Humidity-Sensing Mattress for Long-Term Bedridden Patients with Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis.

Designing new medical devices with advanced humidity sensors is of great significance for patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). The primary goal of this study is to test the humidity-sensing mattress system for patients with IAD in clinical settings. The design of the mattress is set at 203 cm, with 10 × 3 sensors, dimensions of 19 × 32 cm, and a weighted bearing of 200 kg. The main sensors consist of a humidity-sensing film, a thin-film electrode (6 × 0.1 mm), and a glass substrate (500 nm). The sensitivity of the test mattress system showed that the resistance-humidity sensor was at a temperature of 35 °C (V0 = 30 V, V0 = 350 mV), with slope at 1.13 V/fF, f = 1 MHz, 20-90% RH, and a response time of 20 s at 2 µm. In addition, the humidity sensor reached 90% RH, with a response time of less than 10 s, a magnitude of 107-104 Ω, 1 mol%, CrO1.5, and FO1.5, respectively. This design is not only a simple, low-cost medical sensing device, but also opens a new pathway for developing humidity-sensing mattresses in the field of flexible sensors, wearable medical diagnostic devices, and health detection.

Electronic Alert Signal for Early Detection of Tissue Injuries in Patients: An Innovative Pressure Sensor Mattress.

Monitoring the early stage of developing tissue injuries requires intact skin for surface detection of cell damage. However, electronic alert signal for early detection is limited due to the lack of accurate pressure sensors for lightly pigmented skin injuries in patients. We developed an innovative pressure sensor mattress that produces an electronic alert signal for the early detection of tissue injuries. The electronic alert signal is developed using a web and mobile application for pressure sensor mattress reporting. The mattress is based on body distributions with reference points, temperature, and a humidity sensor to detect lightly pigmented skin injuries. Early detection of the pressure sensor is linked to an electronic alert signal at 32 mm Hg, a temperature of 37 °C, a relative humidity of 33.5%, a response time of 10 s, a loading time of 30 g, a density area of 1 mA, and a resistance of 7.05 MPa (54 N) at 0.87 m3/min. The development of the innovative pressure sensor mattress using an electronic alert signal is in line with its enhanced pressure detection, temperature, and humidity sensors.

Gait Improvement in Chronic Stroke Survivors by Using an Innovative Gait Training Machine: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chronic stroke leads to the impairment of lower limb function and gait performance. After in-hospital rehabilitation, most individuals lack continuous gait training because of the limited number of physical therapists. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly invented gait training machine (I-Walk) on lower limb function and gait performance in chronic stroke individuals. Thirty community-dwelling chronic stroke individuals were allocated to the I-Walk machine group (n = 15) or the overground gait training (control) group (n = 15). Both groups received 30 min of upper limb and hand movement and sit-to-stand training. After that, the I-Walk group received 30 min of I-Walk training, while the control followed a 30-minute overground training program. All the individuals were trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome of the motor recovery of lower limb impairment was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The secondary outcomes for gait performance were the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). The two-way mixed-model ANOVA with the Bonferroni test was used to compare means within and between groups. The post-intervention motor and sensory subscales of the FMA significantly increased compared to the baseline in both groups. Moreover, the 6 MWT and 10 MWT values also improved in both groups. In addition, the mean difference of TUG in the I-Walk was higher than the control. The efficiency of I-Walk training was comparable to overground training and might be applied for chronic stroke gait training in the community.

Evaluation of tissue ingrowth and reaction of a porous polyethylene block as an onlay bone graft in rabbit posterior mandible.

PURPOSE: A new form of porous polyethylene, characterized by higher porosity and pore interconnectivity, was developed for use as a tissue-integrated implant. This study evaluated the effectiveness of porous polyethylene blocks used as an onlay bone graft in rabbit mandible in terms of tissue reaction, bone ingrowth, fibrovascularization, and graft-bone interfacial integrity. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 3 treatment groups according to the study period (4, 12, or 24 weeks). Cylindrical specimens measuring 5 mm in diameter and 4.5 mm in thickness were placed directly on the body of the mandible without bone bed decortication, fixed in place with a titanium screw, and covered with a collagen membrane. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses were done using hematoxylin and eosin-stained bone slices. Interfacial shear strength was tested to quantify graft-bone interfacial integrity. RESULTS: The porous polyethylene graft was observed to integrate with the mandibular bone and exhibited tissue-bridge connections. At all postoperative time points, it was noted that the host tissues had grown deep into the pores of the porous polyethylene in the direction from the interface to the center of the graft. Both fibrovascular tissue and bone were found within the pores, but most bone ingrowth was observed at the graft-mandibular bone interface. Bone ingrowth depth and interfacial shear strength were in the range of 2.76-3.89 mm and 1.11-1.43 MPa, respectively. No significant differences among post-implantation time points were found for tissue ingrowth percentage and interfacial shear strength (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the study, the present study revealed that the new porous polyethylene did not provoke any adverse systemic reactions. The material promoted fibrovascularization and displayed osteoconductive and osteogenic properties within and outside the contact interface. Stable interfacial integration between the graft and bone also took place.