Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine
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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.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2005
Grip force tracking system for assessment and rehabilitation of hand function.
The aim of the paper is to present a novel tracking system for the assessment and training of grip force control. The system consists of two force measuring units of different shapes, which can be connected to a personal computer for visual feedback and data acquisition. We present the results of the assessment of the grip force control in 32 healthy subjects of different age groups and preliminary results obtained in a patient after head-injury who was treated with Botulinum-Toxin for hand spasticity. ⋯ In the patient after Botulinum-Toxin treatment the method revealed noticeable effects of the therapy on the patient's tracking performance. Training with the tracking system showed considerable improvements in the grip force control in 8 out of 10 stroke patients. The proposed tracking method is aimed to be used in connection with different rehabilitation therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, functional electrical stimulation, drug treatment) to follow the influence of the therapy on patient's muscular strength and grip force control.