A parallel-plate capacitively-coupled plasma deposition system was designed and built for the growth of polyethylene glycol-like films. Deposition rate, bonding structure and dissolution and swelling behavior was characterized as a function of input RF power, reactor pressure and substrate temperature to provide information on the relationship between input plasma parameters and film properties. For the conditions studied in this thesis, deposition rates increased at increasing input powers and operating pressures and decreasing substrate temperatures. The PEG-like coatings resembled higher molecular weight solution-polymerized PEG films with a higher crosslinked structure. Manipulation of plasma deposition conditions allowed control of film crosslink density and resulted in tunable dissolution and swelling properties of the PEG-like polymer. At higher applied powers, lower operating pressures, and higher substrate temperatures, films had a higher crosslink density, thus leading to slower dissolution rates and smaller extents of swelling. Void space openings of swelled-state, PEG-like films were determined using electrophoretic drift and diffusion-controlled transport of fluorophore-tagged PAMAM dendrimers into the bulk of the coating. PAMAM dendrimers were used because of their well-defined sizes and negatively-charged succinamic acid surface groups as a means to probe pore sizes of the plasma films. It was estimated that the upper bound of pore size diameters in the plasma polymer was approximately equal to ~5.5-6.0 nm. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was used to determine average pore sizes and was estimated to equal ~0.60-0.65 nm.

The pathogens causing pneumonia are difficult to identify because a high quality specimen from the lower lung is difficult to obtain. A specimen collection device, named the PneumoniaCheck, was previously designed to collect aerosol specimens selectively from the lower lung generated during deep coughing to aid in the diagnosis of specific pathogens causing pneumonia. The device also includes several specially designed features to exclude oral contaminants from the sample, and a filter to collect the aerosolized pathogens. The objective of this thesis is to develop tests to verify the functionality of the device, called the Design Inputs. Nine verification tests were performed to demonstrate the ability to collect lower airway aerosols separate from upper airway aerosols, successful exclusion of oral contents, and capture of pathogens in the filter. Further, the PneumoniaCheck was tested for proper sampling of the lower airway aerosols during deep cough at a very low volumetric flow rate to simulate patients with severe restrictive lung disease and with mal-positioning to simulate incorrect patient placement. Verification testing of the PneumoniaCheck demonstrates effective separation of upper airway gas from the lower airway gas (p<0.0001) and exclusion of both liquid and viscous oral material (p<0.0001) from the collection chamber. Testing also demonstrated the selective sampling of the lower airway, even during low volumetric flow rates or incorrect positioning of the device. The complex shape of the PneumoniaCheck presents a manufacturing challenge. Making the device from a solid and then drilling out the tubes would be difficult because the outer channels do not align with the inner channel. Rapid prototyping, vacuum molding, and injection molding are all manufacturing options. Rapid prototyping is slow, and usually only economic for small numbers of parts. For vacuum molding or injection molding, the PneumoniaCheck would need to be cut in half and molded, and then the halves connected with fasteners, glued, or welded. Vacuum molding is inexpensive, but there would be a lip at the connection that may be uncomfortable for patients. If the lip is on the inside of the device, it may interrupt air flow through the device. Injection molding is inexpensive and fast. The PneumoniaCheck could be injection molded in halves, and then glued or sonically welded together. Injection molding would be an efficient and economical way to manufacture the device. Verification tests were developed and performed, and the results demonstrate that the PneumoniaCheck successfully collects lower airway aerosols separate from upper airway aerosols, excludes oral contents, and captures pathogens in the filter, even during non-ideal conditions. After considering three different manufacturing options, injection molding was recommended for the device.

Stan N. Finkelstein, Eric A. von Hipple, and Jeffrey R. Scott. / "January 1980." / Bibliography: p. 14.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:37:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000754794.pdf: 1306826 bytes, checksum: 3375a89eadc74bc7f824e0f7cc607e0f (MD5) / O gerenciamento de custos proporciona condições adequadas às instituições hospitalares para análise dos processos administrativos e assistenciais na busca do equilíbrio entre a oferta de serviços, disponibilidade de recursos financeiros, atendimento a critérios de qualidade e incorporação tecnológica. Considerando-se a importância do CME para a qualidade da assistência, torna-se essencial a reflexão sobre os custos que incidem sobre os processos desenvolvidos, bem como as análises econômicas, a fim de balizar o planejamento e a tomada de decisão por parte do enfermeiro gestor. Sendo assim buscou-se no custeio baseado em atividades (custeio ABC) uma ferramenta eficiente para auxiliar o Enfermeiro gestor do CME no processo de tomada de decisão e também na prática gerencial baseada em evidências. Objetivos: Aplicar o sistema de custeio baseado em atividades no CME de um hospital público avaliando sua eficiência para uma prática gerencial baseada em evidências e também aferir o custo do CME pelo sistema de custeio por absorção comparando o método de custeio por absorção e o custeio baseado em atividades, descrevendo vantagens e desvantagens encontradas e seu apoio ao processo de tomada de decisão. Metodologia: Pesquisa aplicada, descritiva, tipo estudo de caso tendo a aplicação do custeio ABC dividido em quatro etapas. Resultados: Custo unitário médio de R$ 5,33 (US$2,85) por artigo médico-hospitalar processado aferido pelo custeio por absorção. Foram identificadas 25 atividades decorrentes de sete subprocessos, produzindo cinco objetos de custo, sendo o subprocesso Preparo e a atividade montagem e rotulação dos artigos os maiores consumidores de recurso (66,1 e 37,4 %, respectivamente). O custo da esterilização de cada artigo foi de R$ 6,05 (US$ 3,23) e da desinfecção foi de R$ 3,03 (US$ 1,62). Foi preponderante para o estudo a existência prévia do custeio por absorção na unidade, fornecendo... / Cost management provides adequate conditions to hospitals for analysis of administrative and assistance processes in finding the balance between the provision of services, availability of financial resources, service quality criteria and the incorporation of technology. Considering the importance of Sterile Processing Department for the quality of care, it is essential to reflect on the costs imposed on the processes developed and the economic analyzes in order to guide the planning and decision making by the nurse manager. Therefore we found in activity-based costing (ABC) an effective tool to assist the nurse manager of Sterile Processing Department in the process of decision-making and also in management practice based on evidence. Objectives: Apply the ABC in Sterile Processing Department at public hospital evaluating their efficiency to a management practice based on evidence and also evaluate the cost of the Sterile Processing Department by comparing the absorption costing method and ABC, describing advantages and disadvantages encountered and their support for the process of decision making. Methodology: Applied research, descriptive, case study with application of ABC costing divided into four stages. Results: Average unit cost of (R$ 5.33/$. 2.85) per article physician-hospital sued measured by absorption costing. We identified 25 activities under seven sub processes, producing five cost objects, and the sub process preparation and the activity assembly and labeling of articles the largest resource consumers (66.1 and 37.4%, respectively). The cost of sterilization of each article was (R$ 6.05/$ 3.23) and disinfection was (R$ 3.03/$ 1.62). It was predominant in the study prior existence of absorption costing unit, providing information absolutely essential to the implementation of ABC. The management practice should rely on Sterile Processing Department on ABC as a source of evidence in ...

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de membranas sensoras para a detecção de oxigênio gasoso através da fosforescência resolvida no tempo, além de descrever um sistema de medição para avaliação de desempenho destes elementos. Os transdutores são formados a partir da imobilização em matrizes poliméricas, de poli(cloreto de vinila) e poliestireno, das seguintes metaloporfirinas de paládio: Coproporfirina I, Mesoporfirina IX, Deuteroporfirina IX e meso-Tetrapenta(fluorofenil)porfirina. O feixe de excitação das membranas é proveniente de um LED violeta, sendo que a fosforescência emitida pelos luminóforos é detectada por uma miniválvula fotomultiplicadora. Relatam-se a produção das membranas sensoras e seus principais parâmetros, como curvas de calibração, envelhecimento, tempos de resposta e fotoestabilidade. As membranas de PVC apresentaram sensibilidade moderada, com razões τ0/τar próximas a 4, permitindo medições com uma resolução média de 10 μs.%-1 para a faixa de 16% de O2 a ar. No caso das membranas em PS, as razões τ0/τar chegam a atingir 50, com resoluções acima de 900 μs.%-1 para concentrações entre 0% e 1% de O2; no entanto, mostram-se de difícil aplicação para concentrações acima de 16%. De modo geral, os elementos produzidos apresentaram tempos de resposta inferiores a 1 s. Assim, possíveis aplicações para estes dispositivos incluem o monitoramento da respiração humana e a detecção de oxigênio residual (e.g.: embalagens alimentícias). Evidenciou-se ainda, uma elevada fotodegradação das membranas perante a excitação na banda B, sendo que o indicador PdTFPP mostrou-se superior aos demais quanto à fotoestabilidade. / This research presents the development of sensing membranes for detection of gaseous oxygen by time-resolved phosphorescence as well as the description of a measurement system for performance evaluation of those elements. The transducers are formed by the immobilisation of palladium metalloporphyrins probes (coproporphyrin I, mesoporphyrin IX, deuteroporphyrin IX and meso-Tetrapenta(fluorophenyl) porphyrin) in polymers of poly(vinyl chloride) and polystyrene. A light emitting diode is employed for dye excitation and the phosphorescence is detected by a miniature photomultiplier tube. The production of the membranes as well as their practical parameters such as calibration curves, ageing, response times and light stability are reported. PVC membranes exhibited moderate sensitivity, with ratios τ0/τair near 4, enabling measurements with a resolution of 10 μs.%-1 for the range of 16% of O2 up to 20,5%. For PS membranes, the ratios τ0/τair reached up to 50, with resolutions of up to 900 μs.%-1 considering concentrations between 0% and 1% of O2, however they proved to be of difficult application for concentrations above 16%. Some sensor membranes showed response times below 1 s. Thus, possible applications for these devices include monitoring of human respiration and detection of residual oxygen (e.g.: food packaging). Also, it was observed a high signal degradation when the dyes are excited around their B bands. PdTFPP dye presented more light stability than the others.

Este estudo tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um sistema para oximetria de pulso destinado a medir a saturação arterial de oxigênio. A determinação da saturação de oxigênio no sangue é reconhecida mundialmente como padrão de cuidado em anestesiologia, sendo utilizado em diversas aplicações desde tratamentos intensivos em hospitais até cirurgias veterinárias. O sistema de oximetria desenvolvido emprega um sensor de transmitância utilizando LEDs e um fotodetector como componentes principais. O instrumento é composto de um amplificador de transimpedância, circuito de demultiplexação, filtros passa-faixas, amplificador de ganho digitalmente programável e um processador digital de sinais. Os resultados de funcionamento do protótipo foram comparados com um simulador de oximetria de pulso comercial, obtendo-se um coeficiente r = 0,99954 entre os dados de saturação de oxigênio. Medições in vivo obtidas foram comparadas com medições feitas por um oxímetro comercial, atingindo-se diferenças médias de ±1,67% entre os dados de percentagem de saturação pulsátil e ±1,44 batimentos cardíacos para a taxa de batimentos por minuto. Espera-se que este trabalho possa contribuir para melhorar a monitorização de oxigênio aos tecidos do corpo tornando ainda mais comum e acessível o uso da técnica de medição da oximetria de pulso. / The main subject of this research is the development of a measurement system for pulse oximetry in order to determine oxygen arterial saturation. The measurement of blood oxygen saturation is recognized as a world standard in anesthesiology care, being used in intensive care units as well as in veterinary surgery. The developed oximetry system employs a transmittance probe using light emitting diodes and a photo detector as main components. The instrument is also composed by a transimpedance amplifier, demux and sample-and-hold circuits, pass-band filters, digitally controlled amplifier and a digital signal processor. The functioning results of the prototype were confirmed by using a commercial pulse oximeter simulator, obtaining a coefficient r = 0.99954 between the oxygen saturation data. Also, in vivo results obtained were compared with a commercial pulse oximeter showing mean differences of ±1.67% for percentage saturation data and ±1.44 beats per minute for heart rate. It is hoped that this work can help to improve the oxygen monitoring to body tissues and to make pulse oximetry a more common and accessible monitoring technique.

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de membranas sensoras para a detecção de oxigênio gasoso através da fosforescência resolvida no tempo, além de descrever um sistema de medição para avaliação de desempenho destes elementos. Os transdutores são formados a partir da imobilização em matrizes poliméricas, de poli(cloreto de vinila) e poliestireno, das seguintes metaloporfirinas de paládio: Coproporfirina I, Mesoporfirina IX, Deuteroporfirina IX e meso-Tetrapenta(fluorofenil)porfirina. O feixe de excitação das membranas é proveniente de um LED violeta, sendo que a fosforescência emitida pelos luminóforos é detectada por uma miniválvula fotomultiplicadora. Relatam-se a produção das membranas sensoras e seus principais parâmetros, como curvas de calibração, envelhecimento, tempos de resposta e fotoestabilidade. As membranas de PVC apresentaram sensibilidade moderada, com razões τ0/τar próximas a 4, permitindo medições com uma resolução média de 10 μs.%-1 para a faixa de 16% de O2 a ar. No caso das membranas em PS, as razões τ0/τar chegam a atingir 50, com resoluções acima de 900 μs.%-1 para concentrações entre 0% e 1% de O2; no entanto, mostram-se de difícil aplicação para concentrações acima de 16%. De modo geral, os elementos produzidos apresentaram tempos de resposta inferiores a 1 s. Assim, possíveis aplicações para estes dispositivos incluem o monitoramento da respiração humana e a detecção de oxigênio residual (e.g.: embalagens alimentícias). Evidenciou-se ainda, uma elevada fotodegradação das membranas perante a excitação na banda B, sendo que o indicador PdTFPP mostrou-se superior aos demais quanto à fotoestabilidade. / This research presents the development of sensing membranes for detection of gaseous oxygen by time-resolved phosphorescence as well as the description of a measurement system for performance evaluation of those elements. The transducers are formed by the immobilisation of palladium metalloporphyrins probes (coproporphyrin I, mesoporphyrin IX, deuteroporphyrin IX and meso-Tetrapenta(fluorophenyl) porphyrin) in polymers of poly(vinyl chloride) and polystyrene. A light emitting diode is employed for dye excitation and the phosphorescence is detected by a miniature photomultiplier tube. The production of the membranes as well as their practical parameters such as calibration curves, ageing, response times and light stability are reported. PVC membranes exhibited moderate sensitivity, with ratios τ0/τair near 4, enabling measurements with a resolution of 10 μs.%-1 for the range of 16% of O2 up to 20,5%. For PS membranes, the ratios τ0/τair reached up to 50, with resolutions of up to 900 μs.%-1 considering concentrations between 0% and 1% of O2, however they proved to be of difficult application for concentrations above 16%. Some sensor membranes showed response times below 1 s. Thus, possible applications for these devices include monitoring of human respiration and detection of residual oxygen (e.g.: food packaging). Also, it was observed a high signal degradation when the dyes are excited around their B bands. PdTFPP dye presented more light stability than the others.

Este estudo tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um sistema para oximetria de pulso destinado a medir a saturação arterial de oxigênio. A determinação da saturação de oxigênio no sangue é reconhecida mundialmente como padrão de cuidado em anestesiologia, sendo utilizado em diversas aplicações desde tratamentos intensivos em hospitais até cirurgias veterinárias. O sistema de oximetria desenvolvido emprega um sensor de transmitância utilizando LEDs e um fotodetector como componentes principais. O instrumento é composto de um amplificador de transimpedância, circuito de demultiplexação, filtros passa-faixas, amplificador de ganho digitalmente programável e um processador digital de sinais. Os resultados de funcionamento do protótipo foram comparados com um simulador de oximetria de pulso comercial, obtendo-se um coeficiente r = 0,99954 entre os dados de saturação de oxigênio. Medições in vivo obtidas foram comparadas com medições feitas por um oxímetro comercial, atingindo-se diferenças médias de ±1,67% entre os dados de percentagem de saturação pulsátil e ±1,44 batimentos cardíacos para a taxa de batimentos por minuto. Espera-se que este trabalho possa contribuir para melhorar a monitorização de oxigênio aos tecidos do corpo tornando ainda mais comum e acessível o uso da técnica de medição da oximetria de pulso. / The main subject of this research is the development of a measurement system for pulse oximetry in order to determine oxygen arterial saturation. The measurement of blood oxygen saturation is recognized as a world standard in anesthesiology care, being used in intensive care units as well as in veterinary surgery. The developed oximetry system employs a transmittance probe using light emitting diodes and a photo detector as main components. The instrument is also composed by a transimpedance amplifier, demux and sample-and-hold circuits, pass-band filters, digitally controlled amplifier and a digital signal processor. The functioning results of the prototype were confirmed by using a commercial pulse oximeter simulator, obtaining a coefficient r = 0.99954 between the oxygen saturation data. Also, in vivo results obtained were compared with a commercial pulse oximeter showing mean differences of ±1.67% for percentage saturation data and ±1.44 beats per minute for heart rate. It is hoped that this work can help to improve the oxygen monitoring to body tissues and to make pulse oximetry a more common and accessible monitoring technique.

Orientador: Said Jorge Calil / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-21T20:43:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FerreyraRamirez_ErnestoFernando_M.pdf: 4191425 bytes, checksum: f333b450c6c2fa05078c8f9cc47d9f7c (MD5) Previous issue date: 1996 / Resumo: Atualmente, as pressões para aumento da segurança e disponibilidade dos equipamentos médicos, e a limitação de recursos humanos e financeiros têm mostrado a necessidade de implantação de programas de manutenção preventiva. O alto custo deste tipo de manutenção obriga o desenvolvimento de programas que priorizem os equipamentos nos hospitais brasileiros. Este trabalho propõe uma metodologia para suprir esta necessidade. A metodologia proposta considera os fatores: I)Risco para o paciente e usuário do equipamento; 2)Importância estratégica do equipamento e Recomendações do fabricante e órgãos fiscalizadores; 3)Análise da viabilidade de manutenção preventiva; e 4)Análise periódica do histórico de falhas e consertos dos equipamentos. A estes fatores são atribuídos pontos, de modo a formar um número de prioridade (PE). Os resultados encontrados em um estudo de caso efetuado mostram que a metodologia é condizente com a realidade nacional devido à sua facilidade de implementação mesmo para o caso em que não haja dados anteriores sobre o histórico / Abstract: Nowadays, the increasing need of improving the safety and the availability of medical equipment, and the restrictions of human and financial resources have shown the importance of implementation of preventive maintenance programs. The high costs of this type of maintenance lead to the development of equipment prioritizing programs in the Brazilian hospitaIs. This work suggests a methodology to fuifiII this need. The proposed methodology considers the factors: 1) Physical Risk to the patient and to the user; 2) Equipment strategic importance and manufacturers' and accreditation entities recommendations; 3) Viability analysis of the preventive maintenance; and 4)Periodic analysis of the equipment failures and repair history. These factors receive ponderation in order to achieve an equipment priority number (PE). The results found in a case study showed the proposed methodology agrees with the national reality because it's easy to implement though the equipment maintenance history data were limited. / Mestrado / Engenharia Biomedica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

This study examined the signaling strength, or marketing power, of the most common qualifications of entry-level biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) in Texas, based on stated hiring preferences of BMET managers, using order ranking of fictitious resumes. This study also sought to determine whether certification status, education background, military training background as a BMET, or type of employer [hospital or ISO] of the hiring manager had an effect on hiring preference for applicant qualifications of associate degree, military training as a BMET, or certified biomedical equipment technician (CBET) certification candidacy. Participants were asked to rank 16 fictitious resumes representing the most common qualifications of entry-level BMETs and to fill out a background questionnaire regarding their education, military, certification, and employer. The number of times each resume ranked in first place was tabulated and inter-rater reliability was calculated. Resumes with qualifications of associate degree versus military training as a BMET were compared at three levels of work experience. A chi-square test for independence was conducted for the comparisons to determine whether work experience influenced preference. Chi-square tests were also conducted for comparisons of associate degree with candidacy for CBET certification versus associate degree and military training with CBET candidacy versus military training. No statistically significant results were found for the chi-square tests, indicating that work experience did not significantly influence participant preferences for the compared qualifications. BMET hiring managers indicated a preference for combinations of qualifications rather than any single qualification. Correlations in hiring managers' educational background, certification status, military training as a BMET, type of employer, and preference for applicant qualifications were examined. Statistically significant correlations were found between participants' preference for associate degree or military training and level of education, military training background, and type of employer. Statistically significant correlations were also found between participants' preference of military training with CBET candidacy over military training alone and military training as a BMET background as well as certification background.