. It is possible that the same parameter to be
expressed in different units of measure, by different
Clinical trials: they appear after a period of use of experts. In this regard, it needs a translation module
biomaterial and aims biomaterial behavior and parameter values in the default measurement units
adaptability. used in the search system, detailed in Fig.3.
The most common classes of materials used as
biomedical materials are polymers, metals, ceramics
and composites. Some of biomaterials do not have a
homogeneous structure and are more difficult to END
END USER
USER
describe.
In order to create the knowledge base is required to KNOWLEDGE
KNOWLEDGE
classify all properties. Granularity classification is BASE
BASE EDITOR
EDITOR
important because with increasing precision
determination is necessary to increase the granularity
of biomaterials' properties. BUILD SEARCH
PROPERTIES

STANDARD
SPECIFICATIONS PARAMETERS
DATABASE TRANSFORMATION
DATABASE KNOWLEDGE
INTERFACE
INTERFACE DATABASE
LABORATORY
EVALUATION

INFERENCE
CLINICAL TRIALS INTERFACE
INTERFACE FOR
FOR MECHANISM
HUMAN
HUMAN EXPERT
EXPERT
DECISION
DECISION
BIOMATERIALS
BIOMATERIALS
EVALUATION
EVALUATION SEARCH
KNOWLEDGE RESULTS
KNOWLEDGE
DATABASE
DATABASE
INTERFACE
INTERFACE
PROPERTY Figure 3. Search Process
CLASSIFICATION
The data structure describing the properties is
DETECTING
DETECTING described by the following list:
FUZZY
FUZZY RULE
RULE • Unique identifier for property (UIP) - it is
necessary to correlate some properties
together; property refers to only one
biomaterial;
KNOWLEDGE
DATABASE • Biomaterial identification - biomaterial is
( PROPERTY, identified, for which detailed the current
RULES AND FACTS) property; biomaterial can also be identified by
a unique identifier;
• Property name - name or names by which it is
Figure 2. Biomaterial fuzzification process known that property
In the knowledge base properties are classified in • Property description - detailed description of
different times and it is possible that the same property the property;
to be represented with different granularity which lead • Human expert identification - the human
to decreased global accuracy of the entire system expert which completed property data for
search. biomaterial;
Fuzzy rule is the core of fuzzy expert system,
• Propery value - can be both literary value (eg
which use relational database methods knowledge to
the classification in certain classes of values)
build knowledge base, the combination of database
and numerical;
and knowledge base is the development way of the
knowledge base. • Property measurement unit - unit of measure
for numeric values;
 An Expert System Architecture for Managing the Biomaterials Used in Medical Devices P-69

• Date - calendar date on which they were

identified current biomaterial properties, a
remeasurement of these will lead to another KNOWLEDGE DATABASE
unique identification number -UIP property NEW BIOMATERIAL
and old property will remain also recorded; PROPERTIES
• Laboratory/Clinical identification - identify
the laboratory which made the measurement INITIAL
for current property; KNOWLEDGE PERFORMANCE
DATABASE DEVICE THAT
• Methods/STANDARDS/Technology of OLD BIOMATERIAL USES THE
measurements - methods, standards and PROPERTIES BIOMATERIAL
technologies used in the current measurement
for the property;
• The accuracy of determination - precision NEW
NEW RISK
RISK
obtained as a result of the methods and ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT
techniques used;
IDENTIFICATION
ALERT
• UIP of class property - is identified property THE DEVICES ALERT
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
which forms part of the current property (if THAT USE
applicable); BIOMATERIALS

• Last UIP, if any - it is identified last revision / IDENTIFICATION

amendment of current property; it will have a OF PEOPLE WHO
different identification number IPU to enable USE THESE
comparison of their over time; DEVICES

• Active (current property) - indicate if it is the

last identification / measurement biomaterial Figure 4. Periodic evaluation of characteristics
property value;
• Medical Devices list - the list of medical V. TRANSFORMING THE MODE OF EXPRESSION
devices that use biomaterial identification with FOR CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOMATERIALS
current property; It is a typical architecture for the an expert system
that includes in addition for the component over time
IV. ALERTING SYSTEM DESIGN modeling behavior of the biomaterial.
By developing methods and analysis techniques Reclassification of biomaterials' properties as a
for biomaterials increases measurement accuracy. result of the transformation is shown in Fig. 5.
Following their reconsideration they can not meet their
purpose intitial medical device. To check whether a NEW
NEW TESTS
TESTS --
device complies with metrological requirements KNOWLEDGE DATABASE
BIOMATERIAL
BIOMATERIAL
further, it is necessary to consider both determinations NEW BIOMATERIAL
PROPERTIS
PROPERTIS
RECALIFICATION
properties of old properties and the actual PROPERTIES
RECALIFICATION
determinations. Based on these data can provide an
alerting system. HUMAN
HUMAN EXPERT
EXPERT
DECISION
DECISION INTERFACE
INTERFACE
In order to accomplish alerting system is needed
following steps:
• taking over the old values for a characteristic INTERPRETATION OF
THE CLASSIFICATION
describing a biomaterial;
OF PROPERTIES
• taking over the new values for a characteristic and MAKING RULES
describing a biomaterial;
• They are identified biomaterials for the KNOWLEDGE DATABASE
difference between baseline characteristics OLD BIOMATERIAL
and those that were remeasured no longer PROPERTIES PARAMETERS
correspond to devices specifications; TRANSFORMATION

• Identifying those individuals who use the

devices in question; KNOWLEDGE
KNOWLEDGE
DATABASE
DATABASE
The evolution of same, biomaterial properties over INTERFACE
INTERFACE
time is taken in the knowledge base - Fig. 4.
END
END USER
USER

Figure 5. Construction of rules

 P-70 Mateescu Mihaela-Adina,Pescaru Gheorghita

Human expert makes up the classifications and Figure 6. Search properties in hierarchical structure
builds sets of rules through a specialized interface
[10]. The rules are built following characteristics On the set of records obtained after filtrationis
classification. Human expert check validation rules applied specific search functions for XML data fields
introduced in the system. Also, the end user uses a [11]. On the set of records obtained after filtrationis
specialized interface that assists in building search applied specific search functions for XML data fields.
criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
Values characteristics of a biomaterial can be taken
at various time intervals and can be expressed in The diversity of materials characteristics lead to a
different measurement units. This can lead to different system that should allow manipulation of XML type
classifications. Consequently, there is a need for a data. It is necessary to follow their dynamics, which
conversion module of a system to another can be ensured by implementing new sets of rules
(transformation of parameters). This transformation specific expert systems. Also, with changing sets of
parameters/characteristics is applied in both directions, rules is also necessary to determine sets of
from the end user to the system and vice versa. These transformation rules to allow comparison, the old way
changes also alter the sets of rules. of expression with the expression properties of new
properties.
VI. SEARCH FOR STRUCTURES CONTAINING
PROPERTIES REFERENCES
Characteristics / properties of of biomaterials may [1] S. Khetan, “BNG 331 – Cell-Tissue Material Interactions”
course at. Butterfield Hall Union College, Schenectady, NY,
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%20Classes%20of%20Biomaterials.pdf.
Search in databases that contain XML type fields
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is slow. For this reason it is advisable to first conduct a al/lectures/4c/8-Biochmical1.pdf (activ on may 2015).
search as simple text. In this case property names and [3] M. Bria “An Introduction to Materials Engineering and
associated values can constitute filtering parameters. Science for Chemical and materials engineer”, Tulan
Hierarchy properties, is shown in Fig.6. Unicersity, 2004.
[4] B. D. Ratner, et al., “Biomaterials Science: An introduction
to materials in medicine”, Academic Press, 2004.
END
END USER
USER [5] C. P. Sturrock, “Data and informatics needs in biomaterials”,
SEARCH
SEARCH National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2005
P1 P11 PROPERTIES
PROPERTIES
[6] K. Darlington, “The essence of expert systems”, Prentice
P2 P21 P211 Hall, 2000 .
P22 P212 [7] J. Liebowitz, “The handbook of applied expert systems”,
PLAIN TEXT CRC Press, 1997.
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[8] J. M. Carroll, J. McKendree, “Interface design issues for
PN PN1 advice-giving expert systems”, ACM New York, 1987.
[9] N.R. Jennings,L.Z. Varga, R.P. Aarnts, J. Fuchs, P. Skarek,
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“Transforming standalone expert systems into a community
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[10] N. M. Avouris, S. Finotti, “User interface design to expert
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DATABASE PROPERTY: [11] Bray, Tim, "A conversation with Tim Bray: Searching for
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SEARCH
SEARCH RESULTS
RESULTS
XML
SEARCH