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Microsurgery is a specific surgical expertise that involves operating on very small structures, and requires the assistance of a magnifying device: a microscope or loupes. Several factors have been identified that could affect the quality of microsurgical performance in training or surgical procedures.The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the selected factors - caffeine, alcohol and physical exercise - on a microsurgical task prior its performance.Ten students from the 5th and 6th years of medical studies who had completed the advanced microsurgical course performed a "6-stitches test" on a latex glove spanned over a cup prior to and after consumption of caffeine, alcohol and performing physical exercises. The times taken to complete the task at baseline and post-exposure were recorded.The results of the study show a statistically significant positive effect of caffeine and a statistically significant negative effect of physical exercise on microsurgical performance when performed shortly before the task. Small dose of alcohol taken before the task showed had little effect on performance.Bei der Mikrochirurgie handelt es sich um eine spezielle chirurgische Operationstechnik für Eingriffe an sehr kleinen Strukturen unter Verwendung eines Mikroskops oder einer Lupenbrille. Mehrere Faktoren beeinflussen das mikrochirurgische Leistungsvermögen und zwar sowohl im Training als auch im Operationssaal. ZIEL: Diese Studie untersucht die Auswirkung von Koffein, Alkohol und körperlicher Betätigung auf die mikrochirurgische Leistungsfähigkeit.Zehn Medizinstudenten des 5. und 6. Studienjahres, die alle einen mikrochirurgischen Kurs für Fortgeschrittene absolviert hatten, führten einen „6-Stich-Test“ vor und nach Konsum von Koffein und Alkohol sowie körperlicher Betätigung an einem über eine Tasse ausgespannten Latexhandschuh durch. Die Zeit zur Bewältigung der Aufgaben wurde gestoppt und miteinander verglichen.Körperliche Betätigung, wenn kurz vor der mikrochirurgischen Übung erfolgt, hatte eine signifikant negative Auswirkung auf das mikrochirurgische Leistungsvermögen. Koffein und Alkohol in kleinen Dosen zeigten keinen wesentlichen Effekt.

The safety of personal protective equipment (PPE) is very important, and so is the choice of materials used. The ability of electrostatic charges (ESCs) generated from the friction of engineered materials to attract or repel viruses has a significant impact on their applications. This study examined the ESCs generated on the surface of PPE used by healthcare workers to enhance their potential effectiveness in protecting the wearer from viruses. This is a crucial consideration for the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has a negative charge. The magnitudes and signs of generated ESCs on the surfaces of the PPE were determined experimentally using an Ultra Stable Surface DC Voltmeter. The high negative ESCs acquired by the polyethylene disposable cap and facemask are expected to repel negatively charged viruses and prevent them from adhering to the outer layer of the material. Also, the choice of polypropylene for facemasks and gowns is excellent because it is an aggressively negatively charged material in the triboelectric series. This property guarantees that facemasks and gowns can repel viruses from the wearer. However, the positive ESCs generated on latex glove surfaces are of great concern because they can attract negatively charged viruses and create a source of infection. In conclusion, it is necessary to ensure that PPE be made of materials whose surfaces develop a negative ESC to repel viruses, as well as to select polyethylene gloves.

Latex gloves are seen as an indispensable item in the healthcare field because it offers superior protection for both the medical staff and patient against harmful substances. However, latex gloves with high protein concentration have a high possibility to induce latex allergy which in the worst case can lead to a life-threatening condition. To minimize the occurrence of an allergy reaction, the computerized Biocompatibility Morphological Mean (BMM) test for protein detection is proposed. This test initially goes through the chemical process to determine the protein that resides in the glove sample. After that, the sample is electronically converted into a digital image. Finally, the image undergoes color image processing for calculating the color difference values. These values are then plotted on a standard curve. A high correlation coefficient (R2>0.97) of the standard curve gives better accuracies. The proposed method only takes about 40 minutes to complete the test, while existing methods need at least 6 hours.

Background: In the growing need of microvascular surgery in modern-day plastic surgery, financial burden on surgeon or institution can discourage acquisition of skill particularly in the initial phase of laboratory simulation. This article describes the construction of a cheap, easy-to-make blood vessel model. Materials and method: The model was made using infusion giving set, latex glove, scissors, tape measure and Swan glue CD 308. A cut sheet from the latex glove was rolled twice over two glue-painted segment of the infusion giving set stent. The stents were gently pulled out, turning the sheet into a conduit. The blood vessel model was then allowed to dry. Discussion: The use of latex glove for initial training in microvascular anastomosis has been for long. Previously described productions into a conduit are cumbersome. This model is easy to construct and is useful in an office or dry laboratory setting. Conclusion: The latex glove blood vessel model described in this article is a useful material in the training of budding microsurgeons. Residents in our institution have reported a very good learning experience with its use. Keywords: Latex glove, Blood vessel model, Microvascular, Anastomosis, Training, Microsurgery

In general, the main compositions of porcelain and bone china composed of 54-65%wt silica (SiO2), 23-34% wt alumina (Al2O3) and 0.2-0.7%wt calcium oxide (CaO) suitable for preparation high quality ceramic products such as soft-hard porcelain products for teeth and bones, bioceramics, IC substrate and magneto-optoelectroceramics. The quality of ceramic hand mold is depended on raw material and its properties (pH, ionic strength, solid-liquid surface tension, particle size distribution, specific surface area, porosity, density, microstructure, weight ratio between solid and water, drying time, and firing temperatures). The suitable firing conditions for porcelain and bone china hand-mold preparation were firing at 1270°C for 10 h which resulted in superior working molds for making latex films from natural and synthetic rubber. The obtained fired porcelain hand molds at 1270°C for 10 h provided good chemical durability (10%NaOH, 5%HCl and 10%wtNaCl), low thermal expansion coefficient (5.8570 × 10−6(°C−1)), good compressive (179.40 MPa) and good flexural strength (86 MPa). While thermal expansion coefficient, compressive and flexural strength of obtained fired bone china hand molds are equal to 6.9230 × 10−6(°C−1), 128.40 and 73.70 MPa, respectively, good acid-base-salt resistance, a smooth mold surface, and easy hand mold fabrication. Both obtained porcelain and bone china hand molds are a low production cost, making them suitable for natural and synthetic rubber latex glove formation.

There have been several reports about the difficulties in removing 3.5-mm titanium locking screws from plates due to the stripping or rounding of the hexagonal screw socket. We investigated whether stripping the locking screw sockets can be prevented by using different screwdrivers or interposing materials into the socket during removal. We overtightened 120 3.5-mm titanium locking screws (Depuy Synthes, Paoli, PA) equally into locking plates on sawbone tibia models, applying a uniform torque of 4.5 Nm, exceeding the recommended torque of 1.5 Nm. Twenty screws each were removed using a straight-handle 2.5-mm screwdriver, T-handle screwdriver, hex key wrench, and straight-handle screwdriver with a non-dominant hand. In addition, 20 screws were removed using foil from a suture packet inserted into the screw socket or using parts of a latex glove inserted into the screw socket. The incidence rates of screw stripping using the straight-handle screwdriver, T-handle screwdriver, hex key wrench, non-dominant hand, foil interposition, and latex glove interposition were 75%, 40%, 35%, 90%, 60%, and 70%, respectively. When a T-handle screwdriver or hex key wrench was used, the probability of screw stripping was 4.50 times (odds ratio = 4.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.17 to 17.37, p = 0.03) and 5.57 times (odds ratio = 5.57, 95% confidence interval = 1.42 to 21.56, p = 0.01) lower than that with the straight-handle screwdriver, respectively. Foil or latex glove interpositions did not prevent screw stripping. Thus, in the current experimental study, T-handle screwdriver or hex key wrench usage decreased the incidence rate of screw stripping during removal compared to straight-handle screwdriver use.

In the healthcare environment, medical latex gloves are a necessary medical item for healthcare workers as it offers excellent hand barrier protection against dangerous microorganism. However, if the healthcare workers repeated exposure to the latex gloves which contain high protein level, it will increase the possibility of the workers to have a risk for latex allergy. Thus, the objective of this project is to develop a color kernel regression (CKR) method for estimating protein level through the analyses of color difference in glove images. Initially, the gloves will go through an uncomplicated chemical test for protein detection. A blue color will appear on the surface of a glove sample that contains protein. After that, the chemical binded sample will be digitally converted into a sample image using the flatbed scanner. The image will then undergo image processing to improve its quality and to calculate the color difference values of the sample. Those calculated values with the pre-defined protein levels will be used to plot a standard graph. A high coefficient of determination with R2 > 98% has been obtained from the experimental graph. This indicates that the proposed CKR method contributes significantly toward the estimation of protein level

In this study, it involves the protein determination of latex gloves for latex glove manufacturing industry. Natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves provide tactile properties, barrier protection, tear resistance, economy and comfort touch surface area which preferred by the medical field. However, there are more than 200 proteins in the NRL and 13 of them which are known to be allergens to human. In the manufacturing process of latex gloves, the Bradford reagent protein test method is used as a standard method for assessing protein levels for quality control. The current standard methods typically involve many procedures that manually operate which results in high processing time. Thus, new innovative design is needed and involved the cutting system that allows samples stamping and retrieved with less time consumption. The cutting machine can perform the automatic cutting of latex glove into several samples According to the current method, samples cutting process conducted by humans. Therefore, the new system is automated, which may only require an operator to place the glove at the input of the system and remove it at the end of the process. The new latex glove samples cutting system consists of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) moving mechanism with a 28 mm rotating rotary cutter as cutting die. Thus, the cutting system is able to shorten the processing time on protein determination

Raw hen eggshell powder, a calcium carbonate source, was used as a biofiller in the natural rubber latex compound and latex glove film formation via dipping process. The powder was anticipated to improve the physical (smoothness and thickness of film) and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) of latex film and to reduce the extractable protein content on film surface. Eggshell powder ground by a rapid mill was fine particles of approximately 37.48 μm in diameter, suitable for homogeneous and compatible addition into the natural rubber latex compound. Dipping hand mold into the natural rubber latex compound with 50 wt% eggshell added was the best formula to obtain a smooth, clear, thin film surface, with the tensile strength of 23.24 ± 0.745 MPa and the highest elongation at break of 723.99 ± 14.60%, along with a low protein content, a dense film without water leakage, and with a good contact angle. The natural rubber latex glove film possessed good physical-mechanical properties and a low protein content as the results of the raw eggshell powder added as a biofiller.

The long revolution of nitrile rubber in the rubber industries, especially for lightly crosslinked products has been reviewed in this paper. The advancement is remarkable from the first invention of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and till date, the physical and chemical properties were elevated. Recent rubber chemists are mainly focus in modifying the nature of the synthetic latex based on butadiene and crosslinker to enhance the performability for rubber product to be used in broad range of applications. Besides, the different types of rubber had contribute to different sectors of usage due to their speciality properties. All belong to the effort of various types of crosslinking methods which making the liquid latex to suit in plenty of applications and usage from space shuttle (O-ring) to food hawker hygiene gloves. This paper summarized all sort of gloves products in comparison with nitrile rubber glove. Natural rubber is a superior latex glove which show high elasticity and tactility however not suitable for medical usage due to its protein allergic issues. Moreover, current development of natural rubber by synthesis through, in vitro and in vivo method, with the aim to produce equivalent properties of rubber product with lower materials cost. In fact, the glove manufacturing process have various parameters to monitor to produce a accepted quality of gloves. A quality of nitrile glove may need to pay close attention on latex compounding formulation and choice of the value-added process options. Metal ions crosslinker shows an exceptional cost and time saving for crosslinking especially on nitrile rubber. The discussion on the bonding characteristic which contribute for the tensile strength and durability of the nitrile rubber glove.

Candida auris’ ability to persist on contaminated gloves and transmit to urinary catheters was evaluated. 105 and 103 cfu/ml suspensions of eight Candida species including C. auris were inoculated on latex and nitrile gloves fingertips and touched on agar surface at different time intervals. Urinary catheter piece, touched by latex glove carrying Candida spp. suspensions at various time intervals, was cultured by roll-plate method. C.auris persisted on latex gloves at both 105 and 103 cfu/ml up to 3 minutes and could be transmitted from both wet and dry contaminated gloves to catheters. Proper glove use with strict hand hygiene should be advocated in settings with ongoing C.auris transmission.

Background Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is increasingly used for both diagnostic and guided procedures. Increasingly, POCUS has been used for identification of pneumonia and to assist in the differentiation of pleural effusions, as well as to guide thoracentesis. As such, there is a need for training with ideally high-fidelity lung ultrasound phantoms to ensure ultrasound proficiency and procedural competency. Unfortunately, most commercial ultrasound phantoms remain expensive and may have limited fidelity. Objective Our aim was to create and describe a homemade, high-fidelity ultrasound phantom model for demonstrating pneumonia with pleural effusions for teaching purposes. Discussion An ultrasound phantom was constructed using a water-filled latex glove with a sliver of meat in it, covered over by a palm-sized piece of meat (skin and ribs are optional to increase ultrasonographic details and realism). This would appear like parapneumonic effusions with organized pneumonia under ultrasound examination. Creamer (or talc) can be added to the water in the glove to simulate empyema. The model can also be used to teach simple effusions and for ultrasound-guided thoracentesis and in clinical decision making. Conclusions Easily prepared, homemade high-fidelity ultrasound phantom models for instructions on identification of pleural effusions and ultrasound-guided pleural tap of parapneumonic effusion were made.

This chapter describes primary exercises for a novice microsurgeon. The gauze and the latex glove are the most suitable artificial training models to start with. A provided set of exercises helps to master the skills of working under magnification, positioning of tools, and tying knots. The first exercise—unraveling the gauze—offers the opportunity to learn how quickly and efficiently use the micro-instruments. The latex model allows to practice knot-tying skills under tension. As elsewhere, practice makes perfect. Therefore, at the initial stage of the path, the trainee should continuously repeat each exercise before moving to the more sophisticated models.

Purpose: Foreign body implantation into the soft tissues, either in the early period or late period, is a common cause of emergency department admissions. Direct X-rays are preferred in the diagnosis of soft-tissue foreign-bodies. Herein, we aimed to analyse the detection rates of foreign bodies of various sizes placed in phantoms implanted into soft tissue by ultrasonography. Material and methods: A total of 740 pieces of chicken fillet were prepared as phantoms. No objects were implanted into 100 phantoms. We inserted glass, porcelain, plastic, wood, pencil tip, chicken bone, iron, walnut shell, and fishbone with a length of < 1 cm, 1-3 cm, and 3-5 cm into 20 pieces of chicken phantom in each size of foreign body (FB). In addition, 1-3 cm long peanut shell, < 1 cm rose spikes, < 1 cm cactus thorns, < 1 cm pellets, and < 1 cm staples were inserted into 20 pieces of chicken for each object. Each of the chicken pieces was placed inside a latex glove and examined by ultrasonography. Results: The sensitivity of ultrasonography in the detection of the cactus thorn was 5%, whereas it ranged between 82.5 and 100% for other objects. For glass, plastic, wood, iron, and fishbone, we found that when the size exceeded 1 cm, the sensitivity increased. Conclusions: In the evaluation of soft tissue FBs, as the size of the FBs increases, the diagnostic value of ultrasonography increases.