Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R F Edlich.
Surgical glove dusting powders are commonly used as mold-release agents and to facilitate donning. Cornstarch and CaCO3 are commonly used absorbable dusting powders. This experimental study demonstrates that these absorbable dusting powders significantly potentiate bacterial growth and enhance a wound's inflammatory response. The infection-potentiating effects of CaCO3 are significantly greater than those of cornstarch.
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The purpose of this report is to describe the emergency medical response to a disaster caused by the collapse of a balcony in Pavilion I on the Lawn of the University of Virginia during graduation. The emergency medical response to rescue of the injured was hindered by five major factors: (1) a metal linked chain blocked access of rescue vehicles, (2) inability to identify an emergency medical command officer, (3) failure to transfer injured patients with stable vital signs and secured to backboards to a triage area away from the scene of the accident, (4) ineffective crowd control, and (5) the failure to delay procession until completion of patient transport from the disaster site. Sixteen people were injured in the accident and one patient died. The cause of the accident was the absence of a redundant architectural support system for the balcony.
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Biomechanical performance studies were undertaken for powder-free, latex and nitrile examination gloves. Using standardized tests, examination glove performance was judged by measuring glove thickness, glove puncture force, glove tape adhesion force, glove donning force, glove stiffness, and immediate unrecovered stretch. Even though the nitrile examination gloves were thinner than the latex examination gloves, they exhibited a greater puncture resistance. In addition, tape adherence to the N-Dex nitrile glove was the lowest. Moreover, measurements of the handling characteristics of the nitrile examination gloves demonstrated that they are an acceptable alternative to latex examination gloves. While these biomechanical studies demonstrate the superiority of the nitrile examination gloves, clinical glove evaluation is still needed to determine their performance in the health care setting.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The behind-the-back reach test is a reproducible and reliable physical fitness test for musculoskeletal extensibility of the upper extremities, shoulder girdles, and upper back. Requiring only a rigid ruler and marking pen, administration of this test can be learned easily both by medical and nonmedical personnel. Normative data derived from a study of healthy subjects of different ages demonstrated that extensibility decreases with age. Moreover, musculoskeletal extensibility for women was significantly greater than that for men. The test results were not influenced significantly by anthropometric measurements.
The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical performance of hollow latex rubber tubes used for hand rehabilitation. The results of this investigation provide load extension profiles of each tube that document the forces required to elongate the tube to a specific length. By relating these mechanical performance tests to quantitative measures of hand strength, an individualized exercise prescription can be designed for rehabilitation of the injured hand.
Air splints have been used for immobilization of fractures, skin graft stabilization and preprosthetic rehabilitation of the amputated lower limb. The purpose of this clinical study was to assess its use as a hydrofitness device to facilitate walking reeducation, to produce muscle strengthening and to increase joint extensibility in patients with weak legs. The performance of the air splint as a hydrofitness device was compared to that of the new foam hydrofitness device. The parameters used to assess the performance of these devices included durability, application and removal times, joint extensibility and the magnitude of the fluid drag forces. On the basis of this evaluation, the performance of the foam hydrofitness device was judged to be superior to that of the air splint for leg musculoskeletal conditioning.
Accidental iron intoxication is one of the most serious and potentially fatal intoxications in young children. Occurrence in the adult population is rare and is usually associated with a suicide or homicide attempt. Heretofore, all reported cases have involved oral ingestion of ferrous and ferric salts of iron. In a case of fatal iron intoxication reported by Doolin and Drueck, in addition to swallowing a liquid form of ferrous chloride, the patient aspirated it and absorbed it through chemically burned and denuded areas of skin when he fell into a vat of saturated ferrous chloride at work. It is the purpose of this report to describe the first case of fatal iron intoxication in which the sole route of iron absorption was the burned skin. Clinical course of this patient paralleled that of acute oral iron intoxication with development of refractory acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, respiratory and renal failure, and sepsis.
A new improved skin-closure tape, Proxi-Strip, has been developed. It has unique performance and handling characteristics that are ideally suited for wound closure. Most importantly, its adhesive provides a strong level of shear adherence to the skin. Its backing is extensive under low forces to accommodate swelling of the underlying tissue. Its great air porosity and water transmission rates augur well for the presence of dry skin under the tape. An antistatic compound has been added to the tape that maintains its flat configuration and facilitates its application to skin. On the basis of these unique performance and handling characteristics, Proxi-Strip skin-closure tape is recommended for wound closure.
An automated hydrotherapy water treatment system was described that controls chemical pumps that maintain the pool's water pH and chlorine levels at the designated set points, regardless of the bather load. This system consists of sensing electrodes, a controller, and positive displacement pumps. Because outbreaks of waterborne infections have never been reported in facilities in which the pool water has been continuously maintained at pH 7.2 to 7.8 with a free available chlorine level of at least 1.0 ppm, we recommend that this type of water treatment system be installed in all public pools.
Isokinetic exercise measurements are widely used in rehabilitation medicine for evaluation and treatment planning. Computerized peak torque, work, and power measurements in isokinetic exercise can be obtained reliably when testing muscles that cross the knee and elbow joints. Important technical considerations in torque curve analysis are axis alignment, instrument calibration, and damp and gravity correction factors. The usefulness of these measurements has been limited by the small number of accurate scientific studies providing valid normative data on healthy individuals.
The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the performance of a new cohesive bandage to that of elastic bandages for joint immobilization. The magnitude of joint immobilization by these bandages was quantitated during isokinetic exercise using a computerized dynamometer. The degree to which the cohesive and elastic bandages reduced range of motion and peak torque of plantar and dorsiflexion was not significantly different. After exercising for 1 hour, the elastic bandage loosens, reducing its ability to immobilize the joint. In contrast, the cohesive bandage maintains its configuration, despite active exercise for 1 hour.
A bicycle ergometer modified for aquatic exercise was used to determine the effects of immersion on core temperature during submaximal exercise at different water temperatures. An exercise intensity (60% of maximal oxygen consumption) and duration (30 minutes) considered appropriate for cardiovascular conditioning were used. These data will be useful in cardiovascular and leg-strengthening hydrotherapy programs. Rectal temperature, skin temperature, and a rating of thermal comfort were studied in five normal men (14.8% +/- 5.6% fat) during headout immersion at water temperatures of 21.1 degrees, 25.3 degrees, and 29.4 degrees C and exercise in air of 21.1 degrees C. Subjects were immersed for 30 minutes during static and exercise (63% +/- 0.6% maximal oxygen consumption) conditions. Data were collected every 5 minutes and analyzed by repeated measured analysis of variance. At water temperatures, rectal temperature fell from control during static immersion (p less than or equal to 0.05) and was lower than control at the end of the 30-minute recovery period (p less than or equal to 0.05). During exercise there was no change in rectal temperature at water temperatures of 21.1 degrees and 25.3 degrees C; however, rectal temperature rose at water temperatures of 29.4 degrees (p less than or equal to 0.05) and air 21.1 degrees C (p less than or equal to 0.05). At the end of recovery rectal temperature was lower than control at water temperatures 21.1 degrees C (p less than or equal to 0.05) and greater than control at water temperatures 29.4 degrees C (p less than or equal to 0.05). There was no change from control in rectal temperatures at water temperatures 25.3 degrees C and air at 21.1 degrees C. These results indicate that immersion in 25.3 degrees and 21.1 degrees C water effectively attenuates the rise in rectal temperature during exercise at 63% of maximal oxygen consumption, whereas immersion in 29.4 degrees C water does not. In addition, both skin and rectal temperatures affect perception of thermal state but do not give the subjects an accurate estimation of thermal balance.