עבודה זו נתמכה בחלקה על ידי המכונים הלאומיים לבריאות תחת גרנט RHD064968A, בחלקו על ידי הקרן הלאומית למדע תחת גרנט 0,931,820, גרנט 1,149,385, וגרנט 1,361,549, ובחלקו על ידי המכון הלאומי על נכות ושיקום מחקר תחת גרנט H133G120165. המחברים מודים לין דו, דינג וואנג וג&#39;רלד Hefferman באוניברסיטת רוד איילנד, ומייקל ג&#39;יי מנזר בOrthotic המנזר ותותב טכנולוגיה, LLC, להצעת סיוע במחקר זה הגדול שלהם.

<ol>
	<li>Martinez-Villalpando, E. C., Herr, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Agonist-antagonist+active+knee+prosthesis:+a+preliminary+study+in+level-ground+walking.">Agonist-antagonist active knee prosthesis: a preliminary study in level-ground walking.</a> J Rehabil Res Dev. 46, 361-373 (2009).</li><li>Sup, F., Bohara, A., Goldfarb, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+Control+of+a+Powered+Transfemoral+Prosthesis.">Design and Control of a Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis.</a> Int J Rob Res. 27, 263-273 (2008).</li><li>Au, S., Berniker, M., Herr, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Powered+ankle-foot+prosthesis+to+assist+level-ground+and+stair-descent+gaits.">Powered ankle-foot prosthesis to assist level-ground and stair-descent gaits.</a> Neural Netw. 21, 654-666 (2008).</li><li>Hargrove, L. J., Simon, A. M., Lipschutz, R. D., Finucane, S. B., Kuiken, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+myoelectric+control+of+knee+and+ankle+motions+for+transfemoral+amputees.">Real-time myoelectric control of knee and ankle motions for transfemoral amputees.</a> JAMA. 305, 1542-1544 (2011).</li><li>Ha, K. H., Varol, H. A., Goldfarb, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Volitional+control+of+a+prosthetic+knee+using+surface+electromyography.">Volitional control of a prosthetic knee using surface electromyography.</a> IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 58, 144-151 (2011).</li><li>Huang, H., Kuiken, T. A., Lipschutz, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+strategy+for+identifying+locomotion+modes+using+surface+electromyography.">A strategy for identifying locomotion modes using surface electromyography.</a> IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 56, 65-73 (2009).</li><li>Huang, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Continuous+Locomotion+Mode+Identification+for+Prosthetic+Legs+based+on+Neuromuscular-Mechanical+Fusion.">Continuous Locomotion Mode Identification for Prosthetic Legs based on Neuromuscular-Mechanical Fusion.</a> IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 58, 2867-2875 (2011).</li><li>Zhang, F., Dou, Z., Nunnery, M., Huang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+implementation+of+an+intent+recognition+system+for+artificial+legs.">Real-time implementation of an intent recognition system for artificial legs.</a> Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2011, 2997-3000 (2011).</li><li>Zhang, F., Huang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Source+Selection+for+Real-time+User+Intent+Recognition+towards+Volitional.">Source Selection for Real-time User Intent Recognition towards Volitional.</a> Control of Artificial Legs IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics. PP, (2013).</li><li>Liu, M., Datseris, P., Huang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+prototype+for+smart+prosthetic+legs:+analysis+and+mechanical+design.">A prototype for smart prosthetic legs: analysis and mechanical design.</a> Proceedings of the International Conference on Control, Robotics and Cybernetics. , 139-143 (2011).</li></ol>

אין ניגודי האינטרסים הכריזו.

פלטפורמת הנדסה פותחה במחקר זה ליישם בקלות, לייעל ולפתח שליטה עצבית אמיתית של תותבות המופעלים. הפלטפורמה כולה הייתה מתוכנת בסביבת פיתוח מבוססת מכשור וירטואלי ומיושמת על מחשב השולחני. תוכנת השליטה הייתה מורכבת ממספר מודולים עצמאיים והחלפה, בכל אחד מהם פונקציונלי ספצ?...

תותבות גפיים התחתונות מופעל צברו תשומת לב גוברת בשני שוק מסחרי 1,2 וקהילת מחקר 3-5. בהשוואה לרגליים תותבות פסיביות מסורתיות, יש לי מפרקים תותבים ממונעים היתרון של שמאפשר קטועי גפיים גפיים התחתונים כדי לבצע ביעילות רבה יותר פעילויות שקשים או בלתי אפשריים כאשר לובשים התקנים פסיביים. עם זאת, כיום, מעבר חלק וללא תפרים פעילות (לדוגמא, מקרקע ברמת הליכה לעליית מדרגות) הוא עדיין נושא מאתגר עבור משתמשי רגל תותבים מופעל. קושי זה נובע בעיקר מהמחסור בממשק המשתמש של מכונה שיכולה &quot;לקרוא&quot; כוונות התנועה של המשתמש ומייד להתאים את הפרמטרים שליטת תותבת על מנת לאפשר למשתמשים לעבור למצב הפעילות בצורה חלקה. כדי לטפל באתגרים אלה, גישות שונות בעיצוב ממשק המשתמש של מכונה נחקרו. בי NMI מבוסס על electromyographic (Eאותות MG) הוכיחו פוטנציאל גדול כדי לאפשר שליטה אינטואיטיבית של תותבות גפיים התחתונות מופעל. שני מחקרים שנעשה לאחרונה 6,7 דיווחו פענוח התנועה המיועדת של הברך של קטועי גפיים החסרים transfemoral על ידי ניטור אותות EMG שנרשמו משרירים שיורית בתנוחת ישיבה. Au et al. 5 משמשים אותות EMG נמדדו משרירי שוק השיורי לזהות שני מצבי תנועה (הליכה בגובה פני הקרקע וירידה במדרגות) של קטוע רגל אחת transtibial. הואנג ואח&#39;. 8 הציע גישת שלב תלוי EMG דפוס הכרה שיכולה לזהות שבעה מצבי פעילות עם דיוק כ 90% כפי שהוכח בשני קטועי גפיים transfemoral. כדי לשפר את ביצועי כוונה ההכרה טוב יותר, NMI מבוסס על היתוך התוקפת מכנית תוכנן בקבוצה שלנו 9 ומקוון מוערך על קטועי גפיים transfemoral לובשים רגליים תותבות פסיביות להכרה הכוונה 10,11. זה NMI יכול לזהות במדויקפעילויות מיועדות של המשתמש ולחזות את מעברי פעילות 9, שהיה עשוי להיות שימושי לבקרה עצבית של רגליים מלאכותיות מופעל. השאלה הנוכחית שעומדת בפנינו היא כיצד לשלב את NMI שלנו לתוך מערכת בקרת תותבת על מנת לאפשר פעולה תותבת אינטואיטיבי ולהבטיח את הבטיחות של המשתמש. פיתוח רגליים מלאכותיות עצבית בשליטה אמיתית דורש פלטפורמה גמישה במעבדה ליישום קל ואופטימיזציה של אלגוריתמי שליטת תותבת. לכן, מטרת המחקר היא לדווח על פלטפורמת הנדסה גמישה שפותחה במעבדה שלנו לבדיקה ואופטימיזציה של אלגוריתמי שליטת תותבת. בנוסף, התקנה ניסיונית חדשה ופרוטוקול מוצגים להערכה תותבת transfemoral מופעל עצבית הנשלט על חולים עם קטיעות גפה תחתונה בבטחה וביעילות. הפלטפורמה ועיצוב ניסיון שהוצג במחקר זה יכול להועיל deve העתידlopment של רגליים אמיתי עצבי מבוקר, מופעל מלאכותיות.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="823">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">Trigno Wireless EMG Sensors</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">Delsys, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">7</td>
			<td style="width:211px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">Trigno Wireless EMG Base Station</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">Delsys, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:248px;">Multi-functional DAQ card (PCI-6259)</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">National Instruments, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">Potentiometer (RDC503013A)</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">ALPS Electric CO., LTD</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">Encoder (MR series)</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">Maxon Precision Motors, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Motor controller (ADS50/10)&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">Maxon Precision Motors, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">24 V Power Supply (DPP480)</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">TDK-Lambda Americas, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">6 DOF Load Cell (Mini58)</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">ATI Industrial Automation</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">Ceiling Rail System</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">RoMedic, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:248px;">NI LabView 2011</td>
			<td style="width:221px;">National Instruments, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

engineering platform and experimental protocol for design and evaluation of a neurally-controlled powered transfemoral prosthesis

כדי לאפשר פעולה אינטואיטיבית של רגליים מלאכותיות המופעלים, ממשק בין המשתמש ותותב שיכול לזהות כוונות התנועה של המשתמש הוא רצוי. ממשק עצבי מכונת רומן (NMI) המבוסס על היתוך התוקפת מכנית שפותח במחקר הקודם שלנו הוכיח פוטנציאל גדול כדי לזהות את התנועה המיועדת של קטועי גפיים transfemoral במדויק. עם זאת, ממשק זה עדיין לא משולב עם רגל תותבת מופעל לבקרה אמיתית עצבית. מחקר זה נועד לדווח (1) פלטפורמה גמישה ליישום ולייעל את שליטה עצבית של תותבת גפיים תחתונה מופעל ו( 2) התקנה ופרוטוקול ניסוי להעריך שליטת תותב עצבית בחולים עם קטיעות גפיים התחתונות. ראשון פלטפורמה הבוסס על מחשב ותכנות בסביבה חזותית שפותחה כדי ליישם את אלגוריתמי בקרה התותבת, כולל אלגוריתם NMI אימונים, אלגוריתם בדיקה באינטרנט NMI, ואלגוריתם בקרה פנימי. כדי להדגים אתפונקציה של פלטפורמה זו, במחקר זה NMI מבוסס על היתוך התוקפת מכנית היה משולב באופן היררכי עם שליטה פנימית של תותבת transfemoral טיפוסית. חולה אחד עם קטיעת transfemoral חד צדדית גויס כדי להעריך בקר העצבי מיושם שלנו בעת ביצוע פעולות, כגון עמידה, הליכה בגובה פני הקרקע, עליית רמפה, ורמפת ירידה ברציפות במעבדה. התקנה ניסיונית חדשנית ופרוטוקול שפותחו על מנת לבחון את שליטת התותבת החדשה בבטחה וביעילות. הפלטפורמה הוצגה הוכחה של הקונספט וההתקנה ופרוטוקול ניסוי יכולים לסייע בפיתוח ויישום העתידי של רגליים מלאכותיות מופעל עצבית בשליטה.

תרשים 4 א מציג שבעה ערוצים של אותות EMG פני השטח נמדדו משרירי הירך של איבר שיורי של הנבדק כאשר הוא ביצע כיפוף ירך / הארכה, כמפורט בפרוטוקול 3.2.6. איור 4 מציג שישה מחזורי הליכה של אותות EMG נרשמו כאשר הנושא הלך על מסלול הליכה בגובה פני הקרקע, בפרוטוקול 3.3.4. מת...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Engineering Platform and Experimental Protocol for Design and Evaluation of a Neurally-controlled Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis at JoVE.com

Engineering Platform and Experimental Protocol for Design and Evaluation of a Neurally-controlled Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis

ממשקים עצביים במכונה (NMI) פותחו כדי לזהות מצב התנועה של המשתמש. NMIs אלה הם שעשויים להיות שימושיים לבקרה עצבית של רגליים מלאכותיות המופעלים, אך לא הוכח באופן מלא. מאמר זה הציג (1) פלטפורמת ההנדסה נועדה ליישום קל ופיתוח של שליטה עצבית לתותבות גפיים התחתונות מופעל ו( 2) התקנה ניסיונית ופרוטוקול בסביבת מעבדה על מנת להעריך את הרגליים מלאכותיות עצבית בשליטה על חולים עם קטיעות גפה תחתונה בבטחה וביעילות.

פלטפורמה להנדסה ולפרוטוקול ניסויי לעיצוב והערכה של Transfemoral תותב מופעל בשליטה עצבית

To enable intuitive operation of powered artificial legs, an interface between user and prosthesis that can recognize the user's movement intent is ...

engineering-platform-experimental-protocol-for-design-evaluation

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

16.2K Views.  North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  ממשקים עצביים במכונה (NMI) פותחו כדי לזהות מצב התנועה של המשתמש. NMIs אלה הם שעשויים להיות שימושיים לבקרה עצבית של רגליים מלאכותיות המופעלים, אך לא הוכח באופן מלא. מאמר זה הציג (1) פלטפורמת ההנדסה נועדה ליישום קל ופיתוח של שליטה עצבית לתותבות גפי...

Video: Engineering Platform and Experimental Protocol for Design and Evaluation of a Neurally-controlled Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, each offering its own advantages and shortcomings5,6. Most prominently, due to the microscale device dimensions, a high modulus is required to facilitate implantation into living tissue. Conversely, the stiffness of the device should match the surrounding tissue to minimize induced local strain7-9. Therefore, we recently developed a new class of bio-inspired materials to meet these requirements by responding to environmental stimuli with a change in mechanical properties10-14. Specifically, our poly(vinyl acetate)-based nanocomposite (PVAc-NC) displays a reduction in stiffness when exposed to water and elevated temperatures (e.g. body temperature). Unfortunately, few methods exist to quantify the stiffness of materials in vivo15, and mechanical testing outside of the physiological environment often requires large samples inappropriate for implantation. Further, stimuli-responsive materials may quickly recover their initial stiffness after explantation. Therefore, we have developed a method by which the mechanical properties of implanted microsamples can be measured ex vivo, with simulated physiological conditions maintained using moisture and temperature control13,16,17. 
To this end, a custom microtensile tester was designed to accommodate microscale samples13,17 with widely-varying Young's moduli (range of 10 MPa to 5 GPa). As our interests are in the application of PVAc-NC as a biologically-adaptable neural probe substrate, a tool capable of mechanical characterization of samples at the microscale was necessary. This tool was adapted to provide humidity and temperature control, which minimized sample drying and cooling17. As a result, the mechanical characteristics of the explanted sample closely reflect those of the sample just prior to explantation.
The overall goal of this method is to quantitatively assess the in vivo mechanical properties, specifically the Young's modulus, of stimuli-responsive, mechanically-adaptive polymer-based materials. This is accomplished by first establishing the environmental conditions that will minimize a change in sample mechanical properties after explantation without contributing to a reduction in stiffness independent of that resulting from implantation. Samples are then prepared for implantation, handling, and testing (Figure 1A). Each sample is implanted into the cerebral cortex of rats, which is represented here as an explanted rat brain, for a specified duration (Figure 1B). At this point, the sample is explanted and immediately loaded into the microtensile tester, and then subjected to tensile testing (Figure 1C). Subsequent data analysis provides insight into the mechanical behavior of these innovative materials in the environment of the cerebral cortex.

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

A method is discussed by which the in vivo mechanical behavior of stimuli-responsive materials is monitored as a function of time. Samples are tested ex vivo using a microtensile tester with environmental controls to simulate the physiological environment. This work further promotes understanding the in vivo behavior of our material.

בדיקת Microtensile לסביבה מבוקרת של nanocomposites הפולימר מכאני-מסתגל ל<em&gt; לשעבר vivo</em&gt; אפיון

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, ...

Design of a Biaxial Mechanical Loading Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering

We designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for transplantation. While the device primarily functions as a bioreactor that mimics the native mechanical strains, it is also outfitted with a load cell for providing force feedback or mechanical testing of the constructs. The device subjects engineered cartilage constructs to biaxial mechanical loading with great precision of loading dose (amplitude and frequency) and is compact enough to fit inside a standard tissue culture incubator. It loads samples directly in a tissue culture plate, and multiple plate sizes are compatible with the system. The device has been designed using components manufactured for precision-guided laser applications. Bi-axial loading is accomplished by two orthogonal stages. The stages have a 50 mm travel range and are driven independently by stepper motor actuators, controlled by a closed-loop stepper motor driver that features micro-stepping capabilities, enabling step sizes of less than 50 nm. A polysulfone loading platen is coupled to the bi-axial moving platform. Movements of the stages are controlled by Thor-labs Advanced Positioning Technology (APT) software. The stepper motor driver is used with the software to adjust load parameters of frequency and amplitude of both shear and compression independently and simultaneously. Positional feedback is provided by linear optical encoders that have a bidirectional repeatability of 0.1 &mu;m and a resolution of 20 nm, translating to a positional accuracy of less than 3 &mu;m over the full 50 mm of travel. These encoders provide the necessary position feedback to the drive electronics to ensure true nanopositioning capabilities. In order to provide the force feedback to detect contact and evaluate loading responses, a precision miniature load cell is positioned between the loading platen and the moving platform. The load cell has high accuracies of 0.15% to 0.25% full scale.

We designed a novel mechanical loading bioreactor that can apply uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a cartilage biocomposite prior to transplantation into an articular cartilage defect.

עיצוב של Bioreactor טוען מכונות Biaxial להנדסת רקמות

We  designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial  mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for  ...

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

Bioinspired design is an emerging field that takes inspiration from nature to develop high-performance materials and devices. The sea urchin mouthpiece, known as the Aristotle's lantern, is a compelling source of bioinspiration with an intricate network of musculature and calcareous teeth that can scrape, cut, chew food and bore holes into rocky substrates. We describe the bioinspiration process as including animal observation, specimen characterization, device fabrication and mechanism bioexploration. The last step of bioexploration allows for a deeper understanding of the initial biology. The design architecture of the Aristotle's lantern is analyzed with micro-computed tomography and individual teeth are examined with scanning electron microscopy to identify the microstructure. Bioinspired designs are fabricated with a 3D printer, assembled and tested to determine the most efficient lantern opening and closing mechanism. Teeth from the bioinspired lantern design are bioexplored via finite element analysis to explain from a mechanical perspective why keeled tooth structures evolved in the modern sea urchins we observed. This circular approach allows for new conclusions to be drawn from biology and nature.

A protocol for bioinspired design is described for a sampling device based on the jaws of a sea urchin. The bioinspiration process includes observing the sea urchins, characterizing the mouthpiece, 3D printing of the teeth and their assembly, and bioexploring the tooth structure.

פרוטוקול עיצוב Bioinspired: סמפלר קרקע בהתבסס על הים Urchin מלתעות

Bioinspired design is an emerging field that takes inspiration from nature to develop high-performance materials and devices. The sea urchin mouthpiece, ...

A Microfluidic Platform for High-throughput Single-cell Isolation and Culture

Studying the heterogeneity of single cells is crucial for many biological questions, but is technically difficult. Thus, there is a need for a simple, yet high-throughput, method to perform single-cell culture experiments. Here, we report a microfluidic chip-based strategy for high-efficiency single-cell isolation (~77%) and demonstrate its capability of performing long-term single-cell culture (up to 7 d) and cellular heterogeneity analysis using clonogenic assay. These applications were demonstrated with KT98 mouse neural stem cells, and A549 and MDA-MB-435 human cancer cells. High single-cell isolation efficiency and long-term culture capability are achieved by using different sizes of microwells on the top and bottom of the microfluidic channel. The small microwell array is designed for precisely isolating single-cells, and the large microwell array is used for single-cell clonal culture in the microfluidic chip. This microfluidic platform constitutes an attractive approach for single-cell culture applications, due to its flexibility of adjustable cell culture spaces for different culture strategies, without decreasing isolation efficiency.

Here, we present a protocol for isolating and culturing single cells with a microfluidic platform, which utilizes a new microwell design concept to allow for high-efficiency single cell isolation and long-term clonal culture.

פלטפורמת Microfluidic עבור בידוד תפוקה גבוהה מתא בודד ותרבות

Studying the heterogeneity of single cells is crucial for many biological questions, but is technically difficult. Thus, there is a need for a simple, yet ...

An Experimental and Finite Element Protocol to Investigate the Transport of Neutral and Charged Solutes across Articular Cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that is associated with degeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Degeneration of articular cartilage impairs its load-bearing function substantially as it experiences tremendous chemical degradation, i.e. proteoglycan loss and collagen fibril disruption. One promising way to investigate chemical damage mechanisms during OA is to expose the cartilage specimens to an external solute and monitor the diffusion of the molecules. The degree of cartilage damage (i.e. concentration and configuration of essential macromolecules) is associated with collisional energy loss of external solutes while moving across articular cartilage creates different diffusion characteristics compared to healthy cartilage. In this study, we introduce a protocol, which consists of several steps and is based on previously developed experimental micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) and finite element modeling. The transport of charged and uncharged iodinated molecules is first recorded using micro-CT, which is followed by applying biphasic-solute and multiphasic finite element models to obtain diffusion coefficients and fixed charge densities across cartilage zones.

We propose a protocol to investigate the transport of charged and uncharged molecules across articular cartilage with the aid of recently developed experimental and numerical methods.

ניסויי ו אלמנטים סופיים פרוטוקול לחקר התחבורה של מומסים ניטראליים והואשמו ברחבי Articular סחוס

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that is associated with degeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Degeneration of articular ...

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Microfluidic processing of biological samples typically involves differential manipulations of suspended particles under various force fields in order to spatially fractionate the sample based on a biological property of interest. For the resultant spatial distribution to be used as the assay readout, microfluidic devices are often subjected to microscopic analysis requiring complex instrumentation with higher cost and reduced portability. To address this limitation, we have developed an integrated electronic sensing technology for multiplexed detection of particles at different locations on a microfluidic chip. Our technology, called Microfluidic CODES, combines Resistive Pulse Sensing with Code Division Multiple Access to compress 2D spatial information into a 1D electrical signal. In this paper, we present a practical demonstration of the Microfluidic CODES technology to detect and size cultured cancer cells distributed over multiple microfluidic channels. As validated by the high-speed microscopy, our technology can accurately analyze dense cell populations all electronically without the need for an external instrument. As such, the Microfluidic CODES can potentially enable low-cost integrated lab-on-a-chip devices that are well suited for the point-of-care testing of biological samples.

We demonstrate a microfluidic platform with an integrated surface electrode network that combines resistive pulse sensing (RPS) with code division multiple access (CDMA), to multiplex detection and sizing of particles in multiple microfluidic channels.

פלטפורמת microfluidic עם איתור Multiplexed אלקטרוני למערכות מעקב מרחבית של חלקיקים

Microfluidic processing of biological samples typically involves differential manipulations of suspended particles under various force fields in order to ...

A Protocol for Decellularizing Mouse Cochleae for Inner Ear Tissue Engineering

In mammals, mechanosensory hair cells that facilitate hearing lack the ability to regenerate, which has limited treatments for hearing loss. Current regenerative medicine strategies have focused on transplanting stem cells or genetic manipulation of surrounding support cells in the inner ear to encourage replacement of damaged stem cells to correct hearing loss. Yet, the extracellular matrix (ECM) may play a vital role in inducing and maintaining function of hair cells, and has not been well investigated. Using the cochlear ECM as a scaffold to grow adult stem cells may provide unique insights into how the composition and architecture of the extracellular environment aids cells in sustaining hearing function. Here we present a method for isolating and decellularizing cochleae from mice to use as scaffolds accepting perfused adult stem cells. In the current protocol, cochleae are isolated from euthanized mice, decellularized, and decalcified. Afterward, human Wharton&#39;s jelly cells (hWJCs) that were isolated from the umbilical cord were carefully perfused into each cochlea. The cochleae were used as bioreactors, and cells were cultured for 30 days before undergoing processing for analysis. Decellularized cochleae retained identifiable extracellular structures, but did not reveal the presence of cells or noticeable fragments of DNA. Cells perfused into the cochlea invaded most of the interior and exterior of the cochlea and grew without incident over a duration of 30 days. Thus, the current method can be used to study how cochlear ECM affects cell development and behavior.

The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate an effective method to decellularize and decalcify mouse cochleae for utilization as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

פרוטוקול עבור Decellularizing Cochleae העכבר עבור הנדסת רקמות האוזן הפנימית

In mammals, mechanosensory hair cells that facilitate hearing lack the ability to regenerate, which has limited treatments for hearing loss. Current ...

A Novel Surgical Technique As a Foundation for In Vivo Partial Liver Engineering in Rat

Organ engineering is a novel strategy to generate liver organ substitutes that can potentially be used in transplantation. Recently, in vivo liver engineering, including in vivo organ decellularization followed by repopulation, has emerged as a promising approach over ex vivo liver engineering. However, postoperative survival was not achieved. The aim of this study is to develop a novel surgical technique of in vivo selective liver lobe perfusion in rats as a prerequisite for in vivo liver engineering. We generate a circuit bypass only through the left lateral lobe. Then, the left lateral lobe is perfused with heparinized saline. The experiment is performed with 4 groups (n = 3 rats per group) based on different perfusion times of 20 min, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h. Survival, as well as the macroscopically visible change of color and the histologically determined absence of blood cells in the portal triad and the sinusoids, is taken as an indicator for a successful model establishment. After selective perfusion of the left lateral lobe, we observe that the left lateral lobe, indeed, turned from red to faint yellow. In a histological assessment, no blood cells are visible in the branch of the portal vein, the central vein, and the sinusoids. The left lateral lobe turns red after reopening the blocked vessels. 12/12 rats survived the procedure for more than one week. We are the first to report a surgical model for in vivo single liver lobe perfusion with a long survival period of more than one week. In contrast to the previously published report, the most important advantage of the technique presented here is that perfusion of 70% of the liver is maintained throughout the whole procedure. The establishment of this technique provides a foundation for in vivo partial liver engineering in rats, including decellularization and recellularization.

A Novel Surgical Technique As a Foundation for In Vivo Partial Liver Engineering in Rat

We establish a novel surgical technique for an in vivo single liver lobe perfusion model in rat as a prerequisite for further studying in vivo partial liver engineering in the future.

טכניקה כירורגית הרומן כבסיס In Vivo חלקי הכבד הנדסה בעכברוש

Organ engineering is a novel strategy to generate liver organ substitutes that can potentially be used in transplantation. Recently, in vivo liver ...

Design and Synthesis of a Reconfigurable DNA Accordion Rack

DNA nanostructure-based mechanical systems or DNA nanomachines, which produce complex nanoscale motion in 2D and 3D in the nanometer to &#229;ngstr&#246;m resolution, show great potential in various fields of nanotechnology such as the molecular reactors, drug delivery, and nanoplasmonic systems. The reconfigurable DNA accordion rack, which can collectively manipulate a 2D or 3D nanoscale network of elements, in multiple stages in response to the DNA inputs, is described. The platform has potential to increase the number of elements that DNA nanomachines can control from a few elements to a network scale with multiple stages of reconfiguration.
In this protocol, we describe the entire experimental process of the reconfigurable DNA accordion rack of 6 by 6 meshes. The protocol includes a design rule and simulation procedure of the structures and a wet-lab experiment for synthesis and reconfiguration. In addition, analysis of the structure using TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) is included in the protocol. The novel design and simulation methods covered in this protocol will assist researchers to use the DNA accordion rack for further applications.

We describe the detailed protocol for design, simulation, wet-lab experiments, and analysis for a reconfigurable DNA accordion rack of 6 by 6 meshes.

עיצוב, סינתזה של ארון אקורדיון דנ א Reconfigurable

DNA nanostructure-based mechanical systems or DNA nanomachines, which produce complex nanoscale motion in 2D and 3D in the nanometer to &#229;ngstr&#246;m ...

A Microfluidic Platform for Stimulating Chondrocytes with Dynamic Compression

Mechanical stimuli are known to modulate biological functions of cells and tissues. Recent studies have suggested that compressive stress alters growth plate cartilage architecture and results in growth modulation of long bones of children. To determine the role of compressive stress in bone growth, we created a microfluidic device actuated by pneumatic pressure, to dynamically (or statically) compress growth plate chondrocytes embedded in alginate hydrogel cylinders. In this article, we describe detailed methods for fabricating and characterizing this device. The advantages of our protocol are: 1) Five different magnitudes of compressive stress can be generated on five technical replicates in a single platform, 2) It is easy to visualize cell morphology via a conventional light microscope, 3) Cells can be rapidly isolated from the device after compression to facilitate downstream assays, and 4) The platform can be applied to study mechanobiology of any cell type that can grow in hydrogels.

This article provides detailed methods for fabricating and characterizing a pneumatically actuating microfluidic device for chondrocyte compression.

פלטפורמת מיקרופלואידיג לעירור כונדרוציטים עם דחיסה דינמית

Mechanical stimuli are known to modulate biological functions of cells and tissues. Recent studies have suggested that compressive stress alters growth ...