Biomedical subjects

J J Westwater

Publications and source records attributed to J J Westwater.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

A new compound curved needle for intradermal suture closure.

A new compound curved needle has been designed and developed for intradermal suture closure from a unique stainless steel alloy, American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) 45500. This needle has a short, straight, sharpened point with a reverse cutting edge, followed by a curved distal section. Despite its geometry, it exhibited a similar resistance to bending and breakage as did a curved needle with a single radius of curvature manufactured from the same alloy. The design of this new needle enabled the physician to pass it through the dermis with a greater accuracy to a controlled depth and length of bite than curved cutting edge needle with a single radius of curvature.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Emergency medicine magnifying loupes.

A magnifying loupe system has been evaluated for use in emergency medicine. Physicians uniformly preferred a Keplerian lens system over that of the Galilean lens system. The advantages of the Keplerian lens were its increased field of view and its brighter and clearer peripheral image. The Keplerian loupes allowed the physician to visualize the exquisite details of wound configuration and to perform wound closure using microsurgical techniques.

Emergency Medicine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple sclerosis and brain tumor: a diagnostic challenge.

Multiple sclerosis may present as a lesion indistinguishable clinically and radiologically from brain tumor. A case of multiple sclerosis is reported with clinical and radiologic features of a brain tumor. A brain biopsy was later undertaken that provided pathological confirmation of the diagnosis of this demyelinating disease. This case report in conjunction with those in the literature indicate that conservative treatment with steroid therapy and serial computed tomography should establish the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis without the need for surgical intervention.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple sclerosis and asymptomatic urinary tract infection.

Multiple sclerosis patients with bladder dysfunction are prone to have an asymptomatic urinary tract infection. Because bladder function abnormalities occur at some time in 70% to 90% of multiple sclerosis patients, a quantitative estimate of the bacterial concentration in the urine as well as a culture is mandatory. Treatment of bladder dysfunction or infection will vary according to the post-voiding residual volume. A patient with multiple sclerosis and asymptomatic urinary tract infection is reported that highlights strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of the urinary tract infection.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health risks to fire fighters.

Fire fighters work in varied and dangerous environments and face unique health hazards that increase their risk for line-of-duty injury and death. While working with sophisticated equipment within such environments, the fire fighter is exposed to high noise levels, changing thermal conditions, and hazardous breathing atmospheres. In addition, his or her protective equipment can impose limitations on efficiency and performance. These conditions have been related to specific physical performance requirements that will reduce line-of-duty injury, disability, and even death. Physical fitness and health maintenance programs that reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal injuries have been prescribed for fire fighters. These programs are essential components of any modern fire service.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of automatic disposable rotating cartridge skin staplers.

Burn surgeons commonly employ skin staples for the application of skin grafts and to secure dressings on donor site dressings and over skin grafts. Disposable skin staplers with rotating cartridges are ideally suited for wound closure because the position of their cartridges can be manually adjusted to facilitate placement of their staples. In response to the burgeoning interest in disposable automatic skin staplers with rotating cartridges, three different models are now commercially available. This report describes the design configuration and mechanical performance of these disposable automatic staplers and their staples. Mechanical performance of these staplers and staples has been assessed by standardized tests that can be replicated in any research laboratory. On the basis of these objective design and performance parameters, the Premium stapler is recommended for wound closure. This stapler provides maximal visualization of the wound as well as the staple during its formation. It delivers the staple into the skin or wound in a manner that the cross member of the staple is above the skin or wound surface. In addition, the Premium stapler has a prepositioning mechanism that can be controlled by the surgeon with minimal force. This mechanism allows the stapler to hold its staple securely, even when its pointed legs extend beyond the delivery end of the stapler. Force required to form its staples is so low that the surgeon can staple repetitively without fatigue. Finally, the Premium stapler delivers a staple that has a uniform geometry and sharp points that can easily penetrate tissue.

Adult↗