Methods 450 consecutive patients undergoing valvular were studied prospectively. Intraoperative 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations were performed using a recently introduced TEE probe that provides realtime 3D imaging. Expert echocardiographers blinded to 2D TEE findings assessed the etiology of MR on 3D transesophageal echocardiography. Similarly, experts blinded to...

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) coatings of NiTi and NiTiHf have been deposited onto Si substrates using pulse DC sputtering. Coatings of NiTi with compositions containing 45 to 65 at% Ti have been fabricated by co-sputtering NiTi with Ti. NiTiHf coatings with Hf compositions ranging from 2 to 30 at% Hf have been fabricated by co-sputtering NiTi with Hf. XRD results reveal the as-deposited coatings ...

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a relatively noninvasive and highly valuable diagnostic modality to monitor cardiac surgery. TEE is utilized to estimate the results of the surgical correction or the cardiac function on a real time basis. Accordingly, the frequency of TEE usage is increasing. Previous studies have shown low risk of TEE-associated complications; nonetheless, major gastr...

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare apical microleakage after obturation with Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) compared to Stainless Steel (SS) finger spreaders. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty straight single-rooted human teeth were instrumented using step-back technique. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups. The two experimental groups (n=30) and the negative c...

This paper deals with composite structures for biomedical applications. For this purpose, an architectured tubular structure composed of Nickel Titanium (NiTi) Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and silicone rubber was fabricated. One of the main interests of such structures is to ensure a good adhesion between its two constitutive materials. A previous study of the authors (Rey et al., 2014) has shown t...

OBJECTIVE To compare frictional properties according to the amounts of vertical displacement (VD) and horizontal displacement (HD) of teeth and bracket types during the initial leveling/alignment stage. METHODS Combinations of self-ligating brackets (SLBs; two active type: In-Ovation-R and In-Ovation-C; four passive type: Damon-3Mx, Damon-Q, SmartClip-SL3, and Clarity-SL) and 0.014-inch nicke...

During root canal preparation procedures, the potential for instrument breakage is always present. When instrument breakage occurs, it leads to anxiety of the clinician and as well as a metallic obstruction of the canal which hinders further cleaning and shaping. Separated instruments must always be attempted for retrieval and if retrieval is not possible bypass should be tried. With the increa...

Microstructural characteristics and biocompatibility of a Type-B carbonated hydroxyapatite (HA) coating prepared on NiTi SMA by biomimetic deposition were characterized using XRD, SEM, XPS, FTIR and in vitro studies including hemolysis test, MTT cytotoxicity test and fibroblasts cytocompatibility test. It is found CO(3)(2-) groups were present as substitution of PO(4)(3-) anions in HA crystal l...