Effect of heat modalities on hamstring length: a comparison of pneumatherm, moist heat pack, and a control.

Study Design: Prospective, researcher-blinded, repeated-measures, randomized complete block design.

Objectives: To compare the effects of a single treatment of Pneumatherm, moist heat pack, and a control treatment on hamstring muscle length.

Background: Traditionally, heating modalities have been used to facilitate increases in tissue length.

Development and characterization of an infection inhibiting urinary catheter.

Catheter associated bacturia is common in hospitals and nursing homes. The objective of this study was to develop an infection inhibiting urinary catheter for prolonged use. Methods were established to add chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) to a silicone elastomer and to compression mold the material to form a urinary catheter.

INTRACORPOREAL HEAT DISSIPATION FROM A RADIOISOTOPE-POWERED ARTIFICIAL HEART.

The feasibility of radioisotope-fueled circulatory support systems depends on the ability of the body to dissipate the reject heat from the power source driving the blood pump as well as to tolerate chronic intracorporeal radiation. Our studies have focused on the use of the circulating blood as a heat sink. Initial in vivo heat transfer studies utilized straight tube heat exchangers (electrically and radioisotope energized) to replace a segment of the descending aorta.