Needle Penetration Research Articles

Ultrasonographic guided block of the median nerve

SummaryMedian nerve anaesthesia is sometimes indicated in the diagnosis of forelimb lameness in the horse in conjunction with the ulnar nerve block, but the localisation of the nerve to perform a precise deposition of the anaesthetic solution around and close to the nerve is difficult to achieve using the conventional blind technique. The objectives of this paper are to describe the ultrasonographic anatomy of the median nerve and the technique for performing an ultrasound‐guided anaesthetic block of the nerve. The median nerve is imaged using a microconvex (or linear) probe in transverse section performed proximally to the chestnut on the medial aspect of the forearm. Distribution of the anaesthetic solution around the nerve is done by initially inserting the needle caudally and then cranially to the nerve and injecting 4–6 mL at each site. Control of the needle penetration avoids erroneous intravascular or intramuscular injections or sudden horse reaction. Ultrasound‐guided injection has the potential to safely and accurately block the median nerve.

Cadaveric and in vivo validation of needle placement in the medial pterygoid muscle

BackgroundEvidence suggests that medial pterygoid muscle plays an important role in temporomandibular pain. Therapeutic approaches targeting this muscle are needed. ObjectiveTo determine if a solid needle accurately penetrates the medial pterygoid muscle during the application of dry needling. DesignA cadaveric and human descriptive study. MethodsNeedling insertion of the medial pterygoid was conducted in 5 fresh cadaver and 5 subjects with temporomandibular pain. Needling insertion was performed using a 40 mm needle inserted at the inferior angle of the mandibular bone. The needle was advanced from an inferior to superior direction into the medial pterygoid to a maximum depth of 30 mm. In cadavers, medial pterygoid placement was assessed by observation after resecting the superficial overlying tissues. In patients, medial pterygoid placement was assessed by self-reported pain referral during insertion. ResultsAccurate needle penetration of the medial pterygoid was observed in all fresh cadavers and pain referral was reported by 4/5 patients during needling insertion. ConclusionResults from both cadavers and patients support the assertion that needling of the medial pterygoid can be accurately conducted.

Comparative Study of Needle Penetration Forces in Sewing Hems on Toweling Terry Fabrics: Influence of Needle Type and Size

Abstract In this paper, an industrial case study comparing the use of different needles in the production of hems in towels is presented. The study aims to assess the sewability of the fabrics, quantified by needle penetration forces. The market offers an interesting range of options for the needle, regarding the geometry of the needle point, surface finishing, and sizes. However, in practice, the choice is difficult, namely due to the lack of quantitative data that may support the empirical evaluation made by the sewing technicians. The work aims to assess how the needle type and size relate to the resulting needle penetration forces. Three terry fabric structures, produced by a home textiles manufacturer, were tested using needles of different sizes, points, and coatings. Needle penetration forces were measured on a sewability tester prototype, previously designed and developed, based on an instrumented overedge sewing machine. It was found that needle penetration forces present very significant differences with small size increments, needle coating also influences forces significantly, and different needle points produce only slight differences, significant only on some of the fabrics that were tested.

Small vs. Large Suture Bite-to-Stitch Interval for Closure of Midline Celiotomy in Cats: A Biomechanical Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the bursting strength and characterize the mode of failure of cranial and caudal midline celiotomies closed with 2 suture patterns and an absorbable monofilament suture material.Design: Randomized, cadaveric, ex- vivo mechanical testing.Sample: Feline cadavers (n = 32).Methods: Specimens were randomized into two groups based on the closure technique (small 2 × 2 mm or large 5 × 5 mm suture-bite-stitch-interval [SBSI] groups). Cranial or caudal midline celiotomies, 7.5 cm long, were created. A custom-made polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen, and the celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern using 3-0 polydioxanone. The repair was loaded to failure by inflating the bladder with compressed air. Bursting strength and mode of failure were recorded. Effects of body weight, gender, thickness and width of linea alba, suture-bite-stitch-interval, and location of celiotomy were analyzed using a mixed model analysis and an independent t- test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: There was no difference in bursting strength between cranial and caudal celiotomies. Bursting strength was lower for celiotomies closed with a large SBSI (P = 0.003). Bursting strength was greater in males compared to females (P = 0.003). Twenty five specimens failed distant from celiotomy closure, while 4 failed by fascial tearing at the site of needle penetration. Failure by loosening of the suture line with intact knots only occurred in 3 caudal celiotomies closed with a large SBSI. Gender, body weight and SBSI accounted for 61.5% of variability in bursting strength (P = 0.005).Conclusions: Small SBSI technique was mechanically superior to large SBSI when tested under these loading conditions.Clinical relevance: Supraphysiological pressures were required to cause failure in all specimens. Both small and large SBSI may be clinically applicable for midline celiotomy closure in domestic cats.

Investigation of the Transfer of Septum Microbial Contamination by Hypodermic Needles

The likelihood of the transfer of microbial contamination from the surface of a vial septum into the vial liquid, by penetration of a hypodermic syringe needle, has been investigated. Experimental work was carried out with vials containing sterile microbial growth media and the use of needles of three different diameters. Three different concentrations of microbes on the surface of the vial septum (10, 100, and 1000) were used. Microbial contamination that was transferred into the growth media was determined by incubation of the vials following penetration of the septum by the needles. Contamination was detected in 87% of all the vials tested, and was generally found to increase as the concentration of septum challenge organisms and needle diameter increased. Key words: Septum seals, hypodermic needles, multi-use vials, microbial contamination

Anesthesia Effect of Propofol Nanoinjection Combined with Nerve Block

Anesthesia for upper limb surgery is commonly used in clinical practice. At present, the traditional method uses anatomical localization for nerve block, which can result incomplete local block and reduced anesthetic effect. Instead, ultrasound-guided nerve block can help clinicians intuitively grasp structure of patient tissues and provide a real-time display of needle penetration. Propofol is the most commonly used intravenous anesthetic in the world, but its use is still limited. In order to improve the limitations of this drug, a propofol nanoemulsion was developed and used in combination with a lower brachial plexus block. In this study, 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups, 50 in each group. The propofol nanoinjection for nerve block was used in the experimental group and ketamine was used in the control group. The quality of the operation, respiratory inhibition/asphyxia, recovery time, OPS score, agitation score, and complications were compared between the two groups. There was no significant difference in blood loss between the two groups (P &gt; 0 05). The experimental results showed that the lower brachial plexus block and propofol nanoemulsion provided a better analgesic effect than ketamine and propofol nanoemulsion in the operation.

Manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and usual care for prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura: multicentre, randomised clinical trial

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of manual acupuncture as prophylactic treatment for acupuncture naive patients with episodic migraine without aura.DesignMulticentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial with blinded participants, outcome assessment, and statistician.SettingSeven...

Microfluidic Device for Microinjection of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Microinjection is an established and reliable method to deliver transgenic constructs and other reagents to specific locations in C. elegans worms. Specifically, microinjection of a desired DNA construct into the distal gonad is the most widely used method to generate germ-line transformation of C. elegans. Although, current C. elegans microinjection method is effective to produce transgenic worms, it requires expensive multi degree of freedom (DOF) micromanipulator, careful injection alignment procedure and skilled operator, all of which make it slow and not suitable for scaling to high throughput. A few microfabricated microinjectors have been developed recently to address these issues. However, none of them are capable of immobilizing a freely mobile animal such as C. elegans worm using a passive immobilization mechanism. Here, a microfluidic microinjector was developed to passively immobilize a freely mobile animal such as C. elegans and simultaneously perform microinjection by using a simple and fast mechanism for needle actuation. The entire process of the microinjection takes ~30 s which includes 10 s for worm loading and aligning, 5 s needle penetration, 5 s reagent injection and 5 s worm unloading. The device is suitable for high-throughput and can be potentially used for creating transgenic C. elegans.

An adaptive finite element model for steerable needles

Penetration of a flexible and steerable needle into a soft target material is a complex problem to be modelled, involving several mechanical challenges. In the present paper, an adaptive finite element algorithm is developed to simulate the penetration of a steerable needle in brain-like gelatine material, where the penetration path is not predetermined. The geometry of the needle tip induces asymmetric tractions along the tool–substrate frictional interfaces, generating a bending action on the needle in addition to combined normal and shear loading in the region where fracture takes place during penetration. The fracture process is described by a cohesive zone model, and the direction of crack propagation is determined by the distribution of strain energy density in the tissue surrounding the tip. Simulation results of deep needle penetration for a programmable bevel-tip needle design, where steering can be controlled by changing the offset between interlocked needle segments, are mainly discussed in terms of penetration force versus displacement along with a detailed description of the needle tip trajectories. It is shown that such results are strongly dependent on the relative stiffness of needle and tissue and on the tip offset. The simulated relationship between programmable bevel offset and needle curvature is found to be approximately linear, confirming empirical results derived experimentally in a previous work. The proposed model enables a detailed analysis of the tool–tissue interactions during needle penetration, providing a reliable means to optimise the design of surgical catheters and aid pre-operative planning.

Improvement of production technology of asphalt concrete with the use of polymer waste

In this study the ROB 70/100 oil asphalt from the Aktau Bitumen Factory «CaspiBitum» was considered. Asphalt was modified with polymer waste to upgrade operating properties. The I-40 industrial oil was used as a softener. Indicators like penetration, extensibility (ductility), brittleness temperature and softening temperature of bitumen were explored in this study. It was shown, that physical-mechanical properties of bitumen increased after modification: needle penetration depth decreased, extensibility decreased, softening temperature increased. In addition, the influence of polymers on the structure of bitumen and the effect of their action in the composition were examined. Structure of polymer waste in Republic of Kazakhstan was analyzed. It was proved, that the usage of the recycled polyethylene as a modifier is a rational approach, and it makes it possible to recycle stocks of secondary polymeric materials. Also problems of improving the properties of polymer-bitumen binder and ecology solved.

Effect of Processing Parameters of Mesta Sheet for Use as Eco-friendly Agrotextiles

An attempt has been made to use woven and mechanically entangled sheet of mesta as soil cover of strawberry cultivation with an aim for weed control and moisture retention. It was observed that sheet from 500 g/m2, 190 punches/cm2 and 10 mm needle penetration produces the best quality mulching product with respect to growth characteristics, moisture retention, and increase in yield, weed suppression and reduction in soil temperature. The initial higher cost of raw material is justified by the higher return from cultivation using the suggested mesta nonwoven as the mulch.

Dermaroller in dermatology and cosmetology

Dermaroller is a novel therapeutic modality in dermatology. Through physical trauma from needle penetration, dermaroller induces a wound healing cascade with mild temporary damage to the epidermis. This allows for the enhancement in the absorption of topical therapies across the thick stratum corneum. Dermaroller has become increasingly utilized over the last several years as it is a relatively simple procedure that is cost effective, well tolerated and offers cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. The ability to treat localized areas of disease made it popular in acne scars, alopecia, striae, melasma, actinic keratoses. The procedure has few adverse sequelae compared to other therapies, is highly effective and a viable resurfacing option for color of skin.

Evaluation of Strength and Deformability of Soft Sedimentary Rocks in Dry and Saturated Conditions Through Needle Penetration and Point Load Tests: A Comparative Study

The preparation of standardized soft rock specimens to perform unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests is typically difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Needle penetration test (NPT) was originally developed in Japan as an alternative for the indirect estimation of UCS of soft rocks. The needle penetrometer is a simple, portable and non-destructive testing device that measures applied load and penetration depth for the rock to calculate the needle penetration index (NPI). A complimentary, portable and widely used destructive test is the point load test (PLT), which measures regular and irregular specimens by the application of a concentrated load using two coaxial conical platens that yield the point load strength index (IS(50)). We investigated and compared the NPT and PLT in terms of measuring changes induced by water saturation and obtaining UCS and the static Young’s modulus (Est) for dry and saturated soft sedimentary rocks. The results point to significant correlation functions from which to infer UCS and Est in terms of NPI and IS(50) in dry and saturated soft rocks. Furthermore, both NPT and PLT are suitable tests for evaluating changes in strength and deformability induced by water saturation. We also found a good correlation between the NPI and Is(50).

Evaluation of alkenones, a renewably sourced, plant-derived wax as a structuring agent for lipsticks.

OBJECTIVEWaxes are used as structuring agents in lipsticks. There are a variety of waxes combined in a single lipstick to provide good stability, pleasant texture and good pay‐off. Due to a significant growth for natural, green and sustainable products, there is a constant search for alternatives to animal‐derived and petroleum‐derived ingredients. In this study, a green, non‐animalderived wax, namely long‐chain ketones (referred to as alkenones), sourced from marine microalgae was formulated into lipsticks and evaluated as a structuring agent.METHODSAlkenones were used as a substitute for microcrystalline wax, ozokerite and candelilla wax, typical structuring agents. In total, 384 lipsticks were formulated: L1 (control, no alkenones), L2 (alkenones as a substitute for ozokerite), L3 (alkenones as a substitute for microcrystalline wax) and L4 (alkenones as a substitute for candelilla wax). Products were tested for hardness (bending force), stiffness, firmness (needle penetration), pay‐off (using a texture analyser and a consumer panel), friction, melting point and stability for 12 weeks at 25 and 45°C.RESULTSAlkenones influenced each characteristic evaluated. In general, lipsticks with alkenones (L2‐L4) became softer and easier to bend compared to the control (L1). In terms of firmness, lipsticks were similar to the control, except for L4, which was significantly (P < 0.05) firmer. The effect on pay‐off was not consistent. L2 and L3 had higher pay‐off to skin and fabric than L1. In addition, L4 had the lowest amount transferred, but it still had the highest colour intensity on skin. Alkenones influenced friction (glide) positively; the average friction decreased for L2‐L4. The lowest friction (i.e. best glide) was shown in L4. Melting point of the lipsticks was lower when alkenones were present. Overall, L4, containing 7% of 4 alkenones in combination with microcrystalline wax, ozokerite and carnauba wax, was found to have the most desirable attributes, including ease of bending, high level of firmness, low pay‐off in terms of amount, high colour intensity on skin and low friction (i.e. better glide). Consumers preferred L4 the most overall.CONCLUSIONResults of this study indicate that alkenones offer a sustainable, non‐animal and non‐petroleum‐derived choice as a structuring agent for lipsticks.

Penicillium commune affects textural properties and water distribution of hard and extra-hard cheeses.

We analyzed the effects of growth of Penicillium commune, one of the most frequent fungal species associated with cheese, on the water diffusion and texture of hard and extra-hard cheeses. A total of 36 hard cheese blocks and 36 extra-hard cheese blocks were manufactured, salted at different levels (0.5, 1.25 and 2% w/w), and assigned to different treatments (control and inoculated). Cheese texture was analyzed using a penetration needle probe at 2 and 5 weeks after ripening. Firmness, defined as the maximum force detected in the penetration probe, was higher in both hard and extra-hard inoculated cheese blocks compared with the control. In addition, the presence of fungal growth on cheese rind increased the total work of penetration (a measure of resistance to probe penetration), but only in extra-hard cheeses, suggesting that the moisture of cheese might be affecting the growth capacities and performance of P. commune. The change in textural properties of cheeses was linked to desiccation of the upper 0.5-cm rind layer mediated by P. commune.

Fabrication and Characterization of Thiolated Chitosan Microneedle Patch for Transdermal Delivery of Tacrolimus.

Microneedle patch is a prominent strategy with minimal invasion and painless application to improve skin penetration of drug molecules. Herein, we report microneedle patch (MNP) as an alternative to the oral route for the systemic delivery of tacrolimus (TM), an immunosuppressant drug. Thiolated chitosan (TCS) based microneedle patch was fabricated and characterized in vitro and in vivo for its mechanical strength, skin penetration, drug release, and skin irritation. The MNP having 225 needles with 575μm showed good mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and percentage elongation. The skin penetration showed 84% penetration with no breakage. Histology of the mice skin after insertion showed the penetration of needles into the dermis. In vitro release and ex vivo permeation studies through Franz diffusion cell showed the sustained release (82.5%) of TM from the MNP with significantly higher (p <0.05) skin permeation as compared with controls, respectively. Moreover, in vivo biocompatibility in rats showed the safety of the material and patch. Thus, the TCS microneedle patch has the potential to be developed as a transdermal delivery system for tacrolimus with improved bioavailability and sustained release over a longer period.

Comparative evaluation of bilateral pudendal nerve blockade and periprostatic nerve block in transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy: a prospective randomised trial.

IntroductionAlthough the periprostatic nerve block (PNB) is accepted as the standard method for local anesthesia prior to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy, it is not the most ideal method. We aimed to analyze the effectiveness and safety of bilateral pudendal nerve blockage (PuNB) by comparing with PNB.Material and methodsBetween June 2019 and October 2019, a total of 108 patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen values (PSA ≥4 ng/ml) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination findings were included in the study. After exclusion criteria, the remaining 91 patients were randomly divided into two groups as PuNB (n = 46) and PNB (n = 45). Pain during local anesthesia application was recorded as a visual analog scale (VAS) 1, pain during placement of the rectal probe and manipulation was recorded as VAS 2 and pain during needle penetration into prostate tissue and sampling was recorded as VAS 3.ResultsNo significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to age, body mass index, serum PSA, prostate volume and prostate cancer rates. Mean VAS-2 score was significantly lower in the PuNB group when compared with the PNB group. There was no significant difference in terms of VAS-1 and VAS-3 scores. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of mild and severe complications.ConclusionsBoth techniques are safe for TRUS-guided prostate biopsy; however, PuNB provided more effective pain control compared to PNB especially during placement of rectal probe and manipulation.

Study on the Applicability of Needle/Cone Penetration Experiment for Asphalt‐Rubber

In order to quantitatively study the applicability of needle/cone penetration experiment for asphalt‐rubber (AR), the dynamic model of needle/cone in penetration process was established based on the Kelvin model, and the different impacts of crumb rubber (CR) particles on needle/cone penetration depth were analyzed using Matlab. The probability of needle/cone contacting CR particles in penetration process was statistically calculated. AR binders with different CR particle sizes were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and prepared for testing needle/cone penetration. The results showed that the solid‐liquid two‐phase feature of AR binders gradually weakened with the reduction of CR particle size. At the same viscoelastic parameters, CR particles had little impact on cone penetration depth when cone contacted CR particles. The probability of cone contacting CR particles was close to 100% in penetration process while that of needle was around 50%. The standard deviations of the needle penetration experimental results for AR binders with #20, #30, #40, #60, and #80 mesh CR were 4.0, 3.8, 2.8, 1.1, and 1.1 times of cone penetration, respectively. This study shows that the cone penetration experiment has a significant advantage in evaluating the consistency of the AR binder with coarse CR.

Comparative evaluation of a novel herbal anesthetic gel and 2% lignocaine gel as an intraoral topical anesthetic agent in children: Bilateral split-mouth, single-blind, crossover in vivo study

Topical anesthetics have an intrinsic part to reduce pricking pain sensation due to needle stick before injection in children. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a novel herbal anesthetic gel used as a topical anesthetic before an inferior alveolar nerve block. This was a bilateral split-mouth, single blind, crossoverin vivo study. Atotal number of 30 children were selected for this study design. After the application of the topical anesthesia, a 26-gauge needle was inserted in the mucobuccal fold and local anesthetic solution was deposited. Assessment of pain perception was done before the procedure and at the time of needle penetration using hemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate. The objective and subjective pain assessment was recoded through sound eye motor scale and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). As the data followed a normal distribution, parametric tests were used to analyze these data. The independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test were used to check the mean differences. The data showed no statistically significant differences in the objective and subjective pain assessment values of the novel herbal anesthetic gel compared to the 2% lignocaine gel. However, the intragroup comparisons of the before and during treatment results showed statistically significant results (P < 0.05). The novel herbal anesthetic gel was effective and safe in reducing the pain from needle insertion. Thus, setting up scientific evidence for the therapeutic usage of herbal products can, therefore, assist to develop a more efficient and alternative topical anesthetic.

Clinical evaluation of efficacy of transcortical anesthesia for the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the pain levels during anesthesia and the efficacy of the QuickSleeper intraosseous (IO) injection system and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) in impacted mandibular third molar surgery.MethodsThis prospective randomized clinical trial included 30 patients (16 women, 14 men) with bilateral symmetrical impacted mandibular third molars. Thirty subjects randomly received either the IO injection or conventional IANB at two successive appointments. A split-mouth design was used in which each patient underwent treatment of a tooth with one of the techniques and treatment of the homologous contralateral tooth with the other technique. The subjects received 1.8 mL of 2% articaine. Subjects' demographic data, pain levels during anesthesia induction, tooth extractions, and mouth opening on postoperative first, third, and seventh days were recorded. Pain assessment ratings were recorded using the 100-mm visual analog scale. The latency and duration of the anesthetic effect, complications, and operation duration were also analyzed in this study. The duration of anesthetic effect was considered using an electric pulp test and by probing the soft tissue with an explorer.ResultsThirty patients aged between 18 and 47 years (mean age, 25 years) were included in this study. The IO injection was significantly less painful with lesser soft tissue numbness and quicker onset of anesthesia and lingual mucosa anesthesia with single needle penetration than conventional IANB. Moreover, 19 out of 30 patients (63%) preferred transcortical anesthesia. Mouth opening on postoperative first day was significantly better with intraosseous injection than with conventional IANB (P = 0.013).ConclusionThe IO anesthetic system is a good alternative to IANB for extraction of the third molar with less pain during anesthesia induction and sufficient depth of anesthesia for the surgical procedure.