Self-aligned 0-level sealing of MEMS devices by a two layer thin film reflow process

Many micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) require a vacuum or controlled atmosphere encapsulation in order to ensure either a good performance or an acceptable lifetime of operation. Two approaches for wafer-scale zero-level packaging exist. The most popular approach is based on wafer bonding. Alternatively, encapsulation can be done by the fabrication and sealing of perforated surface micromachined membranes. In this paper, a sealing method is proposed for zero-level packaging using a thin film reflow technique. This sealing method can be done at arbitrary ambient and pressure. Also, it is self-aligned and it can be used for sealing openings directly above the MEMS device. It thus allows for a smaller die area for the sealing ring reducing in this way the device dimensions and costs. The sealing method has been demonstrated with reflowed aluminium, germanium, and boron phosphorous silica glass. This allows for conducting as well as non-conducting sealing layers and for a variety of allowable thermal budgets. The proposed technique is therefore very versatile

The prevention of injuries in contact flag football

American flag football is a non-tackle, contact sport with many moderate to severe contact-type injuries reported. A previous prospective injury surveillance study by the authors revealed a high incidence of injuries to the fingers, face, knee, shoulder and ankle. The objectives of the study were to conduct a pilot-prospective injury prevention study in an attempt to significantly reduce the incidence and the severity of injuries as compared to a historical cohort, as well as to provide recommendations for a future prospective injury prevention study. A prospective injury prevention study was conducted involving 724 amateur male (mean age: 20.0 +/- A 3.1 years) and 114 female (mean age: 21.2 +/- A 7.2 years) players. Four prevention measures were implemented: the no-pocket rule, self-fitting mouth guards, ankle braces (for those players with recurrent ankle sprains) and an injury treatment information brochure. An injury surveillance questionnaire was administered to record all time-loss injuries sustained in game sessions. There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of injured players, the number of finger/hand injuries, the incidence rate and the incidence proportion between the two cohorts (p < 0.05). This one-season pilot prevention study has provided preliminary evidence that finger/hand injuries can be significantly reduced in flag football. Prevention strategies for a longer, prospective, randomised-controlled injury prevention study should include the strict enforcement of the no-pocket rule, appropriate head gear, the use of comfortable-fitting ankle braces and mouth guards, and changing the blocking rules of the game

Biceps femoris and semitendinosus: teammates or competitors? : new insights into hamstring injury mechanisms in male football players : a muscle functional MRI study

Background: The hamstring injury mechanism was assessed by investigating the exercise-related metabolic activity characteristics of the hamstring muscles using a muscle functional MRI (mfMRI) protocol. Methods: 27 healthy male football players and 27 football players with a history of hamstring injuries (recovered and playing fully) underwent standardised mfMR Imaging. The mfMRI protocol consisted of a resting scan, a strenuous bilateral eccentric hamstring exercise and a postexercise scan. The exercise-related T2 increase or the signal intensity shift between both scans was used to detect differences in metabolic activation characteristics (1) between the different hamstring muscle bellies and (2) between the injury group and the control group. Results: A more symmetrical muscle recruitment pattern corresponding to a less economic hamstring muscle activation was demonstrated in the formerly injured group (p<0.05). The injured group also demonstrated a significantly lower strength endurance capacity during the eccentric hamstring exercise. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the vulnerability of the hamstring muscles to football-related injury is related to the complexity and close coherence in the synergistic muscle recruitment of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus. Discrete differences in neuromuscular coordination and activity distribution, with the biceps femoris partly having to compensate for the lack of endurance capacity of the semitendinosus, probably increase the hamstring injury risk

Descriptive profile of scapulothoracic position, strength and flexibility variables in adolescent elite tennis players

Study design Descriptive study, cross-sectional design. Background Tennis requires repetitive overhead movement patterns that can lead to upper extremity injury. The scapula plays a vital role in injury-free playing. Scapular dysfunction has been associated with shoulder injury in the overhead athlete. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe variables regarding scapular position, muscle strength and flexibility in young elite tennis players. Methods Thirty-five adolescent Swedish elite tennis players (19 boys, aged 13.6 (+/-1.4) years, 16 girls, aged 12.6 (+/-1.3) years), selected on the basis of their national ranking, underwent a clinical screening protocol consisting of: scapular upward rotation at several angles of arm elevation; isometric scapular muscle strength; and anthropometric measurement of pectoralis minor (PM) length. Results The players showed significantly more scapular upward rotation on their dominant side (p<0.001). For both genders, upper trapezius (p=0.003) and serratus anterior (p=0.01) strength was significantly greater on the dominant side, whereas middle and lower trapezius strength showed no side differences. PM was shorter on the dominant side (p<0.001), and in the female players (p=0.006) compared with the boys. Conclusion These results indicate some sports-related adaptations of young tennis players on their dominant side at the scapulothoracic level to exposure to their sport. These data may assist the clinician in the prevention and rehabilitation of sport-specific injuries in adolescent tennis players

Targeted interventions for patellofemoral pain syndrome (TIPPS): classification of clinical subgroups

Introduction Patellofemoral pain (PFP) can cause significant pain leading to limitations in societal participation and physical activity. An international expert group has highlighted the need for a classification system to allow targeted intervention for patients with PFP; we have developed a work programme systematically investigating this. We have proposed six potential subgroups: hip abductor weakness, quadriceps weakness, patellar hypermobility, patellar hypomobility, pronated foot posture and lower limb biarticular muscle tightness. We could not uncover any evidence of the relative frequency with which patients with PFP fell into these subgroups or whether these subgroups were mutually exclusive. The aim of this study is to provide information on the clinical utility of our classification system. Methods and analysis 150 participants will be recruited over 18 months in four National Health Services (NHS) physiotherapy departments in England. Inclusion criteria: adults 18–40 years with PFP for longer than 3 months, PFP in at least two predesignated functional activities and PFP elicited by clinical examination. Exclusion criteria: prior or forthcoming lower limb surgery; comorbid illness or health condition; and lower limb training or pregnancy. We will record medical history, demographic details, pain, quality of life, psychomotor movement awareness and knee temperature. We will assess hip abductor and quadriceps weakness, patellar hypermobility and hypomobility, foot posture and lower limb biarticular muscle tightness. The primary analytic approach will be descriptive. We shall present numbers and percentages of participants who meet the criteria for membership of (1) each of the subgroups, (2) none of the subgroups and (3) multiple subgroups. Exact (binomial) 95% CIs for these percentages will also be presented. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by National Research Ethics Service (NRES) Committee North West—Greater Manchester North (11/NW/0814) and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Built, Sport, Health (BuSH) Ethics Committee (BuSH 025). An abstract has been accepted for the third International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Vancouver, September 2013

Functional assessment of the cervical spine in F-16 pilots with and without neck pain

Introduction: Spinal symptoms in fighter pilots are a serious aeromedical problem. The most common neck complaints are muscular pain and strain. The aim of the current study was to determine possible differences in the cervical range of motion (CROM), neck position sense, and neck muscle strength between pilots with and without neck pain. Methods: There were 90 male F-I 6 pilots who volunteered, of which 17 had experienced bilateral neck pain. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect personal information. The maximum isometric neck flexion/extension and lateral flexion strength, the neck position sense, and the cervical range of motion were measured. Results: There were no significant differences between healthy pilots and those with neck pain concerning neck Muscle strength and neck position sense. The neck pain group had a limited CROM in the sagittal plane (130 degrees; CI: 116 degrees-144 degrees) and in the transversal plane (155 degrees; CI: 140 degrees-170 degrees) compared to the healthy pilots. Discussion: In the current study we screened for different motor skills so that deficits Could be detected and retraining programs could be implemented when necessary. According to our results, individual retraining programs might reduce neck pain and therefore a well-instructed training program to maintain a proper active CROM should be implemented. Future Studies should investigate the effectiveness of this kind of program

Revalidatie na een voorstekruisbandletsel: met of zonder kniebrace?

Revalidatie na een voorstekruisbandherstel dient vroeg en op een intensieve manier te gebeuren. Vooral spierversterkende oefeningen spelen een belangrijke rol in dit proces. De plaats van kniebracing hierbij is echter nog steeds een punt van discussie. Functionele braces hebben wel een mechanisch effect, maar enkel bij een lage belasting (en dus niet bij dagelijkse bewegingen en sport). Bracing heeft een negatief effect op de hamstrings, die, als voorstekruisbandagonisten, een belangrijke rol hebben in het revalidatieproces. Een correcte plaatsing van het transplantaat in een anatomische positie, goede en sterke fixatie, behandeling van bijkomende blessures van de ligamenten en de meniscus en de aanwezigheid van een gecontroleerde revalidatieomgeving zijn dan ook veel belangrijker voor een goed klinisch resultaat in het algemeen en van een goede kniestabiliteit in het bijzonder. Bracing heeft, los van het soort brace (dus ook placebobrace), een positief effect op de proprioceptie. Door de brace ontstaat een subjectief gevoel van veiligheid, wat bij sommige patiënten het revalidatieproces gunstig zal beïnvloeden; dit kan echter ook een te veilig gevoel geven waardoor de patiënt te roekeloos wordt en een grotere kans bestaat op een herval van de blessure

Beighton scoring of joint laxity and injury incidence in Middle Eastern male youth athletes : a cohort study

ObjectivesTo examine the association between generalised joint laxity (GJL) and injury rates in Middle Eastern male youth athletes.DesignProspective observational study consisting of GJL screen and injury audit (season 2009/2010).SettingAspire Sports Academy Doha, Qatar.ParticipantsA total of 226 adolescent male athletes (mean age: 14.2 years; SD: 1.7; range: 10–18) involved in 15 sporting activities were grouped into contact and non-contact sports. All available athletes were included in this study.Outcome measuresA seasonal injury audit, athletes’ anthropometric characteristics, for example, weight, height and body mass index and screen for GJL to determine Beighton Score (BS).ResultsThe 226 athletes sustained 596 injuries and 75% reported at least one injury over a seasonal injury audit. Players in contact sports were injured more often than players in non-contact sports (more frequent injuries than injury-free time in contact sports; 127 days (95% CI 93 to 160) vs 176 days in non-contact sports (95% CI 118 to 234) (p&lt;0.001). Survival analysis showed that gradient BS was not associated with injury HR=1.004 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.06) in the overall cohort. However, BS was associated with a greater injury risk in contact sports (HR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.59; p=0.015).ConclusionGreater GJL, defined by gradient BS, plus involvement in contact sports together influence injury risk in youth athletes. Preseason documentation of GJL scoring should be considered specifically for contact sports as injury pre-emptive measure