Rat testis oedema measured with the impression technique: effects of hyaluronan, albumin, rat plasma and saline

Tactile resonance sensors in medicine

Tactile sensors in general are used for measuring the physical parameters associated with contact between sensor and object. Tactile resonance sensors in particular are based on the principle of measuring the frequency shift, Deltaf, defined as the difference between a freely vibrating sensor resonance frequency and the resonance frequency measured when the sensor makes contact to an object. Deltaf is therefore related to the acoustic impedance of the object and can be used to characterize its material properties. In medicine, tactile resonance sensor systems have been developed for the detection of cancer, human ovum fertility, eye pressure and oedema. In 1992 a Japanese research group published a paper presenting a unique phase shift circuit to facilitate resonance measurements. In this review we summarize the current state-of-the-art of tactile resonance sensors in medicine based on the phase shift circuit and discuss the relevance of the measured parameters for clinical diagnosis. Future trends and applications enabled by this technology are also predicted.

Non-invasive assessment of intercompartmental fluid shifts in burn victims

Two non-invasive methods (the bioimpedance technique, BIA, and the impression method, IM) were studied, to find out whether they are sensitive enough to detect and chronicle the development of the oedema and fluid resuscitation effects (Parkland formula) that occur secondary to a major burn. Ten patients with a total burned body surface area (TBSA) of more than 10% were included in this prospective study. Total body water (TBW), as measured by the resistance (BIA) or F(0) variable (IM), reached a maximum on day 2. The tissue fluid translocation (INT) variable (IM) followed a different course, increasing slowly to reach a maximum on day 6, when it was 40% higher than the 12 h value. TBW and the interstitial translocatable fluid were still increased 1 week post-burn. The non-invasive measurements of TBW (resistance by BIA and F(0) by IM) reflected the anticipated changes in TBW. The phase angle (BIA) indicative of cellular membrane effects of burn and sepsis had its lowest values at day 1.5, and stayed significantly low until day 4. Interestingly, the phase angle was lowest in the two cases that died subsequently. The different time course of the INT value (IM), which reflected the translocatable interstitial fluid volume in skin, may be the result of resuscitation fluid remaining in this compartment, due to the excess sodium content together with a possible change in tissue compliance secondary to the early total water peak on day 2.

The evaluation of a biexponential model for description of intercompartmental fluid shifts in compressed oedematous tissue

A parametric model was fitted to force curve data gained by a non-invasive impression method that measures force and fluid translocation during mechanical compression of the skin. The ability of the model parameters to estimate high- and low-viscosity fluid flow in compressed areas were evaluated in a silicone rubber model and in six patients with chronic pitting oedema. Different softnesses of silicone rubber gave significantly different parameter values. The flow properties of the silicone model could be analysed in detail with the suggested model. Parameter analysis showed a higher fraction of low-viscosity fluid for oedema than for reference sites. The model parameters could be interpreted in softness value according to an international standard for consistency (ISO 2137). The suggested parametric model gave reliable and detailed information about high- and low-viscosity fluid flow and can be used to estimate intercompartmental fluid shifts in oedematous tissue.