| Autor: |
Funieru C; Preventive Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 4 Eforiei, 050037 Bucharest, Romania., Tudose DȘ; Computer Science and Engineering Department, Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania., Dobrică B; NanoSAE Research Centre, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomiştilor, 077125 Bucharest-Măgurele, Romania., Săndulescu M; Department of Implant Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Plevnei, 010221 Bucharest, Romania., Popovici IA; Department of Implant Prosthetic Therapy, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17-23 Plevnei, 010221 Bucharest, Romania., Slușanschi EI; Computer Science and Engineering Department, Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania., Croitoru SM; Department of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania., Vrînceanu D; ENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 169 Splaiul Independenței, 050098 Bucharest, Romania., Bănică B; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 169 Splaiul Independenţei, 050098 Bucharest, Romania., Nicolescu MI; Histology Division, Faculty of Dentistry, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.; Radiobiology Laboratory, Victor Babeș National Institute of Pathology, 99-101 Splaiul Independenţei, 050096 Bucharest, Romania. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background and Objectives : Saliva is of utmost importance for maintaining oral health. Management of saliva flow rate deficiency recently includes salivary neuro-electrostimulation. The aim of this paper is to present a new model of salivary pacemaker-the MICROSAL device (MD), an intelligent, miniaturized, and implant-supported oral device used for salivary stimulation. Materials and Methods : This report presents the development, calibration, and first clinical tests which involved the MD. The novel features of this device are the pH sensor and the fact that it communicates with the patient's smartphone, where oral wetness and pH are graphically exposed. Saliva samples were taken before and after the MD was used on a 68-year-old patient suffering from post-irradiation xerostomia, and albumin and total protein were analyzed. Results : The device uses up to 3 V and time intervals of 2 s seconds for stimulation. The total volume of all saliva samples collected during the clinical trial was almost seven times higher after the device was used. Albumin decreased from a maximum of 0.15 g/dL to 0.04 g/dL, and total proteins from 0.65 g/dL to 0.21 g/dL, after salivary stimulation. Conclusions : The MD increased saliva secretion of the patient, and we are confident it will be a good solution for future management of salivary gland hypofunction. |
