Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Multiple Stent Delivery System “Multi-LOC”: Focal self-expanding nitinol stenting of complex femoropopliteal lesions—A monocenter feasibility pilot study

Aims The Multiple Stent Delivery System (VascuFlex® Multi-LOC) is a novel stent delivery system with six short stents (13 mm long each) mounted on one wire-guided catheter, designed for the treatment of femoropopliteal arteries. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the safety and the feasibility of the VascuFlex® “Multi-LOC” stent delivery system, which enables spot stenting without changing the delivery system. Methods and results After proof of concept in a porcine model and after European Conformity marking, first clinical experiences were gathered in 20 patients with severe intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia. First-in-human data are presented. The study included 20 limbs that underwent femoropopliteal revascularization for claudication (n = 14) or critical limb ischemia (n = 6). “Multi-LOC” provisional spot stenting resulted in acute technical success in all lesions with resolution of flow-limiting dissection and elastic recoil after balloon dilatation of the femoropopliteal artery. There were no device-related complications. Follow-up examinations after 30 to 40 days revealed no major adverse events, and six months’ results were encouraging. Conclusions First clinical use of the novel Multiple Stent Delivery System (Multi-LOC) after balloon dilatation of the femoropopliteal artery was safe and feasible in this early study

Can acupuncture increase microcirculation in peripheral artery disease and diabetic foot syndrome? – a pilot study

BackgroundGlobally, diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) have an increasing incidence and a high prevalence and are both associated with high morbidity and complication rates, e.g., as chronic non-healing peripheral ulcers. Impaired macro- and microcirculation and peripheral neuropathy lead to an increased risk of foot ulcers and infections. These complications are difficult to treat, have a high risk of becoming chronic and often lead to lower limb amputation. The aim of this planned study was to investigate the potential effects of acupuncture on improving microcirculation in patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) and PAD.Materials and methodsIn 18 patients with chronic non-healing peripheral ulcers and diagnosed DM or PAD, data on 8 microcirculatory parameters were collected simultaneously on intact skin close to the wound margin. Microcirculation was assessed using an O2C device combining laser Doppler shift and white light spectroscopy (LEA Medizintechnik GmbH, Giessen, Germany). Unilateral and bilateral acupuncture was performed on the connecting line between acupuncture points Stomach 14 and Stomach 15.ResultsAfter unilateral acupuncture (ipsilateral to the wound side), a statistically significant improvement in 7 out of 8 microcirculatory parameters was demonstrated compared to baseline measurements before acupuncture. After bilateral acupuncture, there was an additional improvement and statistical significance in all parameters in both DFS and PAD patients.DiscussionThese results show an improvement in the microcirculation and peripheral blood flow at the edges of the wound. As impaired micro- and macrocirculation is considered to be a critical prognostic factor for the healing of a peripheral lesion, the intervention could have a positive impact on the healing of (chronic) peripheral wounds