Most electrowetting and liquid crystal optical devices are created by standard planar microfabrication. Arrayed electrowetting microprisms are a newer approach that offers unique performance, but which requires a challenging non-planar microfabrication process. This paper reviews a full description of a scalable fabrication process for an ∼1500 element array of ∼150 μm size electrowetting microprisms. The description includes creation of high aspect-ratio sidewalls, using a conventional i-line mask aligner to vertically pattern electrodes, conformal hydrophobic dielectric deposition, self-assembled and volume-controlled liquid dosing and module sealing. Also presented is a theoretical model which explores the resolution limits for vertically patterned electrodes. In addition to creating a first-generation fabrication process for arrayed electrowetting microprisms, this work may be further useful to investigators seeking methods of forming 3D arrayed electro-optic, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical devices.

The described methodologies will allow the calculation and optimization of WSS profiles in animal models. This information could then be translated to the clinical setting where it would have a positive impact on improving the early maturation rates of AVFs as well as reducing the late venous stenoses.

Perfluorocarbon emulsion (FCE) particles are reported to be taken up by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and ultimately eliminated by the lung. This distribution provides an opportunity to measure oxygen partial pressure in vivo with fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI). Since the MR image signal-to-noise ratio is directly proportional to the fluorine concentration in the tissue, a greater concentration of perfluorocarbon (PFC) in the tissue will result in a greater confidence in the oxygen image and reduce measurement time. It was postulated that the biodistribution of PFC administered in emulsion form may depend on species RES or FCE composition. The distribution of an emulsion (Oxypherol-E.T.) containing perfluorotributylamine (FTBA) 5 days after administration to pigs (11 g FTBA/kg body weight i.p.) and rats (19 g FTBA/kg i.p.) and an emulsion (Oxygent) containing perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) 7 days after administration to dogs (11 g PFOB/kg i.v.) and 5 days after administrations to rats (19 g PFOB/kg i.p.) was analyzed by F-19 NMR spectroscopy of tissue samples. PFC concentrations in spleen are 2 to 3 times those in liver. This pattern appears to be independent of PFC emulsion or species. In contrast, lung PFC content was less than that in the liver and showed a dependence upon both species and PFC emulsion.

Hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction as a result of venous neointimal hyperplasia in dialysis access grafts and fistulae is currently a huge clinical problem. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of paclitaxel and radiation, both singly and in combination on the proliferation of cell types present within the lesion of venous neointimal hyperplasia (vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells within the neointimal microvessels). Vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells were plated onto 96-well plates and exposed to different concentrations and doses of paclitaxel and radiation, respectively (both individually and in combination). Growth inhibition was assessed with an MTT assay. Both paclitaxel and radiation resulted in significant growth inhibition of all three cell types. However, even small doses of paclitaxel appeared to attenuate the antiproliferative effect of radiation on these cell types. Further experiments to elucidate the mechanism behind these findings could result in a better understanding of combination antiproliferative therapies.