Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2006
Clinical TrialFirst clinical and biomechanical results of the Trochanteric Fixation Nail (TFN).
Conventional osteosynthesis of proximal femur fractures is still affected by serious complication rates between 4-18%, even though advanced implant modifications and surgical techniques are common practice. In terms of increasing age and co-morbidity of patients this complication ratio is expected to increase even further in the immediate future. One major reason for implant failure is the decreasing stability potential of the implant due to a loss in mechanical properties of cancellous bone. ⋯ All investigations were performed on human femoral heads. The bone mineral densities of the specimens were detected by QCT-scans. Prior to cadaveric testing the experimental set-up was validated (n = 8) by the use of synthetic foam blocks (Sawbone).
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness analysis of telemedical devices for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue in Germany.
The purpose of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness (net costs per life year gained) of telemedical devices for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue in Germany. ⋯ The net costs per life year gained in the application of the two versions of the telemedical device for pre-clinical emergency rescue of traffic accidents are estimated as quite high. However, the implementation of the device as part of a larger European co-ordinated initiative is more realistic.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2006
Translating civilian and defense technologies for pediatric critical care and rehabilitation research.
A conference sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) titled "Translating Civilian and Defense Technologies for Pediatric Critical Care and Rehabilitation Research" was held on May 16th and 17th, 2005 in Rockville, Maryland. A summary of presentations from the conference is provided. Topics presented addressed: advances in monitoring and imaging devices used in the pediatric intensive care unit, regulatory issues and recent technological developments relating to medical devices for children, the new role that virtual reality is playing in rehabilitation medicine, and the evolving future of assistive devices for rehabilitation.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2006
Clearance of viscoelastic mucus simulant with airflow in a rectangular channel, an experimental study.
Interaction of mucus simulant with airflow in a rectangular channel is investigated experimentally. Two different viscoelastic gel mucus simulants are prepared by cross linking Borax with Locust Bean Gum (LBG) solution; liquid-like (LM) with lower storage modulus and semi-solid (SM). The rheological difference between LM and SM represent the qualitative change from liquid-like healthy mucus to the one with higher storage modulus found in a person with lung disease. ⋯ Slowly propagating waves initiate at a lower air velocity for LM compared to SM for thinner layer thickness and this behavior reverses for a thicker layer. Although SM clears at a critical air velocity, LM does not show clearance behavior, defined as separation of layer section from rest and movement in the downstream flow direction. This seems to suggest that thicker mucus with higher elastic modulus, similar to the mucus for a person with lung disease, may clear easier with a two-phase air-liquid flow, as in cough.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyA comparative biomechanical analysis of implants for the stabilization of proximal humerus fractures.
A new humerus nail (Sirus) has become available for the treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus. The aim of the study was the biomechanical comparison of this implant with established systems. 12 matched pairs of human humeri were employed for testing. Three randomized groups were formed (n = 4 pairs). ⋯ Supplementary, the Sirus Nail showed higher stiffness values than the PHN. However, the latter are gaining in importance due to the possibility of minimal invasive implantation. Whether this will be associated with functional advantages requires further clinical investigation.