Blunt Needle Research Articles

Experimental and numerical study of solid needle insertions into human stomach tissue

PurposeOral drug delivery is the Holy Grail in the field of drug delivery. However, poor bioavailability limits the oral intake of macromolecular drugs. Oral devices may overcome this limitation, but a knowledge gap exists on the device-tissue interaction. This study focuses on needle insertion into the human stomach experimentally and numerically. This will guide early stages of device development. MethodsNeedle insertions were done into excised human gastric tissue with sharp and blunt needles at velocities of 0.0001 and 0.1 m/s. Parameters for constitutive models were determined from tensile visco-hyperelastic biomechanical tests. The computational setup modeled four different needle shape indentations at five velocities from 0.0001 to 5 m/s. ResultsFrom experiments, peak forces at 0.1 and 0.0001 m/s were 0.995 ± 0.296 N and 1.281 ± 0.670 N (blunt needle) and 0.325 ± 0.235 N and 0.362 ± 0.119 N (sharp needle). The needle geometry significantly influenced peak forces (p < 0.05). A Yeoh-Prony series combination was fitted to the tensile visco-hyperelastic biomechanical data and used for the numerical model with excellent fit (R2 = 0.973). Both needle geometry and insertion velocity influenced the stress contour and displacement magnitudes as well as energy curves. ConclusionThis study contributes to a better understanding of needle insertion into the stomach wall. The numerical model demonstrated agreement with experimental data providing a good approach to early device iterations. Findings in this study showed that insertion velocity and needle shape affect tissue mechanical outcomes.

Study on needle stick injuries during surgery and blunt needle use for reducing occupational exposure and hygiene benefits.

The conventional round suture needle poses a significant risk of needle stick injuries among surgical physicians, identified as a global occupational hazard by the World Health Organization, increasing hospital costs and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. While novel blunt suture needles have shown promise in reducing these risks, their adoption is limited domestically, prompting a study to compare their efficacy against traditional sharp needles in reducing needle stick injuries among surgical physicians. To investigate suture needle stick injuries among surgical doctors during operations and assess the application effectiveness of a novel blunt suture needle. A total of 106 surgical department physicians from March 2021 to February 2023 participated in the study. After completing a questionnaire survey on suture needle injuries during surgery, the participants were divided into two groups. Over a 6-month intervention period, the control group used regular round needles while the study group utilized novel blunt suture needles. Subsequently, suture needle injury incidence rates and economic hygiene benefits were compared between the two groups. The suture needle injury questionnaire survey showed that over the past 6 months, among 106 surgical department physicians, 20 needle stick injuries occurred, yielding an incidence rate of 18.87%. The highest incidence (65.00%) was during suturing incisions longer than 10 cm, primarily when visibility was poor (70.00%). Surgeons linked most injuries (60.00%) to prolonged surgical duration causing fatigue. Although 85.00% detected injuries within 1 minute, only 40.00% were reported, often due to perceived reporting complexity. Following intervention, the study group had significantly fewer injuries per surgery and lower occupational exposure costs compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Surgical department physicians commonly sustain suture needle injuries while suturing incisions of 5-10 cm length under poor visibility, exacerbated by prolonged surgical duration. Despite detecting most injuries within 1 minute, only 40% are reported. The implementation of novel blunt suture needles significantly decreases injury rates, resulting in reduced occupational exposure costs and favorable safety and economic hygiene outcomes.

Refining the gut colonization Zophobas morio larvae model using an oral administration of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli

BackgroundThe darkling beetle Zophobas morio can be implemented as an alternative in vivo model to study different intestinal colonization aspects. Recently, we showed that its larvae can be colonized by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains administered via contaminated food (for 7 d) for a total experimental duration of 28 d. MethodIn the present work, we aimed to shorten the model to 14 d (T14) by administering the previously used CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing ST131 E. coli strain Ec-4901.28 via a single oral administration (5 µL dose of 108 CFU/mL), using a blunt 26s-gauge needle connected to a 250 μL gastight syringe. Force-feeding was performed either without or with (larvae placed on ice for 10 min before injection) anaesthesia. In addition, phage-treated larvae were orally injected with 10 µL of INTESTI bacteriophage cocktail (∼105–6 PFU/mL) on d 4 (T4) and 7 (T7). ResultsGrowth curve analyses showed that, while larvae rapidly became colonized with Ec-4901.28 (T1, ∼106–7 CFU/mL), only those anaesthetized maintained a high bacterial load (∼102–3 vs. ∼105–6 CFU/mL) and survival rate (76% vs. 99%; P < 0.001) by T14. Moreover, bacteriophage administration to anaesthetized larvae significantly reduced the bacterial count of INTESTI-susceptible Ec-4901.28 at T14 (5.17 × 105 vs. 2.26 × 104, for non-treated and phage-treated larvae, respectively; P = 0.04). ConclusionsThe methodological refinements applied to establish the intestinal colonization model simplify the use of Z. morio larvae, facilitate prompt evaluation of novel decolonization approaches and reduce experiments involving vertebrate animals in accordance with the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement principles.

An Adaptive Approach in Polymer-Drug Nanoparticle Engineering using Slanted Electrohydrodynamic Needles and Horizontal Spraying Planes.

The present study focuses on the adaptive development of a key peripheral component of conventional electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) systems, namely spraying needles (also referred to as nozzles or spinnerets). Needle geometry and planar alignment are often overlooked. To explore potential impact, curcumin-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and methoxypolyethylene glycol amine (PEG)-based nanoparticles were fabricated. To elucidate these technological aspects, a horizontal electrospraying needle regime was adapted, and three formulations containing different polymeric ratios of PLGA: PEG (50:50, 75:25, and 25:75) were prepared and utilised. Furthermore, processing head tip geometries e.g.blunt (a flat needle exit) or slanted (a 45° inclination angle), were subjected to various flow rates (5 µL-100 µL). Successful engineering of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (< 150nm) was observed. In-silico analysis demonstrated stable properties of curcumin, PEG and PLGA (molecular docking studies) and fluid flow direction towardsthe Taylor-Cone (also known as the stable jet mode), was shownby the assessment of fluid dynamics simulations in various needle outlets. Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were characterised using an array of methods including Scanning electron microscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, as well as their contact angles, encapsulation efficiencies and finally release patterns. The discrepancy when spraying with blunt and angled needles was evidenced by electron micrographs and deposition patterns. Spraying plumes utilising slanted needles enhanced particle collection efficiency and distribution of resultant atomised structures. In addition to needle design, fine-tuning the applied voltage and flow rate impacted the electrospraying process. The coefficient of variation was calculated as 30.5% and 25.6% for blunt and angled needle outlets, respectively, presenting improved particle uniformity with the employment of angled needle tips (8-G needle at 25 µL). The interplay of processing parameters with the utilisation of a slanted exit at a capillary optimised the spray pattern and formation of desired nanoparticulates. These demonstrate great applicability for controlled deposition and up-scaling processes in the pharmaceutical industry. These advances elaborate on EHDA processes, indicating a more cost-effective and scalable approach for industrial applications, facilitating the generation of a diverse range of particle systems in a controlled and more uniform fashion.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose remove dense water droplets during fluid-air exchange on the posterior surface of intraocular lenses with posterior capsule loss

Purpose: The research investigates the efficacy of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) treatment in facilitating the development of compact water droplets on the rear surface of synthetic lenses with capsule imperfections during the process of fluid-air exchange. Method: This study examined four patients with intraocular lens (IOL) implants and posterior capsule defects who experienced the formation of dense water droplets on the posterior surface following fluid-air exchange. When this occurrence obstructs fundus visualization during surgery, it is recommended to suspend the surgical procedure. Upon removal of the non-contact fundoscope and inspection of the IOL, the presence of dense water droplets becomes evident. Subsequently, the removal of bubbles can be achieved by employing a blunt needle filled with HPMC, which is subsequently administered to the area posterior to the intraocular lens. Subsequently, the HPMC should be uniformly distributed on IOL back surface using the blunt needle. Results: During the surgical procedure, it was noted that all patients attained a clear fundus field of vision after the administration of HPMC and insertion of the IOL, facilitating the successful execution of subsequent surgical procedures. Conclusion: HPMC serves as a suitable viscoelastic agent for the elimination of dense water droplets adhered to the surface of intraocular lenses following application, consequently maintaining a clear visual field of the fundus. This surgical intervention is characterized by its efficacy and safety.

Abstract P449: A Murine Model of Mid-Thoracic Aortic Coarctation

Vascular pressure can directly affect cardiovascular structure and function. Understanding the mechanisms, however, is complicated because conditions or interventions that chronically raise blood pressure (e.g. excess angiotensin II) can also have direct effects on the vasculature that occur independent of changes in blood pressure. One approach to mitigating this problem is to obstruct flow in a vascular segment sufficiently to reduce blood pressure in the segment downstream of the obstruction, while pressure upstream either stays the same or increases. As a result, all factors other than pressure are expected to be the same in upstream and downstream vascular segments. We have found evidence that differences in intravascular pressure can also affect closely adjacent tissues, specifically perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). To test this idea in vivo , we developed a method to produce chronic, partial occlusion (or coarctation) of the mid-thoracic aorta in mice. This exposes upstream aortic PVAT depots to significantly higher aortic pressure than downstream aortic PVAT depots. The key to the method is producing a stable occlusion with a diameter small enough to produce a pressure gradient but not so small that the downstream flow is inadequate to support tissue oxygenation. To this end, a thoracotomy was performed to expose the thoracic aorta in adult mice anesthetized with isoflurane and artificially ventilated. A coarctation of the mid-thoracic aorta was produced by tying a ligature around the aorta and a blunted needle on the aorta, then removing the needle. In other mice, a silicone rubber or nitrile O-ring of varying dimensions was placed around the aorta. Mice were allowed to recover for varying periods of time (weeks), then the degree of coarctation was evaluated using both imaging methods (ultrasound) and direct measurement of the pressure gradient (catheters placed in a carotid and a femoral artery) under isoflurane anesthesia. In a group of 9 male mice with coarctation and 4 male mice with sham coarctation, we found an average mean arterial pressure gradient of 11.7 ± 5.0 mmHg (mean ± SEM) in coarct mice and 1.6 ± 2.0 mmHg in sham mice. Systolic pressure gradients averaged 14.0 ± 5.9 mmHg in coarct mice and 1.0 ± 3.2 mmHg in sham mice. These results suggest it is possible to produce a stable pressure gradient across the thoracic aorta of mice as a tool to explore the impact of arterial pressure on vascular and PVAT structure and function.

Fabrication of electrostatic-induction-assisted solution blowing spinning nanofibers and its mechanism

Commonly used nanofiber fabrication technologies have many shortcomings: the yield of electrospinning is low, solution blowing spinning (SBS) and its improved technologies have problems with large fiber diameter, non-uniform nanofiber diameter and poor receiving aggregation of nanofibers on receiver. A nanofiber fabrication technology called electrostatic-induction-assisted solution blowing spinning (ESBS), which overcomes these disadvantages, was developed in this paper. This technology utilizes the joint action of electrostatic force and airflow stretching force to stretch the jet to fabricate nanofibers. The grounding of the blunt needle realizes the directional migration and dynamic circulation of charges in the ESBS microscopic system. Compared with traditional SBS, the average diameter and diameter standard deviation of ESBS nanofibers can be reduced by 44 % and 80.8 %, respectively, and the fiber cover rate can be increased by 329.7 %. In contrast to the cylindrical-electrode-assisted solution blowing spinning, the mean diameter and diameter standard deviation of ESBS nanofibers can be reduced by 34.6 % and 68.1 %, respectively, and the fiber cover rate can be increased by 305 %. The microcosmic fabrication mechanism of ESBS nanofibers—“the theory of separation and directional transfer of charges” was proposed and verified. ESBS nanofibers with single-needle injection speed up to 200 μl/min (far exceeding the 4–10 μl/min injection speed of conventional electrospinning) were successfully fabricated to prove that this technology has great industrial potential. ESBS nanofibers with small and uniform diameter, high yield, and good receiving aggregation of fibers on receiver have bright application prospects in many fields.

Large-scale fabrication of nanofibers by tiny-needle-spaced electrostatic-induction-assisted solution blowing spinning

In this paper, a technology and device for large-scale fabrication of nanofibers called tiny-needle-spaced electrostatic-induction-assisted solution blowing spinning (TESBS) was developed. The airflow stretching force is used as the initial driving force for jet formation in TESBS, which avoids the electric field interference existing in the jet formation stage of multi-needle electrospinning(MES). The addition of an induced electric field in TESBS solves the problem of mutual merging of jets in multi-needle solution blowing spinning (MSBS). The needle spacing of TESBS can be as small as 1 mm, which is much smaller than MES (100 mm) and MSBS (3 mm). The substantial reduction in needle spacing can increase the arrangement density of blunt needles, thereby increasing the output of nanofibers. Compared with MSBS, the average diameter and diameter standard deviation of TESBS nanofibers can be reduced by 52.6% and 78.7%, respectively. Compared with MES, the uniformity of the TESBS nanofiber web has been significantly improved. The formula for the critical needle spacing to ensure that the TESBS jets do not merge with each other was derived. The output of 15-needle TESBS can reach as high as 3 ml/min. The average diameter of TESBS nanofibers decreases with the decrease in injection speed or the increase in voltage. The distance between the needle and the receiver has little effect on the average fiber diameter. TESBS nanofibers with good quality and high yield have broad and bright application prospects in many fields.

Printing PEDOT:PSS optimized using Response surface method (RSM) and genetic algorithm (ga) via modified 3D printer for perovskite solar cell applications

Despite significant improvements in solar cell fabrication processes, there are still significant challenges in the fabrication technology owing to poor production efficiency, large equipment and preparatory costs, substrate dependencies, material limitation, etc. This research proposes the use of a modified extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to print thin films of PEDOT:PSS (Poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly styrene sulfonate) for perovskite solar cell (PSC) applications and beyond. The main objective of the research is to induce the benefits of 3D printing technology into thin film printing for PSC applications. The central composite design (CCD) of the response surface method (RSM) in design expert software (Design Expert V13) and a genetic algorithm (GA) in MATLAB software are used to design and optimize the experiment, respectively. Accordingly, a uniformly thin PEDOT:PSS film with a 115 nm thickness is printed with the modified 3D printer at a print speed of 82 mm/s, a bed temperature of 80 °C, and an extrusion start position of 160 mm with a 0.1 mm inner diameter blunt needle and a 0.25 mm x-distance offset. To validate the printed PEDOT:PSS film for PSC application, other PSC layers, except for aluminum electrodes, are spin-coated on top of the 3D-printed PEDOT:PSS film, and the PSC is tested for its performance using a solar simulator. From the test, a competitive open-circuit voltage of 860 mV was produced. In general, printing PSC layers by modifying a cheap and easily available 3D printer has the benefits of excellent material utilization, substrate independence, rapid design, manufacture, and testing of solar cells in the electronic industry.

Bioinspired composite packed in blunt needles, integrated microextraction and determination of oxycodone and naloxone in saliva by substrate spray mass spectrometry

BackgroundOpioids are effective painkillers used for medical purposes. Their prolonged ingestion can provoke some side effects (including overdose or constipation) that are minimized by using opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone). The rapid determination of opioids and their antagonists in biosamples is essential for an effective medical treatment. The direct combination of sample preparation and mass spectrometry (MS) fits well in this scenario. It can speed up the analysis achieving a good selectivity, which relies on the sample preparation and MS, and sensitivity levels. ResultsThis article presents a novel substrate-spray mass spectrometry interface based on a polydopamine-cotton (PDA-Cel) composite hosted inside the inner diameter of a 14-gauge blunt needle to determine oxycodone and naloxone in saliva samples. The needle is used as a microextraction device and a substrate for mass spectrometric analysis. The lack of sharpness of the 14-gauge (14G) blunt needles challenges the formation of the electrospray (ESI), and a commercial 10 μL pipette tip is proposed as a simple solution to this shortcoming. Under the optimum parameters, the proposed method was validated, obtaining limits of detection lower than 0.6 μg L−1, linear range up to 200 μg L−1, and linearity better than 0.9915. Relative standard deviation (RSD) and relative recoveries (RR) were studied at three different concentration levels (2, 40, and 200 μg L−1). RSD values were better than 20.7 %, and RR ranged from 90 to 114 %. Finally, a positive sample from a patient under medical treatment was analyzed. Significance and novelty14G blunt needles have been demonstrated as effective extraction devices due to their low price (<0.15 € per extraction unit), their better safety (avoiding finger pricking), and their higher hosting capacity (up to 8 mg of sorbent). The conductivity of stainless steel permits their use as electrospray emitters, making their direct combination to MS easier. The large variety of fibrous sorbents makes this approach versatile enough to be adapted to other analytical problems.

Collection of epididymal semen in the tomcat (Felix catus) by stereomicroscope-aided retrograde flushing (SARF) improves sample quality

In small and laboratory animals epididymal spermatozoa can be collected only by the mincing technique however, blood and cell debris contamination may adversely affect the quality of the samples. This study aimed at performing the retrograde flushing technique, for the first time, in the tomcat. In the first experiment attempts to insert a blunted needle into tomcats’ ductus deferentes were made and the cannulation time and the success rate were recorded. In the second experiment, insertion of the needle into the ductus was carried out under a stereomicroscope for one testis, while the other was submitted to mincing for sperm recovery and the samples obtained from paired testes were compared. In the first study, only twenty-eight percent of the cannulation attempts were successful whereas in the second experiment, 91% of the deferentes were successfully cannulated: 80% of the ducts were cannulated in less than three minutes. The stereomicroscope-aided retrograde flushing samples showed significantly higher sperm viability, motility and velocities, as compared to those resulted from mincing. The domestic cat serves as a model for more than 36 species of wild felids; the developed stereomicroscope-aided retrograde flushing technique has the potential to become the gold standard method for harvesting spermatozoa of endangered species that have a small ductus deferens.

The Teknik Pemeriksaan Dacryocystography Dengan Klinis Obstruksi Ductus Nasolacrimal

Background: One examination using contrast media that is rarely encountered is the Dacryocystography examination. At one type A hospital in Jakarta only 34 examinations were carried out in 2019, while at another type A hospital this examination was not carried out at all. Dacryocystography examination is a radiological examination of the nasolacrimal system by filling the luminal canal with radiopaque contrast. This examination will not be visible well without using contrast. Based on the experience that the author found during practice at one of the type A hospitals in Jakarta, the Dacryocystography examination with clinical Nasolacrimal Ductus Obstruction only uses 1 (one) projection, namely AP (Anteroposterior). In contrast, according to Ballinger (2011), this examination uses 3 (three) projections—namely PA Caldwell, PA Waters, and Lateral.&#x0D; Methods: This research is descriptive and qualitative in nature, namely by conducting observations, interviews, and documentation at the KIARA radiology installation, RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo. With 1 (one) sample, interviews with 3 (three) radiographers and 3 (three) radiology specialists. Dacryocystography technique: the patient without preparation is then taken on a plain AP photo, then contrast media is injected into the lacrimal punctum of both eyes of the patient and a post-contrast photo with AP projection. Then the patient's eyes are dripped with NaCl to reduce the concentration of the contrast medium.&#x0D; Results: The results of the study showed that the Nasolacrimal Ductus was blocked because the contrast medium stopped at the location of the nasolacrimal duct blockage.&#x0D; Conclusions: In the Dacryocystography examination with clinical Nasolacrimal Ductus Obstruction, contrast media is injected using a special syringe that has been modified in the form of a bent and blunt needle. For projections, only 1 projection is used, namely Antero Posterior (AP) for preliminary photos and post-contrast photos which will depict the image of the Nasolacrimal Ductus having obstruction or blockage.

Time to consider blunt needles for implant surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis shows that blunt suture needles reduce glove perforation

BackgroundDespite a recent Cochrane Review demonstrating blunt suture needles are safer for surgeons, the use of blunt suture needles has not become widely adopted. In the ‘Implant Era’, with the value of medical implant companies to surpass $145 billion by 2027, should we re-examine the use of blunt suture needles, especially to reduce infection in implant surgery? We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing whether blunt suture needles reduce risks to surgeons and patients. MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed per PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE databases were searched for RCTs. Dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios (RR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the MH method. Random or fixed effects modelling use was based on statistical heterogeneity (I2). Results14 RCTs were identified with 2488 patients. The RCTs included laparotomies, caesarean sections, episiotomies, and orthopaedic surgeries. Blunt suture needles when compared with sharp needles resulted in a significant reduction in glove perforation; RR: 0.47, 95% CI [0.37 to 0.60] and needlestick injuries, RR: 0.50, 95% CI [0.26 to 0.97]. Sharp needles caused more wound infections, but the result was not statistically significant; RR: 2.73, 95% CI [0.54 to 13.76], p 0.22. Surgeon's satisfaction decreased with blunt needles compared with sharp (RR: 1.22, 95% CI [1.09 to 1.37]). ConclusionBlunt suture needles are safer than sharp needles for surgeons and likely reduce risks to patients. This, however, comes at the cost of decreased ease of use. The authors recommend the routine use of blunt suture needles, especially in implant surgery.

Fulminant Cervical Epidural Hematomas: Why Do They Happen, How Can We Minimize Their Occurrence, and What Can We Do When They Do Occur? A Perspective

BACKGROUND: Epidural hematomas after appropriately performed cervicothoracic interlaminar epidural injections have been associated with the rapid onset of neurological symptoms and devastating outcomes, despite prompt identification and treatment. Anticoagulation issues were initially felt to be the problem, but the occurrence of fulminant hematomas in patients without coagulation forced a reassessment of the causes and responses to this problem. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate why fulminant epidural hematomas occur after cervicothoracic epidural injections, with a literature review to survey knowledge about them in the surgical literature, and to offer comments as to what the interventional pain physician can do to minimize their occurrence. STUDY DESIGN: A perspective piece with a literature review. SETTINGS: Interventional pain management practices. METHODS: A perspective on the issue of fulminant cervical hematomas and an associated literature review. RESULTS: Anatomical studies show that there are no meaningful arteries in the posterior epidural spaces which would explain hematomas. There is a dense posterior intravertebral epidural venous plexus at C1 and also at C6-C7 extending caudally to the upper thoracic region. A venous origin has been questioned because venous pressure was felt to be too low to explain the bleeding. The surgical literature, going back 80 years, contains numerous reports of engorged epidural veins causing radiculopathy and myelopathy. These engorged veins can occur in the presence or absence of spinal pathology. There is no known means of reliably identifying these engorged veins; they have been mistaken for disc protrusions. At least one report documents massive bleeding from these veins. Studies done on a feline model of cervical stenosis suggest that the epidural pressure can reach arterial levels. LIMITATIONS: No direct documentation of arterialized posterior intravertebral epidural venous pressures has been made. While anatomical anomalies and degeneration contribute to epidural scarring, we do not have a full understanding as to the cause of arterialization of veins, particularly in younger patients with no obvious intraspinal pathology. CONCLUSION: Fulminant cervicothoracic epidural hematomas after an epidural injection appear to arise from the unintentional and unavoidable puncture of arterialized veins with sharp needles. A technique to open a path out from the foramen so that the blood can escape is described. Alternatively, providers should consider injecting more cephalad, between C2-C3 and C6-C7 in the cervical spine, or an alternative procedure, such as a selective nerve root injection. A cervical transforaminal approach should only be attempted with a blunt needle, which cannot enter an artery. Should symptoms occur, cervical flexion rotation maneuvers should be implemented while awaiting prompt transfer to a facility where an appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be provided. KEY WORDS: Cervical epidural hematoma, cervical epidural injection, posterior intravertebral venous plexus, arterialized epidural veins, pressurized epidural veins

Safety profile and technical success of narrow window CT-guided percutaneous biopsy with blunt needle approach in the abdomen and pelvis.

To assess success and safety of CT-guided procedures with narrow window access for biopsy. Three hundred ninety-six consecutive patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic CT-guided biopsy or fiducial placement between 01/2015 and 12/2018 were included (183 women, mean age 63 ± 14 years). Procedures were classified into "wide window" (width of the needle path between structures > 15 mm) and "narrow window" (≤ 15 mm) based on intraprocedural images. Clinical information, complications, technical and clinical success, and outcomes were collected. The blunt needle approach is preferred by our interventional radiology team for narrow window access. There were 323 (81.5%) wide window procedures and 73 (18.5%) narrow window procedures with blunt needle approach. The median depth for the narrow window group was greater (97 mm, interquartile range (IQR) 82-113 mm) compared to the wide window group (84 mm, IQR 60-106 mm); p = 0.0017. Technical success was reached in 100% (73/73) of the narrow window and 99.7% (322/323) of the wide window procedures. There was no difference in clinical success rate between the two groups (narrow: 86.4%, 57/66; wide: 89.5%, 265/296; p = 0.46). There was no difference in immediate complication rate (narrow: 1.3%, 1/73; wide: 1.2%, 4/323; p = 0.73) or delayed complication rate (narrow: 1.3%, 1/73; wide: 0.6%, 1/323; p = 0.50). Narrow window (< 15 mm) access biopsy and fiducial placement with blunt needle approach under CT guidance is safe and successful. CT-guided biopsy and fiducial placement can be performed through narrow window access of less than 15 mm utilizing the blunt-tip technique. • A narrow window for CT-guided abdominal and pelvic biopsies and fiducial placements was considered when width of the needle path between vital structures was ≤ 15 mm. • Seventy-three biopsies and fiducial placements performed through a narrow window with blunt needle approach had a similar rate of technical and clinical success and complications compared to 323 procedures performed through a wide window approach, with traditional approach (> 15 mm). • This study confirmed the safety of the CT-guided percutaneous procedures through < 15 mm window with blunt-tip technique.

Disposable Dosators Intended for Dry Powder Delivery to Mice.

Dry powder inhalers offer numerous advantages for delivering drugs to the lungs, including stable solid-state drug formulations, device portability, bolus metering and dosing, and a propellant-free dispersal mechanism. To develop pharmaceutical dry powder aerosol products, robust in vivo testing is essential. Typically, initial studies involve using a murine model for preliminary evaluation before conducting formal studies in larger animal species. However, a significant limitation in this approach is the lack of suitable device technology to accurately and reproducibly deliver dry powders to small animals, hindering such models' utility. To address these challenges, disposable syringe dosators were developed specifically for intrapulmonary delivery of dry powders in doses appropriate for mice. These dosators load and deliver a predetermined amount of powder obtained from a uniform bulk density powder bed. This discrete control is achieved by inserting a blunt needle to a fixed depth (tamping) into the powder bed, removing a fixed quantity each time. Notably, this dosing pattern has proven effective for a range of spray-dried powders. In experiments involving four different model spray-dried powders, the dosators demonstrated the ability to achieve doses within the range of 30 to 1100 µg. The achieved dose was influenced by factors such as the number of tamps, the size of the dosator needle, and the specific formulation used. One of the key benefits of these dosators is their ease of manufacturing, making them accessible and cost-effective for delivering dry powders to mice during initial proof-of-concept studies. The disposable nature of the dosators facilitates use in animal procedure rooms, where cleaning and refilling reusable systems and weighing materials is inconvenient. Thus, developing disposable syringe dosators has addressed a significant hurdle in murine dry powder delivery for proof-of-concept studies, enabling researchers to conduct more accurate and reproducible preliminary studies in small animal models for pulmonary drug delivery.

Development of affordable 3D food printer with an exchangeable syringe-pump mechanism

The technique of additive manufacturing has increasing popularity in food research area as well as other scientific fields. However, 3D food printers are expensive options compared to 3D polymer printers. Scientists, that require laboratory scale production capacities, resemble the syringe-pump systems that available in open source and free hardware designs. Present study aimed to develop an exchangeable syringe-pump mechanism (SPM) to demonstrate transformation of conventional 3D printer from polymer to food extrusion. The SPM can print a variety of materials, including miscellaneous foods, pastes, hydrogels and even biopolymers. The complete mechanism relies mostly on 3D printed parts and costs approximately 72$. Therefore, it allows users to obtain a 3D food printer inexpensively and does not require large amounts of technical labor. The SPM uses big volume (60 ml) luer lock syringe and blunt tip needles for greater versatility and user-friendliness. It could also be extended with cooling mechanism, so that the proposed system gains unique attribute among its counterparts. Finally, a standard polymer-printing 3D-Printer was converted into a laboratory-scale food printer, and edible ink was successfully printed in the desired shape.

A Novel Biopsy Needle with Double Concave-Curved Cutting Edges

BackgroundVacuum-assisted biopsy is a minimally invasive sampling technique that relies on rotational cutting as a major tissue retrieving method. A precise diagnosis of the disease requires large, uncrushed samples, which are impacted by the cutting force of the biopsy needle. ObjectivesThis study proposes a novel needle design with double-concave-curved cutting edges, which is more suited for rotational needle cutting. We aimed to optimize the design so that large, undamaged samples could be extracted with minimal cutting force. Materials and MethodsFive-factor experiments were designed using the Taguchi method. Experiments involving rotational needle insertion and tissue sampling were conducted to examine the effects of these variables on the cutting force and sampling quality, respectively. The relationship between the cutting force and sampling quality was analyzed. ResultsFor needle insertion, the optimal design within the design space demonstrated a marked improvement in cutting force from 1.2107 to 0.1888 N. Furthermore, the optimized double concave-curved needle outperformed the blunt needle under the same needle speeds, showing a 24.4% reduction in cutting force (0.1888 vs. 0.2496 N). Increasing rotation-translation ratio or insertion speed would allow for extracting a larger sample (increased up to 21.95% in weight and 17.21% in total length) but may also increase the rotation speed, resulting in sample fragmentation. To simultaneously improve sampling quality and cutting force, a higher K value, larger rotation-translation ratio, and slower insertion speed are suggested. Based on the conditions examined in this study, the optimal needle configuration should include a sharpened cutting edge with a K value of 0.2, a rotation-translation ratio of 8, and an insertion speed of 1 mm/s.

AB112. SOH23ABS_017. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the use of blunt suture needles versus sharp suture needles in risk of transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases

AB112. SOH23ABS_017. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the use of blunt suture needles versus sharp suture needles in risk of transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases

Hydrogel Encapsulation of Genome-Engineered Stem Cells for Long-Term Self-Regulating Anti-Cytokine Therapy.

Biologic therapies have revolutionized treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but their continuous administration at high doses may lead to adverse events. Thus, the development of improved drug delivery systems that can sense and respond commensurately to disease flares represents an unmet medical need. Toward this end, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that express interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra, an inhibitor of IL-1) in a feedback-controlled manner driven by the macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (Ccl2) promoter. Cells were seeded in agarose hydrogel constructs made from 3D printed molds that can be injected subcutaneously via a blunt needle, thus simplifying implantation of the constructs, and the translational potential. We demonstrated that the subcutaneously injected agarose hydrogels containing genome-edited Ccl2-IL1Ra iPSCs showed significant therapeutic efficacy in the K/BxN model of inflammatory arthritis, with nearly complete abolishment of disease severity in the front paws. These implants also exhibited improved implant longevity as compared to the previous studies using 3D woven scaffolds, which require surgical implantation. This minimally invasive cell-based drug delivery strategy may be adapted for the treatment of other autoimmune or chronic diseases, potentially accelerating translation to the clinic.