Study of Silicon Solar cell Array to Power MEMS Cantilever Actuator

A solar cell array to power a on board microelectromechanical polysilicon cantilever actuator was designed, fabricated and tested. The device composes of two solar cell arrays one array with 330 solar cells and another array with 300 solar cells. The device also consists of several cantilevers. The fabrication process involved over fifty process steps including nine photolithography levels. To optimize the performance of the solar cell array the entire process was simulated using SILVACO SUPREM simulation software. Electrical examination using ATLAS software allowed for parameter extraction of the computer-generated solar cells. Modeling the extracted parameters with device physics equations allowed for a SPICE level-2 analysis that could be verified through electrical testing of the actual fabricated solar cells. Measurements were made throughout the fabrication process. The completed devices were tested and pictures were taken of the cantilevers and solar cell array

The Journal of Microelectronic Research

https://scholarworks.rit.edu/meec_archive/1013/thumbnail.jp

Extraplexus versus intraplexus ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block for ambulatory arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThis randomized study compared the efficacy and safety of extraplexus and intraplexus injection of local anesthetic for interscalene brachial plexus block.Methods208 ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block were randomly allocated to receive an injection of 25mL ropivacaine 0.5% either between C5-C6 nerve roots (intraplexus), or anterior and posterior to the brachial plexus into the plane between the perineural sheath and scalene muscles (extraplexus). The primary outcome was time to loss of shoulder abduction. Secondary outcomes included block duration, perioperative opioid consumption, pain scores, block performance time, number of needle passes, onset of sensory blockade, paresthesia, recovery room length of stay, patient satisfaction, incidence of Horner's syndrome, dyspnea, hoarseness, and post-operative nausea and vomiting.ResultsTime to loss of shoulder abduction was faster in the intraplexus group (log-rank p-valueConclusionThe intraplexus approach to the interscalene brachial plexus block results in a faster onset of motor block, as well as sensory block. Both intraplexus and extraplexus approaches to interscalene brachial plexus block provide effective analgesia. Given the increased incidence of paresthesia with an intraplexus approach, an extraplexus approach to interscalene brachial plexus block is likely a more appropriate choice

Extraplexus versus intraplexus ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block for ambulatory arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThis randomized study compared the efficacy and safety of extraplexus and intraplexus injection of local anesthetic for interscalene brachial plexus block.Methods208 ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block were randomly allocated to receive an injection of 25mL ropivacaine 0.5% either between C5-C6 nerve roots (intraplexus), or anterior and posterior to the brachial plexus into the plane between the perineural sheath and scalene muscles (extraplexus). The primary outcome was time to loss of shoulder abduction. Secondary outcomes included block duration, perioperative opioid consumption, pain scores, block performance time, number of needle passes, onset of sensory blockade, paresthesia, recovery room length of stay, patient satisfaction, incidence of Horner's syndrome, dyspnea, hoarseness, and post-operative nausea and vomiting.ResultsTime to loss of shoulder abduction was faster in the intraplexus group (log-rank p-value<0.0005; median [interquartile range]: 4 min [2-6] vs. 6 min [4-10]; p-value <0.0005). Although the intraplexus group required fewer needle passes (2 vs. 3, p<0.0005), it resulted in more transient paresthesia (35.9% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.0004) with no difference in any other secondary outcome.ConclusionThe intraplexus approach to the interscalene brachial plexus block results in a faster onset of motor block, as well as sensory block. Both intraplexus and extraplexus approaches to interscalene brachial plexus block provide effective analgesia. Given the increased incidence of paresthesia with an intraplexus approach, an extraplexus approach to interscalene brachial plexus block is likely a more appropriate choice