Mechanical Tapping Research Articles

Effectiveness of two synthetic fiber filters for removing white cells from AS‐1 red cells

Two commercially available synthetic fiber filters were studied for their effectiveness at removing white cells (WBCs) from AS-1-preserved red cells (RBCs) stored less than or equal to 14 days. In all, 65 filtrations were performed. An automated microprocessor-controlled hydraulic system designed for use with cellulose acetate fiber filters was employed to prepare filtered RBCs before release for transfusion. Studies were also carried out on polyester fiber filters, which are designed to be used in-line during transfusion. Residual WBCs were below the accurate counting range of Coulter counters and of conventional manual chamber counts. An isosmotic ammonium chloride RBC lysis method, plus a modified chamber counting technique, permitted a 270-fold increase over the number of WBCs counted by the conventional manual method. For the polyester fiber-filtered products, residual WBCs per unit were not affected by speed of filtration, prior length of storage, or mechanical tapping during filtration. The effectiveness of WBC removal (mean 99.7%), total residual WBCs (means, 4.8 and 5.5 x 10(6], and RBC recovery (mean, 93%) was the same for both filters. The majority of residual WBCs were lymphocytes. WBC removal and RBC recovery were strikingly superior to results reported with nonfiltration methods.

Comparison between acoustic and mechanical tapping methods for assessing the interfacial states of bone implants

Acoustic and mechanical tapping methods forin vivo assessment of the interfaces of bone implants are experimentally compared using implant models made of metal and glass. The former (AcT method) is based on the measurement of the frequency and amplitude of the vibration of a sample induced by a tapping needle. The latter (MeT method) is based on the measurement of the time during which a tapping rod is contacted with a sample. The following results were found. The vibration of a sample induced in the MeT test is very different from that induced in the AcT test; the former is much larger in the maximum amplitude and much lower in the main frequency than the latter, although both are of damped type. Nevertheless, a discrimination between hard and soft interfaces by each test is almost equally clear. It depends on load directions to some extent, reflecting a mechanical difference of the interface and/or the surrounding bone. The MeT test appears to be more sensitive than the AcT test for implant models surrounded by a thin compact bone. For implant models surrounded by a thick compact bone, however, the former is a little less sensitive than the latter.

The orbicularis oculi reflexes in healthy premature and full-term newborns

Blink reflexes were evoked both by mechanical tapping and electrical current delivered to the skin of the periorbital region in 62 healthy babies distributed in 2 groups: 29 full-term newborns and 33 prematures. The electrical activity of the orbicularis oculi muscle was recorded by means of bipolar surface electrodes in all cases. Both ipsilateral R 1 and R 2 electrically evoked responses were obtained. Occasionally we also observed a late R 3 ipsilateral response. The R 2 contralateral electrically evoked response was never observed in premature babies; it was present in about 80% of the full-term newborns. The R 1 recovery curves obtained by delivering two successive shocks are similar in our two groups of babies to those observed in adults. The R 1 latency decreases from 18 msec (27 weeks of post-conceptional age) to 12.4 msec (37 weeks). The average value for the full-term newborns was 12.1 +/- 1.1 msec. Whatever the age mechanical stimulation evokes bilateral R 1, R 2 and occasionally R 3 responses. The existence of central crossed connections is possible. The maturation of the blink reflex occurs essentially during the last months of pregnancy. Indeed the R 1 latency measured in full-term newborns is similar to that given for adults.

The change of masticatory functions after orthodontic treatment: Akahito NakasimaJ. Jpn. Orthod. Soc. 40:22–31, 1981

A typical Class II, Division 2 deep overbite malocclusion in a 14-year-old female patient was examined before and after comprehensive mechanotherapy to determine what changes, if any, occurred in masticatory functions. A series of three registrations were made at the beginning of treatment, at 3 months, and at 14 months, or just before completion of treatment. Studied were the path of mandibular incisor movement during tooth tapping, mandibular border movement, and activity during chewing of peanuts. An electromyographic analysis was also made at the same time for activity of jaw elevator muscles and masticatory rhythm. Also studied electromyographically were the latency and duration of reflex inhibition of masseter activity following intercuspal tapping and a mechanical tapping of the chin during maximum clenching. The masticatory rhythm was compared with that of a group of nine patients with normal occlusion. The findings are as follows: 1. The retruded tooth contact position could not be detected in the mandibular border movement. The path of masticatory movement was posteriorly retruded before orthodontic treatment. These findings indicate a functional posterior displacement in habitual occlusion. 2. Orthodontic therapy eliminated the abnormal functional movement. 3. The long period of latency of reflex inhibition of the masseter muscle during intercuspal tapping was significantly shortened after orthodontic treatment. It is thought that the latency of inhibition measurement is a reliable criterion for assessing occlusal disharmony and functional retrusion. T. M. Graber

A clinical and neurophysiological study of a mixed type of myotonia and sporadic tetany

The clinical observation concerns a male patient of 46 years, who, after an infective disorder in 1946, showed fasciculation and painful cramps in the legs ceasing spontaneously in eight months. Ten years later, without obvious cause, fasciculations reappeared as well as painful cramps in the face and upper limbs. These cramps are set off by voluntary activity and almost immobilize the patient in a state of persisting painful contracture. In some muscles a distinct myotonic reaction could be obtained on mechanical tapping. Routine laboratory tests and neuro-chemical examinations failed to demonstrate any underlying metabolic disorder. Muscle-biopsy showed certain anomalies without obvious signs of myopathy or myositis, nor of neurogenic muscle-involvement. Repeated electromyography showed distinct characteristics of myotonia and of tetany. Nerve-block, as well as novocaine infiltration of the end-plate, showed the seat of abnormal electrical activity to be the motor end-plate or the muscle-fibre itself. The controlled action of various medications is discussed. All these measures remained ineffectual, with only a transient betterment, and the patient's condition progressively worsened by dint of an increasing and persistent contracture, especially in the lower limbs. A review is made of the literature of similar clinical cases.

タツピングに関する研究

In this paper, it is reported that tapping resistances in the mechanical tapping using a tapping attachment were measured by a mechanical tool dynamometer constructed newly and connected to an oscillograph through an electric resistance strain gauge. The materials used were low carbon steel, cast iron, brass and aluminium. The diameters of the hand tapps were 3/16'', 1/4'', 5/16'', and 3/8'' Whitworth. As the result, the tapping resistance is not merely affected by the tapping speed but depends on the diameter of the tap drill and the form of the chamfer and the flute of the tap.

Crossed reflexes of limbs observed in healthy man.

Crossed reflex of the limb, observed in decerebrate or spinal animals, has not been recognized in healthy man, although it occurs in patients with central nervous disorders. The author, however, showed it can also be elicited in healthy man under suitable conditions.To the subject, seated with legs hanging free, one of the following three kinds of stimuli was given, and the ensuing reflexive movement of the limbs as well as the EMG of relevant muscles were recorded.1. Mechanical tapping of the patellar tendon of one side, which produced reflex extension of ipsilateral and contralateral knee joints, reflex flexion of ipsilateral elbow, and reflex extension of contralateral elbow. In the ipsilateral femoral rectal muscle, there appeared two series of synchronous discharges, the primary and the secondary, with latency of20-30msec. and90-150msec. respectively. In the contralateral mate, a synchronous discharge occurred90-150 msec. after the stimulation. The primary discharge is obviously responsible for the ipsilateral knee extension, while the secondary discharge is regarded to cause reflex extension or flexion of other limbs.2. Electric stimulation with a single shock applied to the skin covering the knee extensor muscle of one side, which produced a similar result.3. Passive flexion of a knee joint, which gave rise to reflex extension of the contralateral knee joint. This conforms with Philippson reflex in pattern. Also the tonic and the phasic patterns of this reflex could be demonstrated by executing passive flexion slowly or abruptly.4. Central reflex time in these crossed reflexes was calculated from the above mentioned experiment to be 60-90msec. Further, the mechanism of occurrence of the silent period of discharge was discussed.Acknowledgment. The author wishes to thank Prof. K. Hukuda for helpful suggestions and criticism during the course of this investigation. A part of expenses of this research was defrayed from the Research Fund granted by the Ministry of Education.