ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to introduce our patient-specific bioactive porous titanium implant manufactured using selective laser melting (SLM) and to establish the efficacy and safety of the implant for stand-alone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) based on a prospective clinical trial. We designed a customized ACDF implant using patient-specific data and manufactured the implant using SLM. We produced a bioactive surface through a specific chemical and thermal treatment. Using this implant, we surgically treated four patients with cervical degenerative disc disease and evaluated the clinical and radiological results. We achieved successful bony union in all but one patient without autologous bone grafting within 1 year. We observed no implant subsidence during the follow-up period, and all clinical parameters improved significantly after surgery, with no reported implant-related adverse effects. Our customized bioactive porous titanium implant is a safe and promising implant for stand-alone ACDF.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to introduce our patient-specific bioactive porous titanium implant manufactured using selective laser melting (SLM) and to establish the efficacy and safety of the implant for stand-alone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) based on a prospective clinical trial. We designed a customized ACDF implant using patient-specific data and manufactured the implant using SLM. We produced a bioactive surface through a specific chemical and thermal treatment. Using this implant, we surgically treated four patients with cervical degenerative disc disease and evaluated the clinical and radiological results. We achieved successful bony union in all but one patient without autologous bone grafting within 1 year. We observed no implant subsidence during the follow-up period, and all clinical parameters improved significantly after surgery, with no reported implant-related adverse effects. Our customized bioactive porous titanium implant is a safe and promising implant for stand-alone ACDF.
ABSTRACT
The dysphagia diet for hospitalized patients is necessary to ensure their physical stability, and various viscous materials are used for liquid balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate time-dependent modulation of viscous material solutions, measured using the Sine Wave Vibro Viscometer. We also developed an original viscosity index based on the relationship between material concentration and stable viscosity at 5 min after mixing, as stated in the Japanese Dysphagia Diet 2013 recommended by the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation Dysphagia Diet Committee. Comparison of the concentration of viscous materials in the viscosity range 50-150 mPas showed that minimum and maximum concentration was 0.43% and 1.06%, respectively, and these estranged approximate twice. These results suggest that it is difficult to prepare solutions with equal viscosity using different materials, because the materials or diluent for therapeutic diets are different in each hospital. It is expected that the viscosity index will help to raise healthcare professionals’ awareness about the importance of material quantitation and that it will become one of the tools used in nutrition education, dietary intervention, and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare.