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Emerging Medical Devices and Technologies

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 3932

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: oral health; oral medicine; special needs patients
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Clinicians are constantly at the mercy of the technology at their disposal. Technology with superior design and function can augment clinicians’ ability to provide the best possible care to their patients, while poorly designed technology only hinders their work. Every year, several new devices are released and promoted to care teams throughout the world, but little is actually known about device performance and their effects on clinical outcomes. Recent advancements in MedTech products and the development of novel technologies to support neonatal, pediatric and adult patients within intensive and acute care settings have been integral in improving outcomes. There is a dire need to develop novel breakthrough innovations to improve medical devices, hospital practices as well as the entire healthcare industry. Given the myriad of needs in healthcare and the increasing capability of engineers and designers, the pertinent question is not how to solve the problems but to determine what clinical problems exist and how new solutions could impact the immediate needs of patients in both well and poorly resourced clinical settings.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences aims to focus on the recent advancements in medical devices from a wide array of perspectives. 

Dr. Iole Vozza
Dr. Fabrizio Guerra
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • medical device
  • medical technologies
  • regulatory medical device engineering
  • EU certifications
  • clinical trials

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 517 KiB  
Article
Unlocking the Hidden: Advancing Imaging Techniques in Diagnosing Cancers of Unknown Primary in the Head and Neck Region
by Daniela Messineo, Filippo Valentini, Giovanni Francesco Niccolini, Federica Zoccali, Francesca Ripari, Enrico Marotta, Marcello Caratozzolo and Pasquale Frisina
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 2194; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042194 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
A cancer of unknown primary site of origin (CUP) is a definition for neoplasms whose first—and unique—presentation is of a neck mass. The urgent need to identify and characterize the primary tumor imposes a precise, prompt, and individualized diagnostic pathway to best guide [...] Read more.
A cancer of unknown primary site of origin (CUP) is a definition for neoplasms whose first—and unique—presentation is of a neck mass. The urgent need to identify and characterize the primary tumor imposes a precise, prompt, and individualized diagnostic pathway to best guide the treatment. For the aim of this work, 5323 patients were identified from case series ranging from the year 2016 to 2023, selecting, from the 605 total cases in 2019, the clinical cases that met the characteristics of a CUP, which concerned 28 individuals. The 5-year follow-up of the 28 patients examined in 2019 revealed that, in more than half of the patients, the site of onset of primary tumors could not be revealed. Of these, 9 patients were classified as being affected by a CUP, and 9 patients died of carcinoma of uncertain origin; in the remaining 10 patients, the investigations were able to reveal the primary tumor. The lack of identification of a primary tumor prevents the patient from being treated with a curative intent. The identification of the primary tumor is achieved through a pathway of investigations that involves several approaches from a multidisciplinary perspective. The contribution of imaging and its increasingly important role, along with the implementation of its techniques and technologies, help make certain diagnoses in less time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Medical Devices and Technologies)
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20 pages, 9737 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensionally Printed Self-Expanding Polylactic Acid Stent for Assisting Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
by Fuh-Yu Chang, Te-Hsien Liang and Ke-Jie Huang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031048 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 668
Abstract
This study presents the development of a novel biodegradable, self-expanding stent designed to facilitate arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation. The stent, made of polylactic acid (PLA), is engineered to be crimped into a standard 6 Fr (2 mm) catheter for delivery and to self-expand, [...] Read more.
This study presents the development of a novel biodegradable, self-expanding stent designed to facilitate arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation. The stent, made of polylactic acid (PLA), is engineered to be crimped into a standard 6 Fr (2 mm) catheter for delivery and to self-expand, increasing the vein diameter beyond 4.2 mm with the aid of pre-strained elastic lines, thereby enhancing maturation rates. A validated finite element model was utilized to design the stent, ensuring it meets functional requirements with less than 3% strain in both crimped and fully expanded states. The stent prototype was fabricated using a modified fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, and the Taguchi method was employed to optimize manufacturing parameters, achieving strut width and thickness variations of less than 5%. Experimental validation demonstrated that the PLA stent could be crimped to 2 mm, self-expand to 6.4 mm, and deliver a radial force of 0.08 N/mm, meeting the performance requirements of AVF stents. Additionally, the stent exhibits excellent elasticity post-implantation, minimizing the risk of damage from external forces, and fully degrades after AVF maturation, reducing the risk of long-term vascular obstruction and related complications. This novel stent design offers a promising biodegradable solution for enhancing AVF maturation and improving patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Medical Devices and Technologies)
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14 pages, 11825 KiB  
Article
Design and Analyses of Passive Continuous Distraction Osteogenesis Device for Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction
by Shahrokh Hatefi, Javad Alizargar and Farouk Smith
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9279; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209279 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 970
Abstract
Distraction Osteogenesis (DO) revolutionizes bone lengthening without donor sites, which is crucial in maxillofacial reconstruction (MRA). Manual DO devices are standard, but continuous DO devices promise faster treatments and better outcomes. Current continuous distractors lack ideal MRA due to size, force generation, and [...] Read more.
Distraction Osteogenesis (DO) revolutionizes bone lengthening without donor sites, which is crucial in maxillofacial reconstruction (MRA). Manual DO devices are standard, but continuous DO devices promise faster treatments and better outcomes. Current continuous distractors lack ideal MRA due to size, force generation, and power source limitations. This study introduces a passive distractor system for continuous DO in MRA, aiming to bridge existing gaps and provide an ideal solution for human MRA use. It utilizes a miniaturized mechanism powered by a passive energy source, eliminating the need for active power. Advanced manufacturing methods enable the reduction of device size while hydraulic systems ensure controlled and smooth movement. The system includes a proximal bone fixture, movable distractor components, and passive drive means for distraction force application. Results show promising potential to address existing limitations. By utilizing passive energy for continuous force generation, the device size is reduced, and the need for force transition mechanisms is minimized. This innovative system and method offer an ideal treatment environment for MRA in humans. Further research and clinical evaluation are essential to validate its efficacy and safety in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Medical Devices and Technologies)
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13 pages, 1477 KiB  
Article
Effects of Osseodensification Protocols on Insertion Torques and the Resonance Frequency Analysis of Conical-Shaped Implants: An In Vitro Study on Polyurethane Foam Blocks
by Nicola Pranno, Francesca De Angelis, Sara Giulia Fischetto, Edoardo Brauner, Mirko Andreasi Bassi, Annalisa Marrapese, Gerardo La Monaca, Iole Vozza and Stefano Di Carlo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031196 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1203
Abstract
Bone density at the implant site is correlated to the success of osseointegration. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of osseodensification burs in increasing bone density using a solid polyurethane foam block model. The osseodensification burs kit [...] Read more.
Bone density at the implant site is correlated to the success of osseointegration. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of osseodensification burs in increasing bone density using a solid polyurethane foam block model. The osseodensification burs kit was used to perform 48 osteotomies on a rigid polyurethane foam test ground. Burs were utilized on a TMM2 implant motor for data collection. The osteotomies were divided into two study groups (A and C) in which implant sites, extended 12 and 14 mm deep, respectively, were prepared using the drills to a compaction rotation; two control groups, B and D, represented the osteotomies for which the drills were used in cutting direction. A 3.8 × 12 mm conical implant was inserted into each site; for each implant, data were collected on the peak torque (Cp), mean torque (Cm), and integral depth curve (I). The implants underwent resonance frequency analysis (RFA) to assess the implant stability quotient (ISQ). Correlation analysis was performed between I, Cm, Cp and ISQ. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify statistically significant differences between groups. Group C, representing osteotomies prepared at 14 mm with osseodensification burs, showed a significantly higher value for each parameter. Implants at sites obtained with osteocondensation drills and prepared at greater depth for autologous particle grafting showed significant increases in each implant stability parameter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Medical Devices and Technologies)
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