A BioMEMS review: MEMS technology for physiologically integrated devices

MEMS devices are manufactured using similar microfabrication techniques as those used to create integrated circuits. They often, however, have moving components that allow physical or analytical functions to be performed by the device. Although MEMS can be aseptically fabricated and hermetically sealed, biocompatibility of the component materials is a key issue for MEMS used in vivo. Interest in MEMS for biological applications (BioMEMS) is growing rapidly, with opportunities in areas such as biosensors, pacemakers, immunoisolation capsules, and drug delivery. The key to many of these applications lies in the leveraging of features unique to MEMS (for example, analyte sensitivity, electrical responsiveness, temporal control, and feature sizes similar to cells and organelles) for maximum impact. In this paper, we focus on how the biological integration of MEMS and other implantable devices can be improved through the application of microfabrication technology and concepts. Innovative approaches for improved physical and chemical integration of systems with the body are reviewed. An untapped potential for MEMS may lie in the area of nervous and endocrine system actuation, whereby the ability of MEMS to deliver potent drugs or hormones, combined with their precise temporal control, may provide new treatments for disorders of these systems.     

A review of the development and application of group technology at the University of Birmingham

The article reviews the work of the Department of Engineering Production in the development arid application of group technology. The Department was one of the first in. Britain to become involved in this subject, and of recent months a major research commitment has begun in this novel production philosophy. Croup technology is concerned with the exploitation of the sameness of components, and of their related manufacturing operations. This review examines research work in this area which has been concerned with: (i) fundamental questions, (ii) international studies, and (iii) industrial applications.     

WHAT KINDS OF ANXIETY DOES THE TAYLOR MA MEASURE?

CONCERNED WITH THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE TAYLOR MA SCALE WITH THE SCALES AND INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF THE BRENTWOOD MOOD SCALE IN A GROUP OF 159 HOSPITALIZED CHRONIC PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS. 3 TYPES OF ANXIETY-SUBJECTIVELY EXPERIENCED FEAR, ANXIETY EXPRESSED IN PHYSICAL TENSION, AND GENERALIZED UNCERTAINTY-WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED TO SCORES ON THE MA, WITH UNCERTAINTY LESS RELATED THAN EITHER SUBJECTIVELY OR PHYSICALLY FELT ANXIETY. THE MA WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE RELATED TO SUBJECTIVE FEELINGS OF DEPRESSION AND TO AN ABSENCE OF POSITIVELY TONED EMOTIONAL REACTIONS. THE MA WAS INVERSELY CORRELATED WITH WORDS CONNOTING DRIVE LEVEL. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)