Design and Early Evaluation of a Device to Improve the Sharp Count Process in Operating Rooms.

NEED: Counting surgical sharps in surgeries mitigates the risk of retained surgical items in patients. Current procedures rely on manual counts throughout and at the end of each surgery. The manual count is lengthy, burdensome, and carries the risk of injuries. TECHNICAL SOLUTION: This paper presents the design and early evaluation of a technology aid to automatize the sharps' counting process; it is composed of a shell holding a set of optical sensors that count needles that pass through the shell's top slot. PROOF OF CONCEPT: The device was tested with needles originating from 20 surgeries. Users surveyed reported a decrease in counting time and perceived injury risk. The average count error was 4.4%, indicating the need to continue advancing the technology. NEXT STEPS: The counting technology needs to be refined to increase accuracy, and a user guide for the equipment must be prepared. Thereafter, a new set of trials must be performed. CONCLUSION: Our work provides a detailed requirements list for developing a technology aid to improve the needle count process and investigates one possible technological route to address this problem.

Image dataset of urine test results on petri dishes for deep learning classification.

Recent advancements in image analysis and interpretation technologies using computer vision techniques have shown potential for novel applications in clinical microbiology laboratories to support task automation aiming for faster and more reliable diagnostics. Deep learning models can be a valuable tool in the screening process, helping technicians spend less time classifying no-growth results and quickly separating the categories of tests that deserve further analysis. In this context, creating datasets with correctly classified images is fundamental for developing and improving such models. Therefore, a dataset of urine test Petri dishes images was collected following a standardized process, with controlled conditions of positioning and lighting. Image acquisition was conducted by applying a hardware chamber equipped with a led lightning source and a smartphone camera with 12 MP resolution. A software application was developed to support image classification and handling. Experienced microbiologists classified the images according to the positive, negative, and uncertain test results. The resulting dataset contains a total of 1500 images and can support the development of deep learning algorithms to classify urine exams according to their microbial growth.

Three-Dimensional Printing in Orthopedics: from the Basics to Surgical Applications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly evolving field traditionally utilized in non-medical industries. Recently, the medical use of AM is expanding, especially in orthopedics. The goal of this article is presenting the principles of AM and its main applications in orthopedics. RECENT FINDINGS: The main indications for AM in orthopedics are education, orthotics, surgical planning, surgical guides, and custom-made implants. Three-dimensional (3D) digital models can be obtained from tomographic scans using available free software. Then, it can be used to create a physical model, plan surgeries, or develop surgical guides which can aid the orthopedic surgeon during complex cases. Recent studies demonstrated the benefits of using printed models in educating patients and medical residents. Custom-made implants also have been evaluated with promising clinical outcomes. Using 3D technology has become a reality in orthopedics. Surgeons should expect exponential growth of its applications in the upcoming years. It is paramount that orthopedists get familiar with this disruptive technology.

Design and development of a motorized aircraft seat to substitute aisle wheelchairs.

PURPOSE: The solution described in this paper allows wheelchair users with reduced mobility or physical disabilities to move independently throughout an aircraft and to board and disembark autonomously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A motorized aircraft seat was developed to substitute current aircraft aisle wheelchairs. The real-scale functional prototype was evaluated in a focus group. The results show that the proposed solution is considered superior to current solutions in nine of twenty requirements and neutral in one of them. There was low agreement among the focus group participants in ten requirements, even though the focus group discussion brought interesting reflections, including positive feedback, critics, and suggestions for further research and development in the field. RESULTS: The design concept consists of a motorized wheelchair that becomes the seat of the aircraft when anchored on a docking platform attached to the aircraft fuselage via a seat track. The manoeuvring is allowed by a rotating mechanism, which solves a critical function that is to enable wheelchair manoeuvring in the narrow aisles of aircraft. A parking assistant system aids the control of the motorized wheelchair. CONCLUSIONS: The main benefits of this solution are to reduce seat transfers during the flight experience and to provide more autonomy and comfort for passengers during flights.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA motorized aircraft seat was developed to replace traditional aircraft aisle wheelchairs.A real-scale functional prototype was built, tested in an aircraft mockup, and evaluated in a focus group.The main benefits of the proposed solution are to reduce the number of chair transfers during the flight experience and to provide more autonomy for passengers.Additional benefits are to allow the passengers to experience less physical and emotional stresses, to enter the aircraft corridor looking ahead, and to sit in any aisle position in the aircraft.

Disinfection of 3D-printed protective face shield during COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assessed the disinfection using 70% ethanol; H2O2-quaternary ammonium salt mixture; 0.1% sodium hypochlorite and autoclaving of four 3D-printed face shields with different designs, visor materials; and visor thickness (0.5-0.75 mm). We also investigated their clinical suitability by applying a questionnaire to health workers (HW) who used them. Each type of disinfection was done 40 times on each type of mask without physical damage. In contrast, autoclaving led to appreciable damage.