Page 1 |
Save page Remove page | Previous | 1 of 242 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
Subset |
DEVELOPMENT OF FLEXIBLE POLYMER-BASED MEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTEGRATED MECHANICAL SENSING IN NEUROPROSTHETIC SYSTEMS
by
Christian Alexander Gutierrez
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING)
December 2011
Copyright 2011 Christian Alexander Gutierrez
Object Description
| Title | Development of flexible polymer-based MEMS technologies for integrated mechanical sensing in neuroprosthetic systems |
| Author | Gutierrez, Christian Alexander |
| Author email | cagutier@usc.edu;chris.a.gutierrez@gmail.com |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Biomedical Engineering |
| School | Viterbi School of Engineering |
| Date defended/completed | 2011-07-28 |
| Date submitted | 2011-10-17 |
| Date approved | 2011-10-18 |
| Restricted until | 2011-10-18 |
| Date published | 2011-10-18 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Meng, Ellis |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Weiland, James D. Humayun, Mark S. Shiflett, Geoffrey |
| Abstract | The field of BioMEMS is becoming increasingly important to neuroprosthetic technologies by enabling communication with neurons at ever smaller scales. Among the many challenges facing these technologies, perhaps the largest are maintaining biocompatibility and understanding the mechanical stability and interaction between neuroprosthetics and tissue. ❧ Retinal prosthetics in particular are at the forefront of these challenges. Their impact on society, however, cannot be understated. Restoring “sight” to those blinded by devastating retinal diseases is a true marvel of modern technology. In an effort to improve and ultimately restore even more capabilities to those impaired, a better understanding of the interface between these implants and the human body is required. This dissertation presents the development of a novel sensing paradigm utilizing electrochemically-based transduction technology that is leveraged for the measurement of pressure between Parylene-based epiretinal implants and retinal tissue. The core sensing principle and sensor technology are developed for real-time quantitative measurements. An overview of bioMEMS techniques, tools, and materials is provided in chapter 2 with an emphasis on Parylene as a substrate for realizing not only the neuroprosthetic implants, but the technology to instrument them. Chapter 2 discusses the fundamentals of electrochemical impedance measurements and their application as a relatively new transduction paradigm within microdevices. In chapter 3 a series of design iterations are presented that chronicle the development of a suitable sensor technology capable of integrating with Parylene-based epiretinal implants. Several key challenges were overcome including the fabrication methods necessary to realize fluid-filled microstructures with pressure transduction capability. Chapter 3 presents results of ex vivo implantation studies using instrumented sensor arrays to visualize the pressure distribution across the implant surface. These results provide the first real-time quantitative assessment of interfacial pressure produced during implantation of an epiretinal implant. Finally, chapter 4 discusses additional potential avenues of application including instrumentation of intracortical shanks for interfacing with the brain. Several addition exciting applications are also presented and provide examples of the potential for impedance-based microtechnologies. |
| Keyword | Parylene C; electrochemical sensors; MEMS; impedance; microfabrication; retinal prosthesis |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m |
| Rights | Gutierrez, Christian Alexander |
| Access conditions | The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright. The original signature page accompanying the original submission of the work to the USC Libraries is retained by the USC Libraries and a copy of it may be obtained by authorized requesters contacting the repository e-mail address given. |
| Repository name | University of Southern California Digital Library |
| Repository address | USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 7002, 106 University Village, Los Angeles, California 90089-7002, USA |
| Repository email | cisadmin@usc.edu |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume71/etd-GutierrezC-346.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 1 |
| Full text | DEVELOPMENT OF FLEXIBLE POLYMER-BASED MEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTEGRATED MECHANICAL SENSING IN NEUROPROSTHETIC SYSTEMS by Christian Alexander Gutierrez A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING) December 2011 Copyright 2011 Christian Alexander Gutierrez |
Comments
Post a Comment for Page 1
