Physiological measurement
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Physiological measurement · Dec 2013
Characterization of the mechanical behavior of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation.
A new device delivering intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV), called Impulsator® (Percussionaire Corporation, Sandpoint, ID, USA), has recently been introduced in an effort to provide effective clearance and to promote homogeneity of ventilation in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. In order to optimize the treatment based on its use, a better understanding of its functioning is still necessary. ⋯ Quantitative information was obtained about the physical variables administered by the device like percussive frequency, ratio of inspiratory to expiratory time, flow and pressure magnitudes and volume exchanged. The analysis of the data determined the relations among these variables and between them and the mechanical loads, laying the basis for an optimal clinical application of the device.
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Physiological measurement · Dec 2013
Performance of the Sellick maneuver significantly improves when residents and trained nurses use a visually interactive guidance device in simulation.
We examined the proper performance of the Sellick maneuver, a maneuver used to reduce the risk of aspiration of stomach contents during induction of general anesthesia, using a novel device that measures and visualizes the force applied to the cricoid cartilage using thin-film force sensitive resistors in a form suitable for in vivo use. Performance was tested in three stages with twenty anaesthesiology residents and twenty trained operating room nurses. Firstly, subjects applied force to the cricoid cartilage as was customary to them. ⋯ Overall, the Sellick maneuver was often not applied properly, with large variance between individual subjects. Performance and inter-subject consistency improved to a very highly significant degree when subjects were able to use the device as a visual guide (p < 0.001). Subsequent significant improvements in performances during the last, unguided test demonstrated that the device initiated learning.