Clinical evaluation of a radio-protective cream for the hands of the pediatric interventional cardiologist.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of UltraBLOX™ radiation attenuating hand cream during lengthy cardiac catheterization procedures in children.

Background: The hands of interventional cardiologists receive high doses of radiation due to their proximity to the X-ray beam. Radiation attenuating gloves have about a 26% attenuation rate, but reduce dexterity and tactile sensation.

Fabrication and testing of silicon nitride bearings in total hip arthroplasty: winner of the 2007 "HAP" PAUL Award.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) bearings were fabricated from silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)) powder. Mechanical testing showed that Si(3)N(4) had improved fracture toughness and fracture strength over modern alumina (Al(2)O(3)) ceramic. When tested with Si(3)N(4) cups in a hip simulator, both cobalt-chromium (CoCr) and Si(3)N(4) femoral heads produced low wear rates that were comparable to Al(2)O(3)-Al(2)O(3) bearings in THA.

Testing of silicon nitride ceramic bearings for total hip arthroplasty.

Modern ceramic bearings used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) consist of a femoral head (ball) articulating inside a hemispherical acetabular cup (socket); the ball and socket are made of alumina (Al(2)O(3)) and Al(2)O(3)-based composite materials. In the present study, total hip bearings were made from a different ceramic material, silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)), by sintering and hot isostatic pressing of powders. The resulting material had improved mechanical properties over modern Al(2)O(3) THA bearings, with a flexural strength of 920 +/- 70 MPa, a Weibull modulus of 19, and a fracture toughness of 10 +/- 1 MPa m(1/2).