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The biomedical measurements such as electrocorticography and electromyography have been widely performed for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases. In particular, subdural electrodes directly placed on the surface of a brain have been developed for a treatment of epilepsy and surgery. Conventional subdural electrodes consisting of metal electrodes such as Pt and the silicone-based substrate has various problems; the silicone substrate is not able to completely adhere to the brain surface due to its hardness and hydrophobicity, and artifacts will be generated in MRI imaging due to metal electrodes. We have developed a total organic hydrogel-based subdural electrode by embedding carbon fabric (CF) modified with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel substrate. Their softness similar to the living tissue and conformability to the curved surface of brains enabled easy handling, and the total organic materials will contribute to clearer MRI images without image artifacts. Moreover, molecules can pass through the hydrogel substrate of the electrode. Currently, we are working on the development of a hydrogel salt bridge electrode that is more transparent than conventional and our reported electrodes and reduces adverse effect on the body by avoiding the electrode from the biotissue surface and embedding salt bridges in the hydrogel substrate (Figure 1a). Although silicone microchannel is needed for a separation between hydrogels for the salt bridge and substrate, the bonding strength of silicone and hydrogel is poor, which causes a slip of the electrodes from measuring points. Various techniques for chemical bonding of silicone and hydrogel have been reported [1] [2], however, some of the substances used in these techniques are toxic and not biocompatible. In this study, we employed a physical bonding method with protrusions which are placed on the silicone surface to reduce the sliding of silicone and hydrogel. A frustum structure was selected as the shape of the protrusion, as for avoiding an exfoliation of the PVA hydrogel substrate from the silicone microchannel (Figure 1a). In order to evaluate the bonding strength, we prepared micro-structured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheets with 3D printed molds. The various micro-structured PDMS sheets were designed as rectangular (2 mm in the width) and frustum protrusions (4 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm and 0.5 mm in width) (Figure 1b). PDMS sheets with protrusions were embedded in PVA gel (15wt%), which were cross-linked by repeating freezing and thawing cycles (10 min at -30 °C and 10 min at room temperature for three times). A digital force gauge and an electric stand were used to perform tensile tests. Tensile loads were applied to both ends of the specimens, and the tension was recorded until the PDMS sheet and PVA gel were completely separated. In order to apply to the electrocorticography, we prepared the salt bridge electrode combined with the protrusions. The electrode was fabricated by injecting PVA precursor (10wt%) into the PDMS channel with protrusions and embedding that in PVA gel (15wt%). Each PVA was cross-linked by repeating freezing and thawing cycles at the same condition the above experiment. Then the electrode was placed on the brain of a pig along with a conventional electrode, and the brain wave was measured by electrocorticography (ECoG). Among the prepared PDMS sheets, the bonding strength of specimens with frustrum protrusions (10.8 kPa for 2 mm) showed higher than that of specimens with rectangular protrusions (9.3 kPa) and without protrusions (8.0 kPa) (Figure 1c). The bonding strength increased with a decrease of the size (0.5 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm) of protrusions (Figure 1d). Only 1 mm of protrusions did not follow the manner, which was under discussing. These results show that the frustum protrusions contribute to the physical bonding. Finally, we measured the ECoG signal by using the prepared hydrogel electrode. The salt bridge electrode was highly flexible enough to closely contact with the surface of the brain. Moreover, the ECoG signal measured by the hydrogel electrode was followed to conventional electrodes (Figure 1e). In conclusion, we successfully fabricated a flexible and biocompatible subdural electrode. References [1] Q. Liu, G. Nian, C. Yang, S. Qu and Z. Suo, “Bonding dissimilar polymer networks in various manufacturing processes,” Nature Communications, vol. 9, (2018) [2] D. Wirthl, R. Pichler, M. Drack, G. Kettlguber, R. Moser, R. Gerstmayr, F. Hartmann, E. Bradt, R. Kaltseis, C. M. Siket, S. E. Schausberger, S. Hild, S. Bauer and M. Kalten, “Instant tough bonding of hydrogels for soft machines and electronics,” Science Advances, vol. 3, no. 6, (2017). Figure 1

Background Rupture is an important complication of breast implants. Before cohesive gel silicone implants, rupture rates of both saline and silicone breast implants were over 10%. Through an analysis of ruptured implants, we can determine the various factors related to ruptured implants. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 72 implants that were removed for implant rupture between 2005 and 2014 at a single institution. The following data were collected: type of implants (saline or silicone), duration of implantation, type of implant shell, degree of capsular contracture, associated symptoms, cause of rupture, diagnostic tools, and management. Results Forty-five Saline implants and 27 silicone implants were used. Rupture was diagnosed at a mean of 5.6 and 12 years after insertion of saline and silicone implants, respectively. There was no association between shell type and risk of rupture. Spontaneous was the most common reason for the rupture. Rupture management was implant change (39 case), microfat graft (2 case), removal only (14 case), and follow-up loss (17 case). Conclusions Saline implants have a shorter average duration of rupture, but diagnosis is easier and safer, leading to fewer complications. Previous-generation silicone implants required frequent follow-up observation, and it is recommended that they be changed to a cohesive gel implant before hidden rupture occurs.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os implantes de silicone são utilizados em diversas regiões do corpo. Em mulheres, a flacidez da musculatura do tríceps constitui um dos grandes incômodos; por outro lado, em homens, a hipertrofia da região do bíceps e tríceps é sinal de masculinidade e beleza. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever uma técnica relativamente simples e reprodutível para aumento da circunferência do braço ou para correção de flacidez de grau leve a moderado com fins estéticos, com uso de implantes de silicone gel e elastômero. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados e operados 32 pacientes, com a introdução de no mínimo 2 implantes e no máximo 4 implantes por braço. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora significativa da estética dos braços dos pacientes estudados, com índice de satisfação superior a 90%. A melhora foi sentida na avaliação estática e em movimento do braço, grande queixa da maioria de pacientes do sexo feminino. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica cirúrgica apresentada para braquioplastia de aumento é segura e reprodutível, sendo mais uma opção no arsenal terapêutico do cirurgião plástico em sua busca por resultados melhores, com incisões menores. BACKGROUND: Silicone implants are used in several regions of the body. In women, sagging of the triceps muscle is a major concern. Meanwhile, men consider biceps and triceps hypertrophy to be a symbol of masculinity and beauty. Here, we describe a relatively simple and reproducible procedure used for esthetic purposes to increase arm circumference or correct mild to moderately sagging skin using gel silicone implants and elastomer. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were selected and operated on. Two to four implants per arm were introduced. RESULTS: The esthetics of the arms improved significantly in the studied patients, with a satisfaction rate exceeding 90%. The procedure improved static evaluation and arm movement, which were the major complaints of majority of the female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical technique presented for augmentation brachioplasty is safe and reproducible, and should be considered by plastic surgeons in an attempt to achieve better results with smaller incisions.

This work provides a better understanding of the dielectric properties of the gels insulation in the particular context of its use in power electronics. Different measuring techniques which, for the most part have been developed in the characterization of insulating liquids (visualization streamers, optical detection of discharges, charge measuring apparent) were used. An optical method permitting partial discharge measurements under non-sinusoidal voltage (steep-fronted waves) has been developed. Discharges into cavities and ones attributed to the corona have been identified. A regime of reversible discharges and a regime of degradation where the properties of self-healing material are reduced were highlighted. The frequency of discharges increases with temperature. They could contribute to the acceleration of aging assembling in the long term. The partial discharge appears to be easier on impulse voltage in comparison to alternative. The visualization of phenomena generated by high field (generation and propagation of "streamers") allows to better characterize the mechanisms responsible for discharges. The conventional measures of partial discharges in alternative according to IEC are not relevant in the case of the characterisation of the gel under constraints impulse. A study of the breakdown of the silicone gel in various configurations electrode (sizes, shapes) as a function of temperature and the shape of the voltage waveform shows that depends on the electrode surface. The gel comes close much of a non-polar liquid than a solid., Ce travail apporte une meilleure compréhension des propriétés diélectriques des gels isolants dans le contexte particulier de son utilisation en électronique de puissance. Différentes techniques de mesures qui, pour la plupart ont été développées dans la caractérisation des liquides isolants (visualisation de streamers, détection optique des décharges, mesure de la charge apparente) ont été utilisées. Une méthode optique permettant des mesures de décharges partielles sous tension nonsinusoïdale (ondes à front raide) a été développée. Des décharges dans des cavités et les décharges attribuées à l'effet couronne ont été identifiées. Un régime de décharges réversibles et un régime de dégradation où les propriétés d'auto-cicatrisation du matériau sont réduites ont été mis en évidence. La fréquence des décharges augmente considérablement avec la température. Elles pourraient contribuer à l'accélération du vieillissement des assemblages à long terme. Les décharges partielles apparaissent plus facilement sous tension impulsionnelle qu'en alternatif. La visualisation des phénomènes générés sous champ élevé (génération et propagation de “streamers”) permet de mieux caractériser les mécanismes mis en jeu. Les mesures conventionnelles de décharges partielles en alternatif selon la norme CEI ne sont pas pertinentes dans le cas de la caractérisation du gel sous contraintes impulsionnelle. Une étude du claquage du gel silicone dans diverses configurations d'électrodes (tailles, formes) en fonction de la température et de la forme de l'onde de tension montre qu'il dépend de la surface des électrodes. Le gel se rapproche beaucoup plus d'un liquide non polaire que d'un solide.