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Andrew R L Medford - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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impact of Needle Gauge on characterization of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial Needle aspiration ebus tbna histology samples
Respirology, 2014Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Golda Shelleyfraser, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Background and objective Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The four published studies assessing sampling with 21-G or 22-G Needles conflict. The study objective is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21-G versus 22-G EBUS-TBNA Needles, and the ability to subcharacterize both benign and malignant lesions using histopathological assessment only. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 303 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between January 2011 and July 2013. Sampling Needle Gauge was selected at the discretion of the operator. Samples were assessed by histopathologists blinded to the Needle Gauge without rapid on-site evaluation for cytology. Contingency table analysis was performed to compare diagnostic utility and ability to subcharacterize malignant and benign lesions. Results No difference in diagnostic ability was seen for malignancy (96.6% v 95.3% accuracy, 21-G vs 22-G). Subgroup analysis of benign 21-G tissue samples revealed superior characterization compared with 22-G samples (63/76, 83%, vs 31/52, 60%, P < 0.01). Characterization of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was also significantly better with samples obtained with 21-G Needles versus 22-G Needles (57/65, 88% vs 34/52, 65%, P < 0.01). Conclusions This large UK single-centre study suggests 21-G EBUS-TBNA Needles are superior to 22-G in characterizing benign lesions (especially sarcoidosis) and NSCLC when using histopathological assessment. Making a positive benign diagnosis may avoid the need to perform mediastinoscopy. Obtaining sufficient histological material to subcharacterize NSCLC and particularly lung adenocarcinoma allows appropriate testing for genetic mutations facilitating targeted oncological therapy.
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Impact of Needle Gauge on characterization of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) histology samples.
Respirology, 2014Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Golda Shelley-fraser, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Background and objective Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The four published studies assessing sampling with 21-G or 22-G Needles conflict. The study objective is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21-G versus 22-G EBUS-TBNA Needles, and the ability to subcharacterize both benign and malignant lesions using histopathological assessment only. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 303 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between January 2011 and July 2013. Sampling Needle Gauge was selected at the discretion of the operator. Samples were assessed by histopathologists blinded to the Needle Gauge without rapid on-site evaluation for cytology. Contingency table analysis was performed to compare diagnostic utility and ability to subcharacterize malignant and benign lesions. Results No difference in diagnostic ability was seen for malignancy (96.6% v 95.3% accuracy, 21-G vs 22-G). Subgroup analysis of benign 21-G tissue samples revealed superior characterization compared with 22-G samples (63/76, 83%, vs 31/52, 60%, P
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S22 The Effect Of Needle Gauge On Characterisation Of Histology Samples At Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)
Thorax, 2012Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Introduction Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of malignant and benign lesions. Sampling is done with either 21-Gauge (21G) or 22-Gauge (22G) Needles. There are only two published (non-UK) studies which have evaluated the effect of EBUS-TBNA Needle Gauge on diagnosis. 1,2 Neither study demonstrated a difference in diagnostic yield but one study suggested better preservation of histological structure with the 21G Needle. 1 The aim of this retrospective UK study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21G versus 22G EBUS-TBNA Needles. Our hypothesis was that the 21G Needle would allow greater histological characterisation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and benign mediastinal lesions. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 185 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between 2011 to 2012. EBUS-TBNA was performed as previously described under conscious sedation.3 21G or 22G (Olympus ViziShot, NA-201SX-4021 and NA-201SX-4022) was used at the discretion of the operator. Pathologists were blinded to Needle Gauge. Contingency table statistical analysis was performed (GraphPad Prism version 5) to compare diagnostic utility of 21G and 22G EBUS-TBNA Needles and ability to subcharacterise NSCLC and benign lesions. Results Performance data (table 1) showed non-inferior diagnostic utility for 21G and 22G Needles. Subgroup analysis of benign 21G tissue samples revealed superior characterisation (especially for sarcoidosis) compared to 22G samples (30/37, 81%, versus 17/33, 52%, p=0.008). Similarly, characterisation of NSCLC was superior in 21G samples versus 22G samples (28/33, 85%, versus 25/41, 61%, p=0.02). Conclusion This UK single centre retrospective study suggests 21G EBUS-TBNA Needles are superior in characterising benign lesions (especially sarcoidosis) and NSCLC Making a positive benign diagnosis avoids the need to perform mediastinoscopy; additionally, identification of lung adenocarcinoma allows appropriate epidermal growth factor receptor mutation testing and targeted oncological therapy. References Nakajima T, Yasufuku K, Takahashi, Shingyoji M, Hirata T, Itami M, Matsui Y, Itakura M, Ilzasa T, Kimura H. Comparison of 21-Gauge and 22-Gauge aspiration Needle during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration. Respirology (2011); 16: 90–94. Oki M, Saka H, Kitagawa C, Kogure Y, Murata N, Ichihara, Mortamni S, Ando M. Randomized study of 21-Gauge versus 22-Gauge endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial aspiration Needles for sampling histology specimens. J Bronchol Intervent Pulmonol (2011); 18:306–310. Medford AR, Agrawal S, Free CM, Bennett JA. A performance and theoretical cost analysis of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration in a UK tertiary respiratory centre. QJM (2009); 102(12):859–64.
A Jeyabalan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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impact of Needle Gauge on characterization of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial Needle aspiration ebus tbna histology samples
Respirology, 2014Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Golda Shelleyfraser, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Background and objective Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The four published studies assessing sampling with 21-G or 22-G Needles conflict. The study objective is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21-G versus 22-G EBUS-TBNA Needles, and the ability to subcharacterize both benign and malignant lesions using histopathological assessment only. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 303 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between January 2011 and July 2013. Sampling Needle Gauge was selected at the discretion of the operator. Samples were assessed by histopathologists blinded to the Needle Gauge without rapid on-site evaluation for cytology. Contingency table analysis was performed to compare diagnostic utility and ability to subcharacterize malignant and benign lesions. Results No difference in diagnostic ability was seen for malignancy (96.6% v 95.3% accuracy, 21-G vs 22-G). Subgroup analysis of benign 21-G tissue samples revealed superior characterization compared with 22-G samples (63/76, 83%, vs 31/52, 60%, P < 0.01). Characterization of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was also significantly better with samples obtained with 21-G Needles versus 22-G Needles (57/65, 88% vs 34/52, 65%, P < 0.01). Conclusions This large UK single-centre study suggests 21-G EBUS-TBNA Needles are superior to 22-G in characterizing benign lesions (especially sarcoidosis) and NSCLC when using histopathological assessment. Making a positive benign diagnosis may avoid the need to perform mediastinoscopy. Obtaining sufficient histological material to subcharacterize NSCLC and particularly lung adenocarcinoma allows appropriate testing for genetic mutations facilitating targeted oncological therapy.
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Impact of Needle Gauge on characterization of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) histology samples.
Respirology, 2014Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Golda Shelley-fraser, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Background and objective Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The four published studies assessing sampling with 21-G or 22-G Needles conflict. The study objective is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21-G versus 22-G EBUS-TBNA Needles, and the ability to subcharacterize both benign and malignant lesions using histopathological assessment only. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 303 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between January 2011 and July 2013. Sampling Needle Gauge was selected at the discretion of the operator. Samples were assessed by histopathologists blinded to the Needle Gauge without rapid on-site evaluation for cytology. Contingency table analysis was performed to compare diagnostic utility and ability to subcharacterize malignant and benign lesions. Results No difference in diagnostic ability was seen for malignancy (96.6% v 95.3% accuracy, 21-G vs 22-G). Subgroup analysis of benign 21-G tissue samples revealed superior characterization compared with 22-G samples (63/76, 83%, vs 31/52, 60%, P
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S22 The Effect Of Needle Gauge On Characterisation Of Histology Samples At Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)
Thorax, 2012Co-Authors: A Jeyabalan, Andrew R L MedfordAbstract:Introduction Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive mediastinal node sampling technique used for lung cancer staging and diagnosis of malignant and benign lesions. Sampling is done with either 21-Gauge (21G) or 22-Gauge (22G) Needles. There are only two published (non-UK) studies which have evaluated the effect of EBUS-TBNA Needle Gauge on diagnosis. 1,2 Neither study demonstrated a difference in diagnostic yield but one study suggested better preservation of histological structure with the 21G Needle. 1 The aim of this retrospective UK study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of 21G versus 22G EBUS-TBNA Needles. Our hypothesis was that the 21G Needle would allow greater histological characterisation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and benign mediastinal lesions. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed from 185 patients referred for EBUS-TBNA between 2011 to 2012. EBUS-TBNA was performed as previously described under conscious sedation.3 21G or 22G (Olympus ViziShot, NA-201SX-4021 and NA-201SX-4022) was used at the discretion of the operator. Pathologists were blinded to Needle Gauge. Contingency table statistical analysis was performed (GraphPad Prism version 5) to compare diagnostic utility of 21G and 22G EBUS-TBNA Needles and ability to subcharacterise NSCLC and benign lesions. Results Performance data (table 1) showed non-inferior diagnostic utility for 21G and 22G Needles. Subgroup analysis of benign 21G tissue samples revealed superior characterisation (especially for sarcoidosis) compared to 22G samples (30/37, 81%, versus 17/33, 52%, p=0.008). Similarly, characterisation of NSCLC was superior in 21G samples versus 22G samples (28/33, 85%, versus 25/41, 61%, p=0.02). Conclusion This UK single centre retrospective study suggests 21G EBUS-TBNA Needles are superior in characterising benign lesions (especially sarcoidosis) and NSCLC Making a positive benign diagnosis avoids the need to perform mediastinoscopy; additionally, identification of lung adenocarcinoma allows appropriate epidermal growth factor receptor mutation testing and targeted oncological therapy. References Nakajima T, Yasufuku K, Takahashi, Shingyoji M, Hirata T, Itami M, Matsui Y, Itakura M, Ilzasa T, Kimura H. Comparison of 21-Gauge and 22-Gauge aspiration Needle during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration. Respirology (2011); 16: 90–94. Oki M, Saka H, Kitagawa C, Kogure Y, Murata N, Ichihara, Mortamni S, Ando M. Randomized study of 21-Gauge versus 22-Gauge endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial aspiration Needles for sampling histology specimens. J Bronchol Intervent Pulmonol (2011); 18:306–310. Medford AR, Agrawal S, Free CM, Bennett JA. A performance and theoretical cost analysis of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial Needle aspiration in a UK tertiary respiratory centre. QJM (2009); 102(12):859–64.
Arjun S. Joshi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Importance of FNA Technique for Decreasing Non-diagnostic Rates in Thyroid Nodules
Head and Neck Pathology, 2018Co-Authors: Amarbir S. Gill, Richard Amdur, Arjun S. JoshiAbstract:To identify potential interventions that may lower the high non-diagnostic rates associated with ultrasound guided (US) fine Needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the thyroid nodule. A case series of 164 thyroid nodule US-guided FNA was identified retrospectively. The following variables were analyzed in regards to diagnostic and non-diagnostic sampling: patient age, gender, size of nodule, biopsy technique (capillary vs. aspiration), Needle Gauge (23 vs. 25), and physician experience. The FNA diagnosis, and final pathology, when applicable, was recorded for each sample using the Bethesda criteria. Data was analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test or the chi square test. After multivariate logistic regression, capillary action was independently associated with lower non-diagnostic rates (p = 0.01), while increasing patient age was associated with higher non-diagnostic rates (p = 0.018). Physician experience (p = 0.014) was not independently associated with lower non-diagnostic rates. Nodules that were “cystic >50%” were significantly more likely to yield a non-diagnostic result (p
Sanjay Datta - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Role of Needle Gauge and tip configuration in the production of lumbar puncture headache.
Regional anesthesia, 1997Co-Authors: Donald H. Lambert, Ronald J. Hurley, L. Hertwig, Sanjay DattaAbstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a morbidity that occurs frequently after lumbar puncture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Needle diameter and tip configuration in causing PDPH. The incidence of PDPH was evaluated in parturients because this group of patients is at high risk for developing PDPH and because they often undergo lumbar puncture for spinal anesthesia. METHODS: The incidence of PDPH after spinal anesthesia with 26- and 27-Gauge Quincke and 25-Gauge Whitacre Needles was studied in a series of 4,125 parturients undergoing spinal anesthesia over a 4-year period. Data were also collected on the incidence of PDPH with 17-Gauge Huber-tipped Weiss Needles in 21,578 parturients receiving lumbar epidural analgesia and/or anesthesia over the same interval. Additionally, the need to treat PDPH with epidural blood patch in all of these patients was studied. RESULTS: The incidence of PDPH was 5.2% with 26-Gauge Quincke Needles (1987-1989), 2.7% with 27-Gauge Quincke Needles (1989-1990), and 1.2% with 25-Gauge Whitacre Needles (1990-1991). During the same periods, the incidence of PDPH with 17-Gauge Weiss Needles averaged 1.1%, 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively. As compared with the 26-Gauge Quincke Needle, there was a lower incidence of PDPH with the 27-Gauge Quincke (P < .006) and 25-Gauge Whitacre spinal Needles (P < .001). The incidence of PDPH with the 25-Gauge Whitacre Needle was less than that with the 27-Gauge Quincke Needle (P < .05), and it was similar to the overall rate of headache, which occurs occasionally from accidental dural puncture during the performance of lumbar epidural analgesia/anesthesia for labor and cesarean delivery (P = .974). The need for treating PDPH with epidural blood patching was greatest with the 17-Gauge Weiss epidural Needle (75.3% of cases), but was similar with the various spinal Needles (13-39%). However, because the Whitacre Needle produced the fewest PDPHs, it was associated with the lowest absolute requirement for epidural blood patching. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity associated with lumbar puncture can be decreased by selecting the proper Needle Gauge and tip configuration. Use of the smallest Gauge Needle and one that has a noncutting Whitacre tip produces the lowest incidence of PDPH in parturients, a group of patients at increased risk for developing PDPH.
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role of Needle Gauge and tip configuration in the production of lumbar puncture headache
Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 1997Co-Authors: Donald H. Lambert, Ronald J. Hurley, L. Hertwig, Sanjay DattaAbstract:Background and Objectives. Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a morbidity that occurs frequently after lumbar puncture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Needle diameter and tip configuration in causing PDPH. The incidence of PDPH was evaluated in parturients because this group of patients is at high risk for developing PDPH and because they often undergo lumbar puncture for spinal anesthesia. Methods. The incidence of PDPH after spinal anesthesia with 26- and 27-Gauge Quincke and 25-Gauge Whitacre Needles was studied in a series of 4, 125 parturients undergoing spinal anesthesia over a 4-year period. Data were also collected on the incidence of PDPH with 17-Gauge Huber-tipped Weiss Needles in 21,578 parturients receiving lumbar epidural analgesia and/or anesthesia over the same interval. Additionally, the need to treat PDPH with epidural blood patch in all of these patients was studied. Results. The incidence of PDPH was 5.2% with 26-Gauge Quincke Needles (1987–1989), 2.7% with 27-Gauge Quincke Needles (1989–1990), and 1.2% with 25-Gauge Whitacre Needles (1990–1991). During the same periods, the incidence of PDPH with 17-Gauge Weiss Needles averaged 1.1%, 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively. As compared with the 26-Gauge Quincke Needle, there was a lower incidence of PDPH with the 27-Gauge Quincke (P
Dhirendra S Katti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Electrospraying: a facile technique for synthesis of chitosan-based micro/nanospheres for drug delivery applications.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 2020Co-Authors: Neha Arya, Syandan Chakraborty, Nikhil Dube, Dhirendra S KattiAbstract:Electrospraying is a novel technique for the generation of micro/nanospheres for biomedical applications. Apart from being a high yield technique; electrospraying has an added advantage of not making use of an external dispersion/emulsion phase which often involves ingredients that are undesirable for biomedical applications. In this study, we report the use of electrospraying for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres. The focus was to optimize the fabrication parameters involved in electrospraying for reproducible synthesis of chitosan based micro/nanospheres and to study their potential as delivery vehicles for bioactive agents. The influence of the following was studied (i) electrospraying voltage, (ii) Needle Gauge, (iii) concentration of chitosan solution, (iv) concentration of acetic acid solution, and (v) electrospraying distance. SEM analysis demonstrated that microspheres of less than 1 μm were obtained when chitosan concentration was 2% dissolved in 90% acetic acid. The working distance and Needle Gauge that yielded favorable results were 7 cm and 26 g, respectively. Average particle size of ampicillin loaded chitosan micro/nanospheres was 520 nm with zeta potential of +28.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 80.4%. The particles were characterized for drug release kinetics and results demonstrated an initial burst release followed by a sustained release over a period of 120 h. Further, antibacterial activity of drug loaded micro/nanospheres demonstrated that the encapsulated drug was in its active form postexposure to high voltage during electrospraying. This study indicates that electrospraying is a facile technique for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres for drug delivery applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
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electrospraying a facile technique for synthesis of chitosan based micro nanospheres for drug delivery applications
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 2009Co-Authors: Neha Arya, Syandan Chakraborty, Nikhil Dube, Dhirendra S KattiAbstract:Electrospraying is a novel technique for the generation of micro/nanospheres for biomedical applications. Apart from being a high yield technique; electrospraying has an added advantage of not making use of an external dispersion/emulsion phase which often involves ingredients that are undesirable for biomedical applications. In this study, we report the use of electrospraying for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres. The focus was to optimize the fabrication parameters involved in electrospraying for reproducible synthesis of chitosan based micro/nanospheres and to study their potential as delivery vehicles for bioactive agents. The influence of the following was studied (i) electrospraying voltage, (ii) Needle Gauge, (iii) concentration of chitosan solution, (iv) concentration of acetic acid solution, and (v) electrospraying distance. SEM analysis demonstrated that microspheres of less than 1 μm were obtained when chitosan concentration was 2% dissolved in 90% acetic acid. The working distance and Needle Gauge that yielded favorable results were 7 cm and 26 g, respectively. Average particle size of ampicillin loaded chitosan micro/nanospheres was 520 nm with zeta potential of +28.2 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 80.4%. The particles were characterized for drug release kinetics and results demonstrated an initial burst release followed by a sustained release over a period of 120 h. Further, antibacterial activity of drug loaded micro/nanospheres demonstrated that the encapsulated drug was in its active form postexposure to high voltage during electrospraying. This study indicates that electrospraying is a facile technique for the synthesis of chitosan micro/nanospheres for drug delivery applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
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bioresorbable nanofiber based systems for wound healing and drug delivery optimization of fabrication parameters
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 2004Co-Authors: Dhirendra S Katti, Kyle W Robinson, Frank Ko, Cato T. LaurencinAbstract:Wound healing is a complex process that often requires treatment with antibiotics. This article reports the initial development of a biodegradable polymeric nanofiber-based antibiotic delivery system. The functions of such a system would be (a) to serve as a biodegradable gauze, and (b) to serve as an antibiotic delivery system. The polymer used in this study was poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA), and nanofibers of PLAGA were fabricated with the use of the electrospinning process. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fabrication parameters: orifice diameter (Needle Gauge), polymer solution concentration, and voltage per unit length, on the morphology and diameter of electrospun nanofibers. The Needle Gauges studied were 16 (1.19 mm), 18 (0.84 mm), and 20 (0.58 mm), and the range of polymer solution concentration studied was from 0.10 g/mL to 0.30 g/mL. The effect of voltage was determined by varying the voltage per unit electrospinning distance, and the range studied was from 0.375 kV/cm to 1.5 kV/cm. In addition, the mass per unit area of the electrospun nanofibers as a function of time was determined and the feasibility of antibiotic (cefazolin) loading into the nanofibers was also studied. The results indicate that the diameter of nanofibers decreased with an increase in Needle Gauge (decrease in orifice diameter), and increased with an increase in the concentration of the polymer solution. The voltage study demonstrated that the average diameter of the nanofibers decreased with an increase in voltage. However, the effect of voltage on fiber diameter was less pronounced as compared to polymer solution concentration. The results of the areal density study indicated that the mass per unit area of the electrospun nanofibers increased linearly with time. Feasibility of drug incorporation into the nanofibers was demonstrated with the use of cefazolin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Overall, these studies demonstrated that PLAGA nanofibers can be tailored to desired diameters through modifications in processing parameters, and that antibiotics such as cefazolin can be incorporated into these nanofibers. Therefore, PLAGA nanofibers show potential as antibiotic delivery systems for the treatment of wounds. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 70B: 286–296, 2004
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Bioresorbable nanofiber‐based systems for wound healing and drug delivery: Optimization of fabrication parameters
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 2004Co-Authors: Dhirendra S Katti, Kyle W Robinson, Frank Ko, Cato T. LaurencinAbstract:Wound healing is a complex process that often requires treatment with antibiotics. This article reports the initial development of a biodegradable polymeric nanofiber-based antibiotic delivery system. The functions of such a system would be (a) to serve as a biodegradable gauze, and (b) to serve as an antibiotic delivery system. The polymer used in this study was poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA), and nanofibers of PLAGA were fabricated with the use of the electrospinning process. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fabrication parameters: orifice diameter (Needle Gauge), polymer solution concentration, and voltage per unit length, on the morphology and diameter of electrospun nanofibers. The Needle Gauges studied were 16 (1.19 mm), 18 (0.84 mm), and 20 (0.58 mm), and the range of polymer solution concentration studied was from 0.10 g/mL to 0.30 g/mL. The effect of voltage was determined by varying the voltage per unit electrospinning distance, and the range studied was from 0.375 kV/cm to 1.5 kV/cm. In addition, the mass per unit area of the electrospun nanofibers as a function of time was determined and the feasibility of antibiotic (cefazolin) loading into the nanofibers was also studied. The results indicate that the diameter of nanofibers decreased with an increase in Needle Gauge (decrease in orifice diameter), and increased with an increase in the concentration of the polymer solution. The voltage study demonstrated that the average diameter of the nanofibers decreased with an increase in voltage. However, the effect of voltage on fiber diameter was less pronounced as compared to polymer solution concentration. The results of the areal density study indicated that the mass per unit area of the electrospun nanofibers increased linearly with time. Feasibility of drug incorporation into the nanofibers was demonstrated with the use of cefazolin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Overall, these studies demonstrated that PLAGA nanofibers can be tailored to desired diameters through modifications in processing parameters, and that antibiotics such as cefazolin can be incorporated into these nanofibers. Therefore, PLAGA nanofibers show potential as antibiotic delivery systems for the treatment of wounds. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 70B: 286–296, 2004
