Infusion Technology Research Articles

A new cost-saving vacuum infusion process for fiber-reinforced composites: Pulsed infusion

A new innovative infusion technology, pulsed infusion, has been developed for the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced thermoset-based composites. Pulsed infusion is a double-bag vacuum infusion process that is based on the use of a proper designed reusable pressure distributor and able to better control the vacuum pressure in pulsed way. Thus, the transverse resin flow through the dry fiber reinforcement is promoted and a better adhesion between the resin and the fibers is achieved. The new process allows to obtain laminates with the same fiber volume fraction and tensile properties of those produced by conventional infusion technologies. An average increase up to 9% for the flexural modulus and up to 24% for flexural strength has been assessed for pulse-manufactured composites compared to traditional vacuum infusion ones. Furthermore, due to a minor consumption of resin and the absence of the distribution net, pulse infusion provides a material cost-saving advantage around 19% and a significant waste reduction.

Tu1264 Could Target Controlled Infusion Technology (TCI) Facilitate Access to Propofol Sedation by Gastroenterologist? Preliminary Results of a Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial

the author during January-April 2012. Peristaltic movement was judged by observation in the antrum of the stomach for 20 min (none, mild, and severe: severe indicates peristalsis involving the pylorus). Next, 20 mL of the l-menthol preparation was dispersed on the antrum, and observations were conducted again for 20 min to evaluate the inhibitory effect on peristalsis and the effect on tumor identification (whether tumors are found after dispersion of the l-menthol preparation). In addition, the efficacy in borderline determination was evaluated by dispersing the l-menthol preparation on tumors when borderline determination was difficult in cases where tumors had already been diagnosed. Results: Patients were 66.7 years of age on average (27-88), and the male:female ratio was 81:43. The background gastric mucosa consisted of 78.2% atrophic gastritis, 46.8% before/after the treatment of malignant gastric tumors (58/124; 39 after gastric cancer ESD/EMR, 9 before the treatment of gastric cancer, 9 after the treatment of gastric MALT lymphoma, and 1 during chemotherapy of gastric cancer). Peristaltic movement after the dispersion of the l-menthol preparation was: 37.1% none, 13.7% mild, and 49.2% severe. The inhibitory effect on peristalsis after dispersion was: total inhibition in 49.2%, partial inhibition in 6.5%, originally no peristalsis (none) in 37.1%, and no effect in 7.3%. The scope passed through the pyloric ring smoothly in 94.4%. In addition, peristalsis was inhibited completely after the dispersion of the l-menthol preparation in 77.0% of patients with severe peristalsis (47/61). Tumors were newly found in two cases in the antrum after dispersion (0-IIc tub1 and 0-IIa-like adenoma). Moreover, the author experienced three cases (2 corpus IIc and 1 antrum IIc) in which the borderline was clarified by dispersion of the preparation directly on the tumor when it was difficult to determine the borderline of tumors. Conclusion: The lmenthol preparation was effective not only for the inhibition of gastric peristalsis but also for identification and borderline determination of gastric tumors. Presumably, it is also superior because of its simplicity and convenience. It requires no highlighting of imaging such as those for NBI or magnification.

Military medical revolution

Abstract : The battlefield has seen tremendous revolutions in military medical affairs (RMMAs) as a result of the last decade of continuous combat operations. The advances in deployed and en route combat casualty care are categorized as individual RMMAs shown in Table 1. As with prehospital advances, the basis for many of the RMMAs in the deployed hospital care environment as well as en route care was translated from civilian trauma practice but is realistic and relevant to the battlefield context. As the conflict evolved, the substantive data from the battlefield led to many new paradigms of treatment and evacuation. The successful implementation of many of these battlefield practices was then effectively translated back into the civilian injury care environment as has been typical of medical advances developed subsequent to previous conflicts of antiquity. The RMMAs that occurred during the last 10 years of combat casualty care are in the realm of deployed hospital care and en route care and are discussed in detail in this article.

What's the Prognosis? Making Infusion Systems Safer

<i>What's the Prognosis?</i> Making Infusion Systems Safer

Construction and characterization of a PDCD5 recombinant lentivirus vector and its expression in tumor cells

The function and mechanism of the programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) gene is not completely understood, so it is necessary to build a stable and efficient PDCD5 recombinant lentiviral expression vector. The coding region of the PDCD5 gene was PCR amplified from pCMV-SPORT6. Next, the PDCD5 fragment and the pGC-FU vector were digested with the restriction enzyme AgeI and ligated by in-Fusion technology to build the pGC-FU-PDCD5 plasmid. Competent E. coli DH5α cells were transformed and positive clones were identified by PCR. The PCR products were digested and sequenced. After sequencing, positive clones were selected to grow and propagate. The pGC-FU-PDCD5 plasmid DNA was purified and mixed with the pHelper1.0 and pHelper2.0 packaging plasmids. They were co-transfected into 293T cells. The viral titer was measured by real-time PCR. The expression of GFP and PDCD5 was detected by both Western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the A498, ACHN, HCT116 and LoVo tumor cell lines were transfected with the virus supernatant, and PDCD5 expression was detected in these cells. The constructed pGC-FU-PDCD5 plasmid contained the correct PDCD5 gene sequence. Strong green fluorescence in both the cytoplasm and cell membrane was observed following transfection with purified pGC-FU-PDCD5 into 293T cells. The transfection rate was greater than 95%, and the expression of the PDCD5-GFP fusion protein was confirmed by Western blotting. The titer of the recombinant PDCD5 lentiviral condensed supernatant was measured to be 2 x 10(9) Tu/ml. The transfection efficiencies of A498, ACHN and HCT116 cells were greater than 90%. However, transfection efficiency of LoVo cells was lower but still greater than 70%. The PDCD5-GFP fusion protein was stable in these transfected tumor cells, as detected by Western blotting. In conclusion, a PDCD5 recombinant lentiviral vector was successfully constructed, and high expression of the plasmid was observed in tumor cells.

Design and Testing of Sandwich Structures with Different Core Materials

The purpose of this study was to design a light-weight sandwich panel for trailers. Strength calculations and selection of different materials were carried out in order to find a new solution for this specific application. The sandwich materials were fabricated using vacuum infusion technology. The different types of sandwich composite panels were tested in 4-point bending conditions according to ASTM C393/C393M. Virtual testing was performed by use of ANSYS software to simplify the core material selection process and to design the layers. 2D Finite element analysis (FEA) of 4-point bending was made with ANSYS APDL (Classic) software. Data for the FEA was obtained from the tensile tests of glass fiber plastic (GFRP) laminates. Virtual 2D results were compared with real 4-point bending tests. 3D FEA was applied to virtually test the selected sandwich structure in real working conditions. Based on FEA results the Pareto optimality concept has been applied and optimal solutions determined.

Understanding infusion administration in the ICU through Distributed Cognition

To understand how healthcare technologies are used in practice and evaluate them, researchers have argued for adopting the theoretical framework of Distributed Cognition (DC). This paper describes the methods and results of a study in which a DC methodology, Distributed Cognition for Teamwork (DiCoT), was applied to study the use of infusion pumps by nurses in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Data was gathered through ethnographic observations and interviews. Data analysis consisted of constructing the representational models of DiCoT, focusing on information flows, physical layouts, social structures and artefacts. The findings show that there is significant distribution of cognition in the ICU: socially, among nurses; physically, through the material environment; and through technological artefacts. The DiCoT methodology facilitated the identification of potential improvements that could increase the safety and efficiency of nurses’ interactions with infusion technology.

Sound Insulation Provided by PET Fabric/PVC Composite Materials

Single layer PET Fabric/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite materials and double layers PET fabric/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite materials with super thin thickness, lightweight, flexible and high strength were manufactured by means of the infusion technology under normal pressure. The sound insulation performance of these novel materials was evaluated with a two-channel acoustic analyzer. The structure and mechanical properties were investigated by mechanical tests and SEM observation. The results show that for the small surface density the double layers composite has better sound insulation performance than that of the single one. But with increment of surface density, the difference between them becomes small, and for the surface density larger than 1.3kg/m2, the sound insulation performance becomes inverse on layers, i.e., the single layer composite has better sound insulation performance than that of double layers one. Therefore, difference structures of composites can be developed based on sound wave features.

Sound Insulation Provided by PET Fabric/PVC Composite Materials

Single layer PET Fabric/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite materials and double layers PET fabric/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite materials with super thin thickness, lightweight, flexible and high strength were manufactured by means of the infusion technology under normal pressure. The sound insulation performance of these novel materials was evaluated with a two-channel acoustic analyzer. The structure and mechanical properties were investigated by mechanical tests and SEM observation. The results show that for the small surface density the double layers composite has better sound insulation performance than that of the single one. But with increment of surface density, the difference between them becomes small, and for the surface density larger than 1.3kg/m2, the sound insulation performance becomes inverse on layers, i.e., the single layer composite has better sound insulation performance than that of double layers one. Therefore, difference structures of composites can be developed based on sound wave features.

Application of affusion in Coal for Dust Control

The situation of infusion in coal seam technology at home and abroad, the effect of dust control for every aspect in mining, and the mechanism of coal seam water infusion in micro and macro have been described in detail. The influence of capillary and molecular diffusion movement in coal group should be noticed. Combined with the practice of light-weight top coal caving mining in local and analysis on the technology of infusion in seam, some detail research on the effect of decreasing dust has been done. The control of water infusion quantity, drilling spacing and the length of hole sealing have got appropriate data for further research. The appropriate parameters of water infusion process provide basis for the following research and production.

A PCSK9-binding antibody that structurally mimics the EGF(A) domain of LDL-receptor reduces LDL cholesterol in vivo1[S

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates LDL cholesterol levels by inhibiting LDL receptor (LDLr)-mediated cellular LDL uptake. We have identified a fragment antigen-binding (Fab) 1D05 which binds PCSK9 with nanomolar affinity. The fully human antibody 1D05-IgG2 completely blocks the inhibitory effects of wild-type PCSK9 and two gain-of-function human PCSK9 mutants, S127R and D374Y. The crystal structure of 1D05-Fab bound to PCSK9 reveals that 1D05-Fab binds to an epitope on the PCSK9 catalytic domain which includes the entire LDLr EGF(A) binding site. Notably, the 1D05-Fab CDR-H3 and CDR-H2 loops structurally mimic the EGF(A) domain of LDLr. In a transgenic mouse model (CETP/LDLr-hemi), in which plasma lipid and PCSK9 profiles are comparable to those of humans, 1D05-IgG2 reduces plasma LDL cholesterol to 40% and raises hepatic LDLr protein levels approximately fivefold. Similarly, in healthy rhesus monkeys, 1D05-IgG2 effectively reduced LDL cholesterol 20%-50% for over 2 weeks, despite its relatively short terminal half-life (t(1/2) = 3.2 days). Importantly, the decrease in circulating LDL cholesterol corresponds closely to the reduction in free PCSK9 levels. Together these results clearly demonstrate that the LDL-lowering effect of the neutralizing anti-PCSK9 1D05-IgG2 antibody is mediated by reducing the amount of PCSK9 that can bind to the LDLr.

Pathology in Continuous Infusion Studies in Rodents andNon-Rodents and ITO (Infusion Technology Organisation)-Recommended Protocol for Tissue Sampling and Terminology for Procedure-Related Lesions

Many variables may affect the outcome of continuous infusion studies. The results largely depend on the experience of the laboratory performing these studies, the technical equipment used, the choice of blood vessels and hence the surgical technique as well the quality of pathological evaluation. The latter is of major interest due to the fact that the pathologist is not involved until necropsy in most cases, i.e. not dealing with the complicated surgical or in-life procedures of this study type. The technique of tissue sampling during necropsy and the histology processing procedures may influence the tissues presented for evaluation, hence the pathologist may be a source of misinterpretation. Therefore, ITO proposes a tissue sampling procedure and a standard nomenclature for pathological lesions for all sites and tissues in contact with the port-access and/or catheter system.

Telemonitoring of home infusion technology

Background: The specialized registered nurses working in the technologic homecare team of our organization are highly qualified in technical nursing. One component of their job is the intravenous administration of medication to patients in their own home by using an infusion pump. In a hospital setting you can ask a colleague nurse to check the installation of the pump and the dose of medication. In the home situation of a patient this is not possible. The Inspection for Healthcare in the Netherlands has mentioned this problem in a report about home infusion technology, for the absence of a double check means a higher risk of making mistakes. This was a motivation to look for a safe solution for this problem by using telemonitoring. Method: To conceive this method we found an enthusiastic technical installation company (Focus Cura) to develop a portable telemonitoring device which can film and record. The device allows a colleague to receive the recorded pictures at the same time at another location. After editing a list of requirements made together with the team of specialized nurses, Focus Cura made the first prototype of a portable suitcase with all the equipment. Four different methods of receiving the images have been examined. Result: The result is a portable suitcase with a camera that makes high quality video images, which are sent by a safe and protected connection to the notebook of a colleague at another location in the region. We have developed a protocol which describes the use of telemonitoring to aid home infusion technology. Conclusion: Thus, specialized nurses working in an area of about 100 kilometres (62 miles) can reach each other in order of a safe doublecheck. A simple method which improves the safety of the patient and professional.

Implementation of intelligent infusion technology in a multihospital setting

The current medication-use process encompasses several steps1; however, the administration step is the most vulnerable for errors, excluding wrong-time errors, reported at a rate of 11% in hospitals.2 High-risk i.v. medications with narrow safety margins (i.e., “high-alert” medications) are associated with a large potential for patient harm.3,4 Of the seven goals identified in the 2004 National Patient Safety Goals of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, five relate to medication administration.5 These goals may be positively affected by implementing an intelligent infusion system, but only if a high rate of compliance is achieved. For example, the third goal is to improve safety when high-alert medications are used. The other goals relate to improving the safety of infusion pumps and the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems, which include infusion pump alarms. We describe the successful implementation of wireless intelligent pump technology across a five-hospital system and focus on the strategies used to achieve a high compliance rate with safety software, as well as specific results in intercepting medication administration errors.

The impact of traditional and smart pump infusion technology on nurse medication administration performance in a simulated inpatient unit

ObjectiveAssess the impact of infusion pump technologies (traditional pump vs smart pump vs smart pump with barcode) on nurses' ability to safely administer intravenous medications.DesignExperimental study with a repeated measures...

A New Approach in the Design of High‐Risk Infusion Technology

The syringe infusion pump has been established as the instrument of choice for high‐risk infusions, where potent drugs are often delivered at low rates of flow. However, numerous instances of unexpected flow error with consequent patient physiological impact have been reported. These include unwanted bolus delivery on release of line occlusion, dosage fluctuation due to pump height change and fluid reflux within the multiple pump installations now common in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This article examines the performance of a typical ICU syringe infusion pump and identifies mechanical compliance, inherent in commercial designs, as a source of flow error that should not be ignored by equipment designers. A prototype low compliance system is described and tested with performance compared to the conventional design, demonstrating advantages in terms of lower flow error.

Successful Implementation of Intelligent Infusion Technology in a Multihospital Setting

Complexities of today's medications and greater use of high-risk medications place the patient at an increased risk for nursing errors. The purpose of this case report is to present, from a nursing perspective, the successful experience of a multihospital healthcare system's quest to decrease or eliminate medication administration errors through implementation of intelligent pumps. This case report focuses on the vital role that nursing services played, including the selection of pumps, development of the drug library, education of end users, and strategies employed to achieve a high compliance rate. Also described are the ongoing educational efforts, lessons learned, and specific results in intercepting significant medication administration errors.

Is There Still a Role for Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition?

Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) is often viewed as the stepchild of parenteral nutrition (PN) infused via a central venous catheter. Anecdotal reports suggest that there has been increased interest in PPN in the United States and even more so in Europe because of improvements in catheter design and infusion technology, both of which have the potential to decrease complications such as infusion phlebitis. PPN, like PN via a central venous catheter, contains dextrose, amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, but in more limited capacity. One of the perceived benefits of PPN is the relative ease in establishing peripheral access, which may prevent delays in establishing nutrition support. PPN is intended for short-term use or supplementation. In most instances, it is used to maintain a previously well-nourished, nonhypermetabolic patient or to serve as a bridge to centrally administered infusions or enteral feedings until more suitable nutrition can be provided. In some cases, inappropriate use may result in infusion phlebitis or inadequate nutrient intake. Conflicting recommendations from various organizations further complicate and confuse prescribers. The intent of this review is to discuss PPN and the challenges its use presents to the practitioner.

Fiber optic sensors for monitoring flow in vacuum enhanced resin infusion technology (VERITy) process

Today, with cost becoming a very important factor, alternate processes for manufacturing composite structures, wherein the cost can be reduced but having similar properties to prepreg systems are being explored. National Aerospace Laboratories, India is developing the VERITy process, which is essentially a hybridization of the VARTM and the autoclave moulding process. One of the concerns in this process, especially when making large integrated co-cured structures with varying thickness, is the knowledge of the resin flow front location at all times. A network of flow-sensors, which could provide information on the flow front location, would be very useful. This paper discusses the experimental studies carried out towards the development of a flow-sensor in the optical domain to determine the presence of resin qualitatively. Three different approaches have been attempted to detect the arrival of the resin flow front and these results are presented.

Custom-built with infusion technology

Florida-based boat builder Magnum Marine's new Magnum 70 was custom-built in collaboration with Composites One, Vectorply and SP. Dan Chamberlain, Technical Sales, Gurit, Canada, reports.