PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Demaree

Publications and source records attributed to R Demaree.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The EndoHand: comparison with standard laparoscopic instrumentation.

Laparoscopic instrumentation is constantly being refined in an attempt to achieve the proficiency, flexibility, and tactile feedback that would be available if the human hand were small enough to be used in laparoscopic surgery. The EndoHand (DAUM GmbH, Schwerin, Germany) is a novel laparoscopic three-fingered hand developed as an advancement over standard laparoscopic tools. Grasping and manipulation ability, dexterity, and tactile feedback were compared with those of current laparoscopic instrumentation. Experiments included measurement of achievable angles of approach to a fixed point behind a 2-cm-tall obstruction, completion time and error rates during a pelvic trainer dexterity task, and tactile feedback using a device invented to simulate tissue resistance. Subjectively, the EndoHand was able to pick up a range of objects similar to those graspable by a Babcock clamp. More complex types of manipulation were possible with the EndoHand because of its wrist joint. The range of approach angles to the fixed point was 35 degrees to 90 degrees with the EndoHand and 70 degrees to 90 degrees with the straight instruments. The dexterity of the EndoHand was significantly less than that of the other two instruments, as measured by time (P = 0.0002) and errors (P = 0.02). Standard instruments were also more accurate in the tactile feedback trials (P = 0.02). The EndoHand is a prototype of a unique new generation of laparoscopic instruments. Although it falls short in both dexterity and tactile feedback, significant promise is shown in its ability to perform sophisticated manipulation of objects and its flexibility to work at a larger range of angles to the target tissue. The EndoHand may be most useful on the nondominant hand of the surgeon to assist with positioning and holding tissue in a specific orientation. Clinical trials will determine its eventual role in laparoscopic surgery.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed1976

Relationship between Intralipid-induced hyperlipemia and pulmonary function.

One unit (500 ml) of 10% Intralipid (an intravenous soy bean oil-egg yolk lecithin preparation) was infused into 20 normal subjects over 4 hr. Serum triglyceride concentration and plasma optic density (at 700 nm) increased to maximal levels of 339 +/- 102 mg/100 ml and 1.14 +/- 0.41, respectively, at the completion of the infusion, and returned to basal levels in most subjects within 4 hr. Pulmonary membrane diffusion was decreased in six subjects at rest and with exercise at 25 and 50% maximum oxygen uptake. Only one subject showed a minor change in PO2 and none showed clinical signs of ischemia. The changes in pulmonary diffusion reverted to basal levels when serum lipids were cleared. Heparin (60 IU/kg) prevented the marked increase in serum lipids and, as a consequence, the changes in pulmonary function. Changes in pulmonary function from Intralipid-induced lipemia are similar to those known to result from diet-induced lipemia. The findings suggest that in the presence of normal vasculature and pulmonary function, Intralipid-induced lipemia should cause no clinical consequences. However, patients with preexisting pulmonary or vascular disease may be at greater risk after Intralipid-induced lipemia.

Adult↗