Wireless Vein and Artery Identifier for Laparoscopic Instruments / Identificador Inalámbrico de Venas y Arterias para Instrumentos Laparoscópicos

ABSTRACT This article presents an innovation on a conventional laparoscopic instrument, to which was added the automatic function to identify veins and arteries. It is proposed the use of a reflective-optical sensor with a specific work wavelength acting on blood vessels. The discrimination success between veins and arteries is achieved based on the range of difference between the light emitted and the light reflected. At the tip of a laparoscopic instrument was fitted a reflective-optical sensor composed of a LED and a light dependent resistor. In the upper part of the instrument an electronic control, processing and radio frequency transmitter module was fitted, which warns the surgeon and his assistants if the detected blood vessel is a vein or artery. The instrument was tested in vitro using whole human blood samples and in vivo on canine model blood vessels. With the innovation a low-cost support tool is achieved that could aid the surgeon when working on minimally invasive environments.

RESUMEN En este artículo se presenta una innovación realizada a un instrumento laparoscópico convencional, en la que se agrega la funcionalidad de identificación automática de venas y arterias. Se propone la utilización de un sensor óptico-reflexivo con longitud de onda específica, que actúa sobre los vasos sanguíneos. El éxito de discriminación entre venas y arterias se logra en función del rango de la diferencia entre la luz emitida versus la reflejada. A la punta de una pinza laparoscópica le fue adaptado un sensor óptico-reflexivo compuesto por un LED y una foto-resistencia. En la parte superior de la pinza, sobre el manipulador se adaptó un módulo electrónico de control, procesamiento y transmisión por radio frecuencia, el cual da aviso al cirujano y a sus asistentes si el vaso sanguíneo detectado es vena o arteria. El dispositivo fue probado in vitro utilizando muestras de sangre entera humana e in vivo sobre vasos sanguíneos de modelo canino. Con la innovación se logra una herramienta económica de apoyo para el cirujano que se desempeña en ambientes mínimamente invasivos.

Datos Fisiológicos de Baja California: PhysioBC, Resultados en Electrocardiografía 1 / Physiological Data of Baja California: PhysioBC, Electrocardiographic Results 1

Resumen: En la actualidad, el contar con una base de datos que represente fisiológicamente a una región o estado de la república conlleva un esfuerzo en conjunto entre diversas instituciones. Debido a su inexistencia, los investigadores recurren a bases de datos extranjeras organizadas para el desarrollo de estudios. Un ejemplo es el desarrollo de algoritmos matemáticos de detección de patologías en relación a individuos con una población y una forma de vida diferente a la nuestra. PhysioBC®, tiene como objetivo difundir libremente datos fisiológicos adquiridos en la población de Baja California, a fin de que se desarrollen modelos precisos de detección de patologías acorde a la genética y forma de vida de nuestra comunidad. En este trabajo presentamos los pasos de creación de su primera sección de datos electrocardiográficos, debido a que los datos reportados por el INEGI en 2012, de las 14,756 muertes, el 19% tenían origen cardiovascular. Actualmente se cuenta con 50 registros tomados en la industria maquiladora de Mexicali y 64 tomados en voluntarios. Estos se dividen en estándar de 12 derivaciones y de alta resolución de 3 derivaciones. Todos ellos se encuentran libres para su descarga en diversos formatos en la misma plataforma PhysioBC®.

Abstract: Currently, having a database that represents physiologically a region or state of the republic involves a joint effort among research and clinical institutions. Due to their non-existence, researchers normally use foreign international databases organized for research purposes. One example is the development of mathematical algorithms for detecting pathologies in individuals with a population who have a different way of living than ours. PhysioBC®, aims to freely disseminate physiological data acquired in the population of Baja California, in order to develop precise models of pathology detection according to the genetics and way of living of our community. Because the data reported by INEGI in 2012, out of the 14,756 deaths, 19% had cardiovascular origin problems, in this paper, we present the steps of creating PhysioBC® first section, called electrocardiographic data. Currently we have 50 records taken in the manufacturing industry of Mexicali and 64 taken in volunteers. The records are divided into standard 12-lead and high-resolution 3-lead. All of them are free for download in different formats at PhysioBC® website.

Survival of fecal coliforms in dry-composting toilets.

The dry-composting toilet, which uses neither water nor sewage infrastructure, is a practical solution in areas with inadequate sewage disposal and where water is limited. These systems are becoming increasingly popular and are promoted to sanitize human excreta and to recycle them into fertilizer for nonedible plants, yet there are few data on the safety of this technology. This study analyzed fecal coliform reduction in approximately 90 prefabricated, dry-composting toilets (Sistema Integral de Reciclamiento de Desechos Orgánicos [SIRDOs]) that were installed on the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The purpose of this study was to determine fecal coliform reduction over time and the most probable method of this reduction. Biosolid waste samples were collected and analyzed at approximately 3 and 6 months and were classified based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Results showed that class A compost (high grade) was present in only 35.8% of SIRDOs after 6 months. The primary mechanism for fecal coliform reduction was found to be desiccation rather than biodegradation. There was a significant correlation (P = 0.008) between classification rating and percent moisture categories of the biosolid samples: drier samples had a greater proportion of class A samples. Solar exposure was critical for maximal class A biosolid end products (P = 0.001). This study only addressed fecal coliforms as an indicator organism, and further research is necessary to determine the safety of composting toilets with respect to other pathogenic microorganisms, some of which are more resistant to desiccation.

Development and evaluation of a low-cost amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) containing food for preschool children.

A powdered blend for feeding preschool children was prepared from whole amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) seeds, pearled oats, soybeans, sucrose and vegetable oil. The blend was similar in proximal chemical analysis and total caloric content, and identical in calorie distribution and vitamin and mineral patterns to a soy/oats infant formula previously developed. The amaranth blend equalled the FAO/WHO 1973 children's pattern in tryptophan and exceeded this pattern, as well as the soy/oats formula in all other essential amino acids; it reflected higher PER than casein and the soy/oats formula. In feeding trials with children 1-3 years of age, no significant differences in weight gain was observed when either product was fed. The anticipated cost of the amaranth blend is 6% lower than that of the soy/oats formula.

Development and evaluation of a low-cost amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) containing food for preschool children

Se elaboró una mezcla en polvo para la alimentación de niños preescolares, partiendo de semilla integral de amaranto (Amaranthus cruentus), avena perlada, frijol de soya, sacarosa y aceite vegetal. Se encontró que la mezcla era semejante en análisis químico proximal y contenido calórico total, e idéntica en patrón de distribución de calorías y contenido de vitaminas y minerales, a una fórmula infantil de soya y avena previamente desarrollada. La mezcla de amaranto igualó al patrón FAO/OMS 1973 para niños en su contenido de triptofano, y excedió a este patrón y a la fórmula de soya y avena en todos los otros aminoácidos esenciales; la misma mezcla reflejó un PER corregido mayor que los de la caseína, y la fórmula de soya y avena. En pruebas de alimentación con niños de 1 - 3 años de edad, no se detectó diferencia significativa en aumento de peso, obtenido por los dos productos. El costo anticipado de la mezcla de amaranto es 6% menor que el de la fórmula de soya y avena