Fundamentals of Bioelectronics for Applications in Neuroprosthetics
Spring 2019
Date: Friday, April 12th
Time: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Decision date: Friday, April 5th
Early Registration Date deadline: Friday, March 29th
Before Early Registration Date:
Members: $225
Non-members: $250
After Early Registration Date:
Members: $250
Non-members: $275
WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Woburn
15 Middlesex Canal Park Drive
Phone 781-245-5405
email sec.boston@ieee.org
If paying by check, the check must be received before the appropriate dates for Early Registration and Decision Dates.
Make Checks payable and send to:
IEEE Boston Section
One Centre Street, Suite 203
Wakefield, MA 01880
Course Description:
This course covers the field of bioelectronics, specifically electrode design and implementation, for applications in neuroprosthetics. Electrode materials, electrode array fabrication, electrode modeling, electrical stimulation parameters, bioelectrode charge transfer mechanisms, and interfaces with biological systems are discussed. The fundamental theories of electromagnetism and a history of bioelectromagnetics are reviewed.
Target Audience:
This class is designed for engineers transitioning into the field of bioelectronics, electronics engineers interested in neurobiologics, and professionals looking for an understanding of bioelectronics to complete their job function.
Module #1: Electromagnetics in Biological Systems
The introductory lecture will identify and describe electromagnetic fields in biology and explain the effects of electric fields when applied to biological tissue and living systems. Topics covered: Maxwell’s Equations, bioelectromagnetics, biological effects (i.e., tissue growth, regeneration, cell communication) and biological mechanisms (i.e., action potentials, impulse propagation, ion channel and receptor activation) of electrical stimulation, and charge transfer to biological systems.
Module #2: Bioelectronics: Electrode Materials and Fabrication
The second lecture will discuss electrode materials, electrode configurations, and electrode fabrication techniques. Topics include: key electrode properties (biocompatibility, mechanics, surface chemistry, charge transfer), common electrode materials (gold, carbon, PEDOT), electrode designs (capacitors, coils, microelectrode arrays), microelectrode array structure, electrode arrays (microwires, polymer arrays), and electrode microfabrication techniques (sputtering).
Module #3: Bioelectronics: Electrode Characterization and Testing
Topics of this lecture include: electrode characterization techniques (impedance, wettability, roughness, surface IR, conductivity, resistance, thickness), and electrode rejunvenation.
Module #4: Bioelectronics: Electrode Modeling and Stimulation
Topics include: electrode modeling with COMSOL, field applications (functional electrical stimulation, pulses, fields, etc.), stimulation parameters, neurotransmission, neural recordings (local field potentials, noise), and safety (device/product safety, material safety).
Module #5: Neuroprosthetic Implantation and Biological Interfaces
This lecture discusses electrode implantation, applications, and use. Topics include: electrode sterilization techniques, biomaterial interfaces, short term and long term cell-tissue responses, neuroprosthetic products (Cochlear implants, vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, TEMS, chronic pain, non-invasive brain electrical stimulation), and wireless devices.
Upon Completion of This Course You Will:
• Understand electric fields effects on cells and the optimal parameters for a biological response
• Learn bioelectrode design and fabrication techniques
About the Instructor:
Marie Tupaj is a biomedical scientist and engineer with 10 years’ experience in biomaterials, bioelectronics, and nerve cell biology. Marie has a B.S. in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Tufts University. As a doctoral student, Marie designed electrodes for encouraging nervous tissue development and developed silk based biomaterial conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. These projects were supported by the NIH and the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine. As a postdoctoral fellow, Marie fabricated miniaturized biosensors and chemically modified surfaces for applications in neuroprosthetics. Marie has worked at high tech and biotech companies in the Boston area including Sun Microsystems, Organogenesis, and Histogenics Corporation. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA