Introduction: Emergency physicians may have difficulty removing modern rings made of hard metals such as titanium and tungsten carbide. These metals are exceptionally difficult or impossible to remove using standard ring cutters. Numerous alternative techniques for removal have been described, including the "umbilical tape" or "string technique" and, in the case of tungsten carbide, breaking the ring using locking pliers.
Objective: We sought to compare the speed and effectiveness of tungsten carbide ring removal using these two techniques.
Methods: Ten tungsten carbide rings were placed upon the finger of a standard medical simulation mannequin. The rings chosen were one-half size smaller than the mannequin's finger. Edema distal to the ring was simulated using foam tape. A single novice operator performed 10 trials using each of the techniques after a 10-minute orientation session. The success or failure of the technique and the time for removal were recorded for each trial. The mean removal times for the trials were compared using a paired t test.
Results: All trials were successful. The rings were removed substantially faster using the locking pliers method (mean 23.1 seconds [95% CI 15.4-30.8] vs. mean 135.4 seconds [95% CI 130.2-150.6]). However, the locking pliers technique destroyed all rings and caused sharp ring fragments to be thrown up to 37 in.
Conclusions: Both the umbilical tape or string technique and the locking pliers technique successfully removed tungsten carbide rings in our model. The locking pliers technique is significantly faster but destroys the ring and creates potentially harmful shrapnel.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2013.07.027 | DOI Listing |
Materials (Basel)
December 2024
Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadía s/n, 31006 Pamplona, Spain.
Cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide (WC-Co) is widely used in heavy-duty machining applications due to its exceptional hardness and wear resistance, and it is increasingly being adopted in industries such as aerospace and the automotive sector, among others. Its superior mechanical properties make it difficult to machine with conventional methods such as turning or milling. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) has emerged as an efficient alternative, as it allows for the machining of hard materials to be carried out without direct contact between the tool and the workpiece, provided that the material has sufficient electrical conductivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNano Lett
January 2025
School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Exploiting cost-effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production. However, currently reported nanocatalysts usually cannot simultaneously sustain high catalytic activity and long-term durability. Here, we report the efficient synthesis and activity tailoring of a chainmail catalyst, isolated platinum atom anchored tungsten carbide nanocrystals encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes (Pt/WC@CNTs), by confined flash Joule heating technique.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Oral Health
December 2024
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of laser fluorescence (LF) readings in detection of caries removal by various techniques (CRTs).
Methods: A hundred and eighty extracted human molar teeth included in the study which were scored 3, 4, and 5 according to ICDAS. Each score group was randomly assigned to 4 subgroups according to CRT including ceramic bur (Group A), carbide bur (Group B), carbide bur with alumina abrasion (Group C), and carbide bur with bioactive glass (BAG) abrasion (Group D) (n = 15 for each group).
Materials (Basel)
November 2024
School of Materials Science & Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
The spark plasma sintering (SPS) process was used to create iron-based composites reinforced with tungsten carbide (WC) particles of various morphologies, and the effect of WC particle morphology on material wear resistance was systematically investigated. The experiment revealed that the addition of non-spherical WC (CTC-A) significantly altered the composites' friction coefficient, wear morphology, and wear mechanism. As the CTC-A content increased, the composites' wear rate decreased at first, then increased, and then decreased again.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To assess the influence of operator, tool, dental loupes, and tooth position on enamel loss and composite remnants after removal of composite attachments (CA) for orthodontic clear aligners. Procedure duration was also analyzed.
Materials And Methods: Eight maxillary resin dental arches with four natural teeth were placed in the right posterior sector in dental simulators, and CA was realized.
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