Biological systems require unique control of materials and interfaces to enable benefits to human health. We leverage our expertise in fabrication of complex microsystems to enable new applications in biology and medicine.
Microreactor systems for accelerated lifetime testing of neural Implants
Degradation of implants in the body critically limit adoption of implants in medicine. An understanding of degradation mechanisms is therefore critically required. We are developing microreactors to provide detailed insights into these phenomena. Immune cells are cultured in a microfluidic bioreactor and stimulated to produce reactive oxygen. Biomedical implants are placed in the bioreactor and subjected to the reactive oxygen attack. The degradation of the implants is evaluated as a function of time and reactive oxygen with the goal of more accurately predicting implant durability in vivo compared to current in-vitro methods.
Affiliated member
Jacob Sporrer
Towards a Microrobot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Strategy for Aneurysm Therapy
Aneurysms are protuberances in blood vessels that can rupture with time and result in severe morbidity. The chief shortcomings of the conventional treatment modalities – surgical clipping and endovascular therapy, are their invasiveness and high rates of recurrence along with minimal instances of post-procedural shrinkage. This project aims to address these issues through a magnetically actuated, drug-delivery microrobot for minimally invasive aneurysmal repair.