Journal of medical engineering & technology
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This paper deals with statistical modelling of blood carbon dioxide partial pressure pCO2. The clinical measurements were carried out in the Arab Centre for Heart and Special Surgery in Amman. The statistical analysis of the results obtained demonstrates that pCO2 for arterial, venous and capillary blood have histograms approaching normal ones. ⋯ Making use of this regression model, the blood pCO2 population can indirectly be obtained with accuracy fulfilling clinical requirements. Therefore, this approach will not only lead to less invasive methods but will also result in decreasing the cost of projected analyser for blood gas analysis. The implementation of this proposed regression equation ensures the effectiveness of the model as an indirect method for pCO2 measurements.
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Comparative Study
Selection of pulse oximetry equipment for ambulatory monitoring.
This communication describes the initial stage of a research project concerning the monitoring of SpO2 in infants prone to periods of spontaneous oxygen desaturation whilst freely moving around their home environment. The primary aim was to determine an appropriate probe type and site together with an assessment of the suitability of two commercially available oximeter units. ⋯ It is concluded that ambulatory recording of SpO2 in infants utilizing equipment suitable for home monitoring can produce diagnostic data equivalent to that of the Ohmeda 3700 biox, but that an indication of movement artefact may be required for confirmation of accuracy. It became apparent that 'wrap around' probes, used on the index finger or big toe are the most suitable.
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This paper presents a robust finite element model (FEM) with multiple-layers of varying properties for investigation of burn effects on human skin during a burning process resulting from exposure of skin surface to a contact heat source and a hot moving fluid. Henriques' theory of skin burns is used in conjunction with two-dimensional Pennes bioheat transfer equation for determining the spatial and temporal extent of burn injury. The model developed is a two-dimensional axisymmetric model in cylindrical coordinates. ⋯ The mesh employed in this model consists of a high density of nodes and elements in which a thorough mesh convergence study was done. A comparison of the transient temperature field computed by this model against Diller's results using the FE technique with a comparatively coarse mesh of 125 elements and experimental data by Orgill et al. has been done in the present study. It concluded that improved accurate solutions have been performed using the robust model developed due to the achievement of a mesh-independent solution.
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Compression therapy is frequently used to prevent hypertrophy of post-burn scars. This pilot study was performed in 6 patients to assess non-invasive changes induced in the tensile strength of the skin before any clinical improvement can be perceived. Assessments were performed using a computerized suction device delivering three 5 s cycles of 500 mbar depression. ⋯ Comparisons were made between the intact skin, the ungrafted and grafted post-burn scars and the graft donor sites. Data show that garment compression therapy alters the tensile strength in the skin of all test sites. The most reliable variations consist of an increase in both the extensibility and elasticity of the tissues submitted to traction.