Male Connector Research Articles

Automated Capsular Decompression to Avoid Argentinian Flag Sign in Intumescent Cataract.

We describe an alternative automated technique that consists of simultaneous anterior capsule puncture and decompression of the capsular bag by using an insulin needle attached to the aspiration tubing of the phacoemulsification device to prevent the occurrence of the "Argentinian Flag sign" during capsulorhexis in intumescent cataract. Instituto de Olhos de Assis and Center of Specialties Hoftalmed, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Prospective interventional study. Eighty-eight eyes of 88 patients with white or intumescent cataracts were included in this study. Routine clear cornea incision, capsule staining with trypan blue, intracameral anesthesia, and ophthalmic viscoelastic device were used before the procedure. A 26-gauge needle was connected to the phacoemulsification aspiration tubing using a double male Luer connector for irrigation, and aspiration was inserted into the anterior chamber through a new paracentesis incision with the bevel facing down. Immediately after insertion, automated aspiration of the liquefied cortex was performed to remove anterior intralenticular material and achieve capsular decompression. Compression of the nucleus with the needle tip was performed to remove any liquefied material trapped between the posterior surface of the nucleus and the posterior capsule. All surgeries were performed using the same phacoemulsification and parameters. The rate of complete continuous capsulorhexis was observed and noted. No complications were observed in any of the cases. A single-stage, continuous, and well-centered capsulorhexis was achieved in 100% of cases. We conclude that a simultaneous puncture and decompression of the capsular bag using an insulin needle attached to the aspiration tubing of the phacoemulsification machine effectively avoided the "Argentinian Flag sign" in intumescent cataract surgery.

Critical Study on the Tube-to-Chip Luer Slip Connectors.

Luer slip is one of the gold standards for chip-to-world interface in microfluidics. They have outstanding mechanical and operational robustness in a broad range of applications using water and solvent-based liquids. Still, their main drawbacks are related to their size: they have relatively large dead volumes and require a significant footprint to assure a leak-free performance. Such aspects make their integration in systems with high microchannel density challenging. To date, there has been no geometrical optimization of the Luer slips to provide a solution to the mentioned drawbacks. This work aims to provide the rules toward downscaling the Luer slips. To this effect, seven variations of the Luer slip male connectors and five variations of Luer slip female connectors have been designed and manufactured focusing on the reduction of the size of connectors and minimization of the dead volumes. In all cases, female connectors have been developed to pair with the corresponding male connector. Characterization has been performed with a tailor-made test bench in which the closure force between male and female connectors has been varied between 7.9 and 55 N. For each applied closure force, the test bench allows liquid pressures to be tested between 0.5 and 2.0 bar. Finally, the analysis of a useful life determines the number of cycles that the connectors can withstand before leakage.

Assessing dosing errors in legacy and low dose tip ENFit® syringes.

To avoid misconnections between different medical devices, a unique standardized design of connectors (ENFit® ) for enteral medical devices has been developed. It was expected that the syringes with these connectors will replace the pre-existing syringes, henceforth referred to as legacy syringes. However, the changes in the connector's design led to concerns regarding dosing errors for low volume syringes (≤2ml). Therefore, novel low dose tip (LDT) syringes were designed to address these concerns. These LDT syringes can connect with the standardized ENFit® male connectors. Only a few studies have investigated dosing errors, and findings have largely been mixed. The objective of this report was to calculate the contributions of unavoidable dosing errors for LDT syringes, compare with legacy syringes and to suggest strategies to optimize dose accuracy for enteral applications. Studies performed with a limited number of syringes to date may not reflect the actual diversity of dosing error that can occur across syringe orientations, batches, manufacturers, medications, etc. A computer-aided design software SolidWorks® was used to calculate the dosing errors in 0.5 and 1.0ml legacy syringe connectors and were compared with dosing errors in LDT syringe connectors with the same nominal volume. Influence of orientation during delivery, spillage and flushing on dosing error was also investigated. For 0.5 and 1.0ml LDT syringes, in absence of medication in the moat area, the maximum dosing error will be ±5% when delivering 100% of nominal volume, which is also equal to the dosing error in 0.5 and 1.0ml slip tip legacy syringes. However, with medication present in moat area, and with syringe reused during flushing, the LDT dosing error can range from 1% to 18% and 28% to 35% for 1.0 and 0.5ml syringes, respectively. The corresponding dosing error for legacy syringes would be when the same syringe is used for flushing or when syringe disengages pointing vertically up. The corresponding dosing errors for legacy syringes could range from -7 to 12% and -9% to 19% for 1.0 and 0.5ml syringes, respectively. Dosing errors for legacy and LDT syringes increase as the nominal capacity of syringe reduces, or when the dose delivered is lower than the nominal capacity of the syringe. For LDT syringes, dosing errors can be reduced by clearing the moat area of the syringe and by using a new syringe for flushing post-delivery of medication. For legacy syringes, dosing errors can be minimized by ensuring the female connector points up during disengagement from the syringe post-medication administration, and by using a new syringe for flushing.

INNOVATIVE PRE-FABRICATED CONNECTORS FOR BAMBOO ARCHITECTURE

Bamboo is the natural construction material that has become the trend for the sustainable architecture, due to its renewability. Bamboo connections are considered the most difficult process that consumes construction time. This study is the design experiment how innovative connections can expedite the fabrication and their performance. The study deals with the design of connection prototypes for bamboo framing and tests their performance in actual construction. Connectors are designed into the receivers and the nozzles. Receivers act like the female connector. They are receptors at foundation to transfer loads to ground. The nozzles are the male connector that looks like an extruder attached to the end of structural members to connect to the receivers. Nozzles are offered in both a single culm and split bundles. The experiment also designed the straps for bamboo splits, to wrap the split together into one bundle. Steel connectors are introduced to initiate the bamboo construction as pre-fabrication process, yet the strength of connections is maintained. These prototypes are also applied to actual construction to verify the constructability, performance, and architectural applications. It is found that connectors are effective to minimize construction time, but still have other limitation. The study took lesson learned to design more permanent connectors to solve all restricted issues. Finally, innovative connectors were created into many variety forms for fabrication. They can also perform greatly in strength and attractive look. These findings can motivate architects to explore possibility for bamboo architecture in pre-fabrication process, and to be more innovatively and effectively.

Passive Aligning of Ribbon Cable in Sliding Surface Gripper for Assembly Task

Abstract A passive aligning strategy for the assembly task of a ribbon cable is presented using a sliding surface gripper. Once the gripper grasps the ribbon cable, the sliding surface of the gripper pulls the cable in one direction, and at the end of the pulling process, the box-shaped structure of the fingertip of the gripper passively aligns the cable to a predictable pose. The relationship between the alignment speed of the cable on the sliding surface and the grasping force was modeled and verified by experiments. The maximum position error of the ribbon cable connector aligned by the proposed method was 0.7 mm, which was smaller than the mating tolerance between typical male and female connectors. The mating of the connectors was successfully conducted with an industrial robot whose repeatability is less than a millimeter. The entire assembly process of ribbon cable connectors, including visual recognition of the ribbon cable pose, grasping and aligning of the ribbon cable, and mating a pair of cable connectors, was successfully implemented.

Modeling, Evaluation and Optimization of Interlocking Shell Pieces

AbstractWhile the 3D printing technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, it suffers from two critical limitations: expensive printing material and long printing time. An effective solution is to hollow the 3D model into a shell and print the shell by parts. Unfortunately, making shell pieces tightly assembled and easy to disassemble seem to be two contradictory conditions, and there exists no easy way to satisfy them at the same time yet. In this paper, we present a computational system to design an interlocking structure of a partitioned shell model, which uses only male and female connectors to lock shell pieces in the assembled configuration. Given a mesh segmentation input, our system automatically finds an optimal installation plan specifying both the installation order and the installation directions of the pieces, and then builds the models of the shell pieces using optimized shell thickness and connector sizes. To find the optimal installation plan, we develop simulation‐based and data‐driven metrics, and we incorporate them into an optimal plan search algorithm with fast pruning and local optimization strategies. The whole system is automatic, except for the shape design of the key piece. The interlocking structure does not introduce new gaps on the outer surface, which would become noticeable inevitably due to limited printer precision. Our experiment shows that the assembled object is strong against separation, yet still easy to disassemble.

Modular fluidic resistors to enable widely tunable flow rate and fluidic switching period in a microfluidic oscillator.

Microfluidic systems with modular components are attractive alternatives to monolithically integrated microfluidic systems because of their flexibility. In this study, we apply the modular concept on a water-head-pressure-driven microfluidic oscillator and obtain a widely tunable flow rate and fluidic switching period. Modular fluidic resistors can be easily mounted onto and demounted from a main chip by means of plastic male connectors. The connectors enable a leak-free connection between the modular resistors and main chip (leakage pressure > 140kPa). With modular resistors, we show independent control of the flow rate and flow switching period of the oscillator system in a wide range (2.5s-6.4h and 2 μL/min-2mL/min). This modular approach can be used to enhance the flexibility of instruction-embedded microfluidic circuits in which their operational range is limited.

A modified perturbation/correlation method for force-guided assembly

The present study proposes the Modified perturbation/correlation method (MPCM) as a way of performing assembly tasks and an algorithm by which assembly task can be performed automatically, without human intervention. The MPCM is a method where position/ orientation perturbation is generated when the female connector and the male connector are connected and the correlation value of the resulting reaction force/moment is used to calculate and to correct the position and orientation errors between the connectors. The successful performance of assembly task within a limited error range can be confirmed by applying the MPCM to DRC-HUBO. When there are errors between the connector, the correlation value can be confirmed to converge to 0 as errors are corrected even though it takes on certain directionality.

Design and Building of an Inexpensive and Sturdy Pipet Bulb Filler Port

A pipet filler port has been constructed from a 1/4 in. NPT–1/4 in. or −3/8 in. barbed end Kynar plastic male connector fitting and a washer (cut from a latex rubber hose) inserted into the NPT end. The barbed end can secure reliably different sized rubber bulbs such as 1 oz (30 mL pipet capacity) and 2 oz (60 mL pipet capacity) types, and the 1/4 in. NPT end is fitted with a rubber washer that can provide airtight contact with the glass pipet end, permitting suction. This filler port allows for facile suction of a liquid using a pipet and also quick removal of the pipet bulb from the pipet end to permit setting the meniscus level with finger pressure. Existing supplies of rubber bulbs or new ones can be fitted with this filler port at just a few dollars for each bulb, avoiding the expense of purchasing new pipet bulbs with filler ports or thumbwheels. The plastic fitting should last indefinitely, and the rubber washer can be easily replaced if necessary.

Medication Safety

Medication Safety

Improvement and Taper Optimal Design of the Hydraulic Fast Connector

Improvement design was carried out to resolve the issue about easily damaged and difficult repaired planar seal for hydraulic fast connector. Through adding a taper on male connector and female regulating part on female connector, the co-planar seal was changed into the taper seal which the seal was more reliable. When the contact surface was worn, it can be resealed by adjusting the female regulating part. Taper seal was key to design the reasonable taper. In order to acquire the best taper, taper optimal design was carried out using finite element technology, the relationship between maximum contact stress and tape was gained. Simulation results showed that the best taper could be gained when the big-endian radius of the taper was 11.82 mm.

A microfluidic D-subminiature connector.

Standardized, affordable, user-friendly world-to-chip interfaces represent one of the major barriers to the adoption of microfluidics. We present a connector system for plug-and-play interfacing of microfluidic devices to multiple input and output lines. The male connectors are based on existing standardized housings from electronics that are inexpensive and widely available. The female connectors are fabricated using familiar replica molding techniques that can easily be adopted by microfluidic developers.

Development of New Attachment System with Soft Lining Material for Implant-retained Complete Denture

ABSTRACT Purpose The retention of complete dentures is frequently difficult in edentulous patients with a severely resorbed residual alveolar ridge. In such cases, implant overdentures having a stronger retention force are useful. Although there are various types of attachment systems for implant overdentures, they are frequently complicated. We are, therefore, developing a simple attachment system focusing on a soft lining material for the female connector. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the retention force of implant overdentures applying a soft lining material for the attachment. Materials and methods The models in which seven male and female connector pairs were used. As the control, a rubber O-ring attachment system, in which a rubber O-ring female was paired with a metal ball anchor (male), having a diameter of 1.7 or 2.2 mm. In the attachment system with a soft lining material, a female component was made up of soft lining material paired with a male having a diameter of 1.7, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7 or 3.0 mm. In measuring the retention force, the maximum force required to dislodge the male from the female was recorded by a digital force gauge. Results With the rubber O-ring, the retention force was 2.9 ± 0.2 N for the 1.7 mm male and 3.3 ± 0.3 N for the 2.2 mm male; these values were higher than the respective retention forces when using a soft lining material as the female and a male of the same diameter. However, with the female comprising soft lining material, the retention force exceeded 4 N for the 2.5, 2.7 and 3.0 mm males and was higher than the retention forces for the rubber O-ring. Conclusion The proposed attachment system with soft lining material for implant overdentures provides a clinically sufficient retention force when the diameter of the male exceeds 2.5 mm. How to cite this article Koike T, Ueda T, Noda S, Ogami K, Patil PG, Sakurai K. Development of New Attachment System with Soft Lining Material for Implant-retained Complete Denture. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(1):21-24.

An unexpected increase in catheter-associated bloodstream infections at a children’s hospital following introduction of the Spiros closed male connector

Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Previous investigations have reported outbreaks of CA-BSI temporally associated with the use of needleless connector valves or similar devices. We observed an unexpected increase in the rate of CA-BSI at our institution during August 2009. We used statistical process control and quality improvement methodology to identify the factor(s) associated with this increased rate of CA-BSI. We reviewed the overall hospital Shewhart U chart for CA-BSI, which indicated special cause variation with an unexpected cluster (6/9; 67%) of CA-BSIs localized to the oncology ward and the bone marrow transplant unit. An event-cause analysis review showed that 5 of these 9 infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus. We discovered that the Spiros Closed Male Connector (ICU Medical, San Clemente, CA) had been introduced in these 2 units around the same time as the cluster of infections occurred. Based on this information, we discontinued the use of this device, and the CA-BSI rate and distribution of causative microorganisms returned to previous baseline values. This case study highlights the utility of statistical process control in the surveillance and investigation of CA-BSI.

Disinfection of Male Luer Style Connectors for Prevention of Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections Using an Isopropyl Alcohol Dispensing Cap

Bacterial colonization of needleless injection sites (NISs) frequently results in catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Hospitals have instituted protocols aimed at disinfecting NIS prior to access. Furthermore, several manufactures have developed devices that facilitate disinfection of NIS. Despite these steps, the incidence of CRBSI is still alarmingly high. Currently, there is no protocol or device intended to disinfect male luer connectors such as those found on IV tubing that are commonly coupled and decoupled from the NISs. Since these IV tubing connectors directly contact the NIS (which have been repeatedly shown to have varying levels of bacterial colonization), it is highly likely that they, too, will have varying levels of contamination. In order for disinfection of the NIS to be effective, the IV tubing connector must also be disinfected. Our design goal was to develop a device that could be used to disinfect a male luer style connector without allowing antiseptic into the inner lumen of the male luer. We designed a three component system that utilizes a silicone sealing cone to seal the male luer, a reservoir foam that holds 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and a reaction force foam that increases the seal pressure of the sealing cone while the reservoir foam is compressed delivering the IPA to the outside surface of the male luer post. Sealing cone geometry was optimized using a custom built seal pressure test apparatus. Reservoir and reaction force foam functional parameters were assessed using an Instron test apparatus. A two phase compression stroke was designed into the device to allow for sealing and dispensing of IPA. An IPA transfer test was used to assess the transfer of disinfectant from the reservoir foam to a liquid filled male luer connector (modeling an IV tubing connector). No disinfectant was found to be transferred from the device to the inner lumen of the IV tubing connector model (n=30). To test the efficacy of the device on reducing bacterial count on the male luer, a disinfection study was performed using the optimized device. Male luers were immersed in bacterial suspensions of S. aureus, S. epidermis, P. aerginosa, and E. coli. A 4 log reduction compared with a positive control was found in each sample treated with our disinfection cap (n=120). In conclusion, we developed a device that effectively delivers an antiseptic to a male luer style connector without leaking any antiseptic to the inner lumen of the luer post

Embolie gazeuse sur cathéter central chez un nouveau-né prématuré, méfiez-vous de votre montage de perfusion !

A fatal pulmonary air embolism, confirmed by an oriented necropsy, is described in a 25-day-old premature and small-for-gestational-age neonate. The embolism was suspected after air bubbles were detected in the infusion line. The air bubbles originated from a male Luer-lock to male Luer-lock connector, which was part of a specific assembly of the perfusion line. A solution to this problem is thereby proposed. We recommend caution in using complex infusion line assemblies because such complications are probably underestimated.

An Unusual Cause of Leak in a Silicone Endotracheal Tube Secured by the SecureEasy® Endotracheal Tube Holder in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit

The LMA-Fastrach ™ (LMA North America, San Diego, CA) has been used in patients with a difficult airway, including those with an unstable cervical spine.1,2We report a case of a successful intubation via the LMA-Fastrach ™ in a patient with severe ankylosing spondylitis and an unstable C5–C6 fracture dislocation with subsequent leak around the silicone, dedicated endotracheal tube (ETT), resulting in desaturation.The 40-yr-old male patient was awake, alert, and spontaneously breathing at the time of admission. During the course of his evaluation, his breathing became progressively laborious, and tracheal intubation was requested by the trauma team. After multiple failed attempts at awake nasal and oral fiberoptic intubation and awake direct laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation was performed blindly via a size 4 LMA-Fastrach ™ after intravenous administration of 17 mg etomidate by the trauma team. The patient was transferred to the trauma intensive care unit, where the 7.0-mm-ID, silicone, dedicated ETT was secured at 26 cm at the lips with a SecureEasy® ETT holder (Smiths Medical, Dublin, OH). Four hours after the initial intubation, mechanical tidal volumes were noted to decrease slowly (200–300 ml/breath). The presumed diagnosis was a cuff leak; deflation and reinflation of the pilot balloon with 3–5 ml air attested to the integrity of the cuff. The breathing circuit was also checked and found to be intact. The leak eventually resolved. However, the problem recurred and persisted the following days in an inconsistent pattern and at variable intervals. ETT exchange was contemplated but not attempted in light of the initial difficult intubation. The patient subsequently underwent both anterior and posterior fusions of the cervical spine with halo traction placement; no intraoperative leaks were noted. On admission day 9, however, increasing leakage and episodes of desaturation led to the decision to perform a tracheostomy. In the operating room, careful listening determined the leak to be at the level of the 15-mm male connector. Application of electrical tape to the proximal end of the ETT corrected the problem.After insertion of a No. 8 Shiley® tracheostomy tube (Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, MA), the ETT was removed, and close examination revealed several holes at the proximal end of the ETT that lined up with the metal prongs of the SecureEasy® device (fig. 1). The ETT cuff was found to be intact. It was also noted that the 15-mm connector was from a 6.5-mm-ID ETT.The LMA-Fastrach ™ manufacturer was contacted and informed of the events. After reviewing all relevant information and photographs, the manufacturer of the LMA-Fastrach ™ stated that the problem we encountered had never been previously reported to LMA North America (as of October 2005). Several factors seem to have contributed to the leak in the ETT. The soft medical grade silicone of the dedicated ETT supplied with the LMA-Fastrach ™ can be torn or perforated by prolonged contact with sharp or pointed objects. The respiratory care department at our institution has used the SecureEasy® for some time without incident. We assume that the metal prongs do not perforate or otherwise damage the standard polyvinylchloride ETT. Moreover, tension exerted on the soft silicone ETT by inadequately supported ventilator tubing could have stretched open the small perforations and may have accounted for the inconsistent nature of the leak. Finally, the leak was further compounded by the inadvertent use of an incorrectly sized 15-mm male ETT connector.In conclusion, our unique case raises concerns about the long-term use of the silicone ETT packaged with the LMA-Fastrach ™ in the critical care unit in conjunction with the SecureEasy® ETT holder.*Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. ninos-j.joseph@advocatehealth.com

Modular speaker cabinet

A speaker cabinet design for providing adjustability of the number of speaker cabinets contained in a speaker array comprises female connectors ( 50 ) along the front and back edges on the top and right sides. A user of the cabinet can attach a mating second cabinet to any side of the first cabinet by inserting male connector ( 40 ) in the pass through assembly and securing to the female connector at all locations on that side. A user can connect a second speaker cabinet in a series or parallel electrical connection. This allows the user to build up to the desired number of speakers without purchasing a full speaker array. Furthermore, once the desired array is complete the user can remove only the number needed for transport. A variety of different speakers can be preloaded in the cabinet at the factory, thus giving the user flexibility in sound without having to remove and install different speakers.

Use of a large bore syringe creates significantly fewer high intensity transient signals (HITS) into a cardiopulmonary bypass system than a small bore syringe

High intensity transient signals (HITS) have been reported to occur following perfusionist intervention during cardiac surgery. This study investigates the relationship of the syringe bore, injection rate, and HITS created. Syringes (10 mL) with a male luer-lock connection (Large Bore) and Abboject 'jet syringes' with a 20 GA needle and male luer-lock connector (Small Bore) were filled with 10 mL of 0.9 N saline. A perfusionist was randomly assigned a set of four similar syringes followed by the other syringe bore. Each of the four syringes was injected into an in vitro saline-primed cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system over 5, 10, 15, or 20 sec. Sixteen randomizations of small and large bore syringes were completed at the four injection times (128 injections). HITS in the CPB arterial line were detected with transcranial Doppler (TCD) probes, were recorded for the 2 min following the injection, and were counted independently off-line by two reviewers. The use of a large bore syringe compared to a small bore syringe created significantly fewer HITS (29 +/- 6 versus 145 +/- 17 [mean +/- SEM], p<0.001) introduced into the CPB arterial line. Injection over a longer time produced significantly fewer HITS than shorter injection times (p<0.001). Significantly fewer HITS are introduced into the CPB system by using standard syringes and slower injection time.

Mechanistic Studies of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Me2SO Reductase

Studies of the molybdenum-containing dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides have yielded new insight into its catalytic mechanism. A series of reductive titrations, performed over the pH range 6-10, reveal that the absorption spectrum of reduced enzyme is highly sensitive to pH. The reaction of reduced enzyme with dimethyl sulfoxide is found to be clearly biphasic throughout the pH range 6-8 with a fast, initial substrate-binding phase and substrate-concentration independent catalytic phase. The intermediate formed at the completion of the fast phase has the characteristic absorption spectrum of the established dimethyl sulfoxide-bound species. Quantitative reductive and oxidative titrations of the enzyme demonstrate that the molybdenum center takes up only two reducing equivalents, implying that the two pyranopterin equivalents of the molybdenum center are not formally redox active. Finally, the visible spectrum associated with the catalytically relevant "high-g split" Mo(V) species has been determined. Spectral deconvolution and EPR quantitation of enzyme-monitored turnover experiments with trimethylamine N-oxide as substrate reveal that no substrate-bound intermediate accumulates and that Mo(V) content remains near unity for the duration of the reaction. Similar experiments with dimethyl sulfoxide show that significant quantities of both the Mo(V) species and the dimethyl sulfoxide-bound complex accumulate during the course of reaction. Accumulation of the substrate-bound complex in the steady-state with dimethyl sulfoxide arises from partial reversal of the physiological reaction in which the accumulating product, dimethyl sulfide, reacts with oxidized enzyme to yield the substrate-bound intermediate, a process that significantly slows turnover.