The ePetri dish, an on-chip cell imaging platform based on subpixel perspective sweeping microscopy (SPSM)

We report a chip-scale lensless wide-field-of-view microscopy imaging technique, subpixel perspective sweeping microscopy, which can render microscopy images of growing or confluent cell cultures autonomously. We demonstrate that this technology can be used to build smart Petri dish platforms, termed ePetri, for cell culture experiments. This technique leverages the recent broad and cheap availability of high performance image sensor chips to provide a low-cost and automated microscopy solution. Unlike the two major classes of lensless microscopy methods, optofluidic microscopy and digital in-line holography microscopy, this new approach is fully capable of working with cell cultures or any samples in which cells may be contiguously connected. With our prototype, we demonstrate the ability to image samples of area 6 mm × 4 mm at 660-nm resolution. As a further demonstration, we showed that the method can be applied to image color stained cell culture sample and to image and track cell culture growth directly within an incubator. Finally, we showed that this method can track embryonic stem cell differentiations over the entire sensor surface. Smart Petri dish based on this technology can significantly streamline and improve cell culture experiments by cutting down on human labor and contamination risks

Towards a First-Person Perspective Mixed Reality Guidance System for Needle Interventions

While ultrasound (US) guidance has been used during central venous catheterization to reduce complications, including the puncturing of arteries, the rate of such problems remains non-negligible. To further reduce complication rates, mixed-reality systems have been proposed as part of the user interface for such procedures. We demonstrate the use of a surgical navigation system that renders a calibrated US image, and the needle and its trajectory, in a common frame of reference. We compare the effectiveness of this system, whereby images are rendered on a planar monitor and within a head-mounted display (HMD), to the standard-of-care US-only approach, via a phantom-based user study that recruited 31 expert clinicians and 20 medical students. These users performed needle-insertions into a phantom under the three modes of visualization. The success rates were significantly improved under HMD-guidance as compared to US-guidance, for both expert clinicians (94% vs. 70%) and medical students (70% vs. 25%). Users more consistently positioned their needle closer to the center of the vessel’s lumen under HMD-guidance compared to US-guidance. The performance of the clinicians when interacting with this monitor system was comparable to using US-only guidance, with no significant difference being observed across any metrics. The results suggest that the use of an HMD to align the clinician’s visual and motor fields promotes successful needle guidance, highlighting the importance of continued HMD-guidance research

Offshore telementored ultrasound: a quality assessment study

Background Telementored ultrasound (US) connects experts to novices through various types of communication and network technologies with the overall aim to bridge the medical imaging gap between patients’ diagnostic needs and on-site user experience. The recurrent theme in previous research on remote telementored US is the limited access to US machines and experienced users. This study was conducted to determine whether telementored US was feasible in a remote offshore setting. The aim was to assess if an onshore US expert can guide an offshore nurse through focused US scanning protocols by connecting an US machine to existing videoconference units at the offshore hospitals and to evaluate the diagnostic quality of the images and cineloops procured. Results The diagnostic quality of cineloops was scored on a five-point scale. The percentage of cineloops suitable for interpretation (score 3 ≥) for the FATE and e-FAST protocols was 96.4 and 79.1. Lung sliding and seashore sign could be identified in all volunteers. The scan time for the FAST protocol (n = four scanning positions), FATE protocol (n = six scanning positions) and both lungs (n = two scanning positions) was 1 min 20 s, 4 min 15 s and 32 s, respectively. Conclusion A novice US user can be guided by a remote expert through focused US protocols within an acceptable time frame and with good diagnostic quality using existing communication and network systems found onboard offshore oil rigs.publishedVersio

Umbilical Venous Catheter Update: A Narrative Review Including Ultrasound and Training

The umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is one of the most commonly used central lines in neonates. It can be easily inserted soon after birth providing stable intravenous access in infants requiring advanced resuscitation in the delivery room or needing medications, fluids, and parenteral nutrition during the 1st days of life. Resident training is crucial for UVC placement. The use of simulators allows trainees to gain practical experience and confidence in performing the procedure without risks for patients. UVCs are easy to insert, however when the procedure is performed without the use of ultrasound, there is a quite high risk, up to 40%, of non-central position. Ultrasound-guided UVC tip location is a simple and learnable technique and therefore should be widespread among all physicians. The feasibility of targeted training on the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for UVC placement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) among neonatal medical staff has been demonstrated. Conversely, UVC-related complications are very common and can sometimes be life-threatening. Despite UVCs being used by neonatologists for over 60 years, there are still no standard guidelines for assessment or monitoring of tip location, securement, management, or dwell time. This review article is an overview of the current knowledge and evidence available in the literature about UVCs. Our aim is to provide precise and updated recommendations on the use of this central line

Candida auris: a decade of understanding of an enigmatic pathogenic yeast

Candida auris is an enigmatic yeast that continues to stimulate interest within the mycology community due its rapid and simultaneous emergence of distinct clades. In the last decade, almost 400 manuscripts have contributed to our understanding of this pathogenic yeast. With dynamic epidemiology, elevated resistance levels and an indication of conserved and unique pathogenic traits, it is unsurprising that it continues to cause clinical concern. This mini-review aims to summarise some of the key attributes of his remarkable pathogenic yeast

Evaluating the use of high-fidelity simulators during mock neonatal resuscitation scenarios in trying to improve confidence in residents

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of high-fidelity simulators with multidisciplinary teaching on self-reported confidence in residents. Methods: A total of 26 residents participated in a session led by a pediatric faculty member and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit transport nurse using a high-fidelity pediatric simulator. Multiple scenarios were presented and each resident took turns in various roles. Pre-intervention surveys based on a 5-point Likert-type scale were given before the scenarios and were compared to the results of identical post-intervention surveys. Results: Statistically significant (p \u3c 0.05) pre to post gains for self-confidence were observed. Improvements in confidence were analyzed using the mean difference. The largest improvement in confidence was seen in the ability to treat neonatal respiratory arrest. This was followed by the ability to supervise/run a code, and the ability to place an umbilical venous catheter. Conclusion: These results revealed that high-fidelity simulation-based training has significant positive gains in residents’ self-reported confidence