Perfusione ipotermica ossigenata nel trapianto di fegato da donatore a criteri estesi – studio randomizzato

I fegati provenienti dai donatori a criteri estesi sono associati a un rischio elevato di dysfunction dopo trapianto. La HOPE potrebbe ridurre l’incidenza di tale complicanza, benché i dati emersi da studi prospettici siano carenti. In questo studio monocentrico randomizzato i pazienti da sottoporre a trapianto di fegato con graft proveniente da donatore marginale sono stati randomizzati a ricevere un fegato dopo HOPE o a riceverne uno conservato in statica ipotermica (gruppo SCS). L’endpoint primario era la valutazione dell’incidenza dell’early allograft dysfunction. Gli endpoint secondari includevano la valutazione della sopravvivenza del ricevente e del graft, così come le complicanze post-trapianto. I pazienti del gruppo HOPE avevano un tasso significativamente più basso di EAD. L’analisi di sopravvivenza confermava che quei pazienti avevano una sopravvivenza del graft superiore, con inferiori tassi di re-ricovero e di complicanze post-operatorie, in particolare di natura cardio-vascolare.

Development of gripping devices based on electroadhesive forces

In a context of technological innovation, the aim of this thesis is to develop a technology that has gained interest in both scientific and industrial realms. This technology serves as a viable alternative to outdated and energy-consuming industrial systems. Electro-adhesive devices (EADs) leverage electrostatic forces for grasping objects or adhering to surfaces. The advantage of employing electrostatics lies in its adaptability to various materials without compromising the structure or chemistry of the object or surface. These benefits have led the industry to explore this technology as a replacement for costly vacuum systems and suction cups currently used for handling most products. Furthermore, the broad applicability of this technology extends to extreme environments, such as space with ultra-high vacuum conditions. Unfortunately, research in this area has yet to yield practical results for industrially effective gripper prototyping. This is primarily due to the inherent complexity of electro-adhesive technology, which operates on basic capacitive principles that does not find satisfying physical descriptions. This thesis aims to address these challenges through a series of studies, starting with the manufacturing process and testing of an EAD that has become the standard in our laboratory. It then delves into material and electrode geometry studies to enhance system performance, ultimately presenting potential industrial applications of the technology. All the presented results are encouraging, as they have yielded shear force values three times higher than those previously reported in the literature. The various applications have demonstrated the significant effectiveness of EADs as brakes or, more broadly, in exerting shear forces. This opens up the possibility of utilizing cutting-edge technologies to push the boundaries of technology to the fullest.