Inflatable Bag Research Articles

Numerical Research on Water Tightness of a New Type of Water Stopping Device at the Shield Machine Receiving Shaft

To meet the water stopping requirement of the shield machine receiving shaft, preliminary calculations are carried out on the structural design of a new type of water stopping device. The device is arranged on the inner arc surface of the embedded parts of the inner lining hole ring of the shield machine receiving shaft. By inflating the inflatable bag, the restriction of the limit bending steel plate is overcome, the flap is made to rotate to contact the shield machine shell to fill the gap between the shield machine and the hole ring, and waterproof materials are injected into the grouting pipe to stop leakage and water. For verifying the water stopping effect of the above structures and preparing for the later indoor model test, the numerical research work is mainly carried out on the standard section model. The nonlinear deformation process of the inflatable bag expansion and the contact with the embedded parts of the hole ring, the flap, and other components are analyzed, and the selection and bearing capacities of rubber materials are confirmed, so as to provide reference and guidance for the indoor model test. Combining the calculation results of different working conditions and the results of the indoor model pre-test, it is concluded that the stresses of each component do not exceed the corresponding allowable values, which indicates that the current design of the water stopping device is reasonable and feasible, and can be applied to test research.

Pressure Infusor Assisted Arthrocentesis

Temporomandibular joint internal disorders commonly present with limited mouth opening and pain. Treatment options range from invasive surgical procedures to minimally invasive interventions. This technical note aims to introduce a modification to the arthrocentesis technique in which a pressure infusion cuff (VBM Classic Infusor, Medizintechnik GmbH, Germany) is used for irrigation instead of syringes or peristaltic pumps. A pressure infusion cuff (bag) is an inflatable bag with a hand pump and a sphygmomanometer that allows monitorization of the pressure, and it is intended to apply pressure on I.V. fluid bags to assist with rapid infusion of fluids. This allows the operator to maintain an efficient and stable flow pressure throughout the procedure while avoiding occupational hand and wrist problems resulting from manual irrigation with syringes. Furthermore, pressure monitoring, as read on the sphygmomanometer of the cuff, facilitates the manipulation of the needles and adjustment of the pressure should the patient experiences discomfort. This increases the patient’s compliance, physician’s comfort and allows the collection of quantitative data in clinical studies.

Dynamics Management of Intermediate Water Storage in an Air-Breathing Single-Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly.

In air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (Air PEM FCs), a high rate of water evaporation from the cathode might influence the resistance of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which is highly dependent on the water content of the Nafion membrane. We propose a dead-end hydrogen anode as a means of intermediate storage of water/humidity for self-humidification of the membrane. Such an inflatable bag integrated with a single lightweight MEA FC has the potential in blimp applications for anode self-humidification. A dynamic numerical water balance model, validated by experimental measurements, is derived to predict the effect of MEA configuration, and the membrane's hydration state and water transfer rate at the anode on MEA resistance and performance. The experimental setup included humidity measurements, and polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests to quantify the effect of membrane hydration on its resistance in a lightweight MEA (12 g) integrated with an inflatable dead-end hydrogen storage bag. Varying current densities (5, 10, and 15 mA/cm2) and cathode humidity levels (20, 50, and 80%) were examined and compared with the numerical results. The validated model predicts that the hydration state of the membrane and water transfer rate at the anode can be increased by using a thin membrane and thicker gas diffusion layer.

Trampoline Park Injury Trends.

Trampolines are an important cause of childhood injury and focus of injury prevention. Understanding and prevention of trampoline park injury is constrained by inadequate exposure data to estimate the at-risk population. This study aimed to measure trampoline park injury incidence and time trends using industry data. Cross-sectional study to retrospectively analyze reported injuries and exposure in 18 trampoline parks operating in Australia and the Middle East, from 2017 to 2019. Exposure was derived from ticket sales and expressed as jumper hours. Exposure-adjusted incidence was measured using marginalized 0-inflated Poisson modeling and time trends using Joinpoint regression. There were 13 256 injured trampoline park users reported from 8 387 178 jumper hours; 11% sustained significant injury. Overall, trampoline park injuries occurred at a rate of 1.14 injuries per 1000 jumper hours (95% confidence intervals 1.00 to 1.28), with rates highest for high-performance (2.11/1000 jumper hours, 1.66 to 2.56) and inflatable bag or foam pit (1.91/1000 jumper hours, 1.35 to 2.50) jumping. Significant injuries occurred at a rate of 0.11 injuries per 1000 jumper hours (0.10 to 0.13), with rates highest for high-performance (0.29/1000 jumper hours, 0.23 to 0.36), and parkour (0.22/1000 jumper hours, 0.15 to 0.28) jumping. Overall, injury rates decreased by 0.72%/month (-1.05 to -0.40) over the study period. Trampoline park injuries occur in important numbers with sometimes serious consequences. However, within these safety standard-compliant parks, exposure-adjusted estimates show injuries to be uncommon and injury rates to be declining. Further reductions are required, especially severe injuries, and this study can enhance injury prevention initiatives.

Technical note: Discrete in situ vapor sampling for subsequent lab-based water stable isotope analysis

Abstract. Methodological advancements have been made in in situ observations of water stable isotopes that have provided valuable insights into ecohydrological processes. The continuous measurement capabilities of laser-based analyzers allow for high temporal resolutions and non-destructive minimally invasive study designs of such in situ approaches. However, isotope analyzers are expensive, heavy, and require shelter and access to electrical power, which impedes many in situ assays. Therefore, we developed a new inexpensive technique to collect discrete water vapor samples in the field via diffusion-tight inflatable bags that can later be analyzed in the lab. In a series of structured experiments, we tested different procedural settings, bag materials, and closure types for diffusion tightness during storage as well as for practical handling during filling and extraction. To facilitate reuse of sampling bags, we present a conditioning procedure using ambient air as primer. In order to validate our method, direct measurements through hydrophobic in situ probes were compared to repeated measurements of vapor sampled with our bags from the same source. All steps are summarized in a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP). This procedure represents the preparation and measurement of calibration and validation vapor standards necessary for processing of unknown field-collected vapor samples in the foreseen application. By performing pertinent calibration procedures, accuracy was better than 0.4 ‰ for δ18O and 1.9 ‰ for δ2H after 1 d of storage. Our technique is particularly suitable when used in combination with minimally invasive water vapor sampling in situ probes that have already been employed for soils and tree xylem. It is an important step towards minimally invasive monitoring of stable isotope distributions and also time series in virtually undisturbed soils and trees without the need to have an analyzer in the field. It is therefore a promising tool for many applications in ecohydrology and meteorology.

Foot extension and retraction in the clam Calyptogena okutanii without any Keber's valve: an inflatable fastener bag model.

In order to investigate the foot manipulation of a clam without a Keber's valve, Calyptogena okutanii was examined by light microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The foot chamber was divided into two compartments by a dense muscle fastener zone (FZ) comprising a pedal artery and sinuses in the mid-sagittal plane in between muscles running in the anterior-posterior oblique direction. The distal part of the foot chamber (inflatable fastener bag, IFB) had a loose superficial muscle layer. The proximal part of the foot chamber (visceral reservoir, VR) was covered by a dense superficial muscle layer. The outlet of the VR was connected with the hinge ligament duct, consisting of the hinge ligament, a pair of shells and the pericardium. Based on these anatomical structures, foot extension starts from contraction of muscles in the FZ, so that flow in the FZ is stopped. Then, the superficial muscles of the foot contract, and the pressure of the IFB increases so that the foot can extend. Foot retraction starts from the relaxation of muscles in the FZ so that the hemolymph returns to the VR. The hinge ligament duct allows a constant return flow from the foot chamber to the gills and the heart. The heart rate and the flow in the FZ, which decreased and increased during the foot extension and retraction, respectively, supported this model. In conclusion, the FZ of Calyptogena okutanii could be an alternative to Keber's valve in Anodonta, playing a similar role.

In situ flexural failure of unbonded fibre reinforced shotcrete linings in response to point loading

In shotcrete lining design there are a number of analysis methods available to estimate the ultimate point load resistance. However, little experimental evidence is available to confirm the validity of these estimates. To address this deficit, a series of full-scale load tests were undertaken on macro-synthetic fibre reinforced shotcrete (MSFRS) linings constructed in an underground coal mine in Queensland, and steel fibre reinforced shotcrete (SFRS) linings constructed as part of a tunnel project under construction in Sydney, Australia. Areas of lining were tested to destruction to identify the point load resistance. All the tests reported in this paper involved predominantly flexural failure of the shotcrete lining.The tests comprised regions of ∼70–100 mm thick FRS lining with bolts placed orthogonally at ∼1000–2500 mm centres. Load was applied using an inflatable lifting bag with a load capacity of about 500kN and maximum displacement capacity of 150 mm. Although the FRS used in the trials displayed post-crack strain-softening behaviour in accompanying ASTM C1550 tests, all the in situ tests resulted in strain-hardening behaviour with no evidence of a dip in load resistance upon cracking of the concrete matrix. The peak load resistance was many times greater than the load resistance measured at first crack, which was confirmed with numerical and analytical modelling. Substantial post-peak ductility was noted in all the tests.

Effects of Edible Coating and Modified Atmosphere Technology on the Physiology and Quality of Mangoes after Low-Temperature Transportation at 13 °C in Vibration Mitigation Packaging.

The mango is an important tropical fruit in the world, but it is easily perishable after harvest. In order to investigate the effect of the compound preservation technology on the physiology and quality of mangoes during transportation and storage, mangoes were treated with different packaging and preservation methods. All mangoes were subjected to simulated transportation by a vibration table for 24 h (180 r/min, 13 °C), and stored at 13 °C. The changes in the color, physicochemical characteristics, quality, and antioxidant-related enzymes of the mangoes were measured. The results show that the shelf life of inflatable bag packing (CK) was only 24 d, while the other treatments could be 30 d. The inflatable bag packing with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatment (HPM) had the lowest yellowing degree (12.5%), disease index (34.4%), and mass loss (2.95%), at 30 d. Compared with the CK, the compound treatment containing MAP prolonged the peak respiration of the mangoes by 6 d and suppressed the increase in the total soluble solids and relative conductivity. Meanwhile, the HPM could effectively maintain moisture content, firmness, titratable acid, vitamin C, and the peroxidase and superoxide dismutase content, indicating that the treatment could maintain the better quality and antioxidation ability of mangoes. In summary, the MAP compound treatment better maintained the commercial characteristics of the mangoes, followed by the edible coating compound treatment. The results provide a theoretical reference for mango cushioning packaging and postharvest storage technology.

Technical note: Unresolved aspects of the direct vapor equilibration method for stable isotope analysis (<i>δ</i><sup>18</sup>O, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) of matrix-bound water: unifying protocols through empirical and mathematical scrutiny

Abstract. The direct vapor equilibration laser spectrometry (DVE-LS) method has been developed for obtaining matrix-bound water stable isotope data in soils, the critical zone, and bedrock, deriving therefrom subsurface water flow and transport processes and, ultimately, characterizing, for example, groundwater recharge and vulnerability. Recently, DVE-LS has been increasingly adopted due to its possible high sample throughput, relative simplicity, and cost-efficiency. However, this has come at the cost of a non-unified standard operation protocol (SOP), and several contradictory suggestions regarding protocol details do exist which have not been resolved to date. Particularly, sample container material and equilibration times have not yet been agreed upon. Beside practical constraints, this often limits DVE-LS applicability to interpreting relative isotope dynamics instead of absolute values. It also prevents data comparability among studies or laboratories, and several previous comparisons of DVE-LS with other, more traditional approaches of water extraction and subsequent stable isotope analysis yielded significant discrepancies for various sample matrices and physical states. In a series of empirical tests, we scrutinized the controversial DVE-LS protocol details. Specifically, we tested 10 different easily available and cost-efficient inflatable bags previously employed or potentially suitable for DVE-LS sample collection and equilibration. In storage tests similar to the DVE-LS equilibration process but lasting several weeks, we quickly found heat-sealed bags made of laminated aluminum (Al) sheets to be superior by several orders of magnitude over more frequently used freezer bags in terms of evaporation safety and accompanying adverse isotope effects. For the first time, Al-laminated bags allow the applied equilibration time to be adapted exclusively to sample requirements instead of accepting reduced data quality in a trade-off with material shortcomings. Based on detailed physical considerations, we further describe how to calculate the minimum available container headspace and sample-contained liquid water volume and how their ratio affects analytical precision and accuracy. We are confident that these guidelines will expand DVE-LS applicability and improve data quality and comparability among studies and laboratories by contributing to a more unified, physically well-founded SOP based on more appropriate components.

HF02-07 IN TURP-ETUITY? HISTORICAL TREATMENTS FOR BPH AND CONSIDERATION OF THEIR MODERN-DAY ANALOGUES

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology Forum II (HF02)1 Sep 2021HF02-07 IN TURP-ETUITY? HISTORICAL TREATMENTS FOR BPH AND CONSIDERATION OF THEIR MODERN-DAY ANALOGUES Dylan Buller, and Keith O'Brien Dylan BullerDylan Buller More articles by this author , and Keith O'BrienKeith O'Brien More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000001993.07AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The enlarged prostate has long been a target of surgical intervention. While procedures such as simple prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate have found durability over the past hundred years, attempts at novel approaches to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been trialed for centuries. Similarities can be found between abandoned historical methods and modern-day interventions. METHODS: Primary and secondary sources of both historical and modern-day procedures for BPH surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Obstructive urinary symptoms in the aging male have been recognized for millennia. In 1575, Paré’s transurethral punch device was employed to remove obstructing urethral tissue. Remarkably, this was 75 years before Jean Riolan the Younger identified the prostate as the culprit in urinary obstruction. Although largely forgotten over the next 300 years, the prostatic punch re-emerged at the hands of famed urologic pioneer Hugh Hampton Young in 1909. In the early 1800s, Syng devised a sound that included an inflatable bag at its tip; upon insertion, the bag was inflated in an attempt to dilate the prostatic urethra. This procedure was abandoned due to poor patient tolerability and lack of effect–that is, until the introduction and subsequent abandonment of ‘transurethral balloon dilation of the prostate’ at the end of the 20th century. The ‘transurethral implantable nitinol device,’ a newly introduced procedure, is predicated on similar foundational concepts. In the 1890s, Bier and Meyer reported on bilateral internal iliac artery ligation as a method for shrinking the enlarged prostate. Alas, Meyer’s first attempt necessitated extensive small bowel resection, and his patient ultimately died. Indeed, advocates of prostate artery embolization, which emerged at the turn of the 21st century, may feel heartened by the minimally invasive access employed by this modern analogue. Fortunately, not all historical techniques have been revisited. White introduced orchiectomy for BPH in 1893, and in 1896, Cabot reported that 84% of castrated BPH patients experienced symptomatic improvement. Literature was also published on the successful treatment of BPH with vasectomy; this, too, was abandoned in the early 1900s. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to relieve urinary obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate have made great advancements in efficacy and safety. Nonetheless, many modern techniques have foundations in historical practices. Early reports of success do not necessarily confer durability of effects or longstanding usage in practice. Source of Funding: None © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e239-e239 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Dylan Buller More articles by this author Keith O'Brien More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...

Modified Unipolar Latissimus Transfer to Restore Elbow Flexion in Musculocutaneous Nerve Palsy

Modified Unipolar Latissimus Transfer to Restore Elbow Flexion in Musculocutaneous Nerve Palsy

Buoyancy Amid the Pandemic: Resilience in Rough Waters

Buoyancy Amid the Pandemic: Resilience in Rough Waters

Correction to: The Therapy of Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes.

The third paragraph in the left column of page 256 of the article pertaining to the treatment of congenital choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) deficiency states that "Because apneic attacks occur suddenly in infants and children, the parents should be provided with an inflatable rescue bag."

Design and Development of Depth Activated Inflatable Recovery System for Undersea Towed Sensor Arrays

A typical towed sensor arraywet-end system consists of electro optic-mechanical tow cables, active transmitter unit and towed sensor array modules followed by a tail rope at the aft-end. The sensor array and cables are designed to withstand harsh marine environment and hydrodynamic forces experienced due to waves and currents during operation. Nevertheless, the strength member termination in the tow cable and array are vulnerable to failure due to dynamic loading during repeated deployment and retrieval operations.To prevent the loss of cable and array in such cases, a recovery system is required. In this paper, the design of a Depth Activated Inflatable Recovery System for undersea towed sensor arrays is presented. The envisaged system is a cylindrical, flexible module with similar diameter as the sensor array module and maximum length of 10 m which can be mechanically attached to the aft-end of the towed array. The system consists of a pressure switch, which gets activated as the detached array sinks and reaches a pre-set depth of 250 m. This completes an electrical circuit connected to a power source through which high current passes to an electro-explosive pyro-cartridge and activates it. This generates enough force to push a piston mechanism which punctures a CO2 cylinder. The CO2 gas fills into an inflatable bag. Multiple numbers of such inflatable bags, when opened, will provide sufficient buoyancy for array to move up to the surface. The paper discusses the design methodology, development, assembly and testing of various sub-systems, challenges faced and innovative solutions implemented for realizing an effective Recovery System.

Application of tidal energy for purification in fresh water lake

In order to preserve the quality of fresh water in the artificial lake after the reclamation of an intertidal flat at the mouth of a river, we suggest two novel methods of water purification by using tidal potential energy and an enclosed permeable embankment called an utsuro (Akai et al., 1990) in the reclaimed region. One method uses an inflatable bag on the seabed within an utsuro, while the other uses a moored floating barge out of a dyke. Each case employs a subsea pipe to allow flow between the inside and outside of the utsuro. The change in water level in the utsuro, which is pushed through the pipe by the potential energy outside, caused circulation in the artificial lake. In this paper, we analyzed the inflatable bag and floating barge motion as well as the pipe flow characteristics and drafts as given by a harmonic sea level, and compared the theoretical value with an experimental value with a simple small model basin. The numerical calculation based on theory showed good agreement with experimental values.

971 Does Post-Procedure Esophagogastric Junction (EGJ) Distensibility Predict Treatment Success in Newly Diagnosed Achalasia Patients?

Introduction: Although initial treatment success rates with pneumatic dilation in achalasia are high, recurrences may occur in more than 50% of patients. Identification of patients in need of re-treatment may be difficult as they are accustomed to a certain level of discomfort. LES pressure ≥10mmHg is considered as an indication for additional therapy but several studies reported a significant proportion of patients with persistent symptoms and low or absent LES pressure. We aimed to study whether post-procedure assessment of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility can predict treatment success in newly diagnosed achalasia patients. Methods: Eighteen newly diagnosed achalasia patients (10 male, mean age 47.9, range 19-75) underwent 2 pneumatic dilations (PD) with 30and 35mm balloons separated by 1 week. Before and after the 30mm dilation, EGJ distensibility was measured using an endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP). Using an EndoFLIP probe with an inflatable bag, EGJ distensibility (cross-sectional area of the diaphragmatic hiatus (CSA)/ pressure within bag during distensions; mm2/mmHg) was measured with 20-, 30-, 40and 50ml distensions. After 3 months patients were assessed by esophageal manometry and with validated symptom questionnaires to determine the Eckardt score, with a score ,4 indicating treatment success. Results: Mean post-procedure EGJ distensibility increased at the 20-, 30, 40and 50ml distention volumes (p,0.05) (Table 1). According to the Eckardt score at 3 months after treatment, 14 out of 18 achalasia patients (77.8%) were considered as having treatment success; treatment failures (n=4) underwent an additional PD with the 40mm balloon. Post-procedure EGJ distensibility of successfully treated patients at 40 and 50ml distention volumes were not significantly higher than in treatment failures (40ml: 3.1±0.5 vs. 2.6±1.2, p=0.69; 50ml: 4.7±0.7 vs. 2.8±1.2, p=0.20). At 3 months after treatment, LES pressure of successfully treated patients was lower than in treatment failures (11±1 vs. 36±12, p=0.13) and a good correlation was found between LES pressure and symptom scores (r=0.88, p,0.001). Post-procedure EGJ distensibility at 40 and 50ml distention volumes correlated poorly with symptom scores at 3 months (40ml: r=-0.10, p=0.70; 50ml: r=-0.26, p=0.37) and modestly with LES-pressure (40ml: r=-0.32, p=0.24; 50ml: r=-0.55, p=0.05). Conclusion: Post-procedure Esophagogastric Junction (EGJ) Distensibility of newly diagnosed achalasia patients improves after pneumatic dilation but is not associated with treatment success after 3 months as compared with symptom scores and LES pressure. Mean EGJ distensibility during volume distentions

Use of an Inflatable Pressure Bag Bump for Medial and Lateral Operative Approaches to the Lower Leg

Level of Evidence: V, Expert Opinion

Shape and cost analysis of pressurized fabric structures for subsea compressed air energy storage

In this article, three different methods are presented for finding the deformed shape of pressurized fabric structures underwater. The methods are used here to analyse the shape and cost of ‘energy bags’, inflatable bags that can be anchored to the seabed and used for subsea compressed air energy storage. First, a system of coupled ordinary differential equations is derived which can be solved to find the shape of an inextensible axisymmetric membrane. Then finite-element analysis (FEA) of an axisymmetric natural shape bag is carried out using cable elements, giving the deformed shape of an extensible axisymmetric membrane. Finally, a full three-dimensional FEA is presented which includes cable and membrane elements. A simple optimization is also used to minimize the cost per unit of energy stored in an axisymmetric natural shape energy bag, and it is shown that if only materials costs are taken into account, the cost of surface is approximately equal to the cost of meridional reinforcement in the optimum-sized bag.

A new, rapid, and promising approach to aerosol immunization: Inflatable bags and valved masks

Booster doses of MMR vaccine equal in dosage to injected doses were aerosolized into a 3/4 l bag that inflated in 4 s. The bag was then attached to valved masks, and its contents rapidly inhaled in one or two deep breaths by preschool Mexican children. Antibody responses in the children exposed to the aerosolized measles component were superior to those noted after injection, while responses to the mumps and rubella components were equivalent. The new method appears to be effective, safe, and has several advantages over previously used methods. Further explorations of the approach seem merited.

Inflatable pressure bags to aid in positioning of patients

Neck extension is crucial in many head and neck operations, and particularly so in cases requiring thyroidectomy or tracheostomy. Correct positioning of the patient provides optimal exposure of the neck and cephalad movement of the thyroid isthmus,1 which facilitate surgical access. Traditionally a shoulder support in the form of a sandbag2 has been used, but whilst this is effective, it is usually placed when the patient is already on the operating table, and requires ancillary staff to reposition the patient.