Biomedical subjects

Charles D Ray

Publications and source records attributed to Charles D Ray.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Production supervisor impacts on subordinates' safety outcomes: an investigation of leader-member exchange and safety communication.

PROBLEM: Supervisors are increasingly important to the functioning of manufacturing operations, in large part due to their role as leaders. While supervisors' relations and communication with their subordinates are known to be important in influencing subordinates' behavior, little is known about how these two factors will impact subordinates' safety. This study investigated how much each factor contributes to safety-related outcomes for blue-collar production employees. METHOD: Production employees at five Pennsylvania wood manufacturers completed a survey during their work shift. Five hundred and ninety eight employees provided data on leader-member exchange (LMX), safety communication, and safety-related events. Archival data on OSHA recordables were also obtained from the producers' human resources database. RESULTS: Analyses found that the influence of LMX was greater than that of safety communication in predicting safety-related events. Neither LMX nor safety communication was significantly related to OSHA recordables. Results also demonstrated that employee job satisfaction and demographic variables such as gender and age have safety implications. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Results from this study further emphasize the importance of production supervisors and illustrate the potential role of leader-member exchange in enhancing workplace safety. Specifically, organizations should foster positive social exchange between their employees and supervisors and enhance the leadership qualities of supervisors to help reduce workplace injuries.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2002

Artificial nucleus replacement: clinical experience.

The prosthetic disc nucleus is designed to help treat patients suffering from degenerative disc disease. The device consists of a hydrogel core that is encased in a polyethylene jacket and is intended to restore disc height while permitting normal range of motion. Clinical trials for the prosthetic disc nucleus were first conducted in 1996, and the device was found to be effective in most of the patients that were implanted. Additional trials in 1997-1998 were less successful, with 38% of patients requiring revision surgery because of device migration. Subsequent changes were made to device shapes and to the surgical protocol to facilitate implantation, thereby eliminating the high device migration rates. Following these modifications, the success rate for the device has improved significantly. Clinical data show excellent results with marked improvements in Oswestry and Prolo scores. Overall, disc height measurements have been well maintained within normal physiologic ranges. The prosthetic disc nucleus device is currently undergoing clinical trials in Canada, and an IDE application to the Food and Drug Administration was expected in the fall, 2001.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2002

The PDN prosthetic disc-nucleus device.

The health of an intervertebral disc is based on a complicated interplay between physiology and biomechanics. The nucleus pulposus must remain well hydrated, and the surrounding anulus fibrosus must be competent in order for the disc to function properly. If either of these components fail, the disc will begin to degenerate, and clinically relevant symptoms may appear. Disc degeneration has traditionally been treated by either discectomy or immobilization of the affected vertebrae, and though these treatments can be effective, they also have their limitations. To help fill the therapy gap that exists for treating moderate degenerative disc disease, the PDN device has been developed. The device consists of a hydrogel core and a polyethylene jacket that are designed to assume the cushioning function of a healthy disc, while restoring/maintaining disc height and allowing normal range of motion. To receive the device, patients must have a preoperative disc height of at least 5 mm and the vertebral endplates must be free of significant defects such as Schmorl's nodules or fractures. Two approaches can be used for implanting PDN devices: a hemilaminotomy approach, where the disc is accessed through the back, or an Anterior-Lateral transPsoatic Approach (ALPA), where the disc is accessed from the side. In either case, the nucleus material is removed from the disc, and the devices are placed transversely within the nucleus cavity. The amount of research and development currently taking place in the field of disc arthroplasty gives hope that the treatment of degenerative disc disease will soon become multifaceted, with numerous choices being available to surgeons and their patients.

Arthroplasty↗