Modular Device for Wireless Optically Controlled Neuromodulation In

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Modular Device for Wireless Optically Controlled Neuromodulation In Modular Device for Wireless Optically Controlled Neuromodulation in Free Behaving Models by Joanna Sands B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2019) Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY September 2020 ○c Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2020. All rights reserved. Author................................................................ Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science August 14,2020 Certified by. Anantha Chandrakasan Professor Thesis Supervisor Accepted by . Katrina LaCurts Chair, Master of Engineering Thesis Committee 2 Modular Device for Wireless Optically Controlled Neuromodulation in Free Behaving Models by Joanna Sands Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science on August 14,2020, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Abstract This work presents a modular, light-weight head- borne neuromodulation platform that achieves low-power wireless neuromodulation and allows real-time programma- bility of the stimulation parameters such as the frequency, duty cycle, and intensity. This platform is comprised of two parts: the main device and the optional inten- sity module. The main device is functional independently, however, the intensity control module can be introduced on demand. The stimulation is achieved through the use of energy-efficient 휇LEDs directly integrated in the custom-drawn fiber-based probes. Our platform can control up to 4 devices simultaneously and each device can control multiple LEDs in a given subject. Using the multiple LED channels, the platform can also be used to recording in-vivo temperatures to prevent damage to the couple neuron. Our hardware uses off-the-shelf components and has a plug and play structure, which allows for fast turn-over time and eliminates the need for com- plex surgeries. The rechargeable, battery-powered wireless platform uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and is capable of providing stable power and communication re- gardless of orientation. This presents a potential advantage over the battery-free, fully implantable systems that rely on wireless power transfer, which is typically direction-dependent, requires sophisticated implantation surgeries, and demands com- plex custom-built experimental apparatuses. Although the battery life is limited to several hours, this is sufficient to complete the majority of behavioral neuroscience experiments. Our platform consumes an average power of 0.5 mW, has a battery life of 12 hours. Thesis Supervisor: Anantha Chandrakasan Title: Professor 3 4 Acknowledgments As this chapter of my life comes to an end, I am so thankful for everyone I met who helped me through these 5 years of MIT. I give all of my thanks to my advisor, Anantha Chandrakasan, for all of his ideas, guidance, and feedback for this project and all other pursuits I’ve attempted during my 18 months in the lab. I’m also so thankful to Sirma Orguc. She was a great research mentor and partner who put countless hours into working with me and others to see these projects through. I’m so happy that we were able to meet and work together, without her I have no idea what I’d have done this year. I also want to thank Anantha Group as a whole for all of their help with circuits, equipment, and staying sane during the late nights in lab, especially Preet, Mohamed, and Vipasha. I really appreciate the coffee breaks we’ve had both pre-COVID and post-COVID and hope we can continue them long into the future! I’m thankful for Polina Anikeeva and Atharva Sahasrabudhe who helped ground this project with in-vivo tests and experimental goals. I want to thank the staff and students of 6.002 (both Fall and Spring) for makingmy teaching experience feel so meaningful and fun. I also want to thank my housemates who put up with my late-night tests on the equipment I brought home during the ramp down as well as my other friends would happily listen to all of my design issues despite not knowing anything about either circuits or biology. Finally, I want to thank my family for all of the support I’ve received. I’m so grateful for my parents’ willingness to listen and give support despite being hundreds of miles away and for my sister’s constant presence through our time together at MIT. 5 6 Contents 1 Introduction 13 1.1 Contributions . 14 1.2 Outline . 14 2 Literature Review 17 2.1 Methods of Optical Stimulation . 17 2.1.1 Laser-Sourced Stimulation . 18 2.1.2 LED-Sourced Stimulation . 18 2.2 Methods of Powering Non-tethered Implantable Devices . 19 2.3 Wireless Communication with Implanted Devices . 19 2.4 In-Vivo Temperature Sensing . 20 3 System Overview 23 3.1 The Physical System . 23 3.2 The Software System . 24 4 Hardware Implementation 27 4.1 Experimental Considerations . 27 4.2 Base Module Implementation . 29 4.3 Optional Intensity Control . 30 4.4 In-Vivo Temperature Sensing . 31 4.4.1 Gain Constraints . 33 4.4.2 Gain Calculations . 34 7 5 Software Implementation 35 5.1 Stimulation Control . 35 5.2 Communication Protocol . 36 5.2.1 Data Rate, Power and Latency Considerations . 37 5.3 User Interface Design . 37 6 Results and Evaluation 39 6.1 Waveforms and Stimulation . 39 6.2 Temperature Sensing . 41 6.3 Power Consumption and Battery Performance . 43 7 Conclusion and Future Work 49 7.1 Future Work . 50 A Tables 51 B Figures 53 8 List of Figures 2-1 Example Temperature Sensing System . 21 3-1 System Components . 24 3-2 System Block Diagram . 25 4-1 Module Hardware . 28 4-2 Temperature Circuit Block Diagram . 31 4-3 Probe Current based on Temperature . 32 5-1 Example User Interface . 38 6-1 Example Stimulation Waveforms . 40 6-2 Intensity Control Diagram . 40 6-3 Stimulation Results . 41 6-4 Real Time Temperature Recordings . 42 6-5 Temperature Recordings . 42 6-6 Input Current . 44 6-7 Battery Behavior . 44 6-8 Input Current . 46 B-1 Additional Input Current Waveforms . 53 9 10 List of Tables A.1 Explanation for each parameter in the stimulation control message . 51 A.2 Average Current for Available Cofigurations . 52 11 12 Chapter 1 Introduction In modern research, studies of the brain and the nervous system often rely on the controlled perturbation of neural behavior in order to better understand the function of individual components [21]. Optogenetics is a technique in which light-sensitive proteins, produced in genetically modified neurons, are exposed to light in order to either promote or inhibit certain neural responses [21]. For the previously mentioned studies, this technique has advantages over classical neuromodulation techniques, such as electrical stimulation, due to the cell type specificity, low electrical disturbance and high temporal resolution [11]. For some types of stimulation, like laser-based systems, the model must be teth- ered to an external system, which can affect the behavior of the model and limit the freedom of movement [11]. The use of energy-efficient 휇LEDs can allow for use of optogenetics alongside wireless devices for tether free behavioral monitoring. The system presented in this work is a head-borne device for optical neuromod- ulation in free behaving mice models. It is made with the goal of being modified to account for variation in the stimulation scenario and to support the additional func- tionalities without requiring changes to the entire system. With this focus in mind, the resulting device requires only one external component, has a simple fabrication scheme, weighs less than 2 grams, and is 14mm in diameter. It can also support intensity control, multiple LED control, and real-time in-vivo temperature recording. 13 1.1 Contributions For this work, a platform for performing wireless optically stimulated neuromodu- lation was developed and tested in full collaboration with Sirma Orguc as well as Atharva Sahasrabudhe, a member of the Bioelectronics Group at MIT. Probe de- sign, creation and implantation as well as all in-vivo measurements were handled by Atharva. All hardware work was done in close collaboration with Sirma. This platform required the creation of four distinct components. The soft, flexible probes containing 휇LEDs were desgined by Atharba Sahasrabudhe. Three stack- able custom PCBs were designed in partnership with Sirma Orguc, one prototype for basic operation, one prototype for temperature sensing operation and an addi- tional intensity module. Additionally, firmware code was developed to run onthe PCB’s embedded microcontroller to handle the creation of stimulation waveforms and communication with other devices. Another file of code was written for the re- ceiving device to act as a BLE-UART adapter. Finally, a MATLAB user interface was designed to allow users to easily send and receive data. This thesis contributes: ∙ A BLE-enabled battery-powered device capable of connecting to pre-implanted probes containing 휇LEDs for both stimulation and temperature recording. ∙ An optional module for the aforementioned device for intensity control ∙ A MATLAB User Interface for sending and receiving data over UART 1.2 Outline Chapter 1 outlines the motivation and contributions made in this work. Chapter 2 contains a review of relevant literature and an exploration of various tech- niques used in creating devices for neuromodulation. Chapter 3 is an overview of the goals of the system and a discussion of the interaction of the different components. 14 Chapter 4 details the implementation of the hardware components of the system, starting with the needs of the initial prototype and moving into the additional func- tionalities. Chapter 5 describes the implementation of the software components including the microcontroller firmware and the user interface.
Recommended publications
  • Chemical Engineering Education Graduate Education in Chemical Engineering
    I • N • D • E • X GRADUATE EDUCATION ADVERTISEMENTS Akron, Uni versity of. .......... , .... ... .................. 321 Iowa State Uni versity .................. ... ....... ....... 360 Pensylvania State Uni versity ........................ 395 Alabama, University of ................................ 322 Johns Hopkins University .... .... .. .... .... .......... 361 Pittsburgh, University of .............................. 396 Alabama, Huntsville; Uni versity of.. .... .. ..... 323 Kansas, University of ............................... .... 362 Polytechnic University .. .... ... .... ........... .. ..... .. 397 Alberta, Uni versity of .. ........ .... .. .... ... ..... ..... .. 324 Kansas State University ............... ... ...... ........ 363 Princeton University ....................... .......... .. .. 398 Arizona, University of ....... .. .... .. .... ... .. ... ....... 325 Kentucky, Uni versity of ........................ .. ..... 364 Purdue University .. ........... ... ... ....... ... .... .... ... 399 Arizona State University ..... .. ... ...... ..... ......... 326 Lamar University .. ... ..... ..... ......... ........... .. ..... 430 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute .... ...... .... ... .. 400 Auburn Uni versity .. ..... .. ... ..... .. .............. .... ... 327 Laval Universite ...................... ........... ...... .. .. 365 Rhode Island, University of.. .... ..... .. ... ..... .. ... 435 Bri gham Young Uni versity .............. ... .. ..... ... 427 Lehigh University .................................. .... ... 366 Rice University
    [Show full text]
  • Underwater Transformer
    ALL ABOARD THE THE LAST A FORGOTTEN MICROGRIDS HYDROGEN TRAIN TRANSISTOR? REVOLUTION GO MOBILE Fuel cells go the Nanosheet devices and Why switching power A new and cleaner extra mile the end of Moore’s Law supplies triumphed way to power a ferry P. 06 P. 30 P. 36 P. 42 THIS UNTETHERED HALF HUMANOID WILL WORK ON OFFSHORE OIL RIGS AND GO DEEPER THAN FOR THE FOR THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDERTECHNOLOGY | 08.19 HUMAN DIVERS INSIDER P. 22 08.19 THE UNDERWATER TRANSFORMER Subscriber Address Box Zurich Instruments ∏ Arbitrary Waveform Generators ∏ Impedance Analyzers ∏ Lock-in Amplifiers ∏ Quantum Computing Control Systems experience LabOne LabOne® provides users with a platform independent instrument control including proven measurement methodo- logies. It's designed to offer a great amount of flexibility for instrument usage and assures quick and efficient ope- ration. The browser based user interface provides an outstanding toolset for time and frequency domain analysis as well as sophisticated support to set up control loops, making noise measure- ments or to interpret measurement data. Let's discuss your application Intl. +41 44 515 0410 USA 855-500-0056 (Toll Free) [email protected] www.zhinst.com CONTENTS_08.19 THE UNDER- WATER 30 THE LAST 36 THE QUIET 42 HAPPINESS IS 06 NEWS SILICON REMAKING OF A HYBRID-ELECTRIC 14 RESOURCES TRANSFORMER TRANSISTOR COMPUTER POWER FERRY 04 OPINION The next step in SUPPLIES The retrofitted 52 PAST FORWARD A startup founded by ex-NASA the evolution of the Here’s how the ship offers a clean, engineers wants to upend subsea transistor is the compact and efficient quiet ride for 4,500 nanosheet device.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of a First-Generation Miniature Multiple Reference Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Device
    Development of a first-generation miniature multiple reference optical coherence tomography imaging device Paul M. McNamara Roshan Dsouza Colm O’Riordan Seán Collins Peter O’Brien Carol Wilson Josh Hogan Martin J. Leahy Paul M. McNamara, Roshan Dsouza, Colm O’Riordan, Seán Collins, Peter O’Brien, Carol Wilson, Josh Hogan, Martin J. Leahy, “Development of a first-generation miniature multiple reference optical coherence tomography imaging device,” J. Biomed. Opt. 21(12), 126020 (2016), doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.21.12.126020. Downloaded From: http://biomedicaloptics.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 01/02/2017 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/termsofuse.aspx Journal of Biomedical Optics 21(12), 126020 (December 2016) Development of a first-generation miniature multiple reference optical coherence tomography imaging device Paul M. McNamara,a,b,* Roshan Dsouza,a,b Colm O’Riordan,c Seán Collins,c Peter O’Brien,c Carol Wilson,b Josh Hogan,b and Martin J. Leahya aNational University of Ireland, School of Physics, Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group, National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland bCompact Imaging Inc., 897 Independence Avenue, Suite 5B, Mountain View, California 94043, United States cIrish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC), Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings Complex, Dyke Parade, Cork T12 R5CP, Ireland Abstract. Multiple reference optical coherence tomography (MR-OCT) is a technology ideally suited to low-cost, compact OCT imaging. This modality is an extension of time-domain OCT with the addition of a partial mirror in front of the reference mirror. This enables extended, simultaneous depth scanning with the relatively short scan range of a miniature voice coil motor on which the scanning mirror is mounted.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy On
    Ann Appl Sport Sci 9(2): e912, 2021. http://www.aassjournal.com; e-ISSN: 2322–4479. 10.29252/aassjournal.912 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Muscle Strength and Endurance and Post-Exercise Recovery of Young Adult: A Double- Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial 1Amir Hosein Abedi Yekta, 2Faraj Tabeii, 1Shahin Salehi, 3Mohammad-Reza Sohrabi, 1Mehrshad Poursaeidesfahani, 4Mohammad Hassabi*, 1Nina Hazegh*, 1Behnaz Mahdaviani 1Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.3Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.4Taleghani Hospital, Research Development committee, Department of Sports Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Submitted 29 July 2020; Accepted in final form 30 October 2020. ABSTRACT Background. Recovery or post-exercise rehabilitation is an essential part of exercise training. Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a modality increasing interest for recovery because of having a conservative and non-aggressive method. LLLT also decreases the production of fatigue-related biomechanical markers, such as lactate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Creatine kinase (CK). Objectives. To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on muscle strength and endurance and post-exercise recovery of young adults between 20-35 years old. Methods. Fifty subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial study. Three days after the familiarization session, the subjects were divided into two groups via block randomization: the first group received pre-exercise laser at 810 nm, 60mW, and 60Hz frequency for 30 seconds on three point’s rectus femoris muscle.
    [Show full text]
  • Optical Computing: a 60-Year Adventure Pierre Ambs
    Optical Computing: A 60-Year Adventure Pierre Ambs To cite this version: Pierre Ambs. Optical Computing: A 60-Year Adventure. Advances in Optical Technologies, 2010, 2010, pp.1-15. 10.1155/2010/372652. hal-00828108 HAL Id: hal-00828108 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00828108 Submitted on 30 May 2013 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Advances in Optical Technologies Volume 2010, Article ID 372652, 15 pages doi:10.1155/2010/372652 Research Article Optical Computing: A 60-Year Adventure Pierre Ambs Laboratoire Mod´elisation Intelligence Processus Syst`emes, Ecole Nationale Sup´erieure d’Ing´enieurs Sud Alsace, Universit´e de Haute Alsace, 12 rue des Fr`eres Lumi`ere, 68093 Mulhouse Cedex, France Correspondence should be addressed to Pierre Ambs, [email protected] Received 15 December 2009; Accepted 19 February 2010 Academic Editor: Peter V. Polyanskii Copyright © 2010 Pierre Ambs. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Optical computing is a very interesting 60-year old field of research.
    [Show full text]
  • Photonic Computing: Mimicking the Brain
    research highlights LASER SCANNERS is transformed according to this function, of the modes. These combinations support No moving parts and in turn undergoes a complex feedback subwavelength features of the electromagnetic Sci. Rep. 2, 445 (2012) mechanism involving randomly weighted field that can be accessed (that is, radiation delay lines. They evaluated the performance of coupled in and out) from the far-field. the device’s computation through a standard Calculations suggest that it should be possible spoken digit-recognition test consisting of ten to focus optical waves onto a 30-nm-wide different female speakers reading aloud digits focus at the centre of a 700 nm pulse by from 0 to 9. The computational efficiency employing a time-reversal approach while of the scheme was comparable to the best performing polychromatic interferometric results achieved so far in other systems. far-field subwavelength imaging. DP The processing time for the recognition of one spoken digit was around 20 ms, but BIOPHOTONICS the researchers say this could be reduced to Low-power nanosurgery 100 ns by modifying the system to include J. Biomed. Opt. 17, 101502 (2012) telecommunications-grade devices. SA LIGHT SOURCES 2012 NPG © Sun-powered lasers Opt. Lett. 37, 2670–2672 (2012) Laser scanners are highly useful devices for Thanh Hung Dinh and colleagues in Japan sensing and imaging a wide variety of objects, have constructed a solar-powered laser that but their mechanical and active electronic provides 120 W of continuous-wave output at components limit scanning rates to around a wavelength of 1,064 nm. In the future, lasers 100 kHz.
    [Show full text]
  • Optical Power Transfer and Communication Methods for Wireless Implantable Sensing Platforms
    Optical power transfer and communication methods for wireless implantable sensing platforms Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman Dvin Adalian Chieh-Feng Chang Axel Scherer Downloaded From: http://biomedicaloptics.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 12/17/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx Journal of Biomedical Optics 20(9), 095012 (September 2015) Optical power transfer and communication methods for wireless implantable sensing platforms Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman,* Dvin Adalian, Chieh-Feng Chang, and Axel Scherer California Institute of Technology, Electrical Engineering, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, United States Abstract. Ultrasmall scale implants have recently attracted focus as valuable tools for monitoring both acute and chronic diseases. Semiconductor optical technologies are the key to miniaturizing these devices to the long- sought sub-mm scale, which will enable long-term use of these devices for medical applications. This can also enable the use of multiple implantable devices concurrently to form a true body area network of sensors. We demonstrate optical power transfer techniques and methods to effectively harness this power for implantable devices. Furthermore, we also present methods for optical data transfer from such implants. Simultaneous use of these technologies can result in miniaturized sensing platforms that can allow for large-scale use of such sys- tems in real world applications. © 2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) [DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.9.095012] Keywords: implant; sensors; wireless; optical; photovoltaics. Paper 150236PRR received Apr. 8, 2015; accepted for publication Aug. 25, 2015; published online Sep. 25, 2015. 1 Introduction Using integrated systems to achieve wireless power transfer The application of microelectronic technologies to medicine has and communication functions is a key step to decrease the foot- print for the wireless implants.
    [Show full text]
  • Bio Photonics - May/June 2020 - Light Brings a Delicate Touch to Treatment 8/7/20, 12:33 PM
    Bio Photonics - May/June 2020 - Light Brings a Delicate Touch to Treatment 8/7/20, 12:33 PM LIGHT THERAPY Light Brings a Delicate Touch to Treatment https://www.biophotonics-digital.com/biophotonics/may_june_2020…GRSvBPUslhBElahMntnuXHXbAkB9SNWPd--2A85HLFzz-g#articleId1587970 Page 1 of 12 Bio Photonics - May/June 2020 - Light Brings a Delicate Touch to Treatment 8/7/20, 12:33 PM From alleviating pain, in!ammation, and depression to encouraging a youthful complexion, LEDs and lasers o"er a drug-free, precisely targeted therapy with minimal reported side e"ects. BY MARIE FREEBODY, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR i lmost as soon as the first working laser was built in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, reports from users of lasers multiplied regarding the curious effects A that light can elicit on living tissue. In 1962, dermatologic surgeon Leon Goldman reported the successful laser removal of unwanted skin markings, specifically tattoos. Fast forward to today, and similar techniques are used to erase birthmarks and pigmentation as well. In 1967, professor Endre Mester at Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary https://www.biophotonics-digital.com/biophotonics/may_june_2020…GRSvBPUslhBElahMntnuXHXbAkB9SNWPd--2A85HLFzz-g#articleId1587970 Page 2 of 12 Bio Photonics - May/June 2020 - Light Brings a Delicate Touch to Treatment 8/7/20, 12:33 PM In 1967, professor Endre Mester at Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary wondered whether laser beams might cause skin cancer because early radiologists were developing the disease on their hands when exposed to x-rays. Mester performed an experiment on two groups of shaved mice, aiming a low- powered ruby laser at one group and not the other, to see whether the treatment group would develop cancer.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2015-2016 November 2016 Department Operations Contents Departmentaldepartmental General General University Budget Budget Department Operations
    Department of Mechanical Engineering Annual Report 2015-2016 November 2016 Department Operations Contents DepartmentalDepartmental General General University Budget Budget Department Operations .......................... 2 $12,000,000$12,000,000 Statistics ..................................................... 4 $10,000,000$10,000,000 Undergraduate Program Highlights ..... 6 $8,000,000$8,000,000 Senior Design Projects ........................... 6 Graduate Program Highlights ..............10 $6,000,000$6,000,000 Doctoral Dissertations ..........................10 $4,000,000$4,000,000 Department Organization .....................12 $2,000,000$2,000,000 Research Portfolio .................................29 $0$0 Journal Publications ..............................30 20082008 20092009 20102010 20112011 20122012 20132013 20142014 20152015 20162016 20172017 Fiscal YearFiscal Year Sections or Chapters in Books, Monographs, or Similar Volumes ..........................37 Patents Awarded ....................................38 Conference Proceedings .....................38 Personnel (Full-Time Equivalent) Tenure and Tenure-Track Faculty 41.50 Non-Tenure Eligible Lecturers 13.33 P&S and Merit Staff 26.80 Research Sponsors (partial list) American Chemical Society Petro- Department of Justice leum Research Fund Iowa Energy Center American Society of Heating Re- Molecular Express Inc. - DBA Apta- frigerating and Air Conditioning logic Inc. Engineering Inc. NASA Carbon Solutions Inc. National Science Foundation Columbia University Sabic Petrochemicals
    [Show full text]
  • Miniaturize Your Optical System Into a Photonic Integrated Circuit Learn How Can You Benefit from This Technology
    January, 2018 White paper v2.1 Miniaturize your optical system into a photonic integrated circuit Learn how can you benefit from this technology Summary Photonic technologies use the light to enable multiple applications nowadays, from optical telecommunications to biomedical diagnostic devices or precise fibre sensors for all kinds of structures. Still, optical components tend to be bulky and expensive, and require precise stabilization and assembly, especially when interfacing with electronics. Embedding some photonic functionalities into an integrated optical chip can simplify a system and dramatically decrease its costs. However, the cutting edge optical manufacturing technologies enabling such chip integration were traditionally affordable only by very few. Nowadays, ge- neric photonic integration emerges as a new paradigm that provides cost-ef- fective and high-performance miniaturization for a wide range of applications and markets. In this white paper we highlight the advantages of using photonic integrated circuits, and we give a brief overview of the new generic and fabless manu- facturing models and how you can benefit from them. www.vlcphotonics.com VLC Photonics whitepaper Miniaturize your optical system into a photonic integrated circuit Foreground This paper is mainly addressed to: • Technology Officers • R&D Managers Fast • Product Development Engineers You will be introduced to the concept of photonic integration, and Read understand how it can improve your optical systems through: • size and weight reduction, • improved stability and robustness, Lane • increased functionality and performance, and • reduced assembly, packaging, test and operation costs “This white paper pre- sents the benefits of merging several opti- cal devices into a sin- gle chip, and the main manufacturing tech- nologies and methods used for that” Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Biophotonics at 20 Meeting the Needs of a Growing and Vital Market
    PhotonPS.Ics MedIa Market.Ing newsletter March 2014 • Volume 2 • Issue 2 BioPhotonics at 20 Meeting the needs of a growing and vital market One of the main drivers of the current growth BioPhotonics International – from the pages promising biophotonic technologies more and interest in biophotonics is the world’s of Photonics Spectra in the fall of 1994, quickly into clinical use. Our readers count aging population, which brings with it a when the promise of biophotonic technology on BioPhotonics magazine for an unmatched growing number of patients suffering from applications in the life sciences began level of dedicated coverage, including the a broad range of critical illnesses. Biophoton- to grow and it became clear that those using latest research news right along with the top ics applications enable faster detection and the technology on a daily basis needed a industry news – and both strong technology optimum treatment of many such illnesses, publication that delivered 100 percent rele- and application articles in every issue. as is underscored in a recent report, “Global vant content in every issue. And, of course, BioPhotonics is available Biophotonics Market to 2016,” from Dublin- The publisher at the time, Wendy A. in print, digital and mobile versions, reflect- based Research and Markets. Laurin, wrote, “As you look through this first ing both expanding reader options as well as Light microscopy and other associated issue, we hope you will share our sense of the exciting and rapid uptake of biophotonic technologies are used to detect biological awe at the increasing number of ways that technologies across the life sciences.
    [Show full text]
  • Silicon Photonic Biosensors
    Silicon photonic biosensors Invited paper C. Ciminelli, D. Conteduca, F. Dell’Olio, M.N. Armenise Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Edoardo Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari - Italy Tel: +390805963404, e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Silicon-based optical biosensors used for biomedical applications are described. In particular, integrated optical devices and their advantages, in terms of high performance and compactness, and also high reliability and long life term, have been reported. Since the last years, these features have been allowing to realize high-efficiency biosensing platforms with on-chip integration of several biosensors for a multi-analyte detection. Many lab-on- chip systems integrated in portable medical instruments have been proposed in literature and already commercialized in the worldwide market, so reaching extraordinary improvements in the early detection and monitoring of several diseases. Therefore, fast and accurate self-tests achievable with silicon photonic biosensors are remarkably opening new possibilities and applications in the healthcare industry. Keywords: Biosensors, Silicon Photonics, Biophotonics 1. INTRODUCTION In the last decades a strong effort has been observed in the healthcare industry to improve the quality of services for patients, in order to reduce the number of deaths and improve the outcomes in a shorter time. This corresponds to a better patients’ life quality and also remarkably reduced costs for Health System. In particular, many advantages have been achieved by adopting electronic patient records and by developing a better organization and management of first aid centres and hospitals to reduce the average hospitalization period for each patient with a continuous monitoring at home after the hospital discharge without requiring expert users.
    [Show full text]