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R Wolthuis

Publications and source records attributed to R Wolthuis.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Development of a medical fiber-optic pH sensor based on optical absorption.

A new fiber-optic pH sensor system has been developed. The sensor uses an absorbtive indicator compound with a long wave-length absorption peak near 625 nm; change in absorption over the pH range 6.8 to 7.8 is reasonably linear. The sensor is interrogated by a pulsed, red LED. Return light signal is split into short and long wave-length components with a dichroic mirror; the respective signals are detected by photodiodes, and their photocurrents are used to form a ratiometric output signal. In laboratory tests, the sensor system provided resolution of 0.01 pH, accuracy of +/- 0.01 pH, and response time of 30-40 s. Following gamma sterilization, laboratory sensor testing with heparinized human blood yielded excellent agreement (e.g., r = 0.992 for n = 42) with a clinical blood gas analyzer. Excellent sensor performance and low cost, solid-state instrumentation are hallmarks of this sensor-system design.

Absorption

Angiographic findings in asymptomatic aircrewmen with electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Cardiac catheterization was used to evaluate 298 asymptomatic, apparently healthy aircrewmen with electrocardiographic abnormalities. These men were identified from annual electrocardiograms and exercise tests used to screen for latent heart disease. Data from 27 additional symptomatic aircrewmen who underwent cardiac catheterization because of mild probable angina pectoris are also included. The men were grouped according to major reason for cardiac catheterization. The order of groups by increasing prevalence of coronary artery disease was as follows: abnormal treadmill test (labile lead only), supraventricular tachycardia, right bundle branch block, left bundle branch block, abnormal treadmill test, ventricular irritability, probable infarct and angina. Approximately 60 percent of the men were completely free of angiographic coronary artery disease. Risk factors and other possible causes for the electrocardiographic abnormalities are discussed. The electrocardiographic abnormalities studied have a poorer predictive value for coronary artery disease in asymptomatic apparently healthy men than in a hospital or clinic population.

Adult