Electronic typewriter for the physically handicapped

An electronic typewriter suitable for use by the physically handicapped has been successfully designed and constructed. The machine is operated by placing a small magnet in a chosen hole in a character matrix, thus firing the typewriter hammers through electronic circuits. The design incorporates features to reduce user errors arising from poor spatial and temporal control by the typist.     

Acceptability and repeatability of spirometry in children using updated ATS/ERS criteria

Spirometry in pediatrics can be limited by the child's development which is usually related to age. In 2005 the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) published updated quality control criteria for spirometry. In 2007 the ATS/ERS published specific criteria for spirometry in preschool children 6 years of age and younger. Our primary objective was to determine the influence of age on the ability of children to meet updated spirometry criteria for acceptable and repeatable tests. Our second objective was to determine which criteria are associated with unacceptable tests. Data was prospectively collected over 12 months for children 4-17 years of age performing spirometry for the first time. Unsuccessful tests were analyzed to determine specific criteria not achieved. Three hundred ninety-three studies were collected and 292 (74%) met recently revised ATS/ERS criteria for acceptable and repeatable tests. Acceptable and repeatable test success was not correlated to the gender or race of the children. The percentage of acceptable and repeatable spirometry increased with age rising above 50% by age 6 and reached a plateau with approximately 85% success at age 10. The most common unmet criteria for an unacceptable study among preschool children was glottic closure and non-maximal efforts, while in school-age children was failure to plateau. These data demonstrate most children are able to perform acceptable/repeatable spirometry with their first effort based on revised ATS/ERS criteria.     

A randomised trial of endobronchial ultrasound guided sampling in peripheral lung lesions

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for peripheral lung lesions and to find the most cost effective combination of sampling techniques.

Materials

264 patients with lesions suspicious of malignancy were recruited in Bergen and Aalesund, Norway from 2005 to 2008.

Methods

The study was a prospective randomised cohort study. EBUS was performed with a 1.7 mm rotating probe. X-ray fluoroscopy was used in both arms. The different sampling techniques were evaluated in a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Results

The detection rate for cancer was 36% in the EBUS group, 44% in the non-EBUS group (ns). Lesions below 3 cm and lesions assumed difficult to reach had significant lower detection rates in the EBUS group. Lesions visualised by EBUS had a higher detection rate for cancer than lesions not visualised by EBUS (62% vs. 19%, p < 0.01). The cost of one additional positive sample was 1211 euro when brushing was added to biopsy. It was not cost effective to add washing or TBNA.

Conclusion

EBUS did not increase the detection rate for cancer in peripheral lung lesions when bronchoscopy was performed by bronchoscopists at all levels of expertise. Biopsy and brushing was the most cost effective combination of sampling techniques.