Background: Citrate anticoagulation offers several advantages in comparison to conventional anticoagulation. Most algorithms for regional citrate-calcium anticoagulation are based on citrate and calcium chloride infusion coupled in a fixed proportion to the blood flow without considering the hematocrit (Hct)/plasma flow or the filter clearance of citrate and calcium. Methods: The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm for optimized citrate anticoagulation in extracorporeal therapies such as dialysis. A mathematical model was developed to calculate the volume of citrate infusion required to achieve a desired ionized calcium (iCa) target level in the extracorporeal circuit and to restore the total calcium level to a physiological value. Results: The model was validated by correlation analyses for different blood Hct values and shows an excellent fit to the laboratory measurements. Conclusion: The results for both iCa target concentrations, namely those after citrate and calcium infusion, proved that the software algorithm adapts well to variable treatment parameters.
In this paper, a wireless interrogable sensor device based on an ultra low-power microcontroller for data collection and a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface for data transmission is presented. Wireless sensor systems utilizing RFID transponders offer a new and exciting means of measurement and identification suitable for many biomedical applications. For the majority of these applications, small, inexpensive radio request sensor systems are desirable. In this paper, an ultra-low-power and low-cost wireless temperature data logger system is presented with its application in observing dental retainer use. For this purpose, the retainer's ambient temperature is measured by an integrated sensor and recorded using a microcontroller which acts like a temperature data logger storing the thermal history of several months. For a self powered wireless data transmission from the sensor to the interrogation unit a RFID transponder, operating in the 13.56 MHz ISM band, is used. The presented sensor system includes hard-and software power saving modes reducing the sensor idle current consumption to 1 A. This allows a battery powered operation of the device for up to two years. For dental and biomedical applications, the device is hermetically sealed using a biocompatible polymeric encapsulation. Results of the first clinical trials observing the patient's dental retainer usage by a set of retainers equipped with the RFID temperature sensor/data logger device are presented. The stored temperature values are analyzed and a clear temperature characteristic indicating the retainer usage was found.Index Terms-Dental sensor, radio frequency identification (RFID), temperature data logger, wireless communication, wireless transponder.
Acute liver failure based on acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCLF) or on acute severe damage of the liver caused by different etiologies includes complex mechanisms resulting in severe disturbances of principle liver functions. In order to compensate the liver's function of detoxification as efficiently as possible, fluidized bed absorbent systems have been designed. In these systems, small particles with specific adsorption properties for toxins related to acute liver failure are applied. A special technology based on adsorbents in suspension has been developed under the guidance of our group and is prepared for clinical application during the coming year. This technology is called microspheres-based detoxification system (MDS) and is based on microadsorbents with a diameter of 1-10 microm which are recirculated in suspension. The safety of the MDS is guaranteed by the use of fluorescently labeled magnetic microparticles, which in case of a membrane-leakage are detected in the blood circuit by an optical system equipped with a magnetic trap. In vitro tests with two kinds of microadsorbents (a combination of a hydrophobic neutral resin and an anion exchange resin) showed excellent efficiency of the system with respect to adsorption capacity as well as to the kinetics of elimination of albumin-bound substances (e.g. unconjugated bilirubin or cholic acid) and of non-protein-bound substances (e.g. phenol). Moreover, using a plasma filter or the Albuflow filter as membrane filters in the blood circuit, the MDS technology offers the possibility to remove inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) by additional use of specific adsorbents.
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