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Study design:Evaluation of the surgical effects of patients with intramedullary spinal cord cavernous angiomas (CAs).Objectives:To assess the sensory and motor deficits in the clinical symptoms of patients with intramedullary CAs after complete surgical resection.Setting:Seoul National University Hospital, Korea.Methods:The authors reviewed 14 patients with intramedullary spinal cord CAs who underwent surgical resection between 1995 and 2006. The average follow-up duration was 55.0±45.1 months. To analyze the changes in the patients' symptoms after surgery, the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) and JOA (Japanese Orthopedic Association) scoring systems were used at different time points: preoperative, postoperative and during the final follow-up period.Results:The patients' mean ASIA score at follow-up was increased in comparison to the preoperative score (97.2±5.3 vs 95.2±7.6, P=0.201), but this difference was not significant.The mean JOA motor score at follow-up was slightly increased in comparison to the preoperative score (7.2±1.3 vs 6.8±1.3, P=0.107). There was a significant difference between the patients' preoperative and follow-up JOA sensory score (4.3±1.0 vs 4.9±0.9, P=0.007). The rates of complete resolution of motor and sensory deficits were 45.5% (5/11 patients) and 7.1% (1/14 patients), respectively.Conclusion:Although complete surgical resection could improve the clinical symptoms of intramedullary CAs, the sensory deficits usually remain in the long-term period after complete resection.Spinal Cord (2009) 47, 128–133; doi:10.1038/sc.2008.89; published online 29 July 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the performance comparison of three kinds of thick photoresists (JSR THB-430 N, JSR THB-130 N, and SJR-5740) used as molds for electroforming of monolithic two-layer microstructure with the nickel nozzle plate on SU8 chambers. The proper selection of mold material is strong relevant to the surface quality of mold and nozzle. The rough surface of mold is made of the JSR THB-430N with high viscosity while the smooth surface of mold is made of the JSR THB-130N with low viscosity. The positive tone SJR-5740 resist is not also a good material for the electroforming mold due to the dimension distortion after development. Good quality of monolithic two-layer microstructure has been achieved by JSR THB-130 N mold for electroforming due to the smooth mold surface, good dimension control and easily removal by acetone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a novel method for fabricating a monolithic inkjet chip by combination of thick resist photolithography and electroforming technologies. It integrates two-step photolithography process by two kinds of thick photoresists, SU-8 and JSR, and one-step nickel electroplating process to form the channels, chambers and nozzles of monolithic inkjet chip. The nickel nozzle plate can be replaced by SU8 material as second thick SU8 resist is used. The first thick resist of SU8 for both kinds of nozzle plates, nickel and SU8, is used for the structure formation of ink channel and chamber. Followed the nickel or SU8 nozzle plates are fabricated on SU8 chambers. The nickel nozzle plate is performed by second thick resist JSR and electroforming process while the SU8 nozzle plate is only by second thick SU8 resist process. A light-absorbing polymer layer is coated between two thick resist layers for protecting the first SU8 layer from overheating during the metal seed layer deposition or over-exposure during the second thick resist lithography process. A prototype of monolithic inkjet chip with a 300 dpi resolution has been successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]