BACKGROUND: Measuring blood pressure with mercury-independent alternatives is rapidly gaining attention. Mercury will be phased out of clinical use as a result of environmental, health and safety concerns and it is of vital importance that any alternative to mercury has to be of a recognized standard. We assessed the accuracy ...

BACKGROUND: Advances in optical and computer technology have enabled the development of a device that uses white-light reflectance spectrophotometry to measure capillary hemoglobin saturation in intestinal mucosa during colonoscopy. METHODS: Studies were performed with the colon oximeter in anesthetized animals and patients undergoing colonoscopy. RESULTS: Mean (SD) mucosal hemoglobin saturation ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of the UA-787 oscillometric blood pressure monitor developed by the A&D Company. DESIGN: Evaluation of the UA-787 was performed using the new protocol of the European Society of Hypertension. The performance of the monitor was assessed in relation to the subjects' gender, age, skinfold thickness, ...

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have previously shown respiratory related evoked potentials (RREP) in humans elicited by mechanical stimuli applied on upper airways (UA). According to us, heterogeneous findings, concerning latencies and amplitudes, have been reported because of the different timing of stimuli application during the respiratory cycle and/or features of pressure ...

We report electrical characterization of micromachined polysilicon capacitive diaphragms for use as ultrasonic transducers. Admittance measurements yield insight into the resonant behavior and also the damping resulting from ultrasonic radiation and frictional forces caused by the etch release holes. Unbonded transducers exhibit sharp resonances with Q values that increase with ...

Formation of a high-resistance seal between the tip of a glass recording pipette and the membrane of the recorded cell is the crucial step in patch clamping, or whole cell recording with patch pipettes. Formation of the seal, and subsequent rupture of the membrane for whole cell recording, requires a ...

After a little more than a century of use, the conventional Riva-Rocci/Korotkoff technique of measuring blood pressure with a mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, is now being relegated to the museum shelves. Affectionately attached though we may be to this clinical measurement, we must acknowledge that the technique is fraught with ...

Continuous blood pressure monitoring is an essential prerequisite for any study on blood pressure variability. Invasive procedures are no longer acceptable for research projects in a clinical setting, and recently developed devices able to record blood pressure on a beat-by-beat basis in a non-invasive fashion may represent valuable alternative tools. ...

BACKGROUND: Oscillatory positive expiratory pressure (PEP) with the Flutter device facilitates secretion removal. In the Flutter a steel ball vibrates inside a cone, causing air flow vibration. A new device, the Acapella, uses a counterweighted plug and magnet to create air flow oscillation. The Acapella comes in 2 models: one ...

The practice of using conventional mediastinal chest tubes (MCTs) connected to a closed collection device is commonplace in cardiovascular surgery care settings. The MCT collection device requires a closed system to maintain a negative intrathoracic pressure with the goal of preventing inadvertent trapping of air and blood within the mediastinal ...

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the accuracy of the OMRON-MIT, (an automated inflationary oscillometric blood pressure monitoring device) for use in the general population by direct comparison to standard auscultatory mercury sphygmomanometry. DESIGN: Two trained, blinded observers taking simultaneous blood pressure measurements alternating between a mercury sphygmomanometer and the OMRON-MIT. METHODS: The ...

BACKGROUND: The market for devices for the self-measurement of blood pressure is growing, and as accuracy is of prime importance, there is increasing pressure for manufacturers to provide evidence of independent testing. Recent reviews have shown that only five automated upper arm devices for self-measurement of blood pressure have been ...

BACKGROUND: The Calor TensioSense Bras automatic blood pressure monitor has obtained European Union certification, but the clinical validity of this new oscillometric device when handled by lay subjects has yet to be evaluated. DESIGN: The design employed prospective and blinded blood pressure measurements and a validation procedure according to the ...

Because the number of applications for medical ultrasonic devices continue to increase and, hence, the number of diagnostic ultrasound (US) systems increase, there is a need to reliably characterize the sources in terms of their output pressures. Currently, the transducers are characterized by making pressure measurements in water for every ...

New clinical concepts in lithotripsy demand small shock heads. Reducing the size of piezoelectric shock heads will be possible only if the pressure generated at the surface of each transducer can be increased so that the total pressure at the focus remains the same. To solve this problem, different solutions ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the OMRON-MIT inflationary oscillometric device for blood pressure measurement in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. DESIGN: Prospective observational study, using validation methods recommended by the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). SETTINGS: Antenatal clinics and ward, Guy's Hospital, ...

PURPOSE: To assess a humidity device used in vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: Infrared absorption spectroscopy analysis of absolute water content (absolute humidity) was determined for a typical vitreoretinal air infusion line with and without the humidifying device. A variety of experimental laboratory conditions were utilized and designed to mimic those found ...

BACKGROUND: In this study, we compared two wrist blood pressure-measuring devices, the Omron RX and the Nissei WS-310, against a mercury manometer. METHOD: A total of 152 subjects attending an out-patient hypertensive clinic were recruited from a randomized blood pressure survey, 87 patients (mean 44.4 +/- 14.5 years of age) ...

We have developed a nonstick polymer formulation for creating moving parts inside of microfluidic channels and have applied the technique to create piston-based devices that overcome several microfluidic flow control challenges. The parts were created bycompletely filling the channels of a glass microfluidic chip with the monomer/ solvent/initiator components of ...

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive blood pressure (BP) devices should be independently evaluated before being used in special populations. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Welch-Allyn transtelephonic home blood pressure monitor in adults with Parkinson's disease to evaluate the device for use in a large clinical trial ...

OBJECTIVE: toe blood pressure (TBP) is an important method to assess peripheral arterial disease especially in patients with diabetes, but remains difficult to measure. We have developed a simple portable device for TBP measurements. METHODS AND RESULTS: first, TBP was determined in 40 ischemic legs with both laser Doppler and ...

OBJECTIVES: Acute respiratory failure is associated with a mortality of 40% to 50%, despite advanced ventilator support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A respiratory gas exchange catheter (the Hattler Catheter) has been developed as an oxygenator and carbon dioxide removal device for placement in the vena cava and right atrium in ...

PURPOSE: To determine in vitro the efficacy of clot removal of the AngioJet (AJ; new 6-F generation), Hydrolyser (HL; 6-F), and Oasis (OS; 6-F) hydrodynamic thrombectomy devices and the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device fragmentation catheter (ATD; 8-F and new-generation 7-F) in large-diameter vessels and low-pressure fluid dynamic applications (ie, pulmonary embolism). ...

New inhaled steroids or new formulations of inhaled steroids continue to be introduced on a regular basis in an attempt to replace hydrochlorofluorocarbon propellant-based, pressurized, metered dose delivery systems. New delivery systems are being introduced with either a replacement propellant in a pressurized metered dose inhaler, such as a hydrofluoroalkane, ...

BACKGROUND: Esophageal varices are a frequent source of bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. Elevated intravariceal pressure is associated with variceal bleeding. There is no simple, easy-to-use device for noninvasive measurement of intravariceal pressure. The purposes of this study were to develop a noninvasive method for measuring intravariceal pressure, and to ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of these studies was to assess repeatability of large (C1) and small (C2) arterial elasticity indices over various time intervals using the HDI/Pulsewave CR-2000 Research CardioVascular Profiling System (Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc., Eagan, Minnesota, USA). Non-invasive hemodynamic parameters using this device were compared to invasive measurements. METHODS: After ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to validate the Omron HEM-907 blood pressure (BP) measuring device according to the international validation protocol. DESIGN: The international validation protocol is divided into two phases: the first phase is performed on 15 selected subjects and if the device passes this phase, 18 ...

High-frequency oscillation (HFO), applied to either the airway or chest wall, has been associated with changes in sputum attributes and clearance. The evolution of evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, supporting the use of HFO is reviewed. Devices that apply HFO to the airway range from the relatively simple ...

To investigate whether the application of manual pressure to the injection site before intramuscular injection reduces pain. An experimental study with intrasubject comparison was conducted using manual pressure to reduce pain associated with intramuscular injection. Seventy-four subjects, participating in an immunization vaccination campaign, were recruited by convenience sampling from a ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the resistance in vitro of different devices used for the delivery of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in neonates. DESIGN: Flows of 4-8 litres/min were passed through a selection of neonatal NCPAP devices (single prong, Duotube, Argyle prong, Hudson prong, Infant Flow Driver), and the resultant ...

The accuracy of the Welch Allyn Vital Signs Monitor, a compact device for the oscillometric measurement of blood pressure, was determined according to the British Hypertension Society protocol. The monitor achieved a grade C for diastolic and a grade D for systolic blood pressure. The device is suitable for monitoring ...

Cardiac arrest survival rates remain low despite increased access to advanced cardiac life support. Survival from cardiac arrest is, at least in part, related to the perfusion pressures and blood flow achieved during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A number of alternative CPR devices have been developed that aim to improve the ...

BACKGROUND: The validation of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devices is necessary to obtain information on their accuracy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Tensioday oscillometric ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the protocols of the British Hypertension Society and the Association for the ...

BACKGROUND: Terminal digit and single-number preference may produce inaccuracy and biased results when measuring blood pressure. We describe these preferences in the Syst-Eur randomized placebo-controlled trial of the treatment of isolated systolic hypertension and describe how we sought to eliminate these problems. METHODS: The Data Monitoring Committee of the trial ...

Using 10 different infusion bag pressure pumps, indicated manometer pressures were compared with measured infusion pressures proximal to the flow-regulating device in an in vitro experiment. Flow rates delivered through the flow-regulating device were gravimetrically measured at different monitored pressure levels. Significant differences were found between manometer and measured infusion ...

Monitoring devices are an important adjunct to the clinical assessment of patients who experience falls. The use of these devices should be guided by the clinical history, a physical assessment, and routine investigations. Quantitative measures of postural sway should be used in conjunction with clinical measures to provide a more ...

BACKGROUND: Automated devices are widely available in the community for people to measure their blood pressure. We assessed the accuracy and reproducibility of a brand of community-based automated device against the standard mercury sphygmomanometer. METHODS: Same-arm pairs of blood pressure readings were obtained with the Vita-Stat 90550 automated device, a ...

BACKGROUND: New software (SuperSTAT(R) algorithm) with enhancements aimed at shorter determination times was developed for a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) device and a clinical evaluation was conducted to verify accuracy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of the new algorithm according to ANSI/AAMI SP10-1992 and SP10A-1996 American National Standard for Electronic ...

Rehabilitation of laryngectomees has been furthered by the introduction of heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters, placed over a tracheostoma or on a tracheostoma valve (TSV). The airflow resistance of HME filters is an important factor with regard to the comfort of the patient. The goal of this study was ...

OBJECT: Self-measurement of blood pressure (BP) might offer some advantages in diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation and in patient management of hypertension. Recently, wrist-cuff devices for self-measurement of BP have gained more than one-third of the world market share. In the present study, we validated wrist-cuff devices and compared the results ...

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the difference in stress transfer between titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) by the measurement of bone marrow pressure using a catheter pressure transducer. Ti and HA implants were inserted in the tibiae of rabbits. A hole of 1 mm in diameter ...

The design and operation of a proof-of-principle rectangular He-Ne ring laser resonator with a cavity perimeter of 77.0 m and an area of approximately 367 m2 are described. With unevacuated beam lines this device gave an Earth-induced Sagnac frequency of 1513 Hz, with a relative Allan deviation over 1000 s ...

Heat deposition by interstitial routes, especially with ultrasound-based instruments, is becoming a valuable therapeutic option for the treatments of sites, which are difficult to access from outside of the body. The active part of most interstitial ultrasound applicators described in the literature is logically tubular to induce cylindrical volumes of ...

BACKGROUND: Prevention of intraoperative plaque dislodgement in patients with atherosclerotic ascending aorta by development of innovative aortic cannula designs gains growing interest in cardiac surgery. To increase knowledge about the hydrodynamics of the innovative Embol-X cannula, which includes an intra-aortic filter device targeting at atheromatous emboli capture, was the aim ...

The banning of mercury from clinical practice will lead to the inevitable demise of traditional clinical sphygmomanometry. There are differences in approach to this important issue between European countries on the one hand, which generally have accepted that the mercury sphygmomanometer must be replaced with alternative devices, and the U.S. ...

BACKGROUND: Cardiac positioning during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) using deep pericardial sutures (DPS) typically results in some degree of hemodynamic compromise. We sought to determine whether cardiac positioning using an apical suction device was hemodynamically superior to DPS. METHODS: Five healthy pigs underwent sternotomy and instrumentation to measure right ...

BACKGROUND: The barostat has been used to investigate gastrointestinal motility. No detailed technical evaluation to characterize the properties of this device for motility recordings has been reported. We, therefore, aimed to test the barostat in vitro under standardized conditions. METHODS: Barostat and manometry recordings were performed using a combined catheter ...

In this paper, a new measurement system for the noninvasive monitoring of the continuous blood pressure waveform in the radial artery is presented. The proposed system comprises a model-based fuzzy logic controller, an arterial tonometer and a micro syringe device. The flexible diaphragm tonometer registers the continuous blood pressure waveform. ...

Evaluation of a FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) device for the relief of postural hypertension and augmentation of cough in a C3 ventilator-dependent tetraplegic. A single case study. A supra regional spinal unit in the UK. A dual channel stimulator was designed that allowed selection and initiation of two predetermined stimulation ...

PURPOSE: Flutter therapy uses a handheld instrument that consists of a pipe-like device with a ball in the central core that oscillates during exhalation, providing oscillating positive expiratory pressure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of airflow and the incline of the device at the mouth ...