Ultrasound & Biomedical Systems Research
To develop technologies to improve the quality of life for injured or disabled persons.
Ultrasound: We are developing an ultrasound-based tool to track tissue motion within the body for such purpose. Specifically, to detect and track the displacement of flexor tendons within the human arm, using a non-invasive, ultrasound-based, speckle tracking technique. In particular, there are two projects: (a) By tracking the tendons in the arm/wrist, a way to monitor a person’s intention to move their hands and fingers is possible, which has application to hand prosthetic control. (b) By tracking tendons within the body, we seek to develop a tool for the diagnosis of MSK (musculoskeletal) tendon injuries, and assessment of surgical and rehabilitation success.
Wirelessly Powered Bio-Sensors: We are developing sensor technologies suitable for biomedical implantable devices. Such devices have a variety of medical applications including generating stimulus signals, monitoring bio-signals (EMG, EEG), and communicating this information to the outer world. Providing power for such stimulator/ sensor implants is one of the major challenges in designing such systems, and is the focus of this work. In particular, stimulator/sensor implants have great potential to be used as sensor/feedback devicees for hand prosthesis control.
(i) A portable/wearable ultrasound-based sensor system for the measurement of internal tendon motion within the wrist, for application towards advanced prosthesis control.
(ii) To develop an ultrasound-based tool for the diagnosis of MSK (musculoskeletal) tendon injuries, planning for surgical repair, and assessment of rehabilitation success. This is achieved by measuring tendon excursion within the arm/wrist using a non-invasive, ultrasound-based, speckle tracking technique.
(ii) A miniature implantable, wirelessly powered system for neural stimulation and sensing for laboratory mice and rats. This work is done in collaboration with K.R. Delaney from the Dept. of Biology, and aimed at research into treatment methods for recovery from stroke, spinal cord injury and disease progression.
(iv) An implantable, wirelessly powered sensor system for the measurement of intra-muscular signals (electromyographic data acquisition) for application towards advanced prosthesis control.
(v) Advanced robotics and instrumentation using machine vision for automated micromanipulation of biological cells.
(vi) Magnetic MEMS chips for the capture and arraying of biological cells. Computer simulation of device performance, fabrication of prototypes and testing.
The team members involved in this work have expertise in the areas of: ultrasound physics, ultrasound hardware, mechanical/electrical design, finite element method (FEM) simulation, and bio-signal acquisition and processing. Please contact us by email for further information regarding this research.