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PloS One 2012Effective immobilization and transportation are vital to the life-saving acute medical care needed when treating critically injured people. However, the most common...
Effective immobilization and transportation are vital to the life-saving acute medical care needed when treating critically injured people. However, the most common types of stretchers used today are wrought with problems that can lead to further medical complications, difficulty in employment and rescue, and ineffective transitions to hospital treatment. Here we report a novel first aid stretcher called the "emergency carpet", which solves these problems with a unique design for spine injured patients. Polyurethane composite material, obtained by a novel process of manually mixing isocyanate and additives, can be poured into a specially designed fabric bag and allowed to harden to form a rigid human-shaped stretcher. The effectiveness of the emergency carpet was examined in the pre-hospital management of victims with spinal fractures. Additionally, it was tested on flat ground and complex terrain as well as in the sea and air. We demonstrated that the emergency carpet can be assembled and solidified on the scene in 5 minutes, providing effective immobilization to the entire injured body. With the protection of the emergency carpet, none of the 20 patients, who were finally confirmed to have spinal column fracture or dislocation, had any neurological deterioration during transportation. Furthermore, the carpet can be handled and transported by multiple means under differing conditions, without compromising immobilization. Finally, the emergency carpet allows the critically injured patient to receive multiple examinations such as X-ray, CT, and MRI without being removed from the carpet. Our results demonstrate that the emergency carpet has ideal capabilities for immobilization, extrication, and transportation of the spine injured patients. Compared with other stretchers, it allows for better mobility, effective immobilization, remarkable conformity to the body, and various means for transportation. The emergency carpet is promising for its intrinsic advantages in the pre-hospital management of accident victims.
Topics: Ambulances; First Aid; Humans; Immobilization; Radiography; Spinal Injuries; Spine; Stretchers
PubMed: 22792181
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039544 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... May 2020To study the effect and safety of vacuum stretcher combined with feeding in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination for neonates. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect and safety of vacuum stretcher combined with feeding in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination for neonates.
METHODS
A prospective study was performed for the neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, with a gestational age of >34 weeks and stable vital signs, who needed cranial MRI examination and did not need oxygen inhalation hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from September to November, 2019. The neonates were randomly divided into a vacuum stretcher combined with feeding group and a conventional sedation group. Vital signs were monitored before, during, and after MRI examination. The success rate of MRI procedure was recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 80 neonates were enrolled in the study, with 40 neonates in the vacuum stretcher combined with feeding group and 40 in the conventional sedation group. The vacuum stretcher combined with feeding group had a significantly higher success rate of MRI procedure than the conventional sedation group (P<0.05). As for the neonates who underwent successful MRI examination, the fastest heart rate after examination in the vacuum stretcher combined with feeding group was significantly lower than that in the conventional sedation group (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two groups in transcutaneous oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and body temperature before and after MRI examination (P>0.05). No complications, such as apnea, acute allergic reactions, and malignant fever, were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Vacuum stretcher combined with feeding can improve the success rate of MRI procedure and reduce the use of sedatives, and meanwhile, it does not increase related risks.
Topics: Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Prospective Studies; Stretchers; Vacuum
PubMed: 32434637
DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2001047 -
British Medical Journal Dec 1939
PubMed: 20782822
DOI: No ID Found -
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &... Apr 2015In rowing, the parameters of injury, performance, and technique are all interrelated and in dynamic equilibrium. Whilst rowing requires extreme physical strength and...
In rowing, the parameters of injury, performance, and technique are all interrelated and in dynamic equilibrium. Whilst rowing requires extreme physical strength and endurance, a high level of skill and technique is essential to enable an effective transfer of power through the rowing sequence. This study aimed to determine discrete aspects of rowing technique, which strongly influence foot force production and asymmetries at the foot-stretchers, as these are biomechanical parameters often associated with performance and injury risk. Twenty elite female rowers performed an incremental rowing test on an instrumented rowing ergometer, which measured force at the handle and foot-stretchers, while three-dimensional kinematic recordings of the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar-pelvic joints were made. Multiple regression analyses identified hip kinematics as a key predictor of foot force output (R(2) = 0.48), whereas knee and lumbar-pelvic kinematics were the main determinants in optimizing the horizontal foot force component (R(2) = .41). Bilateral asymmetries of the foot-stretchers were also seen to significantly influence lumbar-pelvic kinematics (R(2) = 0.43) and pelvic twisting (R(2) = 0.32) during the rowing stroke. These results provide biomechanical evidence toward aspects of technique that can be modified to optimize force output and performance, which can be of direct benefit to coaches and athletes.
Topics: Adult; Ankle Joint; Athletic Performance; Biomechanical Phenomena; Ergometry; Female; Hip Joint; Humans; Knee Joint; Lumbar Vertebrae; Models, Biological
PubMed: 25039605
DOI: 10.1111/sms.12264 -
International Journal of Medical... 2021The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is closely related to the survival rate of a patient, and it is crucial to maintain the quality of CPR during the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is closely related to the survival rate of a patient, and it is crucial to maintain the quality of CPR during the ambulance journey to the receiving hospital. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different stretcher bed heights on operator CPR quality. In this randomized crossover trial, 16 male emergency medical technicians-paramedics (EMT-Ps) performed continuous chest compressions on a hemimorphic mannequin for 5 minutes, alternating between the current height of the stretcher bed on the ambulance (38 ± 1 cm) (S-38) and the height of the participant's midpoint of the patella (S-knee), where the stretcher bed surface is. According to the analysis of the quality of CPR exercises with two different stretcher bed heights at 5 minutes of continuous chest compression, the mean chest compression depth (CCD) of the S-38 position (53.81 ± 1.91 cm) was significantly lower than that of the S-knee (55.12 ± 2.03 cm; < 0.001). The mean chest compression rate (CCR) of the S-38 position (111.44 ± 3.44 beats/min) was significantly higher than that of the S-knee (109.63 ± 4.46 beats/min; = 0.027). The mean of total chest compressions (TCC) of the S-38 position (557.44 ± 16.81 times) was significantly higher than that of the S-knee (548.24 ± 19.40 times; = 0.029). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of the S-38 position was significantly higher than that of the S-knee (12.75 ± 1.91 %; = 0.015). Only the chest compression rebound rate (CCRR) (S-38: 97.56 ± 4.63 % vs. S-knee: 98.31 ± 1.89 %, = 0.401) and the chest compression fraction (CCF) (S-38: 98.44 ± 0.81 % vs. S-knee: 98.44 ± 0.96 %, = 1.000) did not reach a significant difference. When a resuscitator is performing chest compressions in a standing position in an ambulance, the excessive downward leaning of the resuscitator's upper body affects CPR quality and increases fatigue. This study has verified that setting the stretcher bed of the ambulance at the knee height of the EMTs provides better CPR quality and lower fatigue.
Topics: Adult; Ambulances; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Cross-Over Studies; Emergency Medical Technicians; Ergonomics; Fatigue; Humans; Male; Manikins; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Simulation Training; Stretchers; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34220306
DOI: 10.7150/ijms.59037 -
Optics Express Sep 2023In soft X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) beamlines, variable-line-spacing (VLS) gratings are often used as dispersive components of monochromators and spectrometers due...
In soft X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) beamlines, variable-line-spacing (VLS) gratings are often used as dispersive components of monochromators and spectrometers due to their combined dispersion and focusing properties. X-ray FEL pulses passing through the VLS grating can result in not only transverse focusing but also spatiotemporal coupling effects, such as pulse front tilt, pulse front rotation, and pulse stretching. In this paper, we present a theoretical study of the spatiotemporal response of concave VLS gratings to ultra-short X-ray pulses. The theoretical analysis indicates that the tilt angle of the non-zero diffraction orders varies with the propagation distance, and disappears at the focus, where the focal lengths and pulse stretching differ for different diffraction orders. The model demonstrates the pulse duration after the concave VLS grating is the convolution of the initial pulse duration and the stretching term induced by dispersion, while the beam size at the focus in x dimension is the convolution of the geometric scaling beam size and the dispersion term. This work provides a mathematical explanation for the spatiotemporal response of concave VLS grating to ultra-short X-ray pulses and offers valuable insights into the design of FEL grating monochromators, spectrometers, pulse compressors, and pulse stretchers.
PubMed: 37859010
DOI: 10.1364/OE.501464 -
Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde Apr 2021One of the varied tasks of the Large Animal Rescue Service Switzerland and Liechtenstein (GTRD CH/FL)® is the recovery of animals from manure and cesspools. The aim of...
One of the varied tasks of the Large Animal Rescue Service Switzerland and Liechtenstein (GTRD CH/FL)® is the recovery of animals from manure and cesspools. The aim of the present retrospective study was the evaluation of the rescue protocols of the GTRD CH/FL from such operations and the documentation of a rescue procedure. In the past 25 years, a total of 176 animals have been rescued from manure and cesspools. These included 113 cattle, 51 horses and 12 pigs. All animals could be safely rescued with the animal rescue and transport net (TBTN) or the large animal vertical rescue set (GTVBS). The TBTN is used when the opening of the cesspool is large enough to recover the animal in a horizontal position. The GTVBS is particularly suitable for narrow openings, as the recovery in a -vertical position does not require any constructional modification or the enlargement of the cesspool opening. Both rescue harnesses are characterized by reliable handling and allow gentle recovery.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Emergencies; Emergency Medical Services; Horses; Liechtenstein; Manure; Stretchers; Swine; Switzerland
PubMed: 33821800
DOI: 10.17236/sat00297 -
PloS One 2022Transporting patients down stairs by carrying is associated with a particularly high fall risk for patients and the occurrence of back pain among emergency medical...
Transporting patients down stairs by carrying is associated with a particularly high fall risk for patients and the occurrence of back pain among emergency medical technicians. The present study aimed to verify the effectiveness of the Airstretcher device, which was developed to reduce rescuers' physical burden when transporting patients by dragging along the floor and down stairs. Forty-one paramedical students used three devices to transport a 65-kg manikin down stairs from the 3rd to the 1st floor. To verify the physical burden while carrying the stretchers, ratings of perceived exertion were measured using the Borg CR10 scale immediately after the task. Mean Borg CR10 scores (standard deviation) were 3.6 (1.7), 4.1 (1.8), 5.6 (2.4), and 4.2 (1.8) for the Airstretcher with dragging, Airstretcher with lifting, backboard with lifting, and tarpaulin with lifting conditions, respectively (p < 0.01). Multiple comparisons revealed that the Airstretcher with dragging condition was associated with significantly lower Borg CR10 scores compared with the backboard with lifting condition (p < 0.01). When the analysis was divided by handling position, estimated Borg CR10 values (standard error) for head position were 4.4 (1.3), 2.9 (0.9), 3.2 (0.8), and 4.0 (1.1) for the Airstretcher with dragging, Airstretcher with lifting, backboard with lifting, and tarpaulin with lifting conditions, respectively, after adjusting for participant and duration time (F = 1.4, p < 0.25). The estimated Borg CR10 value (standard error) for toe position in the Airstretcher with dragging condition was 2.0 (0.8), and the scores for the side position were 4.9 (0.4), 6.1 (0.3), and 4.7 (0.4) for the Airstretcher with lifting, backboard with lifting, and tarpaulin with lifting conditions, respectively, after adjusting for participant and duration time (F = 3.6, p = 0.02). Transferring a patient down stairs inside a house by dragging using the Airstretcher may reduce the physical burden for rescuers.
Topics: Back Pain; Humans; Physical Examination
PubMed: 36103565
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274604 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2024This paper presents the Reconfigurable Multi-Terrain Adaptive Casualty Transport Aid (RMTACTA), an innovative solution addressing the critical need for rapid and safe...
This paper presents the Reconfigurable Multi-Terrain Adaptive Casualty Transport Aid (RMTACTA), an innovative solution addressing the critical need for rapid and safe pre-hospital casualty transport in industrial environments. The RMTACTA, leveraging the Watt II six-bar linkage, offers enhanced adaptability through six modes of motion, overcoming the limitations of traditional stretchers and stretcher vehicles by facilitating navigation across narrow and challenging terrains. The RMTACTA's design incorporates two branching four-bar mechanisms to form a compact, reconfigurable Watt II six-bar linkage mechanism. This setup is controlled via a single remote rope, allowing for easy transition between its multiple operational modes, including stretcher, stretcher vehicle, folding, gangway-passing, obstacle-crossing, and upright modes. The mechanical design and kinematics of this innovative linkage are detailed, alongside an analysis of the optimal design and mechanical evaluation of rope control. A prototype of the RMTACTA was developed, embodying the proposed mechanical and kinematic solutions. Preliminary tests were conducted to verify the prototype's feasibility and operability across different terrains, demonstrating its capability to safely and efficiently transport casualties. The development of the proposed Reconfigurable Multi-Terrain Adaptive Casualty Transport Aid (RMTACTA) introduces a novel perspective on the design of emergency medical transport robots and the enhancement of casualty evacuation strategies. Its innovative application of the Watt II six-bar linkage mechanism not only showcases the RMTACTA's versatility across varied terrains but also illuminates its potential utility in critical scenarios such as earthquake relief, maritime rescue, and battlefield medical support.
PubMed: 38605994
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1360902 -
Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica :... Feb 2015Acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal may be caused by a variety of insults, all sharing a common pathogenesis, namely a cascade of inflammatory changes... (Review)
Review
Acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal may be caused by a variety of insults, all sharing a common pathogenesis, namely a cascade of inflammatory changes leading to medial canal fibrosis. Previous surgery (canaloplasty or meatoplasty) and radiotherapy, especially if associated with a history of parotid surgery extended to the external auditory canal, have been implicated as possible causes. The literature offers advice on the management of stenosis consequent to otosurgery for congenital and acquired defects, but nothing on forms secondary to radiotherapy to the head and neck region. The proposed solutions are often cumbersome and difficult to fabricate, and therefore expensive. The aim of this paper, in which the cases of four patients are reported, is to present a new technique initially used for the most severe form - i.e. external auditory canal stenosis after surgery and radiotherapy - and then extended to forms due to different causes. This new technique involves the use of a series of surgical steel tubes of increasing dimension commonly used for tissue expansion in a body piercing practice called stretching and known as ear stretching tunnels or ear stretchers. This innovative approach proved effective in solving external auditory canal stenosis in our patients, with the least discomfort for the patient and the lowest cost. We consider this new solution to be feasible and practical and are convinced that it provides a new approach to an old problem. Further studies are needed to increase the number of clinical cases to verify how long the ear stretcher should be kept in place for the stenosis to stabilise, and to establish whether surgery is always necessary after ear stretcher application and, if so, the best timing for surgery.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Constriction, Pathologic; Ear Canal; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otologic Surgical Procedures; Prosthesis Design; Stents
PubMed: 26015649
DOI: No ID Found