Abnormal Blood Glucose Concentration on Degradation Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

In order to evaluate the effect of blood glucose concentration on the reliability of AZ31 magnesium alloy medical implant, the corrosion of AZ31 alloy was studied in a simulated physiological saline solution. It is found that when the glucose concentration is in the normal range of ca. 1 g/L, the corrosion of AZ31 alloy can be inhibited. However, when the glucose concentration becomes higher like that of diabetic patients, the degradation of AZ31 alloy is significantly accelerated. Therefore, for diabetic patients, the change in glucose concentration must be taken into consideration in order to ensure the reliability of AZ31 medical implants.     

Determination of Trace Leaching Phthalate Esters in Water and Urine from Plastic Containers by Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive method has been developed for determination of trace leaching phthalate esters (PAEs) in water and urine from plastic containers by direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The limits of detection (LODs) for PAEs in water and urine had values between 0.2–8 ng L^?1 and 4–70 ng L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully used for quantification of trace PAEs in water in microwavable polypropylene containers heated by microwave irradiation and in the urine of patients treated with a glucose injection using polyvinyl chloride tubing.     

Radiation-grafting of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate onto polypropylene films by one step method

Polypropylene films were modified with 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) using the pre-irradiation method with gamma-rays (one step method). The effect of absorbed dose from 10 to 100 kGy, temperature (50, 60, and 70 °C), monomer concentration between 12.5% and 62.5%, monomers ratio from 10% to 90% and reaction time from 5 to 50 h; on the degree of grafting was determined. The grafted samples were analyzed by FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, swelling, and contact angle. Grafts onto polymeric films between 3% and 109% were obtained at doses from 10 to 100 kGy and a dose rate around 7.4 kGy/h. The graft percent increased with the content in HEMA in the HEMA:OEGMA feed mixture, which indicates a lower reactivity of OEGMA compared to HEMA. The hydrogel layer grafted on the polypropylene substrate increases the hydrophilicity of the surface and also provides certain temperature-responsiveness, which may be of interest for biomedical applications.     

Substrate dependent differences in morphology and elasticity of living osteoblasts investigated by atomic force microscopy

We have used the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a tool for testing the biocompatibility of implant materials by investigating the adhesion behavior of osteoblast cells in vitro. This technique allowed the investigation of cytomorphology and cytomechanical properties of living cells on a submicrometer scale. Cell adhesion was investigated on Cobalt–Chromium (CoCr), Titanium (Ti) and Titanium–Vanadium (TiV) substrates, which are of great interest in the field of implant research. The elastic properties and the morphology of living osteoblasts on the metallic substrates were compared with those of osteoblasts cultured on glass and tissue culture polystyrene (PS). Furthermore, a characterization of the surface roughness of the substrates was performed and the surface coverage of proteins after incubation with cell culture medium on the substrates was observed with the AFM.     

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) to the determination of pathogenic bacteria for medical diagnosis

Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. have a major impact on human, animal, and plant life. Several decades ago it was observed that intact cells suspended in an isotonic salt solution moved toward the anode and the mobility was proportional to the density of the charge located on the cell surfaces. Since then, efforts have been made to make electrophoresis a useful tool in cell studies. Microorganisms are no exception. In the present work we applied the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with dynamical modification of the capillary surface for separation of E. coli and P. vulgaris. The same method was used for identification of E. coli in infected urine (direct injection - UTIs) and also for identification of Helicobacter pylori which is a gram-negative bacillus responsible for one of the most common infections found in humans worldwide. Using spectrophotometric measurements at λ = 214 nm we proved that it is possible to measure the concentration of bacterial cells up to 5 × 10⁸ cells/mL. Recent studies have demonstrated very practical uses for electrophoretic techniques, especially in the field of medical diagnosis. Figure The developed CZE method allows the rapid analysis and identification of pathogenic bacteria: example shown illustrates the identifcation of E. coli in a urine sample determined much more rapidly than with conventional culturing on Petri dishes Presented at the 11th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment, 9–12 September 2007, Torun, Poland.     

High purity oxygen production with a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser

Oxygen is required for treatment of patients in hospitals and at home, in industrial processes and for fuel combustion. Most commonly oxygen is produced by cryogenic or pressure swing adsorption routes. Other techniques include oxygen-ion conducting ceramic membranes, polymer membranes and chemical processes used mainly in civil aviation to reduce the condition of hypoxia at high altitudes. Water electrolysis is used mainly for the production of hydrogen with oxygen as a by-product. In order to use this system only for oxygen production, hydrogen must be utilised and disposed off safely. This, however, is not practical in many instances where there is no use for hydrogen and it poses an explosion hazard. In this paper, an electrolyser system based on polymer electrolyte membrane is described in which hydrogen produced on one side of the electrochemical cell is consumed by combining it with atmospheric oxygen, through operating the cell in a carefully configured fuel cell mode. This reduces the power consumed in the electrolysis operation by more than 35% and eliminates hydrogen in exit gases. Oxygen generated is of high quality and can be used for human consumption (portable and plug-in home care oxygen therapy devices, in hospitals, defence or aerospace requirements) and for many other industrial applications.     

Implementation of an integrated glucose POCT system

In response to a change of the Belgian National Directives whereby hospital laboratories became responsible for all point-of-care testing (POCT) performed within hospital walls a standardized and automated POC glucose-testing system was implemented in our hospital. The system consists of 50 AccuCheck Inform instruments (Roche Diagnostics, Vilvoorde, Belgium), 50 docking stations, a DataCare Server, and connections to the medical laboratory information system (MOLIS, Sysmex, Barchon, Belgium) and to the hospital information system. Implementation involved many parties and extensive preparation and communication. Key issues were bar-coded patient and user identification, training, and responsibilities. One year after the hospital wide implementation of this system the quality of POC glucose testing has significantly increased, thereby improving patient safety. This study describes a stepwise change over involving the medical laboratory and with a focus on hands-on quality.Presented at the ninth conference on Quality in the Spotlight, 18–19 March 2004, Antwerp, Belgium.     

Determination of clofentezine in medical herb extracts by chromatographic methods combined with diode array scanning densitometry

The aim of this study is to report a new procedure for extraction, cleanup and determination of clofentezine in herb extracts by ultrasound‐assisted solvent extraction, SPE and multidimensional planar chromatography with diode array detector (MDPC‐DAD) and/or HPLC‐DAD. The application of various extraction solvents in SPE experiments conducted on octadecyl silane coupled with styrene‐divinylbenzene cartridges for fractionation and purification samples has been described. Normal‐phase systems were used in MDPC experiments on silica layer. The procedure described for the determination of compounds is inexpensive and can be applied to the routine analysis of analytes in plant extracts, after preliminary cleanup and concentration, e.g. by SPE. Application of MDPC‐DAD and HPLC‐DAD is especially useful for correct identification of components of difficult, complicated mixtures, e.g. analytes in medical herbs.     

Medical device registration, agreements on mutual recognition — a step forward to global harmonization?

The purpose of this article is to give a short overview of some different regulations in Europe and the United States with regard to the clearance of medical devices and to give an outlook of what the Agreements on Mutual Recognition will bring in terms of Global Harmonization.

Recent European legislation, the Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices (Medical Device Directive, MDD), requires that all medical devices placed on the European market bear the CE marking. From 14 June 1998, medical devices fall under the scope of this European Medical Device Directive and there is a harmonization within the European market. Similar to this, but for another market, are the USA FDA requirements, Premarket Approval (PMA) and Premarket notification (510(k)). The same medical device, the same goal — a safe product — but different legislation and thus duplication of registration procedures.

The European Commission is presently discussing a series of agreements with third countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern European countries wishing to join the EU, concerning the mutual acceptance of inspection bodies and, ultimately, proof of conformity (for example reports on examination, certificates, licenses and marks of conformity) in connection with medical devices. Meanwhile agreements with Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada came into force.     

Pencil‐drawn Paper‐based Non‐invasive and Wearable Capacitive Respiration Sensor

This paper describes a fully‐drawn pencil‐on‐paper based low‐cost capacitive sensor for non‐invasive respiration monitoring. The sensor utilizes the hygroscopic character of the paper to measure the breathing rate and pattern. The adsorption and desorption of water molecules on paper during inhalation and exhalation results in variation in its dielectric constant. This change in dielectric constant during respiration reflects the change in capacitance of the sensor. By interfacing the sensor with the microcontroller, the capacitance data was acquired and transferred to a smartphone through Bluetooth communication. Being a low cost, wearable, non‐invasive and disposable sensor, it holds tremendous potential in healthcare technology and can be commercialized into a viable product for easy‐to‐use diagnostic purpose.     

A sub-nanomole level electrochemical method for determination of prochloraz and its metabolites based on medical stone doped disposable electrode

A ultrasensitive, simple and convenient electrochemical method was firstly developed for the determination of prochloraz and its metabolites as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) using nano-aperture medical stone. Compared with the undoped disposable electrode (UDE), nano-aperture medical stone doped disposable electrode (MSDDE) not only significantly enhances the oxidation peak current of 2,4,6-TCP but also lowers the oxidation overpotential, suggesting that the nano-aperture MSDDE can remarkably improve the sensitivity of 2,4,6-TCP. The experimental conditions such as pH values of buffer solution, the content of nano-aperture medical stone, accumulation potential and time were optimized for the determination of 2,4,6-TCP. At optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of 2,4,6-TCP over the range from 6.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 8.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. Finally, this novel method was successfully employed to detect prochloraz and its metabolites in orange rind with the detection limit of 8.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (0.3 ng g⁻¹) and the method was validated by gas chromatography.     

Amphiphilic nature of polyethylene glycols and their role in medical research

BackgroundPolyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polyether compound which is an excellent candidate to study possible specific interactions of protein-polymer systems at the atomic level. Such studies would be beneficial in obtaining a more thorough understanding of PEG-protein interactions and might help to explain PEG's effects on protein behavior when used as a crowder.Scope of reviewPEGs has been called double edged sword showing assorted effects on the protein due its hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphatic nature. It has been observed that the stabilization of the protein due to PEGs is because of exclusion volume effect (hard core interactions) shown by the higher molecular sizes of the crowder, however there are soft (chemical) interactions also which leads to destabilization of proteins. Most of low molecular size PEGs are noticed to destabilize proteins due to soft interactions.General significanceHere, the core characteristics of the polyethylene glycols that are responsible for the various interactions with proteins and trying to delineate the behaviour of PEGs being ambiguous, are discussed. To conclude its paradox nature being a factual inert molecule or not, many different reports of PEG interactions with various proteins are clubbed together. In addition, owing to low toxicity, high polarity, high water solubility, typically unhydrolysing or undeteriorating characteristics, it has a practical significance in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and in the research field on which this review shall enlighten from earlier to now.     

Nanophase separation in segmented polyurethane elastomers: Effect of specific interactions on structure and properties

Polyurethanes were prepared from 4,4′-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), 1,4-butanediol (BD) and poly (tetrahydrofurane) polyether polyol (PTHF). The -OH functional group ratio of polyol/total diol was kept constant at 0.4 in all experiments, while the ratio of the isocianate and hydroxyl groups (NCO/OH) changed between 0.940 and 1.150. Melt polymerization was carried out in an internal mixer. The polymers were characterized with a number of methods including GPC, FTIR, WAXS, DSC, DMA and tensile testing. Changing stoichiometry modifies molecular weight as expected, but the relative concentration of end-groups also changes at the same time. The respective end-groups preferentially associate with each other leading to phase separation. -OH end-groups enter into weaker interactions with each other than urethane and amine groups. The extent of phase separation, as well as the size and properties of the dispersed phase depend on composition. Each property of the polymer is affected differently by molecular weight and phase separation. Melt viscosity depends mostly on the length of the molecules, ultimate tensile properties are influenced also by interactions, while stiffness is determined almost exclusively by phase structure.     

Rationale for practical medical device accelerated aging programs in AAMI TIR 17

A Technical Information Report, TIR 17, entitled, “Radiation Sterilization Material Qualification” has been published by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) to provide guidance in order to increase the quality and reduce the cost and amount of time required for performing medical device material qualifications. It contains four sections that cover the fundamentals of material selection, processing, testing and accelerated aging programs. The last of these sections, entitled “Accelerating Aging Programs,” provides step-by-step guidance for simple, empirical accelerated programs of use to the medical device industry. The methods are based on van’t Hoff’s observation that the rate of chemical reactions increases by a factor of two for every 10°C increase in temperature, the Q₁₀=2 rule.

With critical patient safety concerns in the medical device industry, it is appropriate for both device manufacturers and regulators to ask if simple, empirical methods such as those outlined in TIR 17 are reasonable and responsible. One reason for confidence in the methods is their success when used in aging environments that are much more severe than those commonly used in the medical device industry. Another reason for confidence in the methods is found from the observation that the working equations of the method can be derived from theory. This paper provides an overview of the thermal accelerated aging theory that forms the basis for the working equations of the accelerated aging programs of TIR 17. Assumptions used are examined and found reasonable; the theoretical foundation is established. While this foundation provides added confidence for the application of the methods of TIR 17 to the medical device industry, it is emphasized that application of the methods within appropriate boundaries is critical. Theoretical boundaries are explained and demonstrated by means of Arrhenius plots, and practical boundaries discussed.     

Proficiency testing and external quality assurance: crossing borders and disciplines

Proficiency testing and external quality assurance of medical laboratories is now entering its sixth decade. These activities comprise a broad range of applications including: providing participants and public health authorities with estimates of measurement uncertainty and national infrastructure; providing education; provision of a practical basis for accreditation and regulatory compliance. All branches of medical laboratory science have employed external quality assurance as a basis for improvement and comparability. The opportunities and challenges reviewed here include: the proper establishment of multiple target values in comparison to a system of traceability to reference or definitive methods; the problems of matrix effects and commutability of patient and proficiency test samples; generating information on laboratory infrastructure and trends in analytical technique and performance; providing education and setting goals for laboratory improvement; problems of specimen distribution; application of Internet technology; the role of programs in legal mandates and accreditation. Received: 24 April 2002 Accepted: 11 July 2002     

Electrostriction around colloid molecules and interfacial action of inhalation anesthetic: Volume function

Poly( -lysine) exists as a polyelectrolyte in an aqueous solution with charged -NH₃⁺ of the side-chain terminals at pH values below 10.5, while it loses the charges above this pH. Due to the electrostatic repulsion, the conformation of the charged form is random coil while that of the uncharged form is helix. The densities of each form were measured by an oscillation densimeter at several poly( -lysine · HBr) concentrations and the apparent molal volumes were estimated. By extrapolating the apparent molal volumes to infinite dilution, the partial molal volumes of each form at infinite dilution were obtained. When expressed by the partial molal volume per residue at infinite dilution, the values were 125.3 cm³ residue⁻¹ for the uncharged form and 112.8 cm³ residue⁻¹ for the charged form at 298.15°K. From the temperature dependence of the partial molal volume, the partial molal expansibilities were found to be 0.070 cm³ residue⁻¹ deg⁻¹ for the uncharged form and 0.106 cm³ residue⁻¹ deg⁻¹ for the charged form. The smaller partial molal expansibility of the uncharged form compared to the charged form is in agreement with the general pattern that hydrophobic macromolecules show smaller expansibility than hydrophilic macromolecules. An inhalation anesthetic, methoxyflurane, did not alter the volume of the uncharged form and expanded only the charged form. At the anesthetic concentration of 1.7 × 10⁻³ m, the partial molal volume of the charged poly( -lysine · HBr) was expanded by 0.27%. The partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in aqueous solution was 108.5 cm³ mole⁻¹ at 278.15°K while that of the pure liquid state was 113.1 cm³ mole⁻¹. The decrease of the partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in aqueous solution is attributable to the structuring of water molecules around the anesthetic. The partial molal volume of the anesthetic in the 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ m charged poly( -lysine · HBr) solution was 110.9 cm³ mole⁻¹. This increase of the partial molal volume of methoxyflurane in the peptide solution indicates that the anesthetic-water contact is partially destroyed by the binding.     

医用聚烯烃材料的开发及应用进展

伴随着塑料工业、医学技术和生物技术的不断发展以及人们对健康的日益关注,医用塑料应用领域已变得越来越广泛。聚烯烃材料由于其安全无毒的特点,已经越来越多地应用在医用领域。迄今为止,聚氯乙烯在国内仍是广泛用作医用材料。基于人体健康和环境安全的考虑,采用更安全、环保的替代品是大势所趋。采用其它更安全环保的聚烯烃材料替代PVC材料的研究将是本领域的一个重要研究方向。本文综述了医用聚烯烃材料的开发和应用现状,阐述了各类聚烯烃材料的主要特点和用途,重点介绍了各类聚烯烃材料研究和开发进展,展望了医用聚烯烃材料的某些可能发展方向。     

Improvements in performance in medical diagnostics tests documented by interlaboratory comparison programs

There is evidence to support the notion that interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) are an effective tool for laboratory improvement. However, despite widespread experience and anecdotal evidence of improvements there are few published studies demonstrating any benefits from ILCs– in any field of testing. Published demonstrations of benefits can help justify the growing use of ILCs. ILCs and proficiency testing have been common for many years in medical laboratories; there has been open information on the results of ILCs, and there has been standardization of results from thousands of laboratories. These studies show general improvement over time in several areas of testing in different countries. Many articles cite specific reasons for the improvements, either proven or supposed. An early version of this paper was presented at the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Conference ”ILAC 2000” in Washington D.C., on 31October, 2000. Received: 10 February 2001 Accepted: 21 January 2002     

Laser excited atomic fluorescence of some transition elements in the nitrons oxide-acetylene flame

A pulsed, tunable dye laser, pumped with a nitrogen laser is used to excite the atomic fluorescence of Sc, V, Hf, Nb, Os, Zr, W, Rh and Ru. Except in the case of Rh, the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame has been used. The results obtained for Zr and W are due to scattering of the laser radiation from unvaporized particles in the flame. Since, for most elements, several fluorescence lines of comparable intensity have been observed after the primary excitation process, the usefulness of observing non-resonance fluorescence is stressed, particularly with regard to the possibility of minimizing spectral interferences. The experimental results demonstrate that the limits of detection obtained with the dye laser source are comparable or better than the best atomic absorption limits only when the same primary absorption line used for the atomic absorption measurements can be used for exciting the fluorescence.     

Evaluation of plastic packaging materials used in radiation sterilized medical products and food

This paper studied the results of evaluation on resistance to radiation, moisture permeability, bacteria permeability, tensile strength, elongation at break and sealing ability for several plastic films available on the market. The result shows that nylon, sarin, and polyethylene complex films, high and low density polyethylene films are applicable for packing of radiation sterilized products.