Feeding Device Research Articles

Usefulness of laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy using a low-profile gastrostomy button-type of feeding device for patients with severe mental and physical disabilities

Usefulness of laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy using a low-profile gastrostomy button-type of feeding device for patients with severe mental and physical disabilities

INVESTIGATION OF SURFACE STRUCTURE, CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC TEXTURE, MICROTOPOGRAPHY OF FUNCTIONAL COATINGS DEPOSITED USING FLEXIBLE TOOL AND SOME APPLICATIONS. Part 1. Surface structure, crystallographic texture, microtopography of copper and brass coatings deposited on steel base using flexible tool

The paper focuses on metal surface nanostructuring and functional coating application using a flexible tool – rotating wire brushes (RWB). This process called friction cladding implemented on lathes, grinders and other machine tools using ordinary tooling or manual angle grinders. Metallographic investigation of surface layers used 3×20×100 mm plates made of Steel 08 as study samples. Coatings were applied using the surface grinder where RWB was installed instead of an abrasive disk together with a coating material feeding device. Cylindrical samples (Steel 50) 20 mm in diameter were machined by angle grinders installed on the sliding carriage of the lathe. Optical microscopes and the JSM-6490 LV electron-scan microscope (ESM) were used for metallographic research. Electron microscopic studies were performed by replica technique using the Tesla BC-613 electron microscope. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on the Dron-3 diffractometer. Measurements and surface roughness analysis were performed according to the GOST R ISO 25178 method on the Bruker Contour GT K1 unit. The surface structure, texture and microtopography of copper and brass coatings deposited using a flexible tool on a steel base were investigated. The average coating thickness was 20–25 μm, microhardness was about 6800 MPa for the copper coating and 9000 MPa for the brass coating with particle sizes ranging from 0,3 to 0,6 μm. The crystallographic texture of the coating reproduces the texture of the steel base material. Investigation of sample surface microtopography before and after coating showed that the brass coating substantially smoothes out the surface, but the initial microtopography is changed insignificantly. Copper coating microtopography differs substantially from the initial one.

Simulation of seed motion in seed feeding device with DEM-CFD coupling approach for rapeseed and wheat

A numerical study of gas-solid flow in seed feeding device of air-assisted centralized metering system was carried out by means of Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupling approach. In this model, discrete particles phase was applied by EDEM software and continuum gas phase was described by ANSYS Fluent software. Effects of throat’s area, throat length, airflow inlet velocity and seed feed rate were studied and analyzed in terms of gas field and seed movement. Simulation results showed that, throat’s area and airflow inlet velocity mainly affected airflow outlet velocity and seed velocity of airflow direction which resulted from drag force, while seed movement was affected by throat length and seed feed rate slightly. The increase of throat area resulted in the decrease of seed velocity and pressure loss in a certain range. Seeds moved slowly and generated the phenomenon of bounce and concentration for low airflow inlet velocities. With the airflow inlet velocity increased, resultant force and seed velocity developed. The proper airflow inlet velocity was 16–20m/s and 20–24m/s for rapeseed and wheat, respectively. It showed that DEM-CFD coupling approach is reliable as a tool for understanding the physical phenomenon of seed movement in airflow field. Numerical simulation of seed motion based on DEM-CFD coupling approach can provide theoretical basis for developing operating performance of seed feeding device.

A multi-population survey on swine feeding behavior with electronic feeding devices

Abstract. In this study, we used electronic feeding station observations of pigs to investigate their growth performance and feeding behavior. These pigs were raised in Xinda Livestock Company Ltd. in Henan, China, and followed the Chinese directive for the protection of farm animals. Electronic feeding stations are often used in pig breeding and for identifying loci associated with feed consumption. Moreover, they can also provide much valuable information on pig behavior that could be directly used to improve production efficiency. This study involves three different pig population feeding-intake data from 383 Yorkshire, 243 Landrace and 197 Duroc breeds to investigate their growth performance and feeding behavior. Similar patterns of growth performance (slow–fast–slow) were observed in the three breeds, while the Duroc have a slightly faster average growth rate throughout the whole test period. Study of the number of visits to the feeding station over 24 h detected two peaks of feeding intake activity at 08:00–09:00 and 14:00–15:00. During these two peak feeding times, lower feed intake and less occupation time were observed, implicating fiercer competition at these time periods. The effective intake time for Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire populations was 19, 16 and 19 min, respectively, suggesting that the ultimate feed intake time for each individual can be set up to 20 min for each visit. Studies on the ADFI (average daily feed intake) showed a significant difference (P value = 0.000009) between seasons and consistent patterns for these three breeds. The present study provides a detailed survey on pig feed intake behaviors across different populations and feeding seasons.

FABRICATION AND EVALUATION OF A MACHINE FOR SEPARATING FIBER FLAX

Flax stalks usually considered a waste product which may be utilized by separation into marketable fiber and shive. The fiber can be used for applications such as composites and paper. Separation of traditional long line fiber from fiber flax stalks is a rigorous and expensive process that requires the stalk to be biologically degraded (retted) befor processing. A local machine for removing flax fiber from chopped seed flax straw has been manufactured at a private workshop in kafr El-sheikh Governorate during summer season of 2015. The manufactured machine consists of three main devices namely: feeding and breaking device, scutching and hackling device and cleaning device. The manufactured machine has been evaluated under three straw moisture contents of 10.2, 13.2and 15 %, three deram schell speeds of 500, 650 and 800 rpm and five feeding roller speeds of 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5and 3 m/s. The Separation efficiency, fiber longth and fineness, machine Productivity, consumed Energy, and quality of fiber were studied. The obtained results can be summarized as follows: The maximum separation efficiency of flax fiber (82.13%) and fiber fineness (191.6 mm/mg) was obtained at straw moisture content 0f10.2%, feeding roller speed of 1m/sec and derma schell speed of 800 r.p.m . The fiber Length (92.8cm) was obtained at straw moisture content of 10.2%, feeding roller speed of 1m/sec and derma schell speed of 500 r.p.m. The lowest value of energy consumption was (1 kw) recorded at straw moisture content of10.2%, feeding roller speed of1m/s and dearm schell speed of 500 r.p.m. It is recommended for the operators of the manufactured separation machine to operate it at straw moisture content of 10.2%, feeding roller speed of 1 m/s and derma schell speed of 800 r.p.m to obtain the optimum performance.

Experimental study on plug formation characteristics of a novel draft tube type feeder for vertical pneumatic conveying of coarse particles

Plug flow receives attention because of its advantage to reduce particle attrition, pipe wear and energy consumption. A novel non-mechanical draft tube type feeder (DTF) for plug formation is proposed in this study for vertical plug conveying of coarse particles. Particles in the feeder are entrained by gas stream through draft tube direct into the bottom of riser pipe. The plug formation experiments with coarse particles (glass beads particle diameter 4.0mm) are conducted with this novel feeder. Plug formation characteristics are investigated by solids mass flowrate, high frequency pressure fluctuations and high-speed camera measurements. Power spectral density analysis is used to characterize frequency distribution of the high frequency pressure fluctuations. The experimental results show that natural plug formation is successfully achieved by the DTF for the superficial gas velocity ug in the range of 4.86 to 10.16m/s. A “particle cloud” is initially formed by particles entrainment effect in the bottom of riser, then its porosity decreases and length increases by further particles entrainment and pickup to form a plug. The solids mass flowrate shows a good linear relation to the gas mass flowrate. The plug length shows to be stochastic in a certain range around 0.11m, which is mainly attributed to the natural plug formation characteristics of the DTF. This study provides a natural plug formation feeder for vertical plug conveying of coarse particles. The feeder might be used for high temperature and/or high pressure operation environment in which high reliability is required. It might also be used to simplify the feeding device for vertical plug conveying of coarse particles.

Resource utilization after implementing a hospital-wide standardized feeding tube placement pathway

Background/purposeChildren requiring gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy tubes (GT/GJ) are heterogeneous and medically complex patients with high resource utilization. We created and implemented a hospital-wide standardized pathway for feeding device placement. This study compares hospital resource utilization before and after pathway implementation. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes through one year of follow-up for consecutive groups of children undergoing GT/GJ placement prepathway (n=298, 1/1/2010–12/31/2011) and postpathway (n=140, 6/1/2013–7/31/2014) implementation. We determined the change in the rate of hospital resource utilization events and time to first event. ResultsPrior to implementation, 145 (48.7%) devices were placed surgically, 113 (37.9%) endoscopically and 40 (13.4%) using image guidance. After implementation, 102 (72.9%) were placed surgically, 23 (16.4%) endoscopically and 15 (10.7%) using image guidance. Prior to implementation, 174/298 (58.4%) patients required additional hospital resource utilization compared to 60/143 (42.0%) corresponding to a multivariate adjusted 38% reduced risk of a subsequent feeding tube related event. ConclusionsCare of tube-feeding dependent patients is spread among multiple specialists leading to variability in the preoperative workup, intraoperative technique and postoperative care. Our study shows an association between implementation of a standardized pathway and a decrease in hospital resource utilization.

PTU-103 How Best to Deliver Enteral Access for Post-Pyloric Home Enteral Tube Feeding? A 2-Year Review

Introduction Home enteral tube feeding (HETF) has grown in the past 2 decades and there is now also a growing demand for post-pyloric HETF (PP-HETF) for selected cases. 1,2 The optimum route for delivering this is not established, with several options available including surgical jejunostomy (SJ), direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ), and PEG with jejunal extension (PEG-J). We have reviewed our experience to help identify comparative outcomes. Methods Choice of feeding device was clinician-led according to indication, surgical and endoscopic risk. A 2 year review was done from Jan 2014 onwards. Patients were included if they were (1) already undergoing PP-HETF as of January 2014 or (2) had an interventional procedure to start PP-HETF at any time thereafter during the study period. Cases were identified from the community dietetic and electronic endoscopy databases. Case files were reviewed to identify outcome measures which were categorised as: Success of planned procedures; longevity of feeding device, premature removal (removal because of sepsis, migration, blockage or accidental), procedural complications or mortality Results 26 patients were identified (M:F 14:12, median age 55, range 22–83). Indications for PP-HETF were learning difficulties with Gastro-oesophgeal(GO) reflux (8), neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular disease with GO reflux (5), upper GI cancers(9) & others (4). Feeding interventions done successfully prior to or during the study period were SJ (10), DPEJ (14), PEG-J (14).Procedural success rates during study period were; SJ; 10/10 (100%), DPEJ;7/11 (64%), PEG-J; 12/13 (92%).Longevity of feeding devices at review census point (in months, median & range) was: SJ, 11 (3–23); DPEJ,18 (3–48); PEG-J, 6 (0.25–23). Tube premature removal rates (and reasons) were: SJ; 3/10 (30%; all fell out), DPEJ; 3/14(21%; 1 accidental, 2 infected), PEG-J; 6/14 (43%; 4 accidental, 2 blocked). There were no procedural complications recorded but one patient (DPEJ) died Conclusion In this case series which includes similar numbers of the common PP-HETF options, SJ had the highest, and DPEJ the lowest, procedure success rate.DPEJ had the highest longevity. Choice of feeding device for PP-HETF will depend on co-morbidity and surgical/ endoscopic risk but when DPEJ can be placed this may be the preferred option for long-term feeding. References 1 Ojo O. Managing patients on enteral feeding tubes in the community. Br J Community Nurs 2010; 15 :S6–S13. 2 Ojo O. The challenges of home enteral tube feeding: a global perspective. Nutrients 2015; 7 (4):2524–2538. doi:10.3390/nu7042524. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Development of High Speed Precision Press and its Development Trends

High speed press is precision mechanical presses, with automatic feeding device, which has automatic, high-speed, precision three basic elements. This paper first describes the characteristics of the different definitions of high-speed presses and the characteristics of the object suitable for processing parts. Then the research status of high speed precision press at home and abroad was analyzed, and the development trend of high-speed precision presses was investigated.

Design and Implementation of Urination Training and Automatic Feeding Device for Pet Based on IOT

Design and Implementation of Urination Training and Automatic Feeding Device for Pet Based on IOT

Development of neonatal feeding devices: A historical excursus

Статья содержит обзор доступной литературы по проблеме приспособлений для кормления детей в период новорожденности. Подробно рассматриваются вопросы дизайна и состава материалов для изготовления детских бутылочек, сосок-пустышек и сосок для детских бутылочек.

High-Speed Thin Layer Coating

The paper presents the results of the studies devoted to justification and development of methods and means of high-speed thin layer coating. It outlines the layer conditions formation, as well as the requirements for the individual components and surfacing installation assemblies. The following equipment items are designed and manufactured for the implementation of the developed coating processes: surfacing rack, feeding device rotating filler, surfacing head-die and others. The paper presents the completely temperature pattern detailed calculation program with differential-difference scheme-line obtained from a combination of explicit and implicit schemes. The mechanical properties, residual stress, fatigue strength, hardness and microstructure of the coating, etc. have been undertaken as well. The paper recommends the technology to restore worn surfaces of the cylindrical parts with little wear and tear (up to 0.3 mm) and to impart special physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured machine parts surfaces.

Caught in the act: phenotypic consequences of a recent shift in feeding strategy of the shark barnacle Anelasma squalicola (Lovén, 1844).

Anelasma squalicola is a barnacle found attached to deep-water lantern sharks of the family Etmopteridae and is the only known cirriped on fish hosts. While A. squalicola is equipped with mouth and thoracic appendages (cirri), which are used for suspension feeding in conventional barnacles, its attachment device (peduncle) appears to have evolved into a feeding device, embedded into the tissue of its host. Here we demonstrate, through comparisons of the feeding apparatuses between A. squalicola and conventional suspension-feeding barnacles, that mouthparts and cirri of A. squalicola are highly reduced, and incapable of suspension-feeding activities. We show that in conventional suspension-feeding barnacles strong symmetries exist within these vital trophic structures. In A. squalicola strong asymmetries are widespread, indicating that those structures have been uncoupled from natural selection. The digestive tract is consistently empty, suggesting that feeding via cirri does not occur in A. squalicola. In addition, comparisons of stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) between A. squalicola, its shark host, and a conventional suspending feeding barnacle indicate that A. squalicola is taking nutrition directly from its host shark and not from the surrounding water. Our results strongly indicate that this barnacle has abandoned suspension feeding and now solely relies on obtaining nutrition from its host by a de novo evolved feeding mechanism.

Fruit Packing Feeding Device Based on the ANSYS Analysis Research

As an agricultural country, China have a large fruit production, the spherical fruits such as apples, oranges were deeply loved by people. At present Chinese fruit export volume is small, mainly because the fruit quality is unable to guarantee the quality of export. The traditional artificial feeding sorting method is of low efficiency and the intensity of labor is heavy. The development of automation at a high speed, automatic feeding and sorting equipment provides a new way of fruit industrialization. Based on the study of spherical fruit’s properties and packing properties, take apple as example, analyzing the loading process of packing with the software of ANSYS, this paper design a batch feeding device.

A Brief History of Feeding Devices for Animals in Operant Conditioning Research from the 1930s to the 1970s

A Brief History of Feeding Devices for Animals in Operant Conditioning Research from the 1930s to the 1970s

Design and optimization of seedling-feeding device for automatic maize transplanter with maize straw seedling-sprouting tray

This research aimed to solve current problems in the process of maize transplanting in China such as large labor intensity, low working efficiency and poor quality. On the basis of the structure of a seedling-sprouting tray made of maize straw and the agronomic requirements of maize production, this study developed a new feeding device for such a sprouting tray, determined the dimensions of the key components in a virtual environment via Solid Edge software and obtained optimal working parameters in combination with Matlab. Some tests on field validation and maize production were conducted as well. The test results showed the importance of the working parameters on an upright degree in descending order (as well as the best working parameters) to be the vertical angle of seedling planting (13.14°), the forward speed of locomotion (0.57 m/s), and the horizontal angle of the seedling box (22.5°). The standard deviation of the field validation was 6.04%, which was within the allowable range to meet the requirements of maize transplanting. Compared with maize transplanting machines (and manual transplanting operations) on the current market, the labor inputs, as well as the rates of spacing and upright degree qualification, omitted planting and the yield using the new feeding device for automatic transplanter with maize straw seedling-sprouting trays increased 0 (6.9%), 0 (3.1%), 0 (4.5%) and 0 (−1.0%), respectively; whereas, the manufacturing cost was reduced by 35.5%. The results can provide a technical basis and reference for subsequent development of automatic transplanters with maize straw seedling-sprouting trays. Keywords: maize, seedling-sprouting tray, automatic maize transplanter, seedling-feeding device, optimization DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150806.1113 Citation: Zhang W, Niu Z J, Li L H, Hou Y R. Design and optimization of seedling-feeding device for automatic maize transplanter with maize straw seedling-sprouting tray. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(6): 1－12.

Nutritional Status and Nutrient Intake Challenges in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

BackgroundNutrition is recognized as a core component of multidisciplinary care for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, but specific nutritional challenges in this population are not well described. We aimed to describe the nutritional status and nutrient intake in children with spinal muscular atrophy. MethodsWe performed a retrospective medical record review of prospectively collected data from children with spinal muscular atrophy followed at a multidisciplinary clinic at a tertiary referral center. We collected data including clinical parameters; anthropometrics, including weight, height, and body mass index (BMI); and 24-hour dietary intake records in all children followed in the clinic. Available data were found in records from the dietitian as part of a standard evaluation process, and additional clinical data were acquired from patient medical records. Subjects were classified based on spinal muscular atrophy type, and nutritional intake data were compared with dietary reference intakes for gender and age. Z-scores were calculated for weight for age (WAZ), height for age, and BMI (BMIZ) using the World Health Organization AnthroPlus software with appropriate World Health Organization reference growth standards. Subjects were classified as malnourished if their WAZ was <−2 or >+2. Anthropometric measurements were obtained at first visit and at a follow-up visit at an average of a 3-year interval between the clinic visits. A decline of more than 0.5 WAZ over this period was defined a priori as significant nutritional deterioration. ResultsWe analyzed data from 60 subjects, 26 (43%) female, with median age 5.5 years (interquartile range 2 years to 12 years). The cohort consisted of children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (28 %), type 2 (45 %), and type 3 (27 %). At the first clinic visit, nine (15%) patients were malnourished. Thirteen (23%) subjects had a significant decline in WAZ from −0.35 (−1.31 to 0.58) to −1.04 (−2.15 to 0.02) at follow-up after approximately 3 years. A third of these subjects were already malnourished at first visit. A significant decline in BMIZ was noted in 47% of the cohort, and the prevalence of severe malnutrition (BMIZ < −3) increased from 2% to 17% after 3 years. In children receiving specialized enteral nutrition via a feeding tube, overfeeding was recorded in 29% and underfeeding was recorded in 35%. Suboptimal vitamin D intake was recorded in 35% of patients with enteral feeding device. ConclusionsMalnutrition was prevalent in children with spinal muscular atrophy, and nearly half the cohort demonstrated nutritional deterioration over time. Energy, protein, and vitamin D intakes were inadequate in a majority of the cohort. Underfeeding was highly prevalent, but overfeeding was also present in a third of the enterally fed cohort. Future studies describing optimal nutrient requirements and body composition variables in this group are required.

Experimental evaluation of hybrid solar still using waste heat

Solar stills are cost-competitive compared to other renewable desalination technologies especially for very small-scale desalination devices. The commercialization of advanced solar stills, which can largely increase productivity, may require simpler design to increase their reliability and maintainability. In this paper, we have designed a multiple-effect diffusion (MED) hybrid solar still with simpler seawater feeding device and dual heat sources of solar thermal energy and waste heat. Performance tests with waste heat were performed with three operational parameters: the amount of heat inputted into the hybrid still, the seawater flow rate to the wick, and the seawater level in the basin. Experimental results show that the productivity of the hybrid still increases linearly with increasing heat input, recording 18.02kg/m2 at 22.37MJ/d. The maximum productivity of distillate was obtained at the lowest seawater level even in the case of the experiment with waste heat source. The maximum performance of the MED solar still is achieved at the operation condition obtaining maximum productivity at the second effect plate, indicating that the MED section of the hybrid solar still plays a more important role than the basin section in the entire performance of the hybrid still.

Endoscopic button gastrostomy: Comparing a sutured endoscopic approach to the current techniques

PurposeButton gastrostomy is the preferred feeding device in children and can be placed open or laparoscopically (LBG). Alternatively, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can be placed initially and exchanged for a button. Endoscopic-assisted button gastrostomy (EBG) combines both techniques, using only one incision and suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall. The long-term outcomes and potential costs for EBG were compared to other techniques. MethodsChildren undergoing EBG, LBG, and PEG (2010–2013) were compared. Patient demographics, procedure duration/complications, and clinic and emergency room (ER) visits for an eight-week follow-up period were compared. ResultsPatient demographics were similar (32 patients/group). Mean procedure time (min) for EBG was 38±9, compared to 58±20 for LBG and 31±10 for PEG (p<0.0001). The most common complications were granulation tissue and infection with a trend toward fewer infections in EBG group. Average number of ER visits was similar, but PEG group had fewer clinic visits. 97% of PEG patients had subsequent visits for exchange to button gastrostomy. ConclusionsEBG is safe and comparable to LBG and PEG in terms of complications. It has a shorter procedure time than LBG and does not require laparoscopy, device exchange, or subsequent fluoroscopic confirmation, potentially reducing costs.

Observation of iron ore beneficiation within a spiral concentrator by positron emission particle tracking of large (Ø=1440 μm) and small (Ø=58 μm) hematite and quartz tracers

This paper presents the results of using positron emission particle tracking to record the trajectories of large (Ø≈1440μm) and small (Ø≈58μm) particles of hematite (S.G.=5.3) and quartz (S.G.=2.7) in a slurry of iron ore (20% solids w/w) flowing in a gravity spiral concentrator. The tracking was undertaken using modular positron emission particle tracking detectors (ECAT 951) assembled and calibrated for this purpose. The tracer particles used were generated by the direct activation of large particles in a cyclotron beam (3He, 35MeV), in the Positron Imaging Centre at the University of Birmingham. These larger particles were then broken and sized to isolate small active particles when required. The behaviour of the valuable and gangue particles in the first two turns of the spiral is presented. The formation and interaction of different bands of similar size/density particles is shown. For small particles, these bands are less defined and can be present at different radial positions on the trough for the same size and density material. Their formation and dispersion is influenced by the flow of the slurry. Part of the large dense hematite particles are shown concentrating toward the inside of the spiral trough while some others are shown remaining in the high flow-speed outer zone outside of a band of large quartz particles. The behaviour in the feed device and first 0.3 turn of the spiral is related to the later separation of some of the large particles and this highlights the effect of the feed radial distribution of the particles on the trough.