Plutonium 238 pacemaker failure secondary to lead fracture

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) therapy is a rapidly emerging tool being used by pain physicians in the treatment of chronic pain. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating disease whose mechanism is still has yet to be fully elucidated, is a common pathology targeted by DRGS therapy, often better results than traditional spinal cord stimulation. DRGS therapy, however, is not bereft of complications. Lead migration and fracture are two examples in particular that are among the most common of these complications. The authors report an unusual case of lost efficacy due to lead fractures in patients with CRPS treated with DRGS. The case report narrates identification, management and probable mechanism of DRGS lead fracture. The structural instability of DRGS leads can yield distressing symptoms at any point during the therapy, and physicians should be cognisant of the complications of DRGS therapy.

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Lead Fracture as a Cause of Pacemaker Failure: A Case Report

University Heart Journal ◽

10.3329/uhj.v3i2.798 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 87-89

Author(s):

Abdullah Al Shafi Majumder ◽

Abdul Wadud Chowdhury ◽

AEM Mazharul Islam ◽

Md Abdul Muttalib ◽

Mahinoor Mortuja Alam

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Lead Fracture

(University Heart Journal 2007; 3 : 87-89)

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Experimental Validation of Dispersion Curves in Plates for Acoustic Emission

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.13-14.53 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 13-14 ◽

pp. 53-60

Author(s):

Rhys Pullin ◽

Pete T. Theobald ◽

Karen M. Holford ◽

S.L. Evans

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Emission ◽

Lamb Wave ◽

Arrival Times ◽

Wave Speeds ◽

Lead Fracture ◽

Acoustic Emission Sensors ◽

Broadband Pulse ◽

Thick Steel ◽

Ae Signals ◽

Wave Modes

This paper presents the findings of an investigation to determine theoretically and empirically the wave speeds and frequency content of the two primary Lamb wave modes, the symmetric (S0) and anti-symmetric (A0). A 2 mm thick steel plate measuring 700 mm by 700 mm was used to perform all measurements. A broadband pulse propagated through the plate and detected by a conical type piezoelectric receiver was used to show how the dispersive properties of the plate influenced the detected AE signals. It was shown that the two primary Lamb wave modes cover a very broad range of velocities, leading to a severe spreading of arrival times. A further investigation was completed using four acoustic emission sensors to record a pencil lead fracture, which was used as an artificial source. Reflections in the plate were shown to cause interference in the signal that can complicate the interpretation of the arrival modes. A recorded signal 400mm from the source was filtered into frequency bands. The arrival times of the wave modes were determined for each frequency band and the appropriate velocities calculated allowing a dispersion curve to be plotted experimentally. The plotted curve was shown to be a very close approximate to the calculated curve.

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