Influence of hydroxyethyl starch (6% HES 130/0.4) administration on hematology and clinical chemistry parameters

Background: The chemical inertness of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) might cause interferences of the colloid with a variety of laboratory tests. We aimed to evaluate potential influences of HES 130/0.4, the newest HES type, on several common hematology and clinical chemistry parameters. Methods and results: A convenient sample of 25 patients scheduled for rheological therapy with 500 mL 6% HES 130/0.4 was evaluated. Blood samples were drawn before and after colloid application. Comparing pre- and post-infusion values of a battery of laboratory tests (i.e., hematology and hemostasis parameters, electrolytes, enzymes, kidney and metabolic parameters, lipids, etc.) in time course, a median difference greater than the reference change value for a specific parameter was considered clinically relevant. Among all parameters tested, only serum amylase activity displayed a clinically relevant difference between pre- and post-infusion values (median increase of 85% due to HES administration). By applying in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that serum amylase values obtained in the samples diluted in a 1:1 ratio with HES 130/0.4 and in samples diluted in a 1:1 ratio with 0.9% NaCl displayed a negligible median difference of 3%. Conclusions: The in vivo effect of HES 130/0.4 administration on serum amylase activity observed in our study was pharmacological (real) in nature. With the exception of the influence of HES 130/0.4 on amylase activity, the effects of HES 130/0.4 on other parameters tested in this study can be interpreted as having no clinical relevance

High precision pressure sensors based on SAW devices in the GHz range

In this paper, an AlN/free-standing nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) system is proposed in order to process high frequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators for sensing applications. The main problem of synthetic diamond is its high surface roughness that worsens the sputtered AlN quality and hence the device response. In order to study the feasibility of this structure, AlN films from 150 nm up to 1200 nm thick have been deposited on free-standing NCD. We have then analysed the influence of the AlN layer thickness on its crystal quality and device response. Optimized thin films of 300 nm have been used to fabricate of one-port SAW resonators operating in the 10–14 GHz frequency range. A SAW based sensor pressure with a sensibility of 0.33 MHz/bar has been fabricated

System Interface for an Integrated Intelligent Safety System (ISS) for Vehicle Applications

This paper deals with the interface-relevant activity of a vehicle integrated intelligent safety system (ISS) that includes an airbag deployment decision system (ADDS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). A program is developed in LabWindows/CVI, using C for prototype implementation. The prototype is primarily concerned with the interconnection between hardware objects such as a load cell, web camera, accelerometer, TPM tire module and receiver module, DAQ card, CPU card and a touch screen. Several safety subsystems, including image processing, weight sensing and crash detection systems, are integrated, and their outputs are combined to yield intelligent decisions regarding airbag deployment. The integrated safety system also monitors tire pressure and temperature. Testing and experimentation with this ISS suggests that the system is unique, robust, intelligent, and appropriate for in-vehicle applications

The application of an allogeneic bone screw for osteosynthesis in hand and foot surgery: a case series

Abstract Introduction The allogeneic bone screw transplant is a new osteosynthesis device making the use of foreign fixation material obsolete for various kinds of indications. Moreover, it is integrated into the recipient bone by natural bone remodeling without harming the surrounding tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the transplant for osteotomy and arthrodesis in hand and foot surgery and to evaluate the clinical importance of the device. Materials and methods A single-surgeon case series of 32 patients who had undergone hand or foot surgery with the application of an allogeneic bone screw with an average follow-up time of 1 year is reported. Clinical data were reviewed to evaluate the pain levels and satisfaction of the patients and the frequency and type of complications occurring during the healing process. Routine radiography and computed tomography were reviewed to determine the fusion rate, the ingrowth behavior of the transplant and the possible occurrence of transplant failure. Results High patient satisfaction was paired with low postoperative pain levels and a low complication rate. 97% of the patients were free of pain at the timepoint of the second follow-up examination, the mean time of recovery of full mobility was 50.1 ± 26.1 days after surgery. Wound healing disturbance occurred only in two cases. Bony consolidation of the osteotomy or arthrodesis gap as well as osseointegration of the transplant was seen in all cases. No transplant failure or transplant loosening occurred. Conclusions The application of the allogeneic bone screw resulted in a 100% fusion rate while the patient burden was low. The transplant is safe and suited for various kinds of osteosynthesis in hand and foot surgery. </jats:sec