A fully-flexible and thermally adjustable implantable neural probe with a U-turn polyester microchannel.

This work presents a fully flexible implantable neural probe fabricated with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and including a thermally-tunable stiffness microchannel filled with Polyester. The probe includes an optimized microfluidics mixer for drug delivery. Polyester, which is solid at room temperature and has a low melting point close to body temperature, is used to decrease the stiffness of the probe after insertion, after getting in contact with tissues.

Minimal clinically important difference of 3-minute chair rise test and the DIRECT questionnaire after pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.

Background: The 3-minute chair rise test (3-minute CRT) and the Disability Related to COPD Tool (DIRECT) are two reproducible and valid short tests that can assess the benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in terms of functional capacity and dyspnea in everyday activities.

Methods: We determined the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the DIRECT questionnaire and 3-minute CRT using distribution methods and anchor encroaches with a panel of eight standard tests in a cohort of 116 COPD patients who completed a PR program in real-life settings.

Results: The estimated MCID for the 3-minute CRT and DIRECT scores was five repetitions and two units, respectively, using separate and combined independent anchors.

Ultrasound guidance versus anatomical landmark approach for femoral artery access in coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial and a meta-analysis.

Objectives: The objective was to assess the effect of ultrasound (US)-guidance compared to the anatomical landmark (AL) approach in patients requiring femoral artery (FA) access for coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Background: US-guidance has been proposed as a strategy to optimize FA access, potentially leading to decreased vascular complications.

Methods: Patients requiring FA access for coronary angiography/PCI were randomized to the US-guided or AL approaches.