Title
Biophysical mechanisms responsible for ultrasound neuromodulation in bilayer lipid membranes: Enabling the research that uncovers the mysterious interactions between ultrasound and neurons
Author
Burghoorn, Niels (TU Delft Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering; TU Delft Bio-Electronics; TU Delft Else Kooi Laboratory)
Contributor
Wardhana, G.K. (mentor)
Lopes Marta da Costa, T.M. (mentor)
Degree granting institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
Biomedical Engineering | Bioelectronics
Date
2022-10-12
Abstract
Medical technology has seen great progress over the last centuries, developing increasingly more specialised therapy to benefit human health. The rise of the pharmaceutical industry and the research it drives are contributors to this success. However, in humanity's attempt to tackle more and more complex health issues, the conventional methods used require adaptation. This is also true in the case of neurological disorders and diseases, which stem from the body's nervous system. While the nervous system possesses high responsiveness to chemical devices, these same devices can often not target specific locations at the required time. Therefore, solely depending on chemical delivery stagnates progress in overcoming the ailments' negative effects on both health and quality of life. It is here that an argument is made for therapeutic delivery through another modality. Manufacturing such technology creates complex engineering challenges and demands close cooperation between engineers and clinicians.
In this thesis, fundamental research is done to aid the investigation of efficient acoustic delivery with focused ultrasound. It is part of an ongoing effort to make therapy for neurological disorders and diseases less invasive and more effective. The modality of ultrasonic waves promises great potential in this respect, being able to image and modulate neural activity.
The work presented here shows the development of a research platform to effectively study the biophysical mechanisms that are responsible for ultrasonic neuromodulation. Using microfabrication techniques and 3D printing the basic elements of the platform could be manufactured. During electrodeposition, silver layers were grown to construct the Ag/AgCl electrode and insight was gained into the process. Electrophysiological measurements show the platform's capability to measure bilayer lipid membranes, which were manually prepared and suspended.
Subject
Lipid membrane
lipids
Microfabrication
Ultrasound
Neuromodulation
Biophysical model
Mechanisms
Electrophysiology
focused ultrasound
Electrochemistry
Gold electrode
Silver chloride
Ag/AgCl
3D Printing
Additive manufacturing methodology
End-to-End
Membrane characterisation
Electrodeposition
Silver Plating
Three-electrode setup
Two-electrode setup
k-Wave
Acoustic Experiments
Electroplating
Microscopy
Ion channels
Mechanosensitive ion channels
ultrasound neuromodulation
Gold evaporation
SU-8
Fabrication
3d printed mould
Electronics
High-bandwidth
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Chronoamperometry
Cyclic voltammetry
Scanning electron microscopy
Python programming
chemical stability
Pourbaix diagram
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:ec6c171c-1281-4006-85f6-002614187ee1
Embargo date
2024-12-31
Coordinates
51.998865319599325, 4.373491279884691
Bibliographical note
https://github.com/SwaggerNiels
Part of collection
Student theses
Document type
master thesis
Rights
© 2022 Niels Burghoorn