Enhanced electrical properties of oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors with high conductivity thin layer insertion for the channel region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Cam Phu Thi; Raja, Jayapal; Kim, Sunbo; Jang, Kyungsoo; Le, Anh Huy Tuan; Lee, Youn-Jung; Yi, Junsin

2017-02-01

This study examined the performance and the stability of indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) by inserting an ultra-thin indium tin oxide (ITO) layer at the active/insulator interface. The electrical properties of the double channel device (ITO thickness of 5 nm) were improved in comparison with the single channel ITZO or ITO devices. The TFT characteristics of the device with an ITO thickness of less than 5 nm were degraded due to the formation of an island-like morphology and the carriers scattering at the active/insulator interface. The 5 nm-thick ITO inserted ITZO TFTs (optimal condition) exhibited a superior field effect mobility (∼95 cm2/V·s) compared with the ITZO-only TFTs (∼34 cm2/V·s). The best characteristics of the TFT devices with double channel layer are due to the lowest surface roughness (0.14 nm) and contact angle (50.1°) that result in the highest hydrophicility, and the most effective adhesion at the surface. Furthermore, the threshold voltage shifts for the ITO/ITZO double layer device decreased to 0.80 and -2.39 V compared with 6.10 and -6.79 V (for the ITZO only device) under positive and negative bias stress, respectively. The falling rates of EA were 0.38 eV/V and 0.54 eV/V for the ITZO and ITO/ITZO bi-layer devices, respectively. The faster falling rate of the double channel devices suggests that the trap density, including interface trap and semiconductor bulk trap, can be decreased by the ion insertion of a very thin ITO film into the ITZO/SiO2 reference device. These results demonstrate that the double active layer TFT can potentially be applied to the flat panel display.

Evaluation of biofeedback seat insert for improving active sitting posture in children with cerebral palsy. A clinical report.

PubMed

Bertoti, D B; Gross, A L

1988-07-01

Biofeedback devices have been used successfully to improve head control and symmetrical standing in children with cerebral palsy. This clinical report describes a biofeedback seat insert developed to improve erect sitting posture in children with cerebral palsy who have inadequate trunk control. The seat insert is easily placed against the back of any seating device. A momentary-contact pressure switch on the seat insert is activated when the child exerts pressure on it by extending his trunk. The pressure switch then activates a videocassette recorder or can be adapted to activate a television or radio. Five children with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this evaluation of the biofeedback seat insert. The results of this evaluation show that the children used the biofeedback seat insert effectively to actively improve their sitting posture by voluntarily extending their trunk against the pressure switch. The biofeedback seat insert offers physical therapists a valuable therapeutic training tool to encourage carry-over of improved sitting posture away from the clinical setting for children with cerebral palsy.

21 CFR 886.5420 - Contact lens inserter/remover.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Contact lens inserter/remover. 886.5420 Section 886.5420 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 886.5420 Contact lens inserter/remover...

Essure Permanent Birth Control, Effectiveness and Safety: An Italian 11-Year Survey.

PubMed

Franchini, Mario; Zizolfi, Brunella; Coppola, Carmela; Bergamini, Valentino; Bonin, Cecilia; Borsellino, Giovanni; Busato, Enrico; Calabrese, Stefania; Calzolari, Stefano; Fantin, Gian Piero; Giarrè, Giovanna; Litta, Piero; Luerti, Massimo; Mangino, Francesco Paolo; Marchino, Gian Luigi; Molinari, Maria Antonietta; Scatena, Elisa; Scrimin, Federica; Telloli, Paolo; Di Spiezio Sardo, Attilio

To describe safety, tolerability, and effectiveness results through a minimum 2-year follow-up of patients who underwent permanent sterilization with the Essure insert. A retrospective multicenter study (Canadian Task Force classification II2). Seven general hospitals and 4 clinical teaching centers in Italy. A total of 1968 women, mean age 39.5 years (range, 23-48 years) who underwent office hysteroscopic sterilization using the Essure insert between April 1, 2003, and December 30, 2014. The women underwent office hysteroscopic bilateral Essure insert placement, with satisfactory device location and tube occlusion based on hysterosalpingography or hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy). Placement rate, successful bilateral tubal occlusion, perioperative adverse events, early postoperative (during the first 3 months of follow-up), and late complications were evaluated. Satisfactory insertion was accomplished in 97.2% of women and, in 4, perforation and 1 expulsion were detected during hysterosalpingography. Three unintended pregnancies occurred before the 3-month confirmation test. Two pregnancies were reported among women relying on the Essure inserts. Postprocedure pain was minimal and brief; in 9 women, pelvic pain became intractable, necessitating removal of the devices via laparoscopy. On telephone interviews, overall satisfaction was rated as "very satisfied" by the majority of women (97.6%), and no long-term adverse events were reported. The findings from this extended Italian survey further support the effectiveness, tolerability, and satisfaction of Essure hysteroscopic sterilization when motivated women are selected and well informed of the potential risks of the device. Moreover, the results do not demonstrate an increased incidence of complications and pregnancies associated with long-term Essure use. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to nickel may be less suitable candidates for the Essure insert. Copyright © 2017 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chassis unit insert tightening-extract device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haerther, L. W.; Zimmerman, P. A. (Inventor)

1964-01-01

The invention relates to the insertion and extraction of rack mounted electronic units and in particular to a screw thread insert tightening and extract device, for chassis units having a collar which may be rotatably positioned manually for the insert tightening or extraction of various associated chassis units, as desired.

Insertion of lithium into electrochromic devices after completion

DOEpatents

Berland, Brian Spencer; Lanning, Bruce Roy; Frey, Jonathan Mack; Barrett, Kathryn Suzanne; DuPont, Paul Damon; Schaller, Ronald William

2015-12-22

The present disclosure describes methods of inserting lithium into an electrochromic device after completion. In the disclosed methods, an ideal amount of lithium can be added post-fabrication to maximize or tailor the free lithium ion density of a layer or the coloration range of a device. Embodiments are directed towards a method to insert lithium into the main device layers of an electrochromic device as a post-processing step after the device has been manufactured. In an embodiment, the methods described are designed to maximize the coloration range while compensating for blind charge loss.

A randomized controlled trial of nitrous oxide for intrauterine device insertion in nulliparous women.

PubMed

Singh, Rameet H; Thaxton, Lauren; Carr, Shannon; Leeman, Lawrence; Schneider, Emily; Espey, Eve

2016-11-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of inhaled nitrous oxide for pain management among nulliparous women undergoing intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted among nulliparous women aged 13-45years who underwent IUD insertion at a US center between October 1, 2013, and August 31, 2014. Using a computer-generated randomization sequence, participants were randomly assigned to inhale either oxygen (O 2 ) or a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen (N 2 O/O 2 ) through a nasal mask for 2minutes before insertion. Only the person administering the inhalation agent was aware of group assignment. The primary outcome was maximum pain assessed 2minutes after insertion via a 100-mm visual analog scale. Analyses were by intention to treat. Forty women were assigned to each group. Mean maximum pain score at the time of insertion was 54.3±24.8mm for the N 2 O/O 2 group and 55.3±20.9mm for the O 2 group (P=0.86). Adverse effects were reported for 6 (15%) women in the N 2 O/O 2 group and 7 (18%) in the O 2 group (P=0.32). N 2 O/O 2 did not reduce the pain of IUD insertion among nulliparous women. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02391714. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Method and device for supporting blood vessels during anastomosis

DOEpatents

Doss, J.D.

1985-05-20

A device and method for preventing first and second severed blood vessels from collapsing during attachment to each other. The device comprises a dissolvable non-toxic stent that is sufficiently rigid to prevent the blood vessels from collapsing during anastomosis. The stent can be hollow or have passages to permit blood flow before it dissolves. A single stent can be inserted with an end in each of the two blood vessels or separate stents can be inserted into each blood vessel. The stent may include a therapeutically effective amount of a drug which is slowly released into the blood stream as the stent dissolves. 12 figs.

Time-elapsed screw insertion with microCT imaging.

PubMed

Ryan, M K; Mohtar, A A; Cleek, T M; Reynolds, K J

2016-01-25

Time-elapsed analysis of bone is an innovative technique that uses sequential image data to analyze bone mechanics under a given loading regime. This paper presents the development of a novel device capable of performing step-wise screw insertion into excised bone specimens, within the microCT environment, whilst simultaneously recording insertion torque, compression under the screw head and rotation angle. The system is computer controlled and screw insertion is performed in incremental steps of insertion torque. A series of screw insertion tests to failure were performed (n=21) to establish a relationship between the torque at head contact and stripping torque (R(2)=0.89). The test-device was then used to perform step-wise screw insertion, stopping at intervals of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% between screw head contact and screw stripping. Image data-sets were acquired at each of these time-points as well as at head contact and post-failure. Examination of the image data revealed the trabecular deformation as a result of increased insertion torque was restricted to within 1mm of the outer diameter of the screw thread. Minimal deformation occurred prior to the step between the 80% time-point and post-failure. The device presented has allowed, for the first time, visualization of the micro-mechanical response in the peri-implant bone with increased tightening torque. Further testing on more samples is expected to increase our understanding of the effects of increased tightening torque at the micro-structural level, and the failure mechanisms of trabeculae. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of programmable versus nonprogrammable shunts in the management of hydrocephalus secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective study with cost-benefit analysis.

PubMed

Lee, Lester; King, Nicolas K K; Kumar, Dinesh; Ng, Yew Poh; Rao, Jai; Ng, Huiyu; Lee, Kah Keow; Wang, Ernest; Ng, Ivan

2014-10-01

The choice of programmable or nonprogrammable shunts for the management of hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains undefined. Variable intracranial pressures make optimal management difficult. Programmable shunts have been shown to reduce problems with drainage, but at 3 times the cost of nonprogrammable shunts. All patients who underwent insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH between 2006 and 2012 were included. Patients were divided into those in whom nonprogrammable shunts and those in whom programmable shunts were inserted. The rates of shunt revisions, the reasons for adjustments of shunt settings in patients with programmable devices, and the effectiveness of the adjustments were analyzed. A cost-benefit analysis was also conducted to determine if the overall cost for programmable shunts was more than for nonprogrammable shunts. Ninety-four patients underwent insertion of shunts for hydrocephalus secondary to SAH. In 37 of these patients, nonprogrammable shunts were inserted, whereas in 57 programmable shunts were inserted. Four (7%) of 57 patients with programmable devices underwent shunt revision, whereas 8 (21.6%) of 37 patients with nonprogrammable shunts underwent shunt revision (p = 0.0413), and 4 of these patients had programmable shunts inserted during shunt revision. In 33 of 57 patients with programmable shunts, adjustments were made. The adjustments were for a trial of functional improvement (n = 21), overdrainage (n = 5), underdrainage (n = 6), or overly sunken skull defect (n = 1). Of these 33 patients, 24 showed neurological improvements (p = 0.012). Cost-benefit analysis showed $646.60 savings (US dollars) per patient if programmable shunts were used, because the cost of shunt revision is a lot higher than the cost of the shunt. The rate of shunt revision is lower in patients with programmable devices, and these are therefore more cost-effective. In addition, the shunt adjustments made for patients with programmable devices also resulted in better neurological outcomes.

Effect of planecta and ROSE™ on the frequency characteristics of blood pressure-transducer kits.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Shigeki; Kawakubo, Yoshifumi; Mori, Satoshi; Tachihara, Keiichi; Toyoguchi, Izumi; Yokoyama, Takeshi

2015-12-01

Pressure-transducer kits have frequency characteristics such as natural frequency and damping coefficient, which affect the monitoring accuracy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of planecta ports and a damping device (ROSE™, Argon Medical Devices, TX, USA) on the frequency characteristics of pressure-transducer kits. The FloTrac sensor kit (Edwards Lifesciences, CA, USA) and the DTXplus transducer kit (Argon Medical Devices) were prepared with planecta ports, and their frequency characteristics were tested with or without ROSE™. The natural frequency and damping coefficient of each kit were obtained using frequency characteristics analysis software and evaluated by plotting them on the Gardner's chart. By inserting a planecta port, the natural frequency markedly decreased in both the FloTrac sensor kit (from 40 to 22 Hz) and the DTXplus transducer kit (from 35 to 22 Hz). In both kits with one planecta port, the damping coefficient markedly increased by insertion of ROSE™ from 0.2 to 0.5, optimising frequency characteristics. In both kits with two planecta ports, however, the natural frequency decreased from 22 to 12 Hz. The damping coefficient increased from 0.2 to 0.8 by insertion of ROSE™; however, optimisation was not achieved even by ROSE™ insertion. Planecta ports decrease the natural frequency of the kit. ROSE™ is useful to optimise the frequency characteristics in the kits without or with one planecta port. However, optimisation is difficult with two or more planecta ports, even with the ROSE™ device.

Elliptically polarizing adjustable phase insertion device

DOEpatents

Carr, Roger

1995-01-01

An insertion device for extracting polarized electromagnetic energy from a beam of particles is disclosed. The insertion device includes four linear arrays of magnets which are aligned with the particle beam. The magnetic field strength to which the particles are subjected is adjusted by altering the relative alignment of the arrays in a direction parallel to that of the particle beam. Both the energy and polarization of the extracted energy may be varied by moving the relevant arrays parallel to the beam direction. The present invention requires a substantially simpler and more economical superstructure than insertion devices in which the magnetic field strength is altered by changing the gap between arrays of magnets.

Comparing performance of mothers using simplified mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) classification devices with an improved MUAC insertion tape in Isiolo County, Kenya.

PubMed

Grant, Angeline; Njiru, James; Okoth, Edgar; Awino, Imelda; Briend, André; Murage, Samuel; Abdirahman, Saida; Myatt, Mark

2018-01-01

A novel approach for improving community case-detection of acute malnutrition involves mothers/caregivers screening their children for acute malnutrition using a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) insertion tape. The objective of this study was to test three simple MUAC classification devices to determine whether they improved the sensitivity of mothers/caregivers at detecting acute malnutrition. Prospective, non-randomised, partially-blinded, clinical diagnostic trial describing and comparing the performance of three "Click-MUAC" devices and a MUAC insertion tape. The study took place in twenty-one health facilities providing integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) services in Isiolo County, Kenya. Mothers/caregivers classified their child ( n =1040), aged 6-59 months, using the "Click-MUAC" devices and a MUAC insertion tape. These classifications were compared to a "gold standard" classification (the mean of three measurements taken by a research assistant using the MUAC insertion tape). The sensitivity of mother/caregiver classifications was high for all devices (>93% for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), defined by MUAC < 115 mm, and > 90% for global acute malnutrition (GAM), defined by MUAC < 125 mm). Mother/caregiver sensitivity for SAM and GAM classification was higher using the MUAC insertion tape (100% sensitivity for SAM and 99% sensitivity for GAM) than using "Click-MUAC" devices. Younden's J for SAM classification, and sensitivity for GAM classification, were significantly higher for the MUAC insertion tape (99% and 99% respectively). Specificity was high for all devices (>96%) with no significant difference between the "Click-MUAC" devices and the MUAC insertion tape. The results of this study indicate that, although the "Click-MUAC" devices performed well, the MUAC insertion tape performed best. The results for sensitivity are higher than found in previous studies. The high sensitivity for both SAM and GAM classification by mothers/caregivers with the MUAC insertion tape could be due to the use of an improved MUAC tape design which has a number of new design features. The one-on-one demonstration provided to mothers/caregivers on the use of the devices may also have helped improve sensitivity. The results of this study provide evidence that mothers/caregivers can perform sensitive and specific classifications of their child's nutritional status using MUAC. Clinical trials registration number: NCT02833740.

Intracranial surgical operative apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheldon, Charles H. (Inventor); Frazer, Robert E. (Inventor); Lutes, Harold R. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

Apparatus for operating on the brain with minimal disturbances thereto, including a bullet-shaped expandable device with an end that can be closed for insertion through a small hole in the brain. The device can be expanded after insertion to leave an air pocket through which to extend viewing and cutting devices which enable operation on tumors or the like that lie at the end of the expanded device. A set of probes of varying diameters are also provided, to progressively enlarge a passage leading to the tumor, prior to inserting the expandable device.

A novel compensation method of insertion losses for wavelet inverse-transform processors using surface acoustic wave devices.

PubMed

Lu, Wenke; Zhu, Changchun

2011-11-01

The objective of this research was to investigate the possibility of compensating for the insertion losses of the wavelet inverse-transform processors using SAW devices. The motivation for this work was prompted by the processors which are of large insertion losses. In this paper, the insertion losses are the key problem of the wavelet inverse-transform processors using SAW devices. A novel compensation method of the insertion losses is achieved in this study. When the output ends of the wavelet inverse-transform processors are respectively connected to the amplifiers, their insertion losses can be compensated for. The bandwidths of the amplifiers and their adjustment method are also given in this paper. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Effect of inserting a hole injection layer in organic light-emitting diodes: A numerical approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyeongi; Hwang, Youngwook; Won, Taeyoung

2015-01-01

For investigating the effect of inserting a hole injection layer (HIL), we carried out a computational study concerning organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that had a thin CuPc layer as the hole injection layer. We used S-TAD (2, 2', 7, 7'-tetrakis-(N, Ndiphenylamino)-9, 9-spirobifluoren) for the hole transfer layer, S-DPVBi (4, 4'-bis (2, 2'-diphenylvinyl)-1, 1'-spirobiphenyl) for the emission layer and Alq3 (Tris (8-hyroxyquinolinato) aluminium) for the electron transfer layer. This tri-layer device was compared with four-layer devices. To this tri-layer device, we added a thin CuPc layer, which had a 5.3 eV highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level and a 3.8 eV lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level, as a hole injection layer, and we chose this device for Device A. Also, we varied the LUMO level or the HOMO level of the thin CuPc layer. These two devices were identified as Device C and Device D, respectively. In this paper, we simulated the carrier injection, transport and recombination in these four devices. Thereby, we showed the effect of the HIL, and we demonstrated that the characteristics of these devices were improved by adding a thin layer of CuPc between the anode and the HTL.

Elliptically polarizing adjustable phase insertion device

DOEpatents

Carr, R.

1995-01-17

An insertion device for extracting polarized electromagnetic energy from a beam of particles is disclosed. The insertion device includes four linear arrays of magnets which are aligned with the particle beam. The magnetic field strength to which the particles are subjected is adjusted by altering the relative alignment of the arrays in a direction parallel to that of the particle beam. Both the energy and polarization of the extracted energy may be varied by moving the relevant arrays parallel to the beam direction. The present invention requires a substantially simpler and more economical superstructure than insertion devices in which the magnetic field strength is altered by changing the gap between arrays of magnets. 3 figures.

Status of the Superconducting Insertion Device Control at TLS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu, K. H.; Wang, C. J.; Lee, Demi

2007-01-19

Superconducting insertion devices are installed at Taiwan Light Source to meet the rapidly growing demand of X-ray users. A control system supports the operation of all these superconducting insertion devices. Control system coordinates the operation of the main power supply and the trimming power supply to charge/discharge the magnet and provide essential interlock protection for the coils and vacuum ducts. Quench protection and various cryogenic interlocks are designed to prevent damage to the magnet. A friendly user interface supports routine operation. Various applications are also developed to aid the operation of these insertion devices. Design consideration and details of themore » implementation will be summarized in this report.« less

Treatment of a unicameral bone cyst in a dog using a customized titanium device.

PubMed

Nojiri, Ayami; Akiyoshi, Hideo; Ohashi, Fumihito; Ijiri, Atsuki; Sawase, Osamu; Matsushita, Tomiharu; Takemoto, Mitsuru; Fujibayashi, Shunsuke; Nakamura, Takashi; Yamaguchi, Tsutomu

2015-01-01

A 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, referred for an enlarged left carpus, was diagnosed with a unicameral bone cyst. A customized titanium device was inserted into cystic lesion and fixed by titanium screws. Sufficient strength of the affected bone with the device inserted to maintain limb function was established after resection of contents of cystic lesion. There was no deterioration of the lesion of bone cyst, and acceptable function of the affected limb with no clinical signs of lameness was maintained during 36 months follow-up. The results of this study demonstrated that bone cyst curettage and use of a customized titanium device could provide an effective alternative treatment of huge lesion of unicameral bone cysts with the intent of preventing pathologic fractures.

Treatment of a unicameral bone cyst in a dog using a customized titanium device

PubMed Central

NOJIRI, Ayami; AKIYOSHI, Hideo; OHASHI, Fumihito; IJIRI, Atsuki; SAWASE, Osamu; MATSUSHITA, Tomiharu; TAKEMOTO, Mitsuru; FUJIBAYASHI, Shunsuke; NAKAMURA, Takashi; YAMAGUCHI, Tsutomu

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT A 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, referred for an enlarged left carpus, was diagnosed with a unicameral bone cyst. A customized titanium device was inserted into cystic lesion and fixed by titanium screws. Sufficient strength of the affected bone with the device inserted to maintain limb function was established after resection of contents of cystic lesion. There was no deterioration of the lesion of bone cyst, and acceptable function of the affected limb with no clinical signs of lameness was maintained during 36 months follow-up. The results of this study demonstrated that bone cyst curettage and use of a customized titanium device could provide an effective alternative treatment of huge lesion of unicameral bone cysts with the intent of preventing pathologic fractures. PMID:25319515

Fabrication of robust tooling for mass production of polymeric microfluidic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, G.; Tor, S. B.; Loh, N. H.; Hardt, D. E.

2010-08-01

Polymer microfluidic devices are gaining popularity for bio-applications. In both commonly used methods for the fabrication of polymer microfluidic devices, i.e. injection molding and hot-embossing, the quality of a mold insert is of high importance. Micro powder injection molding (μPIM) provides a suitable option for metal mold insert fabrication. In this paper, two mold inserts with micro-features of different patterns and sizes were produced using 316L stainless steel powder and an in-house binder system. The mold inserts were successfully used to produce cyclic olefin copolymer (COC, trade name TOPAS) micromixer plates with micro-channels of widths 100 µm and 50 µm. Compared with CNC-machined hot work steel mold inserts, the quality of the micro-channels is better as far as geometrical quality and dimensional tolerance are concerned. However, surface finish and flatness of the μPIM mold inserts are inferior to those of CNC-machined mold inserts.

Vacuum-actuated percutaneous insertion/implantation tool for flexible neural probes and interfaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheth, Heeral; Bennett, William J.; Pannu, Satinderpall S.

A flexible device insertion tool including an elongated stiffener with one or more suction ports, and a vacuum connector for interfacing the stiffener to a vacuum source, for attaching the flexible device such as a flexible neural probe to the stiffener during insertion by a suction force exerted through the suction ports to, and to release the flexible device by removing the suction force.

Spin injection into silicon in three-terminal vertical and four-terminal lateral devices with Fe/Mg/MgO/Si tunnel junctions having an ultrathin Mg insertion layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Shoichi; Nakane, Ryosho; Hada, Takato; Tanaka, Masaaki

2017-12-01

We demonstrate that the spin injection/extraction efficiency is enhanced by an ultrathin Mg insertion layer (⩽2 nm) in Fe /Mg /MgO /n+-Si tunnel junctions. In diode-type vertical three-terminal devices fabricated on a Si substrate, we observe the narrower three-terminal Hanle (N-3TH) signals indicating true spin injection into Si and estimate the spin polarization in Si to be 16% when the thickness of the Mg insertion layer is 1 nm, whereas no N-3TH signal is observed without the Mg insertion. This means that the spin injection/extraction efficiency is enhanced by suppressing the formation of a magnetically dead layer at the Fe/MgO interface. We also observe clear spin transport signals, such as nonlocal Hanle signals and spin-valve signals, in a lateral four-terminal device with the same Fe /Mg /MgO /n+-Si tunnel junctions fabricated on a Si-on-insulator substrate. It is found that both the intensity and linewidth of the spin signals are affected by the geometrical effects (device geometry and size). We have derived analytical functions taking into account the device structures, including channel thickness and electrode size, and estimated important parameters: spin lifetime and spin polarization. Our analytical functions explain the experimental results very well. Our study shows the importance of suppressing a magnetically dead layer and provides a unified understanding of spin injection/detection signals in different device geometries.

Development of CMTD (Curved Multi-Tubed Device) -system III and its application to the needle-insertion for liver.

PubMed

Furusho, Junji; Kobayashi, Hiroshi; Kikuchi, Takehito; Yamamoto, Tatsuro; Tanaka, Hidekazu; Terayama, Motokazu; Monden, Morito

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study is to realize the mechanically-controllable needle-insertion system using the CMTD (Curved Multi-Tube Device) which was developed by Furusho Laboratory. A CMTD, was developed for minimally-invasive surgery and needle insertion. And we use ultrasonograph as a sensing device to detect the position of bible duct or tumor and the orientation and position of the needle which is inserted into liver. This system makes safe minimally-invasive surgery possible, because all complex mechanisms are arranged outside of the body.

Enhancement of spin-Seebeck effect by inserting ultra-thin Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30} interlayer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kikuchi, D., E-mail: d.kikuchi@imr.tohoku.ac.jp; WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577; Spin Quantum Rectification Project, ERATO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sendai 980-8577

2015-02-23

We report the longitudinal spin-Seebeck effects (LSSEs) for Pt/Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30}/BiY{sub 2}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} (BiYIG) and Pt/BiYIG devices. The LSSE voltage was found to be enhanced by inserting an ultra-thin Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30} interlayer. This enhancement decays sharply with increasing the Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30} thickness, suggesting that it is not due to bulk phenomena, such as a superposition of conventional thermoelectric effects, but due to interface effects related to the Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30} interlayer. Combined with control experiments using Pt/Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30} devices, we conclude that the enhancement of the LSSE voltage in the Pt/Fe{sub 70}Cu{sub 30}/BiYIG devices is attributedmore » to the improvement of the spin-mixing conductance at the Pt/BiYIG interfaces.« less

Parafunctional loading and occlusal device on stress distribution around implants: A 3D finite element analysis.

PubMed

Borges Radaelli, Manuel Tomás; Idogava, Henrique Takashi; Spazzin, Aloisio Oro; Noritomi, Pedro Yoshito; Boscato, Noéli

2018-04-30

An occlusal device is frequently recommended for patients with bruxism to protect implant-supported restorations and prevent marginal bone loss. Scientific evidence to support this treatment is lacking. The purpose of this 3-dimensional (3D) finite element study was to evaluate the influence of an acrylic resin occlusal device, implant length, and insertion depth on stress distribution with functional and parafunctional loadings. Computer-aided design software was used to construct 8 models. The models were composed of a mandibular bone section including the second premolar and first and second molars. Insertion depths (bone level and 2 mm subcrestal) were simulated at the first molar. Three natural antagonist maxillary teeth and the placement or not of an occlusal device were simulated. Functional (200-N axial and 10-N oblique) and parafunctional (1000-N axial and 25-N oblique) forces were applied. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to determine the maximum principal stress for the cortical and trabecular bone and von Mises for implant and prosthetic abutment. Stress concentration was observed at the abutment-implant and the implant-bone interfaces. Occlusal device placement changed the pattern of stress distribution and reduced stress levels from parafunctional loading in all structures, except in the trabecular bone. Implants with subcrestal insertion depths had reduced stress at the implant-abutment interface and cortical bone around the implant abutment, while the stress increased in the bone in contact with the implant. Parafunctional loading increased the stress levels in all structures when compared with functional loading. An occlusal device resulted in the lowest stress levels at the abutment and implant and the most favorable stress distribution between the cortical and trabecular bone. Under parafunctional loading, an occlusal device was more effective in reducing stress distribution for longer implants inserted at bone level. Subcrestally, implant insertion yielded the most favorable biomechanical conditions at the abutment-implant interface and at the coronal surface of the cortical bone, mainly when there was no occlusal device. Copyright © 2018 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study of low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using SAW devices.

PubMed

Jiang, Hua; Lu, Wenke; Zhang, Guoan

2013-07-01

In this paper, we propose a low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. The new SAW wavelet transform devices (WTDs) use the structure with two electrode-widths-controlled (EWC) single phase unidirectional transducers (SPUDT-SPUDT). This structure consists of the input withdrawal weighting interdigital transducer (IDT) and the output overlap weighting IDT. Three experimental devices for different scales 2(-1), 2(-2), and 2(-3) are designed and measured. The minimum insertion loss of the three devices reaches 5.49dB, 4.81dB, and 5.38dB respectively which are lower than the early results. Both the electrode width and the number of electrode pairs are reduced, thus making the three devices much smaller than the early devices. Therefore, the method described in this paper is suitable for implementing an arbitrary multi-scale low insertion loss and miniaturization wavelet transform and inverse transform processor using SAW devices. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of oxide insertion layer on resistance switching properties of copper phthalocyanine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Nikhil G.; Pandya, Nirav C.; Joshi, U. S.

2013-02-01

Organic memory device showing resistance switching properties is a next-generation of the electrical memory unit. We have investigated the bistable resistance switching in current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of organic diode based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) film sandwiched between aluminum (Al) electrodes. Pronounced hysteresis in the I-V curves revealed a resistance switching with on-off ratio of the order of 85%. In order to control the charge injection in the CuPc, nanoscale indium oxide buffer layer was inserted to form Al/CuPc/In2O3/Al device. Analysis of I-V measurements revealed space charge limited switching conduction at the Al/CuPc interface. The traps in the organic layer and charge blocking by oxide insertion layer have been used to explain the absence of resistance switching in the oxide buffer layered memory device cell. Present study offer potential applications for CuPc organic semiconductor in low power non volatile resistive switching memory and logic circuits.

Biodegradable braided poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) urethral stent combined with dutasteride in the treatment of acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement: a pilot study.

PubMed

Kotsar, Andres; Isotalo, Taina; Juuti, Hanne; Mikkonen, Joonas; Leppiniemi, Jenni; Hänninen, Venla; Kellomäki, Minna; Talja, Martti; Tammela, Teuvo L J

2009-03-01

To evaluate, in a pilot study, the efficacy and safety of combining a braided poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA, a copolymer of l-lactide and glycolide) urethral stent and dutasteride in the treatment of acute urinary retention (AUR) due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). Ten men with AUR due to BPE were treated as outpatients. A biodegradable braided PLGA urethral stent was inserted into the prostatic urethra, using a specially designed insertion device under visual control. Dutasteride treatment was started and the patients were followed up for 3 months after insertion of the stents. In all patients the stents were placed successfully with the new insertion device. All men were able to void after inserting the stent. At 1 month five patients voided freely with a low residual urine volume (<150 mL), two voided but had a high residual urine volume and a suprapubic catheter was placed, and three needed a suprapubic or an indwelling catheter before 1 month, due to AUR or comorbidities. At 3 months five patients were voiding with no problems. We have developed a new and effective insertion device for biodegradable braided prostatic stents. The new braided-pattern stent overcomes the earlier problems of migration and sudden breakage into large particles associated with biodegradable spiral stents. However, the mechanical properties of the new stent need to be improved and tested in a longer follow-up. We consider that this new biodegradable braided-pattern urethral stent could provide a new option in the future treatment of AUR.

Effect of footwear and orthotic devices on stress reduction and soft tissue strain of the neuropathic foot.

PubMed

Lott, Donovan J; Hastings, Mary K; Commean, Paul K; Smith, Kirk E; Mueller, Michael J

2007-03-01

Ground reaction forces from walking result in stress (pressure) and soft tissue strain at the plantar aspect of the foot. Excessive plantar pressure and tissue strain on the insensate foot may lead to ulceration. Our study investigated the effect of therapeutic footwear and custom-made orthotic inserts on pressure and tissue strain along the second ray of the plantar foot, and how these two variables are associated. Twenty subjects (mean age 57.3 [SD 9.3] years, 12 male, 8 female, body mass index 32.5 [SD 7.4] kg/m2) with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a history of a plantar ulcer participated. Plantar pressure data were recorded during computed tomography scans for four conditions (barefoot, shoe, shoe+total contact insert, and shoe+total contact insert+metatarsal pad). For each condition tested, tissue strain and plantar pressure were determined at the second metatarsal head and at 15 other points along the second ray. Differences were noted between the 4 conditions for pressure (P<0.004) and soft tissue strain (P<0.042) at the second metatarsal head. Correlation coefficients demonstrated an association between pressure and strain (Barefoot r=0.81, Shoe r=0.75, Shoe+total contact insert r=0.73, and Shoe+total contact insert+metatarsal pad r=0.44). Footwear and orthotic devices tested in this study decreased pressure and soft tissue strain at the second ray of the foot, and these two variables were strongly related. A better understanding of the role tissue strain plays in distributing plantar forces may lead to improvements in the design of orthotic devices.

Effect of Footwear and Orthotic Devices on Stress Reduction and Soft Tissue Strain of the Neuropathic Foot

PubMed Central

Lott, Donovan J.; Hastings, Mary K.; Commean, Paul K.; Smith, Kirk E.; Mueller, Michael J.

2007-01-01

Background Ground reaction forces from walking result in stress (pressure) and soft tissue strain at the plantar aspect of the foot. Excessive plantar pressure and tissue strain on the insensate foot may lead to ulceration. Our study investigated the effect of therapeutic footwear and custom-made orthotic inserts on pressure and tissue strain along the second ray of the plantar foot, and how these two variables are associated. Methods Twenty subjects (mean age 57.3 [SD 9.3], 12 male, 8 female, body mass index 32.5 [SD 7.4]) with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a history of a plantar ulcer participated. Plantar pressure data were recorded during computed tomography scans for four conditions (barefoot, shoe, shoe+total contact insert, and shoe+total contact insert+metatarsal pad). For each condition tested, tissue strain and plantar pressure were determined at the second metatarsal head and at 15 other points along the second ray. Findings Differences were noted between the 4 conditions for pressure (p < 0.004) and soft tissue strain (p < 0.042) at the second metatarsal head. Correlation coefficients demonstrated an association between pressure and strain (Barefoot r = 0.81, Shoe r = 0.75, Shoe+total contact insert r = 0.73, and Shoe+total contact insert+metatarsal pad r = 0.44). Intepretation Footwear and orthotic devices tested in this study decreased pressure and soft tissue strain at the second ray of the foot, and these two variables were strongly related. A better understanding of the role tissue strain plays in distributing plantar forces may lead to improvements in the design of orthotic devices. PMID:17182156

Insertion devices for Doris III

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pfluger, J.; Heintze, G.; Baran, W.

1992-01-01

In this paper the mechanical and magnetic layout of the first three insertion devices for DORIS III, an upgraded reconstruction of DORIS II, is described and results of the magnetic characterization are given as well.

Intrauterine devices and risk of uterine perforation: current perspectives

PubMed Central

Rowlands, Sam; Oloto, Emeka; Horwell, David H

2016-01-01

Uterine perforation is an uncommon complication of intrauterine device insertion, with an incidence of one in 1,000 insertions. Perforation may be complete, with the device totally in the abdominal cavity, or partial, with the device to varying degrees within the uterine wall. Some studies show a positive association between lactation and perforation, but a causal relationship has not been established. Very rarely, a device may perforate into bowel or the urinary tract. Perforated intrauterine devices can generally be removed successfully at laparoscopy. PMID:29386934

Double emulsions from a capillary array injection microfluidic device.

PubMed

Shang, Luoran; Cheng, Yao; Wang, Jie; Ding, Haibo; Rong, Fei; Zhao, Yuanjin; Gu, Zhongze

2014-09-21

A facile microfluidic device was developed by inserting an annular capillary array into a collection channel for single-step emulsification of double emulsions. By inserting multiple inner-phase solutions into the capillary array, multicomponent double emulsions or microcapsules with inner droplets of different content could also be obtained from the device.

Beamline Insertions Manager at Jefferson Lab

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Michael C.

2015-09-01

The beam viewer system at Jefferson Lab provides operators and beam physicists with qualitative and quantitative information on the transverse electron beam properties. There are over 140 beam viewers installed on the 12 GeV CEBAF accelerator. This paper describes an upgrade consisting of replacing the EPICS-based system tasked with managing all viewers with a mixed system utilizing EPICS and high-level software. Most devices, particularly the beam viewers, cannot be safely inserted into the beam line during high-current beam operations. Software is partly responsible for protecting the machine from untimely insertions. The multiplicity of beam-blocking and beam-vulnerable devices motivates us tomore » try a data-driven approach. The beamline insertions application components are centrally managed and configured through an object-oriented software framework created for this purpose. A rules-based engine tracks the configuration and status of every device, along with the beam status of the machine segment containing the device. The application uses this information to decide on which device actions are allowed at any given time.« less

A minimally invasive method for extraction of sturgeon oocytes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Candrl, James S.; Papoulias, Diana M.; Tillitt, Donald E.

2010-01-01

Fishery biologists, hatchery personnel, and caviar fishers routinely extract oocytes from sturgeon (Acipenseridae) to determine the stage of maturation by checking egg quality. Typically, oocytes are removed either by inserting a catheter into the oviduct or by making an incision in the body cavity. Both methods can be time-consuming and stressful to the fish. We describe a device to collect mature oocytes from sturgeons quickly and effectively with minimal stress on the fish. The device is made by creating a needle from stainless steel tubing and connecting it to a syringe with polyvinyl chloride tubing. The device is filled with saline solution or water, the needle is inserted into the abdominal wall, and eggs are extracted from the fish. Using this device, an oocyte sample can be collected in less than 30 s. Such sampling leaves a minute wound that heals quickly and does not require suturing. The extractor device can easily be used in the field or hatchery, reduces fish handling time, and minimizes stress.

Towards the use of computationally inserted lesions for mammographic CAD assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanian, Zahra; Pezeshk, Aria; Petrick, Nicholas; Sahiner, Berkman

2018-03-01

Computer-aided detection (CADe) devices used for breast cancer detection on mammograms are typically first developed and assessed for a specific "original" acquisition system, e.g., a specific image detector. When CADe developers are ready to apply their CADe device to a new mammographic acquisition system, they typically assess the CADe device with images acquired using the new system. Collecting large repositories of clinical images containing verified cancer locations and acquired by the new image acquisition system is costly and time consuming. Our goal is to develop a methodology to reduce the clinical data burden in the assessment of a CADe device for use with a different image acquisition system. We are developing an image blending technique that allows users to seamlessly insert lesions imaged using an original acquisition system into normal images or regions acquired with a new system. In this study, we investigated the insertion of microcalcification clusters imaged using an original acquisition system into normal images acquired with that same system utilizing our previously-developed image blending technique. We first performed a reader study to assess whether experienced observers could distinguish between computationally inserted and native clusters. For this purpose, we applied our insertion technique to clinical cases taken from the University of South Florida Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM) and the Breast Cancer Digital Repository (BCDR). Regions of interest containing microcalcification clusters from one breast of a patient were inserted into the contralateral breast of the same patient. The reader study included 55 native clusters and their 55 inserted counterparts. Analysis of the reader ratings using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology indicated that inserted clusters cannot be reliably distinguished from native clusters (area under the ROC curve, AUC=0.58±0.04). Furthermore, CADe sensitivity was evaluated on mammograms with native and inserted microcalcification clusters using a commercial CADe system. For this purpose, we used full field digital mammograms (FFDMs) from 68 clinical cases, acquired at the University of Michigan Health System. The average sensitivities for native and inserted clusters were equal, 85.3% (58/68). These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the inserted microcalcification clusters for assessing mammographic CAD devices.

Investigation of biomechanical behavior of lumbar vertebral segments with dynamic stabilization device using finite element approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deoghare, Ashish B.; Kashyap, Siddharth; Padole, Pramod M.

2013-03-01

Degenerative disc disease is a major source of lower back pain and significantly alters the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Dynamic stabilization device is a remedial technique which uses flexible materials to stabilize the affected lumbar region while preserving the natural anatomy of the spine. The main objective of this research work is to investigate the stiffness variation of dynamic stabilization device under various loading conditions under compression, axial rotation and flexion. Three dimensional model of the two segment lumbar spine is developed using computed tomography (CT) scan images. The lumbar structure developed is analyzed in ANSYS workbench. Two types of dynamic stabilization are considered: one with stabilizing device as pedicle instrumentation and second with stabilization device inserted around the inter-vertebral disc. Analysis suggests that proper positioning of the dynamic stabilization device is of paramount significance prior to the surgery. Inserting the device in the posterior region indicates the adverse effects as it shows increase in the deformation of the inter-vertebral disc. Analysis executed by positioning stabilizing device around the inter-vertebral disc yields better result for various stiffness values under compression and other loadings. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Coating flexible probes with an ultra fast degrading polymer to aid in tissue insertion

PubMed Central

Wang, Shuwu; Singh, Sagar; Damodaran, Vinod B.; Kaplan, Hilton M.; Kohn, Joachim; Shreiber, David I.; Zahn, Jeffrey D.

2016-01-01

We report a fabrication process for coating neural probes with an ultrafast degrading polymer to create consistent and reproducible devices for neural tissue insertion. The rigid polymer coating acts as a probe insertion aid, but resorbs within hours post-implantation. Despite the feasibility for short term neural recordings from currently available neural prosthetic devices, most of these devices suffer from long term gliosis, which isolates the probes from adjacent neurons, increasing the recording impedance and stimulation threshold. The size and stiffness of implanted probes have been identified as critical factors that lead to this long term gliosis. Smaller, more flexible probes that match the mechanical properties of brain tissue could allow better long term integration by limiting the mechanical disruption of the surrounding tissue during and after probe insertion, while being flexible enough to deform with the tissue during brain movement. However, these small flexible probes inherently lack the mechanical strength to penetrate the brain on their own. In this work, we have developed a micromolding method for coating a non-functional miniaturized SU-8 probe with an ultrafast degrading tyrosine-derived polycarbonate (E5005(2K)). Coated, non-functionalized probes of varying dimensions were reproducibly fabricated with high yields. The polymer erosion/degradation profiles of the probes were characterized in vitro. The probes were also mechanically characterized in ex vivo brain tissue models by measuring buckling and insertion forces during probe insertion. The results demonstrate the ability to produce polymer coated probes of consistent quality for future in vivo use, for example to study the effects of different design parameters that may affect tissue response during long term chronic intra-cortical microelectrode neural recordings. PMID:25681971

Coating flexible probes with an ultra fast degrading polymer to aid in tissue insertion.

PubMed

Lo, Meng-chen; Wang, Shuwu; Singh, Sagar; Damodaran, Vinod B; Kaplan, Hilton M; Kohn, Joachim; Shreiber, David I; Zahn, Jeffrey D

2015-04-01

We report a fabrication process for coating neural probes with an ultrafast degrading polymer to create consistent and reproducible devices for neural tissue insertion. The rigid polymer coating acts as a probe insertion aid, but resorbs within hours post-implantation. Despite the feasibility for short term neural recordings from currently available neural prosthetic devices, most of these devices suffer from long term gliosis, which isolates the probes from adjacent neurons, increasing the recording impedance and stimulation threshold. The size and stiffness of implanted probes have been identified as critical factors that lead to this long term gliosis. Smaller, more flexible probes that match the mechanical properties of brain tissue could allow better long term integration by limiting the mechanical disruption of the surrounding tissue during and after probe insertion, while being flexible enough to deform with the tissue during brain movement. However, these small flexible probes inherently lack the mechanical strength to penetrate the brain on their own. In this work, we have developed a micromolding method for coating a non-functional miniaturized SU-8 probe with an ultrafast degrading tyrosine-derived polycarbonate (E5005(2K)). Coated, non-functionalized probes of varying dimensions were reproducibly fabricated with high yields. The polymer erosion/degradation profiles of the probes were characterized in vitro. The probes were also mechanically characterized in ex vivo brain tissue models by measuring buckling and insertion forces during probe insertion. The results demonstrate the ability to produce polymer coated probes of consistent quality for future in vivo use, for example to study the effects of different design parameters that may affect tissue response during long term chronic intra-cortical microelectrode neural recordings.

Solar Cell Modules With Improved Backskin

DOEpatents

Chevrefils, Andre; Grigore, Daniel Gheorghe

2001-01-23

The present invention relates to gas turbines and more particularly to a device for controlling the flow of cooling air through a flowpath in a turbine blade. The device can be inserted in the inlet opening of the blade flowpath and be retained therein. The device comprises a plug member for adjusting the flow of cooling air through the flowpath. The plug member comprises a retaining portion for retaining the plug member at the inlet opening of the flowpath and a blocking portion inserted within the flowpath for reducing the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening. Such a device is inexpensive and can be easily inserted in the inlet opening of a blade flowpath and retained therein.

End Restraints for Impact-Energy-Absorbing Tube Specimens

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farley, G. L.; Modlin, J. T.

1985-01-01

Inexpensive device developed that eliminates tipping problem without affecting crushing process. Device consists of soft sponge-rubber insert approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) thick, cut to same diameter as internal diameter of tube specimen. Metal washer, slightly smaller than internal diameter of tube, placed on top of rubber insert. Screw passed through washer and rubber insert and threaded into base of test machine. As screw tightened against washer, rubber insert compressed and expands radially. Radial expansion applies pressure against internal wall of tube specimen, which provides sufficient support to tube to prevent tipping.

Novel Sternal Protection Device for Cardiac Surgery Via Median Sternotomy Incision

PubMed Central

Marasco, Silvana F.; McGiffin, David C.; Zimmet, Adam D.; Solis, Pablo C.; Bingham, Judy M.; Moshinsky, Randall A.

2017-01-01

Objective Sternal bleeding during cardiac surgery is currently controlled using bone wax or other chemical substances that may result in adverse effects and affect wound healing and recovery. The purpose of this study was to identify a safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-use technique to reduce sternal bleeding and sternal trauma during cardiac surgery. Methods After sternotomy, a sternal protection device was placed over each hemisternal section before insertion of the retractor and remained in situ until the end of surgery. Sternal bleeding and ease of use were assessed and recorded during surgery. Sternal trauma was assessed and recorded within 5 minutes of removal of the device, and overall satisfaction (Global Impression) and any intraoperative adverse events or device malfunction were reported at surgery completion. Patients were followed up 24 hours and 4 weeks after surgery. Results Twelve patients completed the study. Adverse events reported were not considered related to the device. No sternal trauma was identified in any patient. In 9 of 11 patients, sternal bleeding was reduced after insertion of the device. The device was generally considered easy to use, although some difficulty was encountered when used with the Internal Mammary Artery retractor. Conclusions Our data suggest that the device is safe and able to reduce sternal bleeding during surgery using sternal retractors. We recommend further studies in a larger population of patients with a control group to evaluate the device's ability to reduce the morbidity associated with sternal bleeding and sternal trauma. PMID:29023352

Novel Sternal Protection Device for Cardiac Surgery Via Median Sternotomy Incision.

PubMed

Marasco, Silvana F; McGiffin, David C; Zimmet, Adam D; Solis, Pablo C; Bingham, Judy M; Moshinsky, Randall A

Sternal bleeding during cardiac surgery is currently controlled using bone wax or other chemical substances that may result in adverse effects and affect wound healing and recovery. The purpose of this study was to identify a safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-use technique to reduce sternal bleeding and sternal trauma during cardiac surgery. After sternotomy, a sternal protection device was placed over each hemisternal section before insertion of the retractor and remained in situ until the end of surgery. Sternal bleeding and ease of use were assessed and recorded during surgery. Sternal trauma was assessed and recorded within 5 minutes of removal of the device, and overall satisfaction (Global Impression) and any intraoperative adverse events or device malfunction were reported at surgery completion. Patients were followed up 24 hours and 4 weeks after surgery. Twelve patients completed the study. Adverse events reported were not considered related to the device. No sternal trauma was identified in any patient. In 9 of 11 patients, sternal bleeding was reduced after insertion of the device. The device was generally considered easy to use, although some difficulty was encountered when used with the Internal Mammary Artery retractor. Our data suggest that the device is safe and able to reduce sternal bleeding during surgery using sternal retractors. We recommend further studies in a larger population of patients with a control group to evaluate the device's ability to reduce the morbidity associated with sternal bleeding and sternal trauma.

Real-Time Deposition Monitor for Ultrathin Conductive Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hines, Jacqueline

2011-01-01

A device has been developed that can be used for the real-time monitoring of ultrathin (2 or more) conductive films. The device responds in less than two microseconds, and can be used to monitor film depositions up to about 60 thick. Actual thickness monitoring capability will vary based on properties of the film being deposited. This is a single-use device, which, due to the very low device cost, can be disposable. Conventional quartz/crystal microbalance devices have proven inadequate to monitor the thickness of Pd films during deposition of ultrathin films for hydrogen sensor devices. When the deposited film is less than 100 , the QCM measurements are inadequate to allow monitoring of the ultrathin films being developed. Thus, an improved, high-sensitivity, real-time deposition monitor was needed to continue Pd film deposition development. The new deposition monitor utilizes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device in a differential delay-line configuration to produce both a reference response and a response for the portion of the device on which the film is being deposited. Both responses are monitored simultaneously during deposition. The reference response remains unchanged, while the attenuation of the sensing path (where the film is being deposited) varies as the film thickness increases. This device utilizes the fact that on high-coupling piezoelectric substrates, the attenuation of an SAW undergoes a transition from low to very high, and back to low as the conductivity of a film on the device surface goes from nonconductive to highly conductive. Thus, the sensing path response starts with a low insertion loss, and as a conductive film is deposited, the film conductivity increases, causing the device insertion loss to increase dramatically (by up to 80 dB or more), and then with continued film thickness increases (and the corresponding conductivity increases), the device insertion loss goes back down to the low level at which it started. This provides a continuous, real-time monitoring of film deposition. For use with different films, the device would need to be calibrated to provide an understanding of how film thickness is related to film conductivity, as the device is responding primarily to conductivity effects (and not to mass loading effects) in this ultrathin film regime.

Method for improving the durability of ion insertion materials

DOEpatents

Lee, Se-Hee; Tracy, C. Edwin; Cheong, Hyeonsik M.

2002-01-01

The invention provides a method of protecting an ion insertion material from the degradative effects of a liquid or gel-type electrolyte material by disposing a protective, solid ion conducting, electrically insulating, layer between the ion insertion layer and the liquid or gel-type electrolyte material. The invention further provides liquid or gel-type electrochemical cells having improved durability having a pair of electrodes, a pair of ion insertion layers sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, a pair of solid ion conducting layers sandwiched between the ion insertion layers, and a liquid or gel-type electrolyte material disposed between the solid ion conducting layers, where the solid ion conducting layer minimizes or prevents degradation of the faces of the ion insertion materials facing the liquid or gel-type electrolyte material. Electrochemical cells of this invention having increased durability include secondary lithium batteries and electrochromic devices.

78 FR 950 - Medical Devices; Availability of Safety and Effectiveness Summaries for Premarket Approval...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-07

..., FDA- 2012-M-0965, FDA-2012-M-0968, FDA-2012-M-1011, and FDA-2012-M-1013] Medical Devices; Availability...\\ February 16, 2011. Adjustable Gastric Banding System. P100049, FDA-2012-M-0893....... Torax Medical, Inc.... Trabecular Micro- Bypass Stent and Inserter. P110007, FDA-2012-M-0734....... Abbott Medical Healon[supreg...

App-assisted external ventricular drain insertion.

PubMed

Eftekhar, Behzad

2016-09-01

The freehand technique for insertion of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is based on fixed anatomical landmarks and does not take individual variations into consideration. A patient-tailored approach based on augmented-reality techniques using devices such as smartphones can address this shortcoming. The Sina neurosurgical assist (Sina) is an Android mobile device application (app) that was designed and developed to be used as a simple intraoperative neurosurgical planning aid. It overlaps the patient's images from previously performed CT or MRI studies on the image seen through the device camera. The device is held by an assistant who aligns the images and provides information about the relative position of the target and EVD to the surgeon who is performing EVD insertion. This app can be used to provide guidance and continuous monitoring during EVD placement. The author describes the technique of Sina-assisted EVD insertion into the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle and reports on its clinical application in 5 cases as well as the results of ex vivo studies of ease of use and precision. The technique has potential for further development and use with other augmented-reality devices.

Role of nanorods insertion layer in ZnO-based electrochemical metallization memory cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mangasa Simanjuntak, Firman; Singh, Pragya; Chandrasekaran, Sridhar; Juanda Lumbantoruan, Franky; Yang, Chih-Chieh; Huang, Chu-Jie; Lin, Chun-Chieh; Tseng, Tseung-Yuen

2017-12-01

An engineering nanorod array in a ZnO-based electrochemical metallization device for nonvolatile memory applications was investigated. A hydrothermally synthesized nanorod layer was inserted into a Cu/ZnO/ITO device structure. Another device was fabricated without nanorods for comparison, and this device demonstrated a diode-like behavior with no switching behavior at a low current compliance (CC). The switching became clear only when the CC was increased to 75 mA. The insertion of a nanorods layer induced switching characteristics at a low operation current and improve the endurance and retention performances. The morphology of the nanorods may control the switching characteristics. A forming-free electrochemical metallization memory device having long switching cycles (>104 cycles) with a sufficient memory window (103 times) for data storage application, good switching stability and sufficient retention was successfully fabricated by adjusting the morphology and defect concentration of the inserted nanorod layer. The nanorod layer not only contributed to inducing resistive switching characteristics but also acted as both a switching layer and a cation diffusion control layer.

A Novel Coupled Resonator Photonic Crystal Design in Lithium Niobate for Electrooptic Applications

DOE PAGES

Ozturk, Birol; Yavuzcetin, Ozgur; Sridhar, Srinivas

2015-01-01

High-aspect-ratio photonic crystal air-hole fabrication on bulk Lithium Niobate (LN) substrates is extremely difficult due to its inherent resistance to etching, resulting in conical structures and high insertion losses. Here, we propose a novel coupled resonator photonic crystal (CRPC) design, combining a coupled resonator approach with that of Bragg gratings. CRPC design parameters were optimized by analytical calculations and FDTD simulations. CRPC structures with optimized parameters were fabricated and electrooptically tested on bulk LN annealed proton exchange waveguides. Low insertion loss and large electrooptic effect were observed with the fabricated devices, making the CRPC design a promising structure for electroopticmore » device applications.« less

Insertion of Vertically Aligned Nanowires into Living Cells by Inkjet Printing of Cells.

PubMed

Lee, Donggyu; Lee, Daehee; Won, Yulim; Hong, Hyeonaug; Kim, Yongjae; Song, Hyunwoo; Pyun, Jae-Chul; Cho, Yong Soo; Ryu, Wonhyoung; Moon, Jooho

2016-03-01

Effective insertion of vertically aligned nanowires (NWs) into cells is critical for bioelectrical and biochemical devices, biological delivery systems, and photosynthetic bioenergy harvesting. However, accurate insertion of NWs into living cells using scalable processes has not yet been achieved. Here, NWs are inserted into living Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells (Chlamy cells) via inkjet printing of the Chlamy cells, representing a low-cost and large-scale method for inserting NWs into living cells. Jetting conditions and printable bioink composed of living Chlamy cells are optimized to achieve stable jetting and precise ink deposition of bioink for indentation of NWs into Chlamy cells. Fluorescence confocal microscopy is used to verify the viability of Chlamy cells after inkjet printing. Simple mechanical considerations of the cell membrane and droplet kinetics are developed to control the jetting force to allow penetration of the NWs into cells. The results suggest that inkjet printing is an effective, controllable tool for stable insertion of NWs into cells with economic and scale-related advantages. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The use of equine chorionic gonadotropin in the treatment of anestrous dairy cows in gonadotropin-releasing hormone/progesterone protocols of 6 or 7 days.

PubMed

Bryan, M A; Bó, G; Mapletoft, R J; Emslie, F R

2013-01-01

In seasonally calving, pasture-based dairy farm systems, the interval from calving to first estrus is a critical factor affecting reproductive efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on the reproductive response of lactating, seasonally calving dairy cows diagnosed with anovulatory anestrus by rectal palpation. Cows on 15 commercial dairy farms were selected for initial inclusion based on nonobserved estrus by 7 d before the planned start of mating. All cows were palpated rectally and evaluated for body condition score and ovary score, and were included for treatment according to the trial protocol if diagnosed with anovulatory anestrus. All cows received a standard anestrous treatment protocol consisting of insertion of a progesterone device, injection of 100 µg of GnRH at the time of device insertion, and injection of PGF(2α) at device removal (GPG/P4). Cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (6 d or 7 d) for duration of progesterone device insertion. Within each of these groups, cows were further randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU of eCG at device removal or to remain untreated as controls, resulting in a 2×2 arrangement of treatment groups: (1) 6-d device and no eCG (n=484); (2) 6-d device and eCG (n=462); (3) 7-d device and no eCG (n=546); and (4) 7-d device and eCG (n=499). Cows were detected for estrus from the time of progesterone device removal and were inseminated; those not detected in estrus within 60 h after progesterone device removal received 100 µg of GnRH and were inseminated at 72 h. The primary outcomes considered were proportion of cows conceiving within 7 d of the beginning of breeding (7-d conception rate; 7-d CR), proportion pregnant within 28 d (28-d in calf rate; 28-d ICR), and days to conception (DTC). We found no significant differences between the 6- and 7-d insertion periods and found no 6- or 7-d insertion period × eCG treatment interactions. Inclusion of eCG into either length of GPG/P4 protocol increased 7-d CR (36.0 vs. 30.6%) and 28-d ICR (58.6 vs. 52.3%) and decreased median days to conception. The use of eCG in GPG/P4 breeding protocols will improve reproductive efficiency in seasonally calving, anestrous dairy cattle. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Navigating conjugated polymer actuated neural probes in a brain phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daneshvar, Eugene D.; Kipke, Daryl; Smela, Elisabeth

2012-04-01

Neural probe insertion methods have a direct impact on the longevity of the device in the brain. Initial tissue and vascular damage caused by the probe entering the brain triggers a chronic tissue response that is known to attenuate neural recordings and ultimately encapsulate the probes. Smaller devices have been found to evoke reduced inflammatory response. One way to record from undamaged neural networks may be to position the electrode sites away from the probe. To investigate this approach, we are developing probes with controllably movable electrode projections, which would move outside of the zone that is damaged by the insertion of the larger probe. The objective of this study was to test the capability of conjugated polymer bilayer actuators to actuate neural electrode projections from a probe shank into a transparent brain phantom. Parylene neural probe devices, having five electrode projections with actuating segments and with varying widths (50 - 250 μm) and lengths (200 - 1000 μm) were fabricated. The electroactive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) was used to bend or flatten the projections. The devices were inserted into the brain phantom using an electronic microdrive while simultaneously activating the actuators. Deflections were quantified based on video images. The electrode projections were successfully controlled to either remain flat or to actuate out-of-plane and into the brain phantom during insertion. The projection width had a significant effect on their ability to deflect within the phantom, with thinner probes deflecting but not the wider ones. Thus, small integrated conjugated polymer actuators may enable multiple neuro-experiments and applications not possible before.

Suppressing recombination in polymer photovoltaic devices via energy-level cascades.

PubMed

Tan, Zhi-Kuang; Johnson, Kerr; Vaynzof, Yana; Bakulin, Artem A; Chua, Lay-Lay; Ho, Peter K H; Friend, Richard H

2013-08-14

An energy cascading structure is designed in a polymer photovoltaic device to suppress recombination and improve quantum yields. By the insertion of a thin polymer interlayer with intermediate energy levels, electrons and holes can effectively shuttle away from each other while being spatially separated from recombination. An increase in open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are observed in modified devices. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krempasky, J.; Flechsig, U.; Korhonen, T.

Synchronous monochromator and insertion device energy scans were implemented at the Surfaces/Interfaces:Microscopy (SIM) beamline in order to provide the users fast X-ray magnetic dichroism studies (XMCD). A simple software control scheme is proposed based on a fast monochromator run-time energy readback which quickly updates the insertion device requested energy during an on-the-fly X-ray absorption scan (XAS). In this scheme the Plain Grating Monochromator (PGM) motion control, being much slower compared with the insertion device (APPLE-II type undulator), acts as a 'master' controlling the undulator 'slave' energy position. This master-slave software implementation exploits EPICS distributed device control over computer network andmore » allows for a quasi-synchronous motion control combined with data acquisition needed for the XAS or XMCD experiment.« less

Comparison of the analgesic effects of oral tramadol and naproxen sodium on pain relief during IUD insertion.

PubMed

Karabayirli, Safinaz; Ayrim, Aylin Aker; Muslu, Bunyamin

2012-01-01

To compare the analgesic efficacy of oral tramadol and naproxen sodium on pain during insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). Randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). University-affiliated hospital. Single-center. One hundred three patients scheduled for insertion of an IUD. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral tramadol 50 mg capsules (n = 35) or naproxen sodium 550 mg tablets (n = 34) or placebo (n = 34) 1 hour before insertion of the IUD. After insertion of the IUD, pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10). Adverse effects, patient satisfaction with the medication, and preference for using it during future insertions were also recorded. The VAS scores were significantly different during IUD insertion among the 3 groups (p = .001). Pain scores in the tramadol group were significantly lower than in the naproxen group (p = .003), and the scores in the naproxen group was significantly lower than in the control group (p = .001). Patient satisfaction with the medication and preference for its future use were significantly lower in the control group than in the other 2 groups (p = .001). Prophylactic analgesia using 50 mg tramadol and 550 mg naproxen, delivered orally, can be used to relieve pain during IUD insertion. However, tramadol capsules were found to be more effective than naproxen tablets. Copyright © 2012 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) in children receiving autologous or allogeneic stem-cell transplantation.

PubMed

Benvenuti, Stefano; Ceresoli, Rosanna; Boroni, Giovanni; Parolini, Filippo; Porta, Fulvio; Alberti, Daniele

2018-03-01

The aim of our study was to present our experience with the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in pediatric patients receiving autologous or allogenic blood stem-cell transplantation. The insertion of the device in older children does not require general anesthesia and does not require a surgical procedure. From January 2014 to January 2017, 13 PICCs were inserted as a central venous device in 11 pediatric patients submitted to 14 autologous or allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the Children's Hospital of Brescia. The mean age of patients at the time of the procedure was 11.3 years (range 3-18 years). PICCs remained in place for an overall period of 4104 days. All PICCs were positioned by the same specifically trained physician and utilized by nurses of our stem-cell transplant unit. No insertion-related complications were observed. Late complications were catheter ruptures and line occlusions (1.2 per 1000 PICC days). No rupture or occlusion required removal of the device. No catheter-related venous thrombosis, catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), accidental removal or permanent lumen occlusion were observed. Indications for catheter removal were completion of therapy (8 patients) and death (2 patients). Three PICCs are currently being used for blood sampling in follow-up patients after transplantation. Our data suggest that PICCs are a safe and effective alternative to conventional central venous catheters even in pediatric patients with high risk of infectious and hemorrhagic complications such as patients receiving stem-cell transplantation.

Spectral analysis of hearing protector impulsive insertion loss

PubMed Central

Fackler, Cameron J.; Berger, Elliott H.; Murphy, William J.; Stergar, Michael E.

2017-01-01

Objective To characterize the performance of hearing protection devices in impulsive-noise conditions and to compare various protection metrics between impulsive and steady-state noise sources with different characteristics. Design Hearing protectors were measured per the impulsive test methods of ANSI/ASA S12.42-2010. Protectors were measured with impulses generated by both an acoustic shock tube and an AR-15 rifle. The measured data were analyzed for impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) and impulsive spectral insertion loss (ISIL). These impulsive measurements were compared to insertion loss measured with steady-state noise and with real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT). Study Sample Tested devices included a foam earplug, a level-dependent earplug, and an electronic sound-restoration earmuff. Results IPIL for a given protector varied between measurements with the two impulse noise sources, but ISIL agreed between the two sources. The level-dependent earplug demonstrated level-dependent effects both in IPIL and ISIL. Steady-state insertion loss and REAT measurements tended to provide a conservative estimate of the impulsively-measured attenuation. Conclusions Measurements of IPIL depend strongly on the source used to measure them, especially for hearing protectors with less attenuation at low frequencies. ISIL provides an alternative measurement of impulse protection and appears to be a more complete description of an HPD’s performance. PMID:27885881

Development of a clinical prediction rule to improve peripheral intravenous cannulae first attempt success in the emergency department and reduce post insertion failure rates: the Vascular Access Decisions in the Emergency Room (VADER) study protocol

PubMed Central

Carr, Peter J; Rippey, James C R; Cooke, Marie L; Bharat, Chrianna; Murray, Kevin; Higgins, Niall S; Foale, Aileen; Rickard, Claire M

2016-01-01

Introduction Peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) insertion is one of the most common clinical interventions performed in emergency care worldwide. However, factors associated with successful PIVC placement and maintenance are not well understood. This study seeks to determine the predictors of first time PIVC insertion success in emergency department (ED) and identify the rationale for removal of the ED inserted PIVC in patients admitted to the hospital ward. Reducing failed insertion attempts and improving peripheral intravenous cannulation practice could lead to better staff and patient experiences, as well as improving hospital efficiency. Methods and analysis We propose an observational cohort study of PIVC insertions in a patient population presenting to ED, with follow-up observation of the PIVC in subsequent admissions to the hospital ward. We will collect specific PIVC observational data such as; clinician factors, patient factors, device information and clinical practice variables. Trained researchers will gather ED PIVC insertion data to identify predictors of insertion success. In those admitted from the ED, we will determine the dwell time of the ED-inserted PIVC. Multivariate regression analyses will be used to identify factors associated with insertions success and PIVC failure and standard statistical validation techniques will be used to create and assess the effectiveness of a clinical predication rule. Ethics and dissemination The findings of our study will provide new evidence to improve insertion success rates in the ED setting and identify strategies to reduce premature device failure for patients admitted to hospital wards. Results will unravel a complexity of factors that contribute to unsuccessful PIVC attempts such as patient and clinician factors along with the products, technologies and infusates used. Trial registration number ACTRN12615000588594; Pre-results. PMID:26868942

Development of a clinical prediction rule to improve peripheral intravenous cannulae first attempt success in the emergency department and reduce post insertion failure rates: the Vascular Access Decisions in the Emergency Room (VADER) study protocol.

PubMed

Carr, Peter J; Rippey, James C R; Cooke, Marie L; Bharat, Chrianna; Murray, Kevin; Higgins, Niall S; Foale, Aileen; Rickard, Claire M

2016-02-11

Peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) insertion is one of the most common clinical interventions performed in emergency care worldwide. However, factors associated with successful PIVC placement and maintenance are not well understood. This study seeks to determine the predictors of first time PIVC insertion success in emergency department (ED) and identify the rationale for removal of the ED inserted PIVC in patients admitted to the hospital ward. Reducing failed insertion attempts and improving peripheral intravenous cannulation practice could lead to better staff and patient experiences, as well as improving hospital efficiency. We propose an observational cohort study of PIVC insertions in a patient population presenting to ED, with follow-up observation of the PIVC in subsequent admissions to the hospital ward. We will collect specific PIVC observational data such as; clinician factors, patient factors, device information and clinical practice variables. Trained researchers will gather ED PIVC insertion data to identify predictors of insertion success. In those admitted from the ED, we will determine the dwell time of the ED-inserted PIVC. Multivariate regression analyses will be used to identify factors associated with insertions success and PIVC failure and standard statistical validation techniques will be used to create and assess the effectiveness of a clinical predication rule. The findings of our study will provide new evidence to improve insertion success rates in the ED setting and identify strategies to reduce premature device failure for patients admitted to hospital wards. Results will unravel a complexity of factors that contribute to unsuccessful PIVC attempts such as patient and clinician factors along with the products, technologies and infusates used. ACTRN12615000588594; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Standard versus Rotation Technique for Insertion of Supraglottic Airway Devices: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Park, Jin Ha; Lee, Jong Seok; Nam, Sang Beom; Ju, Jin Wu

2016-01-01

Purpose Supraglottic airway devices have been widely utilized as an alternative to tracheal intubation in various clinical situations. The rotation technique has been proposed to improve the insertion success rate of supraglottic airways. However, the clinical efficacy of this technique remains uncertain as previous results have been inconsistent, depending on the variable evaluated. Materials and Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in April 2015 for randomized controlled trials that compared the rotation and standard techniques for inserting supraglottic airways. Results Thirteen randomized controlled trials (1505 patients, 753 with the rotation technique) were included. The success rate at the first attempt was significantly higher with the rotation technique than with the standard technique [relative risk (RR): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05 to 1.23; p=0.002]. The rotation technique provided significantly higher overall success rates (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.09; p<0.001). Device insertion was completed faster with the rotation technique (mean difference: -4.6 seconds; 95% CI: -7.37 to -1.74; p=0.002). The incidence of blood staining on the removed device (RR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.47; p<0.001) was significantly lower with the rotation technique. Conclusion The rotation technique provided higher first-attempt and overall success rates, faster insertion, and a lower incidence of blood on the removed device, reflecting less mucosal trauma. Thus, it may be considered as an alternative to the standard technique when predicting or encountering difficulty in inserting supraglottic airways. PMID:27189296

Revolving Loan Fund: A Novel Approach to Increasing Access to Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Methods in Community Health Centers.

PubMed

Evans, Megan L; Breeze, Janis L; Paulus, Jessica K; Meadows, Audra

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a revolving loan fund (RLF) on timing of device insertion and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) access among a high-risk urban population at 3 Boston community health centers. Three health centers were identified to implement a RLF. Each clinic received $5000 from the RLF to purchase LARC devices. Data collected through medical record review retrospectively 1 year prior to start of the RLF and prospectively for 1 year thereafter included patient demographics, type of LARC selected, patient's date of documented interest in a LARC device, and date of insertion. The effect of a RLF on delay to LARC insertion was tested using negative binomial regression, controlling for site and potential confounding variables between the pre- and post-RLF periods. Three urban community health centers. Reproductive-aged women who received family planning services at the 3 participating health centers. Increasing access to LARC and decreasing wait times to LARC insertion after implementation of the RLF. Data on 133 patients in the pre-RLF group and 205 in the post-RLF group were collected. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics between the 2 time periods. LARC uptake increased significantly from the pre- to post-RLF period, specifically among implant users. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean number of days in delay from interest to insertion from the pre- to post-RLF period (pre-RLF: 31.3 ± 50.6 days; post-RLF: 13.6 ± 16.7 days, adjusted P < .001). The reasons for the delay did not differ significantly between the 2 time periods. The RLF decreased wait time for the devices and increased overall insertion rates. This may serve as a promising solution to improve LARC access in community health centers. This project could be expanded to include more health centers, creating a city wide RLF. This expansion could allow for further data analysis, including unintended pregnancy rates with LARC delay, LARC continuation rates, and sustainability of a RLF.

Comparison of the Ambu AuraFlex with the laryngeal mask airway Flexible: a manikin study.

PubMed

Sanuki, Takuro; Nakatani, Gosuke; Sugioka, Shingo; Daigo, Erina; Kotani, Junichiro

2011-07-01

The present study compared the Ambu AuraFlex and the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Flexible with regard to time required for and success rates of insertion on a manikin by dental students who had never used an LMA. In addition, participants' views on ease of insertion of each device were surveyed. Subjects consisted of 30 dental students who inserted each airway device in a manikin. The time required for and success rates of insertion were measured. Subjects were then asked to rate the ease of insertion of each device using the 100-mm visual analog scale (from 0 mm = extremely easy to 100 mm = extremely difficult). Insertion time was shorter with the Ambu AuraFlex (26.6 ± 7.1 seconds) than with the LMA Flexible (30.3 ± 6.8 seconds; P = .045). The rate of successful insertion using the Ambu AuraFlex (28 of 30 attempts, 93.3%) was greater than that with the LMA Flexible (23 of 30 attempts, 76.7%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .145). Ambu AuraFlex insertion was considered less difficult (median, 41 mm; 10th to 90th percentiles, 18 to 78 mm) than LMA Flexible insertion (60 mm; 42 to 82 mm; P = .004), as rated using the 100-mm visual analog scale. The Ambu AuraFlex appears to be useful for inexperienced users because it enables quicker and easier insertion than the LMA Flexible. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bone suture anchor fixation in the lower extremity: a review of insertion principles and a comparative biomechanical evaluation.

PubMed

Scranton, Pierce E; Lawhon, S Michael; McDermott, John E

2005-07-01

Suture anchors have been developed for the fixation of ligaments, capsules, or tendons to bone. These devices have led to improved fixation, smaller incisions, earlier limb mobility, and improved outcomes. They were originally developed for use in shoulder reconstructions but are now used in almost all extremities. In the lower leg they are used in the tibia, the talus, the calcaneus, tarsal bones, and phalanges. Nevertheless, techniques for insertion and mechanisms of failure are not well described. Five suture anchors were studied to determine the pullout strength in four distal cadaver femurs and four proximal cadaver tibias from 55- and 62-year-old males. Eight hundred ninety Newton line was used, testing the anchors to failure with an Instron testing device (Instron, Norwood, MA). The anchor devices were inserted randomly and tested blindly (12 tests per anchor device, 60 tests in all). Two anchors in each group tested failed at low loads. Both types of plastic anchors had failures at the eyelet. Average pullout strength varied from 85.4 to 185.6 N. Insertion techniques are specific for each device, and they must be followed for optimal fixation. In this study, in all five groups of anchors tested two of the 12 anchors in each group failed with minimal force. On the basis of this finding we recommend that, if suture anchor fixation is necessary, at least two anchors should be used. Since there appears to be a percentage of failure in all devices, the second anchor can serve as a backup. It is imperative that surgeons be familiar with the insertion techniques of each device before use.

Does Needle Rotation Improve Lesion Targeting?

PubMed Central

Badaan, Shadi; Petrisor, Doru; Kim, Chunwoo; Mozer, Pierre; Mazilu, Dumitru; Gruionu, Lucian; Patriciu, Alex; Cleary, Kevin; Stoianovici, Dan

2011-01-01

Background Image-guided robots are manipulators that operate based on medical images. Perhaps the most common class of image-guided robots are robots for needle interventions. Typically, these robots actively position and/or orient a needle guide, but needle insertion is still done by the physician. While this arrangement may have safety advantages and keep the physician in control of needle insertion, actuated needle drivers can incorporate other useful features. Methods We first present a new needle driver that can actively insert and rotate a needle. With this device we investigate the use of needle rotation in controlled in-vitro experiments performed with a specially developed revolving needle driver. Results These experiments show that needle rotation can improve targeting and may reduce errors by as much as 70%. Conclusion The new needle driver provides a unique kinematic architecture that enables insertion with a compact mechanism. Perhaps the most interesting conclusion of the study is that lesions of soft tissue organs may not be perfectly targeted with a needle without using special techniques, either manually or with a robotic device. The results of this study show that needle rotation may be an effective method of reducing targeting errors. PMID:21360796

21 CFR 876.5830 - Hemodialyzer with disposable insert (Kiil type).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Hemodialyzer with disposable insert (Kiil type). (a) Identification. A hemodialyzer with disposable inserts (Kiil type) is a device that is used as a part of an artificial kidney system for the treatment of patients with renal failure or toxemic conditions and that includes disposable inserts consisting of layers...

Left ventricular diastolic filling with an implantable ventricular assist device: beat to beat variability with overall improvement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakatani, S.; Thomas, J. D.; Vandervoort, P. M.; Zhou, J.; Greenberg, N. L.; Savage, R. M.; McCarthy, P. M.

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVES: We studied the effects of left ventricular (LV) unloading by an implantable ventricular assist device on LV diastolic filling. BACKGROUND: Although many investigators have reported reliable systemic and peripheral circulatory support with implantable LV assist devices, little is known about their effect on cardiac performance. METHODS: Peak velocities of early diastolic filling, late diastolic filling, late to early filling ratio, deceleration time of early filling, diastolic filling period and atrial filling fraction were measured by intraoperative transesophageal Doppler echocardiography before and after insertion of an LV assist device in eight patients. A numerical model was developed to simulate this situation. RESULTS: Before device insertion, all patients showed either a restrictive or a monophasic transmitral flow pattern. After device insertion, transmitral flow showed rapid beat to beat variation in each patient, from abnormal relaxation to restrictive patterns. However, when the average values obtained from 10 consecutive beats were considered, overall filling was significantly normalized from baseline, with early filling velocity falling from 87 +/- 31 to 64 +/- 26 cm/s (p < 0.01) and late filling velocity rising from 8 +/- 11 to 32 +/- 23 cm/s (p < 0.05), resulting in an increase in the late to early filling ratio from 0.13 +/- 0.18 to 0.59 +/- 0.38 (p < 0.01) and a rise in the atrial filling fraction from 8 +/- 10% to 26 +/- 17% (p < 0.01). The deceleration time (from 112 +/- 40 to 160 +/- 44 ms, p < 0.05) and the filling period corrected by the RR interval (from 39 +/- 8% to 54 +/- 10%, p < 0.005) were also significantly prolonged. In the computer model, asynchronous LV assistance produced significant beat to beat variation in filling indexes, but overall a normalization of deceleration time as well as other variables. CONCLUSIONS: With LV assistance, transmitral flow showed rapidly varying patterns beat by beat in each patient, but overall diastolic filling tended to normalize with an increase of atrial contribution to the filling. Because of the variable nature of the transmitral flow pattern with the assist device, the timing of the device cycle must be considered when inferring diastolic function from transmitral flow pattern.

Comparison of copper intrauterine device with levonorgestrel-bearing intrauterine system for post-abortion contraception.

PubMed

Bilgehan, Fatma; Dilbaz, Berna; Karadag, Burak; Deveci, Canan Dura

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to compare the safety, bleeding pattern, effects, side-effects, complications and 6-month continuity rates of levonorgestrel-bearing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with conventional copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) inserted immediately after voluntary termination of pregnancy up to 10 weeks of gestation. One hundred women who underwent voluntary pregnancy termination and preferred IUD insertion as a contraceptive method after counseling were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS and followed up at 10 days, and at 1, 3 and 6 months. The expulsion rates, continuation rates, side-effects, and bleeding patterns were compared. Fifty women in the Cu-IUD group and 44 women in the LNG-IUS group were followed up. The continuity and expulsion rate for Cu-IUD and LNG-IUS at the end of 6 months was 74%, 12%, and 75%, 11.3%, respectively. In LNG-IUS users, the incidence of amenorrhea and the number of spotting days were higher and hemoglobin increased throughout the follow-up period. The side-effects related to both methods were not different from interval insertions. Immediate post-abortion intrauterine contraception with Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS is a safe, reliable method. The incidence of side-effects is similar, and there is only a slightly higher rate of expulsion but an acceptable rate of method continuation. © 2015 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Intrauterine device insertion in the postpartum period: a systematic review.

PubMed

Sonalkar, Sarita; Kapp, Nathalie

2015-02-01

Given new research on postpartum placement of levonorgestrel and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), our objective was to update a prior systematic review of the safety and expulsion rates of postpartum IUDs. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, POPLINE, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for articles between the database inception until July 2013. We included studies that compared IUD insertion time intervals and routes during the postpartum period. We used standard abstract forms and the United States Preventive Services Task Force grading system to summarise and assess the quality of the evidence. We included 18 articles. New evidence suggests that a levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) insertion within 48 hours of delivery is safe. Postplacental insertion and insertion between 10 minutes and 48 hours after delivery result in higher expulsion rates than insertion 4 to 6 weeks postpartum, or non-postpartum insertion. Insertion at the time of caesarean section is associated with lower expulsion rates than postplacental insertion at the time of vaginal delivery. This review supports the evidence that insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive within the first 48 hours of vaginal or caesarean delivery is safe. Expulsion rates should be further studied in larger randomised controlled trials.

[Inserts for foot deformities].

PubMed

Stinus, H; Weber, F

2005-08-01

Inserts are orthopedic aids in the treatment of foot disorders that result from changes of the static or dynamic situation. Provision of appropriate orthopedic devices can relieve the pain caused by forefoot deformities either in lieu of surgical intervention or in rare cases also following surgical treatment to improve the symptoms of residual pain.Available materials provide support, padding, and cushioning. Inserts are custom-made to measure and/or based on a plaster impression. Determining the indication, prescribing the inlay, and checking the orthosis are the tasks of the physician. One treatment option for relieving the pain of forefoot deformities consists in conservative therapy with an insert combining features of padding and support as well as adjusting a ready-made shoe. The shoe and inlay should constitute a functional unit since often the optimal effect is only achieved with a combination of insert and orthopedic adjustment of the ready-made shoe.

Development of a Hard X-ray Beam Position Monitor for Insertion Device Beams at the APS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decker, Glenn; Rosenbaum, Gerd; Singh, Om

2006-11-01

Long-term pointing stability requirements at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) are very stringent, at the level of 500 nanoradians peak-to-peak or better over a one-week time frame. Conventional rf beam position monitors (BPMs) close to the insertion device source points are incapable of assuring this level of stability, owing to mechanical, thermal, and electronic stability limitations. Insertion device gap-dependent systematic errors associated with the present ultraviolet photon beam position monitors similarly limit their ability to control long-term pointing stability. We report on the development of a new BPM design sensitive only to hard x-rays. Early experimental results will be presented.

Outline and comparison of the possible effects present in a metal-thin-film-insulator-semiconductor solar cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fonash, S. J.

1976-01-01

The advantages possible with the insertion of a thin-film insulating or semi-insulating layer between a metal and a semiconductor to form the MIS photovoltaic device have been presented previously in the literature. This MIS configuration may be considered as a specific example of a more general class of photovoltaic devices: electrode-thin-film-insulator-semiconductor devices. Since the advantages of the configuration were pointed out, there has been considerable experimental interest in these photovoltaic devices. Because the previous analysis showed that the introduction of the insulator layer could produce several different but advantageous effects, this paper presents a further outline giving a comparison of these effects together with their ramifications.

Reticular telangiectatic erythema: case report and literature review.

PubMed

Beutler, Bryce D; Cohen, Philip R

2015-01-01

Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign cutaneous reaction that may occur in patients who have received a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is characterized by asymptomatic telangiectasias, blanchable erythematous patches, or both overlying and/or adjacent to the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We describe a man who developed reticular telangiectatic erythema after receiving a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and review the salient features of this condition. We also summarize the conditions that can mimic reticular telangiectatic erythema. The features of a man with reticular telangiectatic erythema are presented and the literature on reticular telangiectatic erythema is reviewed. Our patient developed reticular telangiectatic erythema within one month of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion. The subcutaneous manifestations were asymptomatic. The patient concurred to have periodic clinical follow up and his condition will be monitored for any changes. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign condition characterized by the development of erythema, telangiectasia, or both following insertion of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Other subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related side effects, such as pressure dermatitis and contact dermatitis, can mimic the condition. Reticular telangiectatic erythema can also be observed following insertion of other devices or, rarely, in the absence of inserted devices. Local microcirculatory changes and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related obstruction of blood flow have been suggested as possible mechanisms of pathogenesis. The diagnosis can usually be established by clinical presentation. Therefore, patch testing can usually be omitted. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is typically asymptomatic and thus removal of the device is not required.

[The ISP (Safe Insertion of PICCs) protocol: a bundle of 8 recommendations to minimize the complications related to the peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC)].

PubMed

Emoli, Alessandro; Cappuccio, Serena; Marche, Bruno; Musarò, Andrea; Scoppettuolo, Giancarlo; Pittiruti, Mauro

2014-01-01

The ISP (Safe Insertion of PICCs) protocol: a bundle of 8 recommendations to minimize the complications related to the peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC). The insertion of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) is not without risks. The Italian Group for the Study of Long-Term Central Venous Access Devices (GAVeCeLT) has developed a protocol (SIP: Safe Implantation of PICCs) with the aim of minimizing the risks which may be associated with the placement of PICCs. The protocol is based on recommendations available in the literature and on the main clinical practice guidelines. The SIP protocol, a bundle of evidence-based recommendations, it is is easy to use, inexpensive, and cost-effective. If routinely used and carefully inplemented, it greatly reduces complications such as failure of venipuncture, accidental arterial puncture, damage of median nerve, infection and catheter related venous thrombosis.

Development of a Robotic Colonoscopic Manipulation System, Using Haptic Feedback Algorithm.

PubMed

Woo, Jaehong; Choi, Jae Hyuk; Seo, Jong Tae; Kim, Tae Il; Yi, Byung Ju

2017-01-01

Colonoscopy is one of the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools for colorectal diseases. We aim to propose a master-slave robotic colonoscopy that is controllable in remote site using conventional colonoscopy. The master and slave robot were developed to use conventional flexible colonoscopy. The robotic colonoscopic procedure was performed using a colonoscope training model by one expert endoscopist and two unexperienced engineers. To provide the haptic sensation, the insertion force and the rotating torque were measured and sent to the master robot. A slave robot was developed to hold the colonoscopy and its knob, and perform insertion, rotation, and two tilting motions of colonoscope. A master robot was designed to teach motions of the slave robot. These measured force and torque were scaled down by one tenth to provide the operator with some reflection force and torque at the haptic device. The haptic sensation and feedback system was successful and helpful to feel the constrained force or torque in colon. The insertion time using robotic system decreased with repeated procedures. This work proposed a robotic approach for colonoscopy using haptic feedback algorithm, and this robotic device would effectively perform colonoscopy with reduced burden and comparable safety for patients in remote site.

Doppler color flow analysis of the uterine arteries before and after intrauterine device insertion: a prospective study.

PubMed

de Souza, Marco Aurélio Martins; Geber, Selmo

2006-02-01

An intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most frequently used methods of birth control around the world. Although a relationship between its use and menstrual disorders has been well documented, only a few studies have tried to show whether there are any vascular modifications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of an IUD on uterine artery blood flow using Doppler assessment. A total of 100 patients selected for IUD use were prospectively evaluated with Doppler analysis before and 30 days after insertion. The resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were used to evaluate uterine artery vascular resistance. Patients were allocated in 2 groups according to whether they were (group 2) or were not (group 1) lactating. The PI and RI of the patients in groups 1 and 2 before and after IUD insertion were not statistically significantly different (P = .298 and .23). When we compared uterine artery blood flow indices before and after IUD insertion for groups 1 and 2 separately, we observed in group 1 that the mean +/- SD PI values were 2.45 +/- 0.62 and 2.55 +/- 0.55 (P = .38) and the RI values were 0.87 +/- 0.08 and 0.87 +/- 0.06 (P = .88) before and after IUD insertion, respectively. In group 2, the PI values were 2.31 +/- 0.55 and 2.37 +/- 0.69 (P = .68) and the RI values were 0.85 +/- 0.07 and 0.86 +/- 0.07 (P = .44) before and after IUD insertion. Finally, we used the mean blood flow indices of the uterine arteries of all patients to compare the effect of IUD insertion. Results were also not statistically significant when we compared PI and RI before and after IUD insertion. The presence of an IUD does not interfere with the vascular resistance of the uterine arteries that can be shown by Doppler flow assessments 1 month after insertion.

Mid-infrared refractive index sensing using optimized slotted photonic crystal waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kassa-Baghdouche, Lazhar; Cassan, Eric

2018-02-01

Slotted photonic crystal waveguides (SPCWs) were designed to act as refractive index sensing devices at mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths around λ = 3.6 μm. In particular, effort was made to engineer the input and output slot waveguide interfaces in order to increase the effective sensitivity through resonant tapering. A slotted PhC waveguide immersed in air and liquid cladding layers was considered. To determine the performance of the sensor, the sensitivity of the device was estimated by calculating the shift in the upper band edge of the output transmission spectrum. The results showed that the sensitivity of a conventionally designed SPCW followed by modifications in the structure parameter yielded a 510 nm shift in the wavelength position of the upper band edge, indicating a sensitivity of more than 1150 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) with an insertion loss level of -0.3 dB. This work demonstrates the viability of photonic crystal waveguide high sensitivity devices in the Mid-IR, following a transposition of the concepts inherited from the telecom band and an optimization of the design, in particular a minimization of photonic device insertion losses.

Development of Multi-Functional Voltage Restore System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Satoshi; Ueda, Yoshinobu; Koganezawa, Takehisa; Ogihara, Yoshinori; Mori, Kenjiro; Fukazu, Naoaki

Recently, with the dawn of the electric deregulation, the installation of distributed generation with power electronics device has grown. This current causes a greater concern of power quality, primarily voltage disturbance for power companies, and their interest in power quality is peaking. Utilities are also interested in keeping their customers satisfied, as well as keeping them on-line and creating more revenue for the utility. As a countermeasure against the above surroundings, a variety type of devices based on power electronics has been developed to protect customers' load from power line voltage disturbance. One of them is the series type voltage restore. The series device is an active device, designed to provide a pure sinusoidal load voltage at all times, correcting voltage disturbance. Series type device compensates for voltage anomalies by inserting the ‘missing’ voltage onto the line through insertion transformer and inverter. This paper shows the setting guideline of target level to compensate voltage disturbance, that is, voltage dip, voltage harmonics, voltage imbalance and voltage flicker, and the design approach of the prototype of series voltage restores to accomplish the required compensation level. The prototype system gives satisfactory compensation performance through evaluation tests, which confirm the validity and effectiveness of the system.

Safety lock-out device for electrical appliances

DOEpatents

Cliff, P.L. Jr.

1996-07-09

A safety lock-out device prevents the insertion of an electrical power cord into an electrical power cord receptacle of an electrical appliance. The device comprises a mounting plate fastened to the appliance and a hinged cover plate attached to the appliance. The cover plate is movable between a first position and a second position such that, in the first position, the cover plate covers and prevents insertion of a power cord into the appliance receptacle. In said second position, the appliance receptacle is uncovered to permit insertion of a power cord into the receptacle. Extending a lock shank through aligned openings formed in flange members extending from the mounting plate, the cover plate locks the cover plate in the first position. 15 figs.

Self-pressurized air-Q® intubating laryngeal airway versus the LMA® Classic™: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Ha, Sang Hee; Kim, Min-Soo; Suh, Jiwoo; Lee, Jong Seok

2018-05-01

The self-pressurized air-Q® (air-Q SP) intubating laryngeal airway is a relatively new supraglottic airway (SGA) device. The intracuff pressure of air-Q dynamically equilibrates with the airway pressure and adjusts to the patient's pharyngeal and periglottic anatomy, potentially providing improved airway fit and seal. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the clinical performance of air-Q to the LMA® Classic™ SGA. Adult patients requiring general anesthesia for elective surgery were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to either air-Q SP or the LMA Classic SGA. Oropharyngeal leak pressure (primary endpoint), success rate, insertion features (insertion time, ease of insertion, requirement for device manipulation), sealing function, gastric insufflation, bronchoscopic view, and oropharyngeal complications at device insertion and following its removal (sore throat, dysphagia, dysphonia) were compared. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) oropharyngeal leak pressure just after insertion was similar in the air-Q SP and LMA [16.8 (4.9) vs 18.6 (5.5) cm H 2 O, respectively; mean difference, 1.8 cm H 2 O; 95% CI, -0.5 to 4.2; P = 0.13] and did not differ at ten minutes following device insertion. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] peak inspiratory pressure just after insertion was lower in the air-Q SP (11.0 [10.0-13.0] vs 13.0 [11.0-14.0] cmH 2 O, median difference, 1.0 cm H 2 O; 95% CI, 0.0 to 2.0; P = 0.03) but no difference was observed at ten minutes. The median [IQR] insertion time was faster with the air-Q SP (15.9 [13.6-20.3] sec vs 24 [21.2-27.1] sec; median difference, 8.1 sec; 95% CI, 5.6 to 9.9; P < 0.001) and improved bronchoscopic viewing grade were seen with the air-Q SP immediately after insertion (P < 0.001). No differences between the groups were observed with respect to the rate of successful insertion at first attempt, overall insertion success rate, ease of insertion, and complications. The air-Q SP had similar leak pressures but a faster insertion time and superior bronchoscopic viewing grade when compared with the LMA Classic. The air-Q SP is a suitable alternative to the LMA Classic in adult patients and may be a superior conduit for tracheal intubation. www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02206438). Registered 1 August 2014.

Naproxen Sodium for Pain Control With Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Ngo, Lynn L; Braaten, Kari P; Eichen, Eva; Fortin, Jennifer; Maurer, Rie; Goldberg, Alisa B

2016-12-01

To evaluate whether 550 mg oral naproxen sodium given 1 hour before intrauterine device (IUD) insertion is effective for pain relief as compared with placebo. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome was pain with IUD insertion measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Our sample size was calculated to detect a 15-mm difference in VAS scores with 80% power (α=0.05). Secondary outcomes included pain with tenaculum placement, uterine sounding, and 5 and 15 minutes postinsertion. A total of 118 women were enrolled and analyzed (58 in the naproxen sodium arm, 60 in the placebo arm, 97% nulliparous) between May 11, 2015, and March 25, 2016. There were no differences in baseline demographics or reproductive characteristics between arms. There were no differences in median VAS pain scores for the primary outcome of pain with IUD insertion between the naproxen sodium arm compared with the placebo arm (69 compared with 66 mm, P=.89). There were no differences in the secondary outcomes of median VAS pain scores with tenaculum placement (37 compared with 32 mm, P=.97) or uterine sounding (60 compared with 58 mm, P=.66). However, median pain scores postprocedure were lower in the naproxen arm as compared with the placebo arm: 17 compared with 26 mm (P=.01) at 5 minutes and 13 compared with 24 mm (P=.01) at 15 minutes postinsertion. Oral naproxen sodium does not reduce pain with IUD insertion but does reduce pain after insertion and should be considered as a premedication. ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02388191.

The effect of intermittent use of occlusal splint devices on sleep bruxism: a 4-week observation with a portable electromyographic recording device.

PubMed

Matsumoto, H; Tsukiyama, Y; Kuwatsuru, R; Koyano, K

2015-04-01

This randomised controlled study investigated the effect of intermittent use of occlusal splints on sleep bruxism compared with that of continuous use by measuring masseter muscle electromyographic activity using a portable electromyographic recording system. Twenty bruxers were randomly allocated to the continuous group and intermittent group. Subjects in the continuous group wore stabilisation splints during sleep for 29 nights continuously, whereas those in the intermittent group wore splints during sleep every other week, that is they used splints on the 1st-7th, 15th-21st and 29th nights. Electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle during sleep was recorded for the following six time points: before (baseline), immediately after, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the insertion of a stabilisation splint. The number of nocturnal masseter electromyographic events, duration and the total activity of sleep bruxism were analysed. In the continuous group, nocturnal masseter electromyographic events were significantly reduced immediately and 1 week after the insertion of the stabilisation splint, and duration was reduced immediately after the insertion (P < 0·05, Dunnett's test), but no reduction was observed at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after insertion. In the intermittent group, nocturnal masseter electromyographic events and duration were significantly reduced immediately after and also 4 weeks after insertion of the stabilisation splint (P < 0·05, Dunnett's test). The obtained results of the present exploratory trial indicate that the intermittent use of stabilisation splints may reduce sleep bruxism activity for a longer period compared with that of continuous use. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Intrauterine contraception in nulliparous women: a prospective survey.

PubMed

Hall, Alexandra M; Kutler, Beth A

2016-01-01

Intrauterine contraception is a first-line option for young women, yet relatively few prospective studies have been performed in nulliparous women using currently available devices, and many providers are still reluctant to provide this option. Between January 2012 and June 2014, 109 nulliparous women, aged 18-30 years, who had an intrauterine device (IUD) placed at a student health clinic [88 levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users and 21 Cu T 380A (IUD) users] were surveyed at 1, 6, 12 and 18 months after insertion. Overall satisfaction was high; at follow-up survey 83% of 100 women (mean use 13.4 months) were 'happy' or 'very happy' with their IUD, and there were no differences in satisfaction between the two IUD types. Some 75% of participants stated that the insertion procedure went 'very well', despite 78% rating insertion pain as moderate to severe, and 46% experiencing vasovagal symptoms. The 12-month continuation rate was 89%, with discontinuations for expulsion (3%), side effects (6%), lack of anticipated benefit (1%) and pregnancy (1%). Users of the Cu T 380A were more likely to have heavy menses (74% vs 2%; p<0.0001) or moderate to severe cramping (68% vs 20%; p=0.0002) compared with LNG-IUS users. There were no uterine perforations or diagnoses of pelvic inflammatory disease. The rate of failed insertions during the study period was 6.2%. Despite significant symptoms with insertion, intrauterine contraception is safe, effective and ultimately well tolerated in nulliparous women and should be provided to this population in both university and community health settings. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Intrauterine contraception in nulliparous women: a prospective survey

PubMed Central

Kutler, Beth A

2016-01-01

Background Intrauterine contraception is a first-line option for young women, yet relatively few prospective studies have been performed in nulliparous women using currently available devices, and many providers are still reluctant to provide this option. Methods Between January 2012 and June 2014, 109 nulliparous women, aged 18–30 years, who had an intrauterine device (IUD) placed at a student health clinic [88 levonorgestrel-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users and 21 Cu T 380A (IUD) users] were surveyed at 1, 6, 12 and 18 months after insertion. Results Overall satisfaction was high; at follow-up survey 83% of 100 women (mean use 13.4 months) were ‘happy’ or ‘very happy’ with their IUD, and there were no differences in satisfaction between the two IUD types. Some 75% of participants stated that the insertion procedure went ‘very well’, despite 78% rating insertion pain as moderate to severe, and 46% experiencing vasovagal symptoms. The 12-month continuation rate was 89%, with discontinuations for expulsion (3%), side effects (6%), lack of anticipated benefit (1%) and pregnancy (1%). Users of the Cu T 380A were more likely to have heavy menses (74% vs 2%; p<0.0001) or moderate to severe cramping (68% vs 20%; p=0.0002) compared with LNG-IUS users. There were no uterine perforations or diagnoses of pelvic inflammatory disease. The rate of failed insertions during the study period was 6.2%. Conclusions Despite significant symptoms with insertion, intrauterine contraception is safe, effective and ultimately well tolerated in nulliparous women and should be provided to this population in both university and community health settings. PMID:25854550

78 FR 68714 - Medical Devices; Ophthalmic Devices; Classification of the Scleral Plug

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-15

... the device materials must be performed; (iv) Performance data must demonstrate acceptable mechanical properties under simulated clinical use conditions including insertion and removal of the device; (v...

A biplanar fluoroscopic approach for the measurement, modeling, and simulation of needle and soft-tissue interaction.

PubMed

Hing, James T; Brooks, Ari D; Desai, Jaydev P

2007-02-01

A methodology for modeling the needle and soft-tissue interaction during needle insertion is presented. The approach consists of the measurement of needle and tissue motion using a dual C-arm fluoroscopy system. Our dual C-arm fluoroscopy setup allows real time 3-D extraction of the displacement of implanted fiducials in the soft tissue during needle insertion to obtain the necessary parameters for accurate modeling of needle and soft-tissue interactions. The needle and implanted markers in the tissue are tracked during the insertion and withdrawal of the needle at speeds of 1.016 mm/s, 12.7 mm/s and 25.4 mm/s. Both image and force data are utilized to determine important parameters such as the approximate cutting force, puncture force, the local effective modulus (LEM) during puncture, and the relaxation of tissue. We have also validated the LEM computed from our finite element model with arbitrary needle puncture tasks. Based on these measurements, we developed a model for needle insertion and withdrawal that can be used to generate a 1-DOF force versus position profile that can be experienced by a user operating a haptic device. This profile was implemented on a 7-DOf haptic device designed in our laboratory.

Apparatus for rendering at least a portion of a device inoperable and related methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daniels, Michael A.; Steffler, Eric D.; Hartenstein, Steven D.

2016-11-08

Apparatus for rendering at least a portion of a device inoperable may include a containment structure having a first compartment that is configured to receive a device therein and a movable member configured to receive a cartridge having reactant material therein. The movable member is configured to be inserted into the first compartment of the containment structure and to ignite the reactant material within the cartridge. Methods of rendering at least a portion of a device inoperable may include disposing the device into the first compartment of the containment structure, inserting the movable member into the first compartment of themore » containment structure, igniting the reactant material in the cartridge, and expelling molten metal onto the device.« less

Reticular telangiectatic erythema: case report and literature review

PubMed Central

Beutler, Bryce D.; Cohen, Philip R.

2015-01-01

Background: Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign cutaneous reaction that may occur in patients who have received a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is characterized by asymptomatic telangiectasias, blanchable erythematous patches, or both overlying and/or adjacent to the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Purpose: We describe a man who developed reticular telangiectatic erythema after receiving a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and review the salient features of this condition. We also summarize the conditions that can mimic reticular telangiectatic erythema. Materials and methods: The features of a man with reticular telangiectatic erythema are presented and the literature on reticular telangiectatic erythema is reviewed. Results: Our patient developed reticular telangiectatic erythema within one month of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion. The subcutaneous manifestations were asymptomatic. The patient concurred to have periodic clinical follow up and his condition will be monitored for any changes. Conclusion: Reticular telangiectatic erythema is a benign condition characterized by the development of erythema, telangiectasia, or both following insertion of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Other subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related side effects, such as pressure dermatitis and contact dermatitis, can mimic the condition. Reticular telangiectatic erythema can also be observed following insertion of other devices or, rarely, in the absence of inserted devices. Local microcirculatory changes and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-related obstruction of blood flow have been suggested as possible mechanisms of pathogenesis. The diagnosis can usually be established by clinical presentation. Therefore, patch testing can usually be omitted. Reticular telangiectatic erythema is typically asymptomatic and thus removal of the device is not required. PMID:25692087

Effect-site concentration of propofol required for LMA-Supreme™ insertion with and without remifentanil: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Zaballos, Matilde; Bastida, Emilia; Agustí, Salomé; Portas, Maite; Jiménez, Consuelo; López-Gil, Maite

2015-10-06

A new supraglottic device, the LMA-Supreme™, has recently become available for clinical use. Information on anaesthetic and co-adjuvant requirements for insertion of the LMA-Supreme™ is limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the optimal effect-site concentration of propofol in 50 % (EC50) of adults necessary for successful insertion of the LMA-Supreme™ and to examine remifentanil's effect on propofol requirements. Fifty-eight elective patients (aged 18-60 years; ASA (American Society Anaesthesiologists) physical status classification I and II) scheduled for day surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups: propofol with saline or propofol with remifentanil. Anaesthesia was induced by target-controlled infusion according to predetermined effect-site concentrations of propofol and remifentanil (5 ng.mL(-1)). The EC50 was calculated using Dixon's up-and-down method. Ten minutes following drug administration, LMA-Supreme™ insertion was attempted without the use of muscle relaxant drugs. In the propofol + saline group, the EC50 of propofol required for LMA-Supreme™ insertion was 6.32 ± 0.67 μg.mL(-1) (95 % CI, 5.69-6.94 μg.mL(-1)). With the addition of remifentanil at an effect-site concentration of 5 ng.mL(-1), the EC50 of propofol required for LMA-Supreme™ insertion was 2.50 ± 0.80 μg.mL(-1) (95 % CI, 1.82-3.17 μg.mL(-1); p < 0.0001). The propofol requirement for smooth insertion of the LMA-Supreme™ was 60 % less when remifentanil (5 ng.mL(-1)) was co-administered. Identified as NCT01974648 at www.clinicaltrials.gov .

Intelligent vision guide for automatic ventilation grommet insertion into the tympanic membrane.

PubMed

Gao, Wenchao; Tan, Kok Kiong; Liang, Wenyu; Gan, Chee Wee; Lim, Hsueh Yee

2016-03-01

Otitis media with effusion is a worldwide ear disease. The current treatment is to surgically insert a ventilation grommet into the tympanic membrane. A robotic device allowing automatic grommet insertion has been designed in a previous study; however, the part of the membrane where the malleus bone is attached to the inner surface is to be avoided during the insertion process. This paper proposes a synergy of optical flow technique and a gradient vector flow active contours algorithm to achieve an online tracking of the malleus under endoscopic vision, to guide the working channel to move efficiently during the surgery. The proposed method shows a more stable and accurate tracking performance than the current tracking methods in preclinical tests. With satisfactory tracking results, vision guidance of a suitable insertion spot can be provided to the device to perform the surgery in an automatic way. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Long distance quantum communication using quantum error correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gingrich, R. M.; Lee, H.; Dowling, J. P.

2004-01-01

We describe a quantum error correction scheme that can increase the effective absorption length of the communication channel. This device can play the role of a quantum transponder when placed in series, or a cyclic quantum memory when inserted in an optical loop.

Insertion device calculations with mathematica

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carr, R.; Lidia, S.

1995-02-01

The design of accelerator insertion devices such as wigglers and undulators has usually been aided by numerical modeling on digital computers, using code in high level languages like Fortran. In the present era, there are higher level programming environments like IDL{reg_sign}, MatLab{reg_sign}, and Mathematica{reg_sign} in which these calculations may be performed by writing much less code, and in which standard mathematical techniques are very easily used. The authors present a suite of standard insertion device modeling routines in Mathematica to illustrate the new techniques. These routines include a simple way to generate magnetic fields using blocks of CSEM materials, trajectorymore » solutions from the Lorentz force equations for given magnetic fields, Bessel function calculations of radiation for wigglers and undulators and general radiation calculations for undulators.« less

Penile Lengthening, Girth, and Size Preservation at the Time of Penile Prosthesis Insertion.

PubMed

Tran, Henry; Goldfarb, Robert; Ackerman, Anika; Valenzuela, Robert J

2017-07-01

Penile prosthetic devices are the gold standard treatment of medication-refractory erectile dysfunction. Inflatable penile prosthetic (IPP) devices have been available and used for more than four decades. Oftentimes, medical conditions causing erectile dysfunction also cause penile shortening, causing decreased patient quality of life. To identify and review all available penile lengthening procedures that can be performed at time of IPP insertion. An extensive, systematic literature review was performed using PubMed searching for key terms penile lengthening, inflatable penile prosthesis, penile girth, corporoplasty, glans augmentation, and penile enhancement; all articles with subjective and/or objective penile length outcomes were reviewed. A review of various techniques for penile length and girth preservation and enhancement during penile prosthesis insertion. Several advanced and novel techniques were found for penile length preservation and enhancement at time of IPP insertion, including the sub-coronal IPP insertion technique, and adjuvant maneuvers during insertion, such as the sliding technique, modified sliding technique, multiple slice technique, and circumferential incision and grafting. Other adjuvant techniques that can enhance perception of increased length include ventral phalloplasty, suprapubic lipectomy, and suspensory ligament release. Further enhancement can be obtained using augmentation corporoplasty and glans augmentation with hyaluronic acid and other fillers. The different techniques vary in complexity and could require specialized training and experience. Maximum length gain appears to be limited by the length of the neurovascular bundles. Overall, surgical penile lengthening procedures at time of IPP insertion appear safe and effective for treatment of patients with penile shortening and severe erectile dysfunction. These therapies can significantly improve patient self-esteem and quality of life in properly selected patients. Tran H, Goldfarb R, Ackerman A, Valenxuela RJ. Penile Lengthening, Girth and Size Preservation at the Time of Penile Prosthesis Insertion. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:403-412. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of esophagogastroduodenoscopy probe insertion on the intracuff pressure of airway devices in children during general anesthesia.

PubMed

Balaban, Onur; Kamata, Mineto; Hakim, Mumin; Tumin, Dmitry; Tobias, Joseph D

2017-04-01

Given the size of the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) probe and the compressibility of the pediatric airway, the EGD probe may increase the intracuff pressure (IP) of an airway device. The current study evaluated IP changes during EGD examination under general anesthesia in pediatric patients. Following the induction of anesthesia, a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or endotracheal tube (ETT) was placed without neuromuscular blockade. The IP was measured at baseline, during EGD probe insertion, while the EGD probe was in place, and after probe removal. The study cohort included 101 patients (mean age 11.3 years). The airway was secured with an LMA and an ETT in 88 and 13 patients, respectively. The IP increased from 27 ± 15 cmH 2 O at baseline to 34 ± 17 cmH 2 O during probe insertion (p < 0.001), remained at 33 ± 16 cmH 2 O while the probe was in place, and decreased to 26 ± 14 cmH 2 O after probe removal. The IP of the LMA or ETT increased during EGD probe insertion and remained elevated while the probe was in place. High IP may compromise mucosal perfusion resulting in a sore throat when using an LMA or the potential for airway damage if an ETT is used. Removal of air from the cuff and titration of the IP should be considered after EGD insertion.

Blood, men and tears: keeping IUDs in place in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Bradley, Janet E; Alam, Mahboob-E-; Shabnam, Fatema; Beattie, Tara S H

2009-06-01

The Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) is an effective method of contraception, but in Bangladesh is associated with high levels of discontinuation within the first year. This study involved data collection from a retrospective cohort of women who had an IUD inserted 12 months earlier. In the cohort, 330 women were interviewed to identify factors associated with discontinuation. Later, 20 women, of the 103 who reported discontinuing because of excessive menstrual bleeding, were interviewed again and in depth about these issues. Of 330 women who had an IUD inserted, 47.3% had discontinued use one year post-insertion. In univariate and multivariate analyses, IUD discontinuation was strongly associated with side-effects (heavier periods; abdominal pain) and spousal factors (not discussing IUD with husband pre-insertion), but not with service delivery factors. In-depth interviews with women who reported excessive blood loss as the main reason for discontinuation found a doubling of both menstrual days and blood loss after IUD insertion. In Bangladesh, women cannot pray, have sexual intercourse, perform household tasks or participate in community activities during menstruation. Thus, women with menstrual side-effects faced serious physical, social and psychological challenges that made continuation difficult. Among those who discontinued, spouses were generally unsupportive and sometimes abusive, particularly when not involved in the decision to use the IUD.

Development of a Robotic Colonoscopic Manipulation System, Using Haptic Feedback Algorithm

PubMed Central

Woo, Jaehong; Choi, Jae Hyuk; Seo, Jong Tae

2017-01-01

Purpose Colonoscopy is one of the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools for colorectal diseases. We aim to propose a master-slave robotic colonoscopy that is controllable in remote site using conventional colonoscopy. Materials and Methods The master and slave robot were developed to use conventional flexible colonoscopy. The robotic colonoscopic procedure was performed using a colonoscope training model by one expert endoscopist and two unexperienced engineers. To provide the haptic sensation, the insertion force and the rotating torque were measured and sent to the master robot. Results A slave robot was developed to hold the colonoscopy and its knob, and perform insertion, rotation, and two tilting motions of colonoscope. A master robot was designed to teach motions of the slave robot. These measured force and torque were scaled down by one tenth to provide the operator with some reflection force and torque at the haptic device. The haptic sensation and feedback system was successful and helpful to feel the constrained force or torque in colon. The insertion time using robotic system decreased with repeated procedures. Conclusion This work proposed a robotic approach for colonoscopy using haptic feedback algorithm, and this robotic device would effectively perform colonoscopy with reduced burden and comparable safety for patients in remote site. PMID:27873506

Effect of clinic related factors on continuation rates of IUDs.

PubMed

Reading, A E; Goldstuck, N D

1982-01-01

This paper concerns factors relating to the clinic and the way in which the insertion of IUDs is managed from a psychological and technical standpoint. 3 aspects of clinical service are examined: 1) the influence of the psychological state at time of insertion, 2) individual differences in relation to side effects amongst users and the way in which those are influenced by managment techniques, and 3) technical aspects of the insertion of the device. Insertion pain and discomfort may influence subsequent tolerance of the IUD in 3 ways: 1) patient compliance may be enhanced by trouble-free insertion, 2) an unpleasant experience may influence attitudes towards the IUD, and 3) the experience of pain at insertion may reduce subsequent tolerance of discomfort. IUDs increase the amount of menstrual flow which, along with pain, constitute frequent requests for removal. Removal rates for pain and bleeding vary from 0-16.8/100 users. Removal rates for bleeding are also influenced by cultural attitudes. Insertion techniques influence acceptability of IUDs. Also, the incidence of expulsion, pregnancy, and removal declines with increasing age and parity. Discontinuation rates after 24 months were 91% for women below 2nd parity and only 37% for women of 6 or more parity. In the youngest age group the discontinuation rate was 76% compared with 35% in the oldest age group. The timing of IUD insertion and positioning of the IUD influence continuation rates. An implication of these concerns is that IUD insertion procedures may have to become more complex to achieve compatibility between IUD-uterine configurations.

Outcomes of single- vs double-cuff artificial urinary sphincter insertion in low- and high-risk profile male patients with severe stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Ahyai, Sascha A; Ludwig, Tim A; Dahlem, Roland; Soave, Armin; Rosenbaum, Clemens; Chun, Felix K-H; Fisch, Margit; Schmid, Marianne; Kluth, Luis A

2016-10-01

To evaluate continence and complication rates of bulbar single-cuff (SC) and distal bulbar double-cuff (DC) insertion in male patients with severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) according to whether the men were considered low or high risk for unfavourable artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) outcomes. In all, 180 male patients who underwent AUS implantation between 2009 and 2013 were followed according to institutional standards. Patients with previous pelvic radiation therapy, open bulbar urethral or UI surgery ('high risk') underwent distal bulbar DC (123 patients) insertion, all others ('low risk') had proximal bulbar SC (57) insertion. Primary and secondary endpoints consisted of continence and complication rates. Kaplan-Meier analysis determined explantation-free survival, and Cox regression models assessed risk factors for persistent UI and explantation. The median follow-up was 24 months. Whereas there was no significant difference in pad usage/objective continence after SC vs DC insertion, superior rates of subjective/social continence and less persistent UI were reported by the patients with DC devices (all P ≤ 0.02). Overall, device explantation (erosion, infection or mechanical failure) occurred in 12.8% of patients. While early (<6 weeks) complication rates compared with SC patients were similar (P > 0.05), DC patients had a 5.7-fold higher risk of device explantation during late follow-up (P = 0.02) and significantly shorter explantation-free survival (log-rank, P = 0.003). Distal bulbar DC insertion in patients with a 'high-risk' profile (previous pelvic radiation, urethral surgery) leads to similar objective continence, but higher explantation rates when compared with patients considered 'low risk' with proximal bulbar SCs. Randomised controlled trials comparing both devices will be needed to determine whether the higher explanations rates are attributable to the DC device or to underlying risk factors. © 2016 The Authors BJU International © 2016 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Diffusion-Based and Dynamic 3D-Printed Device That Enables Parallel in Vitro Pharmacokinetic Profiling of Molecules

PubMed Central

Lockwood, Sarah Y.; Meisel, Jayda E.; Monsma, Frederick J.; Spence, Dana M.

2016-01-01

The process of bringing a drug to market involves many steps, including the preclinical stage, where various properties of the drug candidate molecule are determined. These properties, which include drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, are often displayed in a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. While PK profiles are determined in animal models, in vitro systems that model in vivo processes are available, although each possesses shortcomings. Here, we present a 3D-printed, diffusion-based, and dynamic in vitro PK device. The device contains six flow channels, each with integrated porous membrane-based insert wells. The pores of these membranes enable drugs to freely diffuse back and forth between the flow channels and the inserts, thus enabling both loading and clearance portions of a standard PK curve to be generated. The device is designed to work with 96-well plate technology and consumes single-digit milliliter volumes to generate multiple PK profiles, simultaneously. Generation of PK profiles by use of the device was initially performed with fluorescein as a test molecule. Effects of such parameters as flow rate, loading time, volume in the insert well, and initial concentration of the test molecule were investigated. A prediction model was generated from this data, enabling the user to predict the concentration of the test molecule at any point along the PK profile within a coefficient of variation of ~5%. Depletion of the analyte from the well was characterized and was determined to follow first-order rate kinetics, indicated by statistically equivalent (p > 0.05) depletion half-lives that were independent of the starting concentration. A PK curve for an approved antibiotic, levofloxacin, was generated to show utility beyond the fluorescein test molecule. PMID:26727249

Ab initio modeling of transport and thermodynamic stability for hafnia memristive devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhong, Xiaoliang; Rungger, Ivan; Zapol, Peter

HfO 2-based memristive switching devices are currently under intensive investigation due to their high performance and mature fabrication techniques. However, several critical issues have to be addressed to bring them from lab to market. We have recently looked into two important issues with the use of density functional theory methods. One is the wide distribution of device resistance in off-states. We have modeled the switching process of a Pt-HfO 2-Pt structure for which quantized conductance was observed. Oxygen atoms moving inside a conductive oxygen vacancy filament divide the filament into several quantum wells. Device conductance changes exponentially when one oxygenmore » atom moves away from interface into filament. We propose that the high sensitivity of device conductance to the position of oxygen atoms results in the large variation of device off-state resistance. Another issue that we have recently addressed is the poor switching performance of devices based on a TiN-HfO 2-TiN structure. While recent experiments have shown that by inserting an "oxygen scavenger" metal between positive electrode and oxide significantly improves device performance, the fundamental understanding of the improvement is lacking.We provide detailed understanding how scavenger layers improve device performance. First, we show that Ta insertion facilitates formation of on-states by reducing the formation energy. Second, the inserted Ta layer reduces the Schottky barrier height in the off-states by changing interface electric dipole at the oxide electrode interface. Nevertheless, the device maintains a high on/off resistance ratio. Finally, with Ta insertion the on-state conductance becomes much less sensitive to the specific location from which the oxygen was removed from the oxide. In conclusion, our studies provide fundamental understanding needed for enabling realization of a non-volatile memory technology with reduced energy consumption.« less

Ab initio modeling of transport and thermodynamic stability for hafnia memristive devices

DOE PAGES

Zhong, Xiaoliang; Rungger, Ivan; Zapol, Peter; ...

2017-09-05

HfO 2-based memristive switching devices are currently under intensive investigation due to their high performance and mature fabrication techniques. However, several critical issues have to be addressed to bring them from lab to market. We have recently looked into two important issues with the use of density functional theory methods. One is the wide distribution of device resistance in off-states. We have modeled the switching process of a Pt-HfO 2-Pt structure for which quantized conductance was observed. Oxygen atoms moving inside a conductive oxygen vacancy filament divide the filament into several quantum wells. Device conductance changes exponentially when one oxygenmore » atom moves away from interface into filament. We propose that the high sensitivity of device conductance to the position of oxygen atoms results in the large variation of device off-state resistance. Another issue that we have recently addressed is the poor switching performance of devices based on a TiN-HfO 2-TiN structure. While recent experiments have shown that by inserting an "oxygen scavenger" metal between positive electrode and oxide significantly improves device performance, the fundamental understanding of the improvement is lacking.We provide detailed understanding how scavenger layers improve device performance. First, we show that Ta insertion facilitates formation of on-states by reducing the formation energy. Second, the inserted Ta layer reduces the Schottky barrier height in the off-states by changing interface electric dipole at the oxide electrode interface. Nevertheless, the device maintains a high on/off resistance ratio. Finally, with Ta insertion the on-state conductance becomes much less sensitive to the specific location from which the oxygen was removed from the oxide. In conclusion, our studies provide fundamental understanding needed for enabling realization of a non-volatile memory technology with reduced energy consumption.« less

Linear motion device and method for inserting and withdrawing control rods

DOEpatents

Smith, Jay E.

1984-01-01

A linear motion device, more specifically a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for inserting and withdrawing control rods into a reactor core, is capable of independently and sequentially positioning two sets of control rods with a single motor stator and rotor. The CRDM disclosed can control more than one control rod lead screw without incurring a substantial increase in the size of the mechanism.

Graphene/h-BN/GaAs sandwich diode as solar cell and photodetector.

PubMed

Li, Xiaoqiang; Lin, Shisheng; Lin, Xing; Xu, Zhijuan; Wang, Peng; Zhang, Shengjiao; Zhong, Huikai; Xu, Wenli; Wu, Zhiqian; Fang, Wei

2016-01-11

In graphene/semiconductor heterojunction, the statistic charge transfer between graphene and semiconductor leads to decreased junction barrier height and limits the Fermi level tuning effect in graphene, which greatly affects the final performance of the device. In this work, we have designed a sandwich diode for solar cells and photodetectors through inserting 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) into graphene/GaAs heterostructure to suppress the static charge transfer. The barrier height of graphene/GaAs heterojunction can be increased from 0.88 eV to 1.02 eV by inserting h-BN. Based on the enhanced Fermi level tuning effect with interface h-BN, through adopting photo-induced doping into the device, power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.18% has been achieved for graphene/h-BN/GaAs compared with 8.63% of graphene/GaAs structure. The performance of graphene/h-BN/GaAs based photodetector is also improved with on/off ratio increased by one magnitude compared with graphene/GaAs structure.

Control of indium tin oxide anode work function modified using Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer for high-efficiency organic photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yokokura, Yuya; Dogase, Tomomichi; Shinbo, Tatsuki; Nakayashiki, Yuya; Takagi, Yusuke; Ueda, Kazuyoshi; Sarangerel, Khayankhyarvaa; Delgertsetseg, Byambasuren; Ganzorig, Chimed; Sakomura, Masaru

2017-08-01

The use of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers to modify the indium tin oxide (ITO) work function and thus improve the performance of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)/fullerene (C60)-based and boron subphthalocyanine chloride (SubPc)/C60-based small molecule organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) was examined. In general, LB precursor compounds contain one or more long alkyl chain substituents that can act as spacers to prevent electrical contact with adjoining electrode surfaces. As one example of such a compound, arachidic acid (CH3(CH2)18COOH) was inserted in the forms of one-layer, three-layer or five-layer LB films between the anode ITO layer and the p-type layer in ZnPc-C60-based OPVs to investigate the effects of the long alkyl chain group when it acts as an electrically insulating spacer. The short-circuit current density (Jsc) values of the OPVs with the three- and five-layer inserts (1.78 mA.cm-2 and 0.61 mA.cm-2, respectively) were reduced dramatically, whereas the Jsc value for the OPV with the single-layer insertion (2.88 mA.cm-2) was comparable to that of the OPV without any insert (3.14 mA.cm-2). The ITO work function was shifted positively by LB deposition of a surfactant compound, C9F19C2H4-O-C2H4-COOH (PFECA), which contained a fluorinated head group. This positive effect was maintained even after formation of an upper p-type organic layer. The Jsc and open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the SubPc-C60-based OPV with the LB-modified ITO layers were effectively enhanced. As a result, a 42% increase in device efficiency was achieved.

Evaluation of chest compression effect on airway management with air-Q, aura-i, i-gel, and Fastrack intubating supraglottic devices by novice physicians: a randomized crossover simulation study.

PubMed

Komasawa, Nobuyasu; Ueki, Ryusuke; Kaminoh, Yoshiroh; Nishi, Shin-Ichi

2014-10-01

In the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines, supraglottic devices (SGDs) such as the laryngeal mask are proposed as alternatives to tracheal intubation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some SGDs can also serve as a means for tracheal intubation after successful ventilation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chest compression on airway management with four intubating SGDs, aura-i (aura-i), air-Q (air-Q), i-gel (i-gel), and Fastrack (Fastrack), during cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a manikin. Twenty novice physicians inserted the four intubating SGDs into a manikin with or without chest compression. Insertion time and successful ventilation rate were measured. For cases of successful ventilation, blind tracheal intubation via the intubating SGD was performed with chest compression and success or failure within 30 s was recorded. Chest compression did not decrease the ventilation success rate of the four intubating SGDs (without chest compression (success/total): air-Q, 19/20; aura-i, 19/20; i-gel, 18/20; Fastrack, 19/20; with chest compression: air-Q, 19/20; aura-i, 19/20; i-gel, 16/20; Fastrack, 18/20). Insertion time was significantly lengthened by chest compression in the i-gel trial (P < 0.05), but not with the other three devices. The blind intubation success rate with chest compression was the highest in the air-Q trial (air-Q, 15/19; aura-i, 14/19; i-gel, 12/16; Fastrack, 10/18). This simulation study revealed the utility of intubating SGDs for airway management during chest compression.

[Impact of intrauterine device insertion surgery on women's mental state].

PubMed

Chu, Guang-hua; Zou, Yan; Wang, Xiao-ye; Li, Su-xia; Huang, Zi-rong; Fang, Ai-hua; Tian, Ai-ping

2013-06-01

To evaluate the impact of the intrauterine device (IUD) insertion on the mental state of women. From Jan. 2009 to Jun. 2010, a multi-center clinical observational study was performed. Totally 641 women were selected in the six provinces' 18 family planning service stations and hospitals for IUD insertion surgery study. Analysis of the change of women's mental state which was evaluated by symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale before and after IUD insertion surgery. Before and after IUD insertion surgery, 10 factors' scores in SCL-90 of the observed objects were between 1.1 to 1.2, total scores were 107±27 and 105±25, respectively. Before and after surgery, total average score both were 1.2, the average score of positive items both were 2.1. The difference of the above results were not statistically significance (all P>0.05). Preoperative and postoperative, the rate of positive items was 9.2%-19.6% and 7.7%-17.6%, respectively.In addition to anxiety and fear, the rate of other factors' positive items postoperative was significantly lower than those in the preoperative (all P<0.05). The incidence of the observed objects postoperative of each factor score, "deteriorated" was in the range of 4.9% to 23.0%, "improved" was in the range of 26.3%-50.1%. The incidence of total scores, "deterioration" was 28.8% (166/575), "improved" was 45.6% (262/575). The incidence of the average score of positive items, "deterioration" was 3.7% (21/575), "improved" was 52.3% (301/575). Logistic analysis showed that, in addition to unit level, there were no other significant influencing factors for women' mental state of postoperative (all P>0.05). IUD insertion surgery has no adverse effect on women's mental state.

Ultra-low power, highly uniform polymer memory by inserted multilayer graphene electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Byung Chul; Seong, Hyejeong; Kim, Jong Yun; Koo, Beom Jun; Kim, Sung Kyu; Yang, Sang Yoon; Gap Im, Sung; Choi, Sung-Yool

2015-12-01

Filament type resistive random access memory (RRAM) based on polymer thin films is a promising device for next generation, flexible nonvolatile memory. However, the resistive switching nonuniformity and the high power consumption found in the general filament type RRAM devices present critical issues for practical memory applications. Here, we introduce a novel approach not only to reduce the power consumption but also to improve the resistive switching uniformity in RRAM devices based on poly(1,3,5-trimethyl-3,4,5-trivinyl cyclotrisiloxane) by inserting multilayer graphene (MLG) at the electrode/polymer interface. The resistive switching uniformity was thereby significantly improved, and the power consumption was markedly reduced by 250 times. Furthermore, the inserted MLG film enabled a transition of the resistive switching operation from unipolar resistive switching to bipolar resistive switching and induced self-compliance behavior. The findings of this study can pave the way toward a new area of application for graphene in electronic devices.

Timing of Etonogestrel Implant Insertion After Dilation and Evacuation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Cowett, Allison A; Ali, Rose; Cooper, Mary A; Evans, Mark; Conzuelo, Gabriel; Cremer, Miriam

2018-05-01

To compare the 6-month use rate of the etonogestrel implant placed immediately after dilation and evacuation (D&E) with placement 2-4 weeks postprocedure. This is a randomized controlled trial of women seeking abortion between 14 0/7 and 23 5/7 weeks of gestation and desiring the etonogestrel contraceptive implant at an urban family planning clinic. Participants were randomized to device insertion immediately after the D&E compared with delayed insertion in 2-4 weeks. The primary outcome was implant use rate at 6 months after insertion and was determined by follow-up phone interviews. Secondary outcomes included repeat pregnancy rates and method satisfaction. The sample size of 120 participants was calculated based on a power of 0.80 to demonstrate a 20% difference in implant use rates between groups assuming 40% of women overall are not using the device 6 months after the procedure. Between November 2015 and October 2016, 148 participants were enrolled. Seventy-three participants (49.3%) were randomized to and underwent immediate implant insertion after D&E. The remaining 75 (50.6%) were randomized to delayed insertion. There were no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics between the groups. Placement rate was 100% in the immediate group compared with 42.7% in the delayed group (P<.01). At 6 months, 40 of 43 (93%) women from the immediate group who completed follow-up continued use of the implant, whereas 19 of 30 (63.3%) women from the delayed group who completed follow-up were using the device (P=.002). Follow-up rates were low at 58.9% in the immediate group compared with 40.0% in the delayed group. Women were more likely to be using the etonogestrel implant at 6 months after D&E if they underwent immediate compared with delayed insertion. The very high loss to follow-up rate makes it difficult to draw conclusions about acceptability of the device and pregnancy rates. ClinicalTrials.gov, 02037919.

Peripherally inserted central catheter - insertion

MedlinePlus

... ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 26. Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M. Central vascular access devices. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold ...

FEL (free-electron lasers) undulator technology and synchrotron radiation source requirements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robinson, K.; Quimby, D.; Slater, J.

This paper describes design and construction considerations of the THUNDER undulator, for use in free-electron laser experiments at visible wavelengths. For the parameters of these experiments, an unusually high degree of optimization of the electron-photon interaction is required and, as a result, THUNDER is built to especially high mechanical and magnetic precision. Except for its narrow magnet gap, the 5-meter THUNDER undulator is quite similar to insertion devices under consideration for the proposed 6-GeV storage ring. The engineering and physics approach adopted for this FEL modulator design is directly applicable to insertion device development. The tolerance limits to THUNDER, establishedmore » by modeling and design and achieved through careful control of mechanical and magnetic errors, are essential to the next generation of insertion devices.« less

Copper intrauterine device for emergency contraception: clinical practice among contraceptive providers.

PubMed

Harper, Cynthia C; Speidel, J Joseph; Drey, Eleanor A; Trussell, James; Blum, Maya; Darney, Philip D

2012-02-01

The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is the most effective emergency contraceptive available but is largely ignored in clinical practice. We examined clinicians' recommendations of the copper IUD for emergency contraception in a setting with few cost obstacles. We conducted a survey among clinicians (n=1,246; response rate 65%) in a California State family planning program, where U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives are available at no cost to low-income women. We used multivariable logistic regression to measure the association of intrauterine contraceptive training and evidence-based knowledge with having recommended the copper IUD for emergency contraception. The large majority of clinicians (85%) never recommended the copper IUD for emergency contraception, and most (93%) required two or more visits for an IUD insertion. Multivariable analyses showed insertion skills were associated with having recommended the copper IUD for emergency contraception, but the most significant factor was evidence-based knowledge of patient selection for IUD use. Clinicians who viewed a wide range of patients as IUD candidates were twice as likely to have recommended the copper IUD for emergency contraception. Although more than 93% of obstetrician-gynecologists were skilled in inserting the copper IUD, they were no more likely to have recommended it for emergency contraception than other physicians or advance practice clinicians. Recommendation of the copper IUD for emergency contraception is rare, despite its high efficacy and long-lasting contraceptive benefits. Recommendation would require clinic flow and scheduling adjustments to allow same-day IUD insertions. Patient-centered and high-quality care for emergency contraception should include a discussion of the most effective method. III.

Acute changes associated with electrode insertion measured with optical coherence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammer, Daniel X.; Lozzi, Andrea; Boretsky, Adam; Agrawal, Anant; Welle, Cristin G.

2016-03-01

Despite advances in functional neural imaging, penetrating microelectrodes provide the most direct interface for the extraction of neural signals from the nervous system and are a critical component of many high degree-of-freedom braincomputer interface devices. Electrode insertion is a traumatic event that elicits a complex neuroinflammatory response. In this investigation we applied optical coherence microscopy (OCM), particularly optical coherence angiography (OCA), to characterize the immediate tissue response during microelectrode insertion. Microelectrodes of varying dimension and footprint (one-, two-, and four-shank) were inserted into mouse motor cortex beneath a window after craniotomy surgery. The microelectrodes were inserted in 3-4 steps at 15-20°, with approximately 250 μm linear insertion distance for each step. Before insertion and between each step, OCM datasets were collected, including for quantitative capillary velocimetry. A cohort of control animals without microelectrode insertion was also imaged over a similar time period (2-3 hours). Mechanical tissue deformation was observed in all the experimental animals. The quantitative angiography results varied across animals, and were not correlated with device dimensions. In some cases, localized flow drop-out was observed in a small region surrounding the electrode, while in other instances a global disruption in flow occurred, perhaps as a result of large vessel compression caused by mechanical pressure. OCM is a tool that can be used in various neurophotonics applications, including quantification of the neuroinflammatory response to penetrating electrode insertion.

Sweat collection capsule

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delaplaine, R. W.; Greenleaf, J. E.

1979-01-01

Capsule, with filter paper insert, is used to collect sweat for rate monitoring, chromatographic analysis, or active sweat gland location within specified area. Construction of capsule allows change of inserts while device remains strapped in place.

SU-E-T-64: A Programmable Moving Insert for the ArcCHECK Phantom for Dose Verification of Respiratory-Gated VMAT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gaede, S; Jordan, K; Western University, London, ON

Purpose: To present a customized programmable moving insert for the ArcCHECK™ phantom that can, in a single delivery, check both entrance dosimetry, while simultaneously verifying the delivery of respiratory-gated VMAT. Methods: The cylindrical motion phantom uses a computer-controlled stepping motor to move an insert inside a stationery sleeve. Insert motion is programmable and can include rotational motion in addition to linear motion along the axis of the cylinder. The sleeve fits securely in the bore of the ArcCHECK™. Interchangeable inserts, including an A1SL chamber, optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeters, radiochromic film, or 3D gels, allow this combination to be used for commissioning,more » routine quality assurance, and patient-specific dosimetric verification of respiratory-gated VMAT. Before clinical implementation, the effect of a moving insert on the ArcCHECK™ measurements was considered. First, the measured dose to the ArcCHECK™ containing multiple inserts in the static position was compared to the calculated dose during multiple VMAT treatment deliveries. Then, dose was measured under both sinusoidal and real-patient motion conditions to determine any effect of the moving inserts on the ArcCHECK™ measurements. Finally, dose was measured during gated VMAT delivery to the same inserts under the same motion conditions to examine any effect of various beam “on-and-off” and dose rate ramp “up-and-down”. Multiple comparisons between measured and calculated dose to different inserts were also considered. Results: The pass rate for the static delivery exceeded 98% for all measurements (3%/3mm), suggesting a valid setup for entrance dosimetry. The pass rate was not altered for any measurement delivered under motion conditions. A similar Result was observed under gated VMAT conditions, including agreement of measured and calculated dose to the various inserts. Conclusion: Incorporating a programmable moving insert within the ArcCHECK™ phantom provides an efficient verification of respiratory-gated VMAT delivery that is useful during commissioning, routine quality assurance, and patient-specific dose verification. Prototype phantom development and testing was performed in collaboration with Modus Medical Devices Inc. (London, ON). No financial support was granted.« less

Comparative Efficacy of the Air-Q Intubating Laryngeal Airway during General Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Ahn, Eun Jin; Choi, Geun Joo; Kang, Hyun; Baek, Chong Wha; Jung, Yong Hun; Woo, Young Cheol; Bang, Si Ra

2016-01-01

Air-Q® (air-Q) is a supraglottic airway device which can be used as a guidance of intubation in pediatric as well as in adult patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of air-Q compared to other airway devices during general anesthesia in pediatric patients by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 10 studies including 789 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with other supraglottic airway devices, air-Q showed no evidence for a difference in leakage pressure and insertion time. The ease of insertion was significantly lower than other supraglottic airway devices. The success rate of intubation was significantly lower than other airway devices. However, fiberoptic view was better through the air-Q than other supraglottic airway devices. Therefore, air-Q could be a safe substitute for other airway devices and may provide better fiberoptic bronchoscopic view.

Two-year continuation of intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants in a mixed-payer setting: a retrospective review.

PubMed

Sanders, Jessica N; Turok, David K; Gawron, Lori M; Law, Amy; Wen, Lonnie; Lynen, Richard

2017-06-01

As the popularity of long-acting reversible contraception increases, so does the need for accurate data on method continuation in diverse clinical settings. We determined 2-year continuation rates for the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device, the copper T380A intrauterine device, and the 68-mg etonogestrel contraceptive implant in an academic healthcare system with mixed-payer reimbursement. The purpose of this study was to examine the proportion and characteristics of women who continue intrauterine device and implant use to 2 years and to relate continuation to device type when controlling for patient characteristics. This retrospective chart review assessed University of Utah Healthcare System patients who had an intrauterine device or contraceptive implant inserted between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2012. We identified users and dates of insertions and removals by querying billing, medication, and procedural data in the Electronic Data Warehouse. Multivariable Poisson regression was conducted to estimate incidence risk ratios and to relate the probability of 2-year continuous use to device type. Data on 8603 device insertions were obtained with the following distribution: levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine devices (6459; 75.1%), copper T380A intrauterine devices (1136; 13.2%), and 68-mg etonogestrel implant (1008; 11.7%). Two-year continuation rates were 77.8%, 73.1%, and 75.9%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in 2-year continuation between levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device users (adjusted risk ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.1) and 68-mg etonogestrel implant users (adjusted risk ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.1) compared with copper device users, after we controlled for age, Hispanic ethnicity, payer type, and year of insertion. Older-age, self-pay, or public payer insurance (reference commercial payer) and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with 2-year continuation. Three-quarters of women with an intrauterine device or implant continue using it for 2 years. In this cohort, the 2-year continuation rates were 77.8%, 73.1%, and 75.9% for the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine device, copper T380A intrauterine device, and 68-mg etonogestrel implant, respectively. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

21 CFR 868.5730 - Tracheal tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5730 Tracheal tube. (a) Identification. A tracheal tube is a device inserted into a patient's trachea via the nose or mouth and used to maintain an open airway. (b...

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy as a Novel Proximity Sensor for Atraumatic Cochlear Implant Insertion

PubMed Central

Velmurugan, J.; Mirkin, M. V.; Svirsky, M. A.; Lalwani, A. K.; Llinas, R. R.

2014-01-01

A growing number of minimally invasive surgical and diagnostic procedures require the insertion of an optical, mechanical, or electronic device in narrow spaces inside a human body. In such procedures, precise motion control is essential to avoid damage to the patient’s tissues and/or the device itself. A typical example is the insertion of a cochlear implant which should ideally be done with minimum physical contact between the moving device and the cochlear canal walls or the basilar membrane. Because optical monitoring is not possible, alternative techniques for sub millimeter-scale distance control can be very useful for such procedures. The first requirement for distance control is distance sensing. We developed a novel approach to distance sensing based on the principles of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The SECM signal, i.e., the diffusion current to a microelectrode, is very sensitive to the distance between the probe surface and any electrically insulating object present in its proximity. With several amperometric microprobes fabricated on the surface of an insertable device, one can monitor the distances between different parts of the moving implant and the surrounding tissues. Unlike typical SECM experiments, in which a disk-shaped tip approaches a relatively smooth sample, complex geometries of the mobile device and its surroundings make distance sensing challenging. Additional issues include the possibility of electrode surface contamination in biological fluids and the requirement for a biologically compatible redox mediator. PMID:24845292

Implementation of a new blood cooler insert and tracking technology with educational initiatives and its effect on reducing red blood cell wastage.

PubMed

Fadeyi, Emmanuel A; Emery, Wanda; Simmons, Julie H; Jones, Mary Rose; Pomper, Gregory J

2017-10-01

The objective was to report a successful implementation of a blood cooler insert and tracking technology with educational initiatives and its effect on reducing red blood cell (RBC) wastage. The blood bank database was used to quantify and categorize total RBC units issued in blood coolers from January 2010 to December 2015 with and without the new inserts throughout the hospital. Radiofrequency identification tags were used with special software to monitor blood cooler tracking. An educational policy on how to handle the coolers was initiated. Data were gathered from the software that provided a real-time location monitoring of the blood coolers with inserts throughout the institution. The implementation of the blood cooler with inserts and tracking device reduced mean yearly RBC wastage by fourfold from 0.64% to 0.17% between 2010 and 2015. The conserved RBCs corresponded to a total cost savings of $167,844 during the 3-year postimplementation period. The implementation of new blood cooler inserts, tracking system, and educational initiatives substantially reduced the mean annual total RBC wastage. The cost to implement this initiative may be small if there is an existing institutional infrastructure to monitor and track hospital equipment into which the blood bank intervention can be adapted when compared to the cost of blood wastage. © 2017 AABB.

Shoe inserts alter plantar loading and function in patients with midfoot arthritis.

PubMed

Rao, Smita; Baumhauer, Judith F; Becica, Laura; Nawoczenski, Deborah A

2009-07-01

Experimental laboratory study supplemented by a case series. (1) To assess the effect of a 4-week intervention with a full-length insert on functional outcomes in patients with midfoot arthritis; (2) to examine the effect of the custom molded three-quarter-length (3Q) and full-length (FL) carbon graphite insert on plantar loading in patients with midfoot arthritis. Given the coexistence of pain and lower-arched foot alignment in patients with midfoot arthritis, arch-restoring orthotic devices such as the 3Q insert are frequently recommended. However, patients continue to report foot pain despite using the 3Q insert. The FL insert has been proposed as an alternative, but objective data examining its efficacy are lacking. Twenty female patients with midfoot arthritis participated in the study. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Foot Function Index-Revised (FFI-R). Plantar loading during walking was measured in the following conditions: shoe only, shoe with 3Q insert, and shoe with FL insert. Repeated-measures analyses of variance with post hoc analyses were used for statistical analysis. FL insert use for 4 weeks resulted in a 12% improvement in total FFI-R score (mean +/- SD before, 35.6 +/- 10.9; after, 31.1 +/- 9.8 [P = .03]). FL insert use resulted in a 20% reduction in medial midfoot average pressure loading (mean +/- SD, 64.8 +/- 20.4 and 51.0 +/- 15.4 kPa, with 3Q and FL insert respectively [P = .015]) and an 8.5% reduction in medial midfoot contact time (mean +/- SD, 84.9% +/- 6.4% and 76.4% +/- 7.1% of stance, with 3Q and FL insert respectively [P<.01]), compared to the 3Q insert. No differences in plantar loading were discerned between the shoe-only and FL conditions. Symptomatic improvement in patients with midfoot arthritis treated with a FL insert was accompanied by reduced magnitude and duration of loading under the medial midfoot. These preliminary outcomes suggest that the FL insert may be a viable alternative in the conservative management of patients with midfoot arthritis. Therapy, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(7):522-531. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.2900.

Magneto-optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon photonics

PubMed Central

Shoji, Yuya; Mizumoto, Tetsuya

2014-01-01

Silicon waveguide optical non-reciprocal devices based on the magneto-optical effect are reviewed. The non-reciprocal phase shift caused by the first-order magneto-optical effect is effective in realizing optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon waveguide platforms. In a silicon-on-insulator waveguide, the low refractive index of the buried oxide layer enhances the magneto-optical phase shift, which reduces the device footprints. A surface activated direct bonding technique was developed to integrate a magneto-optical garnet crystal on the silicon waveguides. A silicon waveguide optical isolator based on the magneto-optical phase shift was demonstrated with an optical isolation of 30 dB and insertion loss of 13 dB at a wavelength of 1548 nm. Furthermore, a four port optical circulator was demonstrated with maximum isolations of 15.3 and 9.3 dB in cross and bar ports, respectively, at a wavelength of 1531 nm. PMID:27877640

Analysis of Nonlinear Insertion Loss of Hearing Protection Devices using an Acoustic Test Fixture

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

USAARL Report No. 2016-05 Analysis of Nonlinear Insertion Loss of Hearing Protection Devices using an Acoustic Test Fixture By Robert Williams1...through circuitry. Talk through circuits use electro- acoustic transducers to pass ambient sounds through the protector. When the circuitry detects...the SPL of the acoustic insult. If the protective capacity is variable, it should be accounted for in the selection of appropriate HPDs. REAT

Linear motion device and method for inserting and withdrawing control rods

DOEpatents

Smith, J.E.

Disclosed is a linear motion device and more specifically a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for inserting and withdrawing control rods into a reactor core. The CRDM and method disclosed is capable of independently and sequentially positioning two sets of control rods with a single motor stator and rotor. The CRDM disclosed can control more than one control rod lead screw without incurring a substantial increase in the size of the mechanism.

NSLS-II storage ring insertion device and front-end commissioning and operation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, G., E-mail: gwang@bnl.gov; Shaftan, T.; Amundsen, C.

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a state of the art 3 GeV third generation light source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. During spring/ summer of 2014, the storage ring was commissioned up to 50 mA without insertion devices. In the fall of 2014, we began commissioning of the project beamlines, which included seven insertion devices on six ID ports. Beamlines IXS, HXN, CSX-1, CSX-2, CHX, SRX, and XPD-1 consist of elliptically polarized undulator (EPU), damping wigglers (DW) and in-vacuum undulators (IVU) covering from VUV to hard x-ray range. In this paper, experience with commissioning and operation is discussed.more » We focus on reaching storage ring performance with IDs, including injection, design emittance, compensation of orbit distortions caused by ID residual field, source point stability, beam alignment and tools for control, monitoring and protection of the ring chambers from ID radiation.« less

21 CFR 886.4300 - Intraocular lens guide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 886.4300 Intraocular lens guide. (a) Identification. An intraocular lens guide is a device intended to be inserted into the eye during surgery to direct... lenses, the device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this...

Intrauterine contraception.

PubMed

Reinprayoon, D

1992-08-01

Currently 85 million women use an intrauterine device (IUD), making it the most widely used, reliable, reversible contraceptive method worldwide. Although the exact mechanisms by which copper-bearing IUDs produce contraceptive action are not completely defined, recent evidence indicates that they act primarily to prevent sperm from fertilizing ova. The future of the IUD is brighter than it has been for the past 20 years. The latest generation of IUDs, such as the TCu 380A (Paragard, GynoPharma, Somerville, NJ), are safer and more effective than ever. In World Health Organization large, multicenter trials, pregnancy rates for the TCu 380A are 1.0, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 at 3, 5, 7, and 9 years of use, respectively. The ectopic pregnancy rates and removal for pelvic inflammatory disease are very low. The device may soon be the major IUD available in most countries. The acceptability of IUD use can be increased by good clinical management, sympathetic counseling, careful client selection, proper device selection, careful insertion, timing of insertion, and regular follow-up with quick access to medical care.

It is time for a better clip applier - 3 mm, percutaneous, non-crushing and locking.

PubMed

Yuval, Jonathan B; Weiss, Daniel J; Paz, Adrian; Bachar, Yehuda; Brodie, Ronit; Shapira, Yinon; Mintz, Yoav

2017-10-06

Since the advent of laparoscopy there have been attempts to minimize abdominal wall incisions. For this purpose smaller instruments have been produced. Our aim was to develop the first 3 mm percutaneous clip applier and to make it better than the standard clips of today. The ClipTip clip is made of Nitinol and has a crocodile shaped jaws, which when apposed effectively seal vessels. The shaft operates as a retractable needle permitting percutaneous insertion. Closing, reopening and reclosing is possible. The physical properties of the device were compared to three commercially available clip appliers. Surgeries were performed on porcine animals by experienced surgeons. In comparison to available clips, the superiority of the ClipTip is a combination of wide effective length alongside the ability to withstand strong forces. In live animal studies the Cliptip was inserted into the peritoneal cavity without any injuries. Vessels were ligated successfully and no clip dislodgement or leakage occurred. We developed the next generation clip applier with better properties. Advantages include its length, the needleoscopic caliber, non-crushing effect, locking mechanism and wide aperture. The device has performed safely and effectively in pre-clinical tests. Further studies are planned in humans.

Effect of dental wear, stabilization appliance and anterior tooth reconstruction on mandibular movements during speech.

PubMed

Serrano, Priscila de Oliveira; Faot, Fernanda; Del Bel Cury, Altair Antoninha; Rodrigues Garcia, Renata Cunha Matheus

2008-01-01

This study described changes in mandibular movements during pronunciation of /m/ and /s/ sounds in Portuguese, in patients presenting dental wear before and after appliance insertion and tooth reconstruction. Subjects were divided into a control group of dentate patients and an experimental group of patients with incisal tooth wear due to bruxism. A magnetic jaw tracking device measured the jaw opening, and translations to left and right sides of the mandible during pronunciation of phonemes. Evaluations were carried out 1 week and immediately before appliance insertion; 24 h, 7, 30 and 60 days after appliance insertion; and 1 week and 1 month after tooth reconstruction. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests (p<0.05). Jaw opening was different (p<0.05) for both sounds in all periods. The anteroposterior amplitude for /s/ showed differences immediately before and 1 month after appliance insertion (p<0.05). Lateral amplitude for the right side showed differences between groups after appliance insertion for /s/, and 1 and 2 months after appliance insertion for the /m/ (p<0.05). Volunteers with anterior tooth wear had a wider opening movement, and the movements during speech of /m/ and /s/ sounds were not changed after appliance insertion and reconstruction of teeth.

Postplacental or delayed levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion and breastfeeding duration

PubMed Central

Chen, Beatrice A.; Reeves, Matthew F.; Creinin, Mitchell D.; Schwarz, E. Bimla

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND The objective was to assess the effect of timing of postpartum levonorgestrel-releasing IUD insertion on breastfeeding continuation. STUDY DESIGN Women interested in using a levonorgestrel IUD postpartum were randomized to immediate postplacental insertion (postplacental group) or insertion 6–8 weeks after vaginal delivery (delayed group). Duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding were assessed at 6–8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. Only women who received an IUD were included in this analysis. RESULTS Breastfeeding was initiated by 32/50 (64%) of women receiving a postplacental IUD and 27/46 (58.7%) of women receiving a delayed IUD (p=0.59). More women in the delayed group compared to the postplacental group continued to breastfeed at 6–8 weeks (16/46 vs 15/50, p=0.62), 3 months (13/46 vs 7/50, p=0.13), and 6 months postpartum (11/46 vs 3/50, p=0.02). The results did not differ when only women who initiated breastfeeding or only primiparous women with no prior breastfeeding experience were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Immediate postplacental insertion of the levonorgestrel IUD is associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding and less exclusive breastfeeding. Further studies are needed of the effects of early initiation of progestin-only methods on women’s lactation experience. PMID:22018124

21 CFR 868.1910 - Esophageal stethoscope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Esophageal stethoscope. 868.1910 Section 868.1910...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 868.1910 Esophageal stethoscope. (a) Identification. An esophageal stethoscope is a nonpowered device that is inserted into a patient's esophagus to...

Damage-free back channel wet-etch process in amorphous indium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors using a carbon-nanofilm barrier layer.

PubMed

Luo, Dongxiang; Zhao, Mingjie; Xu, Miao; Li, Min; Chen, Zikai; Wang, Lang; Zou, Jianhua; Tao, Hong; Wang, Lei; Peng, Junbiao

2014-07-23

Amorphous indium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors (IZO-TFTs) with damage-free back channel wet-etch (BCE) process were investigated. A carbon (C) nanofilm was inserted into the interface between IZO layer and source/drain (S/D) electrodes as a barrier layer. Transmittance electron microscope images revealed that the 3 nm-thick C nanofilm exhibited a good corrosion resistance to a commonly used H3PO4-based etchant and could be easily eliminated. The TFT device with a 3 nm-thick C barrier layer showed a saturated field effect mobility of 14.4 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), a subthreshold swing of 0.21 V/decade, an on-to-off current ratio of 8.3 × 10(10), and a threshold voltage of 2.0 V. The favorable electrical performance of this kind of IZO-TFTs was due to the protection of the inserted C to IZO layer in the back-channel-etch process. Moreover, the low contact resistance of the devices was proved to be due to the graphitization of the C nanofilms after annealing. In addition, the hysteresis and thermal stress testing confirmed that the usage of C barrier nanofilms is an effective method to fabricate the damage-free BCE-type devices with high reliability.

Acrylic and metal based Y-branch plastic optical fiber splitter with optical NOA63 polymer waveguide taper region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehsan, Abang Annuar; Shaari, Sahbudin; Rahman, Mohd Kamil Abd.

2011-01-01

We proposed a simple low-cost acrylic and metal-based Y-branch plastic optical fiber (POF) splitter which utilizes a low cost optical polymer glue NOA63 as the main waveguiding medium at the waveguide taper region. The device is composed of three sections: an input POF waveguide, a middle waveguide taper region and output POF waveguides. A desktop high speed CNC engraver is utilized to produce the mold inserts used for the optical devices. Short POF fibers are inserted into the engraved slots at the input and output ports. UV curable optical polymer glue NOA63 is injected into the waveguide taper region and cured. The assembling is completed when the top plate is positioned to enclose the device structure and connecting screws are secured. Both POF splitters have an average insertion loss of 7.8 dB, coupling ratio of 55: 45 and 57: 43 for the acrylic and metal-based splitters respectively. The devices have excess loss of 4.82 and 4.73 dB for the acrylic and metal-based splitters respectively.

Management of long-term and reversible hysteroscopic sterilization: a novel device with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Female sterilization is the second most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Female sterilization can now be performed through laparoscopic, abdominal, or hysteroscopic approaches. The hysteroscopic sterilization may be a safer option than sterilization through laparoscopy or laparotomy because it avoids invading the abdominal cavity and undergoing general anaesthesia. Hysteroscopic sterilization mainly includes chemical agents and mechanical devices. Common issues related to the toxicity of the chemical agents used have raised concerns regarding this kind of contraception. The difficulty of the transcervical insertion of such mechanical devices into the fallopian tubes has increased the high incidence of device displacement or dislodgment. At present, Essure® is the only commercially available hysteroscopic sterilization device being used clinically. The system is irreversible and is not effective immediately. Presentation of the hypothesis Our new hysteroscopic sterility system consists of nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy and a waterproof membrane. The NiTi alloy is covered with two coatings to avoid toxic Ni release and to prevent stimulation of epithelial tissue growth around the oviducts. Because of the shape memory effect of the NiTi alloy, the device works like an umbrella: it stays collapsed at low temperature before placement and opens by the force of shape memory activated by the body temperature after it is inserted hysteroscopically into the interstitial tubal lumen. The rim of the open device will incise into interstitial myometrium during the process of unfolding. Once the device is fixed, it blocks the tube completely. When the patient no longer wishes for sterilization, the device can be closed by perfusing liquid with low temperature into the uterine cavity, followed by prospective hysteroscopic removal. After the device removal, the fallopian tube will revert to its physiological functions. Testing the hypothesis Currently, experimental and clinical studies are needed to attest the safety, efficiency and reversibility of the novel sterilization device. Implications of the hypothesis If our hypothesis is confirmed, appropriate and reversible contraceptive can be achieved with the device we have designed, which may have significant repercussions for numerous women worldwide. PMID:24999021

Armored garment for protecting

DOEpatents

Purvis, James W [Albuquerque, NM; Jones, II, Jack F.; Whinery, Larry D [Albuquerque, NM; Brazfield, Richard [Albuquerque, NM; Lawrie, Catherine [Tijeras, NM; Lawrie, David [Tijeras, NM; Preece, Dale S [Watkins, CO

2009-08-11

A lightweight, armored protective garment for protecting an arm or leg from blast superheated gases, blast overpressure shock, shrapnel, and spall from a explosive device, such as a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) or a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The garment has a ballistic sleeve made of a ballistic fabric, such as an aramid fiber (e.g., KEVLAR.RTM.) cloth, that prevents thermal burns from the blast superheated gases, while providing some protection from fragments. Additionally, the garment has two or more rigid armor inserts that cover the upper and lower arm and protect against high-velocity projectiles, shrapnel and spall. The rigid inserts can be made of multiple plies of a carbon/epoxy composite laminate. The combination of 6 layers of KEVLAR.RTM. fabric and 28 plies of carbon/epoxy laminate inserts (with the inserts being sandwiched in-between the KEVLAR.RTM. layers), can meet the level IIIA fragmentation minimum V.sub.50 requirements for the US Interceptor Outer Tactical Vest.

Monitored separation device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, George Edward (Inventor); Jackson, George William (Inventor); Willson, Richard Coale (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A device for separating and purifying useful quantities of particles comprises: a. an anolyte reservoir connected to an anode, the anolyte reservoir containing an electrophoresis buffer; b. a catholyte reservoir connected to a cathode, the catholyte reservoir also containing the electrophoresis buffer; c. a power supply connected to the anode and to the cathode; d. a column having a first end inserted into the anolyte reservoir, a second end inserted into the catholyte reservoir, and containing a separation medium; e. a light source; f. a first optical fiber having a first fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a second fiber end connected to the light source; g. a photo detector; h. a second optical fiber having a third fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a fourth fiber end connected to the photo detector; and i. an ion-exchange membrane in the anolyte reservoir.

The first insertion devices at SSRL - some personal recollections

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Winick, H.

1995-02-01

The author recounts his experiences with insertion devices at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. His first experiences with wigglers occured at the Cambridge Electron Accelerator, and was carried over to SSRL with the proposal for a six pole electromagnetic wiggler. Most modern undulators, and many wigglers are now designed around permanent magnets, and the origin of this transition at SSRL was rather fortuitous and humorous. It reflects some of the personality characteristics of Klaus Halbach.

Haptic device for a ventricular shunt insertion simulator.

PubMed

Panchaphongsaphak, Bundit; Stutzer, Diego; Schwyter, Etienne; Bernays, René-Ludwig; Riener, Robert

2006-01-01

In this paper we propose a new one-degree-of-freedom haptic device that can be used to simulate ventricular shunt insertion procedures. The device is used together with the BRAINTRAIN training simulator developed for neuroscience education, neurological data visualization and surgical planning. The design of the haptic device is based on a push-pull cable concept. The rendered forces produced by a linear motor connected at one end of the cable are transferred to the user via a sliding mechanism at the end-effector located at the other end of the cable. The end-effector provides the range of movement up to 12 cm. The force is controlled by an open-loop impedance algorithm and can become up to 15 N.

Efficacy of the laryngeal tube by inexperienced personnel.

PubMed

Asai, Takashi; Hidaka, Ikuriho; Kawachi, Shoji

2002-11-01

We compared the laryngeal tube and the laryngeal mask in the ease of insertion, ventilation volume and the incidence of gastric insufflation by inexperienced personnel. In a randomized, cross-over design, each of 28 students of a Fire Defense Academy attempted to insert the laryngeal tube and laryngeal mask in turn using an airway management trainer manikin. A self-inflating bag (2000 ml) was attached and ventilation volume was measured. The number of attempts at the insertion and the presence or absence of gastric insufflation were also recorded. After completion of the study, each student was asked whether insertion of one device was easier than the other. All 28 students could insert the laryngeal tube at the first attempt. As for the laryngeal mask, 27 could insert it at the first attempt, whereas the remaining one student could insert it after two attempts. The tidal volume was significantly greater for the laryngeal tube (median 842 ml) than the laryngeal mask (median 716 ml) (95%CI for median difference: 10-116 ml; P < 0.02). The incidence of gastric insufflation was significantly lower for the laryngeal tube (2 times) than for the laryngeal mask (10 times) (P < 0.05). Twenty six of 28 students stated that insertion of the laryngeal tube was easier than insertion of the laryngeal mask, whereas the remaining two stated that there was no difference in the ease of insertion between two devices. Therefore, the laryngeal tube has a potential role in providing a clear airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

Comparison of the Proseal LMA and intersurgical I-gel during gynecological laparoscopy

PubMed Central

Jeon, Woo Jae; Baek, Seong Jin; Kim, Kyoung Hun

2012-01-01

Background The relatively recently developed I-gel (Intersurgical Ltd., Workingham, England) is a supraglottic airway device designed for single-use that, unlike conventional LMAs, does not require an inflatable cuff. In addition, the I-gel, much like the Proseal LMA (PLMA), has a gastric drainage tube associated with an upper tube for decompression of the stomach, thereby avoiding acid reflux and decreasing the risk of pulmonary absorption. The purpose of this study was to compare PLMA and I-gel devices in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy based on sealing pressure before and during pneumoperitoneum, insertion time, and gas exchange. Methods Following Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent, 30 adult patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups (the PLMA or I-gel group). In each case, insertion time and number of attempts were recorded. After successful insertion, airway leak pressure was measured. Results Successful insertion and mechanical ventilation with both supraglottic airway devices was achieved on the first attempt in all 30 patients, and there were no significant differences with respect to insertion time. Likewise, leak pressure did not vary significantly either between or within groups after CO2 insufflation. In addition, differences between leak volume and leak fraction between groups were not significant. Conclusions The results of our study indicate that the I-gel is a reasonable alternative to the PLMA for controlled ventilation during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. PMID:23277811

Clinical performance of a new blood control peripheral intravenous catheter: A prospective, randomized, controlled study.

PubMed

Seiberlich, Laura E; Keay, Vanessa; Kallos, Stephane; Junghans, Tiffany; Lang, Eddy; McRae, Andrew D

2016-03-01

The performance of a new safety peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) that contains a blood control feature in the hub (blood control) was compared against the current hospital standard without blood control (standard). In this prospective, non-blinded trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either device. Insertions were performed and rated by emergency room nurses. Primary endpoints included clinical acceptability, incidence of blood leakage, and risk of blood exposure. Secondary endpoints were digital compression, insertion success, and usability. 15 clinicians performed 152 PIVC insertions (73 blood control, 79 standard). Clinical acceptability of the blood control device (100%) was non-inferior to the standard (98.7%) (p < 0.0001). The blood control device had a lower incidence of blood leakage (14.1% vs 68.4%), was superior in eliminating the risk of blood exposure (93.9% vs 19.1%) and the need for digital compression (95.3% vs 19.1%), while maintaining non-inferior insertion success rates (95.9% vs 93.7%) and usability ratings (p < 0.0001). In comparison with the hospital-standard, the new safety PIVC with integrated blood control valve had similar clinical acceptability ratings yet demonstrated superior advantages to both clinicians and patients to decrease blood leakage and the clinician's risk of blood exposure, during the insertion process. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

47 CFR 2.1204 - Import conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... generations of a particular model under development are considered to be separate devices. (4) The radio... particular model under development are considered to be separate devices. (5) The radio frequency device is... offered for sale or marketed. (9) The radio frequency device is a medical implant transmitter inserted in...

47 CFR 2.1204 - Import conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... generations of a particular model under development are considered to be separate devices. (4) The radio... particular model under development are considered to be separate devices. (5) The radio frequency device is... offered for sale or marketed. (9) The radio frequency device is a medical implant transmitter inserted in...

21 CFR 876.4500 - Mechanical lithotriptor.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Mechanical lithotriptor. 876.4500 Section 876.4500...) MEDICAL DEVICES GASTROENTEROLOGY-UROLOGY DEVICES Surgical Devices § 876.4500 Mechanical lithotriptor. (a) Identification. A mechanical lithotriptor is a device with steel jaws that is inserted into the urinary bladder...

CobraPLA Insertion by anesthetists and non-anesthetists wearing unconventional protective gear: a prospective study in humans.

PubMed

Ben-Abraham, Ron; Flaishon, Ron; Sotman, Alexander; Ekstein, Perla; Ezri, Tiberiu; Ogorek, Daniel; Weinbroum, Avi A

2008-07-01

The threat of a mass casualty unconventional attack has challenged the medical community to devise means for providing rapid and reliable emergent airway control under chaotic conditions by inexperienced medical personnel dressed in self protective gear. Since endotracheal intubation may not be feasible under those conditions, other extraglottic devices should be considered. We assessed the performance of anesthesia and non-anesthesia residents in inserting the CobraPLA, a supraglottic airway device, on consecutive anesthetized patients, to assess its potential use under simulated conditions. Anesthesia and non-anesthesia residents wearing either surgical scrubs or complete anti-chemical gear inserted the CobraPLA in anesthetized patients. If post-trial positive pressure ventilation via the CobraPLA was unsuccessful, an LMA or endotracheal tube was inserted in its stead. It took anesthesia residents 57+/-23 sec and 43+/-13 sec (P<0.05) to place the CobraPLA while wearing anti-chemical gear and surgical scrubs, respectively. Non-anesthesia residents wearing anti-chemical gear performed worse than anesthetists in their first insertion (73+/-9 sec, P<0.05), but after the brief training period they performed as well as their colleagues anesthetists (58+/-10 sec, P=NS). Post-trial, twenty-one CobraPLA (42%) leaked, preventing adequate positive-pressure ventilation: 13 devices (26% of the total) required replacements. Anti-chemical protective gear slowed the insertion of the CobraPLA by anesthetists, and more so by other residents inexperienced in airway management. In 26% of the cases CobraPLA was inadequate for positive pressure ventilation.

An update on insertable cardiac monitors: examining the latest clinical evidence and technology for arrhythmia management.

PubMed

Olsen, Flemming J; Biering-Sørensen, Tor; Krieger, Derk W

2015-05-01

Continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring has undergone compelling progress over the past decades. Cardiac monitoring has emerged from 12-lead electrocardiograms being performed at the discretion of the treating physician to in-hospital telemetry, Holter monitoring, prolonged external event monitoring and most recently toward insertable device monitoring for several years. Significant advantages and disadvantages pertaining to these monitoring options will be addressed in this review. Insertable cardiac monitors have several advantages over external monitoring techniques and may signify a clinical turning point in the field of arrhythmia management. However, their role in the detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic strokes has yet to evolve. This will be the main focus of this review. Issues surrounding patient selection, clinical relevance and determination of cost-effectiveness for prolonged cardiac monitoring require further studies. Furthermore, insertable cardiac monitoring has not only the potential to augment diagnostic capabilities but also to improve the management of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of benign biliary strictures: What’s new?

PubMed Central

Ferreira, Rosa; Loureiro, Rui; Nunes, Nuno; Santos, António Alberto; Maio, Rui; Cravo, Marília; Duarte, Maria Antónia

2016-01-01

Benign biliary strictures comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases. The most common strictures amenable to endoscopic treatment are post-cholecystectomy, post-liver transplantation, related to primary sclerosing cholangitis and to chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic treatment of benign biliary strictures is widely used as first line therapy, since it is effective, safe, noninvasive and repeatable. Endoscopic techniques currently used are dilation, multiple plastic stents insertion and fully covered self-expandable metal stents. The main indication for dilation alone is primary sclerosing cholangitis related strictures. In the vast majority of the remaining cases, temporary placement of multiple plastic stents with/without dilation is considered the treatment of choice. Although this approach is effective, it requires multiple endoscopic sessions due to the short duration of stent patency. Fully covered self-expandable metal stents appear as a good alternative to plastic stents, since they have an increased radial diameter, longer stent patency, easier insertion technique and similar efficacy. Recent advances in endoscopic technique and various devices have allowed successful treatment in most cases. The development of novel endoscopic techniques and devices is still ongoing. PMID:26962404

Flexible ambipolar organic field-effect transistors with reverse-offset-printed silver electrodes for a complementary inverter.

PubMed

Park, Junsu; Kim, Minseok; Yeom, Seung-Won; Ha, Hyeon Jun; Song, Hyenggun; Min Jhon, Young; Kim, Yun-Hi; Ju, Byeong-Kwon

2016-06-03

We report ambipolar organic field-effect transistors and complementary inverter circuits with reverse-offset-printed (ROP) Ag electrodes fabricated on a flexible substrate. A diketopyrrolopyrrole-based co-polymer (PDPP-TAT) was used as the semiconductor and poly(methyl methacrylate) was used as the gate insulator. Considerable improvement is observed in the n-channel electrical characteristics by inserting a cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3) as the electron-injection/hole-blocking layer at the interface between the semiconductors and the electrodes. The saturation mobility values are 0.35 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for the p-channel and 0.027 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for the n-channel. A complementary inverter is demonstrated based on the ROP process, and it is selectively controlled by the insertion of Cs2CO3 onto the n-channel region via thermal evaporation. Moreover, the devices show stable operation during the mechanical bending test using tensile strains ranging from 0.05% to 0.5%. The results confirm that these devices have great potential for use in flexible and inexpensive integrated circuits over a large area.

Virtual Reality simulator for dental anesthesia training in the inferior alveolar nerve block.

PubMed

Corrêa, Cléber Gimenez; Machado, Maria Aparecida de Andrade Moreira; Ranzini, Edith; Tori, Romero; Nunes, Fátima de Lourdes Santos

2017-01-01

This study shows the development and validation of a dental anesthesia-training simulator, specifically for the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). The system developed provides the tactile sensation of inserting a real needle in a human patient, using Virtual Reality (VR) techniques and a haptic device that can provide a perceived force feedback in the needle insertion task during the anesthesia procedure. To simulate a realistic anesthesia procedure, a Carpule syringe was coupled to a haptic device. The Volere method was used to elicit requirements from users in the Dentistry area; Repeated Measures Two-Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), Tukey post-hoc test and averages for the results' analysis. A questionnaire-based subjective evaluation method was applied to collect information about the simulator, and 26 people participated in the experiments (12 beginners, 12 at intermediate level, and 2 experts). The questionnaire included profile, preferences (number of viewpoints, texture of the objects, and haptic device handler), as well as visual (appearance, scale, and position of objects) and haptic aspects (motion space, tactile sensation, and motion reproduction). The visual aspect was considered appropriate and the haptic feedback must be improved, which the users can do by calibrating the virtual tissues' resistance. The evaluation of visual aspects was influenced by the participants' experience, according to ANOVA test (F=15.6, p=0.0002, with p<0.01). The user preferences were the simulator with two viewpoints, objects with texture based on images and the device with a syringe coupled to it. The simulation was considered thoroughly satisfactory for the anesthesia training, considering the needle insertion task, which includes the correct insertion point and depth, as well as the perception of tissues resistances during the insertion.

A novel method for percutaneous insertion of a right ventricular assist device.

PubMed

Avgerinos, Dimitrios V; DeBois, William; Mongero, Linda; Krieger, Karl; Salemi, Arash

2013-06-01

Right heart failure is a rare but often fatal complication both in the pre- and postoperative setting. Right heart support with a ventricular assist device inserted in the operating room through median sternotomy can be a time-consuming procedure that requires a reoperation for removal. In cases of urgent need of right heart support, a percutaneous technique option may be of benefit. We present our initial experience with a percutaneously inserted right ventricular assist device (RVAD) in an elderly patient with severe right heart failure. An 81-year-old female patient underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement at our institution. During the first postoperative evening, the patient sustained sudden cardiovascular collapse and a bedside transesophageal echocardiogram revealed severe right heart failure. A coronary angiogram showed thrombosis of the right coronary artery, which was cleared with a suction device. As a result of the patient's critical condition, it was decided that an RVAD was needed as a bridge to recovery. The patient's condition improved significantly almost immediately. Her right heart function recovered over the next few days and the RVAD was removed at the bedside. She made a complete recovery and was discharged home. This patient is a prime example that a totally RVAD can be inserted in urgent situations easily and safely under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. More clinical experience with percutaneous RVADs is required to establish this technique as an alternative equivalent to the traditional open method. Right heart failure complicates many heart diseases both in the pre- and the postoperative setting. In cases of urgent need of right heart support, a percutaneous technique of a RVAD is needed for a successful outcome. We present our initial experience with a percutaneously inserted RVAD in an elderly patient with severe postoperative right heart failure.

21 CFR 886.4300 - Intraocular lens guide.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Intraocular lens guide. 886.4300 Section 886.4300...) MEDICAL DEVICES OPHTHALMIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 886.4300 Intraocular lens guide. (a) Identification. An intraocular lens guide is a device intended to be inserted into the eye during surgery to direct...

21 CFR 888.4230 - Cement ventilation tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Cement ventilation tube. 888.4230 Section 888.4230...) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4230 Cement ventilation tube. (a) Identification. A cement ventilation tube is a tube-like device usually made of plastic intended to be inserted into...

21 CFR 888.4230 - Cement ventilation tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Cement ventilation tube. 888.4230 Section 888.4230...) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4230 Cement ventilation tube. (a) Identification. A cement ventilation tube is a tube-like device usually made of plastic intended to be inserted into...

21 CFR 888.4230 - Cement ventilation tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Cement ventilation tube. 888.4230 Section 888.4230...) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4230 Cement ventilation tube. (a) Identification. A cement ventilation tube is a tube-like device usually made of plastic intended to be inserted into...

21 CFR 888.4230 - Cement ventilation tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Cement ventilation tube. 888.4230 Section 888.4230...) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4230 Cement ventilation tube. (a) Identification. A cement ventilation tube is a tube-like device usually made of plastic intended to be inserted into...

21 CFR 872.4880 - Intraosseous fixation screw or wire.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Intraosseous fixation screw or wire. 872.4880... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES DENTAL DEVICES Surgical Devices § 872.4880 Intraosseous fixation screw or wire. (a) Identification. An intraosseous fixation screw or wire is a metal device intended to be inserted...

21 CFR 872.4880 - Intraosseous fixation screw or wire.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Intraosseous fixation screw or wire. 872.4880... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES DENTAL DEVICES Surgical Devices § 872.4880 Intraosseous fixation screw or wire. (a) Identification. An intraosseous fixation screw or wire is a metal device intended to be inserted...

75 FR 52629 - Medicare Program; Establishing Additional Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-27

... wheelchairs. Prosthetic devices are included in the definition of ``medical and other health services'' under section 1861(s)(8) of the Act. Prosthetic devices are defined in this section of the Act as ``devices... insertion of an intraocular lens.'' Other examples of prosthetic devices include cardiac pacemakers...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 868.5350 - Nasal oxygen catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Nasal oxygen catheter. 868.5350 Section 868.5350...) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Therapeutic Devices § 868.5350 Nasal oxygen catheter. (a) Identification. A nasal oxygen catheter is a device intended to be inserted through a patient's nostril to...

21 CFR 888.4230 - Cement ventilation tube.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Cement ventilation tube. 888.4230 Section 888.4230...) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4230 Cement ventilation tube. (a) Identification. A cement ventilation tube is a tube-like device usually made of plastic intended to be inserted into...

Bacteriological colonisation of uterine cavity: role of tailed intrauterine contraceptive device.

PubMed Central

Sparks, R A; Purrier, B G; Watt, P J; Elstein, M

1981-01-01

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) are thought to cause pelvic inflammatory disease by allowing vaginal bacteria to pass into the uterus along the tail of the device. In this study the uterine cavities of 22 women using an IUCD were examined by a multiple biopsy technique. All five uteruses with a tailless IUCD were sterile but 15 out of 17 with a tailed device contained bacteria. The bacteria had not reached the fundus and most were commensals. The bacteria were not introduced by insertion of the IUCD as bacteria were present in several cases long after insertion. No differences in bacterial count were found between monofilamentous and multifilamentous devices. Bacteria were cultured from only four devices, which suggested that the bacteria adhere to the endometrium and not to the device. The bacteria in the cavity represent interference by the tail with the protective mechanisms of the uterus, which explains the increase in pelvic inflammatory disease in IUCD users. PMID:6788128

Decrease in cytotoxicity of copper-based intrauterine devices (IUD) pretreated with 6-mercaptopurine and pterin as biocompatible corrosion inhibitors.

PubMed

Alvarez, Florencia; Grillo, Claudiaa; Schilardi, Patricial; Rubert, Aldo; Benítez, Guillermo; Lorente, Carolina; de Mele, Mónica Fernández Lorenzo

2013-01-23

The copper intrauterine device (IUD) based its contraceptive action on the release of cupric ions from a copper wire. Immediately after the insertion, a burst release of copper ions occurs, which may be associated to a variety of side effects. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and pterin (PT) have been proposed as corrosion inhibitors to reduce this harmful release. Pretreatments with 1 × 10(-4) M 6-MP and 1 × 10(-4) M PT solutions with 1h and 3h immersion times were tested. Conventional electrochemical techniques, EDX and XPS analysis, and cytotoxicity assays with HeLa cell line were employed to investigate the corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of copper with and without treatments. Results showed that copper samples treated with PT and 6-MP solutions for 3 and 1 h, respectively, are more biocompatible than those without treatment. Besides, the treatment reduces the burst release effect of copper in simulated uterine solutions during the first week after the insertion. It was concluded that PT and 6-MP treatments are promising strategies able to reduce the side effects related to the "burst release" of copper-based IUD without altering the contraceptive action.

All-fiber Devices Based on Photonic Crystal Fibers with Integrated Electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chesini, Giancarlo; Cordeiro, Cristiano M. B.; de Matos, Christiano J. S.; Fokine, Michael; Carvalho, Isabel C. S.; Knighf, Jonathan C.

2008-10-01

A special kind of microstructured optical fiber was proposed and manufactured where, as well as the holey region (solid core and silica-air cladding), the fiber has also two large holes for electrode insertion. Bi-Sn and Au-Sn alloys were selectively inserted in those holes forming two parallel, continuous and homogeneous internal electrodes. We demonstrated the production of a monolithic device and its use to externally control some of the guidance properties (e.g. polarization) of the fiber.

A review on mechanical considerations for chronically-implanted neural probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecomte, Aziliz; Descamps, Emeline; Bergaud, Christian

2018-06-01

This review intends to present a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical considerations for chronically-implanted neural probes. Failure of neural electrical recordings or stimulation over time has shown to arise from foreign body reaction and device material stability. It seems that devices that match most closely with the mechanical properties of the brain would be more likely to reduce the mechanical stress at the probe/tissue interface, thus improving body acceptance. The use of low Young’s modulus polymers instead of hard substrates is one way to enhance this mechanical mimetism, though compliance can be achieved through a variety of means. The reduction of probe width and thickness in comparison to a designated length, the use of soft hydrogel coatings and the release in device tethering to the skull, can also improve device compliance. Paradoxically, the more compliant the device, the more likely it will fail during the insertion process in the brain. Strategies have multiplied this past decade to offer partial or temporary stiffness to the device to overcome this buckling effect. A detailed description of the probe insertion mechanisms is provided to analyze potential sources of implantation failure and the need for a mechanically-enhancing structure. This leads us to present an overview of the strategies that have been put in place over the last ten years to overcome buckling issues. Particularly, great emphasis is put on bioresorbable polymers and their assessment for neural applications. Finally, a discussion is provided on some of the key features for the design of mechanically-reliable, polymer-based next generation of chronic neuroprosthetic devices.

Prevention of Device-Related Healthcare-Associated Infections

PubMed Central

Septimus, Edward J.; Moody, Julia

2016-01-01

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Up to 15% of patients develop an infection while hospitalized in the United States, which accounts for approximately 1.7 million HAIs, 99,000 deaths annually and over 10 billion dollars in costs per year. A significant percentage of HAIs are preventable using evidenced-based strategies. In terms of device-related HAIs it is estimated that 65-70% of catheter-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are preventable. To prevent CLABSIs a bundle which includes hand hygiene prior to insertion and catheter manipulation, use of chlorhexidene alcohol for site preparation and maintenance, use of maximum barrier for catheter insertion, site selection, removing nonessential lines, disinfect catheter hubs before assessing line, and dressing changes are essential elements of basic practices. To prevent CAUTIs a bundle that includes hand hygiene for insertion and catheter or bag manipulation, inserting catheters for appropriate indications, insert using aseptic technique, remove catheters when no longer needed, maintain a close system keeping bag and tubing below the bladder are the key components of basic practices. PMID:26918162

Effect of low and staggered gap quantum wells inserted in GaAs tunnel junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Louarn, K.; Claveau, Y.; Marigo-Lombart, L.; Fontaine, C.; Arnoult, A.; Piquemal, F.; Bounouh, A.; Cavassilas, N.; Almuneau, G.

2018-04-01

In this article, we investigate the impact of the insertion of either a type I InGaAs or a type II InGaAs/GaAsSb quantum well on the performances of MBE-grown GaAs tunnel junctions (TJs). The devices are designed and simulated using a quantum transport model based on the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism and a 6-band k.p Hamiltonian. We experimentally observe significant improvements of the peak tunneling current density on both heterostructures with a 460-fold increase for a moderately doped GaAs TJ when the InGaAs QW is inserted at the junction interface, and a 3-fold improvement on a highly doped GaAs TJ integrating a type II InGaAs/GaAsSb QW. Thus, the simple insertion of staggered band lineup heterostructures enables us to reach a tunneling current well above the kA cm‑2 range, equivalent to the best achieved results for Si-doped GaAs TJs, implying very interesting potential for TJ-based components, such as multi-junction solar cells, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and tunnel-field effect transistors.

Multi-plug insole design to reduce peak plantar pressure on the diabetic foot during walking

PubMed Central

Actis, Ricardo L.; Ventura, Liliana B.; Lott, Donovan J.; Smith, Kirk E.; Commean, Paul K.; Hastings, Mary K.; Mueller, Michael J.

2009-01-01

There is evidence that appropriate footwear is an important factor in the prevention of foot pain in otherwise healthy people or foot ulcers in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. A standard care for reducing forefoot plantar pressure is the utilization of orthotic devices such as total contact inserts (TCI) with therapeutic footwear. Most neuropathic ulcers occur under the metatarsal heads, and foot deformity combined with high localized plantar pressure, appear to be the most significant factors contributing to these ulcers. In this study, patient-specific finite element models of the second ray of the foot were developed to study the influence of TCI design on peak plantar pressure (PPP) under the metatarsal heads. A typical full contact insert was modified based on the results of finite element analyses, by inserting 4 mm diameter cylindrical plugs of softer material in the regions of high pressure. Validation of the numerical model was addressed by comparing the numerical results obtained by the finite element method with measured pressure distribution in the region of the metatarsal heads for a shoe and TCI condition. Two subjects, one with a history of forefoot pain and one with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, were tested in the laboratory while wearing therapeutic shoes and customized inserts. The study showed that customized inserts with softer plugs distributed throughout the regions of high plantar pressure reduced the PPP over that of the TCI alone. This supports the outcome as predicted by the numerical model, without causing edge effects as reported by other investigators using different plug designs, and provides a greater degree of flexibility for customizing orthotic devices than current practice allows. PMID:18266017

Multi-plug insole design to reduce peak plantar pressure on the diabetic foot during walking.

PubMed

Actis, Ricardo L; Ventura, Liliana B; Lott, Donovan J; Smith, Kirk E; Commean, Paul K; Hastings, Mary K; Mueller, Michael J

2008-04-01

There is evidence that appropriate footwear is an important factor in the prevention of foot pain in otherwise healthy people or foot ulcers in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. A standard care for reducing forefoot plantar pressure is the utilization of orthotic devices such as total contact inserts (TCI) with therapeutic footwear. Most neuropathic ulcers occur under the metatarsal heads, and foot deformity combined with high localized plantar pressure, appear to be the most significant factors contributing to these ulcers. In this study, patient-specific finite element models of the second ray of the foot were developed to study the influence of TCI design on peak plantar pressure (PPP) under the metatarsal heads. A typical full contact insert was modified based on the results of finite element analyses, by inserting 4 mm diameter cylindrical plugs of softer material in the regions of high pressure. Validation of the numerical model was addressed by comparing the numerical results obtained by the finite element method with measured pressure distribution in the region of the metatarsal heads for a shoe and TCI condition. Two subjects, one with a history of forefoot pain and one with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, were tested in the laboratory while wearing therapeutic shoes and customized inserts. The study showed that customized inserts with softer plugs distributed throughout the regions of high plantar pressure reduced the PPP over that of the TCI alone. This supports the outcome as predicted by the numerical model, without causing edge effects as reported by other investigators using different plug designs, and provides a greater degree of flexibility for customizing orthotic devices than current practice allows.

Evaluation of the efficacy of six supraglottic devices for airway management in dark conditions: a crossover randomized simulation trial.

PubMed

Ohchi, Fumihiro; Komasawa, Nobuyasu; Imagawa, Kentaro; Okamoto, Kaori; Minami, Toshiaki

2015-12-01

During out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, several factors can render tracheal intubation more difficult, such as when rescuers must secure the airway in complete darkness or with limited illumination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of six supraglottic devices (SGDs), ProSeal(®) (ProSeal), Classic(®) (Classic), Supreme(®) (Supreme), Laryngeal Tube(®) (LT), air-Q(®) (air-Q), and i-gel(®) (i-gel), for airway management under light and dark conditions using a manikin. Seventeen novice doctors and 15 experienced doctors performed insertion of six SGDs under light and dark conditions using an adult manikin. Insertion time, successful ventilation rate, and subjective insertion difficulty on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured. Both novice and experienced doctors had a significantly lower ventilation success rate in the dark than in the light when ProSeal and Classic were used, but not with the other four SGDs. Novice doctors required a significantly longer insertion time in the dark than in the light with all SGDs. Experienced doctors required a significantly longer insertion time in the dark than in the light with ProSeal or Classic, but not with the other four SGDs. VAS was significantly higher for both novice and experienced doctors when ProSeal and Classic were used, as compared with the other four SGDs in the dark. Compared to ProSeal and Classic, Supreme, i-gel, LT, and air-Q are more effective for airway management in the dark. Our findings suggest that anatomically shaped SGDs may help novice doctors secure the airway under dark conditions.

Effect of impeller design and spacing on gas exchange in a percutaneous respiratory assist catheter.

PubMed

Jeffries, R Garrett; Frankowski, Brian J; Burgreen, Greg W; Federspiel, William J

2014-12-01

Providing partial respiratory assistance by removing carbon dioxide (CO2 ) can improve clinical outcomes in patients suffering from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome. An intravenous respiratory assist device with a small (25 Fr) insertion diameter eliminates the complexity and potential complications associated with external blood circuitry and can be inserted by nonspecialized surgeons. The impeller percutaneous respiratory assist catheter (IPRAC) is a highly efficient CO2 removal device for percutaneous insertion to the vena cava via the right jugular or right femoral vein that utilizes an array of impellers rotating within a hollow-fiber membrane bundle to enhance gas exchange. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of new impeller designs and impeller spacing on gas exchange in the IPRAC using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and in vitro deionized water gas exchange testing. A CFD gas exchange and flow model was developed to guide a progressive impeller design process. Six impeller blade geometries were designed and tested in vitro in an IPRAC device with 2- or 10-mm axial spacing and varying numbers of blades (2-5). The maximum CO2 removal efficiency (exchange per unit surface area) achieved was 573 ± 8 mL/min/m(2) (40.1 mL/min absolute). The gas exchange rate was found to be largely independent of blade design and number of blades for the impellers tested but increased significantly (5-10%) with reduced axial spacing allowing for additional shaft impellers (23 vs. 14). CFD gas exchange predictions were within 2-13% of experimental values and accurately predicted the relative improvement with impellers at 2- versus 10-mm axial spacing. The ability of CFD simulation to accurately forecast the effects of influential design parameters suggests it can be used to identify impeller traits that profoundly affect facilitated gas exchange. Copyright © 2014 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Safety lock-out device for electrical appliances

DOEpatents

Cliff, Jr., Paul L.

1996-01-01

A safety lock-out device prevents the insertion of an electrical power cord into an electrical power cord receptacle of an electrical appliance. The devise comprises a mounting plate fastened to the appliance and a cover plate hingedly attached to the appliance. The cover plate is movable between a first position and a second position such that, in the first position, the cover plate covers and prevents insertion of a power cord into the appliance receptacle. In said second position, the appliance receptacle is uncovered to permit insertion of a power cord into the receptacle. Extending a lock shank through aligned openings formed in flange members extending from the mounting plate and the cover plate locks the cover plate in the first position.

In-office insertion of a miniaturized insertable cardiac monitor: Results from the Reveal LINQ In-Office 2 randomized study.

PubMed

Rogers, John D; Sanders, Prashanthan; Piorkowski, Christopher; Sohail, M Rizwan; Anand, Rishi; Crossen, Karl; Khairallah, Farhat S; Kaplon, Rachelle E; Stromberg, Kurt; Kowal, Robert C

2017-02-01

Recent miniaturization of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) may make it possible to move device insertion from a hospital to office setting. However, the safety of this strategy is unknown. The primary objective was to compare the safety of inserting the Reveal LINQ ICM in an office vs a hospital environment. Ancillary objectives included summarizing device- and procedure-related adverse events and responses to a physician questionnaire. Five hundred twenty-one patients indicated for an ICM were randomized (1:1 ratio) to undergo ICM insertion in a hospital or office environment at 26 centers in the United States in the Reveal LINQ In-Office 2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02395536). Patients were followed for 90 days. ICM insertion was successful in all 482 attempted patients (office: 251; hospital: 231). The untoward event rate (composite of unsuccessful insertion and ICM- or insertion-related complications) was 0.8% (2 of 244) in the office and 0.9% (2 of 227) in the hospital (95% confidence interval, -3.0% to 2.9%; 5% noninferiority: P < .001). In addition, adverse events occurred during 2.5% (6 of 244) of office and 4.4% (10 of 227) of hospital insertions (95% confidence interval [office minus inhospital rates], -5.8% to 1.9%; 5% noninferiority: P < .001). Physicians indicated that for procedures performed in an office vs a hospital, there were fewer delays >15 minutes (16% vs 35%; P < .001) and patient response was more often "very positive." Physicians considered the office location "very convenient" more frequently than the hospital location (85% vs 27%; P < .001). The safety profile for the insertion of the Reveal LINQ ICM is excellent irrespective of insertion environment. These results may expand site of service options for LINQ insertion. Copyright © 2016 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mercury ion thruster research, 1978

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilbur, P. J.

1978-01-01

The effects of 8 cm thruster main and neutralizer cathode operating conditions on cathode orifice plate temperatures were studied. The effects of cathode operating conditions on insert temperature profiles and keeper voltages are presented for three different types of inserts. The bulk of the emission current is generally observed to come from the downstream end of the insert rather than from the cathode orifice plate. Results of a test in which the screen grid plasma sheath of a thruster was probed as the beam current was varied are shown. Grid performance obtained with a grid machined from glass ceramic is discussed. The effects of copper and nitrogen impurities on the sputtering rates of thruster materials are measured experimentally and a model describing the rate of nitrogen chemisorption on materials in either the beam or the discharge chamber is presented. The results of optimization of a radial field thruster design are presented. Performance of this device is shown to be comparable to that of a divergent field thruster and efficient operation with the screen grid biased to floating potential, where its susceptibility to sputter erosion damage is reduced, is demonstrated.

Atlantoaxial Joint Distraction with a New Expandable Device for the Treatment of Basilar Invagination with Preservation of the C2 Nerve Root: A Cadaveric Anatomical Study.

PubMed

Polli, Filippo Maria; Trungu, Sokol; Miscusi, Massimo; Forcato, Stefano; Visocchi, Massimiliano; Raco, Antonino

2017-01-01

Atlantoaxial joint distraction has been advocated for the decompression of the brain stem in patients affected by basilar invagination, avoiding direct transoral decompression. This technique requires C2 ganglion resection and it is often impossible to perform due to the peculiar bony anatomy. We describe a cadaveric anatomical study supporting the feasibility of C1-C2 distraction performed with an expandable device, allowing easier insertion of the tool and preservation of the C2 nerve root. In five adult cadaveric specimens, posterior atlantoaxial surgical exposure was performed and an expandable system was inserted within the C1-C2 joint. The expansion of the device, leading to active distraction of the joint space, together with all the surgical steps of the technique was recorded with anatomical pictures and the final results were checked with a computed tomography (CT) scan. Insertion of the device was easily performed in all cases without anatomical conflict with the C2 ganglion; CT scans confirmed the distraction of the C1-C2 joint. This cadaveric anatomical study confirms the feasibility of the introduction of an expandable and flexible device within the C1-C2 joint, allowing it's distraction and preservation of the C2 ganglion.

Comparison of the Fluid Resuscitation Rate with and without External Pressure Using Two Intraosseous Infusion Systems for Adult Emergencies, the CITRIN (Comparison of InTRaosseous infusion systems in emergency medicINe)-Study

PubMed Central

Gries, André; Hossfeld, Björn; Bechmann, Ingo; Bernhard, Michael

2015-01-01

Introduction Intraosseous infusion is recommended if peripheral venous access fails for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other medical emergencies. The aim of this study, using body donors, was to compare a semi-automatic (EZ-IO®) device at two insertion sites and a sternal intraosseous infusion device (FASTR™). Methods Twenty-seven medical students being inexperienced first-time users were randomized into three groups using EZ-IO and FASTR. The following data were evaluated: attempts required for successful placement, insertion time and flow rates with and without external pressure to the infusion. Results The first-pass insertion success of the EZ-IO tibia, EZ-IO humerus and FASTR was 91%, 77%, and 95%, respectively. Insertion times (MW±SD) did not show significant differences with 17±7 (EZ-IO tibia) vs. 29±42 (EZ-IO humerus) vs. 33±21 (FASTR), respectively. One-minute flow rates using external pressures between 0 mmHg and 300 mmHg ranged between 27±5 to 69±54 ml/min (EZ-IO tibia), 16±3 to 60±44 ml/min (EZ-IO humerus) and 53±2 to 112±47 ml/min (FASTR), respectively. Concerning pressure-related increases in flow rates, negligible correlations were found for the EZ-IO tibia in all time frames (c = 0.107–0.366; p≤0.013), moderate positive correlations were found for the EZ-IO humerus after 5 minutes (c = 0.489; p = 0.021) and strong positive correlations were found for the FASTR in all time frames (c = 0.63–0.80; p≤0.007). Post-hoc statistical power was 0.62 with the given sample size. Conclusions The experiments with first-time users applying EZ-IO and FASTR in body donors indicate that both devices may be effective intraosseous infusion devices, likely suitable for fluid resuscitation using a pressure bag. Variations in flow rate may limit their reliability. Larger sample sizes will prospectively be required to substantiate our findings. PMID:26630579

Comparison of the Fluid Resuscitation Rate with and without External Pressure Using Two Intraosseous Infusion Systems for Adult Emergencies, the CITRIN (Comparison of InTRaosseous infusion systems in emergency medicINe)-Study.

PubMed

Hammer, Niels; Möbius, Robert; Gries, André; Hossfeld, Björn; Bechmann, Ingo; Bernhard, Michael

2015-01-01

Intraosseous infusion is recommended if peripheral venous access fails for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other medical emergencies. The aim of this study, using body donors, was to compare a semi-automatic (EZ-IO®) device at two insertion sites and a sternal intraosseous infusion device (FASTR™). Twenty-seven medical students being inexperienced first-time users were randomized into three groups using EZ-IO and FASTR. The following data were evaluated: attempts required for successful placement, insertion time and flow rates with and without external pressure to the infusion. The first-pass insertion success of the EZ-IO tibia, EZ-IO humerus and FASTR was 91%, 77%, and 95%, respectively. Insertion times (MW ± SD) did not show significant differences with 17 ± 7 (EZ-IO tibia) vs. 29 ± 42 (EZ-IO humerus) vs. 33 ± 21 (FASTR), respectively. One-minute flow rates using external pressures between 0 mmHg and 300 mmHg ranged between 27 ± 5 to 69 ± 54 ml/min (EZ-IO tibia), 16 ± 3 to 60 ± 44 ml/min (EZ-IO humerus) and 53 ± 2 to 112 ± 47 ml/min (FASTR), respectively. Concerning pressure-related increases in flow rates, negligible correlations were found for the EZ-IO tibia in all time frames (c = 0.107-0.366; p ≤ 0.013), moderate positive correlations were found for the EZ-IO humerus after 5 minutes (c = 0.489; p = 0.021) and strong positive correlations were found for the FASTR in all time frames (c = 0.63-0.80; p ≤ 0.007). Post-hoc statistical power was 0.62 with the given sample size. The experiments with first-time users applying EZ-IO and FASTR in body donors indicate that both devices may be effective intraosseous infusion devices, likely suitable for fluid resuscitation using a pressure bag. Variations in flow rate may limit their reliability. Larger sample sizes will prospectively be required to substantiate our findings.

Temporal trends of copper-bearing intrauterine device discontinuation: a population-based birth-cohort study of contraceptive use among rural married women in China.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Tan, Xiaodong; Song, Xiangjing; Zhang, Kaining; Fang, Jing; Peng, Lin; Qi, Wencai; Nie, Zonghui; Li, Ming; Deng, Rui; Yan, Chaofang

2015-03-01

Copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) insertion for long-term contraceptive use is high in China, but there has been evidence that first-year discontinuation rate of copper-bearing IUD has also increased rapidly in recent years especially among rural married women. To investigate long-term use of copper-bearing IUD, the authors examined the 7-year temporal trends of copper-bearing IUD discontinuation in a population-based birth-cohort study among 720 rural married women in China, from 2004 to 2012. Women requesting contraception were followed-up twice per year after the insertion of IUD. The gross cumulative life table discontinuation rates were calculated for each of the main reasons for discontinuation as well as for all reasons combined. By the end of 7 years, 384 discontinuations were observed. With a stepped-up trend, the gross cumulative life table rate for discontinuation increased from 10.06 (95% confidence interval = 7.86-12.27) per 100 women by the first year to 52.69 (95% confidence interval = 48.94-56.44) per 100 women by the end of 7 years, which increased rapidly in the first 2 years after copper-bearing IUD insertion, flattened out gradually in the following 2 years, then increased again in the last 3 years. Among reported method failure, expulsion and side effects were the main reasons for discontinuation of the copper-bearing IUD but not pregnancy. Personal reasons, such as renewal by personal will had influenced copper-bearing IUD use since the second year and should not be neglected. Based on this study, the temporal trends of copper-bearing IUD discontinuation was in a stepped-up trend in 7 years after insertion. Both reported method failure (expulsion and side effect) and personal reason had effect on the discontinuation of copper-bearing IUD, but pregnancy was no more the most important reason affecting the use of copper-bearing IUD. © 2014 APJPH.

Radiological assessment of placement of the hysteroscopically inserted Essure permanent birth control device.

PubMed

Lorente Ramos, R M; Azpeitia Armán, J; Aparicio Rodríguez-Miñón, P; Salazar Arquero, F J; Albillos Merino, J C

2015-01-01

Essure is a permanent birth control device that is inserted through the cervix by hysteroscopy. The device is placed in the fallopian tubes, where it causes occlusion by stimulating fibrosis. Patients can be followed up with plain-film X-rays, hysterosalpingography, and ultrasonography, although the devices can also be identified incidentally on CT and MRI. The follow-up of Essure is based on checking the criteria for appropriate positioning and correct functioning (tubal occlusion) and on diagnosing complications. The most common complications are perforation, migration (toward the uterine or peritoneal cavity), and occlusion failure. In hysterosalpingography, vascular intravasation is the most common cause of diagnostic error. Radiologists need to know how to recognize the device on different imaging techniques, how to check that it is correctly placed and functioning, and how to diagnose complications. Copyright © 2014 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Design and preliminary analysis of a vaginal inserter for speculum-free cervical cancer screening

PubMed Central

Agudogo, Júlia; Krieger, Marlee S.; Miros, Robert; Proeschold-Bell, Rae Jean; Schmitt, John W.; Ramanujam, Nimmi

2017-01-01

Objective Cervical cancer screening usually requires use of a speculum to provide a clear view of the cervix. The speculum is one potential barrier to screening due to fear of pain, discomfort and embarrassment. The aim of this paper is to present and demonstrate the feasibility of a tampon-sized inserter and the POCkeT Colposcope, a miniature pen sized-colposcope, for comfortable, speculum-free and potentially self-colposcopy. Study design We explored different designs using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software and performed mechanical testing simulations on each. Designs were rapid prototyped and tested using a custom vaginal phantom across a range of vaginal pressures and uterine tilts to select an optimal design. Two final designs were tested with fifteen volunteers to assess cervix visualization, comfort and usability compared to the speculum and the optimal design, the curved-tip inserter, was selected for testing in volunteers. Results We present a vaginal inserter as an alternative to the standard speculum for use with the POCkeT Colposcope. The device has a slim tubular body with a funnel-like curved tip measuring approximately 2.5 cm in diameter. The inserter has a channel through which a 2 megapixel (MP) mini camera with LED illumination fits to enable image capture. Mechanical finite element testing simulations with an applied pressure of 15 cm H2O indicated a high factor of safety (90.9) for the inserter. Testing of the device with a custom vaginal phantom, across a range of supine vaginal pressures and uterine tilts (retroverted, anteverted and sideverted), demonstrated image capture with a visual area comparable to the speculum for a normal/axial positioned uteri and significantly better than the speculum for anteverted and sideverted uteri (p<0.00001). Volunteer studies with self-insertion and physician-assisted cervix image capture showed adequate cervix visualization for 83% of patients. In addition, questionnaire responses from volunteers indicated a 92.3% overall preference for the inserter over the speculum and all indicated that the inserter was more comfortable than the speculum. The inserter provides a platform for self-cervical cancer screening and also enables acetic acid/Lugol’s iodine application and insertion of swabs for Pap smear sample collection. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of an inserter and miniature-imaging device for comfortable cervical image capture of women with potential for synergistic HPV and Pap smear sample collection. PMID:28562669

The complications and the position of the Codman MicroSensor™ ICP device: an analysis of 549 patients and 650 Sensors.

PubMed

Koskinen, Lars-Owe D; Grayson, David; Olivecrona, Magnus

2013-11-01

Complications of and insertion depth of the Codman MicroSensor ICP monitoring device (CMS) is not well studied. To study complications and the insertion depth of the CMS in a clinical setting. We identified all patients who had their intracranial pressure (ICP) monitored using a CMS device between 2002 and 2010. The medical records and post implantation computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed for occurrence of infection, hemorrhage and insertion depth. In all, 549 patients were monitored using 650 CMS. Mean monitoring time was 7.0 ± 4.9 days. The mean implantation depth was 21.3 ± 11.1 mm (0-88 mm). In 27 of the patients, a haematoma was identified; 26 of these were less than 1 ml, and one was 8 ml. No clinically significant bleeding was found. There was no statistically significant increase in the number of hemorrhages in presumed coagulopathic patients. The infection rate was 0.6 % and the calculated infection rate per 1,000 catheter days was 0.8. The risk for hemorrhagic and infectious complications when using the CMS for ICP monitoring is low. The depth of insertion varies considerably and should be taken into account if patients are treated with head elevation, since the pressure is measured at the tip of the sensor. To meet the need for ICP monitoring, an intraparenchymal ICP monitoring device should be preferred to the use of an external ventricular drainage (EVD).

Usefulness of a Flexible Port for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery by the Transrectal and Transvaginal Routes

PubMed Central

Ohdaira, Takeshi; Ikeda, Keiichi; Tajiri, Hisao; Yasuda, Yoshikazu; Hashizume, Makoto

2010-01-01

We developed a flexible port for NOTES which allows the use of conventional forceps for laparoscope-assisted surgery without change. The port is not affected by the location of the through hole in the gastrointestinal tract or vagina which elicits a problem in conventional NOTES, and its length can be adjusted during surgery by cutting the port itself. The port is made of polymer resin with a low friction coefficient. Furthermore, the port walls have a square wave structure which contributes to (1) the prevention of devices, for example, endoscope, from getting stuck at the time of insertion and retrieval, (2) the prevention of port slippage in the surgical opening for port insertion, (3) the prevention of unexpected port removal, (4) the prevention of port bore deformation, and (5) the improvement of port flexibility in the longitudinal direction. We validated the insertion and retrieval capacities of commercially available forceps for laparoscope-assisted surgery and power devices. Furthermore, we used the flexible port to conduct cholecystectomy and partial gastrectomy. We could confirm that the selection of the flexible port diameter according to the device type allowed the smooth insertion and retrieval of the device and that the port produced no air leakage. We affirmed that it is possible to conduct surgery by the cross or parallel method similarly to single port surgery. We considered that the flexible port has a potential of becoming a revolutionary port in NOTES. PMID:20508827

21 CFR 874.4800 - Bone particle collector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Bone particle collector. 874.4800 Section 874.4800...) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Surgical Devices § 874.4800 Bone particle collector. (a) Identification. A bone particle collector is a filtering device intended to be inserted into a suction tube...

21 CFR 874.4800 - Bone particle collector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Bone particle collector. 874.4800 Section 874.4800...) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Surgical Devices § 874.4800 Bone particle collector. (a) Identification. A bone particle collector is a filtering device intended to be inserted into a suction tube...

21 CFR 874.4800 - Bone particle collector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Bone particle collector. 874.4800 Section 874.4800...) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Surgical Devices § 874.4800 Bone particle collector. (a) Identification. A bone particle collector is a filtering device intended to be inserted into a suction tube...

21 CFR 874.4800 - Bone particle collector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Bone particle collector. 874.4800 Section 874.4800...) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Surgical Devices § 874.4800 Bone particle collector. (a) Identification. A bone particle collector is a filtering device intended to be inserted into a suction tube...

21 CFR 874.4800 - Bone particle collector.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Bone particle collector. 874.4800 Section 874.4800...) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Surgical Devices § 874.4800 Bone particle collector. (a) Identification. A bone particle collector is a filtering device intended to be inserted into a suction tube...

Analysis of plastic deformation in cortical bone after insertion of coated and non-coated self-tapping orthopaedic screws.

PubMed

Koistinen, A P; Korhonen, H; Kiviranta, I; Kröger, H; Lappalainen, R

2011-07-01

Insertion of internal fracture fixation devices, such as screws, mechanically weakens the bone. Diamond-like carbon has outstanding tribology properties which may decrease the amount of damage in tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate methods for quantification of cortical bone damage after orthopaedic bone screw insertion and to evaluate the effect of surface modification on tissue damage. In total, 48 stainless steel screws were inserted into cadaver bones. Half of the screws were coated with a smooth amorphous diamond coating. Geometrical data of the bones was determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Thin sections of the bone samples were prepared after screw insertion, and histomorphometric evaluation of damage was performed on images obtained using light microscopy. Micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy were also used to examine tissue damage. A positive correlation was found between tissue damage and the geometric properties of the bone. The age of the cadaver significantly affected the bone mineral density, as well as the damage perimeter and diameter of the screw hole. However, the expected positive effect of surface modification was probably obscured by large variations in the results and, thus, statistically significant differences were not found in this study. This can be explained by natural variability in bone tissue, which also made automated image analysis difficult.

Low Insertion Loss and Highly Sensitive SH-SAW Sensors Based on 36° YX LiTaO 3 Through the Incorporation of Filled Microcavities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Richardson, Mandek; Sankaranarayanan, Subramanian K. R. S.; Bhethanabotla, Venkat R.

2015-02-01

Reduction in power consumption and improvement in mass sensitivity are important considerations for surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices used in various sensing applications. Detection of minute quantities of a particular species (clinical sensing) and power requirements (wireless sensing) are two key metrics that must be optimized. In this paper, a 3-D finite element model (FEM) was employed to compare insertion loss (IL) and mass sensitivity of SAW sensors having microcavities filled with ZnO and nanocrystalline diamond to a standard two-port SAW design. Initial simulation results show that ZnO filled cavities (depth = 5 mu m) were most effective at reducingmore » power loss Delta IL = (6.03 dB) by increasing particle displacement (acousto-electric to mechanical transduction) at the output transducer. A 100-pg/cm(2) load was applied to the sensing area of each device to evaluate mass sensitivity. Our simulations suggest that ZnO filled cavities with shallow depth (2.5 mu m) have the greatest sensitivity. The FEM simulations are used to understand the acoustic wave propagation in microcavity-based SAW sensors. The observed enhancement in mass sensitivity and power transfer is attributed to waveguiding effects and constructive interference of the scattered acoustic waves from the microcavities. Devices fabricated with microcavities similar to 1 mu m deep decreased IL by 3.306 dB compared with a standard SAW device. Additional simulations were conducted for each device configuration using the same depth in order to make a direct comparison between measured and simulated results. Our findings offer encouraging prospects for designing low IL highly sensitive microcavity-based SAW biosensors.« less

Effects Of Environmental And Operational Stresses On RF MEMS Switch Technologies For Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jah, Muzar; Simon, Eric; Sharma, Ashok

2003-01-01

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) have been heralded for their ability to provide tremendous advantages in electronic systems through increased electrical performance, reduced power consumption, and higher levels of device integration with a reduction of board real estate. RF MEMS switch technology offers advantages such as low insertion loss (0.1- 0.5 dB), wide bandwidth (1 GHz-100 GHz), and compatibility with many different process technologies (quartz, high resistivity Si, GaAs) which can replace the use of traditional electronic switches, such as GaAs FETS and PIN Diodes, in microwave systems for low signal power (x < 500 mW) applications. Although the electrical characteristics of RF MEMS switches far surpass any existing technologies, the unknown reliability, due to the lack of information concerning failure modes and mechanisms inherent to MEMS devices, create an obstacle to insertion of MEMS technology into high reliability applications. All MEMS devices are sensitive to moisture and contaminants, issues easily resolved by hermetic or near-hermetic packaging. Two well-known failure modes of RF MEMS switches are charging in the dielectric layer of capacitive membrane switches and contact interface stiction of metal-metal switches. Determining the integrity of MEMS devices when subjected to the shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and radiation of the space environment is necessary to facilitate integration into space systems. This paper will explore the effects of different environmental stresses, operational life cycling, temperature, mechanical shock, and vibration on the first commercially available RF MEMS switches to identify relevant failure modes and mechanisms inherent to these device and packaging schemes for space applications. This paper will also describe RF MEMS Switch technology under development at NASA GSFC.

Multichannel cochlear implantation in the scala vestibuli.

PubMed

Lin, Karen; Marrinan, Michelle S; Waltzman, Susan B; Roland, J Thomas

2006-08-01

Sensorineural hearing loss resulting from otosclerosis, meningitis, chronic otitis media, autoimmune ear disease, and trauma can be associated with partial or total obstruction of the cochlear scalae. Multichannel cochlear implantation may be difficult in a cochlea with an obstructed scala tympani. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of scala tympani electrode insertion. Retrospective chart review. Academic medical center. Eight children and adults with profound sensorineural hearing loss who underwent cochlear implantation with known scala vestibuli electrode array insertion were subjects for this study. Eight study subjects underwent implantation: five with the Nucleus 24RCS (Contour) device and three with the Nucleus 24M device. Imaging findings, operative findings, and age-appropriate speech perception testing. All patients had full electrode insertion. Various obstructive patterns on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were found, and there was a range of speech perception results. All but one patient improved based on age-appropriate monosyllabic word and sentence tests. Scala vestibuli multielectrode insertion is a viable alternative when scala tympani insertion is not possible because of abnormal anatomy or anatomical changes secondary to disease or previous implantation. We will also present an algorithm of options for decision making for implantation when encountering cochlear obstruction and difficult electrode insertion.

A novel bone scraper for intraoral harvesting: a device for filling small bone defects.

PubMed

Zaffe, Davide; D'Avenia, Ferdinando

2007-08-01

To evaluate histologically the morphology and characteristics of bone chips harvested intraorally by Safescraper, a specially designed cortical bone collector. Bone chips harvested near a bone defect or in other intraoral sites were grafted into a post-extractive socket or applied in procedures for maxillary sinus floor augmentation or guided bone regeneration. Core biopsies were performed at implant insertion. Undecalcified specimens embedded in PMMA were studied by histology, histochemistry and SEM. Intraoral harvesting by Safescraper provided a simple, clinically effective regenerative procedure with low morbidity for collecting cortical bone chips (0.9-1.7 mm in length, roughly 100 microm thick). Chips had an oblong or quadrangular shape and contained live osteocytes (mean viability: 45-72%). Bone chip grafting produced newly formed bone tissue suitable for implant insertion. Trabecular bone volume measured on biopsies decreased with time (from 45-55% to 23%). Grafted chips made up 50% or less of the calcified tissue in biopsies. Biopsies presented remodeling activities, new bone formation by apposition and live osteocytes (35% or higher). In conclusion, Safescraper is capable of collecting adequate amounts of cortical bone chips from different intraoral sites. The procedure is effective for treating alveolar defects for endosseous implant insertion and provides good healing of small bone defects after grafting with bone chips. The study indicates that Safescraper is a very useful device for in-office bone harvesting procedures in routine peri-implant bone regeneration.

Development of a smart IUD launcher for prevention of uterine perforation.

PubMed

Al-Ashwal, Rania Hussein; Aziz, Noor Afatin Che; Nooh, Syed Mohd

2016-10-01

Intrauterine contraception is a widely used, highly effective and reversible means of birth control. One potential disadvantage with the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) is the risk of uterine perforation. During the process of IUD insertion, there is a possibility to perforate the wall of the uterus during which health workers might injure the fundus of the uterus, due to inadequate knowledge or insufficient training. This paper discusses the development of a smart IUD launcher insertion system that would be used to prevent perforation of the uterine wall by detecting a specific distance to the wall for the safe release of the IUD using a sensor. Several launcher prototypes were developed prior to the final version of the IUD launcher. The results from testing experiments, that have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed device, show that the sensor is able to detect a distance up to 5 mm and is also capable of detecting the distance to the target even in high viscosity liquid. The developed prototype promises a solution for more accurate IUD insertion that could be used as a training module for health care providers, helping remove fear from using this long-lasting contraceptive method and promote an affordable modern contraceptive method to society.

A randomized comparison of the i-gel with the self-pressurized air-Q intubating laryngeal airway in children.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Soo; Lee, Jae Hoon; Han, Sang Won; Im, Young Jae; Kang, Hyo Jong; Lee, Jeong-Rim

2015-04-01

Supraglottic airway devices with noninflatable cuff have advantages in omitting the cuff pressure monitoring and reducing potential pharyngolaryngeal complications. Typical devices without cuff inflation available in children are the i-gel and the self-pressurized air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (air-Q SP). To date, there is no comparative study between these devices in pediatric patients. The purpose of this randomized study was to compare the i-gel(™) and the self-pressurized air-Q(™) intubating laryngeal airway (air-Q SP) in children undergoing general anesthesia. Eighty children, 1-108 months of age, 7-30 kg of weight, and scheduled for elective surgery in which supraglottic airway devices would be suitable for airway management, were randomly assigned to either the i-gel or the air-Q SP. Oropharyngeal leak pressure and fiberoptic view were assessed three times as follows: after insertion and fixation of the device, 10 min after initial assessment, and after completion of surgery. We also assessed insertion parameters and complications. Insertion of the i-gel was regarded as significantly easier compared to the air-Q SP (P = 0.04). Compared to the air-Q SP group, the i-gel group had significantly higher oropharyngeal leak pressures at all measurement points and significantly lower frequencies of gastric insufflation at 10 min after initial assessment and completion of surgery. The air-Q SP group had better fiberoptic views than the i-gel group at all measurement points. Our results showed that the i-gel had easier insertion and better sealing function, and the air-Q SP provided improved fiberoptic views in children requiring general anesthesia. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Electrochemically-Driven Insertion of Biological Nanodiscs into Solid State Membrane Pores as a Basis for "Pore-In-Pore" Membranes.

PubMed

Farajollahi, Farid; Seidenstücker, Axel; Altintoprak, Klara; Walther, Paul; Ziemann, Paul; Plettl, Alfred; Marti, Othmar; Wege, Christina; Gliemann, Hartmut

2018-04-13

Nanoporous membranes are of increasing interest for many applications, such as molecular filters, biosensors, nanofluidic logic and energy conversion devices. To meet high-quality standards, e.g., in molecular separation processes, membranes with well-defined pores in terms of pore diameter and chemical properties are required. However, the preparation of membranes with narrow pore diameter distributions is still challenging. In the work presented here, we demonstrate a strategy, a "pore-in-pore" approach, where the conical pores of a solid state membrane produced by a multi-step top-down lithography procedure are used as a template to insert precisely-formed biomolecular nanodiscs with exactly defined inner and outer diameters. These nanodiscs, which are the building blocks of tobacco mosaic virus-deduced particles, consist of coat proteins, which self-assemble under defined experimental conditions with a stabilizing short RNA. We demonstrate that the insertion of the nanodiscs can be driven either by diffusion due to a concentration gradient or by applying an electric field along the cross-section of the solid state membrane. It is found that the electrophoresis-driven insertion is significantly more effective than the insertion via the concentration gradient.

Electrochemically-Driven Insertion of Biological Nanodiscs into Solid State Membrane Pores as a Basis for “Pore-In-Pore” Membranes

PubMed Central

Farajollahi, Farid; Seidenstücker, Axel; Altintoprak, Klara; Walther, Paul; Ziemann, Paul; Plettl, Alfred; Wege, Christina; Gliemann, Hartmut

2018-01-01

Nanoporous membranes are of increasing interest for many applications, such as molecular filters, biosensors, nanofluidic logic and energy conversion devices. To meet high-quality standards, e.g., in molecular separation processes, membranes with well-defined pores in terms of pore diameter and chemical properties are required. However, the preparation of membranes with narrow pore diameter distributions is still challenging. In the work presented here, we demonstrate a strategy, a “pore-in-pore” approach, where the conical pores of a solid state membrane produced by a multi-step top-down lithography procedure are used as a template to insert precisely-formed biomolecular nanodiscs with exactly defined inner and outer diameters. These nanodiscs, which are the building blocks of tobacco mosaic virus-deduced particles, consist of coat proteins, which self-assemble under defined experimental conditions with a stabilizing short RNA. We demonstrate that the insertion of the nanodiscs can be driven either by diffusion due to a concentration gradient or by applying an electric field along the cross-section of the solid state membrane. It is found that the electrophoresis-driven insertion is significantly more effective than the insertion via the concentration gradient. PMID:29652841

Stepped nozzle

DOEpatents

Sutton, George P.

1998-01-01

An insert which allows a supersonic nozzle of a rocket propulsion system to operate at two or more different nozzle area ratios. This provides an improved vehicle flight performance or increased payload. The insert has significant advantages over existing devices for increasing nozzle area ratios. The insert is temporarily fastened by a simple retaining mechanism to the aft end of the diverging segment of the nozzle and provides for a multi-step variation of nozzle area ratio. When mounted in place, the insert provides the nozzle with a low nozzle area ratio. During flight, the retaining mechanism is released and the insert ejected thereby providing a high nozzle area ratio in the diverging nozzle segment.

Relative device stability of anterior versus axillary needle decompression for tension pneumothorax during casualty movement: Preliminary analysis of a human cadaver model.

PubMed

Leatherman, Matthew L; Held, Jenny M; Fluke, Laura M; McEvoy, Christian S; Inaba, Kenji; Grabo, Daniel; Martin, Matthew J; Earley, Angela S; Ricca, Robert L; Polk, Travis M

2017-07-01

Tension pneumothorax (tPTX) remains a significant cause of potentially preventable death in military and civilian settings. The current prehospital standard of care for tPTX is immediate decompression with a 14-gauge 8-cm angiocatheter; however, failure rates may be as high as 17% to 60%. Alternative devices, such as 10-gauge angiocatheter, modified Veress needle, and laparoscopic trocar, have shown to be potentially more effective in animal models; however, little is known about the relative insertional safety or mechanical stability during casualty movement. Seven soft-embalmed cadavers were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Chest wall thickness was measured at the second intercostal space at the midclavicular line (2MCL) and the fifth intercostal space along the anterior axillary line (5AAL). CO2 insufflation created a PTX, and needle decompression was then performed with a randomized device. Insertional depth was measured between hub and skin before and after simulated casualty transport. Thoracoscopy was used to evaluate for intrapleural placement and/or injury during insertion and after movement. Cadaver demographics, device displacement, device dislodgment, and injuries were recorded. Three decompressions were performed at each site (2MCL/5AAL), totaling 12 events per cadaver. Eighty-four decompressions were performed. Average cadaver age was 59 years, and body mass index was 24 kg/m. The CWT varied between cadavers because of subcutaneous emphysema, but the average was 39 mm at the 2MCL and 31 mm at the 5AAL. Following movement, the 2MCL site was more likely to become dislodged than the 5AAL (67% vs. 17%, p = 0.001). Median displacement also differed between 2MCL and 5AAL (23 vs. 2 mm, p = 0.001). No significant differences were noted in dislodgement or displacement between devices. Five minor lung injuries were noted at the 5AAL position. Preliminary results from this human cadaver study suggest the 5AAL position is a more stable and reliable location for thoracic decompression of tPTX during combat casualty transport. Therapeutic study, level III.

Modeling the Insertion Mechanics of Flexible Neural Probes Coated with Sacrificial Polymers for Optimizing Probe Design

PubMed Central

Singh, Sagar; Lo, Meng-Chen; Damodaran, Vinod B.; Kaplan, Hilton M.; Kohn, Joachim; Zahn, Jeffrey D.; Shreiber, David I.

2016-01-01

Single-unit recording neural probes have significant advantages towards improving signal-to-noise ratio and specificity for signal acquisition in brain-to-computer interface devices. Long-term effectiveness is unfortunately limited by the chronic injury response, which has been linked to the mechanical mismatch between rigid probes and compliant brain tissue. Small, flexible microelectrodes may overcome this limitation, but insertion of these probes without buckling requires supporting elements such as a stiff coating with a biodegradable polymer. For these coated probes, there is a design trade-off between the potential for successful insertion into brain tissue and the degree of trauma generated by the insertion. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a finite element model (FEM) to simulate insertion of coated neural probes of varying dimensions and material properties into brain tissue. Simulations were performed to predict the buckling and insertion forces during insertion of coated probes into a tissue phantom with material properties of brain. The simulations were validated with parallel experimental studies where probes were inserted into agarose tissue phantom, ex vivo chick embryonic brain tissue, and ex vivo rat brain tissue. Experiments were performed with uncoated copper wire and both uncoated and coated SU-8 photoresist and Parylene C probes. Model predictions were found to strongly agree with experimental results (<10% error). The ratio of the predicted buckling force-to-predicted insertion force, where a value greater than one would ideally be expected to result in successful insertion, was plotted against the actual success rate from experiments. A sigmoidal relationship was observed, with a ratio of 1.35 corresponding to equal probability of insertion and failure, and a ratio of 3.5 corresponding to a 100% success rate. This ratio was dubbed the “safety factor”, as it indicated the degree to which the coating should be over-designed to ensure successful insertion. Probability color maps were generated to visually compare the influence of design parameters. Statistical metrics derived from the color maps and multi-variable regression analysis confirmed that coating thickness and probe length were the most important features in influencing insertion potential. The model also revealed the effects of manufacturing flaws on insertion potential. PMID:26959021

Ovarian responses and pregnancy rate with previously used intravaginal progesterone releasing devices for fixed-time artificial insemination in sheep.

PubMed

Vilariño, M; Rubianes, E; Menchaca, A

2013-01-01

The objective was to determine serum progesterone concentrations, ovarian responses, and pregnancy rate in sheep inseminated following a short-term protocol (6 days of treatment) with a previously used controlled internal drug release-G (CIDR-G) device. In experiment 1, 30 ewes were put on a short-term protocol using a CIDR-G of first use (new devices, N = 10), second use (previously used for 6 days, N = 10), or third use (previously used twice for 6 days, N = 10). All ewes were given prostaglandin F(2α) (10 mg dinoprost) and eCG (300 IU) im at device withdrawal. Mean serum progesterone concentrations were greater for ewes treated with new versus reused devices (P < 0.05), but there were no significant effects on ovarian follicular development, namely: proportion of ewes that reached ovulation/treated ewes (8/10, 9/10, and 10/10); day of emergence of the ovulatory follicle (2.9 ± 1.8, 1.8 ± 2.4, and 2.5 ± 1.1 days after CIDR-G insertion); and lifespan of the ovulatory follicle (5.4 ± 1.8, 6.5 ± 2.2, and 5.6 ± 1.0 days) for devices of first, second, and third use, respectively. The proportion of ewes that ovulated from a new follicle emerging after CIDR-G insertion was 100% (10/10) with new devices, and 77.8% (7/9) and 80% (8/10) with devices used two and three times, respectively (P = not significant). In experiment 2, ewes (N = 319) received the short-term protocol as in experiment 1, using CIDR-G of first or third use (N = 158 and N = 161, respectively) for 6 days, with prostaglandin F(2α) and eCG given im at device withdrawal. Intrauterine (laparoscopy) fixed-time AI with fresh semen (100 × 10(6) sperm) was done 52 to 57 hours after device withdrawal. Pregnancy rates were 80.4% (127/158) and 71.4% (115/161) for devices of first and third use, respectively (P = 0.06). We concluded that the CIDR-G with short-term protocol was effective for estrous synchronization and ovulation, with lower serum progesterone concentrations for reused devices. Three times used CIDR-G yielded a pregnancy rate >70%, which tended to be lower than that obtained with new devices, adding evidence of the detrimental effect of low serum progesterone concentrations on fertility in sheep. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Robot friendly probe and socket assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nyberg, Karen L. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A probe and socket assembly for serving as a mechanical interface between structures is presented. The assembly comprises a socket having a housing adapted for connection to a first supporting structure and a probe which is readily connectable to a second structure and is designed to be easily grappled and manipulated by a robotic device for insertion and coupling with the socket. Cooperable automatic locking means are provided on the probe shaft and socket housing for automatically locking the probe in the socket when the probe is inserted a predetermined distance. A second cooperable locking means on the probe shaft and housing are adapted for actuation after the probe has been inserted the predetermined distance. Actuation means mounted on the probe and responsive to the grip of the probe handle by a gripping device, such as a robot for conditioning the probe for insertion and are also responsive to release of the grip of the probe handle to actuate the second locking means to provide a hard lock of the probe in the socket.

Spin Hall driven domain wall motion in magnetic bilayers coupled by a magnetic oxide interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang; Furuta, Masaki; Zhu, Jian-Gang Jimmy

2018-05-01

mCell, previously proposed by our group, is a four-terminal magnetoresistive device with isolated write- and read-paths for all-spin logic and memory applications. A mCell requires an electric-insulating magnetic layer to couple the spin Hall driven write-path to the magnetic free layer of the read-path. Both paths are magnetic layers with perpendicular anisotropy and their perpendicularly oriented magnetization needs to be maintained with this insertion layer. We have developed a magnetic oxide (FeOx) insertion layer to serve for these purposes. We show that the FeOx insertion layer provides sufficient magnetic coupling between adjacent perpendicular magnetic layers. Resistance measurement shows that this magnetic oxide layer can act as an electric-insulating layer. In addition, spin Hall driven domain wall motion in magnetic bi-layers coupled by the FeOx insertion layer is significantly enhanced compared to that in magnetic single layer; it also requires low voltage threshold that poses possibility for power-efficient device applications.

Perioperative Brain Shift and Deep Brain Stimulating Electrode Deformation Analysis: Implications for rigid and non-rigid devices

PubMed Central

Sillay, Karl A.; Kumbier, L. M.; Ross, C.; Brady, M.; Alexander, A.; Gupta, A.; Adluru, N.; Miranpuri, G. S.; Williams, J. C.

2016-01-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) efficacy is related to optimal electrode placement. Several authors have quantified brain shift related to surgical targeting; yet, few reports document and discuss the effects of brain shift after insertion. Objective: To quantify brain shift and electrode displacement after device insertion. Twelve patients were retrospectively reviewed, and one post-operative MRI and one time-delayed CT were obtained for each patient and their implanted electrodes modeled in 3D. Two competing methods were employed to measure the electrode tip location and deviation from the prototypical linear implant after the resolution of acute surgical changes, such as brain shift and pneumocephalus. In the interim between surgery and a pneumocephalus free postoperative scan, electrode deviation was documented in all patients and all electrodes. Significant shift of the electrode tip was identified in rostral, anterior, and medial directions (p < 0.05). Shift was greatest in the rostral direction, measuring an average of 1.41 mm. Brain shift and subsequent electrode displacement occurs in patients after DBS surgery with the reversal of intraoperative brain shift. Rostral displacement is on the order of the height of one DBS contact. Further investigation into the time course of intraoperative brain shift and its potential effects on procedures performed with rigid and non-rigid devices in supine and semi-sitting surgical positions is needed. PMID:23010803

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

M Severson; M Bissen; M Fisher

SRC has recently commissioned a new Varied Line-Spacing Plane Grating Monochromator (VLS-PGM) utilizing as its source a 1 m long APPLE II insertion device in short-straight-section 9 of the Aladdin storage ring. The insertion device reliably delivers horizontal, vertical, and right and left circularly polarized light to the beamline. Measurements from an in situ polarimeter can be used for undulator corrections to compensate for depolarizing effects of the beamline. The beamline has only three optical elements and covers the energy range from 11.1 to 270 eV using two varied line-spacing gratings. A plane mirror rotates to illuminate the gratings atmore » the correct angle to cancel the defocus term at all photon energies. An exit slit and elliptical-toroid refocusing mirror complete the beamline. Using a 50 {mu}m exit slit, the beamline provides moderate to high resolution, with measured flux in the mid 10{sup 12} (photons/s/200 mA) range, and a spot size of 400 {mu}m horizontal by 30 {mu}m vertical.« less

Numerical investigation of polarization insensitive two-mode division (De)multiplexer based on an asymmetric directional coupler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Truong, Cao Dung; Trinh, M. Tuan; Dang, Hoai Bac; Nguyen, Van Tho

2017-02-01

We propose a polarization insensitive two-mode division (de)multiplexer based on a silicon-on-insulator platform operating with a broadband, low insertion and scattering loss, and small crosstalk. By using an asymmetric directional coupler, two-mode (de)multiplexing functions for both polarization TE and TM states can be realized by the numerical simulation. Simulated results using a three dimensional beam propagation method (3D-BPM) incorporated with an effective index method (EIM) show high performance of the device with an operation efficiency above 81.2% (i.e., insertion loss is less than 0.9 dB) in the range of ±5 nm around the central wavelength of 1550 nm. Fabrication tolerances also have proved suitability to current manufacture technologies for the planar waveguides. Besides a low scattering loss of the sidewall roughness and a little influence of dispersion, a small footprint can bring the device to applications of high bitrate and compact on-chip silicon photonic integrated circuits.

Cryogenic System for Neutron Scattering Experiments with In Situ Pressure Tuning Mechanism: Response of the Antiferromagnetism of URu2Si2 to Uniaxial Stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawarazaki, Shuzo; Uwatoko, Yoshiya; Yokoyama, Makoto; Okita, Yuji; Tabata, Yoshikazu; Taniguchi, Toshifumi; Amitsuka, Hiroshi

2002-10-01

A handy insertable device to manipulate hydrostatic pressure or uniaxial stress on a sample in a cryostat for neutron scattering experiments is described. The pressure that is generated in a miniature hydraulic oil-cylinder on the top of the inserting stick is transmitted to the sample via a long piston-cylinder unit made of a thick stainless-steel tube and a fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) rod. One can thus in situ tune the pressure or the stress on the sample without handling the pressure-cell at room temperature outside the cryostat. The device is designed to fit into the ILL-type Orange cryostat so that it can be used in many neutron scattering facilities. A newly designed uniaxial-stress cell and hydrostatic pressure cell to be used with this system are also described. The result of measurement of the hysteresis effect of uniaxial stress on the antiferromagnetism of URu2Si2 at 1.4 K is presented.

Technical Note: System for evaluating local hypothermia as a radioprotector of the rectum in a small animal model.

PubMed

Hrycushko, Brian A; Bing, Chenchen; Futch, Cecil; Wodzak, Michelle; Stojadinovic, Strahinja; Medin, Paul M; Chopra, Rajiv

2017-08-01

The protective effects of induced or even accidental hypothermia on the human body are widespread with several medical uses currently under active research. In vitro experiments using human cell lines have shown hypothermia provides a radioprotective effect that becomes more pronounced at large, single-fraction doses common to stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatments. This work describes the development of a system to evaluate local hypothermia for a radioprotective effect of the rat rectum during a large dose of radiation relevant to prostate SBRT. This includes the evaluation of a 3D-printed small animal rectal cooling device and the integration with a small animal irradiator. A 3-cm long, dual-lumen rectal temperature control apparatus (RTCA) was designed in SOLIDWORKS CAD for 3D printing. The RTCA was capable of recirculating flow in a device small enough for insertion into the rat rectum, with a metal support rod for strength as well as visibility during radiation treatment planning. The outer walls of the RTCA comprised of thin heat shrink plastic, achieving efficient heat transfer into adjacent tissues. Following leak-proof testing, fiber optic temperature probes were used to evaluate the temperature over time when placed adjacent to the cooling device within the rat rectum. MRI thermometry characterized the relative temperature distribution in concentric ROIs surrounding the probe. Integration with an image-guided small animal irradiator and associated treatment planning system included evaluation for imaging artifacts and effect of brass tubing on dose calculation. The rectal temperature adjacent to the cooling device decreased from body temperature to 15°C within 10-20 min from device insertion and was maintained at 15 ± 3°C during active cooling for the evaluated time of one hour. MR thermometry revealed a steep temperature gradient with increasing distance from the cooling device with the desired temperature range maintained within the surrounding few millimeters. A 3D-printed rectal cooling device was fabricated for the purpose of inducing local hypothermia in the rat rectum. The RTCA was simply integrated with an image-guided small animal irradiator and Monte Carlo-based treatment planning system to facilitate an in vivo investigation of the radioprotective effect of hypothermia for late rectal toxicity following a single large dose of radiation. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Cholorhexidine, octenidine or povidone iodine for catheter related infections: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Bilir, Ayten; Yelken, Birgül; Erkan, Ayse

2013-06-01

Protection of the catheter site by antimicrobial agents is one of the most important factors in the prevention of infection. Povidone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate are the most common used agents for dressing. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of povidone iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate and octenidine hydrochloride in preventing catheter related infections. Patients were randomized to receive; 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 10% povidone iodine or octenidine hydrochlorodine for cutaneous antisepsis. Cultures were taken at the site surrounding catheter insertion and at the catheter hub after removal to help identify the source of microorganisms. Catheter related sepsis was 10.5% in the povidone iodine and octenidine hydrochlorodine groups. Catheter related colonization was 26.3% in povidone iodine group and 21.5% in octenidine hydrochlorodine group. 4% chlorhexidine or octenidine hydrochlorodine for cutaneous disinfection before insertion of an intravascular device and for post-insertion site care can reduce the catheter related colonization.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tran, Ich C.; Tunuguntla, Ramya H.; Kim, Kyunghoon

Carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs), small segments of carbon nanotubes capable of forming defined pores in lipid membranes, are important future components for bionanoelectronic devices as they could provide a robust analog of biological membrane channels. Furthermore, in order to control the incorporation of these CNT channels into lipid bilayers, it is important to understand the structure of the CNTPs before and after insertion into the lipid bilayer as well as the impact of such insertion on the bilayer structure. Here we employed a noninvasive in situ probe, small-angle X-ray scattering, to study the integration of CNT porins into dioleoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers.more » These results show that CNTPs in solution are stabilized by a monolayer of lipid molecules wrapped around their outer surface. We also demonstrate that insertion of CNTPs into the lipid bilayer results in decreased bilayer thickness with the magnitude of this effect increasing with the concentration of CNTPs.« less

Patient Preferences for Device-Aided Treatments Indicated for Advanced Parkinson Disease.

PubMed

Marshall, Thomas; Pugh, Amy; Fairchild, Angelyn; Hass, Steven

2017-12-01

Effective treatment for advanced Parkinson disease (PD) uncontrolled with oral medication includes device-aided therapies such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and continuous levodopa-carbidopa infusion to the duodenum via a portable pump. Our objective was to quantify patient preferences for attributes of these device-aided treatments. We administered a Web-enabled survey to 401 patients in the United States. A discrete-choice experiment (DCE) was used to evaluate patients' willingness to accept tradeoffs among efficacy, tolerability, and convenience of alternative treatments. DCE data were analyzed using random-parameters logit. Best-worst scaling (BWS) was used to elicit the relative importance of device-specific attributes. Conditional logit was used to analyze the BWS data. We tested for differences in preferences among subgroups of patients. Improving ability to think clearly was twice as important as a 6-hour-per-day improvement in control of movement symptoms. After controlling for efficacy, treatment delivered via portable infusion pump was preferred over DBS, and both devices were preferred to oral therapy with poor symptom control. Patients were most concerned about device attributes relating to risk of stroke, difficulty thinking, and neurosurgery. Avoiding surgery to insert a wire in the brain was more important than avoiding surgery to insert a tube into the small intestine. Some differences in preferences among subgroups were statistically, but not qualitatively, significant. This study clarifies the patient perspective in therapeutic choices for advanced PD. These findings may help improve communication between patients and providers and also provide evidence on patient preferences to inform regulatory and access decisions. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effect of Pneumoperitoneum and Lateral Position on Oropharyngeal Seal Pressures of Proseal LMA in Laparoscopic Urological Procedures.

PubMed

Rustagi, Preeti; Patkar, Geeta A; Ourasang, Anil Kumar; Tendolkar, Bharati A

2017-02-01

A sustained and effective oropharyngeal sealing with supraglottic airway is required to maintain the ventilation during laparoscopic surgery. Previous studies have observed the Oropharyngeal Seal Pressure (OSP) for Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) after pneumoperitoneum in supine and trendelenburg position, where PLMA was found to be an effective airway device. This study was conducted with ProSeal LMA, for laparoscopic Urologic procedures done in lateral position. To measure OSP in supine and lateral position and to observe the effect of pneumoperitoneum in lateral position on OSP. Secondary objectives were to assess adequacy of ventilation and incidence of adverse events. A total number of 25 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II and I were enrolled. After induction of anaesthesia using a standardized protocol, PLMA was inserted. Ryle's tube was inserted through drain tube. The position of PLMA was confirmed with ease of insertion of Ryle's tube and fibreoptic grading of vocal cords. Patients were then put in lateral position. The OSP was measured in supine position. This value was baseline comparison for OSP in lateral position and that after pneumoperitoneum. We assessed the efficacy of PLMA for ventilation, after carboperitoneum in lateral position (peak airway pressure, End Tidal Carbon dioxide (EtCO 2 ), SPO 2 ). Incidence of adverse effects (displacement of device, gastric insufflation, regurgitation, coughing, sore throat, blood on device, trauma) was also noted. The OSP was above Peak Airway Pressure (PAP) in supine (22.1±5.4 and 15.4±4.49cm of H 2 O) and lateral position (22.6±5.3 and 16.1±4.6). After pneumoperitoneum, which was in lateral position, there was statistically significant (p-value <0.05) increase in both PAP (19.96±4.015) and OSP (24.32±4.98, p-value 0.03). There was no intraoperative displacement of PLMA. There was no event of suboptimal oxygenation. EtCO 2 was always within normal limits. Gastric insufflation was present in one patient. One patient had coughing and blood was detected on device. Three patients had throat discomfort post-operatively. In this study, Oropharyngeal seal pressures with PLMA were found to increase after pneumoperitoneum in lateral position. PLMA forms an effective seal around airway and is an efficient and safe alternative for airway management in urological laparoscopic surgeries done in lateral position.

A Superconducting Switch for Insertion Devices with Variable Period Length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holubek, T.; Baumbach, T.; Casalbuoni, S.; Gerstl, S.; Grau, A.; Hagelstein, M.; Jauregui, D. Saez de; Boffo, C.; Walter, W.

Superconducting insertion devices (IDs) are very attractive for synchrotron light sources since they offer the possibility to enhance the tuning range and functionality significantly by period length switching. Period length switching can be realized by reversing the current in a separately powered subset of the superconducting windings.So far, the first demonstration mock-up coil allowing period length tripling was fabricated and tested successfully. Here, we report on the feasibility of superconducting switches built to operate in a liquid helium bath and under conduction cooled conditions.

Development and testing of the rack insertion device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strickland, G. Scott

1995-01-01

Installing and removing experiment racks in a Space Station Logistics Module will become a repetitive operation at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the near future. A Rack Insertion Device (RID) consisting of an Extendible Boom, End Effector, and Positioning Base is being developed for the task. This paper discusses the key elements of the RlD's function and design. Prototype test results for the RlD's Extendible Boom and End Effector are presented. Also discussed are future end effectors that will further enhance the RlD's Space Station processing capability.

Commissioning of the synchrotron radiation protection system and beamlines frontends at NSLS-II

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seletskiy, S., E-mail: seletskiy@bnl.gov; Amundsen, C.; Choi, J.

2016-07-27

The first eight insertion devices (IDs) at the NSLS-II were commissioned during the fall run of 2014. In this paper we discuss commissioning of the synchrotron radiation protection (SRP) system and beamline frontends (FE) for the respective IDs. We describe the diagnostics utilized if FE commissioning and a procedure that was used for the alignment of the photon beam from insertion devices in the beamline frontends. Then we discuss the current status of the SRP system and operation of the commissioned frontends.

A study of the real-world noise attenuation of the current hearing protection devices in typical workplaces using Field Microphone in Real Ear method.

PubMed

Aliabadi, Mohsen; Biabani, Azam; Golmohammadi, Rostam; Farhadian, Maryam

2018-05-28

Actual noise reduction of the earmuffs is considered as one of the main challenges for the evaluation of the effectiveness of a hearing conservation program. The current study aimed to determine the real world noise attenuation of current hearing protection devices in typical workplaces using a field microphone in real ear (FMIRE) method. In this cross-sectional study, five common earmuffs were investigated among 50 workers in two industrial factories with different noise characteristics. Noise reduction data was measured with the use of earmuffs based on the ISO 11904 standard, field microphone in real ear method, using noise dosimeter (SVANTEK, model SV 102) equipped with a microphone SV 25 model. The actual insertion losses (IL) of the tested earmuffs in octave band were lower than the labeled insertion loss data (p <  0.05). The frequency nature of noise to which workers are exposed has noticeable effects on the actual noise reduction of earmuffs (p <  0.05). The results suggest that the proportion of time using earmuffs has a considerable impact on the effective noise reduction during the workday. Data about the ambient noise characteristics is a key criterion when evaluating the acoustic performance of hearing protectors in any workplaces. Comfort aspects should be considered as one of the most important criteria for long-term use and effective wearing of hearing protection devices. FMIRE could facilitate rapid and simple measurement of the actual performance of the current earmuffs employed by workers during different work activities.

A practical topological insulator saturable absorber for mode-locked fiber laser

PubMed Central

Yan, Peiguang; Lin, Rongyong; Ruan, Shuangchen; Liu, Aijiang; Chen, Hao; Zheng, Yuequn; Chen, Sifan; Guo, Chunyu; Hu, Juguang

2015-01-01

A novel saturable absorber (SA) was fabricated by coating the topological insulator (TI) film on microfiber using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The TISA device had an insertion loss of ~1.25 dB, a saturable intensity of 26.7 MW/cm2, a modulation depth of ~5.7%, and a nonsaturable loss of 20.5%. Upon employing this SA device, we established a passively mode-locked EDFL and achieved nearly free-chirped soliton pulse with 286 fs of pulse duration and >73 dB of signal to noise ratio (SNR). This result clearly evidences that the PLD is an effective scheme for practical SA device fabrication. PMID:25732598

78 FR 15682 - Notification of Proposed Production Activity TTI, Inc.; Subzone 196A (Electromechanical and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-12

... Activity TTI, Inc.; Subzone 196A (Electromechanical and Circuit Protection Devices Production/ Kitting... electromechanical and circuit protection device production/kitting for a variety of commercial, aerospace and... for crimping, insertion/extraction, and terminal removal, and electromechanical devices (duty rates...

21 CFR 886.1800 - Schirmer strip.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... device made of filter paper or similar material intended to be inserted under a patient's lower eyelid to stimulate and evaluate formation of tears. (b) Classification. Class I (general controls). If the device is...

High-frequency acoustic spectrum analyzer based on polymer integrated optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yacoubian, Araz

This dissertation presents an acoustic spectrum analyzer based on nonlinear polymer-integrated optics. The device is used in a scanning heterodyne geometry by zero biasing a Michelson interferometer. It is capable of detecting vibrations from DC to the GHz range. Initial low frequency experiments show that the device is an effective tool for analyzing an acoustic spectrum even in noisy environments. Three generations of integrated sensors are presented, starting with a very lossy (86 dB total insertion loss) initial device that detects vibrations as low as λ/10, and second and third generation improvements with a final device of 44 dB total insertion loss. The sensor was further tested for detecting a pulsed laser-excited vibration and resonances due to the structure of the sample. The data are compared to the acoustic spectrum measured using a low loss passive fiber interferometer detection scheme which utilizes a high speed detector. The peaks present in the passive detection scheme are clearly visible with our sensor data, which have a lower noise floor. Hybrid integration of GHz electronics is also investigated in this dissertation. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is integrated on a polymer device using a new approach. The VCO is shown to operate as specified by the manufacturer, and the RF signal is efficiently launched onto the micro-strip line used for EO modulation. In the future this technology can be used in conjunction with the presented sensor to produce a fully integrated device containing high frequency drive electronics controlled by low DC voltage. Issues related to device fabrication, loss analysis, RF power delivery to drive circuitry, efficient poling of large area samples, and optimizing poling conditions are also discussed throughout the text.

Combination therapy for male erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Zafirakis, Helen; Wang, Run; Westney, O Lenaine

2008-01-01

Urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both very prevalent conditions. Insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and penile prosthesis (PP) is an effective and proven method of treatment for both conditions. With advancing age, as well as with increasing populations of patients radically treated for prostate cancer, the occurrence of both conditions found in the same patient is increasing. The purpose of this article was to analyze the available evidence for simultaneous surgical management of male ED and UI using prosthetic devices. The existing literature pertaining to dual implantation of AUS and PP was reviewed. The concomitant insertion of the PP with the male perineal sling was also considered. Concurrent ED and UI are increasingly seen in the post radical prostatectomy population, who are often younger and less willing to suffer with these conditions. Insertion of an AUS and PP, either simultaneously or as a two-stage procedure, appears to be a safe, efficacious and long-lasting method of treatment. The improvements in design of both the AUS and PP as well as the development of the single transverse scrotal incision have made simultaneous insertion of these prostheses possible. Dual implantation of the PP and male sling looks promising in a selected population. In conclusion, the insertion of the AUS and PP for the treatment of concurrent UI and ED is safe and effective. Simultaneous insertion of these prostheses in the same patient offers potential advantages in operative and recovery time and is associated with high patient satisfaction. Combination therapy should therefore be included in the arsenal of treatment of these conditions.

The Impact of Preoperative α-Adrenergic Antagonists on Ureteral Access Sheath Insertion Force and the Upper Limit of Force Required to Avoid Ureteral Mucosal Injury: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PubMed

Koo, Kyo Chul; Yoon, Jun-Ho; Park, No-Cheol; Lee, Hye Sun; Ahn, Hyun Kyu; Lee, Kwang Suk; Kim, Do Kyung; Cho, Kang Su; Chung, Byung Ha; Hong, Chang Hee

2018-06-01

Excessive bulking force during primary access of the ureteral access sheath may induce ureteral injury. We investigated the efficacy of preoperative α-blockade to reduce ureteral access sheath insertion force and determine the upper limit required to avoid ureteral injury. In this randomized controlled trial 135 patients from a single institution who had ureteropelvic junction or renal pelvis stones and were scheduled to undergo retrograde intrarenal surgery were prospectively enrolled from December 2015 to January 2017. Of the patients 41 and 42 were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups, respectively. The experimental group received α-blockade preoperatively. The 21 patients who were pre-stented were assessed separately. We developed a homemade device to measure maximal ureteral access sheath insertion force. Our ureteral access sheath insertion force measurement device showed excellent reproducibility. Higher insertion velocity resulted in greater maximal sheath insertion force. Maximal insertion force in the α-blockade group was significantly lower than in the control group at the ureterovesical junction (p = 0.008) and the proximal ureter (p = 0.036). Maximal insertion force in the α-blockade group was comparable to that in pre-stented patients. Female patients and patients 70 years old or older showed a lower maximal ureteral access sheath insertion force than their counterparts. The rate of grade 2 or greater ureteral injury was lower in the α-blockade group than in controls (p = 0.038). No injury occurred in any case in which ureteral access sheath insertion force did not exceed 600 G. Preoperative α-blockade and slow sheath placement may reduce maximal ureteral access sheath insertion force. If the force exceeds 600 G, a smaller diameter sheath may be an alternative. Alternatively the procedure can be terminated and followed later by pre-stented retrograde intrarenal surgery. Copyright © 2018 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Metal-polymer nanocomposites for stretchable optics and plasmonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potenza, Marco A. C.; Minnai, Chloé; Milani, Paolo

2016-12-01

Stretchable and conformable optical devices open very exciting perspectives for the fabrication of systems incorporating diffracting and optical power in a single element and of tunable plasmonic filters and absorbers. The use of nanocomposites obtained by inserting metallic nanoparticles produced in the gas phase into polymeric matrices allows to effectively fabricate cheap and simple stretchable optical elements able to withstand thousands of deformations and stretching cycles without any degradation of their optical properties. The nanocomposite-based reflective optical devices show excellent performances and stability compared to similar devices fabricated with standard techniques. The nanocomposite-based devices can be therefore applied to arbitrary curved non-optical grade surfaces in order to achieve optical power and to minimize aberrations like astigmatism. Examples discussed here include stretchable reflecting gratings, plasmonic filters tunable by mechanical stretching and light absorbers.

Highly efficient inverted organic light emitting diodes by inserting a zinc oxide/polyethyleneimine (ZnO:PEI) nano-composite interfacial layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaçar, Rifat; Pıravadılı Mucur, Selin; Yıldız, Fikret; Dabak, Salih; Tekin, Emine

2017-06-01

The electrode/organic interface is one of the key factors in attaining superior device performance in organic electronics, and inserting a tailor-made layer can dramatically modify its properties. The use of nano-composite (NC) materials leads to many advantages by combining materials with the objective of obtaining a desirable combination of properties. In this context, zinc oxide/polyethyleneimine (ZnO:PEI) NC film was incorporated as an interfacial layer into inverted bottom-emission organic light emitting diodes (IBOLEDs) and fully optimized. For orange-red emissive MEH-PPV based IBOLEDs, a high power efficiency of 6.1 lm W-1 at a luminance of 1000 cd m-2 has been achieved. Notably, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) increased from 0.1 to 4.8% and the current efficiency (CE) increased from 0.2 to 8.7 cd A-1 with rise in luminance (L) from 1000 to above 10 000 cd m-2 levels when compared to that of pristine ZnO-based devices. An identical device architecture containing a ZnO:PEI NC layer has also been used to successfully fabricate green and blue emissive IBOLEDs. The significant enhancement in the inverted device performance, in terms of luminance and efficiency, is attributed to a good energy-level alignment between the cathode/organic interface which leads to effective carrier balance, resulting in efficient radiative-recombination.

21 CFR 884.5050 - Metreurynter-balloon abortion system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. 884.5050... Devices § 884.5050 Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. (a) Identification. A metreurynter-balloon abortion system is a device used to induce abortion. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity...

21 CFR 884.5050 - Metreurynter-balloon abortion system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. 884.5050... Devices § 884.5050 Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. (a) Identification. A metreurynter-balloon abortion system is a device used to induce abortion. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity...

21 CFR 884.5050 - Metreurynter-balloon abortion system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. 884.5050... Devices § 884.5050 Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. (a) Identification. A metreurynter-balloon abortion system is a device used to induce abortion. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity...

21 CFR 884.5050 - Metreurynter-balloon abortion system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. 884.5050... Devices § 884.5050 Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. (a) Identification. A metreurynter-balloon abortion system is a device used to induce abortion. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity...

21 CFR 884.5050 - Metreurynter-balloon abortion system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. 884.5050... Devices § 884.5050 Metreurynter-balloon abortion system. (a) Identification. A metreurynter-balloon abortion system is a device used to induce abortion. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity...

Antiprogestin-releasing intrauterine devices

PubMed Central

Nayak, NR; Slayden, OD; Mah, K; Chwalisz, K; Brenner, Robert M

2007-01-01

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that release progestins are highly effective contraceptives, but they induce breakthrough bleeding that some women find unacceptable. Because progesterone (P) antagonists (AP) are known to suppress the endometrium, induce amenorrhea, and inhibit fertility, AP IUDs may provide an effective contraceptive that also controls endometrial bleeding. Here we assessed the effects of empty (blank) vs AP-releasing (ZK 230 211) IUDs on bleeding patterns and endometrial growth in ovariectomized, artificially cycled macaques. The AP IUDs (but not the blank controls) induced extended, frank menstruation when inserted during the late luteal phase, an indication of local AP action. Over time, endometrial glandular and arterial proliferation were inhibited, steroid receptors were elevated, spiral arteries showed degenerative changes, progesterone withdrawal bleeding was prevented and estradiol-dependent proliferation was suppressed by the AP IUDs. In sum, AP IUDs suppressed the effects of P on endometrial progestational development and blocked the effects of estradiol on endometrial proliferation as previously shown for systemic treatment with APs. Therefore, AP IUDs may provide novel contraceptive devices with minimal breakthrough bleeding. PMID:17531599

The impact of airway management on quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an observational study in patients during cardiac arrest.

PubMed

Yeung, Joyce; Chilwan, Mehboob; Field, Richard; Davies, Robin; Gao, Fang; Perkins, Gavin D

2014-07-01

Minimising interruptions in chest compressions is associated with improved survival from cardiac arrest. Current in-hospital guidelines recommend continuous chest compressions after the airway is secured on the premise that this will reduce no flow time. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of advanced airway use on the no flow ratio and other measures of CPR quality. Consecutive adult patients who sustained an in-hospital cardiac arrest were enrolled in this prospective observational study. The quality of CPR was measured using the Q-CPR device (Phillips, UK) before and after an advanced airway device (endotracheal tube [ET] or laryngeal mask airway [LMA]) was inserted. Patients receiving only bag-mask ventilation were used as the control cohort. The primary outcome was no flow ratio (NFR). Secondary outcomes were chest compression rate, depth, compressions too shallow, compressions with leaning, ventilation rate, inflation time, change in impedance and time required to successfully insert airway device. One hundred patients were enrolled in the study (2008-2011). Endotracheal tube and LMA placement took similar durations (median 15.8 s (IQR 6.8-19.4) vs. LMA median 8.0s (IQR 5.5-15.9), p=0.1). The use of an advanced airway was associated with improved no flow ratios (endotracheal tube placement (n=50) improved NFR from baseline median 0.24 IQR 0.17-0.40) to 0.15 to (IQR 0.09-0.28), p=0.012; LMA (n=25) from median 0.28 (IQR 0.23-0.40) to 0.13 (IQR 0.11- 0.19), p=0.0001). There was no change in NFR in patients managed solely with bag valve mask (BVM) (n=25) (median 0.29 (IQR 0.18-0.59) vs. median 0.26 (IQR 0.12-0.37), p=0.888). There was no significant difference in time taken to successfully insert the airway device between the two groups. The use of an advanced airway (ETT or LMA) during in-hospital cardiac arrest was associated with improved no flow ratio. Further studies are required to determine the effect of airway devices on overall patient outcomes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Malaria rapid diagnostic kits: quality of packaging, design and labelling of boxes and components and readability and accuracy of information inserts.

PubMed

Gillet, Philippe; Maltha, Jessica; Hermans, Veerle; Ravinetto, Raffaella; Bruggeman, Cathrien; Jacobs, Jan

2011-02-13

The present study assessed malaria RDT kits for adequate and correct packaging, design and labelling of boxes and components. Information inserts were studied for readability and accuracy of information. Criteria for packaging, design, labelling and information were compiled from Directive 98/79 of the European Community (EC), relevant World Health Organization (WHO) documents and studies on end-users' performance of RDTs. Typography and readability level (Flesch-Kincaid grade level) were assessed. Forty-two RDT kits from 22 manufacturers were assessed, 35 of which had evidence of good manufacturing practice according to available information (i.e. CE-label affixed or inclusion in the WHO list of ISO13485:2003 certified manufacturers). Shortcomings in devices were (i) insufficient place for writing sample identification (n=40) and (ii) ambiguous labelling of the reading window (n=6). Buffer vial labels were lacking essential information (n=24) or were of poor quality (n=16). Information inserts had elevated readability levels (median Flesch Kincaid grade 8.9, range 7.1-12.9) and user-unfriendly typography (median font size 8, range 5-10). Inadequacies included (i) no referral to biosafety (n=18), (ii) critical differences between depicted and real devices (n=8), (iii) figures with unrealistic colours (n=4), (iv) incomplete information about RDT line interpretations (n=31) and no data on test characteristics (n=8). Other problems included (i) kit names that referred to Plasmodium vivax although targeting a pan-species Plasmodium antigen (n=4), (ii) not stating the identity of the pan-species antigen (n=2) and (iii) slight but numerous differences in names displayed on boxes, device packages and information inserts. Three CE labelled RDT kits produced outside the EC had no authorized representative affixed and the shape and relative dimensions of the CE symbol affixed did not comply with the Directive 98/79/EC. Overall, RDTs with evidence of GMP scored better compared to those without but inadequacies were observed in both groups. Overall, malaria RDTs showed shortcomings in quality of construction, design and labelling of boxes, device packages, devices and buffers. Information inserts were difficult to read and lacked relevant information.

The cervical cap (image)

MedlinePlus

The cervical cap is a flexible rubber cup-like device that is filled with spermicide and self-inserted over the cervix ... left in place several hours after intercourse. The cap is a prescribed device fitted by a health ...

Enhanced photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si solar cells by insertion of a MoS₂ thin film.

PubMed

Tsuboi, Yuka; Wang, Feijiu; Kozawa, Daichi; Funahashi, Kazuma; Mouri, Shinichiro; Miyauchi, Yuhei; Takenobu, Taishi; Matsuda, Kazunari

2015-09-14

Transition-metal dichalcogenides exhibit great potential as active materials in optoelectronic devices because of their characteristic band structure. Here, we demonstrated that the photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si Schottky junction solar cells were significantly improved by inserting a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown, large MoS2 thin-film layer. This layer functions as an effective electron-blocking/hole-transporting layer. We also demonstrated that the photovoltaic properties are enhanced with the increasing number of graphene layers and the decreasing thickness of the MoS2 layer. A high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 11.1% was achieved with the optimized trilayer-graphene/MoS2/n-Si solar cell.

Analysis and Optimization of Thin Film Ferroelectric Phase Shifters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanofsky, Robert R.; VanKeuls, Fred W.; Warner, Joseph D.; Mueller, Carl H.; Alterovitz, Samuel A.; Miranda, Felix A.; Qureshi, A. Haq; Romanofsky, Robert R. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Microwave phase shifters have been fabricated from (YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) or Au)/SrTiO3 and Au/Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 films on LaAlO3 and MgO substrates. These coupled microstrip devices rival the performance of their semiconductor counter-parts parts at Ku- and K-band frequencies. Typical insertion loss for room temperature ferroelectric phase shifters at K-band is approximately equal 5 dB. An experimental and theoretical investigation of these novel devices explains the role of the ferroelectric film in overall device performance. A roadmap to the development of a 3 dB insertion loss phase shifter that would enable a new type of phased array antenna is discussed.

The copper-7 intrauterine contraceptive device: 5-year evaluation.

PubMed Central

Sellors, J. W.

1981-01-01

Over a 5-year period a family practitioner inserted copper-7 (Cu-7 intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) in 134 women. The rates of continued use after 2 years, 53.0% for the women's first IUD and 63.9% for all their IUDs, and of accidental pregnancy, 2.4%, are comparable to those in the literature. However, in this series the rate of expulsion was 0.8%, much lower than that in the literature. Fertility did not appear to be reduced in women who planned to have pregnancies after the device was removed. A carefully scrutinized technique of insertion and conscientious follow-up make the Cu-7 IUD an acceptable form of contraception for many patients in a family practice. PMID:7326653

Techniques for the insertion of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway: comparison of the Foley airway stylet tool with the introducer tool in a prospective, randomized study.

PubMed

Chen, Mao-Kai; Hsu, Hung-Te; Lu, I-Cheng; Shih, Chih-Kai; Shen, Ya-Chun; Tseng, Kuang-Yi; Cheng, Kuang-I

2014-01-01

Many tools have been developed to facilitate the insertion of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion, which can be impeded by folding of its soft cuff. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of ProSeal LMA insertion guided by a soft, direct optical Foley Airway Stylet Tool (FAST) with the standard introducer tool (IT). One hundred sixty patients undergoing general anesthesia using the ProSeal LMA as an airway management device were randomly allocated to either FAST-guided or IT-assisted groups. Following ProSeal LMA insertion, the glottic and esophageal openings were identified using a fiberoptic bronchoscope introduced through the airway and the drain tube. The primary outcomes were time taken to insert the ProSeal LMA and the success rate at the first attempt. Secondary end points included ease of insertion, hemodynamic response to insertion, and postoperative adverse events recorded in the recovery room and on the first postoperative morning. One hundred forty patients were included in the final analysis: 66 in the FAST-guided group and 74 in the IT-assisted group. The success rate of FAST device-guided ProSeal LMA insertion (95.7%) was broadly comparable with IT-assisted insertion (98.7%). However, the time taken to insert the ProSeal LMA was significantly longer when the FAST technique was used (p <0.001). The incidence of correct alignment of the airway tube and the drain tube did not differ significantly between the groups. There were no significant differences in ease of insertion or hemodynamic responses to insertion, except that the incidence of postoperative sore throat was significantly higher in the FAST group on the first postoperative day (22.2% compared with 6.8% in the IT group; p = 0.035). Both FAST-guided and IT-assisted techniques achieved correct ProSeal LMA positioning, but the IT technique was significantly quicker and less likely to cause a sore throat. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02048657.

Uniform electric field generation in circular multi-well culture plates using polymeric inserts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Hsieh-Fu; Cheng, Ji-Yen; Chang, Hui-Fang; Yamamoto, Tadashi; Shen, Amy Q.

2016-05-01

Applying uniform electric field (EF) in vitro in the physiological range has been achieved in rectangular shaped microchannels. However, in a circular-shaped device, it is difficult to create uniform EF from two electric potentials due to different electrical resistances originated from the length difference between the diameter of the circle and the length of any parallel chord of the bottom circular chamber where cells are cultured. To address this challenge, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided designed (CAD) polymeric insert to create uniform EF in circular shaped multi-well culture plates. A uniform EF with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.2% in the 6-well plate can be generated with an effective stimulation area percentage of 69.5%. In particular, NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells are used to validate the performance of the 3D designed Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) inserts in a circular-shaped 6-well plate. The CAD based inserts can be easily scaled up (i.e., 100 mm dishes) to further increase effective stimulation area percentages, and also be implemented in commercially available cultureware for a wide variety of EF-related research such as EF-cell interaction and tissue regeneration studies.

Treatment of congenital anophthalmos with self-inflating polymer expanders: a new method.

PubMed

Wiese, K G; Vogel, M; Guthoff, R; Gundlach, K K

1999-04-01

Congenital anophthalmos is a rare malformation in which the optic vesicle fails to develop. This leads to a small bony orbit, a constricted mucosal socket, short eyelids, reduced palpebral fissure and malar hypoplasia. The treatment includes both aesthetic and functional aspects. Therefore, a two-step procedure is described using a new self-inflating hydrogel expander. A lens-shaped expander with a diameter of 8 mm expands the lids and the mucosal socket to allow insertion of an eye prosthesis. As a second step, orbital expansion is performed with a spherical device. The expanders absorb lacrimal fluid from the mucosal socket or tissue fluid and start swelling when implanted in the orbital tissue. The insertion of an expander into the orbit as well as into the conjunctival pocket including its fixation by a single suture took only a few minutes and was an easy procedure. The expansion of the small conjunctival sockets was successfully completed in all cases within a period of 2-4 weeks. The weight (= volume in ml) of devices increased from 0.15-1.5 g (lens-shaped expander; weight in grams = volume in ml) respectively, 0.3-3.5 g (spherical device). The expanders inserted in orbital tissue increased from 0.4-4.4 g. This is equivalent to a 10 to 11 fold increase in their water-free volumes. Orbital expansion with spherical devices in combination with the inserted eye prosthesis enlarges the lid and palpebral fissures also. In contrast to conventional silicon balloon expanders, the procedure using self-inflating hydrogel expanders is simple and highly efficient.

Stepped nozzle

DOEpatents

Sutton, G.P.

1998-07-14

An insert is described which allows a supersonic nozzle of a rocket propulsion system to operate at two or more different nozzle area ratios. This provides an improved vehicle flight performance or increased payload. The insert has significant advantages over existing devices for increasing nozzle area ratios. The insert is temporarily fastened by a simple retaining mechanism to the aft end of the diverging segment of the nozzle and provides for a multi-step variation of nozzle area ratio. When mounted in place, the insert provides the nozzle with a low nozzle area ratio. During flight, the retaining mechanism is released and the insert ejected thereby providing a high nozzle area ratio in the diverging nozzle segment. 5 figs.

[Research on Insufficient Information for Pharmaceutical Products].

PubMed

Tomita, Takashi

2017-01-01

 Several issues concerning medicines remain unclear, including the availability of known, but not easily recognizable information. This review evaluates the mechanisms of side effects and the various risk indications included in package inserts. The results can be summarized as follows. 1) Short-term exposure to gatifloxacin significantly induced insulin secretion and increased the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration of islet cells by augmenting extracellular Ca 2+ influx and its release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Alternatively, there was a decline in the cellular insulin level and reactivity to sulfonylurea after prolonged exposure. The insulin depletion was greater than that produced by other fluoroquinolones. 2) The elution of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) from the infusion set could be associated with the solubilizers in the injection medicines. The package inserts of several products containing polysorbate or ethanol had no warning about DEHP. Although there was a slight correlation between polysorbate content and descriptions on package inserts, the use of DEHP-containing devices was prohibited for some products, even with limited amounts of polysorbate. Therefore, the package insert statements should be reviewed to reflect appropriately the extent of DEHP elution. 3) Risk management plan consists of strategies to minimize the potential risks of medicines. One approach could be to introduce reminders on package inserts; however, of 268 potential risks associated with 81 products, 56 were not mentioned in package inserts. Because most postmarketing pharmacovigilance plans depend on spontaneous reporting by healthcare personnel, the descriptions on package inserts should be reexamined.

Chronic behavior evaluation of a micro-machined neural implant with optimized design based on an experimentally derived model.

PubMed

Andrei, Alexandru; Welkenhuysen, Marleen; Ameye, Lieveke; Nuttin, Bart; Eberle, Wolfgang

2011-01-01

Understanding the mechanical interactions between implants and the surrounding tissue is known to have an important role for improving the bio-compatibility of such devices. Using a recently developed model, a particular micro-machined neural implant design aiming the reduction of insertion forces dependence on the insertion speed was optimized. Implantations with 10 and 100 μm/s insertion speeds showed excellent agreement with the predicted behavior. Lesion size, gliosis (GFAP), inflammation (ED1) and neuronal cells density (NeuN) was evaluated after 6 week of chronic implantation showing no insertion speed dependence.

Strategies to improve electrode positioning and safety in cochlear implants.

PubMed

Rebscher, S J; Heilmann, M; Bruszewski, W; Talbot, N H; Snyder, R L; Merzenich, M M

1999-03-01

An injection-molded internal supporting rib has been produced to control the flexibility of silicone rubber encapsulated electrodes designed to electrically stimulate the auditory nerve in human subjects with severe to profound hearing loss. The rib molding dies, and molds for silicone rubber encapsulation of the electrode, were designed and machined using AutoCad and MasterCam software packages in a PC environment. After molding, the prototype plastic ribs were iteratively modified based on observations of the performance of the rib/silicone composite insert in a clear plastic model of the human scala tympani cavity. The rib-based electrodes were reliably inserted farther into these models, required less insertion force and were positioned closer to the target auditory neural elements than currently available cochlear implant electrodes. With further design improvements the injection-molded rib may also function to accurately support metal stimulating contacts and wire leads during assembly to significantly increase the manufacturing efficiency of these devices. This method to reliably control the mechanical properties of miniature implantable devices with multiple electrical leads may be valuable in other areas of biomedical device design.

Photonic lantern with multimode fibers embedded

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hai-Jiao; Yan, Qi; Huang, Zong-Jun; Tian, He; Jiang, Yu; Liu, Yong-Jun; Zhang, Jian-Zhong; Sun, Wei-Min

2014-08-01

A photonic lantern is studied which is formed by seven multimode fibers inserted into a pure silica capillary tube. The core of the tapered end has a uniform refractive index because the polymer claddings are removed before the fibers are inserted. Consequently, the light distribution is also uniform. Two theories describing a slowly varying waveguide and multimode coupling are used to analyze the photonic lantern. The transmission loss decreases as the length of the tapered part increases. For a device with a taper length of 3.4 cm, the loss is about 1.06 dB on average for light propagating through the taper from an inserted fiber to the tapered end and 0.99 dB in the reverse direction. For a device with a taper length of 0.7 cm, the two loss values are 2.63 dB and 2.53 dB, respectively. The results show that it is possible to achieve a uniform light distribution with the tapered end and a low-loss transmission in the device if parameters related to the lantern are reasonably defined.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lill, R.; Sereno, N.; Yang, B.

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is currently in the preliminary design phase for the multi-bend achromat (MBA) lattice upgrade. Beam stability is critical for the MBA and will require long term drift defined as beam mo-tion over a seven-day timescale to be no more than 1 mi-cron at the insertion device locations and beam angle change no more than 0.25 micro-radian. Mechanical stabil-ity of beam position monitor (BPM) pickup electrodes mounted on insertion device vacuum chambers place a fun-damental limitation on long-term beam stability for inser-tion device beamlines. We present the design and imple-mentation of prototype mechanical motion system (MMS)more » instrumentation for quantifying this type of motion specif-ically in the APS accelerator tunnel and experiment hall floor under normal operating conditions. The MMS pres-ently provides critical position information on the vacuum chamber and BPM support systems. Initial results of the R&D prototype systems have demonstrated that the cham-ber movements far exceed the long-term drift tolerance specified for the APS Upgrade MBA storage ring.« less

USB Storage Device Forensics for Windows 10.

PubMed

Arshad, Ayesha; Iqbal, Waseem; Abbas, Haider

2018-05-01

Significantly increased use of USB devices due to their user-friendliness and large storage capacities poses various threats for many users/companies in terms of data theft that becomes easier due to their efficient mobility. Investigations for such data theft activities would require gathering critical digital information capable of recovering digital forensics artifacts like date, time, and device information. This research gathers three sets of registry and logs data: first, before insertion; second, during insertion; and the third, after removal of a USB device. These sets are analyzed to gather evidentiary information from Registry and Windows Event log that helps in tracking a USB device. This research furthers the prior research on earlier versions of Microsoft Windows and compares it with latest Windows 10 system. Comparison of Windows 8 and Windows 10 does not show much difference except for new subkey under USB Key in registry. However, comparison of Windows 7 with latest version indicates significant variances. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Miniature Wireless BioSensor for Remote Endoscopic Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemiroski, Alex; Brown, Keith; Issadore, David; Westervelt, Robert; Thompson, Chris; Obstein, Keith; Laine, Michael

2009-03-01

We have built a miniature wireless biosensor with fluorescence detection capability that explores the miniaturization limit for a self-powered sensor device assembled from the latest off-the-shelf technology. The device is intended as a remote medical sensor to be inserted endoscopically and remainin a patient's gastrointestinal tract for a period of weeks, recording and transmitting data as necessary. A sensing network may be formed by using multiple such devices within the patient, routing information to an external receiver that communicates through existing mobilephone networks to relay data remotely. By using a monolithic IC chip with integrated processor, memory, and 2.4 GHz radio,combined with a photonic sensor and miniature battery, we have developed a fully functional computing device in a form factorcompliantwith insertion through the narrowest endoscopic channels (less than 3mm x 3mm x 20mm). We envision similar devices with various types of sensors to be used in many different areas of the human body.

Plantar Fibroma

MedlinePlus

... size. Orthotic devices. If the fibroma is stable, meaning it is not changing in size, custom orthotic devices (shoe inserts) may relieve the pain by distributing the patient’s weight away from the fibroma. Physical therapy. The pain is sometimes treated through physical ...

Prospective study of tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with permanent leads in patients undergoing cardiac rhythm device implantation: Background, rationale, and design

PubMed Central

Dokainish, Hisham; Elbarasi, Esam; Masiero, Simona; Van de Heyning, Caroline; Brambatti, Michela; Ghazal, Sami; AL-Maashani, Said; Capucci, Alessandro; Buikema, Lisanne; Leong, Darryl; Shivalkar, Bharati; Saenen, Johan; Miljoen, Hielko; Morillo, Carlos; Divarakarmenon, Syam; Amit, Guy; Ribas, Sebastian; Brautigam, Aaron; Baiocco, Erika; Maolo, Alessandro; Romandini, Andrea; Maffei, Simone; Connolly, Stuart; Healey, Jeff

2015-01-01

Given the increasing numbers of cardiac device implantations worldwide, it is important to determine whether permanent endocardial leads across the tricuspid valve can promote tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Virtually all current data is retrospective, and indicates a signal of TR being increased after permanent lead implantation. However, the precise incidence of moderate or greater TR post-procedure, the exact mechanisms (mechanical, traumatic, functional), and the hemodynamic burden and clinical effects of this putative increase in TR, remain uncertain. We have therefore designed a multicenter, international, prospective study of 300 consecutive patients (recruitment completed, baseline data presented) who will undergo echocardiography and clinical assessment prior to, and at 1-year post device insertion. This prospective study will help determine whether cardiac device-associated TR is real, what are its potential mechanisms, and whether it has an important clinical impact on cardiac device patients. PMID:26779517

Highly efficient solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices with double-stacked hole injection layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yuehua; Hao, Lin; Zhang, Xinwen; Zhang, Xiaolin; Liu, Mengjiao; Zhang, Mengke; Wang, Jiong; Lai, Wen-Yong; Huang, Wei

2017-08-01

In this paper, solution-processed nickel oxide (NiOx) is used as hole-injection layers (HILs) in solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). Serious exciton quenching is verified at the NiOx/emitting layer (EML) interface, resulting in worse device performance. The device performance is significantly improved by inserting a layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) between the EML and NiOx. The solution-processed blue PhOLED with the double-stacked NiOx/PEDOT:PSS HILs shows a maximum current efficiency of 30.5 cd/A, which is 75% and 30% higher than those of the devices with a single NiOx HIL and a PEDOT:PSS HIL, respectively. Improvement of device efficiency can be attributed to reducing exciton quenching of the PEDOT:PSS layer as well as the electron blocking effect of the NiOx layer.

Hysteroscopic sterilization of patient with intrauterine device Mirena®

PubMed Central

Depes, Daniella De Batista; Pereira, Ana Maria Gomes; Yatabe, Salete; Lopes, Reginaldo Guedes Coelho

2013-01-01

ABSTRACT Tubal sterilization is the definitive procedure most often used worldwide to control fecundity. Laparoscopic ligature is safe, but invasive and with possible surgical and anesthetic risks. The hysteroscopic approach enables tubal occlusion at outpatient's setting without the need of incisions or anesthesia. A microdevice (Essure®) is inserted directly into the tubes and its polyethelene fibers cause obstruction of tubes in about three months. During this period, it is recommended that patients continue the use of a temporary birth control method. Several women use the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, which is called in the market as Mirena®. This report evaluated the possibility of inserting Essure® without remove the intrauterine device; patient tolerance to the procedure was also assessed. The tubal device was successfully placed in the patient without the need to remove Mirena®. After three months the intrauterine device was removed with no intercurrent events. PMID:23579753

An MRI-Guided Telesurgery System Using a Fabry-Perot Interferometry Force Sensor and a Pneumatic Haptic Device.

PubMed

Su, Hao; Shang, Weijian; Li, Gang; Patel, Niravkumar; Fischer, Gregory S

2017-08-01

This paper presents a surgical master-slave teleoperation system for percutaneous interventional procedures under continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. The slave robot consists of a piezoelectrically actuated 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot for needle placement with an integrated fiber optic force sensor (1-DOF axial force measurement) using the Fabry-Perot interferometry (FPI) sensing principle; it is configured to operate inside the bore of the MRI scanner during imaging. By leveraging the advantages of pneumatic and piezoelectric actuation in force and position control respectively, we have designed a pneumatically actuated master robot (haptic device) with strain gauge based force sensing that is configured to operate the slave from within the scanner room during imaging. The slave robot follows the insertion motion of the haptic device while the haptic device displays the needle insertion force as measured by the FPI sensor. Image interference evaluation demonstrates that the telesurgery system presents a signal to noise ratio reduction of less than 17% and less than 1% geometric distortion during simultaneous robot motion and imaging. Teleoperated needle insertion and rotation experiments were performed to reach 10 targets in a soft tissue-mimicking phantom with 0.70 ± 0.35 mm Cartesian space error.

Measurement of impulse peak insertion loss for four hearing protection devices in field conditions

PubMed Central

Murphy, William J.; Flamme, Gregory A.; Meinke, Deanna K.; Sondergaard, Jacob; Finan, Donald S.; Lankford, James E.; Khan, Amir; Vernon, Julia; Stewart, Michael

2015-01-01

Objective In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed an impulse noise reduction rating (NRR) for hearing protection devices based upon the impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) methods in the ANSI S12.42-2010 standard. This study tests the ANSI S12.42 methods with a range of hearing protection devices measured in field conditions. Design The method utilizes an acoustic test fixture and three ranges for impulse levels: 130–134, 148–152, and 166–170 dB peak SPL. For this study, four different models of hearing protectors were tested: Bilsom 707 Impact II electronic earmuff, E·A·R Pod Express, E·A·R Combat Arms version 4, and the Etymotic Research, Inc. Electronic BlastPLG™ EB1. Study sample Five samples of each protector were fitted on the fixture or inserted in the fixture's ear canal five times for each impulse level. Impulses were generated by a 0.223 caliber rifle. Results The average IPILs increased with peak pressure and ranged between 20 and 38 dB. For some protectors, significant differences were observed across protector examples of the same model, and across insertions. Conclusions The EPA's proposed methods provide consistent and reproducible results. The proposed impulse NRR rating should utilize the minimum and maximum protection percentiles as determined by the ANSI S12.42-2010 methods. PMID:22176308

A new device for improving dental implants anchorage: a histological and micro-computed tomography study in the rabbit.

PubMed

Barak, Shlomo; Neuman, Moshe; Iezzi, Giovanna; Piattelli, Adriano; Perrotti, Vittoria; Gabet, Yankel

2016-08-01

In the present study, a new healing cap that could generate a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) around titanium implants to stimulate peri-implant osteogenesis was tested in the rabbit model. A total of 22 implants were inserted in the proximal tibial metaphysis of 22 rabbits. A healing cap containing the active device was inserted in half of the implants (11 test implants); an "empty" healing cap was inserted in the other ones (11 control implants). The animals were euthanized after 2 and 4 weeks, and the samples were processed for micro-computed tomography and histology. The peri-implant volume was divided into coronal (where the PEMF was the strongest) and apical regions. Most of the effects of the tested device were confined to the coronal region. Two weeks post-implantation, test implants showed a significant 56% higher trabecular bone fraction (BV/TV), associated with enhanced trabecular number (Tb.N, +37%) and connectivity density (Conn.D, +73%) as compared to the control group; at 4 weeks, the PEMF induced a 69% increase in BV/TV and 34% increase of Tb.N. There was no difference in the trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) at either time point. Furthermore, we observed a 48% higher bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in the test implants vs. controls after 2 weeks; this increase tended to remain stable until the fourth week. Mature trabecular and woven bone were observed in direct contact with the implant surface with no gaps or connective tissue at the bone-implant interface. These results indicate that the PEMF device stimulated early bone formation around dental implants resulting in higher peri-implant BIC and bone mass already after 2 weeks which suggests an acceleration of the osseointegration process by more than three times. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Borescope Device Takes Impressions In Ducts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walter, Richard F.; Turner, Laura J.

1990-01-01

Maneuverable device built around borescope equipped to make impression molds of welded joints in interior surfaces of ducts. Molds then examined to determine degress of mismatch in welds. Inserted in duct, and color-coded handles on ends of cables used to articulate head to maneuver around corners. Use of device fairly easy and requires little training.

Insertion of a pentacene layer into the gold/poly(methyl methacrylate)/heavily doped p-type Si/indium device leading to the modulation of resistive switching characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, Cheng-Chun; Lin, Yow-Jon

2018-01-01

In order to get a physical insight into the pentacene interlayer-modulated resistive switching (RS) characteristics, the Au/pentacene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/heavily doped p-type Si (p+-Si)/In and Au/PMMA/p+-Si/In devices are fabricated and the device performance is provided. The Au/pentacene/PMMA/p+-Si/In device shows RS behavior, whereas the Au/PMMA/p+-Si/In device exhibits the set/reset-free hysteresis current-voltage characteristics. The insertion of a pentacene layer is a noticeable contribution to the RS characteristic. This is because of the occurrence of carrier accumulation/depletion in the pentacene interlayer. The transition from carrier depletion to carrier accumulation (carrier accumulation to carrier depletion) in pentacene occurring under negative (positive) voltage induces the process of set (reset). The switching conduction mechanism is primarily described as space charge limited conduction according to the electrical transport properties measurement. The concept of a pentacene/PMMA heterostructure opens a promising direction for organic memory devices.

Effect of Cricoid Pressure on Laryngeal View During Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope Video Laryngoscopies

PubMed Central

Arslan, Zehra İpek; Solak, Mine

2017-01-01

Objective Cricoid pressure is useful in fasted patients requiring emergency intubation. We compared the effect of cricoid pressure on laryngeal view during Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope video laryngoscopy. Methods After obtaining approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee and written informed consent from patients, we enrolled 120 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists I–II, age 18–65 years) undergoing elective surgery that required endotracheal intubation in this prospective randomised study. Patients were divided into three groups (Macintosh, McGrath MAC X-Blade and GlideScope). Results Demographic and airway variables were similar in the groups. Cormack-Lehane grades were improved or unchanged on using cricoid pressure in Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade groups. However, laryngeal views worsened in 12 patients (30%), remained unchanged in 26 patients (65%) and improved in 2 patients (5%) in the GlideScope group (p<0.001). Insertion and intubation times for Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscopes were similar. Insertion times for GlideScope and Macintosh video laryngoscopes were similar, but were longer than those for the McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscope (p=0.02). Tracheal intubation took longer with the GlideScope video laryngoscope than with the other devices (p<0.001 and p=0.003). Mean arterial pressures after insertion increased significantly in Macintosh and GlideScope groups (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively) compared with post-induction values. Heart rates increased after insertion in all three groups compared with post-induction values (p<0.001). Need for optimisation manoeuvres and postoperative minor complications were comparable in all three groups. Conclusion Although all three devices are useful for normal or difficult intubation, cricoid pressure improved Cormack-Lehane grades of Macintosh and McGrath MAC X-Blade video laryngoscopes but statistically significantly worsened that of the GlideScope video laryngoscope. PMID:29359076

Spectral analysis of hearing protector impulsive insertion loss.

PubMed

Fackler, Cameron J; Berger, Elliott H; Murphy, William J; Stergar, Michael E

2017-01-01

To characterise the performance of hearing protection devices (HPDs) in impulsive-noise conditions and to compare various protection metrics between impulsive and steady-state noise sources with different characteristics. HPDs were measured per the impulsive test methods of ANSI/ASA S12.42- 2010 . Protectors were measured with impulses generated by both an acoustic shock tube and an AR-15 rifle. The measured data were analysed for impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) and impulsive spectral insertion loss (ISIL). These impulsive measurements were compared to insertion loss measured with steady-state noise and with real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT). Tested HPDs included a foam earplug, a level-dependent earplug and an electronic sound-restoration earmuff. IPIL for a given protector varied between measurements with the two impulse noise sources, but ISIL agreed between the two sources. The level-dependent earplug demonstrated level-dependent effects both in IPIL and ISIL. Steady-state insertion loss and REAT measurements tended to provide a conservative estimate of the impulsively-measured attenuation. Measurements of IPIL depend strongly on the source used to measure them, especially for HPDs with less attenuation at low frequencies. ISIL provides an alternative measurement of impulse protection and appears to be a more complete description of an HPD's performance.

21 CFR 310.515 - Patient package inserts for estrogens.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 5 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Patient package inserts for estrogens. 310.515 Section 310.515 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) DRUGS FOR HUMAN USE NEW DRUGS Requirements for Specific New Drugs or Devices § 310.515 Patient...

Scheme for rapid adjustment of network impedance

DOEpatents

Vithayathil, John J.

1991-01-01

A static controlled reactance device is inserted in series with an AC electric power transmission line to adjust its transfer impedance. An inductor (reactor) is serially connected with two back-to-back connected thyristors which control the conduction period and hence the effective reactance of the inductor. Additional reactive elements are provided in parallel with the thyristor controlled reactor to filter harmonics and to obtain required range of variable reactance. Alternatively, the static controlled reactance device discussed above may be connected to the secondary winding of a series transformer having its primary winding connected in series to the transmission line. In a three phase transmission system, the controlled reactance device may be connected in delta configuration on the secondary side of the series transformer to eliminate triplen harmonics.

Vaginal flora changes on Pap smears after insertion of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device.

PubMed

Donders, Gilbert G G; Berger, Judith; Heuninckx, Hélène; Bellen, Gert; Cornelis, Ann

2011-04-01

The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) combines a uterine foreign body and the continuous release of low-dose levonorgestrel for contraception. Its influence on the rate of vulvovaginal infections and flora disturbance is insufficiently known, but important for contraceptive advice in women, especially those who develop recurrent vaginosis or Candida vulvovaginitis. Slides of 286 women who had a Pap smear taken before and 1 to 2 years after placement of a LNG-IUS were blindly reviewed for the presence of abnormal vaginal flora (AVF), bacterial vaginosis (BV), aerobic vaginitis (AV) and Candida vaginitis (CV). Prior to insertion, there were no differences in vaginal flora abnormalities between women using different kinds of contraception. LNG-IUS users did not have different rates of AVF, BV, AV or CV, but the general risk to develop any infection was increased. Uterine bleeding after insertion did not seem to predict a different flora type. We found that Pap smears suggested more vaginal infections after 1 year of LNG-IUS use than prior to insertion of the device. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING INSERTION OF ROD

DOEpatents

Beaty, B.J.

1958-10-14

A device for rapidly inserting a safety rod into a nuclear reactor upon a given signal or in the event of a power failure in order to prevent the possibility of extensive damage caused by a power excursion is described. A piston is slidably mounted within a vertical cylinder with provision for an electromagnetic latch at the top of the cylinder. This assembly, with a safety rod attached to the piston, is mounted over an access port to the core region of the reactor. The piston is normally latched at the top of the cylinder with the safety rod clear of the core area, however, when the latch is released, the piston and rod drop by their own weight to insert the rod. Vents along the side of the cylinder permit the escape of the air entrapped under the piston over the greater part of the distance, however, at the end of the fall the entrapped air is compressed thereby bringing the safety rod gently to rest, thus providing for a rapid automatic insertion of the rod with a minimum of structural shock.

21 CFR 876.5090 - Suprapubic urological catheter and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... accessories is a flexible tubular device that is inserted through the abdominal wall into the urinary bladder with the aid of a trocar and cannula. The device is used to pass fluids to and from the urinary tract...

The Effect of Knee Flexion Angle on the Neurovascular Safety of All-Inside Lateral Meniscus Repair: A Cadaveric Study.

PubMed

Cuéllar, Adrián; Cuéllar, Ricardo; Cuéllar, Asier; Garcia-Alonso, Ignacio; Ruiz-Ibán, Miguel Angel

2015-11-01

To evaluate if different knee flexion angles can modify the neurovascular injury risk during lateral meniscus repair. Twenty cadaveric knees were studied. An all-inside suture device (FasT-Fix; Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) was placed at the posterior horn and at the medial and lateral limits of the popliteal hiatus. The minimal distances between the device and the popliteal artery and peroneal nerve were measured with the knee at 90°, 45°, and 0° of flexion through a limited posterolateral arthrotomy. The distance between the device when inserted at the lateral edge of the popliteal hiatus and the peroneal nerve decreased from a median of 26 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 3.5 mm; range, 19 to 29 mm) at 90° to 21.5 mm (IQR, 4.5 mm; range, 14 to 25 mm) at 45° and 15.5 mm (IQR, 6.5 mm; range, 4 to 20 mm) at 0° (significant differences, P < .001). The distance between the device when inserted at the medial edge of the popliteal hiatus and the peroneal nerve decreased from 16 mm (IQR, 3.3 mm; range, 9 to 21 mm) at 90° to 12 mm (IQR, 4.3 mm; range, 9 to 16 mm) at 45° and 7 mm (IQR, 4.0; range, 4 to 15 mm) at 0° (significant differences, P < .001). The distance between the device when inserted at the medial edge of the popliteal hiatus and the popliteal artery decreased from 21 mm (IQR, 5.0 mm; range, 11 to 27 mm) at 90° to 19 mm (IQR, 5.0 mm; range, 10 to 23 mm) at 45° and 16 mm (IQR, 7.5 mm; range, 10 to 23 mm) at 0° (significant differences, P < .001). The distance between the device when inserted 5 mm lateral to the posterior root of the lateral meniscus and the popliteal artery decreased from 13 mm (IQR, 4.3 mm; range, 7 to 27 mm) at 90° to 10.5 mm (IQR, 4.3 mm; range, 4 to 19 mm) at 45° and 5.5 mm (IQR, 4.0 mm; range, 0 to 14 mm) at 0° (significant differences, P < .001). The risk of injury to the popliteal artery or to the peroneal nerve during all-inside repair of the posterior half of the lateral meniscus is lower at 90° of flexion and increases with knee extension to 45° and 0°. All-inside meniscal repair of the lateral meniscus is safer with the knee at 90° of flexion. Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Remote possibly hazardous content container sampling device

DOEpatents

Volz, David L.

1998-01-01

The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of sampling enclosed containers, where the contents of the container is unknown. The invention includes a compressed air device capable of supplying air pressure, device for controlling the amount of air pressure applied, a pneumatic valve, a sampling device having a hollow, sampling insertion needle suspended therein and device to communicate fluid flow between the container and a containment vessel, pump or direct reading instrument.

Fluid-flow pressure measurements and thermo-fluid characterization of a single loop two-phase passive heat transfer device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilinca, A.; Mangini, D.; Mameli, M.; Fioriti, D.; Filippeschi, S.; Araneo, L.; Roth, N.; Marengo, M.

2017-11-01

A Novel Single Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe (SLPHP), with an inner diameter of 2 mm, filled up with two working fluids (Ethanol and FC-72, Filling Ratio of 60%), is tested in Bottom Heated mode varying the heating power and the orientation. The static confinement diameter for Ethanol and FC-72, respectively 3.4 mm and 1.7mm, is above and slightly under the inner diameter of the tube. This is important for a better understanding of the working principle of the device very close to the limit between the Loop Thermosyphon and Pulsating Heat Pipe working modes. With respect to previous SLPHP experiments found in the literature, such device is designed with two transparent inserts mounted between the evaporator and the condenser allowing direct fluid flow visualization. Two highly accurate pressure transducers permit local pressure measurements just at the edges of one of the transparent inserts. Additionally, three heating elements are controlled independently, so as to vary the heating distribution at the evaporator. It is found that peculiar heating distributions promote the slug/plug flow motion in a preferential direction, increasing the device overall performance. Pressure measurements point out that the pressure drop between the evaporator and the condenser are related to the flow pattern. Furthermore, at high heat inputs, the flow regimes recorded for the two fluids are very similar, stressing that, when the dynamic effects start to play a major role in the system, the device classification between Loop Thermosyphon and Pulsating Heat Pipe is not that sharp anymore.

Broadband transverse magnetic pass polarizer with low insertion loss based on silicon nitride waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Tarun Kumar; Ranganath, Praveen; Nambiar, Siddharth; Selvaraja, Shankar Kumar

2018-03-01

A horizontally asymmetric transverse magnetic (TM) pass polarizer is presented. The device passes only TM mode and rejects transverse electric (TE) mode. The proposed device has an asymmetricity in the horizontal direction comprising a direction coupler region with a silicon waveguide, silicon nitride waveguide, and an air gap, all residing on silica. Between three equal width Si waveguides, we have one region filled with air and the other with SiN with unequal optimized widths. The device with its optimal dimensions yields an extremely low insertion loss (IL) of 0.16 dB for TM→TM, while TE is rejected by an IL of >48 dB. The proposed polarizer is operated between C&L bands with a high extinction ratio and broadband width of about 110 nm.

Tire deflation device

DOEpatents

Barker, Stacey G [Idaho Falls, ID

2010-01-05

A tire deflation device includes (1) a component having a plurality of bores, (2) a plurality of spikes removably insertable into the plurality of bores and (3) a keeper within each among the plurality of bores, the keeper being configured to contact a sidewall surface of a spike among the plurality of spikes and to exert force upon the sidewall surface. In an embodiment, the tire deflation device includes (a) a component including a bore in a material, the bore including a receiving region, a sidewall surface and a base surface, (b) a channel extending from the sidewall surface into the material, (c) a keeper having a first section housed within the channel and a second section which extends past the sidewall surface into the receiving region, and (d) a spike removably insertable into the bore.

The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception: a systematic review of 35 years of experience

PubMed Central

Cleland, Kelly; Zhu, Haoping; Goldstuck, Norman; Cheng, Linan; Trussell, James

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been studied for use for emergency contraception for at least 35 years. IUDs are safe and highly effective for emergency contraception and regular contraception, and are extremely cost-effective as an ongoing method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existing data to estimate the efficacy of IUDs for emergency contraception. METHODS The reference list for this study was generated from hand searching the reference lists of relevant articles and our own article archives, and electronic searches of several databases: Medline, Global Health, Clinicaltrials.gov, Popline, Wanfang Data (Chinese) and Weipu Data (Chinese). We included studies published in English or Chinese, with a defined population of women who presented for emergency contraception and were provided with an IUD, and in which the number of pregnancies was ascertained and loss to follow-up was clearly defined. Data from each article were abstracted independently by two reviewers. RESULTS The 42 studies (of 274 retrieved) that met our inclusion criteria were conducted in six countries between 1979 and 2011 and included eight different types of IUD and 7034 women. The maximum timeframe from intercourse to insertion of the IUD ranged from 2 days to 10 or more days; the majority of insertions (74% of studies) occurred within 5 days of intercourse. The pregnancy rate (excluding one outlier study) was 0.09%. CONCLUSIONS IUDs are a highly effective method of contraception after unprotected intercourse. Because they are safe for the majority of women, highly effective and cost-effective when left in place as ongoing contraception, whenever clinically feasible IUDs should be included in the range of emergency contraception options offered to patients presenting after unprotected intercourse. This review is limited by the fact that the original studies did not provide sufficient data on the delay between intercourse and insertion of the IUD, parity, cycle day of intercourse or IUD type to allow analysis by any of these variables. PMID:22570193

PIP silicone breast implants: rupture rates based on the explantation of 676 implants in a single surgeon series.

PubMed

Quaba, Omar; Quaba, Awf

2013-09-01

To determine the true rupture rates of PIP implants from a large single surgeon cohort and to assess whether rupture rates varied depending on time of implant insertion. In addition, the efficacy of ultra sound scanning (USS) in determining rupture is examined. Predominantly prospectively based analysis of patient records, investigations and surgical findings. 338 patients (676 implants) were included in the study and they all had removal of their implants. The senior author operated on all patients at some stage of their treatment. 160 patients were imaged pre-operatively with USS. Patients had implants inserted between 1999 and 2007 for cosmetic breast augmentation. A total of 144 ruptured implants were removed from 119 patients, giving a rupture rate of 35.2% per patient and 21.3% per implant over a mean implantation period of 7.8 years. A statistical difference (P < 0.001) in rupture rates between implants inserted prior to 2003 and those inserted from 2003 was demonstrated, with higher failure rates in the latter group. There was a significant difference in rupture rates depending on pocket placement of the implants. The sensitivity and specificity of USS at detecting rupture was 90.6% and 98.3% respectively. A proportion of patients (29.4%) demonstrated loco-regional spread of silicone to the axilla on scanning. Our paper has confirmed high rates of PIP implant failure in the largest published series to date. The significant difference in rupture rates between implants inserted prior to 2003 and those after this time supports the view that industrial silicone was used in the devices after 2003. Implants are more likely to rupture if inserted in the sub muscular plane compared to the sub glandular plane. USS is highly effective at detecting rupture in PIP implants and loco-regional spread is high compared to other devices. We believe this paper provides hard data enabling more informed decision making for patients, clinicians and providers in what remains an active issue affecting thousands of women. Copyright © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Insertion of linear 8.4 μm diameter 16 channel carbon fiber electrode arrays for single unit recordings

PubMed Central

Patel, Paras R.; Na, Kyounghwan; Zhang, Huanan; Kozai, Takashi D. Y.; Kotov, Nicholas A.; Yoon, Euisik; Chestek, Cynthia A.

2016-01-01

Objective Single carbon fiber electrodes (d=8.4 μm) insulated with parylene-c and functionalized with PEDOT:pTS have been shown to record single unit activity but manual implantation of these devices with forceps can be difficult. Without an improvement in the insertion method any increase in the channel count by fabricating carbon fiber arrays would be impractical. In this study, we utilize a water soluble coating and structural backbones that allow us to create, implant, and record from fully functionalized arrays of carbon fibers with ~150 μm pitch. Approach Two approaches were tested for the insertion of carbon fiber arrays. The first method used a PEG coating that temporarily stiffened the fibers while leaving a small portion at the tip exposed. The small exposed portion (500 μm – 1 mm) readily penetrated the brain allowing for an insertion that did not require the handling of each fiber by forceps. The second method involved the fabrication of silicon support structures with individual shanks spaced 150 μm apart. Each shank consisted of a small groove that held an individual carbon fiber. Main results Our results showed that the PEG coating allowed for the chronic implantation of carbon fiber arrays in 5 rats with unit activity detected at 31 days post-implant. The silicon support structures recorded single unit activity in 3 acute rat surgeries. In one of those surgeries a stacked device with 3 layers of silicon support structures and carbon fibers was built and shown to readily insert into the brain with unit activity on select sites. Significance From these studies we have found that carbon fibers spaced at ~150 μm readily insert into the brain. This greatly increases the recording density of chronic neural probes and paves the way for even higher density devices that have a minimal scarring response. PMID:26035638

Biliary and pancreatic stenting: Devices and insertion techniques in therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography

PubMed Central

Mangiavillano, Benedetto; Pagano, Nico; Baron, Todd H; Arena, Monica; Iabichino, Giuseppe; Consolo, Pierluigi; Opocher, Enrico; Luigiano, Carmelo

2016-01-01

Stents are tubular devices made of plastic or metal. Endoscopic stenting is the most common treatment for obstruction of the common bile duct or of the main pancreatic duct, but also employed for the treatment of bilio-pancreatic leakages, for preventing post- endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and to drain the gallbladder and pancreatic fluid collections. Recent progresses in techniques of stent insertion and metal stent design are represented by new, fully-covered lumen apposing metal stents. These stents are specifically designed for transmural drainage, with a saddle-shape design and bilateral flanges, to provide lumen-to-lumen anchoring, reducing the risk of migration and leakage. This review is an update of the technique of stent insertion and metal stent deployment, of the most recent data available on stent types and characteristics and the new applications for biliopancreatic stents. PMID:26862364

Design and evaluation of a computed tomography (CT)-compatible needle insertion device using an electromagnetic tracking system and CT images.

PubMed

Shahriari, Navid; Hekman, Edsko; Oudkerk, Matthijs; Misra, Sarthak

2015-11-01

Percutaneous needle insertion procedures are commonly used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Although current technology allows accurate localization of lesions, they cannot yet be precisely targeted. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death, and early detection reduces the mortality rate. Therefore, suspicious lesions are tested for diagnosis by performing needle biopsy. In this paper, we have presented a novel computed tomography (CT)-compatible needle insertion device (NID). The NID is used to steer a flexible needle (φ0.55 mm) with a bevel at the tip in biological tissue. CT images and an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system are used in two separate scenarios to track the needle tip in three-dimensional space during the procedure. Our system uses a control algorithm to steer the needle through a combination of insertion and minimal number of rotations. Noise analysis of CT images has demonstrated the compatibility of the device. The results for three experimental cases (case 1: open-loop control, case 2: closed-loop control using EM tracking system and case 3: closed-loop control using CT images) are presented. Each experimental case is performed five times, and average targeting errors are 2.86 ± 1.14, 1.11 ± 0.14 and 1.94 ± 0.63 mm for case 1, case 2 and case 3, respectively. The achieved results show that our device is CT-compatible and it is able to steer a bevel-tipped needle toward a target. We are able to use intermittent CT images and EM tracking data to control the needle path in a closed-loop manner. These results are promising and suggest that it is possible to accurately target the lesions in real clinical procedures in the future.

76 FR 51876 - Medical Devices; Ophthalmic Devices; Classification of the Eyelid Thermal Pulsation System

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-19

... meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), also known as evaporative dry eye or lipid deficiency dry eye. The system... evaporative dry eye or lipid deficiency dry eye. The system consists of a component that is inserted around...

Fabrication of biofunctional nanomaterials via Escherichia coli OmpF protein air/water interface insertion/integration with copolymeric amphiphiles.

PubMed

Ho, Dean; Chang, Stacy; Montemagno, Carlo D

2006-06-01

Fabrication of next-generation biologically active materials will involve the integration of proteins with synthetic membrane materials toward a wide spectrum of applications in nanoscale medicine, including high-throughput drug testing, energy conversion for powering medical devices, and bio-cloaking films for mimicry of cellular membrane surfaces toward the enhancement of implant biocompatibility. We have used ABA triblock copolymer membranes (PMOXA-PDMS-PMOXA) of varied thicknesses as platform materials for Langmuir film-based functionalization with the OmpF pore protein from Escherichia coli by fabricating monolayers of copolymer amphiphile-protein complexes on the air/water interface. Here we demonstrate that the ability for protein insertion at the air/water interface during device fabrication is dependent upon the initial surface coverage with the copolymer as well as copolymer thickness. Methacrylate-terminated block copolymer structures that were 4 nm (4METH) and 8 nm (8METH) in length were used as the protein reconstitution matrix, whereas a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid (~4 nm thickness) was used as a comparison to demonstrate the effects of copolymer length on protein integration capabilities. Wilhemy surface pressure measurements (mN/m) revealed a greater protein insertion in the 4METH and POPC structures compared with the 8METH structure, indicating that shorter copolymer chains possess enhanced biomimicry of natural lipid-based membranes. In addition, comparisons between the isothermal characteristics of the 4METH, 8METH, and POPC membranes reveal that phase transitions of the 4METH resemble a blend of the 8METH and POPC materials, indicating that the 4METH chain may possess hybrid properties of both copolymers and lipids. Furthermore, we have shown that following the deposition of the amphiphilic materials on the air/water interface, the OmpF can be deposited directly on top of the amphiphiles (surface addition), thus effectively further enhancing protein insertion because of the buoying effects of the membranes. These characteristics of Langmuir-Blodgett-based fabrication of copolymer-biomolecule hybrids represent a synthesis strategy for next-generation biomedical materials.

21 CFR 876.1400 - Stomach pH electrode.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... ion concentration). The pH electrode is at the end of a flexible lead which may be inserted into the... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Stomach pH electrode. 876.1400 Section 876.1400...) MEDICAL DEVICES GASTROENTEROLOGY-UROLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 876.1400 Stomach pH electrode. (a...

21 CFR 876.1400 - Stomach pH electrode.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... ion concentration). The pH electrode is at the end of a flexible lead which may be inserted into the... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Stomach pH electrode. 876.1400 Section 876.1400...) MEDICAL DEVICES GASTROENTEROLOGY-UROLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 876.1400 Stomach pH electrode. (a...

21 CFR 876.1400 - Stomach pH electrode.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... ion concentration). The pH electrode is at the end of a flexible lead which may be inserted into the... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Stomach pH electrode. 876.1400 Section 876.1400...) MEDICAL DEVICES GASTROENTEROLOGY-UROLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 876.1400 Stomach pH electrode. (a...

Optical interconnection for a polymeric PLC device using simple positional alignment.

PubMed

Ryu, Jin Hwa; Kim, Po Jin; Cho, Cheon Soo; Lee, El-Hang; Kim, Chang-Seok; Jeong, Myung Yung

2011-04-25

This study proposes a simple cost-effective method of optical interconnection between a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) device chip and an optical fiber. It was conducted to minimize and overcome the coupling loss caused by lateral offset which is due to the process tolerance and the dimensional limitation existing between PLC device chips and fiber array blocks with groove structures. A PLC device chip and a fiber array block were simultaneously fabricated in a series of polymer replication processes using the original master. The dimensions (i.e., width and thickness) of the under-clad of the PLC device chip were identical to those of the fiber array block. The PLC device chip and optical fiber were aligned by simple positional control for the vertical direction of the PLC device chip under a particular condition. The insertion loss of the proposed 1 x 2 multimode optical splitter device interconnection was 4.0 dB at 850 nm and the coupling loss was below 0.1 dB compared with single-fiber based active alignment.

Optical Enhancement in Optoelectronic Devices Using Refractive Index Grading Layers.

PubMed

Lee, Illhwan; Park, Jae Yong; Gim, Seungo; Kim, Kisoo; Cho, Sang-Hwan; Choi, Chung Sock; Song, Seung-Yong; Lee, Jong-Lam

2016-02-10

We enhanced the optical transmittance of a multilayer barrier film by inserting a refractive index grading layer (RIGL). The result indicates that the Fresnel reflection, induced by the difference of refractive indices between Si(x)N(y) and SiO2, is reduced by the RIGL. To eliminate the Fresnel reflection while maintaining high transmittance, the optimized design of grading structures with the RIGL was conducted using an optical simulator. With the RIGL, we achieved averaged transmittance in the visible wavelength region by 89.6%. It is found that the optimized grading structure inserting the multilayer barrier film has a higher optical transmittance (89.6%) in the visible region than that of a no grading sample (82.6%). Furthermore, luminance is enhanced by 14.5% (from 10,190 to 11,670 cd m(-2) at 30 mA cm(-2)) when the grading structure is applied to organic light-emitting diodes. Finally, the results offer new opportunities in development of multilayer barrier films, which assist industrialization of very cost-effective flexible organic electronic devices.

Comparison of custom and prefabricated orthoses in the initial treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis.

PubMed

Pfeffer, G; Bacchetti, P; Deland, J; Lewis, A; Anderson, R; Davis, W; Alvarez, R; Brodsky, J; Cooper, P; Frey, C; Herrick, R; Myerson, M; Sammarco, J; Janecki, C; Ross, S; Bowman, M; Smith, R

1999-04-01

Fifteen centers for orthopaedic treatment of the foot and ankle participated in a prospective randomized trial to compare several nonoperative treatments for proximal plantar fasciitis (heel pain syndrome). Included were 236 patients (160 women and 76 men) who were 16 years of age or older. Most reported duration of symptoms of 6 months or less. Patients with systemic disease, significant musculoskeletal complaints, sciatica, or local nerve entrapment were excluded. We randomized patients prospectively into five different treatment groups. All groups performed Achilles tendon- and plantar fascia-stretching in a similar manner. One group was treated with stretching only. The other four groups stretched and used one of four different shoe inserts, including a silicone heel pad, a felt pad, a rubber heel cup, or a custom-made polypropylene orthotic device. Patients were reevaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. The percentages improved in each group were: (1) silicone insert, 95%; (2) rubber insert, 88%; (3) felt insert, 81%; (4)stretching only, 72%; and (5) custom orthosis, 68%. Combining all the patients who used a prefabricated insert, we found that their improvement rates were higher than those assigned to stretching only (P = 0.022) and those who stretched and used a custom orthosis (P = 0.0074). We conclude that, when used in conjunction with a stretching program, a prefabricated shoe insert is more likely to produce improvement in symptoms as part of the initial treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis than a custom polypropylene orthotic device.

Rethinking Medicaid Coverage and Payment Policy to Promote High Value Care: The Case of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

PubMed

Vela, Veronica X; Patton, Elizabeth W; Sanghavi, Darshak; Wood, Susan F; Shin, Peter; Rosenbaum, Sara

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is the most effective reversible method to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Variability in state-level policies and the high cost of LARC could create substantial inconsistencies in Medicaid coverage, despite federal guidance aimed at enhancing broad access. This study surveyed state Medicaid payment policies and outreach activities related to LARC to explore the scope of services covered. Using publicly available information, we performed a content analysis of state Medicaid family planning and LARC payment policies. Purposeful sampling led to a selection of nine states with diverse geographic locations, political climates, Medicaid expansion status, and the number of women covered by Medicaid. All nine states' Medicaid programs covered some aspects of LARC. However, only a single state's payment structure incorporated all core aspects of high-quality LARC service delivery, including counseling, device, insertion, removal, and follow-up care. Most states did not explicitly address counseling, device removal, or follow-up care. Some states had strategies to enhance access, including policies to increase device reimbursement, stocking and delivery programs to remove cost barriers, and covering devices and insertion after an abortion. Although Medicaid policy encourages LARC methods, state payment policies frequently fail to address key aspects of care, including counseling, follow-up care, and removal, resulting in highly variable state-level practices. Although some states include payment policy innovations to support LARC access, significant opportunities remain. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Selective Tuning of Gilbert Damping in Spin-Valve Trilayer by Insertion of Rare-Earth Nanolayers.

PubMed

Zhang, Wen; Zhang, Dong; Wong, Ping Kwan Johnny; Yuan, Honglei; Jiang, Sheng; van der Laan, Gerrit; Zhai, Ya; Lu, Zuhong

2015-08-12

Selective tuning of the Gilbert damping constant, α, in a NiFe/Cu/FeCo spin-valve trilayer has been achieved by inserting different rare-earth nanolayers adjacent to the ferromagnetic layers. Frequency dependent analysis of the ferromagnetic resonances shows that the initially small magnitude of α in the NiFe and FeCo layers is improved by Tb and Gd insertions to various amounts. Using the element-specific technique of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, we find that the observed increase in α can be attributed primarily to the orbital moment enhancement of Ni and Co, rather than that of Fe. The amplitude of the enhancement depends on the specific rare-earth element, as well as on the lattice and electronic band structure of the transition metals. Our results demonstrate an effective way for individual control of the magnetization dynamics in the different layers of the spin-valve sandwich structures, which will be important for practical applications in high-frequency spintronic devices.

Effects on behaviour and rein tension on horses ridden with or without martingales and rein inserts.

PubMed

Heleski, C R; McGreevy, P D; Kaiser, L J; Lavagnino, M; Tans, E; Bello, N; Clayton, H M

2009-07-01

Unsteady hand position can cause discomfort to the horse, potentially leading to conflict behaviours (CB) such as head tossing or tail lashing. Some instructors feel that martingales or elastic rein inserts can reduce discomfort caused by inexperienced and unsteady hands. Others consider these devices to be inappropriate 'crutches'. Four horses and nine riders were tested under three conditions in random order: plain reins, adjustable training martingales (TM), and elasticised rein inserts (RI). Rein-tension data (7s) and behavioural data (30s) were collected in each direction. Rein-tension data were collected via strain-gauge transducers. Behavioural data were assessed using an ethogram of defined behaviours. No differences in the number of CB were observed. Mean rein tension for TM was higher than that of RI or controls. Relative to the withers, the head was lower for horses ridden with martingales. Carefully fitted martingales may have a place in riding schools that teach novices.

Cholorhexidine, octenidine or povidone iodine for catheter related infections: A randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Bilir, Ayten; Yelken, Birgül; Erkan, Ayse

2013-01-01

Background: Protection of the catheter site by antimicrobial agents is one of the most important factors in the prevention of infection. Povidone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate are the most common used agents for dressing. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of povidone iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate and octenidine hydrochloride in preventing catheter related infections. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomized to receive; 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 10% povidone iodine or octenidine hydrochlorodine for cutaneous antisepsis. Cultures were taken at the site surrounding catheter insertion and at the catheter hub after removal to help identify the source of microorganisms. Results: Catheter related sepsis was 10.5% in the povidone iodine and octenidine hydrochlorodine groups. Catheter related colonization was 26.3% in povidone iodine group and 21.5% in octenidine hydrochlorodine group. Conclusion: 4% chlorhexidine or octenidine hydrochlorodine for cutaneous disinfection before insertion of an intravascular device and for post-insertion site care can reduce the catheter related colonization. PMID:24250702

Patients' perspectives about why they have their contraceptive Implanon NXT device removed early.

PubMed

Flore, Meike; Chen, Xiaoshuang Lilly; Bonney, Andrew; Mullan, Judy; Dijkmans-Hadley, Bridget; Hodgkins, Adam; Evans, Gina; Frew, Haley; Lloyd, Gail

2016-10-01

Women with long-acting, reversible contraceptive devices inserted may choose to remove them prior to their planned expiry dates. The objective of this study was to explore Australian women's experiences with the etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT) and why they had it removed early. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 women between June 2013 and January 2014. Transcriptions of the audio-taped interviews were analysed using a constant comparative analysis framework. Two core themes of participants' responses that were identified in this study were influences on choice of contraception, which included convenience and information sources; and influences on removal of contraception, which included side effects and their negative impacts on relationships and financial costs. This study highlights that women's experiences with side effects contribute to the early removal of long-acting contraceptive devices such as Implanon NXT. This study emphasises the importance of general practitioners (GPs) in providing comprehensive information about the benefits and potential side effects associated with using these implants.

"Space slitter" for film or tape

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, W. H.

1978-01-01

Device cuts film or tape into strips by guiding film in channel under cutting blades. Device is operated by lifting pressure bar to insert blades into film. Film is then pulled through blades. Cutter has potential uses in advertising, commercial art, and publishing fields.

Electrochromic devices based on lithium insertion

DOEpatents

Richardson, Thomas J.

2006-05-09

Electrochromic devices having as an active electrode materials comprising Sb, Bi, Si, Ge, Sn, Te, N, P, As, Ga, In, Al, C, Pb, I and chalcogenides are disclosed. The addition of other metals, i.e. Ag and Cu to the active electrode further enhances performance.

Intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation for patients with traumatic high cervical injuries and ventilator dependent respiratory failure: A systematic review of safety and effectiveness.

PubMed

Garara, Bhavin; Wood, Alasdair; Marcus, Hani J; Tsang, Kevin; Wilson, Mark H; Khan, Mansoor

2016-03-01

Intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation using an abdominal laparoscopic approach has been proposed as a safer alternative to traditional phrenic nerve stimulation. It has also been suggested that early implementation of diaphragmatic pacing may prevent diaphragm atrophy and lead to earlier ventilator independence. The aim of this study was therefore to systematically review the safety and effectiveness of intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulators in the treatment of patients with traumatic high cervical injuries resulting in long-term ventilator dependence, with particular emphasis on the affect of timing of insertion of such stimulators. The Cochrane database and PubMed were searched between January 2000 and June 2015. Reference lists of selected papers were also reviewed. The inclusion criteria used to select from the pool of eligible studies were: (1) reported on adult patients with traumatic high cervical injury, who were ventilator-dependant, (2) patients underwent intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation, and (3) commented on safety and/or effectiveness. 12 articles were included in the review. Reported safety issues post insertion of intramuscular electrodes included pneumothorax, infection, and interaction with pre-existing cardiac pacemaker. Only one procedural failure was reported. The percentage of patients reported as independent of ventilatory support post procedure ranged between 40% and 72.2%. The mean delay of insertion ranged from 40 days to 9.7 years; of note the study with the average shortest delay in insertion reported the greatest percentage of fully weaned patients. Although evidence for intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation in patients with high cervical injuries and ventilator dependent respiratory failure is currently limited, the technique appears to be safe and effective. Earlier implantation of such devices does not appear to be associated with greater surgical risk, and may be more effective. Further high quality studies are warranted to investigate the impact of delay of insertion on ventilator weaning. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical, surgical, and electrical factors impacting residual hearing in cochlear implant surgery.

PubMed

Eshraghi, Adrien A; Ahmed, Jamal; Krysiak, Eric; Ila, Kadri; Ashman, Peter; Telischi, Fred F; Angeli, Simon; Prentiss, Sandra; Martinez, Diane; Valendia, Sandra

2017-04-01

This study recommends using soft surgical principal and round window insertion to protect residual hearing with favorable anatomical exposure. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the electrical stimulation on the organ of corti and hearing. The objective of this study is to analyze various factors that impact on preservation of residual hearing post-implantation. A retrospective study was performed to analyze loss of residual hearing in a cohort of 225 patients implanted in a large academic center. Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. The impact of age at implantation, gender, etiology of hearing loss, cochleostomy vs round window insertion, partial vs full insertion, and effect of initial stimulation were analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis. The overall hearing preservation rate for all implanted patients was 64%. Loss of residual hearing was significantly more observed in cases of cochleostomy and/or non-soft surgical techniques. No correlation was observed with age at implantation, gender, side of implant, device manufacturer, and presence of pre-lingual deafness vs post-lingual, full or partial electrode insertion. In addition, there was a small but significant decrease in hearing between pre-stimulation and post-stimulation audiograms at 6000 Hz.

Laparoscopic salpingectomy and removal of Essure hysteroscopic sterilisation device: a case series.

PubMed

Johal, T; Kuruba, N; Sule, M; Mukhopadhyay, S; Raje, G

2018-06-01

Tubal sterilisation using Essure is a minimally invasive technique for permanent contraception, with high rates of patient satisfaction. However, some women subsequently choose removal of the inserts, due to side effects such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, dyspareunia or allergic dermatitis. This case series presents the management of eight women who underwent laparoscopic removal of Essure inserts in conjunction with salpingectomy. We describe our surgical technique, its underlying principles and immediate surgical outcomes. Eight patients were identified as having undergone removal of Essure inserts, via an electronic search of the surgical procedures database. A retrospective review of case records was undertaken. The primary outcome was safety and feasibility of the laparoscopic salpingectomy approach. Secondary outcome measures included implant fracture rate, operative time, blood loss and length of patient stay. All eight women were able to undergo laparoscopic salpingectomy and removal of the Essure inserts without the need for laparotomy or hysterectomy. There were no incidences of fracture or incomplete removal of the insert. Immediate postoperative recovery was uncomplicated in all eight women; the mean length of stay was 17 h. One patient had a small bowel serosal tear attributed to laparoscopic entry. This case series suggests that laparoscopic salpingectomy for removal of Essure inserts is safe and feasible. We acknowledge that the numbers were small. However, consistent use of a laparoscopic approach in these eight patients indicates that this procedure is a feasible and suitable alternative to hysterectomy.

IUD knowledge and experience among family medicine residents.

PubMed

Schubert, Finn D; Herbitter, Cara; Fletcher, Jason; Gold, Marji

2015-06-01

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective contraceptive method with few contraindications; however, clinician lack of training in insertion and misconceptions about IUD risks are barriers to utilization. Previous research has shown gaps in IUD training in family medicine residency programs. An online survey addressing experience with IUD insertion, knowledge of patient eligibility and IUD risks, and intent to insert IUDs in practice was circulated to residents at 15 US family medicine residency programs. Programs were eligible to participate if they were receiving funding to enhance training in family planning and abortion care and interested in additional support to enhance IUD training. The overall response rate for the surveys was 76.1% (332/436). Experience with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system was more common than with the copper IUD. Residents performed well on knowledge questions, but many would not insert in common patient scenarios in which insertion was not contraindicated, including a history of sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months (48.2% would not insert), a history of ectopic pregnancy (37.0%), no pap smear in the past year (30.7%), or if the patient was not in a monogamous relationship (29.2%). The vast majority of residents (88.7%) reported that they were likely or very likely to provide IUDs in their future family medicine practice. Although residents overwhelmingly expressed interest in providing IUDs after residency, our results suggest that additional clinical and didactic training is needed, particularly interventions targeted at dispelling misconceptions about patient eligibility for IUDs.

A linear 180 nm SOI CMOS antenna switch module using integrated passive device filters for cellular applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jie, Cui; Lei, Chen; Peng, Zhao; Xu, Niu; Yi, Liu

2014-06-01

A broadband monolithic linear single pole, eight throw (SP8T) switch has been fabricated in 180 nm thin film silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS technology with a quad-band GSM harmonic filter in integrated passive devices (IPD) technology, which is developed for cellular applications. The antenna switch module (ASM) features 1.2 dB insertion loss with filter on 2G bands and 0.4 dB insertion loss in 3G bands, less than -45 dB isolation and maximum -103 dB intermodulation distortion for mobile front ends by applying distributed architecture and adaptive supply voltage generator.

Coil spring venting arrangement

DOEpatents

McCugh, R.M.

1975-10-21

A simple venting device for trapped gas pockets in hydraulic systems is inserted through a small access passages, operated remotely, and removed completely. The device comprises a small diameter, closely wound coil spring which is pushed through a guide temporarily inserted in the access passage. The guide has a central passageway which directs the coil spring radially upward into the pocket, so that, with the guide properly positioned for depth and properly oriented, the coil spring can be pushed up into the top of the pocket to vent it. By positioning a seal around the free end of the guide, the spring and guide are removed and the passage is sealed.

Group B streptococci in women fitted with intrauterine devices.

PubMed Central

Mitchell, R G; Guillebaud, J; Day, D G

1977-01-01

A survey was made of group B streptococcal carriage at various sites in 100 women attending a clinic for the insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Twenty-three women carried streptococci at one or more sites at the preinsertion visit, the vaginal carriage rate being 16%. Six months after insertion changes in carrier status were noted and there was evidence of a change of strain in four patients. Twenty-nine women were carriers at one or more sites at some stage of the study. There was no evidence that symptoms attributable to infection in patients fitted with an IUD were caused by group B streptococci. PMID:338639

[Intrauterine device: about a rare complication and literature review].

PubMed

Kallat, Adil; Ibrahimi, Ahmed; Fahsi, Otheman; El Sayegh, Hachem; Iken, Ali; Benslimane, Lounis; Nouini, Yassine

2017-01-01

The intrauterine device (IUD) is the most common contraceptive method used in the world. Transuterine migration is a rare complication, accounting for 1/350 - 1/10000 insertions in the literature. We report the case of a 40-year old patient, who had had an IUD insertion 12-year before, presenting with pelvic and right lower back pain associated with intermittent hematuria and burning during urination. Radiological assessment showed calcific deposits on intra bladder IUD. The patient underwent cystostomy, without any difficulty, allowing stone and IUD extraction. A urinary catheter was left in place for 5 days and then withdrawn. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Limited Uptake of Planned Intrauterine Devices During the Postpartum Period.

PubMed

Salcedo, Jennifer; Moniaga, Natalie; Harken, Tabetha

2015-08-01

The primary objective of this study was to determine the percentage of women with a documented plan for postpartum intrauterine device (IUD) insertion who had a device inserted within 8 weeks of delivery. The secondary objective was to determine factors associated with successful initiation of postpartum IUDs as planned. We conducted a retrospective chart review of women who had at least one prenatal visit and delivered a viable pregnancy at our academic medical center. Methods of planned and established postpartum contraceptive methods were recorded, as well as demographic information and documented reasons for failure to initiate planned intrauterine contraception. A total of 110 women planned postpartum IUD placement. Of these women, 84 (76%) presented for at least one postpartum appointment. Only 22.6% (95% confidence interval 13.7-31.5) of those presenting for postpartum follow-up underwent IUD placement within 8 weeks of delivery. Women planning postpartum IUD insertion were just as likely as women with no planned postpartum contraceptive method to fail to establish contraception within 8 weeks (P = 0.55). Failure to establish planned postpartum intrauterine contraception occurs frequently, even in a setting with a high rate of postpartum follow-up.

Malaria rapid diagnostic kits: quality of packaging, design and labelling of boxes and components and readability and accuracy of information inserts

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The present study assessed malaria RDT kits for adequate and correct packaging, design and labelling of boxes and components. Information inserts were studied for readability and accuracy of information. Methods Criteria for packaging, design, labelling and information were compiled from Directive 98/79 of the European Community (EC), relevant World Health Organization (WHO) documents and studies on end-users' performance of RDTs. Typography and readability level (Flesch-Kincaid grade level) were assessed. Results Forty-two RDT kits from 22 manufacturers were assessed, 35 of which had evidence of good manufacturing practice according to available information (i.e. CE-label affixed or inclusion in the WHO list of ISO13485:2003 certified manufacturers). Shortcomings in devices were (i) insufficient place for writing sample identification (n = 40) and (ii) ambiguous labelling of the reading window (n = 6). Buffer vial labels were lacking essential information (n = 24) or were of poor quality (n = 16). Information inserts had elevated readability levels (median Flesch Kincaid grade 8.9, range 7.1 - 12.9) and user-unfriendly typography (median font size 8, range 5 - 10). Inadequacies included (i) no referral to biosafety (n = 18), (ii) critical differences between depicted and real devices (n = 8), (iii) figures with unrealistic colours (n = 4), (iv) incomplete information about RDT line interpretations (n = 31) and no data on test characteristics (n = 8). Other problems included (i) kit names that referred to Plasmodium vivax although targeting a pan-species Plasmodium antigen (n = 4), (ii) not stating the identity of the pan-species antigen (n = 2) and (iii) slight but numerous differences in names displayed on boxes, device packages and information inserts. Three CE labelled RDT kits produced outside the EC had no authorized representative affixed and the shape and relative dimensions of the CE symbol affixed did not comply with the Directive 98/79/EC. Overall, RDTs with evidence of GMP scored better compared to those without but inadequacies were observed in both groups. Conclusion Overall, malaria RDTs showed shortcomings in quality of construction, design and labelling of boxes, device packages, devices and buffers. Information inserts were difficult to read and lacked relevant information. PMID:21314992

In vivo performance of a microelectrode neural probe with integrated drug delivery

PubMed Central

Rohatgi, Pratik; Langhals, Nicholas B.; Kipke, Daryl R.; Patil, Parag G.

2014-01-01

Object The availability of sophisticated neural probes is a key prerequisite in the development of future brain machine interfaces (BMI). In this study, we developed and validated a neural probe design capable of simultaneous drug delivery and electrophysiology recordings in vivo. Focal drug delivery has promise to dramatically extend the recording lives of neural probes, a limiting factor to clinical adoption of BMI technology. Methods To form the multifunctional neural probe, we affixed a 16-channel microfabricated silicon electrode array to a fused silica catheter. Three experiments were conducted to characterize the performance of the device. Experiment 1 examines cellular damage from probe insertion and the drug distribution in tissue. Experiment 2 measures the effects of saline infusions delivered through the probe on concurrent electrophysiology. Experiment 3 demonstrates that a physiologically relevant amount of drug can be delivered in a controlled fashion. For these experiments, Hoechst and propidium iodide were used to assess insertion trauma and the tissue distribution of the infusate. Artificial cerebral spinal fluid and tetrodotoxin were injected to determine the efficacy of drug delivery. Results The newly developed multifunctional neural probes were successfully inserted into rat cortex and were able to deliver fluids and drugs that resulted in the expected electrophysiological and histological responses. The damage from insertion of the device into brain tissue was substantially less than the volume of drug dispersion in tissue. Electrophysiological activity, including both individual spikes as well as local field potentials, was successfully recorded with this device during real-time drug delivery. No significant changes were seen in response to delivery of artificial cerebral spinal fluid as a control experiment, whereas delivery of tetrodotoxin produced the expected result of suppressing all spiking activity in the vicinity of the catheter outlet. Conclusions Multifunctional neural probes such as the ones developed and validated within this study have great potential to help further understand the design space and criteria for the next generation of neural probe technology. By incorporating integrated drug delivery functionality into the probes, new treatment options for neurological disorders and regenerative neural interfaces utilizing localized and feedback controlled delivery of drugs can be realized in the near future. PMID:19569896

The effect of nitroglycerin on the IUD insertion experience in nulliparous women: a pilot study.

PubMed

Micks, Elizabeth A; Jensen, Jeffrey T; Bednarek, Paula H

2014-07-01

Concern about pain during placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) represents a barrier to use, especially among nulliparous women. We hypothesized that nitroglycerin gel applied vaginally 30 min prior to IUD placement would reduce insertion-related pain. We designed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 0.5-mg nitroglycerin gel (1 mL) or identical placebo gel applied vaginally in nulliparous women 30 min prior to IUD placement. The study was limited to women who opted for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Subjects completed a series of 100-mm visual analogue scales at several time points. The primary outcome was subject-reported pain with passage of the IUD through the cervix. Secondary outcomes included subject-reported pain at other time points, provider-reported ease of insertion, side effects, adverse events and need for additional dilation. A total of 24 women were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The mean pain score with IUD deployment was 55.0 mm [standard deviation (SD) = 29.7 mm] in the placebo group and 57.4 mm (SD 22.1 mm) in the nitroglycerin group (p=.82). There was no difference in ease of insertion reported by providers. Two subjects required dilation, one in each group. Vaginal administration of 0.5-mg nitroglycerin gel 30 min prior to IUD placement does not appear to decrease patient-reported procedural pain among nulliparous women or ease of insertion for providers. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A backing device based on an embedded stiffener and retractable insertion tool for thin-film cochlear arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tewari, Radheshyam

Intracochlear trauma from surgical insertion of bulky electrode arrays and inadequate pitch perception are areas of concern with current hand-assembled commercial cochlear implants. Parylene thin-film arrays with higher electrode densities and lower profiles are a potential solution, but lack rigidity and hence depend on manually fabricated permanently attached polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tubing based bulky backing devices. As a solution, we investigated a new backing device with two sub-systems. The first sub-system is a thin poly(lactic acid) (PLA) stiffener that will be embedded in the parylene array. The second sub-system is an attaching and detaching mechanism, utilizing a poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-poly(d,l-lactide) (PVP-b-PDLLA) copolymer-based biodegradable and water soluble adhesive, that will help to retract the PET insertion tool after implantation. As a proof-of-concept of sub-system one, a microfabrication process for patterning PLA stiffeners embedded in parylene has been developed. Conventional hot-embossing, mechanical micromachining, and standard cleanroom processes were integrated for patterning fully released and discrete stiffeners coated with parylene. The released embedded stiffeners were thermoformed to demonstrate that imparting perimodiolar shapes to stiffener-embedded arrays will be possible. The developed process when integrated with the array fabrication process will allow fabrication of stiffener-embedded arrays in a single process. As a proof-of-concept of sub-system two, the feasibility of the attaching and detaching mechanism was demonstrated by adhering 1x and 1.5x scale PET tube-based insertion tools and PLA stiffeners embedded in parylene using the copolymer adhesive. The attached devices survived qualitative adhesion tests, thermoforming, and flexing. The viability of the detaching mechanism was tested by aging the assemblies in-vitro in phosphate buffer solution. The average detachment times, 2.6 minutes and 10 minutes for 1x and 1.5x scale devices respectively, were found to be clinically relevant with respect to the reported array insertion times during surgical implantation. Eventually, the stiffener-embedded arrays would not need to be permanently attached to current insertion tools which are left behind after implantation and congest the cochlear scala tympani chamber. Finally, a simulation-based approach for accelerated failure analysis of PLA stiffeners and characterization of PVP-b-PDLLA copolymer adhesive has been explored. The residual functional life of embedded PLA stiffeners exposed to body-fluid and thereby subjected to degradation and erosion has been estimated by simulating PLA stiffeners with different parylene coating failure types and different PLA types for a given parylene coating failure type. For characterizing the PVP-b-PDLLA copolymer adhesive, several formulations of the copolymer adhesive were simulated and compared based on the insertion tool detachment times that were predicted from the dissolution, degradation, and erosion behavior of the simulated adhesive formulations. Results indicate that the simulation-based approaches could be used to reduce the total number of time consuming and expensive in-vitro tests that must be conducted.

LOADING DEVICE

DOEpatents

Ohlinger, L.A.

1958-10-01

A device is presented for loading or charging bodies of fissionable material into a reactor. This device consists of a car, mounted on tracks, into which the fissionable materials may be placed at a remote area, transported to the reactor, and inserted without danger to the operating personnel. The car has mounted on it a heavily shielded magazine for holding a number of the radioactive bodies. The magazine is of a U-shaped configuration and is inclined to the horizontal plane, with a cap covering the elevated open end, and a remotely operated plunger at the lower, closed end. After the fissionable bodies are loaded in the magazine and transported to the reactor, the plunger inserts the body at the lower end of the magazine into the reactor, then is withdrawn, thereby allowing gravity to roll the remaining bodies into position for successive loading in a similar manner.

Characterizing permanent magnet blocks with Helmholtz coils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carnegie, D. W.; Timpf, J.

1992-08-01

Most of the insertion devices to be installed at the Advanced Photon Source will utilize permanent magnets in their magnetic structures. The quality of the spectral output is sensitive to the errors in the field of the device which are related to variations in the magnetic properties of the individual blocks. The Advanced Photon Source will have a measurement facility to map the field in the completed insertion devices and equipment to test and modify the magnetic strength of the individual magnet blocks. One component of the facility, the Helmholtz coil permanent magnet block measurement system, has been assembled and tested. This system measures the total magnetic moment vector of a block with a precision better than 0.01% and a directional resolution of about 0.05°. The design and performance of the system will be presented.

Hybrid graphene/silicon integrated optical isolators with photonic spin–orbit interaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ma, Jingwen; Sun, Xiankai, E-mail: xksun@cuhk.edu.hk; Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories

2016-04-11

Optical isolators are an important building block in photonic computation and communication. In traditional optics, isolators are realized with magneto-optical garnets. However, it remains challenging to incorporate such materials on an integrated platform because of the difficulty in material growth and bulky device footprint. Here, we propose an ultracompact integrated isolator by exploiting graphene's magneto-optical property on a silicon-on-insulator platform. The photonic nonreciprocity is achieved because the cyclotrons in graphene experiencing different optical spins exhibit different responses to counterpropagating light. Taking advantage of cavity resonance effects, we have numerically optimized a device design, which shows excellent isolation performance with themore » extinction ratio over 45 dB and the insertion loss around 12 dB at a wavelength near 1.55 μm. Featuring graphene's CMOS compatibility and substantially reduced device footprint, our proposal sheds light on monolithic integration of nonreciprocal photonic devices.« less

Clinical outcomes of VNS therapy with AspireSR® (including cardiac-based seizure detection) at a large complex epilepsy and surgery centre.

PubMed

Hamilton, Preci; Soryal, Imad; Dhahri, Prince; Wimalachandra, Welege; Leat, Anna; Hughes, Denise; Toghill, Nicole; Hodson, James; Sawlani, Vijay; Hayton, Tom; Samarasekera, Shanika; Bagary, Manny; McCorry, Dougall; Chelvarajah, Ramesh

2018-05-01

To compare the efficacy of AspireSR ® to preceding VNS battery models for battery replacements, and to determine the efficacy of the AspireSR ® for new implants. Data were collected retrospectively from patients with epilepsy who had VNS AspireSR ® implanted over a three-year period between June 2014 and June 2017 by a single surgeon. Cases were divided into two cohorts, those in whom the VNS was a new insertion, and those in whom the VNS battery was changed from a previous model to AspireSR ® . Within each group, the seizure burden was compared between the periods before and after insertion of AspireSR ® . Fifty-one patients with a newly inserted AspireSR ® VNS model had a significant reduction in seizure frequency (p < 0.001), with 59% (n = 30) reporting ≥50% reduction. Of the 62 patients who had an existing VNS, 53% (n = 33) reported ≥50% reduction in seizure burden when the original VNS was inserted. After the battery was changed to the AspireSR ® , 71% (n = 44) reported a further reduction of ≥50% in their seizure burden. The size of this reduction was at least as large as that resulting from the insertion of their existing VNS in 98% (61/62) of patients. The results suggest that approximately 70% of patients with existing VNS insertions could have significant additional benefit from cardiac based seizure detection and closed loop stimulation from the AspireSR ® device. For new insertions, the AspireSR ® device has efficacy in 59% of patients. The 'rule of thirds' used in counseling patients may need to be modified accordingly. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk-based screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae prior to intrauterine device insertion.

PubMed

Grentzer, Jaclyn M; Peipert, Jeffrey F; Zhao, Qiuhong; McNicholas, Colleen; Secura, Gina M; Madden, Tessa

2015-10-01

The objective was to compare three strategies for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening prior to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. This was a secondary analysis of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project. We measured the prevalence of C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae at the time of IUD insertion. We then compared sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and likelihood ratios for three screening strategies for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae prior to IUD insertion: (a) "age-based" — age ≤25 years alone; (b) "age/partner-based" — age ≤25 and/or multiple sexual partners; and (c) "risk-based" — age ≤25, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and/or history of prior sexually transmitted infection (STI). Among 5087 IUD users, 140 (2.8%) tested positive for C. trachomatis, 16 (0.3%) tested positive for N. gonorrhoeae, and 6 (0.1%) were positive for both at the time of IUD insertion. The "risk-based" screening strategy had the highest sensitivity (99.3%) compared to "age-based" and "age/partner-based" screening (80.7% and 84.7%, respectively.) Only one (0.7%) woman with a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection would not have been screened using "risk-based" screening. A risk-based strategy to screen for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae prior to IUD insertion has higher sensitivity than screening based on age alone or age and multiple sexual partners. Using a risk-based screening strategy (age≤25, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and/or history of an STI) to determine who should be screened for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae prior to IUD insertion will miss very few cases of infection and obviates the need for universal screening. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Novel failure mechanism and improvement for split-gate trench MOSFET with large current under unclamped inductive switch stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Ye; Yang, Zhuo; Xu, Zhiyuan; Liu, Siyang; Sun, Weifeng; Shi, Longxing; Zhu, Yuanzheng; Ye, Peng; Zhou, Jincheng

2018-04-01

In this paper, a novel failure mechanism under unclamped inductive switch (UIS) for Split-Gate Trench Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) with large current is investigated. The device sample is tested and analyzed in detail. The simulation results demonstrate that the nonuniform potential distribution of the source poly should be responsible for the failure. Three structures are proposed and verified available to improve the device UIS ruggedness by TCAD simulation. The best one of the structures the device with source metal inserting into source poly through contacts in the field oxide is carried out and measured. The results demonstrate that the optimized structure can balance the trade-off between the UIS ruggedness and the static characteristics.

Inserting Thienyl Linkers into Conjugated Molecules for Efficient Multilevel Electronic Memory: A New Understanding of Charge-Trapping in Organic Materials.

PubMed

Li, Yang; Li, Hua; He, Jinghui; Xu, Qingfeng; Li, Najun; Chen, Dongyun; Lu, Jianmei

2016-03-18

The practical application of organic memory devices requires low power consumption and reliable device quality. Herein, we report that inserting thienyl units into D-π-A molecules can improve these parameters by tuning the texture of the film. Theoretical calculations revealed that introducing thienyl π bridges increased the planarity of the molecular backbone and extended the D-A conjugation. Thus, molecules with more thienyl spacers showed improved stacking and orientation in the film state relative to the substrates. The corresponding sandwiched memory devices showed enhanced ternary memory behavior, with lower threshold voltages and better repeatability. The conductive switching and variation in the performance of the memory devices were interpreted by using an extended-charge-trapping mechanism. Our study suggests that judicious molecular engineering can facilitate control of the orientation of the crystallite in the solid state to achieve superior multilevel memory performance. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Sealing device for providing a seal in a turbomachine

DOEpatents

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu; Porter, Christopher Donald; Schick, David Edward; Weber, David Wayne

2016-08-16

Sealing device for providing seals between adjacent components, and turbomachines utilizing such sealing devices, are provided. A sealing device includes a seal plate insertable between the adjacent components, the seal plate comprising a first face and an opposing second face. The sealing device further includes a plurality of pins extending from one of the first face or the second face, the plurality of pins configured to space the one of the first face or the second face from contact surfaces of the adjacent components.

Full scale model investigation on the acoustical protection of a balcony-like façade device (L).

PubMed

Tong, Y G; Tang, S K; Yeung, M K L

2011-08-01

The acoustical insertion losses produced by a balcony-like structure in front of a window are examined experimentally. The results suggest that the balcony ceiling is the most appropriate location for the installation of artificial sound absorption for the purpose of improving the broadband insertion loss, while the side walls are found to be the second best. Results also indicate that the acoustic modes of the balcony opening and the balcony cavity resonance in a direction normal to the window could have a great impact on the one-third octave band insertion losses. The maximum broadband road traffic noise insertion loss achieved is about 7 dB.

The intuitive use of laryngeal airway tools by first year medical students.

PubMed

Bickenbach, Johannes; Schälte, Gereon; Beckers, Stefan; Fries, Michael; Derwall, Matthias; Rossaint, Rolf

2009-09-22

Providing a secured airway is of paramount importance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although intubating the trachea is yet seen as gold standard, this technique is still reserved to experienced healthcare professionals. Compared to bag-valve facemask ventilation, however, the insertion of a laryngeal mask airway offers the opportunity to ventilate the patient effectively and can also be placed easily by lay responders. Obviously, it might be inserted without detailed background knowledge.The purpose of the study was to investigate the intuitive use of airway devices by first-year medical students as well as the effect of a simple, but well-directed training programme. Retention of skills was re-evaluated six months thereafter. The insertion of a LMA-Classic and a LMA-Fastrach performed by inexperienced medical students was compared in an airway model. The improvement on their performance after a training programme of overall two hours was examined afterwards. Prior to any instruction, mean time to correct placement was 55.5 +/- 29.6 s for the LMA-Classic and 38.1 +/- 24.9 s for the LMA-Fastrach. Following training, time to correct placement decreased significantly with 22.9 +/- 13.5 s for the LMA-Classic and 22.9 +/- 19.0 s for the LMA-Fastrach, respectively (p < 0.05). After six months, the results are comparable prior (55.6 +/- 29.9 vs 43.1 +/- 34.7 s) and after a further training period (23.5 +/- 13.2 vs 26.6 +/- 21.6, p < 0.05). Untrained laypersons are able to use different airway devices in a manikin and may therefore provide a secured airway even without having any detailed background knowledge about the tool. Minimal theoretical instruction and practical skill training can improve their performance significantly. However, refreshment of knowledge seems justified after six months.

Hybrid ZnO/phthalocyanine photovoltaic device with highly resistive ZnO intermediate layer.

PubMed

Izaki, Masanobu; Chizaki, Ryo; Saito, Takamasa; Murata, Kazufumi; Sasano, Junji; Shinagawa, Tsutomu

2013-10-09

We report a hybrid photovoltaic device composed of a 3.3 eV bandgap zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor and metal-free phthalocyanine layers and the effects of the insertion of the highly resistive ZnO buffer layer on the electrical characteristics of the rectification feature and photovoltaic performance. The hybrid photovoltaic devices have been constructed by electrodeposition of the 300 nm thick ZnO layer in a simple zinc nitrate aqueous solution followed by vacuum evaporation of 50-400 nm thick-phthalocyanine layers. The ZnO layers with the resistivity of 1.8 × 10(3) and 1 × 10(8) Ω cm were prepared by adjusting the cathodic current density and were installed into the hybrid photovoltaic devices as the n-type and buffer layer, respectively. The phthalocyanine layers with the characteristic monoclinic lattice showed a characteristic optical absorption feature regardless of the thickness, but the preferred orientation changed depending on the thickness. The ZnO buffer-free hybrid 50 nm thick phthalocyanine/n-ZnO photovoltaic device showed a rectification feature but possessed a poor photovoltaic performance with a conversion efficiency of 7.5 × 10(-7) %, open circuit voltage of 0.041 V, and short circuit current density of 8.0 × 10(-5) mA cm(-2). The insertion of the ZnO buffer layer between the n-ZnO and phthalocyanine layers induced improvements in both the rectification feature and photovoltaic performance. The excellent rectification feature with a rectification ratio of 3188 and ideally factor of 1.29 was obtained for the hybrid 200 nm thick phthalocyanine/ZnO buffer/n-ZnO photovoltaic device, and the hybrid photovoltaic device possessed an improved photovoltaic performance with the conversion efficiency of 0.0016%, open circuit voltage of 0.31 V, and short circuit current density of 0.015 mA cm(-2).

Primary uterine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a patient with prolonged insertion of intrauterine device (IUD).

PubMed

Shimizu, Takuya; Hatanaka, Kazuo; Kaneko, Hitomi; Shimada, Toshihide; Imada, Kazunori

2017-07-01

A 49-year-old female from China was referred to our hospital after endocervical polypectomy. Twenty years before admission, after the birth of her first child, an intrauterine device (IUD) had been inserted due to the one-child policy in China. She had noticed abnormal vaginal bleeding with a foul smell 3 years before admission. Then the IUD was removed and a polyp was found at the IUD contact site. Two months before admission, endocervical polypectomy was performed. Lymphoma was suspected by histological examination and she was referred to our hospital. Further examination confirmed the diagnosis of primary uterine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Subsequently, a combination of three cycles of R-CHOP regimen and involved-field radiation therapy was performed, followed by maintenance therapy with five cycles of rituximab. She has remained in complete remission for over 1 year. This case suggests that chronic inflammation induced by prolonged IUD insertion may contribute to the development of primary uterine lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of DLBCL associated with prolonged IUD insertion.

Atypical use of PICC in infants and small children: a unicentric experience.

PubMed

Bernasconi, Filippo; Zanaboni, Clelia; Dato, Andrea; Dolcino, Andrea; Bevilacqua, Michela; Montagnini, Luigi; Disma, Nicola

2017-11-17

The peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are vascular access devices (VAD) that are increasingly being used in the pediatric population. If a small vein caliber prevents positioning the catheter in the arm, the following step is to position the same catheter in the supraclavicular area, which can be defined as an off-label use or "atypical" approach, first described by Pittiruti. We retrospectively reviewed PICC positioning with puncture-site in the supra-clavicular area ("atypical" PICC insertion) and then tunneled on the chest. Nineteen atypical PICCs were positioned in 18 patients. The median age of patients at the day of implant was 14 months (IQR 3-27 months), and weight 7.5 kg (IQR 4-12 kg). Within this population, 74% of cases scheduled for a typical PICC insertion presented vein caliber too small for this procedure. For this reason, the typical PICC insertion was changed in favor of an atypical PICC procedure. Atypical PICCs were successfully used in 100% of cases without immediate complications. Atypical PICC positioning is a safe and useful alternative to the conventional technique when there is need for a central vascular access device (CVAD) for mid- or long-term therapy.

Implant Evaluation of an Insertable Cardiac Monitor Outside the Electrophysiology Lab Setting

PubMed Central

Pachulski, Roman; Cockrell, James; Solomon, Hemant; Yang, Fang; Rogers, John

2013-01-01

Background To date, insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) have been implanted in the hospital without critical evaluation of other potential settings. Providing alternatives to in-hospital insertion may increase access to ICM, decrease waiting times for patients awaiting diagnosis, and reduce hospital resources. Methods This was a prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial involving nine clinical sites throughout the United States designed to assess the feasibility of ICM implants in a non-hospital setting. Other than the Reveal® ICM, implant supplies and techniques were left to physician discretion in patients who met indications. Patients were followed up to 90 days post-implant. The primary objective was to characterize the number of procedure-related adverse events that required surgical intervention within 90 days. Results Sixty-five patients were implanted at nine out-of-hospital sites. The insertion procedure was well tolerated by all patients. There were no deaths, systemic infections or endocarditis. There were two (3%) procedure-related adverse events requiring device explant and four (6%) adverse events not requiring explant. ICM use led to 16 diagnoses (24.6%) with 9 patients proceeding to alternate cardiac device implants during the course of the 90-day follow up. Conclusion Out-of-hospital ICM insertion can be accomplished with comparable procedural safety and represents a reasonable alternative to the in-hospital setting. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01168427 PMID:23977071

[Sniffing Position and i-gel Rotation Approach for i-gel Insertion under General Anesthesia].

PubMed

Takahashi, Yoshihiro; Murashima, Koji; Kayashima, Kenji

2016-04-01

Insertion assistance techniques, such as the sniffing position (SP) and i-gel? rotation approach (RA), are recommended in the i-gel supraglottic airway device insertion manual. The usefulness of these techniques was evaluated, in this study, under general anesthesia. In 50 adult patients, the i-gel was inserted with the patient in the mild-SP with 5 degrees head extention at first attempt. When resistance was encountered during insertion or airway patency was not obtained after insertion, the i-gel was re-inserted with the patient in the full-SP with maximum head extention during second attempt. When re-insertion failed, the i-gel was inserted with the patient in the full-SP and by using the i-gel RA during third attempt. Airway patency was established in the mild-SP in 36 of 50 patients, in the full-SP in 11 of the remaining 14, and in the full-SP with the i-gel RA in the remaining 3. The average insertion time was 24.0 s during the first attempt, 22.2 s during the second, and 18.2 s during the third. No major complications were observed. Both the full-SP and the i-gel RA can be used for i-gel insertion.

Factors associated with fertility of nulliparous dairy heifers following a 10-day fixed-time artificial insemination program with sex-sorted and conventional semen.

PubMed

Noonan, E J; Kelly, J C; Beggs, D S

2016-05-01

To examine factors associated with fertility on dairy farms that used a common fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) program in yearling heifers. Records were analysed from 954 yearling heifers on 10 south-west Victorian dairy farms that used a common FTAI program, involving the insertion of a 1.9-g progesterone-releasing device for 10 days; 2 mg oestradiol benzoate at insertion; 500 µg cloprostenol on day 7; and FTAI 48 h after device removal. Weight, age, expression of oestrus, sire, semen type (frozen sex-sorted or frozen conventional) and timing of insemination were examined for their relationship with first-service conception rates. Heifers over 300 kg body weight were 1.18-fold more likely to express oestrus during the FTAI program. For every extra 1 kg, there was a 1.5% increase in the likelihood of expressing oestrus. First-service conception rates were 40.3% and 56.0% for sex-sorted and conventional semen, respectively, and were significantly higher when oestrus was expressed. The difference was greater for sex-sorted semen (3.4-fold) compared with conventional semen (1.5-fold). The interval from device removal to insemination varied between 47 and 51.4 h and had no significant effect on conception rates. However, there was a trend towards a higher conception rate for sex-sorted semen when inseminations were performed >50 h after device removal. Increased fertility was associated with larger heifers and heifers that expressed oestrus, particularly when sexed-sorted semen was used. Variation in the timing of AI with respect to device removal between 47 and 51.4 h did not adversely affect conception rates. © 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.

Exploratory Application of Augmented Reality/Mixed Reality Devices for Acute Care Procedure Training.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Leo; Zhang, Xiao Chi; Collins, Scott A; Karim, Naz; Merck, Derek L

2018-01-01

Augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality devices are enabling technologies that may facilitate effective communication in healthcare between those with information and knowledge (clinician/specialist; expert; educator) and those seeking understanding and insight (patient/family; non-expert; learner). Investigators initiated an exploratory program to enable the study of AR/MR use-cases in acute care clinical and instructional settings. Academic clinician educators, computer scientists, and diagnostic imaging specialists conducted a proof-of-concept project to 1) implement a core holoimaging pipeline infrastructure and open-access repository at the study institution, and 2) use novel AR/MR techniques on off-the-shelf devices with holoimages generated by the infrastructure to demonstrate their potential role in the instructive communication of complex medical information. The study team successfully developed a medical holoimaging infrastructure methodology to identify, retrieve, and manipulate real patients' de-identified computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagesets for rendering, packaging, transfer, and display of modular holoimages onto AR/MR headset devices and connected displays. Holoimages containing key segmentations of cervical and thoracic anatomic structures and pathology were overlaid and registered onto physical task trainers for simulation-based "blind insertion" invasive procedural training. During the session, learners experienced and used task-relevant anatomic holoimages for central venous catheter and tube thoracostomy insertion training with enhanced visual cues and haptic feedback. Direct instructor access into the learner's AR/MR headset view of the task trainer was achieved for visual-axis interactive instructional guidance. Investigators implemented a core holoimaging pipeline infrastructure and modular open-access repository to generate and enable access to modular holoimages during exploratory pilot stage applications for invasive procedure training that featured innovative AR/MR techniques on off-the-shelf headset devices.

Model-assisted template extraction SRAF application to contact holes patterns in high-end flash memory device fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seoud, Ahmed; Kim, Juhwan; Ma, Yuansheng; Jayaram, Srividya; Hong, Le; Chae, Gyu-Yeol; Lee, Jeong-Woo; Park, Dae-Jin; Yune, Hyoung-Soon; Oh, Se-Young; Park, Chan-Ha

2018-03-01

Sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) insertion techniques have been effectively used for a long time now to increase process latitude in the lithography patterning process. Rule-based SRAF and model-based SRAF are complementary solutions, and each has its own benefits, depending on the objectives of applications and the criticality of the impact on manufacturing yield, efficiency, and productivity. Rule-based SRAF provides superior geometric output consistency and faster runtime performance, but the associated recipe development time can be of concern. Model-based SRAF provides better coverage for more complicated pattern structures in terms of shapes and sizes, with considerably less time required for recipe development, although consistency and performance may be impacted. In this paper, we introduce a new model-assisted template extraction (MATE) SRAF solution, which employs decision tree learning in a model-based solution to provide the benefits of both rule-based and model-based SRAF insertion approaches. The MATE solution is designed to automate the creation of rules/templates for SRAF insertion, and is based on the SRAF placement predicted by model-based solutions. The MATE SRAF recipe provides optimum lithographic quality in relation to various manufacturing aspects in a very short time, compared to traditional methods of rule optimization. Experiments were done using memory device pattern layouts to compare the MATE solution to existing model-based SRAF and pixelated SRAF approaches, based on lithographic process window quality, runtime performance, and geometric output consistency.

Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis for cycle-to-cycle variations of engine flow. Effect of a control device in an inlet pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vu, Trung-Thanh; Guibert, Philippe

2012-06-01

This paper aims to investigate cycle-to-cycle variations of non-reacting flow inside a motored single-cylinder transparent engine in order to judge the insertion amplitude of a control device able to displace linearly inside the inlet pipe. Three positions corresponding to three insertion amplitudes are implemented to modify the main aerodynamic properties from one cycle to the next. Numerous particle image velocimetry (PIV) two-dimensional velocity fields following cycle database are post-treated to discriminate specific contributions of the fluctuating flow. We performed a multiple snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) in the tumble plane of a pent roof SI engine. The analytical process consists of a triple decomposition for each instantaneous velocity field into three distinctive parts named mean part, coherent part and turbulent part. The 3rd- and 4th-centered statistical moments of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)-filtered velocity field as well as the probability density function of the PIV realizations proved that the POD extracts different behaviors of the flow. Especially, the cyclic variability is assumed to be contained essentially in the coherent part. Thus, the cycle-to-cycle variations of the engine flows might be provided from the corresponding POD temporal coefficients. It has been shown that the in-cylinder aerodynamic dispersions can be adapted and monitored by controlling the insertion depth of the control instrument inside the inlet pipe.

21 CFR 880.5200 - Intravascular catheter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Devices § 880.5200 Intravascular catheter. (a) Identification. An intravascular catheter is a device that consists of a slender tube and any necessary connecting fittings and that is inserted into the patient's vascular system for short term use (less than 30 days) to sample blood, monitor blood pressure, or...

Primary stability, insertion torque, and bone density of conical implants with internal hexagon: is there a relationship?

PubMed

Trisi, Paolo; Berardi, Davide; Paolantonio, Michele; Spoto, Giuseppe; D'Addona, Antonio; Perfetti, Giorgio

2013-05-01

Between implants and peri-implant bone, there should be a minimum gap, without micromotions over a threshold, which could cause resorption and fibrosis. The higher the implant insertion torque, the higher will be the initial stability. The aim was to evaluate in vitro the correlation between micromotions and insertion torque of implants in bone of different densities. The test was performed on bovine bone of hard, medium, and soft density: 150 implants were used, 10 for each torque (20, 35, 45, 70, and 100 N/cm). Samples were fixed on a loading device. On each sample, we applied a 25-N horizontal force. Insertion torque and micromotions are statistically correlated. In soft bone with an insertion force of 20 and 35 N/cm, the micromotion resulted significantly over the risk threshold, which was not found with an insertion force of 45 and 70 N/cm and in hard and medium bones with any insertion torque. The increase in insertion torque reduces the amount of micromotions between implant and bone. Therefore, the immediate loading may be considered a valid therapeutic choice, even in low-density bone, as long as at least 45 N/cm of insertion torque is reached.

Evaluation of a novel, ultrathin, tip-bending endoscope in a synthetic force-sensing pancreas with comparison to medical guide wires

PubMed Central

Chandler, John E; Lee, Cameron M; Babchanik, Alexander P; Melville, C David; Saunders, Michael D; Seibel, Eric J

2012-01-01

Purpose Direct visualization of pancreatic ductal tissue is critical for early diagnosis of pancreatic diseases and for guiding therapeutic interventions. A novel, ultrathin (5 Fr) scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) with tip-bending capability has been developed specifically to achieve high resolution imaging as a pancreatoscope during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This device has potential to dramatically improve both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities during ERCP by providing direct video feedback and tool guidance to clinicians. Methods Invasiveness of the new tip-bending SFE was evaluated by a performance comparison to ERCP guide wires, which are routinely inserted into the pancreatic duct during ERCP. An in vitro test model with four force sensors embedded in a synthetic pancreas was designed to detect and compare the insertion forces for 0.89 mm and 0.53 mm diameter guide wires as well as the 1.7 mm diameter SFE. Insertions were performed through the working channel of a therapeutic duodenoscope for the two types of guide wires and using a statistically similar direct insertion method for comparison to the SFE. Results Analysis of the forces detected by the sensors showed the smaller diameter 0.53 mm wire produced significantly less average and maximum forces during insertion than the larger diameter 0.89 mm wire. With the use of tip-bending and optical visualization, the 1.7 mm diameter SFE produced significantly less average force during insertion than the 0.89 mm wire at every sensor, despite its larger size. It was further shown that the use of tip-bending with the SFE significantly reduced the forces at all sensors, compared to insertions when tip-bending was not used. Conclusion Combining high quality video imaging with two-axis tip-bending allows a larger diameter guide wire-style device to be inserted into the pancreatic duct during ERCP with improved capacity to perform diagnostics and therapy. PMID:23166452

Mechanical Validation of an MRI Compatible Stereotactic Neurosurgery Robot in Preparation for Pre-Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Nycz, Christopher J; Gondokaryono, Radian; Carvalho, Paulo; Patel, Nirav; Wartenberg, Marek; Pilitsis, Julie G; Fischer, Gregory S

2017-09-01

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for guiding robotic surgical devices has shown great potential for performing precisely targeted and controlled interventions. To fully realize these benefits, devices must work safely within the tight confines of the MRI bore without negatively impacting image quality. Here we expand on previous work exploring MRI guided robots for neural interventions by presenting the mechanical design and assessment of a device for positioning, orienting, and inserting an interstitial ultrasound-based ablation probe. From our previous work we have added a 2 degree of freedom (DOF) needle driver for use with the aforementioned probe, revised the mechanical design to improve strength and function, and performed an evaluation of the mechanism's accuracy and effect on MR image quality. The result of this work is a 7-DOF MRI robot capable of positioning a needle tip and orienting it's axis with accuracy of 1.37 ± 0.06 mm and 0.79° ± 0.41°, inserting it along it's axis with an accuracy of 0.06 ± 0.07 mm , and rotating it about it's axis to an accuracy of 0.77° ± 1.31°. This was accomplished with no significant reduction in SNR caused by the robot's presence in the MRI bore, ≤ 10.3% reduction in SNR from running the robot's motors during a scan, and no visible paramagnetic artifacts.

Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes with Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanodot Hole Transport and Electronic Energy Transfer Layer.

PubMed

Park, Young Ran; Jeong, Hu Young; Seo, Young Soo; Choi, Won Kook; Hong, Young Joon

2017-04-12

Electroluminescence efficiency is crucial for the application of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) in practical devices. We demonstrate that nitrogen-doped carbon nanodot (N-CD) interlayer improves electrical and luminescent properties of QD-LEDs. The N-CDs were prepared by solution-based bottom up synthesis and were inserted as a hole transport layer (HTL) between other multilayer HTL heterojunction and the red-QD layer. The QD-LEDs with N-CD interlayer represented superior electrical rectification and electroluminescent efficiency than those without the N-CD interlayer. The insertion of N-CD layer was found to provoke the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from N-CD to QD layer, as confirmed by time-integrated and -resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Moreover, hole-only devices (HODs) with N-CD interlayer presented high hole transport capability, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy also revealed that the N-CD interlayer reduced the highest hole barrier height. Thus, more balanced carrier injection with sufficient hole carrier transport feasibly lead to the superior electrical and electroluminescent properties of the QD-LEDs with N-CD interlayer. We further studied effect of N-CD interlayer thickness on electrical and luminescent performances for high-brightness QD-LEDs. The ability of the N-CD interlayer to improve both the electrical and luminescent characteristics of the QD-LEDs would be readily exploited as an emerging photoactive material for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

[Hysteroscopic fallopian tube sterilization procedure: feasibility and one-year follow-up].

PubMed

Gibon, E; Lopès, P; Linet, T; Martigny, H; Orieux, C; Philippe, H-J

2006-03-01

Hysteroscopic flexible micro-insert (Essure) is an ambulatory improvement of fallopian tube sterilization, which is a deliberated suppression of fertility. The aim of this study was an evaluation of feasibility (learning curve) and the first year outcome of this method. This prospective study, carried out between February 2002 and March 2003, included patients who were matching with manufacturer recommendations. One surgeon only realized all the device placements. Fifty patients were included (one year follow-up). Mean age was 41 (+/-3.3), mean parity was 2.7 (+/-0.8). Mean time needed for device placement was 26 minutes (+/-6.5) and was reduced with increased experience. Six failures of placement (12%) were related, because of submucus leiomyomas, proximal tubal stenotic disease or too retroverted uterus. Only 5 patients (11,4%) described intensive pelvic pain during the placement. The only case of device expulsion benefited from a successful second placement. The one-year follow-up showed no significant difference of body weight increasing, duration or quantity of menstruation, neither significant pelvic pain nor vaginal bleeding. Tolerance was rated at least at "somewhat satisfied". There have been no pregnancies reported in 670 woman-months of effectiveness. Our results agree in any point with those of larger studies. We think that hysteroscopy micro-insert placement is not only reserved to specialized centers but also to any gynecologist who is used to performing hysteroscopy because of its feasibility.

A three-year comparative study of continuation rates, bleeding patterns and satisfaction in Australian women using a subdermal contraceptive implant or progestogen releasing-intrauterine system.

PubMed

Weisberg, Edith; Bateson, Deborah; McGeechan, Kevin; Mohapatra, Lita

2014-02-01

BACKGROUND Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCs) are safe, highly effective, readily reversible, and require no action on the part of the user following insertion. Early discontinuation may put women at increased risk of unintended pregnancy. METHODS Following insertion of a progestogen-only subdermal implant or intrauterine system (IUS) at Family Planning NSW, women 18 years and older completed a questionnaire about their choice. At 6 weeks, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months by telephone or online they completed a questionnaire about bleeding patterns, side effects, satisfaction, and reasons for discontinuation. RESULTS Two hundred IUS users and 149 implant users were enrolled. The former were generally older, married or in a de-facto relationship, and had children. Forty-seven percent of implant users discontinued within three years compared to 27% of IUS users (p = 0.002). In the first two years amenorrhoea was more frequent in implant users. Frequent bleeding/spotting was more prevalent in the first year of IUS use but over time was twice as prevalent in implant users. Infrequent bleeding/spotting was more common in IUS users. CONCLUSION Both devices are highly effective and acceptable cost-effective methods. While LARCs should be promoted to women of all ages seeking contraception, early discontinuation due to unacceptable bleeding highlights the need for pre-insertion counselling.

Noncontact speckle-based optical sensor for detection of glucose concentration using magneto-optic effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozana, Nisan; Beiderman, Yevgeny; Anand, Arun; Javidi, Baharam; Polani, Sagi; Schwarz, Ariel; Shemer, Amir; Garcia, Javier; Zalevsky, Zeev

2016-06-01

We experimentally verify a speckle-based technique for noncontact measurement of glucose concentration in the bloodstream. The final device is intended to be a single wristwatch-style device containing a laser, a camera, and an alternating current (ac) electromagnet generated by a solenoid. The experiments presented are performed in vitro as proof of the concept. When a glucose substance is inserted into a solenoid generating an ac magnetic field, it exhibits Faraday rotation, which affects the temporal changes of the secondary speckle pattern distributions. The temporal frequency resulting from the ac magnetic field was found to have a lock-in amplification role, which increased the observability of the relatively small magneto-optic effect. Experimental results to support the proposed concept are presented.

Polymer electro-optic waveguide devices: Low-loss etchless fabrication techniques and passive-to-active integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geary, Kevin

The development of high-frequency polymer electro-optic modulators has seen steady and significant progress in recent years, yet applications of these promising materials to more complicated integrated optic structures and arrays of devices have been limited primarily due to high optical waveguide loss characteristics. This is unfortunate since a major advantage of polymers as photonic materials is their compatibility with photolithographic processing of large components. In this Dissertation, etchless waveguide writing techniques are presented in order to improve the overall optical insertion loss of electro-optic polymer waveguide devices. These techniques include poling-induced writing, stress-induced waveguide writing, and photobleaching. Using these waveguide writing mechanisms, we have demonstrated straight waveguides, phase modulators, Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators, variable optical attenuators, and multimode interference (MMI) power splitters, all with improved loss characteristics over their etched rib waveguide counterparts. Ultimately, the insertion loss of an integrated optic device is limited by the actual material loss of the core waveguide material. In this Dissertation, passive-to-active polymer waveguide transitions are proposed to circumvent this problem. These transitions are compact, in-plane, self-aligned, and require no tapering of any physical dimensions of the waveguides. By utilizing both the time-dependent and intensity-dependent photobleaching characteristics of electro-optic polymer materials, adiabatic refractive index tapers can be seamlessly coupled to in-plane butt couple transitions, resulting in losses as low as 0.1 dB per interface. By integrating passive polymer planar lightwave circuits with the high-speed phase shifting capability of electro-optic polymers, active wideband photonic devices of increased size and complexity can be realized. Optical fiber-to-device coupling can also result in significant contributions to the overall insertion loss of an integrated electro-optic polymer device. In this Dissertation, we leverage the photobleached refractive index taper component of our proposed passive-to-active polymer waveguide transitions in order to realize a two-dimensional optical mode transformer for improved overall fiber-to-device coupling of electro-optic polymer waveguide devices.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chan, Gabriel, E-mail: dr.changabriel@gmail.com; Quek, Lawrence Hwee Han, E-mail: lawrence-quek@ttsh.com.sg; Tan, Glenn Leong Wei, E-mail: glenn-tan@ttsh.com.sg

BackgroundInsertion of a carotid chimney graft during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (Ch-TEVAR) is a recognized technique to extend the proximal landing zone into the aortic arch in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease. Conventional technique requires surgical exposure of the carotid artery for insertion of the carotid chimney graft.MethodologyWe describe our experience in the use of a suture-mediated closure device in percutaneous Ch-TEVAR in four patients.ResultsSuccessful hemostasis was achieved in all four patients. No complications related to the carotid puncture were recorded.ConclusionWe conclude that using suture-mediated closure device for carotid closure appears feasible and deserves further studies as a potentialmore » alternative to conventional surgical approach.« less

Monte Carlo and analytical calculations for characterization of gas bremsstrahlung in ILSF insertion devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salimi, E.; Rahighi, J.; Sardari, D.; Mahdavi, S. R.; Lamehi Rachti, M.

2014-12-01

Gas bremsstrahlung is generated in high energy electron storage rings through interaction of the electron beam with the residual gas molecules in vacuum chamber. In this paper, Monte Carlo calculation has been performed to evaluate radiation hazard due to gas bremsstrahlung in the Iranian Light Source Facility (ILSF) insertion devices. Shutter/stopper dimensions is determined and dose rate from the photoneutrons via the giant resonance photonuclear reaction which takes place inside the shutter/stopper is also obtained. Some other characteristics of gas bremsstrahlung such as photon fluence, energy spectrum, angular distribution and equivalent dose in tissue equivalent phantom have also been investigated by FLUKA Monte Carlo code.

Cervix-to-rectum measuring device in a radiation applicator for use in the treatment of cervical cancer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischell, D. R.; Mazique, J. C. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A cervix-to-rectum measuring device to be used in the treatment of cervical cancer is described. It includes a handle and a probe pivotably connected to the handle for insertion in the rectum. The measuring device further includes means for coupling the handle to an intrauterine radiation applicator when the latter is positioned in the uterine cervix and the probe is inserted in the rectum to pivot the handle about the probe. A gear is provided which is adapted to pivot with the probe. A pinion pivotably connected to the handle meshes with the gear. A pointer fixed to the pinion is displaced in response to the pivoting of the handle about the probe, and this displacement can be read from a scale on the handle, providing an indication of the cervix-to-rectum distance.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc/sodium vanadate batteries with enhanced performance from simultaneous insertion of dual carriers.

PubMed

Wan, Fang; Zhang, Linlin; Dai, Xi; Wang, Xinyu; Niu, Zhiqiang; Chen, Jun

2018-04-25

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising energy storage devices due to their high safety and low cost. However, they remain in their infancy because of the limited choice of positive electrodes with high capacity and satisfactory cycling performance. Furthermore, their energy storage mechanisms are not well established yet. Here we report a highly reversible zinc/sodium vanadate system, where sodium vanadate hydrate nanobelts serve as positive electrode and zinc sulfate aqueous solution with sodium sulfate additive is used as electrolyte. Different from conventional energy release/storage in zinc-ion batteries with only zinc-ion insertion/extraction, zinc/sodium vanadate hydrate batteries possess a simultaneous proton, and zinc-ion insertion/extraction process that is mainly responsible for their excellent performance, such as a high reversible capacity of 380 mAh g -1 and capacity retention of 82% over 1000 cycles. Moreover, the quasi-solid-state zinc/sodium vanadate hydrate battery is also a good candidate for flexible energy storage device.

Taking SiC Power Devices to the Final Frontier: Addressing Challenges of the Space Radiation Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauenstein, Jean-Marie; Casey, Megan

2017-01-01

Silicon carbide power device technology has the potential to enable a new generation of aerospace power systems that demand high efficiency, rapid switching, and reduced mass and volume in order to expand space-based capabilities. For this potential to be realized, SiC devices must be capable of withstanding the harsh space radiation environment. Commercial SiC components exhibit high tolerance to total ionizing dose but to date, have not performed well under exposure to heavy ion radiation representative of the on-orbit galactic cosmic rays. Insertion of SiC power device technology into space applications to achieve breakthrough performance gains will require intentional development of components hardened to the effects of these highly-energetic heavy ions. This work presents heavy-ion test data obtained by the authors over the past several years for discrete SiC power MOSFETs, JFETs, and diodes in order to increase the body of knowledge and understanding that will facilitate hardening of this technology to space radiation effects. Specifically, heavy-ion irradiation data taken under different bias, temperature, and ion beam conditions is presented for devices from different manufacturers, and the emerging patterns discussed.

21 CFR 874.4710 - Esophagoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... disease, or to remove foreign bodies from the esophagus. When inserted, the device extends from the area.... 874.4710 Section 874.4710 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... generic type of device includes the flexible foreign body claw, flexible biopsy forceps, rigid biopsy...

21 CFR 874.4710 - Esophagoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... disease, or to remove foreign bodies from the esophagus. When inserted, the device extends from the area.... 874.4710 Section 874.4710 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... generic type of device includes the flexible foreign body claw, flexible biopsy forceps, rigid biopsy...

21 CFR 874.4710 - Esophagoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... disease, or to remove foreign bodies from the esophagus. When inserted, the device extends from the area.... 874.4710 Section 874.4710 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... generic type of device includes the flexible foreign body claw, flexible biopsy forceps, rigid biopsy...

Micro-device for coupling, multiplexing and demultiplexing using elliptical-core two-mode fiber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, A.; Murphy, K. A.; Wang, G. Z.; Vengsarkar, A. M.; Claus, R. O.

1990-01-01

We propose and demonstrate experimentally a fiber optic micro-device that is capable of tunably splitting, multiplexing, and demultiplexing optical signals using elliptical-core two-mode optical fiber. A crosstalk of 15 dB with an insertion loss of 1.2 dB was obtained.

Skeletal anchorage for everybody? a questionnaire study on frequency of use and clinical indications in daily practice.

PubMed

Bock, N C; Ruf, S

2015-03-01

The purpose of this survey was to determine how commonly, and in what clinical situations, German-based orthodontists use skeletal anchorage devices in daily clinical practice. In early 2013, a set of questionnaires on the subject of skeletal anchorage devices was mailed to 2459 members of the German Orthodontic Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kieferorthopädie, DGKFO). The questions dealt separately with mini screws (MSCs) and osseointegrated palatal implants (OPIs). The addresses were asked whether or not, as well as how frequently and in what clinical situations, they used these MSCs and/or OPIs, what their experience was, and to elaborate on their reasons for using or not using these devices. The rate of returned questionnaires was 48 %. To correctly interpret our data, it should be kept in mind that an unknown number of respondents did not distinguish between OPIs and palatally inserted MSCs. Overall, 62 % indicated that they did use MSCs and/or OPIs, although most of them (> 50 %) infrequently (≤ 2 new patients/3 months). Only ≤ 2 % were frequent users (> 2 new patients/week). While most users (> 70 %) indicated that their experience was mostly good, only ≤ 50 % considered the devices easy and trouble-free to use in daily clinical practice. The median percentage of insertion procedures conducted by the respondents themselves was 2 % for MSCs and 0 % for OPIs. Many of the non-users indicated that their treatment concept did not include suitable clinical indications (≥ 50 %), expressed skepticism about the success rates (56 % of MSC and 21 % of OPI non-users), or thought that the insertion procedures involved were too complex or time-consuming (33 % of MSC and 56 % of OPI non-users). A total of 62 % of German-based orthodontists participating in this survey indicated using skeletal anchorage devices, although most of them infrequently. Major reasons for non-use were lack of clinical indications, skepticism about the success rate of MSCs, and overly complex or time-consuming procedures of surgical OPI insertion.

Venous leakage treatment revisited: pelvic venoablation using aethoxysclerol under air block technique and Valsalva maneuver.

PubMed

Herwig, Ralf; Sansalone, Salvatore

2015-03-31

We evaluated the effectiveness of pelvic vein embolization with aethoxysclerol in aero-block technique for the treatment of impotence due to venous leakage in men using sildenafil for intercourse. The aim of the procedure was to reduce the use of sildenafil. A total of 96 patients with veno-occlusive dysfunction, severe enough for the need of PDE5 inhibitors for vaginal penetration, underwent pelvic venoablation with aethoxysclerol. The mean patient age was 53.5 years. Venous leaks were identified by Color Doppler Ultrasound after intracavernous alprostadil injection. Under local anesthesia a 20-gauge needle was inserted into the deep dorsal penile vein. The pelvic venogram was obtained through deep dorsal venography. Aethoxysclerol 3% as sclerosing agent was injected after air-block under Valsalva manoeuver. Success was defined as the ability to achieve vaginal insertion without the aid of any drugs, vasoactive injections, penile prosthesis, or vacuum device. Additionally, a pre- and post- therapy IIEF score and a digital overnight spontaneous erections protocol (OSEP) with the NEVA™-system was performed. At 3 month follow-up 77 out of 96 patients (80.21%) reported to have erections sufficient for vaginal insertion without the use of any drug or additional device. Four (4.17%) patients did not report any improvement. Follow up with color Doppler ultrasound revealed a new or persistent venous leakage in 8 (8.33%) of the patients. No serious complications occurred. Our new pelvic venoablation technique using aethoxysclerol in air-block technique was effective, minimally invasive, and cost-effective. All patients were able to perform sexual intercourse without the previously used dosage of PDE5 inhibitor. This new method may help in patients with contra-indications against PDE5 inhibitors, in patients who cannot afford the frequent usage of expensive oral medication or those who do not fully respond to PDE5-inhibitors.

Peapod-like Li3 VO4 /N-Doped Carbon Nanowires with Pseudocapacitive Properties as Advanced Materials for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Capacitors.

PubMed

Shen, Laifa; Lv, Haifeng; Chen, Shuangqiang; Kopold, Peter; van Aken, Peter A; Wu, Xiaojun; Maier, Joachim; Yu, Yan

2017-07-01

Lithium ion capacitors are new energy storage devices combining the complementary features of both electric double-layer capacitors and lithium ion batteries. A key limitation to this technology is the kinetic imbalance between the Faradaic insertion electrode and capacitive electrode. Here, we demonstrate that the Li 3 VO 4 with low Li-ion insertion voltage and fast kinetics can be favorably used for lithium ion capacitors. N-doped carbon-encapsulated Li 3 VO 4 nanowires are synthesized through a morphology-inheritance route, displaying a low insertion voltage between 0.2 and 1.0 V, a high reversible capacity of ≈400 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 , excellent rate capability, and long-term cycling stability. Benefiting from the small nanoparticles, low energy diffusion barrier and highly localized charge-transfer, the Li 3 VO 4 /N-doped carbon nanowires exhibit a high-rate pseudocapacitive behavior. A lithium ion capacitor device based on these Li 3 VO 4 /N-doped carbon nanowires delivers a high energy density of 136.4 Wh kg -1 at a power density of 532 W kg -1 , revealing the potential for application in high-performance and long life energy storage devices. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Performance enhancement of pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors using 6,13-pentacenequinone as a carrier injection interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Ching-Lin; Lin, Wei-Chun; Chen, Hao-Wei

2018-06-01

This work demonstrates pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) fabricated by inserting a 6,13-pentacenequinone (PQ) carrier injection layer between the source/drain (S/D) metal Au electrodes and pentacene channel layer. Compared to devices without a PQ layer, the performance characteristics including field-effect mobility, threshold voltage, and On/Off current ratio were significantly improved for the device with a 5-nm-thick PQ interlayer. These improvements are attributed to significant reduction of hole barrier height at the Au/pentacene channel interfaces. Therefore, it is believed that using PQ as the carrier injection layer is a good candidate to improve the pentacene-based OTFTs electrical performance.

Verifying placement of small-bore feeding tubes: electromagnetic device images versus abdominal radiographs.

PubMed

Bryant, Vera; Phang, Jean; Abrams, Kevin

2015-11-01

Clinicians are unsure if radiography is needed to confirm correct positioning of feeding tubes inserted with assistance from an electromagnetic system. To compare radiographic reports of feeding tube placement with images generated by an electromagnetic feeding tube placement device. The medical records of 200 consecutive patients who had feeding tubes inserted with assistance from an electromagnetic feeding tube placement device were reviewed retrospectively. Radiographic reports of tube site were compared with images generated by the device. Radiographic evidence of tube sites was available in 188 cases: 184 tubes were located in portions of the gastrointestinal tract. Ninety of the 188 tubes were situated in the optimal site (distal duodenum or jejunum) radiographically. Images generated by the electromagnetic device were available in 176 cases; of these, 52 tubes appeared to end in the expected left lower quadrant. Tubes shown on radiographs to be in other sites also occasionally appeared to end in the left lower quadrant. Nurses using the device did not recognize 4 of the 188 tubes (2.1%) that were inadvertently placed in the lung. No consistent pattern of quadrant distribution was found for tubes positioned in the stomach or proximal duodenum. Images generated by the electromagnetic tube placement device provided inconsistent results regarding tube location. A small percentage of seriously malpositioned tubes were not detected by using the electromagnetic device. These findings do not support eliminating radiographs to confirm correct tube placement following use of an electromagnetic tube placement device. ©2015 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Better Organic Ternary Memory Performance through Self-Assembled Alkyltrichlorosilane Monolayers on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) Surfaces.

PubMed

Hou, Xiang; Cheng, Xue-Feng; Zhou, Jin; He, Jing-Hui; Xu, Qing-Feng; Li, Hua; Li, Na-Jun; Chen, Dong-Yun; Lu, Jian-Mei

2017-11-16

Recently, surface engineering of the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode of sandwich-like organic electric memory devices was found to effectively improve their memory performances. However, there are few methods to modify the ITO substrates. In this paper, we have successfully prepared alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on ITO substrates, and resistive random access memory devices are fabricated on these surfaces. Compared to the unmodified ITO substrates, organic molecules (i.e., 2-((4-butylphenyl)amino)-4-((4-butylphenyl)iminio)-3-oxocyclobut-1-en-1-olate, SA-Bu) grown on these SAM-modified ITO substrates have rougher surface morphologies but a smaller mosaicity. The organic layer on the SAM-modified ITO further aged to eliminate the crystalline phase diversity. In consequence, the ternary memory yields are effectively improved to approximately 40-47 %. Our results suggest that the insertion of alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers could be an efficient method to improve the performance of organic memory devices. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Microfluidic transwell inserts for generation of tissue culture-friendly gradients in well plates

PubMed Central

Sip, Christopher G.; Bhattacharjee, Nirveek; Folch, Albert

2015-01-01

Gradients of biochemical molecules play a key role in many physiological processes such as axon growth, tissue morphogenesis, and trans-epithelium nutrient transport, as well as in pathophysiological phenomena such as wound healing, immune response, bacterial invasion, and cancer metastasis. In this paper, we report a microfluidic transwell insert for generating quantifiable concentration gradients in a user-friendly and modular format that is compatible with conventional cell cultures and with tissue explant cultures. The device is simply inserted into a standard 6-well plate, where it hangs self-supported at a distance of ~250 μm above the cell culture surface. The gradient is created by small microflows from the device, through an integrated track-etched porous membrane, into the cell culture well. The microfluidic transwell can deliver stable, quantifiable gradients over a large area with extremely low fluid shear stress to dissociated cells or tissue explants cultured independently on the surface of a 6-well plate. We used finite-element modeling to describe the porous membrane flow and molecular transport and to predict gradients generated by the device. Using the device, we applied a gradient of the chemotactic peptide N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) to a large population of HL-60 cells (a neutrophil cell line) and directly observed the migration with time-lapse microscopy. On quantification of the chemotactic response with an automated tracking algorithm, we found 74% of the cells moving towards the gradient. Additionally, the modular design and low fluid shear stress made it possible to apply gradients of growth factors and second messengers to mouse retinal explant cultures. With a simplified interface and well-defined gradients, the microfluidic transwell device has potential for broad applications to gradient-sensing biology. PMID:24225908

Robot-assisted real-time magnetic resonance image-guided transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

PubMed

Miller, Justin G; Li, Ming; Mazilu, Dumitru; Hunt, Tim; Horvath, Keith A

2016-05-01

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI)-guided transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers improved visualization, real-time imaging, and pinpoint accuracy with device delivery. Unfortunately, performing a TAVR in a MRI scanner can be a difficult task owing to limited space and an awkward working environment. Our solution was to design a MRI-compatible robot-assisted device to insert and deploy a self-expanding valve from a remote computer console. We present our preliminary results in a swine model. We used an MRI-compatible robotic arm and developed a valve delivery module. A 12-mm trocar was inserted in the apex of the heart via a subxiphoid incision. The delivery device and nitinol stented prosthesis were mounted on the robot. Two continuous real-time imaging planes provided a virtual real-time 3-dimensional reconstruction. The valve was deployed remotely by the surgeon via a graphic user interface. In this acute nonsurvival study, 8 swine underwent robot-assisted rtMRI TAVR for evaluation of feasibility. Device deployment took a mean of 61 ± 5 seconds. Postdeployment necropsy was performed to confirm correlations between imaging and actual valve positions. These results demonstrate the feasibility of robotic-assisted TAVR using rtMRI guidance. This approach may eliminate some of the challenges of performing a procedure while working inside of an MRI scanner, and may improve the success of TAVR. It provides superior visualization during the insertion process, pinpoint accuracy of deployment, and, potentially, communication between the imaging device and the robotic module to prevent incorrect or misaligned deployment. Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acid-triggered membrane insertion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A involves an original mechanism based on pH-regulated tryptophan exposure.

PubMed

Méré, Jocelyn; Morlon-Guyot, Juliette; Bonhoure, Anne; Chiche, Laurent; Beaumelle, Bruno

2005-06-03

Exposure to low endosomal pH during internalization of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) triggers membrane insertion of its translocation domain. This process is a prerequisite for PE translocation to the cytosol where it inactivates protein synthesis. Although hydrophobic helices enable membrane insertion of related bacterial toxins such as diphtheria toxin, the PE translocation domain is devoid of hydrophobic stretches and the structural features triggering acid-induced membrane insertion of PE are not known. Here we have identified a molecular device that enables PE membrane insertion. This process is promoted by exposure of a key tryptophan residue. At neutral pH, this Trp is buried in a hydrophobic pocket closed by the smallest alpha-helix of the translocation domain. Upon acidification, protonation of the Asp that is the N-cap residue of the helix leads to its destabilization, enabling Trp side chain insertion into the endosome membrane. This tryptophan-based membrane insertion system is surprisingly similar to the membrane-anchoring mechanism of human annexin-V and could be used by other proteins as well.

Postplacental or Delayed Insertion of the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device After Vaginal Delivery

PubMed Central

Chen, Beatrice A.; Reeves, Matthew F.; Hayes, Jennifer L.; Hohmann, Heather L.; Perriera, Lisa K.; Creinin, Mitchell D.

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE To estimate whether 6-month use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) would be higher when insertion occurred within 10 minutes of placental delivery compared with 6–8 weeks postpartum. METHODS We enrolled pregnant women planning vaginal deliveries and desiring a postpartum levonorgestrel-releasing IUD. Patients were randomly assigned when admitted in labor to postplacental or delayed IUD insertion. The women followed up in person at 6–8 weeks and 6 months and were contacted by telephone at 3 months. Women were ineligible for a study IUD postenrollment for intrapartum events including infection, hemorrhage, and cesarean delivery; these women were contacted by phone at 3 and 6 months. Expelled IUDs were replaced per patient preference. RESULTS Successful IUD placement occurred in 50 of 51 participants (98.0%) and 46 of 51 participants (90.2%) in the postplacental and delayed groups, respectively (P=.2). Expulsion within 6 months occurred in 12 of 50 (24.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.1–38.2) and two of 46 (4.4%; 95% CI 0.5–14.8) participants, respectively (P=.008). Intrauterine device use at 6 months was 43 of 51 (84.3%; 95% CI 71.4–93.0) and 39 of 51 (76.5%; 95% CI 62.5–87.2), respectively (P=.32). For ineligible patients, only 11 of 41 (26.8%) women were using IUDs at 6 months and two (4.9%) had become pregnant. CONCLUSION Intrauterine device use 6 months after delivery is similar in women who have postpartum or scheduled delayed IUD placement through a study after replacement of expelled IUDs. Expulsions are significantly higher with postplacental compared with delayed IUD placement. Women asked to follow up with their own health care providers for delayed insertion are significantly less likely to receive an IUD. CLINICALTRIALREGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00476021. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I PMID:20966692

Microfluidic Actuation of Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Neural Recordings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vercosa, Daniel G.

Implantable devices to record and stimulate neural circuits have led to breakthroughs in neuroscience; however, technologies capable of electrical recording at the cellular level typically rely on rigid metals that poorly match the mechanical properties of soft brain tissue. As a result these electrodes often cause extensive acute and chronic injury, leading to short electrode lifetime. Recently, flexible electrodes such as Carbon Nanotube fibers (CNTf) have emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional electrodes and studies have shown that these flexible electrodes reduce neuro-inflammation and increase the quality and longevity of neural recordings. Insertion of these new compliant electrodes, however, remains challenge. The stiffening agents necessary to make the electrodes rigid enough to be inserted increases device footprint, which exacerbates brain damage during implantation. To overcome this challenge we have developed a novel technology to precisely implant and actuate high-performance, flexible carbon nanotube fiber (CNTf) microelectrodes without using a stiffening agents or shuttles. Instead, our technology uses drag forces within a microfluidic device to drive electrodes into tissue while minimizing the amount of fluid that is ejected into the tissue. In vitro experiments in brain phantoms, show that microfluidic actuated CNTf can be implanted at least 4.5 mm depth with 30 microm precision, while keeping the total volume of fluid ejected below 0.1 microL. As proof of concept, we inserted CNTfs in the small cnidarian Hydra littoralis and observed compound action potentials corresponding to contractions and in agreement with the literature. Additionally, brain slices extracted from transgenic mice were used to show that our device can be used to record spontaneous and light evoked activity from the cortex and deep brain regions such as the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Overall our microfluidic actuation technology provides a platform for implanting and actuating flexible electrodes that significantly reduces damage during insertion.

Does a 4 diagram manual enable laypersons to operate the Laryngeal Mask Supreme®? A pilot study in the manikin.

PubMed

Schälte, Gereon; Stoppe, Christian; Rossaint, Rolf; Gilles, Laura; Heuser, Maike; Rex, Steffen; Coburn, Mark; Zoremba, Norbert; Rieg, Annette

2012-03-27

Bystander resuscitation plays an important role in lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A significant reduction in the "no-flow-time", quantitatively better chest compressions and an improved quality of ventilation can be demonstrated during CPR using supraglottic airway devices (SADs). Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of inexperienced persons to operate SADs after brief instruction. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether an instruction manual consisting of four diagrams enables laypersons to operate a Laryngeal Mask Supreme® (LMAS) in the manikin. An instruction manual of four illustrations with speech bubbles displaying the correct use of the LMAS was designed. Laypersons were handed a bag containing a LMAS, a bag mask valve device (BMV), a syringe prefilled with air and the instruction sheet, and were asked to perform and ventilate the manikin as displayed. Time to ventilation was recorded and degree of success evaluated. A total of 150 laypersons took part. Overall 145 participants (96.7%) inserted the LMAS in the manikin in the right direction. The device was inserted inverted or twisted in 13 (8.7%) attempts. Eight (5.3%) individuals recognized this and corrected the position. Within the first 2 minutes 119 (79.3%) applicants were able to insert the LMAS and provide tidal volumes greater than 150 ml (estimated dead space). Time to insertion and first ventilation was 83.2 ± 29 s. No significant difference related to previous BLS training (P = 0.85), technical education (P = 0.07) or gender could be demonstrated (P = 0.25). In manikin laypersons could insert LMAS in the correct direction after onsite instruction by a simple manual with a high success rate. This indicates some basic procedural understanding and intellectual transfer in principle. Operating errors (n = 91) were frequently not recognized and corrected (n = 77). Improvements in labeling and the quality of instructional photographs may reduce individual error and may optimize understanding.

Cermet insert high voltage holdoff improvement for ceramic/metal vacuum devices

DOEpatents

Ierna, W.F.

1986-03-11

An improved metal-to-ceramic seal is provided wherein the ceramic body of the seal contains an integral region of cermet material in electrical contact with the metallic member, e.g., an electrode, of the seal. The seal is useful in high voltage vacuum devices, e.g., vacuum switches, and increases the high-voltage holdoff capabilities of such devices. A method of fabricating such seals is also provided.

Cermet insert high voltage holdoff for ceramic/metal vacuum devices

DOEpatents

Ierna, William F.

1987-01-01

An improved metal-to-ceramic seal is provided wherein the ceramic body of the seal contains an integral region of cermet material in electrical contact with the metallic member, e.g., an electrode, of the seal. The seal is useful in high voltage vacuum devices, e.g., vacuum switches, and increases the high-voltage holdoff capabilities of such devices. A method of fabricating such seals is also provided.

Raney nickel catalytic device

DOEpatents

O'Hare, Stephen A.

1978-01-01

A catalytic device for use in a conventional coal gasification process which includes a tubular substrate having secured to its inside surface by expansion a catalytic material. The catalytic device is made by inserting a tubular catalytic element, such as a tubular element of a nickel-aluminum alloy, into a tubular substrate and heat-treating the resulting composite to cause the tubular catalytic element to irreversibly expand against the inside surface of the substrate.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore hospital-based nurses' intention to use peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC): a survey study.

PubMed

Bertani, Laura; Carone, Maria; Caricati, Luca; Demaria, Serena; Fantuzzi, Silvia; Guarasci, Alessandro; Pirazzoli, Luca

2016-11-22

The peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have become an alternative to the traditional CVC. PICCs are usually inserted by trained nurses who decided to attend and complete a special training on PICC insertion and management. The present work aimed to investigate the intention of using PICC in a sample of hospital-based nurses using the theory of planned behavior as theoretical framework. A cross-sectional design was used in which a questionnaire was delivered to 199 nurses. According to the theory of planned behavior, the attitude toward the use of PICC, subjective norms and perceived self-efficacy predicted the intention to use PICC. Contrary to the expectations, the effect of subjective norms on intention to use PICC was mediated by attitude and self-efficacy. Finally, age of participants was negatively related to the intention to use the PICC. The theory of planned behavior offers a useful framework to explain nurses' intention to use PICC. Shared norms favoring the use of PICC seem to increase both nurse's positive attitudes and self-efficacy whit respect to the use of these devices. Thus, it appears that to train professionals individually does not necessarily results in an increased use of PICC.

Fabrication of Inverted Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cell with Ultrathin Titanium Oxide Nanosheet as an Electron-Extracting Buffer Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itoh, Eiji; Maruyama, Yasutake; Fukuda, Katsutoshi

2012-02-01

The contributions and deposition conditions of ultrathin titania nanosheet (TN) crystallites were studied in an inverted bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) cell in indium tin oxide (ITO)/titania nanosheet/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methylester (PCBM) active layer/MoOx/Ag multilayered photovoltaic devices. Only one or two layers of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and TN multilayered film deposited by the layer-by-layer deposition technique effectively decreased the leakage current and increased both open circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (η) was increased nearly twofold by the insertion of two TN layers. The deposition of additional TN layers caused the reduction in FF, and the abnormal S-shaped curves above VOC for the devices with three and four TN layers were ascribed to the interfacial potential barrier at the ITO/TN interface and the series resistance across the multilayers of TN and PDDA. The performance of the BHJ cell with TN was markedly improved, and the S-shaped curves were eliminated following the the insertion of anatase-phase titanium dioxide between the ITO and TN layers owing to the decrease in the interfacial potential barrier.

Non-contact optical sensor for detection of glucose concentration using a magneto-optic effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozana, Nisan; Beiderman, Yevgeny; Anand, Arun; Javidi, Baharam; Polani, Sagi; Schwarz, Ariel; Shemer, Amir; García, Javier; Zalevsky, Zeev

2016-03-01

In this paper we aim to experimentally verify a speckle based technique for non-contact measurement of glucose concentration in blood stream while the vision for the final device aims to contain a single wristwatch-style device containing an AC (alternating) electro-magnet generated by a solenoid, a laser and a camera. The experiments presented in work are performed in-vitro in order to verify the effects that are responsible for the operation principle. When a glucose substance is inserted into a solenoid generating an alternating magnetic field it exhibits Faraday rotation which affects the temporal changes of the secondary speckle patterns distribution. The temporal frequency resulting from the AC magnetic field was found to have a lock-in amplification role which increased the observability of the relatively small magneto-optic effect. Experimental results to support the proposed concept are presented.

Structure of Carbon Nanotube Porins in Lipid Bilayers: An in Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) Study [Atomic-level structure of carbon nanotube porins in lipid bilayers: an in-situ small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) study

DOE PAGES

Tran, Ich C.; Tunuguntla, Ramya H.; Kim, Kyunghoon; ...

2016-06-20

Carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs), small segments of carbon nanotubes capable of forming defined pores in lipid membranes, are important future components for bionanoelectronic devices as they could provide a robust analog of biological membrane channels. Furthermore, in order to control the incorporation of these CNT channels into lipid bilayers, it is important to understand the structure of the CNTPs before and after insertion into the lipid bilayer as well as the impact of such insertion on the bilayer structure. Here we employed a noninvasive in situ probe, small-angle X-ray scattering, to study the integration of CNT porins into dioleoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers.more » These results show that CNTPs in solution are stabilized by a monolayer of lipid molecules wrapped around their outer surface. We also demonstrate that insertion of CNTPs into the lipid bilayer results in decreased bilayer thickness with the magnitude of this effect increasing with the concentration of CNTPs.« less

ITO-TiN-ITO Sandwiches for Near-Infrared Plasmonic Materials.

PubMed

Chen, Chaonan; Wang, Zhewei; Wu, Ke; Chong, Haining; Xu, Zemin; Ye, Hui

2018-05-02

Indium tin oxide (ITO)-based sandwich structures with the insertion of ultrathin (<10 nm) titanium nitride (TiN) are investigated as near-infrared (NIR) plasmonic materials. The structural, electrical, and optical properties reveal the improvement of the sandwich structures stemmed from TiN insertion. TiN is a well-established alternative to noble metals such as gold, elevating the electron conductivity of sandwich structures as its thickness increases. Dielectric permittivities of TiN and top ITO layers show TiN-thickness-dependent properties, which lead to moderate and tunable effective permittivities for the sandwiches. The surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) of the ITO-TiN-ITO sandwich at the telecommunication window (1480-1570 nm) are activated by prism coupling using Kretschmann configuration. Compared with pure ITO films or sandwiches with metal insertion, the reflectivity dip for sandwiches with TiN is relatively deeper and wider, indicating the enhanced coupling ability in plasmonic materials for telecommunications. The SPP spatial profile, penetration depth, and degree of confinement, as well as the quality factors, demonstrate the applicability of such sandwiches for NIR plasmonic materials in various devices.

Coded excitation ultrasonic needle tracking: An in vivo study.

PubMed

Xia, Wenfeng; Ginsberg, Yuval; West, Simeon J; Nikitichev, Daniil I; Ourselin, Sebastien; David, Anna L; Desjardins, Adrien E

2016-07-01

Accurate and efficient guidance of medical devices to procedural targets lies at the heart of interventional procedures. Ultrasound imaging is commonly used for device guidance, but determining the location of the device tip can be challenging. Various methods have been proposed to track medical devices during ultrasound-guided procedures, but widespread clinical adoption has remained elusive. With ultrasonic tracking, the location of a medical device is determined by ultrasonic communication between the ultrasound imaging probe and a transducer integrated into the medical device. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the transducer data is an important determinant of the depth in tissue at which tracking can be performed. In this paper, the authors present a new generation of ultrasonic tracking in which coded excitation is used to improve the SNR without spatial averaging. A fiber optic hydrophone was integrated into the cannula of a 20 gauge insertion needle. This transducer received transmissions from the ultrasound imaging probe, and the data were processed to obtain a tracking image of the needle tip. Excitation using Barker or Golay codes was performed to improve the SNR, and conventional bipolar excitation was performed for comparison. The performance of the coded excitation ultrasonic tracking system was evaluated in an in vivo ovine model with insertions to the brachial plexus and the uterine cavity. Coded excitation significantly increased the SNRs of the tracking images, as compared with bipolar excitation. During an insertion to the brachial plexus, the SNR was increased by factors of 3.5 for Barker coding and 7.1 for Golay coding. During insertions into the uterine cavity, these factors ranged from 2.9 to 4.2 for Barker coding and 5.4 to 8.5 for Golay coding. The maximum SNR was 670, which was obtained with Golay coding during needle withdrawal from the brachial plexus. Range sidelobe artifacts were observed in tracking images obtained with Barker coded excitation, and they were visually absent with Golay coded excitation. The spatial tracking accuracy was unaffected by coded excitation. Coded excitation is a viable method for improving the SNR in ultrasonic tracking without compromising spatial accuracy. This method provided SNR increases that are consistent with theoretical expectations, even in the presence of physiological motion. With the ultrasonic tracking system in this study, the SNR increases will have direct clinical implications in a broad range of interventional procedures by improving visibility of medical devices at large depths.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berland, Brian Spencer; Lanning, Bruce Roy; Stowell, Jr., Michael Wayne

This disclosure describes system and methods for creating an autonomous electrochromic assembly, and systems and methods for use of the autonomous electrochromic assembly in combination with a window. Embodiments described herein include an electrochromic assembly that has an electrochromic device, an energy storage device, an energy collection device, and an electrochromic controller device. These devices may be combined into a unitary electrochromic insert assembly. The electrochromic assembly may have the capability of generating power sufficient to operate and control an electrochromic device. This control may occur through the application of a voltage to an electrochromic device to change its opacitymore » state. The electrochromic assembly may be used in combination with a window.« less

78 FR 66942 - Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee; Notice of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-07

...., polyetheretherketone) materials. They are intended to be inserted between the vertebral bodies into the disc space from... mobility in confined spaces, at an elevated height, climb curbs, ascend/descend stairs, traverse obstacles, travel over a wider variety of terrain, and negotiate uneven/inclined surfaces. Stair-climbing...

Substantial harm associated with failure of chronic paediatric central venous access devices.

PubMed

Ullman, Amanda J; Kleidon, Tricia; Cooke, Marie; Rickard, Claire M

2017-07-06

Central venous access devices (CVADs) form an important component of modern paediatric healthcare, especially for children with chronic health conditions such as cancer or gastrointestinal disorders. However device failure and complications rates are high.Over 2½ years, a child requiring parenteral nutrition and associated vascular access dependency due to 'short gut syndrome' (intestinal failure secondary to gastroschisis and resultant significant bowel resection) had ten CVADs inserted, with ninesubsequently failing. This resulted in multiple anaesthetics, invasive procedures, injuries, vascular depletion, interrupted nutrition, delayed treatment and substantial healthcare costs. A conservative estimate of the institutional costs for each insertion, or rewiring, of her tunnelled CVAD was $A10 253 (2016 Australian dollars).These complications and device failures had significant negative impact on the child and her family. Considering the commonality of conditions requiring prolonged vascular access, these failures also have a significant impact on international health service costs. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Integrated Microbatteries for Implantable Medical Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitacre, Jay; West, William

2008-01-01

Integrated microbatteries have been proposed to satisfy an anticipated need for long-life, low-rate primary batteries, having volumes less than 1 mm3, to power electronic circuitry in implantable medical devices. In one contemplated application, such a battery would be incorporated into a tubular hearing-aid device to be installed against an eardrum. This device is based on existing tube structures that have already been approved by the FDA for use in human ears. As shown in the figure, the battery would comprise a single cell at one end of the implantable tube. A small volume of Li-based primary battery cathode material would be compacted and inserted in the tube near one end, followed by a thin porous separator, followed by a pressed powder of a Li-containing alloy. Current-collecting wires would be inserted, with suitably positioned insulators to prevent a short circuit. The battery would contain a liquid electrolyte consisting of a Li-based salt in an appropriate solvent. Hermetic seals would be created by plugging both ends with a waterproof polymer followed by deposition of parylene.

Atomistic Conversion Reaction Mechanism of WO 3 in Secondary Ion Batteries of Li, Na, and Ca

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

He, Yang; Gu, Meng; Xiao, Haiyan

2016-04-13

Reversible insertion and extraction of ionic species into a host lattice governs the basic operating principle for both rechargeable battery (such as lithium batteries) and electrochromic devices (such as ANA Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner electrochromic window). Intercalation and/or conversion are two fundamental chemical processes for some materials in response to the ion insertion. The interplay between these two chemical processes has never been established. It is speculated that the conversion reaction is initiated by ion intercalation. However, experimental evidence of intercalation and subsequent conversion remains unexplored. Here, using in situ HRTEM and spectroscopy, we captured the atomistic conversion reaction processes duringmore » lithium, sodium and calcium ion insertion into tungsten trioxide (WO3) single crystal model electrodes. An intercalation step right prior to conversion is explicitly revealed at atomic scale for the first time for these three ion species. Combining nanoscale diffraction and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, it is found that, beyond intercalation, the inserted ion-oxygen bonding formation destabilized the transition-metal framework which gradually shrunk, distorted and finally collapsed to a pseudo-amorphous structure. This study provides a full atomistic picture on the transition from intercalation to conversion, which is of essential for material applications in both secondary ion batteries and electrochromic devices.« less

A Novel Method to Assess Wear Rates of Retrieved Tibial Inserts Following in-vivo Use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paniogue, Tanille J.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) on cobalt chrome is the bearing couple of choice for total knee arthroplasty. The number of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty has been steadily growing and is projected to continue increasing rapidly in the near future. Many of these patients are younger and more active and therefore need a longer lasting device. However, many of these devices fail prematurely and often the primary reason for failure and ultimately revision is due to wear related issues. Therefore, examining how wear rates of the UHMWPE tibial insert change during in-vivo use can help elucidate the mechanisms of accelerated wear and hopefully aid in finding solutions to combat wear related failures. Different crosslinking treatments have been employed by manufacturers to improve wear resistance of the polyethylene. While this has been shown to be an effective way to reduce wear, crosslinking has led to other issues such as oxidative instability and a decline in mechanical properties. The purpose of this body of work is to examine how changes in oxidation, after in-vivo use, affect wear resistance. A novel testing method was developed to test the native articular surface from retrieved tibial inserts in a laboratory Pin-on-Disk (POD) simulator. The method was validated using short-duration implant articular surfaces and non-articular control pins. In the absence of high surface oxidation or severe surface damage, the articular surface pins had comparable steady state wear rates to their bulk counterparts. Tests of devices with longer in-vivo service show chemical changes consistent with a free-radical mediated oxidation mechanism. Tribological assessment of the articular surfaces shows increasing wear rates as a function of oxidation. While this relationship has been hypothesized in the literature, these experiments represent the first physical demonstration of the phenomenon. The wear mechanism is further explored through infrared spectroscopy, assessment of the wear scar, and documentation of evolution of the contact surfaces in the articulation.

Enhanced heat transfer and frictional losses in heat exchanger tube with modified helical coiled inserts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Aditya; Kumar, Manoj; Patil, Anil Kumar

2018-04-01

The application of compact heat exchangers in any thermal system improves overall performance with a considerable reduction in size and weight. Inserts of different geometrical features have been used as turbulence promoting devices to increase the heat transfer rates. The present study deals with the experimental investigation of heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of a tubular heat exchanger fitted with modified helical coiled inserts. Experiments have been carried out for a smooth tube without insert, tube fitted with helical coiled inserts, and modified helical coiled inserts. The helical coiled inserts are tested by varying the pitch ratio and wire diameter ratio from 0.5-1.5, and 0.063-0.125, respectively for the Reynolds number range of 1400 to 11,000. Experimental data have also been collected for the modified helical coiled inserts with gradually increasing pitch (GIP) and gradually decreasing pitch (GDP) configurations. The Nusselt number and friction factor values for helical coiled inserts are enhanced in the range of 1.42-2.62, 3.4-27.4, relative to smooth tube, respectively. The modified helical coiled insert showed enhancements in Nusselt number and friction factor values in the range of 1.49-3.14, 11.2-19.9, relative to smooth tube, respectively. The helical coiled and modified helical coiled inserts have thermo-hydraulic performance factor in the range of 0.59-1.29, 0.6-1.39, respectively. The empirical correlations of Nusselt number and friction factor for helical coiled inserts are proposed.

Mucoadhesive ocular insert based on thiolated poly(acrylic acid): development and in vivo evaluation in humans.

PubMed

Hornof, Margit; Weyenberg, Wim; Ludwig, Annick; Bernkop-Schnürch, Andreas

2003-05-20

The aim of the study was to develop a mucoadhesive ocular insert for the controlled delivery of ophthalmic drugs and to evaluate its efficacy in vivo. The inserts tested were based either on unmodified or thiolated poly(acrylic acid). Water uptake and swelling behavior of the inserts as well as the drug release rates of the model drugs fluorescein and two diclofenac salts with different solubility properties were evaluated in vitro. Fluorescein was used as fluorescent tracer to study the drug release from the insert in humans. The mean fluorescein concentration in the cornea/tearfilm compartment as a function of time was determined after application of aqueous eye drops and inserts composed of unmodified and of thiolated poly(acrylic acid). The acceptability of the inserts by the volunteers was also evaluated. Inserts based on thiolated poly(acrylic acid) were not soluble and had good cohesive properties. A controlled release was achieved for the incorporated model drugs. The in vivo study showed that inserts based on thiolated poly(acrylic acid) provide a fluorescein concentration on the eye surface for more than 8 h, whereas the fluorescein concentration rapidly decreased after application of aqueous eye drops or inserts based on unmodified poly(acrylic acid). Moreover, these inserts were well accepted by the volunteers. The present study indicates that ocular inserts based on thiolated poly(acrylic acid) are promising new solid devices for ocular drug delivery.

Interface design principles for high-performance organic semiconductor devices

DOE PAGES

Nie, Wanyi; Gupta, Gautam; Crone, Brian K.; ...

2015-03-23

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are a promising cost-effective candidate in next generation photovoltaic technology. However, a critical bottleneck for OSCs is the electron/hole recombination loss through charge transfer state at the interface, which greatly limits the power conversion efficiency. W. Nie, A. Mohite, and co-workers demonstrate a simple strategy of suppressing the recombination rate by inserting a spacer layer at the donor-acceptor interface, resulting in a dramatic increase in power conversion efficiency.

Numerical study on exciton transport and light emission for organic light emitting diodes with an emission layer.

PubMed

Kim, K S; Hwang, Y W; Won, T Y

2013-12-01

This paper reports the results of a numerical study on carrier injection and exciton transport in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure based on tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3). Because charge accumulation at the interfaces between the emission layer (EML) and transport layer are believed to increase the recombination rate, which also increases the exciton density, a numerical study was performed on the effect of inserting an EML in the bilayer structure. In the first case considered, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the EML was aligned with the LUMO of the hole transport layer (HTL), whereas the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the EML was aligned with the HOMO of the electron transport layer (ETL). In the second case, the LUMO of the EML was aligned with the LUMO of the ETL and the HOMO of the EML was aligned with the HOMO of the HTL. In case of a charge-blocking device, most of the recombination appeared to occur at both edges of the EML because the electric field exhibited a peak in these areas. On the other hand, in the case of the charge-confining device, the electric field was confined at the interface between the EML and ETL. This paper also discussed the effect of the insertion of a doping layer as transport layer.

Insertion of NiO electron blocking layer in fabrication of GaN-organic heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Junmei; Guo, Wei; Jiang, Jie'an; Gao, Pingqi; Bo, Baoxue; Ye, Jichun

2018-03-01

We report the fabrication of a NiO thin film on top of an n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The electron-blocking capability of NiO in a hybrid organic/inorganic heterostructure consisting of n-GaN/NiO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is discussed. Surface morphology, crystallography orientation, bandgap, and fermi level information of NiO films were investigated in detail. A rectifying property consistent with the proposed band diagram was observed in the current-voltage measurement. Theoretical analysis also demonstrated the effective electron blocking due to band alignment and a more balanced carrier distribution inside the GaN region with NiO inserted into the n-GaN/PEDOT:PSS heterostructure. This work provides a promising approach to the fabrication of high-efficiency hybrid optoelectronic devices.

A ferromagnetic shim insert for NMR magnets - Towards an integrated gyrotron for DNP-NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ryan, Herbert; van Bentum, Jan; Maly, Thorsten

2017-04-01

In recent years high-field Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) enhanced NMR spectroscopy has gained significant interest. In high-field DNP-NMR experiments (⩾400MHz 1 H NMR, ⩾9.4T) often a stand-alone gyrotron is used to generate high microwave/THz power to produce sufficiently high microwave induced B 1e fields at the position of the NMR sample. These devices typically require a second, stand-alone superconducting magnet to operate. Here we present the design and realization of a ferroshim insert, to create two iso-centers inside a commercially available wide-bore NMR magnet. This work is part of a larger project to integrate a gyrotron into NMR magnets, effectively eliminating the need for a second, stand-alone superconducting magnet. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Atomic-Layer-Deposited Transparent Electrodes for Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

DOE PAGES

Demaurex, Benedicte; Seif, Johannes P.; Smit, Sjoerd; ...

2014-11-01

We examine damage-free transparent-electrode deposition to fabricate high-efficiency amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells. Such solar cells usually feature sputtered transparent electrodes, the deposition of which may damage the layers underneath. Using atomic layer deposition, we insert thin protective films between the amorphous silicon layers and sputtered contacts and investigate their effect on device operation. We find that a 20-nm-thick protective layer suffices to preserve, unchanged, the amorphous silicon layers beneath. Insertion of such protective atomic-layer-deposited layers yields slightly higher internal voltages at low carrier injection levels. However, we identify the presence of a silicon oxide layer, formed during processing,more » between the amorphous silicon and the atomic-layer-deposited transparent electrode that acts as a barrier, impeding hole and electron collection.« less

[Laryngeal Tube Position Shift after Chest Compression: Comparison of Fixation Methods Using Durapore Tape, Multipore Tape, or a Neck Tape].

PubMed

Seno, Hisayo; Komasawa, Nobuyasu; Fujiwara, Shunsuke; Miyazaki, Shinichiro; Tatsumi, Shinichi; Minami, Toshiaki

2015-05-01

The laryngeal tube (LT ; Smiths Medical, Minnesota, U. S. A) is an inflatable supraglottic device for emergency airway management such as during chest compression, the instability after insertion remains a problem. We investigated the effectiveness of three fixation methods of LT using a manikin and automated chest compressor. After 10-minute chest compression, LT without fixation was shifted by 0.4 ± 0.1 cm, which was greater than with Durapore tape (0.2 ± 0.1 cm), Multipore tape (0.2 ± 0.1 cm), or a neck tape (0.1 ± 0.1 cm). The shift of the position was smaller with neck tape fixation compared to Durapore or Multipore tape fixation. A fixation neck tape may be useful in stabilizing the inserted position of LT during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

2015 SCAI/ACC/HFSA/STS Clinical Expert Consensus Statement on the Use of Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices in Cardiovascular Care (Endorsed by the American Heart Association, the Cardiological Society of India, and Sociedad Latino Americana de Cardiologia Intervencion; Affirmation of Value by the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology-Association Canadienne de Cardiologie d'intervention).

PubMed

Rihal, Charanjit S; Naidu, Srihari S; Givertz, Michael M; Szeto, Wilson Y; Burke, James A; Kapur, Navin K; Kern, Morton; Garratt, Kirk N; Goldstein, James A; Dimas, Vivian; Tu, Thomas

2015-06-01

Although historically the intra-aortic balloon pump has been the only mechanical circulatory support device available to clinicians, a number of new devices have become commercially available and have entered clinical practice. These include axial flow pumps, such as Impella(®); left atrial to femoral artery bypass pumps, specifically the TandemHeart; and new devices for institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. These devices differ significantly in their hemodynamic effects, insertion, monitoring, and clinical applicability. This document reviews the physiologic impact on the circulation of these devices and their use in specific clinical situations. These situations include patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, those presenting with cardiogenic shock, and acute decompensated heart failure. Specialized uses for right-sided support and in pediatric populations are discussed and the clinical utility of mechanical circulatory support devices is reviewed, as are the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The design of cathode for organic photovoltaic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, De; Shi, Feng; Xia, Xuan; Li, Ye; Duanmu, Qingduo

2016-11-01

We have discussed the effect of the residual gas in the Al metal cathode deposition process and consequently influence the performance of organic photovoltaic devices (such as organic photoelectron detector or solar cell). We believe that the origin of degradation in Jsc and FF from the Al cathode device should be the formation of AlOx in the C60-Al interface, which contaminate the interface and plays a role like an energy barrier that block the charge collect process. To solve this problem the Ag and Alq3 layer had been inserted before the Al. Owing to the advantageous of Alq3 and Ag layer, the device which Al cathode prepared at a lower vacuum condition exhibits a comparable performance to that device which Al cathode deposited in regular situation. As an additional benefit, since the introducing of Alq3/Ag layer in the VOPc/C60 organic photovoltaic device performs a better near-infrared response, this phenomenon has been confirmed by means of both simulation and experimental data. So the design of our new cathode structure provides a degree of freedom to modulate the light absorption for organic photovoltaic devices in short-wave and long-wave.

Modification of Magnetic Nanocontact Structure by a Bias-Voltage-Induced Stress and Its Influence on Magnetoresistance Effect in TaOx Nano-Oxide Layer Spin Valve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyake, Kousaku; Saki, Yosinobu; Suzuki, Ayako; Kawasaki, Shohei; Doi, Masaaki; Sahashi, Masashi

2012-06-01

A magnetic nanocontact spin valve (NCSV) was fabricated by inserting a TaOx nano-oxide layer (NOL) as the spacer layer. Current-perpendicular-to-film-plane (CPP) measurements revealed that the SV had a positive magnetoresistance (MR) ratio. When a high bias voltage was applied to the SV, the fine structure of the NOL changed i.e., the resistance and MR ratio of the device changed irreversibly. The change in device characteristics is attributed to a proportional change in the number of nonmagnetoresistive and magnetoresistive conductive channels in the SV upon high bias voltage application. The decrease in MR ratio accompanied the disappearance of the magnetic nanocontact, suggesting that the positive MR effect was partially due to the presence of magnetic nanocontacts.

Characterisation of protein stability in rod-insert vaginal rings.

PubMed

Pattani, Aditya; Lowry, Deborah; Curran, Rhonda M; McGrath, Stephanie; Kett, Vicky L; Andrews, Gavin P; Malcolm, R Karl

2012-07-01

A major goal in vaccine development is elimination of the 'cold chain', the transport and storage system for maintenance and distribution of the vaccine product. This is particularly pertinent to liquid formulation of vaccines. We have previously described the rod-insert vaginal ring (RiR) device, comprising an elastomeric body into which are inserted lyophilised, rod-shaped, solid drug dosage forms, and having potential for sustained mucosal delivery of biomacromolecules, such as HIV envelope protein-based vaccine candidates. Given the solid, lyophilised nature of these insert dosage forms, we hypothesised that antigen stability may be significantly increased compared with more conventional solubilised vaginal gel format. In this study, we prepared and tested vaginal ring devices fitted with lyophilised rod inserts containing the model antigen bovine serum albumin (BSA). Both the RiRs and the gels that were freeze-dried to prepare the inserts were evaluated for BSA stability using PAGE, turbidimetry, microbial load, MALDI-TOF and qualitative precipitate solubility measurements. When stored at 4 °C, but not when stored at 40 °C/75% RH, the RiR formulation offered protection against structural and conformational changes to BSA. The insert also retained matrix integrity and release characteristics. The results demonstrate that lypophilised gels can provide relative protection against degradation at lower temperatures compared to semi-solid gels. The major mechanism of degradation at 40 °C/75% RH was shown to be protein aggregation. Finally, in a preliminary study, we found that addition of trehalose to the formulation significantly reduces the rate of BSA degradation compared to the original formulation when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. Establishing the mechanism of degradation, and finding that degradation is decelerated in the presence of trehalose, will help inform further development of RiRs specifically and polymer based freeze-dried systems in general. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Single-drop optimization of protein crystallization.

PubMed

Meyer, Arne; Dierks, Karsten; Hilterhaus, Dierk; Klupsch, Thomas; Mühlig, Peter; Kleesiek, Jens; Schöpflin, Robert; Einspahr, Howard; Hilgenfeld, Rolf; Betzel, Christian

2012-08-01

A completely new crystal-growth device has been developed that permits charting a course across the phase diagram to produce crystalline samples optimized for diffraction experiments. The utility of the device is demonstrated for the production of crystals for the traditional X-ray diffraction data-collection experiment, of microcrystals optimal for data-collection experiments at a modern microbeam insertion-device synchrotron beamline and of nanocrystals required for data collection on an X-ray laser beamline.

Design and Fabrication of Ta filled microcavites in the delay paths of SAW devices for improved power transfer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Richardson, Mandek; Sankaranarayanan, S. K. R. S.; Bhethanabotla, V. R.

2015-03-01

The authors report the design and fabrication of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device with improved power transfer due to modification of its delay path. Typically, SAW delay-line devices suffer from relatively high insertion loss (IL) (similar to 10-30 dB). Our approach is to incorporate an array of microcavities, having square cross-sectional area (lambda/2 x lambda/2) and filled with tantalum, within the delay path to maximize acoustic confinement to the surface and reduce IL. To determine the effectiveness of the cavities without expending too many resources and to explain trends found in actual devices, a finite element model of amore » SAW device with tantalum filled cavities having various depths was utilized. For each depth simulated, IL was decreased compared to a standard SAW device. Microcavities 2.5 mu m deep filled with tantalum showed the best performance (Delta IL = 17.93 dB). To validate simulated results, the authors fabricated a SAW device on ST 90 degrees-X quartz with microcavities etched into its delay path using deep reactive ion etching and filled with tantalum. Measurement of fabricated devices showed inclusion of tantalum filled microcavities increased power transfer compared to a device without cavities. (C) 2015 American Vacuum Society.« less

Controlling band alignments by artificial interface dipoles at perovskite heterointerfaces

DOE PAGES

Yajima, Takeaki; Hikita, Yasuyuki; Minohara, Makoto; ...

2015-04-07

The concept ‘the interface is the device' is embodied in a wide variety of interfacial electronic phenomena and associated applications in oxide materials, ranging from catalysts and clean energy systems to emerging multifunctional devices. Many device properties are defined by the band alignment, which is often influenced by interface dipoles. On the other hand, the ability to purposefully create and control interface dipoles is a relatively unexplored degree of freedom for perovskite oxides, which should be particularly effective for such ionic materials. Here we demonstrate tuning the band alignment in perovskite metal-semiconductor heterojunctions over a broad range of 1.7 eV.more » This is achieved by the insertion of positive or negative charges at the interface, and the resultant dipole formed by the induced screening charge. This approach can be broadly used in applications where decoupling the band alignment from the constituent work functions and electron affinities can enhance device functionality.« less

Fiber-based three-dimensional multi-mode interference device as efficient power divider and vector curvature sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ziyang; Fiebrandt, Julia; Haynes, Dionne; Sun, Kai; Madhav, Kalaga; Stoll, Andreas; Makan, Kirill; Makan, Vadim; Roth, Martin

2018-03-01

Three-dimensional multi-mode interference devices are demonstrated using a single-mode fiber (SMF) center-spliced to a section of polygon-shaped core multimode fiber (MMF). This simple structure can effectively generate well-localized self-focusing spots that match to the layout of a chosen multi-core fiber (MCF) as a launcher device. An optimized hexagon-core MMF can provide efficient coupling from a SMF to a 7-core MCF with an insertion loss of 0.6 dB and a power imbalance of 0.5 dB, while a square-core MMF can form a self-imaging pattern with symmetrically distributed 2 × 2, 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 spots. These spots can be directly received by a two-dimensional detector array. The device can work as a vector curvature sensor by comparing the relative power among the spots with a resolution of ∼0.1° over a 1.8 mm-long MMF.

Preliminary evaluation of a novel bone-conduction device for single-sided deafness.

PubMed

Popelka, Gerald R; Derebery, Jennifer; Blevins, Nikolas H; Murray, Michael; Moore, Brian C J; Sweetow, Robert W; Wu, Ben; Katsis, Mina

2010-04-01

A new intraoral bone-conduction device has advantages over existing bone-conduction devices for reducing the auditory deficits associated with single-sided deafness (SSD). Existing bone-conduction devices effectively mitigate auditory deficits from single-sided deafness but have suboptimal microphone locations, limited frequency range, and/or require invasive surgery. A new device has been designed to improve microphone placement (in the ear canal of the deaf ear), provide a wider frequency range, and eliminate surgery by delivering bone-conduction signals to the teeth via a removable oral appliance. Forces applied by the oral appliance were compared with forces typically experienced by the teeth from normal functions such as mastication or from other appliances. Tooth surface changes were measured on extracted teeth, and transducer temperature was measured under typical use conditions. Dynamic operating range, including gain, bandwidth, and maximum output limits, were determined from uncomfortable loudness levels and vibrotactile thresholds, and speech recognition scores were measured using normal-hearing subjects. Auditory performance in noise (Hearing in Noise Test) was measured in a limited sample of SSD subjects. Overall comfort, ease of insertion, and removal and visibility of the oral appliance in comparison with traditional hearing aids were measured using a rating scale. The oral appliance produces forces that are far below those experienced by the teeth from normal functions or conventional dental appliances. The bone-conduction signal level can be adjusted to prevent tactile perception yet provide sufficient gain and output at frequencies from 250 to 12,000 Hz. The device does not damage tooth surfaces nor produce heat, can be inserted and removed easily, and is as comfortable to wear as traditional hearing aids. The new microphone location has advantages for reducing the auditory deficits caused by SSD, including the potential to provide spatial cues introduced by reflections from the pinna, compared with microphone locations for existing devices. A new approach for SSD has been proposed that optimizes microphone location and delivers sound by bone conduction through a removable oral appliance. Measures in the laboratory using normal-hearing subjects indicate that the device provides useful gain and output for SSD patients, is comfortable, does not seem to have detrimental effects on oral function or oral health, and has several advantages over existing devices. Specifically, microphone placement is optimized for reducing the auditory deficit caused by SSD, frequency bandwidth is much greater, and the system does not require surgical placement. Auditory performance in a small sample of SSD subjects indicated a substantial advantage compared with not wearing the device. Future studies will involve performance measures on SSD patients wearing the device for longer periods.

Ultrasound Improves Cricothyrotomy Success in Cadavers with Poorly Defined Neck Anatomy: A Randomized Control Trial.

PubMed

Siddiqui, Naveed; Arzola, Cristian; Friedman, Zeev; Guerina, Laarni; You-Ten, Kong Eric

2015-11-01

Misidentification of the cricothyroid membrane in a "cannot intubate-cannot oxygenate" situation can lead to failures and serious complications. The authors hypothesized that preprocedure ultrasound-guided identification of the cricothyroid membrane would reduce complications associated with cricothyrotomy. A group of 47 trainees were randomized to digital palpation (n = 23) and ultrasound (n = 24) groups. Cricothyrotomy was performed on human cadavers by using the Portex device (Smiths Medical, USA). Anatomical landmarks of cadavers were graded as follows: grade 1-easy = visual landmarks; 2-moderate = requires light palpation of landmarks; 3-difficult = requires deep palpation of landmarks; and 4-impossible = landmarks not palpable. Primary outcome was the complication rate as measured by the severity of injuries. Secondary outcomes were correct device placement, failure to cannulate, and insertion time. Ultrasound guidance significantly decreased the incidence of injuries to the larynx and trachea (digital palpation: 17 of 23 = 74% vs. ultrasound: 6 of 24 = 25%; relative risk, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.39 to 5.94; P = 0.001) and increased the probability of correct insertion by 5.6 times (P = 0.043) in cadavers with difficult and impossible landmark palpation (digital palpation 8.3% vs. ultrasound 46.7%). Injuries were found in 100% of the grades 3 to 4 (difficult-impossible landmark palpation) cadavers by digital palpation compared with only 33% by ultrasound (P < 0.001). The mean (SD) insertion time was significantly longer with ultrasound than with digital palpation (196.1 s [60.6 s] vs. 110.5 s [46.9 s]; P < 0.001). Preprocedure ultrasound guidance in cadavers with poorly defined neck anatomy significantly reduces complications and improves correct insertion of the airway device in the cricothyroid membrane.

Design of Multi-core Fiber Patch Panel for Space Division Multiplexing Implementations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González, Luz E.; Morales, Alvaro; Rommel, Simon; Jørgensen, Bo F.; Porras-Montenegro, N.; Tafur Monroy, Idelfonso

2018-03-01

A multi-core fiber (MCF) patch panel was designed, allowing easy coupling of individual signals to and from a 7-core MCF. The device was characterized, measuring insertion loss and cross talk, finding highest insertion loss and lowest crosstalk at 1300 nm with values of 9.7 dB and -36.5 dB respectively, while at 1600 nm insertion loss drops to 4.8 dB and crosstalk increases to -24.1 dB. Two MCF splices between the fan-in module, the MCF, and the fan-out module are included in the characterization, and splicing parameters are discussed.

Mechanical Validation of an MRI Compatible Stereotactic Neurosurgery Robot in Preparation for Pre-Clinical Trials

PubMed Central

Nycz, Christopher J; Gondokaryono, Radian; Carvalho, Paulo; Patel, Nirav; Wartenberg, Marek; Pilitsis, Julie G; Fischer, Gregory S

2018-01-01

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for guiding robotic surgical devices has shown great potential for performing precisely targeted and controlled interventions. To fully realize these benefits, devices must work safely within the tight confines of the MRI bore without negatively impacting image quality. Here we expand on previous work exploring MRI guided robots for neural interventions by presenting the mechanical design and assessment of a device for positioning, orienting, and inserting an interstitial ultrasound-based ablation probe. From our previous work we have added a 2 degree of freedom (DOF) needle driver for use with the aforementioned probe, revised the mechanical design to improve strength and function, and performed an evaluation of the mechanism’s accuracy and effect on MR image quality. The result of this work is a 7-DOF MRI robot capable of positioning a needle tip and orienting it’s axis with accuracy of 1.37 ± 0.06mm and 0.79° ± 0.41°, inserting it along it’s axis with an accuracy of 0.06 ± 0.07mm, and rotating it about it’s axis to an accuracy of 0.77° ± 1.31°. This was accomplished with no significant reduction in SNR caused by the robot’s presence in the MRI bore, ≤ 10.3% reduction in SNR from running the robot’s motors during a scan, and no visible paramagnetic artifacts. PMID:29696097

Simulators for training in ultrasound guided procedures.

PubMed

Farjad Sultan, Syed; Shorten, George; Iohom, Gabrielle

2013-06-01

The four major categories of skill sets associated with proficiency in ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia are 1) understanding device operations, 2) image optimization, 3) image interpretation and 4) visualization of needle insertion and injection of the local anesthetic solution. Of these, visualization of needle insertion and injection of local anaesthetic solution can be practiced using simulators and phantoms. This survey of existing simulators summarizes advantages and disadvantages of each. Current deficits pertain to the validation process.

Prototype positron emission tomography insert with electro-optical signal transmission for simultaneous operation with MRI.

PubMed

Olcott, Peter; Kim, Ealgoo; Hong, Keyjo; Lee, Brian J; Grant, Alexander M; Chang, Chen-Ming; Glover, Gary; Levin, Craig S

2015-05-07

The simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data shows promise to provide powerful capabilities to study disease processes in human subjects, guide the development of novel treatments, and monitor therapy response and disease progression. A brain-size PET detector ring insert for an MRI system is being developed that, if successful, can be inserted into any existing MRI system to enable simultaneous PET and MRI images of the brain to be acquired without mutual interference. The PET insert uses electro-optical coupling to relay all the signals from the PET detectors out of the MRI system using analog modulated lasers coupled to fiber optics. Because the fibers use light instead of electrical signals, the PET detector can be electrically decoupled from the MRI making it partially transmissive to the RF field of the MRI. The SiPM devices and low power lasers were powered using non-magnetic MRI compatible batteries. Also, the number of laser-fiber channels in the system was reduced using techniques adapted from the field of compressed sensing. Using the fact that incoming PET data is sparse in time and space, electronic circuits implementing constant weight codes uniquely encode the detector signals in order to reduce the number of electro-optical readout channels by 8-fold. Two out of a total of sixteen electro-optical detector modules have been built and tested with the entire RF-shielded detector gantry for the PET ring insert. The two detectors have been tested outside and inside of a 3T MRI system to study mutual interference effects and simultaneous performance with MRI. Preliminary results show that the PET insert is feasible for high resolution simultaneous PET/MRI imaging for applications in the brain.

Prototype positron emission tomography insert with electro-optical signal transmission for simultaneous operation with MRI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olcott, Peter; Kim, Ealgoo; Hong, Keyjo; Lee, Brian J.; Grant, Alexander M.; Chang, Chen-Ming; Glover, Gary; Levin, Craig S.

2015-05-01

The simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI data shows promise to provide powerful capabilities to study disease processes in human subjects, guide the development of novel treatments, and monitor therapy response and disease progression. A brain-size PET detector ring insert for an MRI system is being developed that, if successful, can be inserted into any existing MRI system to enable simultaneous PET and MRI images of the brain to be acquired without mutual interference. The PET insert uses electro-optical coupling to relay all the signals from the PET detectors out of the MRI system using analog modulated lasers coupled to fiber optics. Because the fibers use light instead of electrical signals, the PET detector can be electrically decoupled from the MRI making it partially transmissive to the RF field of the MRI. The SiPM devices and low power lasers were powered using non-magnetic MRI compatible batteries. Also, the number of laser-fiber channels in the system was reduced using techniques adapted from the field of compressed sensing. Using the fact that incoming PET data is sparse in time and space, electronic circuits implementing constant weight codes uniquely encode the detector signals in order to reduce the number of electro-optical readout channels by 8-fold. Two out of a total of sixteen electro-optical detector modules have been built and tested with the entire RF-shielded detector gantry for the PET ring insert. The two detectors have been tested outside and inside of a 3T MRI system to study mutual interference effects and simultaneous performance with MRI. Preliminary results show that the PET insert is feasible for high resolution simultaneous PET/MRI imaging for applications in the brain.

Bank note recognition for the vision impaired.

PubMed

Hinwood, A; Preston, P; Suaning, G J; Lovell, N H

2006-06-01

Blind Australians find great difficulty in recognising bank notes. Each note has the same feel, with no Braille markings, irregular edges or other tangible features. In Australia, there is only one device available that can assist blind people recognise their notes. Internationally, there are devices available; however they are expensive, complex and have not been developed to cater for Australian currency. This paper discusses a new device, the MoneyTalker that takes advantage of the largely different colours and patterns on each Australian bank note and recognises the notes electronically, using the reflection and transmission properties of light. Different coloured lights are transmitted through the inserted note and the corresponding sensors detect distinct ranges of values depending on the colour of the note. Various classification algorithms were studied and the final algorithm was chosen based on accuracy and speed of recognition. The MoneyTalker has shown an accuracy of more than 99%. A blind subject has tested the device and believes that it is usable, compact and affordable. Based on the devices that are available currently in Australia, the MoneyTalker is an effective alternative in terms of accuracy and usability.

APS undulator and wiggler sources: Monte-Carlo simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, S.L.; Lai, B.; Viccaro, P.J.

1992-02-01

Standard insertion devices will be provided to each sector by the Advanced Photon Source. It is important to define the radiation characteristics of these general purpose devices. In this document,results of Monte-Carlo simulation are presented. These results, based on the SHADOW program, include the APS Undulator A (UA), Wiggler A (WA), and Wiggler B (WB).

Left ventricular assist device implantation via left thoracotomy: alternative to repeat sternotomy.

PubMed

Pierson, Richard N; Howser, Renee; Donaldson, Terri; Merrill, Walter H; Dignan, Rebecca J; Drinkwater, Davis C; Christian, Karla G; Butler, Javed; Chomsky, Don; Wilson, John R; Clark, Rick; Davis, Stacy F

2002-03-01

Repeat sternotomy for left ventricular assist device insertion may result in injury to the right heart or patent coronary grafts, complicating intraoperative and postoperative management. In 4 critically ill patients, left thoracotomy was used as an alternative to repeat sternotomy. Anastomosis of the outflow conduit to the descending thoracic aorta provided satisfactory hemodynamic support.

Left ventricular assist device implantation in a patient who had previously undergone apical myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Cho, Yang Hyun; Deo, Salil V; Topilsky, Yan; Grogan, Martha A; Park, Soon J

2012-03-01

Apical hypertrophy is a rare variant of hypertropic cardiomyopathy. These patients may present with end-stage congestive heart failure subsequent to long standing diastolic dysfunction. We report the technique for left ventricular assist device insertion in a patient with previous apical myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Controlled weight bearing after osteosynthesis].

PubMed

Perren, T; Matter, P

1993-01-01

Patient compliance with postoperative partial weight bearing can be a difficult management problem. The problem may be intentional or unintentional. There is no objective way to assess the amount of weight placed on the lower extremity by the patient. It is our clinical suspicion that patients place more weight than is desirable on the effected limb. There are few reports in the literature on this topic. One study has confirmed our suspicion of poor patient compliance with postoperative weight bearing. Our goal is to develop a system to accurately assess weight bearing and to improve this aspect of postoperative fracture care. Through an active feedback device we hope to improve patient education and understanding. We plan to study the clinical applications of using a pressure sensitive shoe insert device. Our ultimate goal is to improve upon the present device and to study the clinical application of there use.

Synthesis and characterization of organic/inorganic heterostructure films for hybrid light emitting diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toyama, Toshihiko; Ichihara, Tokuyuki; Yamaguchi, Daisuke; Okamoto, Hiroaki

2007-10-01

Thin-film light emitting devices based on organic materials have been gathering attentions for applying a flat-panel display and a solid-state lighting. Alternatively, inorganic technologies such as Si-based thin-film technology have been growing almost independently. It is then expected that combining the Si-based thin-film technology with the organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology will develop innovative devices. Here, we report syntheses of the hybrid light emitting diode (LED) with a heterostructure consisting of p-type SiC x and tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum films and characterization for the hybrid LEDs. We present the energy diagram of the heterostructure, and describe that the use of high dark conductivities of the p-type SiC x as well as inserting wide-gap intrinsic a-SiC x at the p-type SiC x/Alq interface are effective for improving device performance.

Stopping electric field extension in a modified nanostructure based on SOI technology - A comprehensive numerical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anvarifard, Mohammad K.; Orouji, Ali A.

2017-11-01

This article has related a particular knowledge in order to reduce short channel effects (SCEs) in nano-devices based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs. The device under study has been designed in 22 nm node technology with embedding Si3N4 extra oxide as a stopping layer of electric field and a useful heatsink for transferring generated heat. Two important subjects (DC characteristics and RF characteristics) have been investigated, simultaneously. Stopping electric field extension and enhancement of channel thermal conduction are introduced as an entrance gateway for this work so that improve the electrical characteristics, eventually. The inserted extra oxide made by the Si3N4 material has a vital impact on the modification of the electrical and thermal features in the proposed device. An immense comparison between the proposed SOI and conventional SOI showed that the proposed structure has higher electrical and thermal proficiency than the conventional structure in terms of main parameters such as short channel effects (SCEs), leakage current, floating body effect (FBE), self-heating effect (SHE), voltage gain, ratio of On-current to Off- current, transconductance, output conductance, minimum noise figure and power gain.

Microwave evaluation of electromigration susceptibility in advanced interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sunday, Christopher E.; Veksler, Dmitry; Cheung, Kin C.; Obeng, Yaw S.

2017-11-01

Traditional metrology has been unable to adequately address the needs of the emerging integrated circuits (ICs) at the nano scale; thus, new metrology and techniques are needed. For example, the reliability challenges in fabrication need to be well understood and controlled to facilitate mass production of through-substrate-via (TSV) enabled three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D-ICs). This requires new approaches to the metrology. In this paper, we use the microwave propagation characteristics to study the reliability issues that precede the physical damage caused by electromigration in the Cu-filled TSVs. The pre-failure microwave insertion losses and group delay are dependent on both the device temperature and the amount of current forced through the devices-under-test. The microwave insertion losses increase with the increase in the test temperature, while the group delay increases with the increase in the forced direct current magnitude. The microwave insertion losses are attributed to the defect mobility at the Cu-TiN interface, and the group delay changes are due to resistive heating in the interconnects, which perturbs the dielectric properties of the cladding dielectrics of the copper fill in the TSVs.

Fabrication of a novel RF switch device with high performance using In0.4Ga0.6As MOSFET technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiahui, Zhou; Hudong, Chang; Xufang, Zhang; Jingzhi, Yang; Guiming, Liu; Haiou, Li; Honggang, Liu

2016-02-01

A novel radio frequency (RF) switch device has been successfully fabricated using InGaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technology. The device showed drain saturation currents of 250 mA/mm, a maximum transconductance of 370 mS/mm, a turn-on resistance of 0.72 mω·mm2 and a drain current on-off (Ion/Ioff) ratio of 1 × 106. The maximum handling power of on-state of 533 mW/mm and off-state of 3667 mW/mm is obtained. The proposed In0.4Ga0.6 As MOSFET RF switch showed an insertion loss of less than 1.8 dB and an isolation of better than 20 dB in the frequency range from 0.1 to 7.5 GHz. The lowest insertion loss and the highest isolation can reach 0.27 dB and more than 68 dB respectively. This study demonstrates that the InGaAs MOSFET technology has a great potential for RF switch application. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61274077, 61474031), the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (No. 2013GXNSFGA019003), the Guangxi Department of Education Project (No. 201202ZD041), the Guilin City Technology Bureau (Nos. 20120104-8, 20130107-4), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project (Nos. 2012M521127, 2013T60566), the National Basic Research Program of China (Nos. 2011CBA00605, 2010CB327501), the Innovation Project of GUET Graduate Education (Nos. GDYCSZ201448, GDYCSZ201449), the State key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, UESTC (No. KFJJ201205), and the Guilin City Science and Technology Development Project (Nos. 20130107-4, 20120104-8).

Synthesis of poly(benzothiadiazole-co-dithienobenzodithiophenes) and effect of thiophene insertion for high-performance polymer solar cells.

PubMed

Yun, Hui-Jun; Lee, Yun-Ji; Yoo, Seung-Jin; Chung, Dae Sung; Kim, Yun-Hi; Kwon, Soon-Ki

2013-09-23

We describe herein the synthesis of novel donor-acceptor conjugated polymers with dithienobenzodithiophenes (DTBDT) as the electron donor and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole as the electron acceptor for high-performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs). We studied the effects of strategically inserting thiophene into the DTBDT as a substituent on the skeletal structure on the opto-electronic performances of fabricated devices. From UV/Vis absorption, electrochemical, and field-effect transistor analyses, we found that the thiophene-containing DTBDT derivative can substantially increase the orbital overlap area between adjacent conjugated chains and thus dramatically enhance charge-carrier mobility up to 0.55 cm(2)  V(-1)  s(-1). The outstanding charge-transport characteristics of this polymer allowed the realization of high-performance organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.1 %. Detailed studies on the morphological factors that enable the maximum PCE of the polymer solar cells are discussed along with a hole/electron mobility analysis based on the space-charge-limited current model. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication and Characteristics of Pentacene/Vanadium Pentoxide Field-Effect Transistors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Minagawa, M.; Nakai, K.; Baba, A.

2011-12-23

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) were fabricated using pentacene thin layer, and the effects of inserted Lewis-acid thin layers on electrical properties were investigated. The OFETs have active layers of pentacene and vanadium pentoxide (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) as a Lewis-acid layer. Typical source-drain current (I{sub DS}) vs. source-drain voltage (V{sub DS}) curves were observed under negative gate voltages (V{sub G}S) application, and the shift of the threshold voltage for FET driving (V{sub t}) to positive side was also observed by V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer insertion, that is, -2.5 V for device with V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer and -5.7 V for devicemore » without V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer. It was thought that charge transfer (CT) complexes which were formed at the interface between pentacene and V{sub 2}O{sub 5} layer were dissociated by the applied gate voltage, and the generated holes seem to contribute to drain current and the apparent V{sub t} improvement.« less

Microfluidic device for chemical and mechanical manipulation of suspended cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezvani, Samaneh; Shi, Nan; Squires, Todd M.; Schmidt, Christoph F.

2018-01-01

Microfluidic devices have proven to be useful and versatile for cell studies. We here report on a method to adapt microfluidic stickers made from UV-curable optical adhesive with inserted permeable hydrogel membrane micro-windows for mechanical studies of suspended cells. The windows were fabricated by optical projection lithography using scanning confocal microscopy. The device allows us to rapidly exchange embedding medium while observing and probing the cells. We characterize the device and demonstrate the function by exposing cultured fibroblasts to varying osmotic conditions. Cells can be shrunk reversibly under osmotic compression.

Inflatable device for installing strain gage bridges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, C. E.; Smith, G. E.; Monaghan, R. C. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

Methods and devices for installing in a tubular shaft multiple strain gages are disclosed with focus on a method and a device for pneumatically forcing strain gages into seated engagement with the internal surfaces of a tubular shaft in an installation of multiple strain gages in a tubular shaft. The strain gages or other electron devices are seated in a template-like component which is wrapped about a pneumatically expansible body. The component is inserted into a shaft and the body is pneumatically expanded after a suitable adhesive was applied to the surfaces.

Monolithic device for modelocking and stabilization of frequency combs.

PubMed

Lee, C-C; Hayashi, Y; Silverman, K L; Feldman, A; Harvey, T; Mirin, R P; Schibli, T R

2015-12-28

We demonstrate a device that integrates a III-V semiconductor saturable absorber mirror with a graphene electro-optic modulator, which provides a monolithic solution to modelocking and noise suppression in a frequency comb. The device offers a pure loss modulation bandwidth exceeding 5 MHz and only requires a low voltage driver. This hybrid device provides not only compactness and simplicity in laser cavity design, but also small insertion loss, compared to the previous metallic-mirror-based modulators. We believe this work paves the way to portable and fieldable phase-coherent frequency combs.

Intradermal needle-free powdered drug injection by a helium-powered device.

PubMed

Liu, John; Hogan, N Catherine; Hunter, Ian W

2012-01-01

We present a new method for needle-free powdered drug injection via a bench-top gas-powered device. This injector provides an alternative method of vaccine delivery to address the cold chain problem--the cost and risk of transporting temperature sensitive vaccines to developing countries. The device houses interchangeable nozzle inserts to vary orifice geometries and is capable of delivering polymer beads (1-5 µm diameter) into the dermal layer of porcine tissue. Results for injection shape and injection depth versus nozzle orifice diameter demonstrate the device's controllability.

Theory of electromagnetic insertion devices and the corresponding synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumail, Muhammad; Tantawi, Sami G.

2016-07-01

Permanent magnet insertion devices (IDs), which are the main radiation generating devices in synchrotron light sources and free-electron lasers, use a time-invariant but space-periodic magnetic field to wiggle relativistic electrons for short-wavelength radiation generation. Recently, a high power microwave based undulator has also been successfully demonstrated at SLAC which promises the advantage of dynamic tunability of radiation spectrum and polarization. Such IDs employ transverse elecromagnetic fields which are periodic in both space and time to undulate the electrons. In this paper we develop a detailed theory of the principle of electromagnetic IDs from first principles for both linear and circular polarization modes. The electromagnetic equivalent definitions of undulator period (λu) and undulator deflection parameter (K ) are derived. In the inertial frame where the average momentum of the electron is zero, we obtain the figure-8-like trajectory for the linear polarization mode and the circular trajectory for the circular polarization mode. The corresponding radiation spectra and the intensity of harmonics is also calculated.

21 CFR 868.5650 - Esophageal obturator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) Identification. An esophageal obturator is a device inserted through a patient's mouth to aid ventilation of the patient during emergency resuscitation by occluding (blocking) the esophagus, thereby permitting positive...

A strain-isolation design for stretchable electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jian; Li, Ming; Chen, Wei-Qiu; Kim, Dae-Hyeong; Kim, Yun-Soung; Huang, Yong-Gang; Hwang, Keh-Chih; Kang, Zhan; Rogers, John A.

2010-12-01

Stretchable electronics represents a direction of recent development in next-generation semiconductor devices. Such systems have the potential to offer the performance of conventional wafer-based technologies, but they can be stretched like a rubber band, twisted like a rope, bent over a pencil, and folded like a piece of paper. Isolating the active devices from strains associated with such deformations is an important aspect of design. One strategy involves the shielding of the electronics from deformation of the substrate through insertion of a compliant adhesive layer. This paper establishes a simple, analytical model and validates the results by the finite element method. The results show that a relatively thick, compliant adhesive is effective to reduce the strain in the electronics, as is a relatively short film.

Ultrananocrystalline diamond films with optimized dielectric properties for advanced RF MEMS capacitive switches

DOEpatents

Sumant, Anirudha V.; Auciello, Orlando H.; Mancini, Derrick C.

2013-01-15

An efficient deposition process is provided for fabricating reliable RF MEMS capacitive switches with multilayer ultrananocrystalline (UNCD) films for more rapid recovery, charging and discharging that is effective for more than a billion cycles of operation. Significantly, the deposition process is compatible for integration with CMOS electronics and thereby can provide monolithically integrated RF MEMS capacitive switches for use with CMOS electronic devices, such as for insertion into phase array antennas for radars and other RF communication systems.

[Intrauterine devices in the immediate, early and late postabortion period].

PubMed

Nun, S

1971-01-01

2146 cases of IUD insertions after hospitalization for abortion at a hospital in Chile were studied. In 1514 cases the IUDs were inserted immediately after abortion, in 430 cases between 1-5 days after the operation, and in 202 cases between 5-40 days after. It is concluded that immediate or early insertion results in a somewhat lower retention rate, but offers the advantage of making it possible to treat a greater number of patients, many of whom would not return later to have the IUD inserted. The incidence of removal for medical causes was very low and immediate insertion was found to be harmless. The medical causes of removal were the usual ones of bleeding, pain, and infection; the most frequent cause of interruption of use was expulsion, which tends to occur during the 1st few months of use and among younger women. The probability of failure due to pregnancy was somewhat higher than in the case of insertion during the intermenstrual period. Cases of voluntary removal tend to increase after prolonged use, and a study to analyze the actual reasons for this fact is necessary.

Evaluation of App-Based Serious Gaming as a Training Method in Teaching Chest Tube Insertion to Medical Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Ober, Julian; Walker, Tilman; Bergdolt, Christian; Friedrich, Mirco; Müller-Stich, Beat Peter; Forchheim, Franziska; Fischer, Christian; Schmidmaier, Gerhard; Tanner, Michael C

2018-01-01

Background The insertion of a chest tube should be as quick and accurate as possible to maximize the benefit and minimize possible complications for the patient. Therefore, comprehensive training and assessment before an emergency situation are essential for proficiency in chest tube insertion. Serious games have become more prevalent in surgical training because they enable students to study and train a procedure independently, and errors made have no effect on patients. However, up-to-date evidence regarding the effect of serious games on performance in procedures in emergency medicine remains scarce. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the serious gaming approach in teaching medical students an emergency procedure (chest tube insertion) using the app Touch Surgery and a modified objective structural assessment of technical skills (OSATS). Methods In a prospective, rater-blinded, randomized controlled trial, medical students were randomized into two groups: intervention group or control group. Touch Surgery has been established as an innovative and cost-free app for mobile devices. The fully automatic software enables users to train medical procedures and afterwards self-assess their training effort. The module chest tube insertion teaches each key step in the insertion of a chest tube and enables users the meticulous application of a chest tube. In contrast, the module “Thoracocentesis” discusses a basic thoracocentesis. All students attended a lecture regarding chest tube insertion (regular curriculum) and afterwards received a Touch Surgery training lesson: intervention group used the module chest tube insertion and the control group used Thoracocentesis as control training. Participants’ performance in chest tube insertion on a porcine model was rated on-site via blinded face-to-face rating and via video recordings using a modified OSATS tool. Afterwards, every participant received an individual questionnaire for self-evaluation. Here, trainees gave information about their individual training level, as well as previous experiences, gender, and hobbies. Primary end point was operative performance during chest tube insertion by direct observance. Results A total of 183 students enrolled, 116 students participated (63.4%), and 21 were excluded because of previous experiences in chest tube insertion. Students were randomized to the intervention group (49/95, 52%) and control group (46/95, 48%). The intervention group performed significantly better than the control group (Intervention group: 38.0 [I50=7.0] points; control group: 30.5 [I50=8.0] points; P<.001). The intervention group showed significantly improved economy of time and motion (P=.004), needed significantly less help (P<.001), and was more confident in handling of instruments (P<.001) than the control group. Conclusions The results from this study show that serious games are a valid and effective tool in education of operative performance in chest tube insertion. We believe that serious games should be implemented in the surgical curriculum, as well as residency programs, in addition to traditional learning methods. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00009994; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00009994 (Archived by Webcite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ytWF1CWg) PMID:29784634

The New Perilaryngeal Airway (CobraPLA™)1 Is as Efficient as the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA™)2, But Provides Better Airway Sealing Pressures

PubMed Central

Akça, Ozan; Wadhwa, Anupama; Sengupta, Papiya; Durrani, Jaleel; Hanni, Keith; Wenke, Mary; Yücel, Yüksel; Lenhardt, Rainer; Doufas, Anthony G.; Sessler, Daniel I.

2006-01-01

The Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) is a frequently-used efficient airway device, yet it sometimes seals poorly, thus reducing the efficacy of positive-pressure ventilation. The Perilaryngeal Airway (CobraPLA) is a novel airway device with a larger pharyngeal cuff (when inflated). We tested the hypothesis that the CobraPLA was superior to LMA with regard to insertion time and airway sealing pressure and comparable to LMA in airway adequacy and recovery characteristics. After midazolam and fentanyl, 81 ASA I-II outpatients having elective surgery were randomized to receive an LMA or CobraPLA. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2.5 mg/kg, IV), and the airway inserted. We measured 1) insertion time; 2) adequacy of the airway (no leak at 15-cm-H2O peak pressure or tidal volume of 5 ml/kg); 3) airway sealing pressure; 4) number of repositioning attempts; and 5) sealing quality (no leak at tidal volume of 8 ml/kg). At the end of surgery, gastric insufflation, postoperative sore throat, dysphonia, and dysphagia were evaluated. Data were compared with unpaired t-tests, chi-square tests, or Fisher’s Exact tests; P<0.05 was significant. Patient characteristics, insertion times, airway adequacy, number of repositioning attempts, and recovery were similar in each group. Airway sealing pressure was significantly greater with CobraPLA (23±6 cm H2O) than LMA (18±5 cm H2O, P<0.001). The CobraPLA has insertion characteristics similar to LMA, but better airway sealing capabilities. PMID:15281543

The Design and Use of Tungsten Coated TZM Molybdenum Tile Inserts in the DIII-D Tokamak Divertor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murphy, Christopher; Nygren, R. E.; Chrobak, C P.

Future tokamak devices are envisioned to utilize a high-Z metal divertor with tungsten as theleading candidate. However, tokamak experiments with tungsten divertors have seen significantdetrimental effects on plasma performance. The DIII-D tokamak presently has carbon as theplasma facing surface but to study the effect of tungsten on the plasma and its migration aroundthe vessel, two toroidal rows of carbon tiles in the divertor region were modified with high-Zmetal inserts, composed of a molybdenum alloy (TZM) coated with tungsten. A dedicated twoweek experimental campaign was run with the high-Z metal inserts. One row was coated withtungsten containing naturally occurring levels ofmore » isotopes. The second row was coated withtungsten where the isotope 182W was enhanced from the natural level of 26% up to greater than90%. The different isotopic concentrations enabled the experiment to differentiate between thetwo different sources of metal migration from the divertor. Various coating methods wereexplored for the deposition of the tungsten coating, including chemical vapor deposition,electroplating, vacuum plasma spray, and electron beam physical vapor deposition. The coatingswere tested to see if they were robust enough to act as a divertor target for the experiment. Testsincluded cyclic thermal heating using a high power laser and high-fluence deuterium plasmabombardment. The issues associate with the design of the inserts (tile installation, thermal stress,arcing, leading edges, surface preparation, etc.), are reviewed. The results of the tests used toselect the coating method and preliminary experimental observations are presented.« less

Inverted, Organic WORM Device Based on PEDOT:PSS with Very Low Turn-On Voltage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nawrocki, Robert A.; Galiger, Erin M.; Ostrowski, David P.

An organic Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) device based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as the active layer was fabricated with an inverted architecture. Insertion of an ultrathin layer of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) between the bottom electrode and the PEDOT:PSS resulted in a systematic and substantial decrease in turn-on voltage, from 7.0 V to less than 1.0 V. An optimal thickness of the PMMA layer was found to yield the lowest consistent turn-on voltage of ~0.8 V, with 0.5 V being the lowest value of all fabricated devices. The switching mechanism was attributed to filamentary doping of the PEDOT:PSS. Insertion of the PMMA acted tomore » protect the underlying ZnO from being etched by the acidic PEDOT:PSS as well as to improve its wetting properties. Moreover, devices were demonstrated on both ITO and aluminum bottom electrodes, with aluminum yielding the highest ON/OFF ratios in the study. Owing to their inverted architecture, the devices demonstrated good stability, and the retention time of the ON-state was determined to be greater than twenty months while stored in air for devices with ITO bottom electrodes. Blade-coating was demonstrated as a viable processing technique for applications requiring rapid or large-area manufacturing in addition to deposition via spin-coating.« less

Imaging findings in essure related complications.

PubMed

Djeffal, Hachem; Blouet, Marie; Pizzoferrato, Anne-Cécile; Vardon, Delphine; Belloy, Frederique; Pelage, Jean-Pierre

2018-06-21

Tubal sterilization with Essure inserts has become a prevalent alternative to laparoscopic sterilization because of its minimal invasiveness. It is a well-tolerated ambulatory procedure that provides reliable permanent contraception without the risks associated with laparoscopic surgery and general anesthesia. Correct positioning of the Essure device is necessary to achieve the fibrotic reaction induced by the polyethylene terephthalate fibers, subsequently resulting in tubal occlusion usually within 3 months. After uneventful procedures with satisfactory bilateral placement, only the correct position of the devices needs to be confirmed at follow-up. The imaging techniques used to asses Essure devices may vary depending on the country and its recommendations. The gold standard test to ascertain tubal occlusion remains the hysterosalpingography but after uneventful procedures, vaginal-ultrasound proved to be a reliable alternative to confirm the proper position of the inserts. Radiologists have been increasingly confronted to post procedural evaluations and despite the efficiency rate of the Essure device, its use still exposes to a low risk of complications and malfunctions such as unwanted pregnancies, device misplacement, tubal or uterine perforation, and chronic pelvic pain. Unintended pregnancies are mostly due to patient or physician non-compliance and misinterpretation of post procedural examinations by radiologists which emphasizes the importance of their training in Essure device assessment. This pictorial review discusses the imaging methods used to asses Essure implants and illustrates the possible complications related to them.

A new adjustable parallel drill guide for internal fixation of femoral neck fracture: a developmental and experimental study.

PubMed

Yuenyongviwat, Varah; Tuntarattanapong, Pakjai; Tangtrakulwanich, Boonsin

2016-01-11

Internal fixation is one treatment for femoral neck fracture. Some devices and techniques reported improved accuracy and decreased fluoroscopic time. However, these are not widely used nowadays due to the lack of available special instruments and techniques. To improve the surgical procedure, the authors designed a new adjustable drill guide and tested the efficacy of the device. The authors developed a new adjustable drill guide for cannulated screw guide wire insertion for multiple screw fixation. Eight orthopaedic surgeons performed the experimental study to evaluate the efficacy of this device. Each surgeon performed guide wire insertion for multiple screw fixation in six synthetic femurs: three times with the new device and three times with the conventional technique. The fluoroscopic time, operative time and surgeon satisfaction were evaluated. In the operations with the new adjustable drill guide, the fluoroscopic and operative times were significantly lower than the operations with the conventional technique (p < 0.05). The mean score for the level of satisfaction of this device was also statistically significantly better (p = 0.02) than the conventional technique. The fluoroscopic and operative times with the new adjustable drill guide were reduced for multiple screw fixation of femoral neck fracture and the satisfaction of the surgeons was good.

Insertion devices for DORIS III (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pflueger, J.

1992-01-01

Recently, a major reconstruction of the electron storage ring DORIS II, the DORIS III project, has been completed (W. Brefeld, H. Nesemann, and J. Rossbach, {ital Proceedings} {ital of} {ital the} {ital European} {ital Particle} {ital Accelerator} {ital Conference}, Rome (World Scientific, Singapore, 1988), p. 2389). Figure 1 shows an overview of the new ring. Originally DORIS II had a twofold symmetry. In part C each of the two dipole magnets adjacing to the 65-m-long straight section was replaced by three corresponding weaker ones. In this way a total of seven straight sections for insertion devices are provided. Six ofmore » them are 4-m long and the one in the center is only 2.7-m long. After extensive discussions with the user groups involved, four x-ray wigglers, one asymmetric hybrid structure, one x-ray undulator, and one XUV multiple undulator of the revolver type have been proposed for six of the sections (J. Pflueger and P. Gurtler, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A {bold 287}, 628 (1990)). One section is presently still free. All devices are either in construction or have already been completed and installed. In this contribution the mechanical and magnetic design of these devices will be described. Results of magnetic measurements of those devices which are already completed will be given in more detail.« less

Simultaneous Antegrade-Retrograde Subintimal Revascularization of a Femoropopliteal Chronic Total Occlusion by a Reentry Device-Facilitated Puncture of a Retrogradely Inserted Balloon.

PubMed

Goltz, Jan Peter; Anton, Susanne; Wiedner, Marcus; Barkhausen, Jörg; Stahlberg, Erik

2017-08-01

To report a rendezvous technique for subintimal revascularization of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). This maneuver is appropriate after failure to cross a long SFA CTO via intra- and subintimal approaches from the ipsilateral femoral as well as retrograde posterior tibial artery (PTA) access sites. After predilation of the subintimal space from the femoral access, a reentry device was placed at the level of the first popliteal artery segment. A balloon was delivered via the retrograde PTA access and inflated at the corresponding level of the reentry device. The balloon was punctured with the needle of the reentry device under fluoroscopic control, and a 0.014-inch guidewire was placed within the punctured balloon. The balloon and the antegrade guidewire were retracted from the retrograde access while the guidewire was gently pushed from the femoral site. Conventional balloon angioplasty of the SFA occlusion was performed via the femoral access, followed by overlapping stent-graft implantation. Complete revascularization of the CTO was documented. In selected cases a transfemoral reentry device-assisted puncture of a retrogradely inserted balloon within the subintimal space may facilitate a rendezvous and revascularization if standard techniques to cross long CTOs have failed.

Diabetic Coma

MedlinePlus

... unawareness). CGMs are devices that use a small sensor inserted underneath the skin to track trends in ... may help you control your glucose better. Drink alcohol with caution. Because alcohol can have an unpredictable ...

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

MedlinePlus

... or applying ice packs. It may also include pain medicines or devices to insert in your mouth. In very rare cases, you might need surgery. NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Electrochemical characterization of nanodimensional metal oxide materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Paul Enle

Energy storage devices have become a bottleneck in performance improvements for portable electronics. This research seeks to answer basic science questions that may lead to the necessary improvements. First, this work demonstrates that insertion of multivalent ions into vanadium oxide greatly exceeds the storage capacity of materials presently used. Second, this work demonstrates that potassium ferrate exhibits a uniquely large pseudocapacitive effect. This effect can be used to great advantage when high power density and high energy density are required. Lastly, this work proposes a model of pseudocapacitance that has a greater descriptive power than that of previous models.

Increased drop formation frequency via reduction of surfactant interactions in flow-focusing microfluidic devices.

PubMed

Josephides, Dimitris N; Sajjadi, Shahriar

2015-01-27

Glass capillary based microfluidic devices are able to create extremely uniform droplets, when formed under the dripping regime, at low setup costs due to their ease of manufacture. However, as they are rarely parallelized, simple methods to increase droplet production from a single device are sought. Surfactants used to stabilize drops in such systems often limit the maximum flow rate that highly uniform drops can be produced due to the lowering interfacial tension causing jetting. In this paper we show that by simple design changes we can limit the interactions of surfactants and maximize uniform droplet production. Three flow-focused configurations are explored: a standard glass capillary device (consisting of a single round capillary inserted into a square capillary), a nozzle fed device, and a surfactant shielding device (both consisting of two round capillaries inserted into either end of a square capillary). In principle, the maximum productivity of uniform droplets is achieved if surfactants are not present. It was found that surfactants in the standard device greatly inhibit droplet production by means of interfacial tension lowering and tip-streaming phenomena. In the nozzle fed configuration, surfactant interactions were greatly limited, yielding flow rates comparable to, but lower than, a surfactant-free system. In the surfactant shielding configuration, flow rates were equal to that of a surfactant-free system and could make uniform droplets at rates an order of magnitude above the standard surfactant system.

Intraoperative seizure and cerebrospinal fluid leak during adult cochlear implant surgery.

PubMed

Musser, Alexander B; Golub, Justin S; Samy, Ravi N; Phero, James C

2016-01-01

To report a rare case of cerebrospinal fluid gusher and subsequent seizure immediately after cochlear implant electrode insertion. After the cochlear implant electrode was inserted, brisk flow of 10 mL of cerebrospinal fluid was seen. The electrode was promptly inserted and the leak was additionally sealed with fascia. Seconds later, the patient had a tonic-clonic seizure lasting 30 seconds. Two additional episodes occurred during the case. Her postoperative course was uneventful with no subsequent seizures. The device has been successfully activated. Intervention & Technique: Postoperative imaging showed correct intracochlear placement of the electrode as well as an incidental enlarged vestibular aqueduct. Neurology consultation including electroencephalogram was unremarkable. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a seizure temporally associated with cochlear implant electrode insertion. The significance and possible casual relationship between these two events is discussed.

Combinatorial materials research applied to the development of new surface coatings VII: An automated system for adhesion testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chisholm, Bret J.; Webster, Dean C.; Bennett, James C.; Berry, Missy; Christianson, David; Kim, Jongsoo; Mayo, Bret; Gubbins, Nathan

2007-07-01

An automated, high-throughput adhesion workflow that enables pseudobarnacle adhesion and coating/substrate adhesion to be measured on coating patches arranged in an array format on 4×8in.2 panels was developed. The adhesion workflow consists of the following process steps: (1) application of an adhesive to the coating array; (2) insertion of panels into a clamping device; (3) insertion of aluminum studs into the clamping device and onto coating surfaces, aligned with the adhesive; (4) curing of the adhesive; and (5) automated removal of the aluminum studs. Validation experiments comparing data generated using the automated, high-throughput workflow to data obtained using conventional, manual methods showed that the automated system allows for accurate ranking of relative coating adhesion performance.

Effect of complete dentures on dynamic measurement of changing head position: A pilot study.

PubMed

Usumez, Aslihan; Usumez, Serdar; Orhan, Metin

2003-10-01

Complete dentures contribute significantly to the facial esthetics of edentulous patients. However, information as to the effect of complete dentures on the natural position of the head is limited. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the immediate and 30-day effect of wearing complete dentures on the dynamic natural head position measured during walking. The sample consisted of a volunteer group of 16 patients, 8 women and 8 men, who received new complete dentures. The ages of the subjects ranged from 45 to 64 years (mean=52 years). Dynamic measurement of head posture was carried out by a specially constructed inclinometer device. Each subject in turn was fitted with the inclinometer system and instructed to walk in a relaxed manner for 5 minutes. The data, measured as degrees, were stored in a pocket data logger. This procedure was repeated before insertion of dentures (T1), immediately after insertion of dentures (T2), and 30 days after insertion of dentures (T3). Stored dynamic head posture data were transferred to computer for analysis. The means of the measurements were statistically compared with Friedman and following Wilcoxon tests (alpha =.05). Twelve of 16 (75%) subjects showed an average of 4.6 degrees of cranial extension immediately after insertion of dentures. Six (37.5%) subjects showed an average of 6.4 degrees of cranial flexion, and 8 (50%) subjects showed an average of 5.2 degrees of cranial extension at T3 relative to the T1 measurement. Dynamic head posture measurements of the other 2 subjects remained unchanged. There were significant differences between different measurements of dynamic head posture positions (P<.025). However, only the T1 and T2 measurements were significantly different (P<.015). The findings indicate that the statistically significant average extension 4.6 degrees in subjects immediately after insertion of complete dentures was not stable after a 30-day evaluation period and did not produce any statistically significant change. The overall effect of wearing dentures was an irregular flexion or extension pattern on dynamic head posture.

Device-packaging method and apparatus for optoelectronic circuits

DOEpatents

Zortman, William A.; Henry, Michael David; Jarecki, Jr., Robert L.

2017-04-25

An optoelectronic device package and a method for its fabrication are provided. The device package includes a lid die and an active die that is sealed or sealable to the lid die and in which one or more optical waveguides are integrally defined. The active die includes one or more active device regions, i.e. integral optoelectronic devices or etched cavities for placement of discrete optoelectronic devices. Optical waveguides terminate at active device regions so that they can be coupled to them. Slots are defined in peripheral parts of the active dies. At least some of the slots are aligned with the ends of integral optical waveguides so that optical fibers or optoelectronic devices inserted in the slots can optically couple to the waveguides.

Evaluation of a polymer implanted port access device.

PubMed

Brown, J M

1996-01-01

The implanted port vascular access system has provided many patients with safe and reliable vascular access. Its implanted design provides improved body image, reduced maintenance and a better quality of life. The Huber needle has been the standard means of accessing the implanted port system. Because of the problems associated with the Huber needle system, current standards recommend that the Huber needle be changed every 7 days. This evaluation examines the use of a polymer cannula to access the implanted port system. This polymer cannula eliminates many of the problems associated with the Huber needle and provides longer dwell times without increased complications. Seventy nine patients were accessed for a total of 1533 days with the mean dwell time being 19.4 days with no increase in complications associated with port access. To establish implanted port access times of greater than 7 days without increased complications. A multicenter voluntary enrollment evaluation of a medical device. Patients were offered the opportunity to participate in the evaluation if they had an implanted port and were going to be accessed for therapy for periods of 7 days or more. Patients were observed for adverse cutaneous reactions at the insertion site and any port access complications such as sepsis, leakage, changes in portal chamber integrity, and implant pocket integrity. From October 1994 through November 1995, 79 L-Cath for Ports (Luther Medical Products) polymer catheter port access devices (Illustration 1) were inserted in 54 patients. This polymer port access device was used instead of a rigid metal Huber needle for port access. The total number of access days was 1533 days with the mean duration of access being 19.4 days. Two patients experienced blood stream infections while they were accessed with the polymer port access device. These infections ensued with fever of unknown origin as the presenting symptom during neutropenic episodes after chemotherapy treatment. The port access device was removed and the port access device tip was cultured with culture results being negative. No other patients experienced complications related to the port access device. The polymer port access device provided a safe and effective means of extending port access times. This reduced the number of restarts for the patients and could extend portal septum life by exposing the portal septum to fewer accesses.

Learning from technical documents: the role of intermodal referring expressions.

PubMed

Dupont, Vincent; Bestgen, Yves

2006-01-01

We investigated the impact of two types of intermodal referring expressions on efficiency of instructions for use. User manuals for software or technical devices such as a video recording system frequently combine verbal instructions and illustrations. Much research has shown that the presence of an illustration has a beneficial effect on learning. The present study focuses on a factor that modulates this beneficial effect. The combination of text and an illustration can be effective only if the user integrates the information coming from these two media. This integration depends largely on the intermodal referential expressions, the function of which is to mark explicitly the relations between the text and the illustration. In an experiment (N = 104), we compared the effectiveness of two intermodal referring expressions often used in procedural texts: indexes (numbers introduced in the illustrations and in the instructions to establish cross-references) and icons (visual representations of the components of the device, which are inserted in the verbal instructions). The icons condition led to the most efficient use of the device. This experiment shows that learning from multimedia documents depends on the possibility of effectively connecting the verbal instructions to the illustration. Taking into account the ergonomic properties of the cross-media referring expressions should allow text designers to improve the effectiveness of technical documents.

SETA Support for the DARPA Microelectronics Technology Insertion Program of the Microelectronics Technology Office

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-17

Conclusions. Key personnel planned and administered the 193-nm lithography SBIR workshop on May 7, 1992 as well as planned the GaAs Insertion...converters can use Josephson junctions (JJ) to improve performance. Superconductive quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), such as JJs, are used to form...forward control of a lithography stepper. Mark Conner at Booz-Allen has copies of the charts. You should take a few minutes to review them. I asked Costos

The relationship of placement accuracy and insertion times for the laryngeal mask airway to the training of inexperienced dental students.

PubMed

Morse, Zac; Sano, Kimito; Kageyama, Ikuo; Kanri, Tomio

2002-01-01

Any health care professional can be faced with a medical emergency in which the patient needs ventilatory support. Bag-valve-mask ventilation with the assistance of an oropharyngeal airway that uses 100% oxygen is currently the preferred method for artificial ventilation. This procedure is generally performed ineffectively by most dentists inexperienced in airway management. We examined whether a short and simple period of training by dental students inexperienced in airway management would increase the speed and accuracy of the placement of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which may be a superior airway device to the bag-valve-mask and oropharyngeal airway. Thirty-five dental students inexperienced in airway management were divided into 3 groups. The first group received only a demonstration on how to use the LMA. The second and third groups received the demonstration plus practiced inserting the LMA 5 and 10 times, respectively. A dental anesthesiologist graded the placement of the LMA with a tracheobroncho-fiberscope (fiberoptic bronchoscope). Those who practiced inserting the LMA 5 times faired better than those who received no training; however, those who practiced 10 times did not do any better than the second group. The LMA can be inserted rapidly and effectively by dentists inexperienced in airway management after a short period of simple training that may be critical when personnel experienced in intubation are not readily available.

Inverted bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells with the transfer-printed anodes and low-temperature-processed ultrathin buffer layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itoh, Eiji; Sakai, Shota; Fukuda, Katsutoshi

2018-03-01

We studied the effects of a hole buffer layer [molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and natural copper oxide layer] and a low-temperature-processed electron buffer layer on the performance of inverted bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells in a device consisting of indium-tin oxide (ITO)/poly(ethylene imine) (PEI)/titanium oxide nanosheet (TiO-NS)/poly(3-hexylthiopnehe) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methylester (PCBM)/oxide/anode (Ag or Cu). The insertion of ultrathin TiO-NS (˜1 nm) and oxide hole buffer layers improved the open circuit voltage V OC, fill factor, and rectification properties owing to the effective hole blocking and electron transport properties of ultrathin TiO-NS, and to the enhanced work function difference between TiO-NS and the oxide hole buffer layer. The insertion of the TiO-NS contributed to the reduction in the potential barrier at the ITO/PEI/TiO-NS/active layer interface for electrons, and the insertion of the oxide hole buffer layer contributed to the reduction in the potential barrier for holes. The marked increase in the capacitance under positive biasing in the capacitance-voltage characteristics revealed that the combination of TiO-NS and MoO3 buffer layers contributes to the selective transport of electrons and holes, and blocks counter carriers at the active layer/oxide interface. The natural oxide layer of the copper electrode also acts as a hole buffer layer owing to the increase in the work function of the Cu surface in the inverted cells. The performance of the cell with evaporated MoO3 and Cu layers that were transfer-printed to the active layer was almost comparable to that of the cell with MoO3 and Ag layers directly evaporated onto the active layer. We also demonstrated comparable device performance in the cell with all-printed MoO3 and low-temperature-processed silver nanoparticles as an anode.

Suppression of electron overflow in 370-nm InGaN/AlGaN ultraviolet light emitting diodes with different insertion layer thicknesses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, C. K.; Wang, Y. W.; Chiou, Y. Z.; Chang, S. H.; Jheng, J. S.; Chang, S. P.; Chang, S. J.

2017-06-01

In this study, the properties of 370-nm InGaN/AlGaN ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) with different thicknesses of un-doped Al0.3Ga0.7N insertion layer (IL) between the last quantum barrier and electron blocking layer (EBL) have been numerically simulated by Advance Physical Model of Semiconductor Devices (APSYS). The results show that the LEDs using the high Al composition IL can effectively improve the efficiency droop, light output power, and internal quantum efficiency (IQE) compared to the original structure. The improvements of the optical properties are mainly attributed to the energy band discontinuity and offset created by IL, which increase the potential barrier height of conduction band to suppress the electron overflow from the active region to the p-side layer.

Survey of IUD replacing status in Sichuan, PR China.

PubMed

Xiaoqin, Chen; Li, Xie; Xiaoping, Pan; Chuanrong, Zhang; Shiyuan, Luo

2003-05-01

To investigate the status of copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) replacing inert IUD in Sichuan Province, cluster random sampling method was adopted for the survey. Questionnaires were completed and IUD were inspected through ultrasound among 12,804 subjects of 15 counties, who were inserted an IUD from 1994 to 1998. The insertion rate of copper-bearing IUD was 42.1%, in a gradually increasing trend; it was lower in mountain areas than in plain and hilly areas and increased after induced abortion and previous IUD failure. Some factors, such as lower pregnancy rate, lower expulsion rate and easy removal, etc., contributed to copper-bearing IUD use. On the other hand, other factors like longer contraception period, lower side effects and lower cost contributed to inert IUD use. The results show that the adoption of copper-bearing IUD is increasing, but those factors influencing copper-bearing IUD replacement should not be neglected.

[Wrong connection of a flexible medical air hose to a nitrous oxide outlet caused by a defective safety device].

PubMed

Nicaise, C; Robert, C; Ancellin, J; Cazalaà, J B

1996-01-01

When plugging the O2, N2O and air hoses into the corresponding wall sockets, the air hose was wrongly inserted into the N2O wall outlet. This was made possible because of faulty retaining clasps of the male coupler of the air probe. French "fail-safe" connections consist of a two-clasp male coupler for air, three clasps for O2 and four clasps for N2O hoses. Additionally the clasps of the air probe are broader then those of the N2O probe. However, the latter difference was lost due to wear. The incident was recognized without delay as the N2O hose could not be inserted into the air outlet. However, it could have remained unnoticed had there been two N2O wall outlets and could have resulted in severe adverse effects.

Arterial wall histology in chronic pulsatile-flow and continuous-flow device circulatory support.

PubMed

Potapov, Evgenij V; Dranishnikov, Nikolay; Morawietz, Lars; Stepanenko, Alexander; Rezai, Sajjad; Blechschmidt, Cristiane; Lehmkuhl, Hans B; Weng, Yuguo; Pasic, Miralem; Hübler, Michael; Hetzer, Roland; Krabatsch, Thomas

2012-11-01

Continuous-flow (CF) ventricular assist devices (VAD) are an established option for treatment of end-stage heart failure. However, the effect of long-term CF with lack of peripheral arterial wall motions on blood pressure regulation and end-organ arterial wall sclerosis, especially in the case of long-term support (> 3 years), remains unclear. Tissue samples obtained at autopsy from liver, kidney, coronary arteries, and brain from 27 VAD recipients supported for > 180 days between 2000 and 2010 were histologically examined to assess vascular alterations, including perivascular infiltrate, intravascular infiltrate, wall thickness, thrombosis, endothelial cell swelling, vessel wall necrosis, and peri-vascular fibrosis. Pulsatile-flow (PF) devices had been inserted in 9 patients and CF devices had been inserted in 16. The pathologist was blinded to the group distribution. Demographic, pharmacologic, and clinical data were retrospectively analyzed before surgery and during the follow-up period of up to 24 months. Median duration of support was 467 days (range, 235-1,588 days) in the PF group and 263 days (range, 182-942 days) in the CF group. Demographic and clinical data before and after surgery were similar. Amiodarone was more often used during follow-up in CF group than in the PF group (61% vs 10%, p = 0.009). Throughout the follow-up period, mean arterial pressure did not differ between recipients of the 2 pump types, nor did systolic and diastolic pressure, except at 2 weeks after VAD implantation, when systolic blood pressure was higher (p = 0.05) and diastolic lower (p = 0.03) in the PF group. Histologic studies did not identify any relevant differences in arterial wall characteristics between the 2 groups. Long-term mechanical circulatory support with CF devices does not adversely influence arterial wall properties of the end-organ vasculature. Copyright © 2012 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 888.3060 - Spinal intervertebral body fixation orthosis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... each of a series of vertebral bodies. An eye-type screw is inserted in a hole in the center of each of the plates. A braided cable is threaded through each eye-type screw. The cable is tightened with a tension device and it is fastened or crimped at each eye-type screw. The device is used to apply force to...

21 CFR 888.3060 - Spinal intervertebral body fixation orthosis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... each of a series of vertebral bodies. An eye-type screw is inserted in a hole in the center of each of the plates. A braided cable is threaded through each eye-type screw. The cable is tightened with a tension device and it is fastened or crimped at each eye-type screw. The device is used to apply force to...

MEMS Reliability Assurance Guidelines for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stark, Brian (Editor)

1999-01-01

This guide is a reference for understanding the various aspects of microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS, with an emphasis on device reliability. Material properties, failure mechanisms, processing techniques, device structures, and packaging techniques common to MEMS are addressed in detail. Design and qualification methodologies provide the reader with the means to develop suitable qualification plans for the insertion of MEMS into the space environment.

Aids to Computer-Based Multimedia Learning: A Comparison of Human Tutoring and Computer Support

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodicio, H. Garcia; Sanchez, E.

2012-01-01

Learners are usually provided with support devices because they find it difficult to learn from multimedia presentations. A key question, with no clear answer so far, is how best to present these support devices. One possibility is to insert them into the multimedia presentation (canned support), while another is to have a human agent provide them…

Fiber Bragg grating based arterial localization device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Siu Chun Michael; Li, Weijie; Razavi, Mehdi; Song, Gangbing

2017-06-01

A critical first step to many surgical procedures is locating and gaining access to a patients vascular system. Vascular access allows the deployment of other surgical instruments and also the monitoring of many physiological parameters. Current methods to locate blood vessels are predominantly based on the landmark technique coupled with ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or Doppler. However, even with experience and technological assistance, locating the required blood vessel is not always an easy task, especially with patients that present atypical anatomy or suffer from conditions such as weak pulsation or obesity that make vascular localization difficult. With recent advances in fiber optic sensors, there is an opportunity to develop a new tool that can make vascular localization safer and easier. In this work, the authors present a new fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based vascular access device that specializes in arterial localization. The device estimates the location towards a local artery based on the bending of a needle inserted near the tissue surrounding the artery. Experimental results obtained from an artificial circulatory loop and a mock artery show the device works best for lower angles of needle insertion and can provide an approximately 40° range of estimation towards the location of a pulsating source (e.g. an artery).

Plasma jet ignition device

DOEpatents

McIlwain, Michael E.; Grant, Jonathan F.; Golenko, Zsolt; Wittstein, Alan D.

1985-01-15

An ignition device of the plasma jet type is disclosed. The device has a cylindrical cavity formed in insulating material with an electrode at one end. The other end of the cylindrical cavity is closed by a metal plate with a small orifice in the center which plate serves as a second electrode. An arc jumping between the first electrode and the orifice plate causes the formation of a highly-ionized plasma in the cavity which is ejected through the orifice into the engine cylinder area to ignite the main fuel mixture. Two improvements are disclosed to enhance the operation of the device and the length of the plasma plume. One improvement is a metal hydride ring which is inserted in the cavity next to the first electrode. During operation, the high temperature in the cavity and the highly excited nature of the plasma breaks down the metal hydride, liberating hydrogen which acts as an additional fuel to help plasma formation. A second improvement consists of a cavity insert containing a plurality of spaced, metal rings. The rings act as secondary spark gap electrodes reducing the voltage needed to maintain the initial arc in the cavity.

A cohort evaluation of the pediatric ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in 100 children.

PubMed

Kelly, Fiona; Sale, Steven; Bayley, Guy; Cook, Tim; Stoddart, Peter; White, Michelle

2008-10-01

The ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) has been available in pediatric sizes in the UK since 2007. Although several non-UK studies have evaluated PLMAs in children, there are little published data regarding their use in this country. Having decided to introduce the pediatric PLMA into our practice, we chose to prospectively audit the first 100 uses as part of our clinical governance. We studied children undergoing elective surgery who were considered suitable for a supraglottic airway. We recorded patient, surgical and insertion details, device performance data and complications. Patient management was not altered by inclusion in this audit. Twenty size 1.5, 55 size 2.0, 15 size 2.5 and 10 size 3.0 PLMAs were inserted in 100 consecutive children [median age 2 years (range 2 months to 10 years) and median weight 15 kg (range 4.9-60 kg)]. The overall first attempt success rate was 93% (size 1.5, 100%; size 2.0, 100%; size 2.5, 87%; size 3.0, 90%) and overall successful insertion rate was 99%. Median leak pressure was 25 cmH(2)O. Outright failure was seen in one patient; complications were seen in another six patients (partial airway obstruction in five patients and mild laryngospasm in one patient), all of whom were transient and none of whom required intubation. No episodes of regurgitation were recorded. Even without prior experience and using nonconventional insertion, pediatric PLMAs (including size 1.5) can be easily inserted and provide an effective airway.

Effects of P Element Insertions on Quantitative Traits in Drosophila Melanogaster

PubMed Central

Mackay, TFC.; Lyman, R. F.; Jackson, M. S.

1992-01-01

P element mutagenesis was used to construct 94 third chromosome lines of Drosophila melanogaster which contained on average 3.1 stable P element inserts, in an inbred host strain background previously free of P elements. The homozygous and heterozygous effects of the inserts on viability and abdominal and sternopleural bristle number were ascertained by comparing the chromosome lines with inserts to insert-free control lines of the inbred host strain. P elements reduced average homozygous viability by 12.2% per insert and average heterozygous viability by 5.5% per insert, and induced recessive lethal mutations at a rate of 3.8% per insert. Mutational variation for the bristle traits averaged over both sexes was 0.03V(e) per homozygous P insert and 0.003V(e) per heterozygous P insert, where V(e) is the environmental variance. Mutational variation was greater for the sexes considered separately because inserts had large pleiotropic effects on sex dimorphism of bristle characters. The distributions of homozygous effects of inserts on the bristle traits were asymmetrical, with the largest effects in the direction of reducing bristle number; and highly leptokurtic, with most of the increase in variance contributed by a few lines with large effects. The inserts had partially recessive effects on the bristle traits. Insert lines with extreme bristle effects had on average greatly reduced viability. PMID:1311697

TM-pass polarizer based on multilayer graphene polymer waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Ke-su; Li, Yue-e.; Wei, Wen-jing; Mu, Xi-jiao; Ma, A.-ning; Wang, Zhong; Song, Dan-ming

2018-05-01

A TM-pass polarizer based on multilayer graphene polymer waveguide is proposed and theoretically analyzed. The mode properties, the extinction ratio, the insertion loss and the bandwidth are also discussed. The results show that a TM-pass polarizer, which only guides the TM mode, can be achieved by multilayer graphene polymer waveguide. With length of 150 μm, the proposed polarizer can achieve extinction ratio of 33 dB and insertion loss of 0.5 dB at optical wavelength of 1.55 μm. This device has an excellent performance, including large extinction ratio and low insertion loss within the spectral range from 1.45 μm to 1.6 μm.

42 CFR 414.228 - Prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... therapeutic shoes. The payment rules specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are applicable to custom molded and extra depth shoes, modifications, and inserts (therapeutic shoes) furnished after...

42 CFR 414.228 - Prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... therapeutic shoes. The payment rules specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are applicable to custom molded and extra depth shoes, modifications, and inserts (therapeutic shoes) furnished after...

Pacemaker (image)

MedlinePlus

A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated electronic device which is inserted under the skin to help the heart beat regularly and at an appropriate rate. The pacemaker has leads that travel through a large vein ...

The effect of the thicknesses of the various layers on the colour emitted by an organic electroluminescent device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolinat, P.; Clergereaux, R.; Farenc, J.; Destruel, P.

1998-05-01

Organic electroluminescent diodes based on thin organic layers are one of the most promising next-generation systems for the backlighting of the liquid crystal screens. Among other methods to obtain white light, three-layer luminescent devices with each layer emitting one of the three fundamental colours have been studied here. Red, green and blue light were produced by 0022-3727/31/10/018/img1 doped with Nile red, 0022-3727/31/10/018/img1 and TPD layers respectively. A fourth thin film of TAZ has been inserted between TPD and 0022-3727/31/10/018/img1 to control injection of electrons into the TPD. The effect of the layers' thicknesses on the spectral emission of the device has been examined. Results show that the thicknesses of TAZ and doped 0022-3727/31/10/018/img1 layers have to be controlled to within a precision of better than 5 Å. The discussion turns on the possibility of applying this technology to screen backlighting.

Assessing the intrauterine device.

PubMed

Mishell, D R

1975-01-01

The data that have accumulated in the 15 years of use of the IUD are examined, the problems involved in attempting to derive meaningful data are discussed and important research directions are highlighted in an attempt to assess the IUD as a contraceptive measure in light of negative reports appearing in the news media. Reliable epidemiologic information about IUD experience before 1970 are available in the reports of the Cooperative Statistical Program. Currently available IUD designs include the Lippes loop, copper-7, double coil, copper T and progesterone T. It has been observed that several factors may be responsible for the variation in performance of IUDs. These include: patient population, physician experience, side effect tolerance, clinic attitude and additional contraceptives (whether a patient is encouraged to use additional contraception with the IUD). The only valid method of comparison of different IUDs is to perform randomized insertion of the devices in the same clinic using the same personnel and the same time period and to analyze the methods by life table analysis. Medical problems in IUD use were discussed including bleeding (either heavy and/or prolonged menses or intermenstrual bleeding), perforation, pregnancy with an IUD in situ, and infection. The contraceptive action of the IUD is associated with the production of a local sterile inflammatory reaction caused by the presence of the foreign body in the uterus. Research should be directed toward improving the design of IUD inserters because placement of the IUD within the uterine cavity is of extreme importance for IUD effectiveness.

Hearing-in-Noise Benefits After Bilateral Simultaneous Cochlear Implantation Continue to Improve 4 Years After Implantation

PubMed Central

Eapen, Rose J.; Buss, Emily; Adunka, Marcia Clark; Pillsbury, Harold C.; Buchman, Craig A.

2012-01-01

Objective The purpose of this 4-year longitudinal study was to assess the stability of the binaural benefits of head shadow, summation, and squelch for bilateral cochlear implant recipients and to quantify these benefits for the understanding of speech in noise. Design This is a prospective study of 9 patients who received simultaneous bilateral insertion of MED-EL COMBI +40 cochlear implants in a single-stage operation at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Each patient had postlingual deafness of short duration before insertion of the device. Each year, the patients were tested for word recognition using consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet and speech perception in noise using City University of New York sentences. These tests were administered using direct audio input to the implants. Head-related transfer functions were used to simulate speech in noise testing in a spatial environment. Speech was always presented at midline (0), and the noise masker was presented at either side or midline (−90, 0, +90 degrees). Results The binaural benefits of head shadow and summation effects developed early in the postoperative period and remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Squelch developed more slowly and was first demonstrated at 12 months after implantation but continued to increase beyond the first year of follow-up. Conclusion Benefits of head shadow and summation emerge early and remain stable. However, squelch has the most protracted period of development, with increasing benefit after a year or more of implant experience. These data support the idea that binaural integration continues several years after insertion of bilateral cochlear implant devices. PMID:19180675

Decision Support for the Capacity Management of Bronchoscopy Devices: Optimizing the Cost-Efficient Mix of Reusable and Single-Use Devices Through Mathematical Modeling.

PubMed

Edenharter, Günther M; Gartner, Daniel; Pförringer, Dominik

2017-06-01

Increasing costs of material resources challenge hospitals to stay profitable. Particularly in anesthesia departments and intensive care units, bronchoscopes are used for various indications. Inefficient management of single- and multiple-use systems can influence the hospitals' material costs substantially. Using mathematical modeling, we developed a strategic decision support tool to determine the optimum mix of disposable and reusable bronchoscopy devices in the setting of an intensive care unit. A mathematical model with the objective to minimize costs in relation to demand constraints for bronchoscopy devices was formulated. The stochastic model decides whether single-use, multi-use, or a strategically chosen mix of both device types should be used. A decision support tool was developed in which parameters for uncertain demand such as mean, standard deviation, and a reliability parameter can be inserted. Furthermore, reprocessing costs per procedure, procurement, and maintenance costs for devices can be parameterized. Our experiments show for which demand pattern and reliability measure, it is efficient to only use reusable or disposable devices and under which circumstances the combination of both device types is beneficial. To determine the optimum mix of single-use and reusable bronchoscopy devices effectively and efficiently, managers can enter their hospital-specific parameters such as demand and prices into the decision support tool.The software can be downloaded at: https://github.com/drdanielgartner/bronchomix/.

21 CFR 876.5130 - Urological catheter and accessories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... device that is inserted through the urethra and used to pass fluids to or from the urinary tract. This..., coude catheters, balloon retention type catheters, straight catheters, upper urinary tract catheters...

42 CFR 414.228 - Prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...) Payment for therapeutic shoes. The payment rules specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are applicable to custom molded and extra depth shoes, modifications, and inserts (therapeutic shoes) furnished...

42 CFR 414.228 - Prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...) Payment for therapeutic shoes. The payment rules specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are applicable to custom molded and extra depth shoes, modifications, and inserts (therapeutic shoes) furnished...

Noise reduction in supersonic jets by nozzle fluidic inserts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, Philip J.; McLaughlin, Dennis K.; Kuo, Ching-Wen

2013-08-01

Professor Philip Doak spent a very productive time as a consultant to the Lockheed-Georgia Company in the early 1970s. The focus of the overall research project was the prediction and reduction of noise from supersonic jets. Now, 40 years on, the present paper describes an innovative methodology and device for the reduction of supersonic jet noise. The goal is the development of a practical active noise reduction technique for low bypass ratio turbofan engines. This method introduces fluidic inserts installed in the divergent wall of a CD nozzle to replace hard-wall corrugation seals, which have been demonstrated to be effective by Seiner (2005) [1]. By altering the configuration and operating conditions of the fluidic inserts, active noise reduction for both mixing and shock noise has been obtained. Substantial noise reductions have been achieved for mixing noise in the maximum noise emission direction and in the forward arc for broadband shock-associated noise. To achieve these reductions (on the order of greater than 4 and 2 dB for the two main components respectively), practically achievable levels of injection mass flow rates have been used. The total injected mass flow rates are less than 4% of the core mass flow rate and the effective operating injection pressure ratio has been maintained at or below the same level as the nozzle pressure ratio of the core flow.

Study to Expand Simulation Cockpit Displays of Advanced Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-03-01

common source is being used for multiple sensor types). If inde- pendent displays and controls are desired then two independent video sources or sensor...line is inserted in each gap, the result is the familiar 211 in- terlace. If two lines are inserted, the result is 31l interlace, and so on. The total...symbol generators. If these systems are oper- ating at various scan rates and if a common display device, such as a multifunction display (MFD) is to

Shock Wave-Stimulated Periosteum for Cartilage Repair

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

inserted into the tibial periosteum of 6 animals to measure the actual shock waveform in the tissue for two ESW doses (energy densities). In 12 goats... tibial periosteum stimulated by one of the 2 doses of ESWs (n=6) will be harvested, 4 days post-treatment, as an autograft for implantation into one 1...locations of sensor away from the head of the ESW device. 1.b. Insert a pressure sensor into the periosteum of the right proximal tibial of6 goats to

Corneal seal device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baehr, E. F. (Inventor)

1977-01-01

A corneal seal device is provided which, when placed in an incision in the eye, permits the insertion of a surgical tool or instrument through the device into the eye. The device includes a seal chamber which opens into a tube which is adapted to be sutured to the eye and serves as an entry passage for a tool. A sealable aperture in the chamber permits passage of the tool through the chamber into the tube and hence into the eye. The chamber includes inlet ports adapted to be connected to a regulated source of irrigation fluid which provides a safe intraocular pressure.

Method for Monitored Separation and Collection of Biological Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, George Edward (Inventor); Jackson, George William (Inventor); Willson, Richard Coale (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A device for separating and purifying useful quantities of particles comprises: (a) an anolyte reservoir connected to an anode, the anolyte reservoir containing an electrophoresis buffer; (b) a catholyte reservoir connected to a cathode, the catholyte reservoir also containing the electrophoresis buffer; (c) a power supply connected to the anode and to the cathode; (d) a column having a first end inserted into the anolyte reservoir, a second end inserted into the catholyte reservoir, and containing a separation medium; (e) a light source; (f) a first optical fiber having a first fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a second fiber end connected to the light source; (g) a photo detector; (h) a second optical fiber having a third fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a fourth fiber end connected to the photo detector; and (i) an ion-exchange membrane in the anolyte reservoir.

Development of a virtual reality haptic Veress needle insertion simulator for surgical skills training.

PubMed

Okrainec, A; Farcas, M; Henao, O; Choy, I; Green, J; Fotoohi, M; Leslie, R; Wight, D; Karam, P; Gonzalez, N; Apkarian, J

2009-01-01

The Veress needle is the most commonly used technique for creating the pneumoperitoneum at the start of a laparoscopic surgical procedure. Inserting the Veress needle correctly is crucial since errors can cause significant harm to patients. Unfortunately, this technique can be difficult to teach since surgeons rely heavily on tactile feedback while advancing the needle through the various layers of the abdominal wall. This critical step in laparoscopy, therefore, can be challenging for novice trainees to learn without adequate opportunities to practice in a safe environment with no risk of injury to patients. To address this issue, we have successfully developed a prototype of a virtual reality haptic needle insertion simulator using the tactile feedback of 22 surgeons to set realistic haptic parameters. A survey of these surgeons concluded that our device appeared and felt realistic, and could potentially be a useful tool for teaching the proper technique of Veress needle insertion.

First Materials Science Research Rack Capabilities and Design Features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schaefer, D.; King, R.; Cobb, S.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The first Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) will accommodate dual Experiment Modules (EM's) and provide simultaneous on-orbit processing operations capability. The first international Materials Science Experiment Module for the MSRR-1 is an international cooperative research activity between NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the European Space Agency's (ESA) European Space Research and Technology Center. (ESTEC). This International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) will contain the Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) developed by ESA as an Experiment Module. The MSL Experiment Module will accommodate several on-orbit exchangeable experiment-specific Module Inserts. Module Inserts currently planned are a Quench Module Insert, Low Gradient Furnace, Solidification with Quench Furnace, and Diffusion Module Insert. The second Experiment Module for the MSRR-1 configuration is a commercial device supplied by MSFC's Space Products Department (SPD). It includes capabilities for vapor transport processes and liquid metal sintering. This Experiment Module will be replaced on-orbit with other NASA Materials Science EMs.

Recent Radiation Test Results for Trench Power MOSFETs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lauenstein, Jean-Marie; Casey, Megan C.; Wilcox, Edward P.; Phan, Anthony M.; Kim, Hak S.; Topper, Alyson D.; Ladbury, Raymond L.; Label, Kenneth A.

2017-01-01

Single-event effect (SEE) radiation test results are presented for various trench-gate power MOSFETs. The heavy-ion response of the first (and only) radiation-hardened trench-gate power MOSFET is evaluated: the manufacturer SEE response curve is verified and importantly, no localized dosing effects are measured, distinguishing it from other, non-hardened trench-gate power MOSFETs. Evaluations are made of n-type commercial and both n- and p-type automotive grade trench-gate device using ions comparable to of those on the low linear energy transfer (LET) side of the iron knee of the galactic cosmic ray spectrum, to explore suitability of these parts for missions with higher risk tolerance and shorter duration, such as CubeSats. Part-to-part variability of SEE threshold suggests testing with larger sample sizes and applying more aggressive derating to avoid on-orbit failures. The n-type devices yielded expected localized dosing effects including when irradiated in an unbiased (0-V) configuration, adding to the challenge of inserting these parts into space flight missions.

A multicenter randomized clinical trial of one-rod etonogestrel and two-rod levonorgestrel contraceptive implants with nonrandomized copper-IUD controls: methodology and insertion data.

PubMed

Meirik, Olav; Brache, Vivian; Orawan, Kiriwat; Habib, Ndema Abu; Schmidt, Johannes; Ortayli, Nuriye; Culwell, Kelly; Jackson, Emily; Ali, Moazzam

2013-01-01

Comparative data on etonogestrel and two-rod levonorgestrel contraceptive implants are lacking. A multicenter, open, parallel-group trial with random allocation of implants was performed. For every second implant user, an age-matched woman choosing an intrauterine device (IUD) (TCu380A) was admitted. Methods and data on implant/IUD insertion and 6-week follow-up are reported. A total of 2008 women were randomized to an implant, and 974 women were enrolled in the IUD group. Results from 997 etonogestrel implant users, 997 levonorgestrel implant users and 971 IUD users were analyzed. In the etonogestrel and levonorgestrel groups, respectively, mean insertion durations were 51 (SD 50.2) s and 88 (SD 60.8) s; complication rates at insertion were 0.8% and 0.2%; and at follow-up, 27.2% and 26.7% of women, respectively, had signs or symptoms at the insertion site. At follow-up within 6 weeks after insertion, all implants were in situ, while 2.1% of IUDs were expelled. Performance of etonogestrel and levonorgestrel implants at insertion and within the first 6 weeks is similar. Short-term (6 weeks) continuation rates appear higher for implants than TCu380A. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Design of a Tool Integrating Force Sensing With Automated Insertion in Cochlear Implantation

PubMed Central

Schurzig, Daniel; Labadie, Robert F.; Hussong, Andreas; Rau, Thomas S.; Webster, Robert J.

2012-01-01

The quality of hearing restored to a deaf patient by a cochlear implant in hearing preservation cochlear implant surgery (and possibly also in routine cochlear implant surgery) is believed to depend on preserving delicate cochlear membranes while accurately inserting an electrode array deep into the spiral cochlea. Membrane rupture forces, and possibly, other indicators of suboptimal placement, are below the threshold detectable by human hands, motivating a force sensing insertion tool. Furthermore, recent studies have shown significant variability in manual insertion forces and velocities that may explain some instances of imperfect placement. Toward addressing this, an automated insertion tool was recently developed by Hussong et al. By following the same insertion tool concept, in this paper, we present mechanical enhancements that improve the surgeon’s interface with the device and make it smaller and lighter. We also present electomechanical design of new components enabling integrated force sensing. The tool is designed to be sufficiently compact and light that it can be mounted to a microstereotactic frame for accurate image-guided preinsertion positioning. The new integrated force sensing system is capable of resolving forces as small as 0.005 N, and we provide experimental illustration of using forces to detect errors in electrode insertion. PMID:23482414

42 CFR 410.36 - Medical supplies, appliances, and devices: Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... eyeglasses or conventional contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery during which an intraocular lens is inserted. (3) Leg, arm, back, and neck braces and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including...

42 CFR 410.36 - Medical supplies, appliances, and devices: Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... eyeglasses or conventional contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery during which an intraocular lens is inserted. (3) Leg, arm, back, and neck braces and artificial legs, arms, and eyes, including...

31 CFR 1021.311 - Filing obligations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the same table game without leaving the table; (3) Bills inserted into electronic gaming devices in... would not apply); and (4) Jackpots from slot machines or video lottery terminals. [75 FR 65812, Oct. 26...

31 CFR 1021.311 - Filing obligations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the same table game without leaving the table; (3) Bills inserted into electronic gaming devices in... would not apply); and (4) Jackpots from slot machines or video lottery terminals. [75 FR 65812, Oct. 26...

31 CFR 1021.311 - Filing obligations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the same table game without leaving the table; (3) Bills inserted into electronic gaming devices in... would not apply); and (4) Jackpots from slot machines or video lottery terminals. [75 FR 65812, Oct. 26...

Intracranial pressure monitoring (image)

MedlinePlus

Intracranial pressure monitoring is performed by inserting a catheter into the head with a sensing device to monitor the pressure around the brain. An increase in intracranial pressure can cause a decrease in blood flow to ...

Healthcare Provider Attitudes of Safety of Intrauterine Devices in the Postpartum Period.

PubMed

Rauh-Benoit, Lisa A; Tepper, Naomi K; Zapata, Lauren B; Whiteman, Maura K; Curtis, Kathryn M; Mandel, Michele G; Marchbanks, Polly A; Jamieson, Denise J

2017-07-01

Immediate postpartum intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been underutilized in the United States despite their known safety. Understanding how providers' attitudes contribute to underutilization is important in improving access. Our objective was to examine healthcare providers' perceptions of the safety of immediate postpartum IUDs before publication of United States contraceptive guidelines. We analyzed survey data collected from December 2009 to March 2010 from 635 office-based physicians and 1368 Title X clinic providers (overall response rate of 64.8%). Providers were asked how safe they thought copper and levonorgestrel (LNG) IUDs were in postpartum women (very safe, safe, unsafe, very unsafe, and unsure). Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for characteristics associated with considering immediate and delayed postpartum IUDs to be safe. Less than 40% of respondents considered immediate or delayed IUD insertion to be safe. Providers with <1 day of family planning training had decreased odds of considering immediate postpartum IUD insertion to be safe compared with unsafe/unsure (aOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.84 for copper IUD and aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.81 for LNG-IUD). Providers without training in postpartum or interval copper IUD insertion had decreased odds of considering immediate postpartum copper IUD insertion (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.79) and delayed postpartum insertion for both IUD types to be safe (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.66 for copper IUD and aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21-0.77 for LNG-IUD). Before United States contraceptive guidelines, a majority of providers perceived immediate postpartum IUDs to be unsafe.

Can intrauterine contraceptive devices lead to VulvoVaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and Anemia in Iranian new users?

PubMed

Behboudi-Gandevani, Samira; Imani, Somaieh; Moghaddam-Banaem, Lida; Roudbar-Mohammadi, Shahla

2015-03-01

To assess the prevalence of anemia and VulvoVaginal Candidiasis (VVC) in women before and 3 months after copper Intra Uterine Device (IUD) insertion. Longitudinal prospective study was performed with 101 women aged 15-45 year who wanted to use the IUD at six health centers in Tehran, Iran from November 2011 to August 2012. The pattern of bleeding, Hemoglobin and Hematocirt levels, and Candida colony count/cultures in the women were assessed before and after 3 months of IUD insertion. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and analytical statistics using the SPSS software for Windows. At the end of 3 months, a significant increase in menstrual blood loss and a significant decrease of Hb and HCT (P=0.047 and 0.001, respectively) were reported. Moreover, no difference in the prevalence of anemia before and after IUD insertion was observed. The mean±SD Candida colony counts significantly increased (P=0.001), but positive Candida cultures were not significantly different before and 3 months after IUD insertion. Also, no clinical VVC was reported 3 months after IUD insertion. While BMI≥29 had a positive relationship with Candida colony counts, the results remained unchanged after adjusting for potential risk factors. Despite an increase in bleeding and Candida colony counts in copper IUD users in this study, clinical VVC or anemia cases were not increased, which indicates relative safety of this contraception method. The study findings can be helpful to healthcare professionals and midwives to counsel women who want to start using IUD and also current users who are contemplating IUD removal due to its complications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Model-based assist feature insertion for sub-40nm memory device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suh, Sungsoo; Lee, Suk-joo; Choi, Seong-woon; Lee, Sung-Woo; Park, Chan-hoon

2009-04-01

Many issues need to be resolved for a production-worthy model based assist feature insertion flow for single and double exposure patterning process to extend low k1 process at 193 nm immersion technology. Model based assist feature insertion is not trivial to implement either for single and double exposure patterning compared to rule based methods. As shown in Fig. 1, pixel based mask inversion technology in itself has difficulties in mask writing and inspection although it presents as one of key technology to extend single exposure for contact layer. Thus far, inversion technology is tried as a cooptimization of target mask to simultaneously generate optimized main and sub-resolution assists features for a desired process window. Alternatively, its technology can also be used to optimize for a target feature after an assist feature types are inserted in order to simplify the mask complexity. Simplification of inversion mask is one of major issue with applying inversion technology to device development even if a smaller mask feature can be fabricated since the mask writing time is also a major factor. As shown in Figure 2, mask writing time may be a limiting factor in determining whether or not an inversion solution is viable. It can be reasoned that increased number of shot counts relates to increase in margin for inversion methodology. On the other hand, there is a limit on how complex a mask can be in order to be production worthy. There is also source and mask co-optimization which influences the final mask patterns and assist feature sizes and positions for a given target. In this study, we will discuss assist feature insertion methods for sub 40-nm technology.

A randomised controlled trial comparing ProSeal laryngeal mask airway, i-gel and Laryngeal Tube Suction-D under general anaesthesia for elective surgical patients requiring controlled ventilation.

PubMed

Das, Bikramjit; Varshney, Rahul; Mitra, Subhro

2017-12-01

The ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway (PLMA), i-gel™ and Laryngeal Tube Suction-D (LTS-D™) have previously been evaluated alone or in pair-wise comparisons but differing study designs make it difficult to compare the results. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of these three devices in terms of efficacy and safety in patients receiving mechanical ventilation during elective surgical procedures. This prospective, randomised, double-blind study was conducted on 150 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II patients, randomly allocated into 3 groups, undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. PLMA, i-gel™ or LTS-D™ appropriate for weight or/and height was inserted. Primary outcome measured was airway sealing pressure. Insertion time, ease of insertion, number of attempts, overall success rate and the incidence of airway trauma and complications were also recorded. Intergroup differences were compared using one-way analysis of variance with post hoc correction for continuous data and Chi-square test for categorical variables. Overall success rate was comparable between the three devices (i-gel™ 100%, LTS-D™ 94%, PLMA 96%). Airway sealing pressure was lower with i-gel™ (23.38 ± 2.06 cm H 2 O) compared to LTS-D™ (26.06 ± 2.11 cm H 2 O) and PLMA (28.5 ± 2.8 cm H 2 O; P < 0.0005). The mean insertion time was significantly more in PLMA (38.77 ± 3.2 s) compared to i-gel™ (27.9 ± 2.53 s) and LTS-D™ (21.66 ± 2.31 s; P < 0.0005). Airway sealing pressure and insertion time were significantly higher in PLMA compared to i-gel™ and LTS-D™.

Mission Advantages of Constant Power, Variable Isp Electrostatic Thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oleson, Steven R.

2000-01-01

Electric propulsion has moved from station-keeping capability for spacecraft to primary propulsion with the advent of both the Deep Space One asteroid flyby and geosynchronous spacecraft orbit insertion. In both cases notably more payload was delivered than would have been possible with chemical propulsion. To provide even greater improvements electrostatic thruster performance could be varied in specific impulse, but kept at constant power to provide better payload or trip time performance for different mission phases. Such variable specific impulse mission applications include geosynchronous and low earth orbit spacecraft stationkeeping and orbit insertion, geosynchronous reusable tug missions, and interplanetary probes. The application of variable specific impulse devices is shown to add from 5 to 15% payload for these missions. The challenges to building such devices include variable voltage power supplies and extending fuel throughput capabilities across the specific impulse range.

Development of a new technique for pedicle screw and Magerl screw insertion using a 3-dimensional image guide.

PubMed

Kawaguchi, Yoshiharu; Nakano, Masato; Yasuda, Taketoshi; Seki, Shoji; Hori, Takeshi; Kimura, Tomoatsu

2012-11-01

We developed a new technique for cervical pedicle screw and Magerl screw insertion using a 3-dimensional image guide. In posterior cervical spinal fusion surgery, instrumentation with screws is virtually routine. However, malpositioning of screws is not rare. To avoid complications during cervical pedicle screw and Magerl screw insertion, the authors developed a new technique which is a mold shaped to fit the lamina. Cervical pedicle screw fixation and Magerl screw fixation provide good correction of cervical alignment, rigid fixation, and a high fusion rate. However, malpositioning of screws is not a rare occurrence, and thus the insertion of screws has a potential risk of neurovascular injury. It is necessary to determine a safe insertion procedure for these screws. Preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans of 1-mm slice thickness were obtained of the whole surgical area. The CT data were imported into a computer navigation system. We developed a 3-dimensional full-scale model of the patient's spine using a rapid prototyping technique from the CT data. Molds of the left and right sides at each vertebra were also constructed. One hole (2.0 mm in diameter and 2.0 cm in length) was made in each mold for the insertion of a screw guide. We performed a simulated surgery using the bone model and the mold before operation in all patients. The mold was firmly attached to the surface of the lamina and the guide wire was inserted using the intraoperative image of lateral vertebra. The proper insertion point, direction, and length of the guide were also confirmed both with the model bone and the image intensifier in the operative field. Then, drilling using a cannulated drill and tapping using a cannulated tapping device were carried out. Eleven consecutive patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery using this technique since 2009 are included. The screw positions in the sagittal and axial planes were evaluated by postoperative CT scan to check for malpositioning. The screw insertion was done in the same manner as the simulated surgery. With the aid of this guide the pedicle screws and Magerl screws could be easily inserted even at the level where the pedicle seemed to be very thin and sclerotic on the CT scan. Postoperative CT scan showed that there were no critical breaches of the screws. This method employing the device using a 3-dimensional image guide seems to be easy and safe to use. The technique may improve the safety of pedicle screw and Magerl screw insertion even in difficult cases with narrow sclerotic pedicles.

Thermo-mechanical analysis of a user filter assembly for undulator/wiggler operations at the Advanced Photon Source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nian, H.L.T.; Kuzay, T.M.; Collins, J.

1996-12-31

This paper reports a thermo-mechanical study of a beamline filter (user filter) for undulator/wiggler operations. It is deployed in conjunction with the current commissioning window assembly on the APS insertion device (ID) front ends. The beamline filter at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) will eventually be used in windowless operations also. Hence survival and reasonable life expectancy of the filters under intense insertion device (ID) heat flu are crucial to the beamline operations. To accommodate various user requirements, the filter is configured to be a multi-choice type and smart to allow only those filter combinations that will be safe tomore » operate with a given ring current and beamline insertion device gap. However, this paper addresses only the thermo-mechanical analysis of individual filter integrity and safety in all combinations possible. The current filter design is configured to have four filter frames in a cascade with each frame holding five filters. This allows a potential 625 total filter combinations. Thermal analysis for all of these combinations becomes a mammoth task considering the desired choices for filter materials (pyrolitic graphite and metallic filters), filter thicknesses, undulator gaps, and the beam currents. The paper addresses how this difficult task has been reduced to a reasonable effort and computational level. Results from thermo-mechanical analyses of the filter combinations are presented both in tabular and graphical format.« less

Localized Cell and Drug Delivery for Auditory Prostheses

PubMed Central

Hendricks, Jeffrey L.; Chikar, Jennifer A.; Crumling, Mark A.; Raphael, Yehoash; Martin, David C.

2011-01-01

Localized cell and drug delivery to the cochlea and central auditory pathway can improve the safety and performance of implanted auditory prostheses (APs). While generally successful, these devices have a number of limitations and adverse effects including limited tonal and dynamic ranges, channel interactions, unwanted stimulation of non-auditory nerves, immune rejection, and infections including meningitis. Many of these limitations are associated with the tissue reactions to implanted auditory prosthetic devices and the gradual degeneration of the auditory system following deafness. Strategies to reduce the insertion trauma, degeneration of target neurons, fibrous and bony tissue encapsulation, and immune activation can improve the viability of tissue required for AP function as well as improve the resolution of stimulation for reduced channel interaction and improved place-pitch and level discrimination. Many pharmaceutical compounds have been identified that promote the viability of auditory tissue and prevent inflammation and infection. Cell delivery and gene therapy have provided promising results for treating hearing loss and reversing degeneration. Currently, many clinical and experimental methods can produce extremely localized and sustained drug delivery to address AP limitations. These methods provide better control over drug concentrations while eliminating the adverse effects of systemic delivery. Many of these drug delivery techniques can be integrated into modern auditory prosthetic devices to optimize the tissue response to the implanted device and reduce the risk of infection or rejection. Together, these methods and pharmaceutical agents can be used to optimize the tissue-device interface for improved AP safety and effectiveness. PMID:18573323

Large room-temperature tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance and electroresistance in single ferromagnet/Nb:SrTiO3 Schottky devices.

PubMed

Kamerbeek, Alexander M; Ruiter, Roald; Banerjee, Tamalika

2018-01-22

There is a large effort in research and development to realize electronic devices capable of storing information in new ways - for instance devices which simultaneously exhibit electro and magnetoresistance. However it remains a challenge to create devices in which both effects coexist. In this work we show that the well-known electroresistance in noble metal-Nb:SrTiO 3 Schottky junctions can be augmented by a magnetoresistance effect in the same junction. This is realized by replacing the noble metal electrode with ferromagnetic Co. This magnetoresistance manifests as a room temperature tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance (TAMR). The maximum room temperature TAMR (1.6%) is significantly larger and robuster with bias than observed earlier, not using Nb:SrTiO 3 . In a different set of devices, a thin amorphous AlO x interlayer inserted between Co and Nb:SrTiO 3 , reduces the TAMR by more than 2 orders of magnitude. This points to the importance of intimate contact between the Co and Nb:SrTiO 3 for the TAMR effect. This is explained by electric field enhanced spin-orbit coupling of the interfacial Co layer in contact with Nb:SrTiO 3 . We propose that the large TAMR likely has its origin in the 3d orbital derived conduction band and large relative permittivity of Nb:SrTiO 3 and discuss ways to further enhance the TAMR.

Permanent magnet edge-field quadrupole

DOEpatents

Tatchyn, R.O.

1997-01-21

Planar permanent magnet edge-field quadrupoles for use in particle accelerating machines and in insertion devices designed to generate spontaneous or coherent radiation from moving charged particles are disclosed. The invention comprises four magnetized rectangular pieces of permanent magnet material with substantially similar dimensions arranged into two planar arrays situated to generate a field with a substantially dominant quadrupole component in regions close to the device axis. 10 figs.

Permanent magnet edge-field quadrupole

DOEpatents

Tatchyn, Roman O.

1997-01-01

Planar permanent magnet edge-field quadrupoles for use in particle accelerating machines and in insertion devices designed to generate spontaneous or coherent radiation from moving charged particles are disclosed. The invention comprises four magnetized rectangular pieces of permanent magnet material with substantially similar dimensions arranged into two planar arrays situated to generate a field with a substantially dominant quadrupole component in regions close to the device axis.