Collagenase in the treatment of Dupuytren's disease: an in vitro study.

The effects of clostridial collagenase on the tensile strength of Dupuytren's cords was studied in vitro to assess its potential efficacy as an agent for clinical enzymatic fasciotomy. Collagenase was injected into Dupuytren's cords from patients undergoing fascioctomy. Following a pilot experiment, in which a 3,600-unit dose of collagenase induced a 93% decrease in tensile modulus as compared with control cords, groups of five cords each were injected with 150, 300, and 600 units.

A neural network approach for bone fracture healing assessment.

An approach based on auscultatory percussion, a technique used by some orthopedists both for bone fracture detection and bone fracture healing assessment, is described. Low-frequency, low-intensity mechanical power, very much like the finger tap of orthopedists, is used to evaluate the vibrational response of the bone. The novel element is the data processing, which incorporates specialized preprocessing and a neural network for estimating fractured bone strength.