Tribology of Medical Devices

Importance of tribology in a number of medical devices and surgical instruments is reviewed, including artificial joints, artificial teeth, dental implants and orthodontic appliances, cardiovascular devices, contact lenses, artificial limbs and surgical instruments. The current focus and future developments of these medical devices are highlighted from a tribological point of view, together with the underlying mechanisms

Surgical Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Given the increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) multiple treatment modalities including medical and surgical have been developed. First-line therapy for most of the people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) consists of behavioral modification, including weight loss if appropriate, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. Patients who fail or do not tolerate PAP therapy, treatment options include oral appliances and surgical therapy. Surgical therapies have variable efficacy and are very important tool on OSA management in selected patients. This chapter will review the current surgical approaches sleep specialists use when other treatment options fail to accomplish the valuable outcome

Innovation in prediction planning for anterior open bite correction

This study applies recent advances in 3D virtual imaging for application in the prediction planning of dentofacial deformities. Stereo-photogrammetry has been used to create virtual and physical models, which are creatively combined in planning the surgical correction of anterior open bite. The application of these novel methods is demonstrated through the surgical correction of a case

The Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia: From 1825 to 1908

This brief 1908 history of Jefferson Medical College was written by James W. Holland. An 1868 graduate, Holland went on to become the Dean of Jefferson Medical College in 1887https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jeffersonhistorybooks/1007/thumbnail.jp

Defining benefit catalogues and entitlements to health care in Germany: Decision makers, decision criteria and taxonomy of catalogues

This paper studies the politico-economic reasons for the refusal of a proposed compulsory flood insurance scheme in Germany. It provides the rationale for such scheme and outlines the basic features of a market-orientated design. The main reasons for the political down-turn of this proposal were the (mis)perceived costs of a state guarantee, legal objections against a compulsory insurance, distributional conflicts between the federal government and the German states (Länder) on the implied administrative costs and the well-known samariter dilemma of ad-hoc disaster relief. The focus on pure market solutions proved to be an ineffective strategy for policy advice in this field. -- Während die Rahmenbedingungen für das deutsche Gesundheitssystem vom Gesetzgeber vorgegeben werden, obliegt die Bestimmung einzelner Leistungen bzw. Leistungsinhalte den Entscheidungsträgern der Selbstverwaltung. Dabei variiert die Genauigkeit der Leistungsdefinition zwischen verschiedenen Sektoren und Ausgabenträgern. Während die Leistungen einiger Ausgabenträger nur implizit definiert sind, ist der Leistungsumfang anderer Ausgabenträger bereits explizit als Leistungskatalog formuliert. Dabei orientiert sich die Mehrheit der Ausgabenträger an dem Leistungsumfang der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (GKV) und überträgt diesen in den eigenen Bereich. Im Rahmen der GKV, die ca. 88% der Bevölkerung versichert und 56,9% der Gesundheitsausgaben trägt, bestimmen verschiedene Kataloge zusammen mit den Richtlinien des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses den Leistungsumfang. Die Leistungen, der Aufbau und der Inhalt der Leistungskataloge, die an der Definition der Kataloge beteiligten Akteure, sowie die Entscheidungskriterien für die Aufnahme neuer Leistungen in die Leistungskataloge der Sozialversicherungen werden in diesem Zusammenhang ausführlich dargestellt und analysiert.

Defining and Measuring High Technology in Georgia

This report defines and measures the high technology sector in Georgia

Evaluation of fit for 3D printed retainers as compared to thermoform retainers

ABSTRACT EVALUATION OF FIT FOR 3D PRINTED RETAINERS AS COMPARED TO THERMOFORM RETAINERS By David Cole, D.M.D. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University Thesis Directors: Eser Tüfekçi, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.S.H.A. Professor, Department of Orthodontics Sompop Bencharit, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director of Digital Dentistry, Department of General Practice Introduction: Despite recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing, little information is available on 3D printed retainers Methods: Three reference models were used to fabricate traditional vacuum formed, commercially-available vacuum formed, and 3D printed retainers. For each model, three retainers were made using the three methods (a total of 27 retainers). To determine the trueness, the distances between the intaglio surface of the retainers and the occlusal surface of the reference models were measured using an engineering software. A small difference was indicative of a good fit. Results: Average differences of the traditional vacuum formed retainers ranged from 0.10 to 0.20mm. The commercially-available and 3D printed retainers had a range of 0.10 to 0.30mm and 0.10 to 0.40mm, respectively. Conclusions: The traditional vacuum formed retainers showed the least amount of deviation from the original reference models while the 3D printed retainers showed the greatest deviation

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: a dental perspective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is regarded as a potentially life threatening breathing disorder characterised by periodic cessation of air intake during sleep. Treatment modalities include conservative measures such as weight loss, change in sleep position and avoidance of alcohol: these may suffice in reducing airway obstruction. Pharmacotherapy has also been used with various grades of success. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) helps maintain airway patency during sleep by a continuous stream of air under light pressure. Tracheostomy, by its very nature, completely bypasses any pharyngeal obstruction but is associated with a high degree of morbidity. Other surgical procedures such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), orthognathic surgery, hyoid-myotomy suspension and tongue reduction have also been used. Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) are increasingly being recognised as a suitable management option for those subjects with mild to moderate OSA. A study was undertaken to ascertain the effectiveness of using mandibular advancement splints in the treatment of OSA. Mandibular protrusion using a MAS is frequently, but not invariably, associated with improvement in velo- and oro-pharyngeal airway dimensions in awake subjects.peer-reviewe

Delayed eruption of permanent dentition and maxillary contraction in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia: review and report of a family

Introduction. Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an inherited disease caused by mutations in the RUNX2 gene on chromosome 6p21. This pathology, autosomal dominant or caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation, is present in one in one million individuals, with complete penetrance and widely variable expressivity. Aim. To identify the incidence of these clinical findings in the report of the literature by means of PubMed interface from 2002 to 2015, with the related keywords. The report of local patients presents a clinical example, related to the therapeutic approach. Results and Discussions. The PubMed research resulted in 122 articles. All the typical signs were reported in all presented cases. The maxilla was hypoplastic in 94% of the patients. Missing of permanent teeth was found in two cases: one case presented a class II jaw relationship, instead of class III malocclusion. Similar findings were present in our cohort. Conclusion. CCD is challenging for both the dental team and the patient. The treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. Further studies are required to better understand the cause of this disease. According to this review, a multistep approach enhances the possibilities to achieve the recovery of the most possible number of teeth, as such to obtain a good occlusion and a better aesthetic