BACKGROUND Biventricular direct cardiac compression (DCC) has the potential to support the failing heart without the complications associated with a blood/device interface encountered with the use of current ventricular assist devices. A clinically designed DCC device that provides compression pressure around the base of the heart in synchrony with native ventricular contractions was evaluated ...

Ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow represents the second most frequent compression neuropathy of the upper extremity. Of the five different anatomical areas responsible for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow region, the epitrochlear-olecranon channel and Osborne’s arcade are the most common. An additional cause of nerve damage is a dynamic process in which the ulnar nerve dislocates anterior...

percutaneous vertebroplasty is a promising therapeutic technique for pain control in patients with pathologic fractures of vertebral bodies. percutaneous vertebroplasty is an appropriate treatment for vertebral pathologic fractures, which is resistant to other usual treatment. it is a useful and only choice in special cases, because of less tissue damage and there is no risk of open surgery and...

The concept of localization during the postpeak of compressive strain softening is presented. To explore localization in compression, a feedback-control method using a linear combination of displacement and force that partially subtracts the elastic response of the specimen to give a stable feedback signal is used. Results are presented from two test series (45 and 90 MPa) that use this method ...