Smile incision and reverse shotgun approach in distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Background: Arthrodesis serves as the traditional therapeutic approach for advanced distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) arthritis. However, the conventional technique may prove insufficient when the excision of pronounced volar and lateral spurs is required. To address this, we innovated the 'smile incision with reverse shotgun approach'.

Effect of dorsal capsular imbrication on intraoperative DRUJ instability following arthroscopic TFCC repair surgery.

Background: To assess the clinical outcomes and identify the ideal indication for implementing dorsal distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) capsular imbrication after triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair in cases of DRUJ instability.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients who underwent arthroscopic TFCC repair between 2016 and 2021. Inclusion criteria comprised a symptomatic ulna fovea sign for over 6 months and dorsal DRUJ subluxation on magnetic resonance imaging.

Electro-hydrodynamic programming reshapes liquid crystal dynamics in free-form director fields.

This study unveils a groundbreaking technique leveraging the superposition of electric field vectors to manipulate liquid crystals (LCs). Demonstrated through a simple configuration of four independent electrodes at the corners of a rectangular enclosure, notably, this configuration can be further simplified or modified as needed, showcasing the versatility of the approach. Significantly, the design showcased in the paper eliminates the need for an alignment layer, highlighting the versatility of the method.

Mirrorless MEMS imaging: a nonlinear vibrational approach utilizing aerosol-jetted PZT-actuated fiber MEMS scanner for microscale illumination.

This study introduces a novel image capture and lighting techniques using a cutting-edge hybrid MEMS scanner system designed for compact microscopic imaging. The scanner comprises a tapered optical fiber waveguide and innovative aerosol-jet printed PZT (lead zirconate titanate) bimorph push-pull actuators on a stainless-steel substrate, effectively addressing issues that are commonly associated with PZT on silicon substrates such as fracture and layer separation. By leveraging nonlinear vibration, the scanner achieves a spiral scan pattern from a single signal input, in addition to the expected two-dimensional scanning and target illumination from two phase-shifted inputs.

Biomechanical study of the fixation ability of the dorsal and volar locking plate for transverse metacarpal neck fractures.

Metacarpal neck fracture is one of the most common types of hand fractures; the literature suggests that applying a bone plate on the dorsal side provides higher fixation strength than that provided by other fixation methods. However, bone plate fixation on the dorsal side may result in postoperative tendon adhesion. So far, no studies have investigated the fixation of metacarpal neck fractures on the volar side by using a bone plate.

Synthesis of 2,5,8-Tris(1-phenyl-1-benzo[]imidazol-2-yl)benzo[1,2-:3,4-':5,6-″] Trithiophenes and Their Spontaneous Orientation Polarization in Thin Films.

To investigate the relationship between molecular structures and spontaneous orientation polarization (SOP) in organic thin films, 2,5,8-tris(1-phenyl-1-benzo[]imidazol-2-yl)benzo[1,2-:3,4-':5,6-″] trithiophene (TPBTT) and its ethyl derivative (-ethyl-TPBTT) were synthesized. Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and two-dimensional grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering showed that the vacuum-deposited films of TPBTT and -ethyl-TPBTT had a higher degree of molecular orientation parallel to the substrate compared with that of prototypical 2,2',2″-(1,3,5-benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1--benzimidazole) (TPBi) due to the larger π-conjugated benzotrithiophene core. However, TPBTT films showed a lower SOP of +54.

Mathematical analysis in the design of digital artery-based V-Y advancement flap in treating proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture.

Background: The digital artery-based V-Y advancement flap is a widely used flap for soft tissue coverage in the treatment of flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. A standard method for the flap design and a mathematical method to predict the advance distance have not been well established. In this study, we proposed a simplified method for the design of V-Y advancement flaps based on digital arteries and used a geometric model to predict the advance distance for the flexion contracture correction surgery.

Design and Analysis of a PDLC-Based Reconfigurable Hilbert Fractal Antenna for Large and Fine THz Frequency Tuning.

The proposed reconfigurable radiating antenna design is based on the integration of a reconfigurable fractal antenna and electro-optic substrate material. This antenna can be adjusted to achieve either re-configurability or tunability in the desired frequency range for wireless systems. The electromagnetic characteristics of the fractal antenna are manipulated at both the level of fractal geometry, electrical length and dielectric substrate.

Tuning Molecular Conformations to Enhance Spontaneous Orientation Polarization in Organic Thin Films.

Three isomeric derivatives of 2,2',2″-(1,3,5-benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1--benzimidazole) (TPBi) bearing ethyl groups on the -phenyl moieties were synthesized to elucidate the effects of intramolecular interactions on spontaneous orientation polarization (SOP) in thin films. The films of the TPBi derivatives displayed enhanced SOP with a surface potential change of up to 1.8 times that for TPBi, and the -substituted derivative exhibited the largest potential change reported to date (+141.

Design of an ultra-wideband omnidirectional and polarization insensitive flower petal antenna for potential ambient electromagnetic energy harvesting applications.

Developing a polarization insensitive, omnidirectional, and ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna is highly desired for improving the utilization of freely available electromagnetic (EM) radiation energy. In this study, we have designed an UWB antenna based on tapered flower petals and numerically analyzed to show that it is a promising candidate for energy harvesting applications in the infrared (IR) to UV-visible regime. The impacts of design strategy and parameters on the absorption performance are studied numerically.

Three cases of discontinuous refractive index in metamaterial study.

We investigate three cases of metamaterials presented in the literature displaying refractive index with one or more discontinuities along the frequency spectrum. We reproduce the numerical simulations of these metamaterials and compare our simulations to each reported case. For each case, we perform a geometrical investigation of each metamaterial's refractive index by mean of a numerical simulation of a prism made of the reported metamaterials upon which is incident a plane electromagnetic wave.

Midterm Results of Arthroscopy-Assisted "Tent Form" Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair With Dorsal Distal Radioulnar Joint Capsule Imbrication for Posttraumatic Chronic Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of "tent form" triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair combined with dorsal distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) capsule imbrication for posttraumatic chronic DRUJ instability.

Methods: All patients treated with arthroscopic "tent form" TFCC repair and DRUJ capsule imbrication from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were symptomatic chronic DRUJ instability for >6 months and dorsal DRUJ subluxation on magnetic resonance imaging.

Functional outcomes and complications of hook plate for bony mallet finger: a retrospective case series study.

Background: The treatment of mallet fracture using hook plate fixation was first introduced in 2007 and has subsequently shown excellent outcomes. Common complications, such as nail deformity and screw loosening, have also been reported. Very few studies have focused on these common complications or their prevention.

Integration of SMP with PVDF Unimorph for Bending Enhancement.

Heat generation in active/passive layer-based piezoelectric actuators is unavoidable due to the mechanical, dielectric, and resistive losses in the material. In this work, a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based unimorph cantilever actuator is developed with simulation and experimental studies on the effect of DC high voltages on heat production in the PVDF layer. A layer of one-way shape memory polymers (1W-SMPs) is integrated in the actuator to exploit the heat produced to increase the bending angle.

Electrostatic Self-Assembly of Composite Nanofiber Yarn.

Electrospinning polymer fibers is a well-understood process primarily resulting in random mats or single strands. More recent systems and methods have produced nanofiber yarns (NFY) for ease of use in textiles. This paper presents a method of NFY manufacture using a simplified dry electrospinning system to produce self-assembling functional NFY capable of conducting electrical charge.

Wrist function recovery course in patients with scaphoid nonunion treated with combined volar bone grafting and a dorsal antegrade headless screw.

Background: Surgical treatment is necessary for scaphoid nonunion. Open surgery with a combined volar and dorsal approach is thought to have poor functional outcomes and a prolonged recovery course. However, the detailed recovery course for this approach is rarely reported.

Design and Fabrication of a Push-Pull Electrostatic Actuated Cantilever Waveguide Scanner.

The paper presents a novel fully integrated MEMS-based non-resonating operated 2D mechanical scanning system using a 1D push-pull actuator. Details of the design, fabrication and tests performed are presented. The current design utilizes an integrated electrostatic push-pull actuator and a SU-8 rib waveguide with a large core cross section (4 μm in height and 20 μm in width) in broadband single mode operation (λ = 0.

Measurement and modeling of electrowetting lens oscillations using digital holographic interferometry and Bessel and Legendre polynomial functions.

The function of electrowetting liquid lenses is expanding beyond tunable focal length lensing. Recently, single and multi-mode oscillations on the meniscus profile of two non-miscible liquids have been used for optical phase modulation and fast focal length sweeping. To achieve a user-defined phase modulation, a prediction model of oscillation patterns and amplitudes is needed.

Development of a disposable force-sensing glove for clinicians and demonstration of its force measurements on patients during rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

For many clinicians, their effectiveness is dependent on the magnitude of forces they manually apply to their patients. However, current state-of-the-art care strategies lack quantitative feedback, making it difficult to provide consistent care over time and among multiple clinicians. To provide real-time quantitative feedback to clinicians, we have developed a disposable glove with a force sensor embedded in the fingertips or palm.

SU8 inverted-rib waveguide Bragg grating filter.

A polymeric SU8 inverted-rib waveguide Bragg grating filter fabricated using reactive ion etching (RIE) and solvent assisted microcontact molding (SAMIM) is presented. SAMIM is one kind of soft lithography. The technique is unique in that a composite hard-polydimethysiloxane/polydimethysiloxane stamp is used to transfer the grating pattern onto an inverted SU8 rib waveguide system.

Liquid viscosity sensing using nonlinear vibration of a fiberoptic sensor.

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamic motion of a vibrating optical fiber viscosity sensor through representative cases of primary and super-harmonic resonance. The results show that a nonlinear effect drastically improves the sensitivity of the viscosity measurement by nearly an order of magnitude from the previously developed linear systems. Experimental results and several applications of the viscosity sensor are also presented.

Development of 2D Microdisplay Using an Integrated Microresonating Waveguide Scanning System.

Our research team has developed a 2D micro image display device that can potentially overcome the size reduction limits while maintaining the high-image resolution and field of view obtained by mirror-based display systems. The basic design of the optical scanner includes a microfabricated SU-8 cantilever waveguide that is electromechanically deflected by a piezoelectric actuator. From the distal tip of the cantilever waveguide, a light beam is emitted and the direction of propagation is displaced along two orthogonal directions.

Birefringent prism based Fourier transform spectrometer.

This paper presents the design of a rugged and compact Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) utilizing a birefringent prism, a pair of polarizers and a linear CCD array. This design improves on existing FTS by eliminating moving parts and spreading the optical path difference (OPD) spatially (rather than temporal scanning), making the system smaller, more reliable, and dramatically reducing measurement times. Both the theoretical models for the design and experimental results of the prototype are presented.