Percutaneous interventions have attracted significant interest in recent years, but most approaches still rely on straight line trajectories between an entry site and a soft tissue target. Thus, to this day, a flexible probe able to bend along predefined curvilinear trajectories within a highly compliant medium without buckling is still an open research challenge. In this paper, we describe the...

Three varieties of wheat and knife bevel angles, four levels of moisture content and three shearing speeds of pendulum were considered to determine their effects on the shearing energy of wheat straw. Results showed that the effects of variety, knife bevel angle, moisture content and shearing speed on shearing energy were significant (P<0.01). Shearing energy decreased with decreasing moisture ...

Abstract Recently, a new methodology for 5-axis flank computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining, called double-flank has been introduced (see “5-axis CNC machining of spiral bevel gears via custom-shaped milling tools—Part I: Modeling and simulation”). Certain geometries, such as curved teeth gear, admit this approach where the tool tangential contact with material block on two sides, yie...

To the Editor: We have previously published an article describing a new approach to the interscalene brachial plexus block (1). This technique uses the bony anatomy of the cervical spine as a landmark for directing the needle to the correct position, with the needle type being a 22gauge B-bevel shielded needle. However, studies are conflicting regarding bevel types and their association with pe...

Intravenous (IV) access is a common medical procedure in pediatrics. During pediatric IV insertion, a small size needle (22-24 gauge, 0.71-0.56 mm OD) with lancet tip is usually used to pierce into the vessel of the pediatric patient [1-3]. Because the veins of children are very thin, IV insertion is usually difficult. If the patient is very young or with other medical complex conditions, for e...