BRIGE: Development of an Implantable Biomimetic Angular Rotation Sensor for Overcoming Vestibular Dysfunction

BRIGE ECCS-0927103：克服前庭功能障碍的植入式仿生角旋转传感器的开发“该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。“该项目旨在开发一种基于人类前庭传感器的小型低功耗传感器，用于前庭假体。前庭系统建立了身体位置的感觉，保持平衡，并有助于在运动过程中稳定视力。前庭系统的功能障碍通常会导致姿势不稳定、视觉模糊、定向障碍和跌倒等衰弱症状。部分患者可通过保守治疗和康复获益。但对于那些没有的人，特别是那些患有前庭功能障碍的人（双侧），目前没有有效的替代方案。这项工作的长期目标是为这些人提供一种选择一种模拟前庭功能的可植入生物系统一种前庭假体。通过感测头部角度旋转并直接刺激位于内耳中的前庭神经纤维，假体将原本不存在的头部旋转线索传递到中枢神经系统。为了实现这一目标，这项工作提出了克服两个最重要的技术挑战时，开发一个完全植入式系统的角旋转传感器的大尺寸和过度的功耗。因此，本课题的主要目标是：（1）基于人体半规管的生物力学模型，制作微机械聚合物膜片角位移传感器;（2）对现有传感器技术进行基准测试（陀螺仪），以及（3）确定手术入路、植入部位，并从组织学上评估传感器的组织反应，以验证其生物相容性和稳定性。前庭系统中的故障在老年人中尤其明显，其中与平衡不稳定相关的福尔斯跌倒与高死亡率和发病率相关，显著地促成了当今飞涨的医疗保健成本。过去对前庭假体的努力依赖于外部陀螺仪。尽管这种方法可能通过MEMS技术进行扩展，但功耗仍然是一个挑战。在考虑三轴完全植入式系统时，革命性的低功耗传感机制至关重要。这项研究将是第一个评估基于MEMS的被动生物力学模拟物对自然人体传感器的功效的研究，并将为低功耗惯性传感提供一种彻底的方法。更广泛的影响：拟议的生物系统可以大大改善患有双侧前庭功能障碍的人的生活质量。此外，所提出的感测机制可以用作用于可穿戴平衡假体的外部前庭系统，该平衡假体利用感觉替代策略，诸如振动触觉显示和电触觉舌头激活。为了扩大代表性不足的群体的参与，PI追求将研究与推广，指导和教学相结合的战略，以达到整个K-毕业生连续体的学生。例如，在K-12级别，PI在佐治亚州亚特兰大的Fernbank科学中心博物馆提供科学之夜，并计划通过与当地初中或高中科学教师合作开发讲座和科学模块来接触大量代表性不足的人口。在大学一级，PI导师高层次的女学生参加在她的实验室指导研究，并通过NSF支持的REU计划在全国范围内招募本科研究生。

BRIGE ECCS-0927103: Development of an Implantable Biomimetic Angular Rotation Sensor for Overcoming Vestibular Dysfunction"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."This project seeks to develop a small, low power sensor based on the human vestibular sensor for a vestibular prosthesis. The vestibular system establishes a sense of body position, maintains balance, and helps to stabilize vision during movement. Dysfunction in the vestibular system can often lead to debilitating symptoms of postural instability, visual blurring, disorientation and falling. Some patients may benefit through conservative treatment and rehabilitation. But for those who do not, especially those suffering from vestibular dysfunction in both inner ears (bilateral), there is currently no effective alternative. The long-term goal of the work is to provide such individuals with an option-an implantable biosystem that emulates vestibular function-a vestibular prosthesis. By sensing angular head rotation and directly stimulating vestibular nerve fibers located in the inner ear, the prosthesis conveys otherwise absent head rotation cues to the central nervous system. To accomplish this goal, this effort proposes to overcome two of the most significant technical challenges faced when developing a fully implantable system-the large size and excessive power consumption of the angular rotation sensors. Thus, the objectives of this project are (1) based on a biomechanical model of the human semicircular canal, fabricate a micromachined polymeric diaphragm angular rotational sensor, (2) benchmark the sensor with existing sensor technology (gyroscopes), and (3) determine the surgical approach, site of implantation, and histologically assess the tissue response of the sensor to validate its biocompatibility and stability.Intellectual Merits: Failures in the vestibular system are especially pronounced in the elderly where falls related to balance instability are associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity, contributing significantly to today's skyrocketing healthcare costs. Past efforts toward a vestibular prosthesis have relied upon external gyroscopes. Although such an approach is potentially scalable with MEMS technology, power consumption remains a challenge. When considering a three-axis fully implantable system, a revolutionary low-power sensing mechanism is paramount. This research will be the first to assess the efficacy of a passive MEMS-based biomechanical analogue to the natural human sensor and will present a radical approach to low-power inertial sensingBroader Impacts: The proposed biosystem could greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with bilateral vestibular dysfunction. In addition, the proposed sensing mechanism may serve as an external vestibular system for wearable balance prostheses that utilize sensory substitution strategies, such as vibrotactile displays and electrotactile tongue activation. To broaden the participation of underrepresented groups, the PI pursues a strategy for integrating research with outreach, mentoring and teaching to reach students across the K-graduate continuum. For example, at the K-12 level the PI delivers science nights at the Fernbank Science Center Museum in Atlanta, GA, and plans for reaching a large underrepresented population by working with a local middle or high school science teacher to develop lectures and science modules. At the college level, the PI mentors upper-level female students participating in guided research in her lab, and is recruiting undergraduate research students nationally through an NSF-supported REU program.