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

bridge ECCS-0927103：用于克服前庭功能障碍的可植入仿生角度旋转传感器的开发“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。”本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。前庭系统建立身体位置感，保持平衡，并在运动时帮助稳定视力。前庭系统功能障碍通常会导致体位不稳、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治疗获益。但对于那些没有的人，特别是那些患有双侧内耳前庭功能障碍的人，目前没有有效的替代方法。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——前庭假体。通过感知头部旋转角度并直接刺激位于内耳的前庭神经纤维，假体将原本缺失的头部旋转信号传递给中枢神经系统。为了实现这一目标，这项工作建议克服开发完全可植入系统时面临的两个最重要的技术挑战-角旋转传感器的大尺寸和过度功耗。因此，本项目的目标是：(1)基于人体半圆管的生物力学模型，制造一个微机械聚合物膜角旋转传感器，(2)用现有的传感器技术（陀螺仪）对传感器进行基准测试，(3)确定手术入路、植入位置，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。智力优势：前庭系统的衰竭在老年人中尤其明显，由于平衡不稳定而导致的跌倒与高死亡率和发病率相关，这是当今飙升的医疗费用的重要原因。过去对前庭假体的研究依赖于外部陀螺仪。尽管这种方法有可能与MEMS技术一起扩展，但功耗仍然是一个挑战。当考虑一个三轴全植入式系统时，一个革命性的低功耗传感机制是至关重要的。这项研究将首次评估被动mems生物力学模拟人体传感器的功效，并将为低功耗惯性传感提供一种激进的方法。更广泛的影响：所提出的生物系统可以极大地改善双侧前庭功能障碍患者的生活质量。此外，所提出的传感机制可以作为利用感觉替代策略（如振动触觉显示和电触觉舌头激活）的可穿戴平衡假肢的外部前庭系统。为了扩大代表性不足群体的参与，PI采取了一项将研究与外展、指导和教学相结合的战略，以接触k -研究生连续体的学生。例如，在K-12阶段，PI在佐治亚州亚特兰大的费尔班克科学中心博物馆提供科学之夜，并计划与当地的初中或高中科学教师合作，开发讲座和科学模块，以覆盖大量代表性不足的人口。在大学层面，PI指导参加她实验室指导研究的高级女学生，并通过nsf支持的REU计划在全国范围内招募本科生。

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.