Texture Analysis: A tool in the fight against HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in the immune system and weakens a person’s ability to fight everyday infections and disease.

While AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another, the HIV virus can. There is currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.

In the three decades since the first cases of AIDS were reported, investments in basic, biomedical, behavioural, and social science research have led to numerous HIV prevention interventions and life-saving treatments. Texture Analysis has an important role in this research, specifically in the improvement of drug delivery systems. This blog post contains some examples of Texture Analysis in HIV research in recent years.

Texture Analysis: A tool in the fight against cancer

“More than 40 years after the war on cancer was declared, we have spent billions fighting the good fight. The National Cancer Institute has spent some $90 billion on research and treatment during that time.

"Some 260 nonprofit organisations in the United States have dedicated themselves to cancer — more than the number established for heart disease, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke combined. Together, these 260 organisations have budgets that top $2.2 billion.” (Dr Margaret Cuomo, A World Without Cancer)

A large proportion of people donate to the world’s cancer research movement either directly or by running sponsored marathons, holding charity bake sales, charity shopping or by countless other indirect donation routes. However, the average donor gives their money with full trust to cancer research charities that it will be spent wisely. Charities publish their annual expenditure breakdown, but unless a donor regularly reads research articles, it can be difficult to understand the specifics of cancer research.

This blog post gives several examples of recent cancer research from around the world, and the role that Texture Analysis has to play.

Texture Analysis in Research: Medical and surgical advances

Researchers from the University of Indonesia have been investigating a TUR-P phantom for resident surgical training – a food-based design as a human mimicking model of the prostate. 

The novel model aimed to be similar to the human prostate in terms of its texture profile, sensation upon resection, and anatomical hallmarks for resident transurethral resection of the prostate training. Ten phantom designs were proposed, using broadly available ingredients and a homemade protocol. They used their TA.XT2i Texture Analyser to measure the samples’ texture profile. The study successfully developed a cost-effective model from a food-based design. Read more

Texture Analysis in Research: Latest Medical Applications

Scientists from the Thomas More University of Applied Sciences have been researching the use of a Texture Analyser to objectively quantify foot orthoses.

Foot orthoses alter the kinematics and kinetics of gait. With increasing importance of evidence-based practice and with the permanent development of subtractive manufacturing and introduction of additive manufacturing, there is a growing need for the quantification of orthoses parameters. This paper describes a measurement method and protocol to quantify different parameters of a foot orthosis. 

Texture Analysis in Research: Medical Applications

Scientists from Nantes University Hospital have been researching standardised bench test evaluation of coronary stents and their biomechanical characteristics.

The purpose of the study was to develop a standardised and global bench test protocol to evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of the most currently used drug‐eluting coronary stents. The use of coronary stents has contributed to the reduction of cardiovascular mortality but can be associated with specific complications. Improving the biomechanical matching between the stents and the coronary anatomy may reduce these complications.

Texture Analysis in Patents: Medical Applications

Stable Micro Systems Texture Analysers are used frequently in patent applications to substantiate claims and provide measured evidence associated with the developed product. Here are a few recent examples within the field of Medicine…

A patent has recently been released by LG Household and Health Care Ltd entitled ‘Preparation for Attaching to Teeth or Surrounding Part of Teeth’.

There are many difficulties involved with delivering an active ingredient into the oral cavity as the contact time and quantity play an important role. As outlined in the patent, there are disadvantages to existing delivery methods. The new preparation delivers an active ingredient whose physical properties are changed before attachment to teeth and after a period of time after the attachment. 

Analysing the Physical Properties of a First Aid Kit

Texture Analysers play a large role in the quality control process of the pharmaceutical industry. 

The mechanical properties of all products must be uniform between batches or customer loyalty will decline. This blog post outlines some typical measurements that may be made on the contents of a first aid kit.

Adhesive plasters are often bought as a continuous strip that can be cut to the length needed by the consumer. A measurement on the 180° Peel Test Rig can determine the comparative peeling or stripping characteristics of adhesive bonds, essential for the application of adhesive bandages. Wound dressings and adhesive strips are required to have qualities such as 'low-tack' or moisture-resistance. The plaster’s adhesive properties as are important as the selection of the strip material and surface.

Using texture analysis as a physical property tool in regenerative medicine

Regenerative Medicine is providing opportunities to replace, repair, maintain and/or enhance tissue function for clinical use.  

Imagine a world where you could heal a wound without scarring, where mind-degenerating disorders don’t exist, or where no one waits on a transplant list. 

Sensory and neuronal-degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis, and others have become all too common in the ageing population of industrial countries. Injuries and trauma to the human body not only leave physical scarring but can also prohibit you from doing the things you enjoy.

Texture Analysis in action: Universal Syringe Rig

The innovative UNIVERSAL SYRINGE RIG* (A/USR) effectively measures the aspiration and extraction forces of syringe pistons.

The extraction force quantifies how easily the injectable material is expressed during syringe depression and material discharge. This measured force impacts patient comfort during injection and affects how the material is received when deposited under the skin.