Treatment of Chronic Lower Extremity Ulcers with A New Er:Yag Laser Technology.

Chronic lower extremity ulcers (CLEUs) have a high prevalence and are difficult to treat due to their various aetiologies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results achieved in treating CLEUs using an Erbium: YAG (Er:YAG) laser with RecoSMA technology. This laser emits thousands of microbeams of energy causing superficial epidermal ablation and a separation of dermal fibres due to a mechanical-acoustic and resonance effect. The evaluation of the results achieved was carried out by questionnaires completed by 18 patients enrolled in the study. Histological studies and photographs taken before each session (16 sessions in total) were analysed to visually monitor the clinical progress. The analyses were carried out with the help of computer software. The results after 16 treatment sessions showed the complete healing of ulcers or a decrease in their initial area of at least 55% in over 65% of the patients treated. The Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. The Er:YAG laser and RecoSMA technology ablates few epidermal cell layers, producing a mechanical-acoustic effect with resonance action leading to tissue regeneration mechanisms. This technology offers an effective and safe alternative for treating CLEUs.

Novel method for facial rejuvenation using Er:YAG laser equipped with a spatially modulated ablation module: An open prospective uncontrolled cohort study.

Facial aging is a complex biological process that affects the skin and superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). A new technology (RecoSMA) for skin rejuvenation based on acoustic-interference method using Er:YAG laser (2936 nm) equipped with a special module SMA that targets both the dermis and SMAS was evaluated in an open-label prospective cohort study of 100 female patients treated for facial rejuvenation. Measure of clinical improvement included investigator-rated clinical photography using the Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale, and ultrasound measurements in the dermis a week, 30 days and six months post treatment. All patients completed the study and no complications were noted. Improvements in skin tone and texture were noted in all participants and significant decrease in wrinkle depth was demonstrated at the six-month follow-up that was confirmed by ultrasound skin measurements. Data presented herein confirm the safety and efficacy of RecoSMA treatment for facial rejuvenation.

A novel method of facial rejuvenation using a 2940-nm erbium:YAG laser with spatially modulated ablation: a pilot study.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a novel method of facial rejuvenation using a 2940-nm erbium:YAG laser with Spatially Modulated Ablation™. A pilot study was performed in 16 women with moderate to severe signs of facial aging relative to chronological age, who underwent two treatment sessions with an Er:YAG laser coupled to the RecoSMA™ technology (Linline, Minsk, Belarus). The whole face was treated in all patients. Clinical efficacy, tolerance, adverse effects, complications, and histological changes due to the treatment were evaluated. Clinical photographs and biopsies were taken before treatment and 3 months after the second treatment session. All patients completed the study and presented no significant complications. Histological changes in the epidermis and dermis as a result of treatment were found. Fine lines, wrinkles, and overall facial aging improved significantly (p < 0.0001). The mean reduction of fine lines and wrinkles was 59 % (r = 40-75 %). The mean improvement of overall facial aging was 74 % (r = 55-90 %). After showing the patients the comparative photographs before and after treatment, 75 % of women stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied and would recommend the treatment. Preliminary results show an excellent safety/efficacy profile for this novel technology, which, based on observed results, can be considered to have advantages over other methods of facial rejuvenation with lasers.

Ti doping-induced magnetic and morphological transformations in Sr- and Ca-substituted BiFeO3.

The investigation focuses on the crystal structure, microstructure, local ferroelectric and magnetic properties of the Bi0.9Sr0.1Fe1-x Ti(x)O(3-δ) (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15; δ = (0.1 - x)/2) multiferroics prepared by a solid-state reaction method. All the samples have been found to be isostructural with the pure BiFeO3 (the material crystallizes in a polar rhombohedral structure belonging to the space group R3c). It has been shown that the pattern of changes in the lattice parameters of the Bi0.9Sr0.1Fe(1-x)Ti(x)O(3-δ) samples can be interpreted as consistent with the doping-driven elimination of anion vacancies at x ⩽ 0.1 and the formation of cation vacancies at x > 0.1. The readjustment of the defect structure associated with the mechanism of charge compensation in the aliovalent-substituted BiFeO3 is accompanied by correlated changes in the morphology, ferroelectric/ferroelastic domain structure and magnetic properties of the materials. In particular, it has been found that the deviation from the ideal (δ = 0) cation-anion stoichiometry in the Bi0.9Sr0.1Fe(1-x)Ti (x)O(3-δ) system leads to a significant decrease in the average size of crystal grain and ferroelectric domains and gives rise to an antiferromagnetic-weak ferromagnetic transformation. Results of this study have been compared with those obtained for equally substituted samples of the Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe(1-x)Ti(x)O(3-δ) series (Khomchenko and Paixão 2015 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 27 436002) to demonstrate how the variation in the chemical pressure introduced by the partial replacement of Bi(3+) with bigger (Sr(2+)) and smaller (Ca(2+)) ions can affect the multiferroic behavior of Ti-doped bismuth ferrites.

Structural defects as a factor controlling the magnetic properties of pure and Ti-doped Bi(1-x)Ca(x)FeO(3-x/2) multiferroics.

Recognition of the factors that may significantly affect the multiferroic properties of BiFeO3-based perovskites remains one of the most challenging tasks in condensed matter physics. To reveal the reasons behind the doping-driven instability of the cycloidal antiferromagnetic order in the polar phase of Bi(1-x)Ca(x)FeO(3-x/2), synthesis and investigation of the crystal structure, microstructure, local ferroelectric and magnetic properties of the ceramic samples of Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe(1-x)Ti(x)O(3-δ) (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) have been carried out. The compounds possess a rhombohedral structure (space group R3c). The compositional dependence of unit cell volume in this series can be interpreted as suggesting the doping-induced elimination of anion vacancies at x ⩽ 0.1 and the formation of cation vacancies at x > 0.1. The filling of oxygen vacancies suppresses a weak ferromagnetic contribution characteristic of the parent Bi0.9Ca0.1FeO2.95. The appearance of cation vacancies restores the weak ferromagnetic phase. The key role of lattice defects in the magnetic behavior of Ca-doped BiFeO3 has been confirmed by the observation of a correlation between the magnetic properties and the morphology/ferroelectric domain structure of the Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe(1-x)Ti(x)O(3-δ) ceramics.

Tratamiento de las úlceras crónicas de las piernas con láser de Er: YAG y tecnología RecoSMA / Treatment of chronic lower extermity ulcerswith Er: YAG laser and RecoSMA Technology

Las úlceras crónicas de los miembros inferiores (UCMI) tienen una elevada prevalencia, etiología diversa y son de difícil curación. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los resultados alcanzados en su curación mediante el empleo de un láser de Erbium:YAG con tecnología RecoSMA. Este láser y sistema de tecnología emite energía en forma de miles de microhaces induciendo microablación de la epidermis y actuación en las células de la dermis por efecto mecánico-acústico. Tratamos con irradiación semanal 17 pacientes durante 3meses. La evaluación de resultados se realizó mediante cuestionarios y correlación clínica e histológica, realizando fotografías antes de cada sesión de tratamiento (12 en total), y su correspondiente análisis con asistencia de un programa informático. Los resultados mostraron curación completa, o reducción del área de las úlceras en aproximadamente el 50% de su superficie inicial en más del 50% de los pacientes. En el estudio estadístico empleamos t de Student y test exacto de Fisher y obtuvimos resultados estadísticamente significativos, con p<0,05. El láser de Er:YAG y la tecnología RecoSMA basada enópticas que convierten el haz del láser en miles de microhaces no solamente se absorbe en la superficie del tejido, sino que penetra en la dermis y, por mecanismo mecánico-acústico, produce efectos de resonancia eficaces para producir regeneración tisular. Su empleo en las UCMI de difícil solución es una alternativa de tratamiento eficaz y seguro (AU)

Chronic lower extremity ulcers (CLEU) have a high prevalence, present various aetiologies and are difficult to heal. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the results achieved in healing CLEU using an Erbium:YAG with RecoSMA technology. This laser emits energy in thousands of microbeams causing superficial epidermal ablation by thermal effect, and a limited cell membrane destruction in dermis due to a mechanical-acoustic effect. Evaluation of results achieved was carried out in 17 patients enrolled in the study by questionnaires, histologies and clinical visual correlation of progress by photographs taken before each session (12 session in total), which were analyzed with the help of a computer program. Results after 12 treatment sessions showed complete healing of ulcers or a decrease of their initial area in at least 50%in more than 50% of patients treated. The t Student test and Fishers´ exact test were used for the statistical analysis noticing that results obtained were statistically significant with p<0,05. The Er:YAG laser and RecoSMA technology, based on a system of optics which converts the laser beam in thousands of microbeams, it is not only absorbed in the tissue surface, but penetrates in the dermis. The acoustic-mechanical mechanism produces effective resonance effects to achieve tissue regeneration. This technology used on difficult CLEU offers an effective and safe treatment alternative (AU)

Composition- and temperature-driven structural transitions in Bi(1-x)Ca(x)FeO3 multiferroics: a neutron diffraction study.

Neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements of the Bi(1-x)Ca(x)FeO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.14) compounds were carried out to follow the effect of the heterovalent A-site doping on the long-range structure and magnetic properties of the BiFeO3 multiferroic. Ca substitution induces the appearance of weak ferromagnetism in the initial ferroelectric R3c phase, but modifies the picture of polar displacements, so the average PbZrO3-like antiferroelectric structure is stabilized at x = 0.11. Further increase of the Ca content leads to transformation of the antipolar ionic shifts to give rise to the Pbam → Imma transition near x = 0.14. A structural study performed for the x = 0.05 compound at high temperature revealed the R3c → Pnma phase transition at 950 K. For x = 0.1 samples, an intermediate heating-induced structure separating the R3c and Pnma phases was found.