Effect of Iron Nanopowder on Flammability of Epoxy Composites

Reducing the flammability of polymeric materials is a serious problem that needs to be solved. The paper presents the results of a study of the effect of iron nanopowders, used as filler, on the flammability of epoxy polymers. Epoxy composites filled with 5 wt. % of iron nanopowder and 10 wt. % of boric acid separately, as well as in combination were prepared. The flammability of the prepared samples was evaluated by determining the ignition temperature and time-to-ignition

Implantation and explantation of a wireless epiretinal retina implant device: observations during the EPIRET3 prospective clinical trial. Investigative Ophthalmology

PURPOSE. Visual sensations in patients with blindness and retinal degenerations may be restored by electrical stimulation of retinal neurons with implantable microelectrode arrays. A prospective trial was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a wireless intraocular retinal implant (EPIRET3) in six volunteers with blindness and RP. METHODS. The implant is a remotely controlled, fully intraocular wireless device consisting of a receiver and a stimulator module. The stimulator is placed on the retinal surface. Data and energy are transmitted via an inductive link from outside the eye to the implant. Surgery included removal of the lens, vitrectomy, and implantation of the EPIRET3 device through a corneal incision. The clinical outcome after implantation and explantation of the device was determined. The implant was removed after 4 weeks, according to the study protocol. RESULTS. Implantation was successful in all six patients. While the anterior part was fixed with transscleral sutures, the stimulating foil was placed onto the posterior pole and fixed with retinal tacks. The implant was well tolerated, causing temporary moderate postoperative inflammation, whereas the position of the implant remained stable until surgical removal. In all cases explantation of the device was performed successfully. Adverse events were a sterile hypopyon effectively treated with steroids and antibiotics in one case and a retinal break in a second case during explantation requiring silicone oil surgery. CONCLUSIONS. The EPIRET3 system can be successfully implanted and explanted in patients with blindness and RP. The surgical steps are feasible, and the postoperative follow-up disclosed an acceptable range of adverse events. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50:3003-3008) DOI:10.1167/iovs.08-2752 A lthough major progress has been achieved in the treatment of retinal disorders, the hereditary dystrophies of retinal photoreceptors are still untreatable and eventually lead to blindness. It is estimated that in the Western countries approximately 5% to 7% of newly diagnosed blindness is attributable to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a heterogeneous group of receptor dystrophies caused by mutations in key enzymes of the visual cycle or major cell-signaling pathways