RESUMO
Despite the copious amount of research on the design and operation of micromixers, there are few works regarding manufacture technology aimed at implementation beyond academic environments. This work evaluates the viability of xurography as a rapid fabrication tool for the development of ultra-low cost microfluidic technology for extreme Point-of-Care (POC) micromixing devices. By eschewing photolithographic processes and the bulkiness of pumping and enclosure systems for rapid fabrication and passively driven operation, xurography is introduced as a manufacturing alternative for asymmetric split and recombine (ASAR) micromixers. A T-micromixer design was used as a reference to assess the effects of different cutting conditions and materials on the geometric features of the resulting microdevices. Inspection by stereographic and confocal microscopy showed that it is possible to manufacture devices with less than 8% absolute dimensional error. Implementation of the manufacturing methodology in modified circular shape- based SAR microdevices (balanced and unbalanced configurations) showed that, despite the precision limitations of the xurographic process, it is possible to implement this methodology to produce functional micromixing devices. Mixing efficiency was evaluated numerically and experimentally at the outlet of the microdevices with performances up to 40%. Overall, the assessment encourages further research of xurography for the development of POC micromixers.
RESUMO
El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir el desempeño cognoscitivo de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 51 años, con 9 años de evolución de Enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y antecedentes de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, para lo cual se utilizó un protocolo neuropsicológico encontrando en el test de trazados (TMT-A 24/24 y TMT-B 24/24), prueba de Denominación de Boston (58/60), F.A.S- COWAT (28), Curva de Memoria California (Ascendente), copia (34/36) y evocación (26/36) de la Figura Compleja de Rey Osterrieth, Torre de Londres, Stroop de Colores (C 16", P 31", C-P 57"). Adicionalmente se aplicaron subpruebas del Test de Inteligencia Wechsler para adultos (WAIS-III) (Retención de dígitos 9, sucesión letras-números 10, aritmética 11, dígito-símbolo 10, figuras incompletas 6, diseño con cubos 10, semejanzas 9), el perfil cognoscitivo se encuentra dentro de los parámetros normales para los procesos de lenguaje, memoria, praxias, y habilidades viso-construccionales; se evidencian leves alteraciones en atención, memoria de trabajo y funciones ejecutivas. El consumo prolongado de sustancias psicoactivas es un posible factor de riesgo en el desarrollo temprano de la EP, pero con un perfil cognoscitivo conservado que se puede explicar por su nivel académico previo y su continuo ejercicio intelectual en su profesión, que le exigen constantes actividades cognitivas.
The objective of this research was to describe the cognitive performance of a male patient, aged 51, with 9 years of evolution of Parkinson's disease (PD) and a history of psychoactive substance use, for which a protocol was used neuropsychological finding paths in the test (TMT-A 24/24 and TMT-B 24/24), Boston denomination (58/60), FAS-COWAT (28), Curve Memory California (ascending), copy (34 / 36) and evocation (26/36) of the Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure, Tower of London, Stroop Color (C 16 " W 31", CW 57 "). Additionally applied subtests Wechsler Intelligence Test for Adults (WAIS-III) (retention of digits 9, letter-number sequence 10, arithmetic 11, digit-symbol 10, incomplete figures 6, design with cubes10, similarities 9), cognitive profile is within normal parameters for the processes of language, memory, praxis, visual-constructional and skills, are demonstrated slight alterations in attention, working memory and executive functions. Prolonged use of psychoactive substances is a possible risk factor in early development of PD, but with preserved cognitive profile that can be explained by their prior academic and intellectual exercise continued in his profession, which require constant cognitive activities.