Device Attachment Research Articles

A temperature-sensitive, high-adhesion medical tape: a comparative, single-blind clinical trial.

Medical adhesives are used to secure wound care dressings and other critical devices to the skin. While high peel-strength adhesives provide more secure skin attachment, they are difficult to remove from the skin and are correlated with medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI), including skin tears, and an increased risk of infection. Lower-adhesion medical tapes may be applied to avoid MARSI, leading to dressing or device dislodgement and further medical complications. This paper reports on the clinical testing of a new, high-adhesion medical tape, ThermoTape (University of Washington, US), designed for low skin trauma upon release. ThermoTape was benchmarked with Tegaderm (3M, US) and Kind Removal Tape (KRT) (3M, US). All three tapes were applied to both the left and right forearm of healthy volunteers and were removed 24 hours later-the right arm without applying heat and the left arm by applying a heat pack for 30 seconds before removal. Tape wear, self-reported pain (0-10 scale) and skin redness 15 minutes after removal were recorded. This was a 53-subject comparative, single-blind clinical trial. There were clinically and statistically significant results supporting reduced pain during removal of ThermoTape with warming, with an average 58% decrease in pain, paired with a statistically significant 45% reduction in skin redness (p<0.01 for both values). In contrast, there were statistically insignificant differences in pain and redness for removal of Tegaderm and KRT with warming. ThermoTape after warming, in comparison with Tegaderm without warming, produced a reduced pain score of >1 on the 0-10 Wong-Baker/Face pain scale, which was statistically significant (p<0.01). These results provide compelling evidence that warming ThermoTape prior to removal can reduce pain and injury when compared with standard medical tapes. This could allow for stronger attachment of wound care dressings and critical medical devices while reducing cases of MARSI.

스마트도시의 안전성 향상을 위한 스마트기술 적용방안에 관한 연구

In order to propose ways to apply smart technology to improve the safety of smart cities, this study aims to propose smart technologies that are highly related to safety management in the areas of transportation, medical care, environment, nature, and crime prevention in smart cities, such as AR, BIM, big data, and cloud. , IoT, VR, robot automation, drones, and 3D printing were analyzed. For the study, the applicability of smart technology in each field was investigated by safety management experts using a matrix evaluation method, and the results can be summarized as follows. In the transportation field, big data technology for collecting and processing traffic information through GPS, GIS and smart phone apps, drone technology that monitors real-time traffic information and utilizes sensors such as vehicles, roads and signal devices, and various collected information The safety of smart cities can be secured by applying IoT technology that builds prediction models based on traffic patterns. In the medical field, robot automation technology that sets up predictive models for telemedicine, health management, drug processing and infectious diseases, drone technology that utilizes the movement of patients and medical staff, attachment of monitoring devices, and securing public health response data, etc. It is predicted that it will be possible to secure the safety of smart cities through 3D printing technology that can manufacture medical instruments, auxiliary devices, and various artificial bodies, as well as various medical models and educational tools. In the environmental field, drone technology enables real-time monitoring of water quality, air, and various environmental factors, robotic automation technology that uses robots in places to collect environmental data within the city, and environmental infrastructure that installs and collects buildings, vehicles, and various infrastructure facilities. IoT technology can be applied to improve the safety of smart cities. In the natural field, drone technology is capable of collecting and utilizing various data by attaching video, thermal images, LiDAR scans, radars and sensors, and integrated management linked to a central system focused on the installation of houses, buildings and various infrastructure facilities and environmental changes. The safety of smart cities can be improved by utilizing possible IoT technology, BIM technology that can establish response plans for storm and flood damage, cold waves, heatstroke, and earthquakes through 3D models, and big data technology that collects, integrates, and builds platforms for safety-related data. It can be promoted. In the crime prevention field, drone technology that can detect the occurrence of abnormal signals such as sound, heat, and optical sensors and link with the local police station, IoT technology that can collect and analyze voice recognition technology, and AI that strengthens facial and vehicle recognition in intelligent CCTV. The safety of smart cities can be secured through robot automation technology that combines the deployment of basic robots and collaboration with drones and IoT technologies.

Comparison of procedural characteristics of percutaneous annuloplasty and edge-to-edge repair for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation.

In recent years, new interventional therapies for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing TR severity and improving symptoms. Currently, tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) and percutaneous annuloplasty are the most widely used techniques in Europe. In this retrospective study, we compared procedural characteristics and learning curves of both TR devices in a real-world cohort. Eligible patients with severe to torrential TR underwent either percutaneous annuloplasty or T-TEER as recommended by the local heart team. Patients with combined mitral and tricuspid interventions were excluded from the analysis. The study focused on procedural characteristics, TR reduction and learning curves. A total of 122 patients underwent either percutaneous annuloplasty (n = 64) or T-TEER (n = 58) with a technical and device success rate of 98% and 97%, respectively. Reasons for technical failure included right coronary artery (RCA) dissection prior to percutaneous annuloplasty, and two single leaflet device attachments (SLDA) during T-TEER implantation. The mean improvement of TR severity was 2.4 ± 0.8 degrees after T-TEER and 2.5 ± 0.8 after percutaneous annuloplasty. T-TEER procedures were shorter in terms of both procedure time and radiation exposure, while percutaneous annuloplasty, although taking longer, showed a significant reduction in procedure time over the course of the analysed period. In summary, both interventional therapies reduce TR severity by approximately two degrees when used in the appropriate anatomy. The learning curve for annuloplasty group showed a significant decrease of procedure times.

Transcatheter Edge-To-Edge Valve Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation

&#x0D; The transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair (TEER) device (TriClip) might be more effective in reducing tricuspid regurgitation severity and improving quality of life compared to medical therapy alone.&#x0D; The TEER device (TriClip) may have little impact on all-cause mortality, hospitalization due to heart failure, and 6-minute walk tests compared to medical therapy alone.&#x0D; The TEER device (TriClip) demonstrated a numerically higher rate of adverse events than a medical therapy control group in a clinical trial.&#x0D; Patients treated with the TEER device (TriClip) had fewer major adverse events (ranging from 2.5% to 7.1%) than the 10% performance goal in the included clinical trial; common major adverse events included major bleeding, single leaflet device attachment, and nonelective cardiovascular surgery. No device embolization or thrombosis were reported.&#x0D; We did not identify any studies that met our inclusion criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the TEER device (TriClip) compared to open heart surgery.&#x0D;

Recommendations for use of adhesives on hospitalized newborns: A systematic review of the literature

BackgroundThe skin is the largest organ in the human body. It provides multiple barrier functions, tactile or defensive, and acts as a mediator allowing for the attachment of vital monitoring devices with medical adhesives. Adhesives consist of several layers with varying compositions and properties. We aimed to provide recommendations for their use in the care of hospitalized neonates on the basis of a systematic literature review. MethodsWe searched PubMed for English or French articles published before May 29, 2020, using the keywords “adhesive,” “tape,”, “skin,” and “neonat*.” Recommendations were developed after review by a multidisciplinary group including 15 professionals and parent representatives. ResultsWe identified 295 studies, and from 30 eligible studies we developed six recommendations according to four perspectives: assessment of the skin condition to improve the methods of application of the different adhesives and their removal; use of adhesives as a platform; and discouraging the regular use of semi-permeable dressings to compensate for the immaturity of the skin barrier. ConclusionSkin lesions are common for hospitalized neonates. Use of adhesives may increase the occurrence of such lesions. Adhesives should be subject to good clinical practice guidelines. Health professionals caring for newborns should know the tools for screening and preventing skin lesions.

683-P: Lived Experiences of Using Omnipod DASH System among Australians with Type 1 Diabetes—A Qualitative Study

Background: Tubeless insulin pump therapy (IPT) offers an alternative to tubed insulin pumps and multi-dose injections (MDI) for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). No formal interview studies have explored individual's lived experiences of using tubeless IPT. Aim: To gain insight into the lived experience of using a tubeless IPT system compared to usual tubed IPT or MDI care. Methods: Interviews were conducted 12-weeks after using an Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System (Insulet, Acton MA) in a randomised controlled trial. The interview transcripts were subject to a thematic analysis, a method for identifying patterned meaning across datasets. Results: Thirty-six adults (24 female; age 43±14 years; 21 previous MDI) were interviewed. Overall experiences of the Omnipod DASH were encompassed by 3 major themes: 1. Taking back control of my diabetes: many previous MDI users perceived improvement in glycaemic control, explained by more accurate insulin dosing, with some reporting positive effects during exercise and sleep. 2. Taking back control of the narrative: many previous MDI and IPT users endorsed positive experiences in relation to concealing or disclosing their diabetes to others (“you can hide it if you want to, you can let it be seen if you want to”). However, some previous MDI users reported negative psychosocial experiences due to the visibility of their diabetes and continuous device attachment (“…it's always there, whereas with the needles, you just set and forget”). 3. Barriers affecting long-term use: many participants reported wearability issues, alarm issues and the financial burden of the device. However, the majority indicated they would use and recommend tubeless IPT to others with T1D. Conclusion: Perceptions regarding tubeless IPT were related to individual needs and lifestyle, with previous treatment experience playing an important role. This work highlights the importance of understanding lived experience for future device development. Disclosure A.P.Stocco: None. S.Fourlanos: Advisory Panel; Viatris Inc., Pfizer Inc., Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly Alliance. E.I.Ekinci: Advisory Panel; Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited, Research Support; Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited, Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly Alliance, Insulet Corporation, Medtronic. D.N.O'neal: None. S.Trawley: Research Support; Insulet Corporation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Y.W.Kong: None. C.Yuan: None. K.V.Kiburg: None. K.Brown: None. A.Partovi: None. K.L.Roem: None. N.Harrison: None.

보호관찰관의 지지와 준수사항 위반과의 관계

This study aims at investigating the relationships between supportive attitude of probation officers toward criminals and the revocation of probation. In particular, the current study focuses on identifying crucial factors that are associated with the violations of probation conditions under electronic monitoring. It is significant to find out the key factors that might reduce the numbers of violation of EM conditions in order to prevent recidivism in South Korea. In 2022, Korean Ministry of Justice announced the additional implementation of electronic anklets device program on offenders who committed stalking with a partial revision of the Electronic Monitoring Device Attachment Act. There have been wide controversial criticism toward the expansion of the Electronic Monitoring Device Attachment Act from September 2008, which the law was uninitiated. In this regard, this study attempts to examine what factors can increase the effectiveness of the EM with the consideration of supportive attitude of officers in terms of reduction of violations of probation conditions under electronic monitoring. In addition, the present study highlights the association between the role of probation officers and the level of probation revocation. “Survey of the Operational Realities of Electronic Monitoring on Sex-offenders in 2013” was used as analyses data sets. Besides, this study relied on Sherman's Defiance theory(1993) to examine the relationships between the attitude of probation officers and violation of probationers under EM. After reviewing previous studies, related factors were analyzed by assigning key dependent variables such as violation of probation conditions and violation of electronic monitoring requirement. In addition, this study utilized independent variable as supportive attitude of probation officers. Furthermore, as control variables, age, educational background, criminal experience, and period of attachment to electronic devices were used in the model. Logistic regression analysis result demonstrated that EM attachment period and previous criminal history of offenders had a significant impact on increasing the violation of probation conditions. Regression analysis showed that probationer-officer relationship was not statistically significant factors that might decrease the number of violation of condition when other variables were controlled. These results showed that the compassionate attitude of the probation officer was not a significant factor for obtaining better compliance of offenders under EM. Further policy implications will be discussed.

E-Cigarette–Related Health Beliefs Expressed on Twitter Within the U.S.

This mixed-methods study analyzed English-language U.S.-based Twitter posts related to E-cigarette use from February 2021. Posts were manually identified as health-related or not and, if health-related, whether they were posted by an E-cigarette user. A random selection of 1,000 health-related tweets from 986 unique E-cigarette users were qualitatively content analyzed for theory of planned behavior constructs as well as nature and tone of each tweet message. Using quantitative semantic network analysis, relationships among the identified topics and sentiment-specific conversation patterns were explored. The most salient health-related conversation topics of E-cigarette users, health beliefs corresponding to each theory of planned behavior construct, and major motivational contexts of E-cigarette use were identified. Seven topics emerged in positive tweets: smoking cessation, social impact generation, controls over addiction, therapeutic effects on physical and mental health, social support, device attachment, and peer influence. Nine topics emerged in negative tweets: side effects on physical health, vaping addiction, lack of E-cigarette regulations, peer pressure, increased risk of COVID-19, side effects on mental health, no help in smoking cessation, social conflict, and polysubstance use. Most assertions for E-cigarette benefits were not substantiated. Jokes in tweets appeared to contribute to the view of vaping as an attractive, enjoyable, safe, and fun activity. Discussions about positive aspects of E-cigarette use were concentrated on a few related topics, whereas tweets discouraging E-cigarette use presented a diverse, less related set of topics. The results provide insights into the drivers of E-cigarette use behaviors. E-cigarette user perspectives gathered from social media may inform research to guide future prevention and cessation interventions.

Periprocedural, short-term, and long-term outcomes following transcatheter tricuspid valve repair: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

There has been an increasing use of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) recently. However, the periprocedural, short-term, and long-term outcomes of TTVR remain unclear. To determine the clinical outcomes in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation undergoing TTVR. Systematic review and meta-analysis. The systematic review and meta-analysis is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for clinical trials and observational studies until March 2022. Studies reporting the incidence of clinical outcomes after TTVR were included. The clinical outcomes included periprocedural, short-term (in-hospital or within 30 days), and long-term (>6-month follow-up) outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality whereas the secondary outcomes included technical success, procedural success, cardiovascular mortality, rehospitalization for heart failure (HHF), major bleeding, and single leaflet device attachment. The incidence of these outcomes across studies was pooled by a random-effects model. A total of 21 studies with 896 patients were included. A total of 729 (81.4%) patients underwent isolated TTVR while only 167 (18.6%) patients underwent combined mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Over 80% of the patients used coaptation devices while approximately 20% used annuloplasty devices. The median follow-up duration was 365 days. Technical and procedural success was high at 93.9% and 82.1%, respectively. The pooled perioperative, short-term, and long-term all-cause mortality for patients undergoing TTVR was 1.0%, 3.3%, and 14.1%, respectively. The long-term cardiovascular mortality rate was 5.3% while the HHF rate was 21.5%. Major bleeding and single leaflet device attachment were two major complications, accounting for 14.3% and 6.4%, respectively, during long-term follow-up. TTVR is associated with high procedural success and low procedural and short-term mortality. However, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and HHF rates remain high during long-term follow-up. PROSPERO (CRD42022310020).

Two Cases of Surgical Correction of Recurrent Mitral Regurgitation due to Failed Catheter- Delivered Mitral Clip (MitraClip).

From April 2018 to February 2021, 150 patients underwent MitraClip implantation for severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR) at our hospital. Two of our patients, an 85-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman, developed a single leaflet device attachment in the acute phase after the implantation and had severe residual MR requiring surgical correction. The recurrent MR was first pointed out on day 5 and day 4, and the duration between MitraClip implantation and surgery was 13 and 55 days, respectively. Due to strong adhesions with the clips and severe valve damage after MitraClip implantation, both cases underwent mitral valve replacement with a good postoperative course. In patients with a high-risk baseline profile, surgical mitral valve replacement after failed MitraClip implantation should be considered at an optimal timing, and a detailed echocardiographic follow-up is required.

Tracking Device Attachment Methods for American Kestrels: Backpack Versus Leg-Loop Harnesses

ABSTRACT The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon whose population is declining across North America, but drivers of this decline have yet to be identified. Conservationists have called for greater understanding of kestrels' migratory connectivity to identify potential causes of decline that may occur during various parts of their annual cycle. For many bird species, the most common and direct way to determine migratory connectivity is by attaching a tracking device that documents their locations over time. However, American Kestrels present a challenge when attaching tracking devices due to their small size and aggressive biting capabilities. We used two attachment methods (backpack and leg-loop harnesses) commonly used for raptors on a wintering population of American Kestrels in north Texas to test whether there were differences in observed return rates the following year. Of 20 American Kestrels fit with devices, significantly more of the kestrels fit with backpack harnesses were observed the following winter than the birds fit with leg-loop harnesses. Eight of the 10 kestrels we fit with backpacks were observed to return to their winter territories compared to only two of 10 kestrels fit with leg-loops. Overall return frequency data of kestrels with both harnessing methods (50%, n = 20) was similar to the frequency we observed on marked birds without devices (52%, n = 190), though this was heavily skewed due to the high return of birds with backpack harnesses (80%). Although our sample size was limited, the disparity between the return rates of birds with the two harness types suggests that backpack harnesses are the preferred method of attaching tracking devices to American Kestrels, and also potentially to similar small raptor species.

Complications of the Percutaneous Mitral Valve Edge-To-Edge Repair: Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography

The use of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for the treatment of mitral regurgitation has markedly increased in the last few years. The rate of adverse events related to the procedure is low; however, some of the complications that may occur are potentially dangerous. Due to the growing popularity of the technique, which is no longer limited to high-volume centers, knowledge of the complications related to the procedure is fundamental. Transesophageal echocardiography has a key role in the guidance of the intervention while allowing for the avoidance of most of these adverse events, as well as enabling us to diagnose them early. In this article, we review the main complications that might present during a transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair procedure (tamponade, thromboembolic events, single leaflet device attachment, device embolization, vascular injury…) while highlighting key aspects of transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring in the prevention and prompt diagnosis of these complications.

Development of a Connected Sensor System in Colorectal Surgery: User-Centered Design Case Study.

BackgroundA successful innovative medical device is not only technically challenging to develop but must also be readily usable to be integrated into health care professionals’ daily practice. Through a user-centered design (UCD) approach, usability can be improved. However, this type of approach is not widely implemented from the early stages of medical device development.ObjectiveThe case study presented here shows how UCD may be applied at the very early stage of the design of a disruptive medical device used in a complex hospital environment, while no functional device is available yet. The device under study is a connected sensor system to detect colorectal anastomotic leakage, the most detrimental complication following colorectal surgery, which has a high medical cost. We also aimed to provide usability guidelines for the initial design of other innovative medical devices.MethodsUCD was implemented by actively involving health care professionals and all the industrial partners of the project. The methodology was conducted in 2 European hospitals: Grenoble-Alpes University Hospital (France) and Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam (the Netherlands). A total of 6 elective colorectal procedures and 5 ward shifts were observed. In total, 4 workshops were conducted with project partners and clinicians. A formative evaluation was performed based on 5 usability tests using nonfunctional prototype systems. The case study was completed within 12 months.ResultsFunctional specifications were defined for the various components of the medical device: device weight, size, design, device attachment, and display module. These specifications consider the future integration of the medical device into current clinical practice (for use in an operating room and patient follow-up inside the hospital) and interactions between surgeons, nurses, nurse assistants, and patients. By avoiding irrelevant technical development, this approach helps to promote cost-effective design.ConclusionsThis paper presents the successful deployment over 12 months of a UCD methodology for the design of an innovative medical device during its early development phase. To help in reusing this methodology to design other innovative medical devices, we suggested best practices based on this case.

A Wearable Multi-Joint Wrist Contour Measuring Device for Hand Shape Recognition

Recently, various types of hand shape recognition systems have been developed for human–machine interfaces. However, most wearable recognition systems cannot robustly handle the variations in attachment positions of the devices. Thus, we propose a hand shape recognition system using a wearable multi-joint wrist contour measuring device to realize robust and effective recognition of hand shape, regardless of attachment position variations. In particular, this device can measure the wrist contour and band flexion data to recognize hand shape. The wrist contour data are measured using photo-reflectors mounted inside the device, and the band flexion data are measured using photo-interrupters installed at the device joints. Additionally, the attachment position information is extracted from the wrist contour or band flexion data using dimensional compression or attachment position recognition to achieve robustness against the position variations. Subsequently, the extracted information is incorporated into the hand shape recognizer. The results of the recognition experiment demonstrate that the attachment position information extracted from the band flexion data using dimensional compression could effectively realize robust hand shape recognition, considering variations in the device attachment position.

3D printed carbon-fibre reinforced composite lattice structures with good thermal-dimensional stability

A good dimensional stability is a crucial property of any base-platform structure for the attachment of high precision optical or mechanical devices, such as imaging equipment, satellite antennas, thermal sensors, etc., where the surrounding temperature may fluctuate substantially. The present study demonstrates how such a base-platform in a form of a dual-composite, planar-lattice structure can be designed and rapidly, and conveniently, manufactured using 3D printing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Specifically, the planar-lattice consists of a central cross-lattice manufactured using a continuous carbon-fibre reinforced polyamide (CCF/PA) composite with four interlocking outer-strips manufactured using a short carbon-fibre reinforced polyamide (SCF/PA) composite. Numerical finite-element analyses of the planar-lattices are developed, and validated by experimental results, with respect to their thermal-deformation behaviour. This numerical analysis is then used to study the effects of various types of fibre architecture for the composites that might be used to manufacture the planar-lattice. The results demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of 3D printing, using FFF, to manufacture base-platform structures which use dual-composite materials, based upon carbon-fibre reinforced polyamide materials, in order to achieve a very good thermal-dimensional stability.

The variability of single grain quartz luminescence properties investigated using EMCCD imaging

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals from individual quartz grains are frequently used for equivalent dose and age determination in luminescence dating. Typically, signals from individual grains are stimulated with a focussed solid-state laser and detected via a photomultiplier tube. In contrast to the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) usually used when stimulating multiple-grain aliquots, the laser has a much higher stimulation power density. An absolute value for the effective stimulation power cannot easily be quantified, and the power delivered to each grain cannot be considered consistent throughout a measurement sequence. Both intra- and inter-sample variability in single grain luminescence signals parameters such as dose response form, decay rate, and sensitivity have long been recognised, however there remains uncertainty over how much of this variability is intrinsic to quartz grains or whether some should be attributed to variation in the effective stimulation power associated with the laser system. To better characterise intrinsic variability of single quartz OSL signals, an electron multiplier charge coupled device (EMCCD) attachment for the Risø reader was used for detecting and imaging luminescence signals. Whilst the EMCCD system currently offers a lower detection sensitivity when compared to the laser system, the ability to use LEDs for stimulation of the OSL signal circumvents the power variability associated with the laser system and allows an investigation of intrinsic variability to be made. In this paper, signal intensity and the composition of components in single grain luminescence signals are considered, and curve deconvolution is undertaken to calculate photo ionisation cross-sections for single grain quartz signals. For the samples considered, intra-sample variability in these characteristics is observed in single grain quartz luminescence signals imaged using an EMCCD.

Reoperation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting; On-Pump Beating Heart Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacement for Single Leaflet Device Attachment after MitraClip Placement

Reoperation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting; On-Pump Beating Heart Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacement for Single Leaflet Device Attachment after MitraClip Placement

MitraClip Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe and Severe Mitral Regurgitation in High Surgical Risk Patients - Real-World 1-Year Outcomes From Japan.

The MitraClip NT System was approved for marketing in Japan on October 31, 2017, and a prospective, multi-center, single-arm Post-Marketing use Surveillance (PMS) study was launched in 2018. This is the first report of the Japan PMS study with 1-year subject outcomes.Methods and Results:A total of 500 patients were registered between April 2018 and January 2019. Patients with symptomatic chronic moderate-to-severe (3+) or severe mitral regurgitation (MR; 4+), MR with a Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) replacement score of ≥8%, or presence of 1 pre-defined risk factor were enrolled. Primary outcome measures included acute procedural success (APS), and rate of Single Leaflet Device Attachment (SLDA) at 30 days. The overall cohort was elderly (77.9±9.48 years) with functional MR etiology in 71.6% of the subjects. The majority of subjects were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV (68.9%), with mean STS replacement score of 11.95±9.66%. The APS rate was 91.13% and the 30-day SLDA rate was 1.21%. Durable MR reduction was achieved with 88.1% of subjects at MR ≤2+ at 1 year. Significant improvement in the functional capacity was observed, with 93% of subjects at NYHA class I/II at 1 year. In the Japan PMS experience, the MitraClip procedure resulted in improvements in MR severity, with significantly improved functional outcomes. These results demonstrate safety and efficacy of MitraClip therapy in the eligible Japanese population.

Development of Ag-In Alloy Pastes by Mechanical Alloying for Die Attachment of High-Power Semiconductor Devices.

Sintered silver paste is widely used as the die-attachment material for power semiconductors. However, sintered silver joints encounter problems, such as severe coarsening of sintered pores and oxidation issues, in harsh high-temperature environments. These lead to the deterioration of the die-attachment joints. In this paper, a novel method of sintering silver joints is demonstrated, where silver–indium alloy paste is used to improve the reliability of sintered Ag joints. The silver–indium (Ag–In) alloy paste was fabricated through mechanical alloying using the ball-milling technique. The well-bonded sintered Ag–In alloy joints inhibited pore coarsening better than pure sintered Ag joints and significantly enhanced the mechanical properties at high operating temperatures. Lastly, an oxidation mechanism for the sintered joint was proposed, and strategies to prevent such high-temperature oxidation were discussed.

Development of a plant conveyance system using an AGV and a self-designed plant-handling device: A case study of DIY plant phenotyping.

Plant phenotyping technology has been actively developed in recent years, but the introduction of these technologies into the field of agronomic research has not progressed as expected, in part due to the need for flexibility and low cost. “DIY” (Do It Yourself) methodologies are an efficient way to overcome such obstacles. Devices with modular functionality are critical to DIY experimentation, allowing researchers flexibility of design. In this study, we developed a plant conveyance system using a commercial AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) as a case study of DIY plant phenotyping. The convey module consists of two devices, a running device and a plant-handling device. The running device was developed based on a commercial AGV Kit. The plant-handling device, plant stands, and pot attachments were originally designed and fabricated by us and our associates. Software was also developed for connecting the devices and operating the system. The run route was set with magnetic tape, which can be easily changed or rerouted. Our plant delivery system was developed with low cost and having high flexibility, as a unit that can contribute to others’ DIY’ plant research efforts as well as our own. It is expected that the developed devices will contribute to diverse phenotype observations of plants in the greenhouse as well as to other important functions in plant breeding and agricultural production.