The effects caused to articular cartilage by the remote use of arthroscopically-delivered RF energy to soft tissues in the joint are unknown. This investigation reported the short and long-term effects of bRF and mRF energy on the biomechanical properties and metabolic activity of articular cartilage. In addition, the effect of Cosequin® therapy was addressed. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (Group 1 - placebo; Group 2 - Cosequin®). Histopathology, cell viability, GAG synthesis, and mechanical function of the articular cartilage were compared between groups. Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA (p=0.05). Immediate chondrocyte death was created by both RF devices. This damage was noted to be superficial and did not lead to the progressive deterioration of the extracellular matrix or mechanical function of the articular cartilage. Cosequin® therapy was unable to demonstrate significant differences compared to the control group.

Orientador: Gerson Antonio Santarine / Banca: Roberto Naves Domingos / Banca: Osvaldo Missiato / Resumo: A espectrometria fotoacústica sofreu um grande avanço nos últimos anos, como técnica de análise de materiais e sistemas. Os calorímetros que utilizam o fenômeno fotoacústico se desenvolveram para análises que não podem ser feitas por outros procedimentos, como, a reflectância difusa, reflectância total atenuada e espalhamento Raman. O espectrômetro elaborado nesse trabalho pode ser utilizado para a determinação de energia de laser e calores específicos de materiais biológicos sólidos. Foi confeccionado com materiais de baixo custo e existentes no mercado nacional. Foi testado com sucesso para medidas de energia de laser. / Abstract: Photoacoustic spectrometry has undergone a significant development in the last years as a technic of material and system analyses. Calorimeters using photoacoustic phenomenon were developed to provide analyses that cannot be done by other procedures such as diffuse reflectance, total atenuated reflectance and Raman's scattering about. The spectometer constructed in this work can be used to determine laser energy and specific heat of biological solid materials. It was constructed with cheap material easily found in national market. The photoacoustic spectometer was sucessfully tested in measuring laser energy. / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2002-12-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:53:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fonseca_jrl_me_rcla.pdf: 850383 bytes, checksum: bcd0aa3efb5190b07e8211dc3c5cdbca (MD5) / A espectrometria fotoacústica sofreu um grande avanço nos últimos anos, como técnica de análise de materiais e sistemas. Os calorímetros que utilizam o fenômeno fotoacústico se desenvolveram para análises que não podem ser feitas por outros procedimentos, como, a reflectância difusa, reflectância total atenuada e espalhamento Raman. O espectrômetro elaborado nesse trabalho pode ser utilizado para a determinação de energia de laser e calores específicos de materiais biológicos sólidos. Foi confeccionado com materiais de baixo custo e existentes no mercado nacional. Foi testado com sucesso para medidas de energia de laser. / Photoacoustic spectrometry has undergone a significant development in the last years as a technic of material and system analyses. Calorimeters using photoacoustic phenomenon were developed to provide analyses that cannot be done by other procedures such as diffuse reflectance, total atenuated reflectance and Raman’s scattering about. The spectometer constructed in this work can be used to determine laser energy and specific heat of biological solid materials. It was constructed with cheap material easily found in national market. The photoacoustic spectometer was sucessfully tested in measuring laser energy.