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Optics Letters Jun 2023Piezoelectric stretching of optical fiber is a technique that enables the creation of optical delays of a few picoseconds; this is useful in a variety of applications in...
Piezoelectric stretching of optical fiber is a technique that enables the creation of optical delays of a few picoseconds; this is useful in a variety of applications in interferometry or optical cavities. Most commercial fiber stretchers involve lengths of fiber of a few tens of meters. Using a 120-mm-long optical micro-nanofiber, we can create a compact optical delay line that achieves tunable delays of up to 19 ps at telecommunication wavelengths. The high elasticity of silica and the micron-scale diameter allow this significant optical delay to be achieved with low tensile force while keeping the overall length short. We successfully report both static and dynamic operation of this novel, to the best of our knowledge, device. It could find application in interferometry and laser cavity stabilization, where short optical paths and strong resistance to the environment would be required.
Topics: Nanofibers; Stretchers; Equipment Design; Lasers; Optical Fibers
PubMed: 37319091
DOI: 10.1364/OL.492600 -
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Aug 2019Traumatic spinal cord injury is a relatively rare injury in Denmark but may result in serious neurological consequences. For decades, prehospital spinal stabilisation...
Traumatic spinal cord injury is a relatively rare injury in Denmark but may result in serious neurological consequences. For decades, prehospital spinal stabilisation with a rigid cervical collar and a hard backboard has been considered to be the most appropriate procedure to prevent secondary spinal cord injuries during patient transportation. However, the procedure has been questioned in recent years, due to the lack of high-quality studies supporting its efficacy. A national interdisciplinary task force was therefore established to provide updated clinical guidelines on prehospital procedures for spinal stabilisation of adult trauma patients in Denmark. The guidelines are based on a systematic review of the literature and grading of the evidence, in addition to a standardised consensus process.This process yielded five main recommendations:A strong recommendation against spinal stabilisation of patients with isolated penetrating trauma; a weak recommendation against the prehospital use of a rigid cervical collar and a hard backboard for ABCDE-stable patients; and a weak recommendation for the use of a vacuum mattress for patient transportation. Finally, our group recommends the use of our clinical algorithm to ensure good clinical practice.
Topics: Adult; Algorithms; Denmark; Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine; Humans; Immobilization; Moving and Lifting Patients; Orthotic Devices; Spinal Cord Injuries; Stretchers; Triage; Wounds, Penetrating
PubMed: 31426850
DOI: 10.1186/s13049-019-0655-x -
Journal of Emergency Nursing Sep 2022
Topics: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Humans; Stretchers
PubMed: 36084980
DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2022.07.003 -
Revue Medicale Suisse Oct 2020
Topics: Emergencies; France; Humans; Stretchers
PubMed: 33085264
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Medical Engineering &... Feb 2021A stretcher is a lightweight and portable apparatus used to facilitate the movement of patients who require medical care. While its design and functions have been known... (Review)
Review
A stretcher is a lightweight and portable apparatus used to facilitate the movement of patients who require medical care. While its design and functions have been known to man for over 600 years, there is still much room for improvement with regard to comfortability, mobility and ergonomics aspects. This study aims to synthesise design features from patents, journals and products for the conceptualisation of multifunctional stretchers. Based on the conceptual synthesis of this study, if a stretcher is redesigned to be foldable, then less storage space would be required, thus allowing the paramedic or medical person to store more stretchers and attend to multiple patients at a time. In comparison to a regular stretcher, a foldable stretcher would not only be smaller and more portable but would also help medical personnel reach the patient in a timelier manner. A reduction in response time for emergency medical services might increase the survival rate among patients who are in critical conditions. In the aspect of multifunctionality, the medical person may also be able to respond to different types of medical transportation needs. Multifunctional stretchers can increase the versatility of emergency medical service teams in adapting to different situations at a reduced cost.
Topics: Emergency Medical Services; Equipment Design; Stretchers
PubMed: 33539247
DOI: 10.1080/03091902.2021.1873442 -
Radiologic Technology Nov 2017Patients often arrive at imaging departments on stretchers, and in certain circumstances they must remain on the stretcher for the imaging examination to reduce the... (Review)
Review
Patients often arrive at imaging departments on stretchers, and in certain circumstances they must remain on the stretcher for the imaging examination to reduce the likelihood of exacerbating injuries. Imaging stretcher-bound patients can be challenging, with many physical and technical variables to consider. These challenges occur because of differences between imaging a patient on a tabletop and imaging a patient on a stretcher. This article reviews the issues associated with imaging stretcher-bound patients, including the unavailability of the automatic exposure control, different grids used, geometric factors, and variability in stretcher design.
Topics: Confined Spaces; Equipment Design; Humans; Patient Positioning; Radiography; Stretchers; X-Rays
PubMed: 29298919
DOI: No ID Found -
AORN Journal Feb 2021Moving the surgical lights over a sterile field Key words: surgical lights, light handles, sterile field contamination, surgical site infection (SSI). Transport...
Moving the surgical lights over a sterile field Key words: surgical lights, light handles, sterile field contamination, surgical site infection (SSI). Transport stretchers in the OR Key words: transport stretcher, bed linens, cross-contamination, sterile field, infectious disease. Using positive-pressure ORs for patients who require airborne precautions Key words: airborne precautions, positive-pressure airflow, positive-pressure OR, anteroom. Discontinuing the use of intraoperative bacitracin irrigation Key words: bacitracin for injection, antibiotic irrigation, antimicrobial irrigation, surgical site infection (SSI).
PubMed: 33534165
DOI: 10.1002/aorn.13319 -
Revue Medicale de Liege Oct 1961
Topics: Equipment and Supplies; First Aid; Humans; Resuscitation; Stretchers
PubMed: 14469055
DOI: No ID Found -
Quality & Safety in Health Care Jun 2009Ambulance personnel use wheeled stretchers for moving patients in the out-of-hospital setting. The nature of adverse events and associated injuries occurring during...
INTRODUCTION
Ambulance personnel use wheeled stretchers for moving patients in the out-of-hospital setting. The nature of adverse events and associated injuries occurring during ambulance stretcher operation was characterised.
METHODS
Data from the United States Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database (MAUDE) were used. All adverse events involving ambulance stretchers during the years 1996-2005 were identified. The nature of the event, the method of stretcher handling, the individuals injured and the nature of the resulting injuries were identified.
RESULTS
There were 671 reported adverse events. The most common adverse events were stretcher collapse (54%; 95% CI 50 to 57%), broken, missing or malfunctioning part (28%; 95% CI 25 to 32%) and dropped stretcher (7%; 95% CI 5 to 9%). Adverse events most commonly occurred during unloading of the stretcher from the ambulance (16%; 13 to 19%). Injuries occurred in 121 events (18%; 95% CI 15 to 21%), most often involving sprains/strains (29%), fractures (16%) and lacerations/avulsions (13%). There were three traumatic brain injuries and three deaths. Patients sustained injuries in 52 events (43%), and ambulance personnel sustained injuries in 64 events (53%). More than one individual sustained injuries in 12 events.
CONCLUSION
Adverse events may occur during ambulance stretcher operation and can result in significant injury to patients and ambulance personnel.
Topics: Ambulances; Databases, Factual; Equipment Failure; Humans; Transportation of Patients; United States; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 19468005
DOI: 10.1136/qshc.2007.024562 -
British Medical Journal Oct 1964
Topics: Biological Transport; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Mountaineering; Stretchers; Transportation of Patients
PubMed: 14185644
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5413.873