Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Centrifugal Pump and Driving Devices of the OASSIST ECMO System: A Preclinical Evaluation in the Ovine Model

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides cardiopulmonary support for critically ill patients. Portable ECMO devices can be applied in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital emergency conditions. We evaluated the safety and biocompatibility of a novel centrifugal pump and ECMO device of the OASSIST ECMO System (Jiangsu STMed Technologies Co., Suzhou, China) in a 168-h ovine ECMO model.Methods: The portable OASSIST ECMO system consists of the control console, the pump drive, and the disposable centrifugal pump. Ten healthy sheep were used to evaluate the OASSIST ECMO system. Five were supported on veno-venous ECMO and five on veno-arterial ECMO, each for 168 h. The systemic anticoagulation was achieved by continuous heparin infusion to maintain the activated clotting time (ACT) between 220 and 250 s. The rotary speed was set at 3,200–3,500 rpm. The ECMO configurations and ACT were recorded every 6 hours (h). The free hemoglobin (fHb), complete blood count, and coagulation action test were monitored, at the 6th h and every 24 h after the initiation of the ECMO. The dissection of the pump head and oxygenator were conducted to explore thrombosis.Results: Ten sheep successfully completed the study duration without device-related accidents. The pumps ran stably, and the ECMO flow ranged from 1.6 ± 0.1 to 2.0 ± 0.11 L/min in the V-V group, and from 1.8 ± 0.1 to 2.4 ± 0.14 L/min in the V-A group. The anticoagulation was well-performed. The ACT was maintained at 239.78 ± 36.31 s, no major bleeding or thrombosis was observed during the ECMO run or in the autopsy. 3/5 in the V-A group and 4/5 in the V-V group developed small thrombus in the bearing pedestal. No obvious thrombus formed in the oxygenator was observed. The hemolytic blood damage was not significant. The average fHb was 0.17 ± 0.12 g/L. Considering hemodilution, the hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelets didn't reduce during the ECMO runs.Conclusions: The OASSIST ECMO system shows satisfactory safety and biocompatibility for the 168-h preclinical evaluation in the ovine model. The OASSIST ECMO system is promising to be applied in clinical conditions in the future.

TRIGA PUSPATI reactor: model analysis and accuracy

<p>There are many challenging issues with research reactor, such as time variation and uncertainty. Since its first criticality in 1982, the biggest changes in TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor system is the replacement of instrumentation and control console system from analogue to digital in 2013. Apart from providing methods of controlling the power reactor via the control rod movement, the Instrumentation and Control Console System also provides monitoring and display for all reactor parameters to protect the reactor from undue influences or abnormal circumstances. Meanwhile, the simulation model of the TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor system has been developed in the Simulink-MATLAB. The simulation model development is based on the research reactor mathematical representatives and the real plant parameters of TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor. However, the performance of this simulation model needs to be evaluated. Since there is no report or paper work found on the performance of the simulation model to represent the real system of RTP, the present study aims to carry out an analysis for more rigorous understanding of the TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor model simulation through validation and verification methods. After analysing the result, it was found that the simulation model has a good representation of a real plant.</p>

Shielding assessment in two computed tomography facilities in South-South Nigeria: How safe are the personnel and general public from ionizing radiation?

Objective: The aims of this study were to estimate the instantaneous dose rate(IDR) and annual dose rate (ADR) to radiation staff and the general public withinthe controlled and supervised areas, respectively, to determine the shieldingdesign goals (P) of the 2 CT facilities and to determine the average annual dose(AD) to radiographer/operator in the control console during CT scans. Materials and Methods: The equipment used in this study consisted of twonewly installed General Electric (GE) Revolution ACTs CT machines. Technicalparameters used were a thoracic/dorsal spine scan, which was rarely done in both facilities. A calibrated Inspector USB (S.E. International, Inc.) survey meter was positioned < 50 cm from each barrier at various points to determine the average shielded air kerma Results: The average background radiation in the 2 facilities was 0.11 ?Sv/hr. The average ADR to the controlled and supervised areas in CT1 was 0.563±0.25 and 0.369±0.11 mSv/yr, respectively. Also, the average ADR to the controlled and supervised areas in CT2 were 0.410±0.28 and 0.354±0.04 mSv/yr, respectively. The average shielding design goal to the controlled and supervised areas for CT1 was 0.00898±0.0041 and 0.0059±0.0028 mSv/Week, respectively. Similarly, the average shielding design goal for the controlled and supervised areas for CT2 was 0.0066±0.0044 and 0.0057±0.0019 mSv/Week respectively. The estimated average AD to the operator in CT1 and CT2 was 2.5 and 1.3 ?Sv, respectively. Conclusion: The average ADR and shielding design goals in the controlled and supervised areas from both CTs were within acceptable limits for radiation staff and the public.

Shielding assessment in two computed tomography facilities in South-South Nigeria: How safe are the personnel and general public from ionizing radiation?

Objective: The aims of this study were to estimate the instantaneous dose rate(IDR) and annual dose rate (ADR) to radiation staff and the general public withinthe controlled and supervised areas, respectively, to determine the shieldingdesign goals (P) of the 2 CT facilities and to determine the average annual dose(AD) to radiographer/operator in the control console during CT scans. Materials and Methods: The equipment used in this study consisted of twonewly installed General Electric (GE) Revolution ACTs CT machines. Technicalparameters used were a thoracic/dorsal spine scan, which was rarely done in both facilities. A calibrated Inspector USB (S.E. International, Inc.) survey meter was positioned < 50 cm from each barrier at various points to determine the average shielded air kerma Results: The average background radiation in the 2 facilities was 0.11 ?Sv/hr. The average ADR to the controlled and supervised areas in CT1 was 0.563±0.25 and 0.369±0.11 mSv/yr, respectively. Also, the average ADR to the controlled and supervised areas in CT2 were 0.410±0.28 and 0.354±0.04 mSv/yr, respectively. The average shielding design goal to the controlled and supervised areas for CT1 was 0.00898±0.0041 and 0.0059±0.0028 mSv/Week, respectively. Similarly, the average shielding design goal for the controlled and supervised areas for CT2 was 0.0066±0.0044 and 0.0057±0.0019 mSv/Week respectively. The estimated average AD to the operator in CT1 and CT2 was 2.5 and 1.3 ?Sv, respectively. Conclusion: The average ADR and shielding design goals in the controlled and supervised areas from both CTs were within acceptable limits for radiation staff and the public.

PILICA Anti-Aircraft Rocket-Artillery System - a V-SHROAD System

The PILICA Anti-Aircraft Rocket-Artillery System has been developed for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The PILICA Anti-Aircraft Rocket-Artillery System is composed of: The Command and Control station, the Radiolocating station, six Firing Units along with Artillery Tractors, two Transport Vehicles, and two Ammunition Vehicles. PILICA's task is that of detecting, recognising, and identifying objects, then automatically dividing the tasks and commands for efficient elimination. PILICA’s Firing Unit has autonomous-mode target detection, identification and elimination capabilities (without cooperating with Command and Control) using equipment such as its optoelectronic head and IFF system. In the system operation mode and in cooperation with Command and Control, the Firing Unit and its subsystems ensure the reception of commands/combat tasks in its fire responsibility zone, as well as reporting statuses and the completion of the given combat tasks. Reporting and command reception from the Command and Control station is automated. The Firing Unit can fire using its automatic tracking system, or when operated in manual mode. The Firing unit has been equipped with a portable remote control console, providing the ability to use it remotely. In case of a power supply malfunction in the Firing Unit, it is possible to use it entirely manually, with the use of artillery weapons. The Firing Unit is equipped with a stabilised, optoelectronic day-night head that enables it to work independently of the weapons when it comes to observation and detecting, as well as identifying, objects. The head constitutes not only an element of the guidance system, but also a source of information for the entire System, as the data on the detected and observed objects is exchanged within the entire command network. PILICA is equipped with an unique formation and training system, providing capabilities for training teams on real equipment, with the use of a virtual simulation management system employing the DIS protocol.

Head CT Dose Examination for Adult Patient in Abuja and Keffi, Hospitals in Nigerian

This study has established local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs). Dose report and scan parameters for the head was assessed during seven months at the three study centres. Data on CT Dose index (CTDIw) and dose length product (DLP) available and achieved on CT scanner control console was recorded for a minimum of 10 average-sized patients for each facility to establish a local Diagnostic reference level (LDRLs) and radiation dose optimization Data was collected using a purposive sampling technique, from 131 adult patients weighing 70±3kg) from Philip brilliance, Toshiba Alexion and General Electric (GE) CT scanners for this study. The collected data were analyzed using SPPSS version (20) statistical software. Third quartile values of the estimated LDRLs for CTDIw and DLP was determined as 49.8 mGy and 9639 mGy. The mean CTDIw obtained are lower to the reported data from the European Commission of 60mGy. The mean DLP are comparably lower than all the reported value from the European commission of 1050 mGy. Therefore, CT dose optimization is recommended.