Induced-charge electrophoresis of a tilted metal nanowire near an insulating wall.

Electric fields are commonly used to control the orientation and motion of microscopic metal particles in aqueous suspensions. For example, metallodielectric Janus spheres are propelled by the induced-charge electro-osmotic flow occurring on their metallic side, the most common case in electrokinetics of exploiting symmetry breaking of surface properties for achieving net particle motion. In this work, we demonstrate that a homogeneous metal rod can translate parallel to a dielectric wall as a result of the hydrodynamic wall-particle interaction arising from the induced-charge electro-osmosis on the rod surface. The applied electric field could be either dc or low-frequency ac. The only requirement for a nonvanishing particle velocity is that the axis of the rod be inclined with respect to the wall, i.e., it cannot be neither parallel nor perpendicular. We show numerical results of the rod velocity as a function of rod orientation and distance to the wall. The maximum particle velocity is found for an orientation of between ∼30^{∘} and ∼50^{∘}, depending on the position and aspect ratio of the cylinder. Particle velocities of up to tens of µm/s are predicted for typical conditions in electrokinetic experiments.

Scattering of Metal Colloids by a Circular Post under Electric Fields.

We consider the scattering of metal colloids in aqueous solutions by an insulating circular post under the action of an AC electric field. We analyze the effects on the particle of several forces of electrical origin: the repulsion between the induced dipole of the particle and its image dipole in the post, the hydrodynamic interaction with the post due to the induced-charge electroosmotic (ICEO) flow around the particle, and the dielectrophoresis arising from the distortion of the applied electric field around the post. The relative influence of these forces is discussed as a function of frequency of the AC field, particle size and distance to the post. We perform numerical simulations of the scattering of the metal colloid by the insulating circular post flowing in a microchannel and subjected to alternating current electric fields. Our simulation results show that the maximum particle deviation is found for an applied electric field parallel to the flow direction. The deviation is also greater at low electric field frequencies, corresponding to the regime in which the ICEO's interaction with the post is predominant over other mechanisms.

Osteosintesis asistida con navegación 2D con tornillos iliacosacros percutáneos en lesiones del anillo pélvico posterior / Assisted osteosynthesis with 2D navigation with percutaneous iliacosacral screws in posterior pelvic ring injuries

Introducción: La osteosíntesis percutánea sacroiliaca guiada por radioscopia en lesiones del anillo pélvico posterior sigue siendo la técnica de referencia. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de técnicas como la cirugía asistida por navegación 2D/3D o por tomografía han mejorado la facilidad y seguridad en la colocación de los tornillos. Objetivo: Presentar la técnica de fijación asistida por navegación en 2D y los resultados clínicos y radiológicos obtenidos. Materiales y métodos: Se revisaron 23 pacientes con disrupción del anillo pélvico posterior (luxación y/o fractura sacroiliaca) intervenidos mediante fijación percutánea asistida por navegación 2D (Sistema Synergy de Medtronic®) en el hospital desde 2017 hasta la actualidad. Se recogieron variables demográficas, de clasificación, terapéuticas y las complicaciones derivadas. Se utilizó la escala modificada de valoración POS (Multicenter Study Group Pelvis Outcome Scale) para evaluar el resultado clínico, radiológico y social. Resultados: Ocho pacientes presentaban luxación sacro-iliaca y 15 tenían fractura a través del sacro. Se implantaron 40 tornillos iliacosacros. El tiempo quirúrgico medio fue de 20 minutos para cada tornillo. Fueron necesarios ocho pulsos de radioscopia de media por intervención. Hubo tres tornillos (7.5%) mal posicionados. 15 pacientes obtuvieron un resultado bueno o excelente en el formulario POS. Conclusiones: La técnica asistida por navegación es una alternativa con buenos resultados. Facilita al cirujano la colocación correcta de los tornillos en el corredor óseo sacro, acortando el tiempo quirúrgico y con una menor exposición a radiaciones ionizantes. Es útil para todo tipo de lesiones del anillo y cuando son necesarias maniobras de reducción.

Introduction: Radioscopy-guided percutaneous sacroiliac osteosynthesis in posterior pelvic ring lesions continues to be the reference technique. However, the development of techniques such as surgery assisted by 2D/3D navigation or tomography have improved the ease and safety in screw placement. Objective: To present the 2D navigation-assisted fixation technique and the clinical and radiological results obtained. Materials and methods: 23 patients with disruption of the posterior pelvic ring (dislocation and/or sacroiliac fracture) who underwent percutaneous fixation assisted by 2D navigation (Medtronic® Synergy System) at the hospital from 2017 to the present were reviewed. Demographic, classification, therapeutic variables and resulting complications were collected. The modified POS (Multicenter Study Group Pelvis Outcome Scale) assessment scale was used to evaluate the clinical, radiological and social outcome. Results: Eight patients had sacro-iliac dislocation and 15 had a fracture through the sacrum. 40 iliacosacral screws were implanted. The average surgical time was 20 minutes for each screw. An average of eight fluoroscopy pulses were necessary per intervention. There were three screws (7.5%) incorrectly positioned. 15 patients had a good or excellent result on the POS form. Conclusions: The navigation-assisted technique is an alternative with good results. It makes it easier for the surgeon to correctly place the screws in the sacral bone corridor, shortening surgical time and with less exposure to ionizing radiation. It is useful for all types of ring injuries and when reduction maneuvers are necessary.

Dipolophoresis and Travelling-Wave Dipolophoresis of Metal Microparticles.

We study theoretically and numerically the electrokinetic behavior of metal microparticles immersed in aqueous electrolytes. We consider small particles subjected to non-homogeneous ac electric fields and we describe their motion as arising from the combination of electrical forces (dielectrophoresis) and the electroosmotic flows on the particle surface (induced-charge electrophoresis). The net particle motion is known as dipolophoresis. We also study the particle motion induced by travelling electric fields. We find analytical expressions for the dielectrophoresis and induced-charge electrophoresis of metal spheres and we compare them with numerical solutions. This validates our numerical method, which we also use to study the dipolophoresis of metal cylinders.