Nanotechnology in Bionic Research - Engineers Australia · PDF file Bionic Eye Bionic Ear: Cochlear Implant The Argus II bionic eye is currently undergoing trials in 50-75 patients

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Nanotechnology in Bionic Research

Dr. Simon Moulton QEII Fellow

ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES)

Intelligent Polymer Research Institute

University of Wollongong

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1 mm

1 m

100 nm

What Defines Nanotechnology?

Any thing that has one dimension less than 100 nm

Synthetic Natural

Civil Structures Manufactured Products

Raw Materials

Silicon Transistors

Colloid Particles

Single Molecules Atoms

Animals

Insects

Nerves Cells

Bacteria Proteins

Human Hair!

1 m MACRO

MICRO

NANO

MOLECULAR

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Fantasy and Fact

www.uml.edu/.../media/nanotechnology-kd-001.jpg

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Pros and Cons • Entertainment

– IPOD Nano

• Medicine/Health

– Cancer therapy

– Sun screens

• Unknown technology (similar to GM foods – fear of the unknown)

• Health

– asbestos (CNTs)

– Cell membranes (nanoparticles)

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Biology ElectronicsBio nics

1791

• Metals as Electrodes • Organic Materials

2009

Platinum Electrodes

LUIGI GALVANI’S ANIMAL ELECTRICITY

H N

N H

H N

N H

H N

N H x

A -

A -

Fibers

PPy

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Bionics? The University of Melbourne

Bionic Ear 1978 The Bionic Man

Col. Steve Austin 1973

GCLARK FOUNDATION/NLA

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Bionic Eye Bionic Ear: Cochlear Implant

The Argus II bionic eye is currently undergoing trials

in 50-75 patients in the US. The system uses a

spectacle mounted camera that feeds visual

information to 60 electrodes implanted in the retina.

Cochlear implants are

one of the oldest pieces

of the bionic man.

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 Enhanced Performance Implantables

 Wearables for Prosthetics and Monitoring

Bionics

MAYBE THE BIONIC GAMES?

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Oscar Pitorius - the “blade runner”

Oscar Pistorius - also known as ‘Blade Runner’ - is a double leg amputee who is using specially developed artificial legs to compete in races. A world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meters Paralympic events, Pistorius was denied by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) his application to participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The IAAF argued that his prosthetic racing legs give him a clear competitive advantage. On May 16, the IAAF’s decision was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing Pistorius to participate in the Olympics if he could make the minimum qualifying time.

BIONICS IN SPORT

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http://blog.800hightech.com/bionic-hand-iraq-war-veteran/782/

U.S. Department of Defense Uses Futuristic Robotic Technology for a New Bionic Hand for Sgt. Juan Arredondo an Iraq War Veteran who Lost His Hand on Patrol.

BIONICS FOR DEFENSE

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Not just Ordinary Electromaterials….

Mechanical Level SwitchingSwitching Surface Interactions Controlled Release of Active Molecules

N H

oxidation

A- N H n

n

+ A-

N

N

N

N

H

H

H

H

A-

+ +

A-

N

N

N

N

H

H

H

H

2A-+ + e-

- e-

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Novel Materials – Novel Structures –

Unforeseen Opportunities!!

 Conducting Polymer (micro) Grid  A Novel Fluid Transfer System

Videos courtesy of Shannon Little

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1 m

1 mm

1 m

100 nm

MACRO

MICRO

NANO

MOLECULAR

Human Hair

Nanostructured Electro - Materials

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 External stimulation

 Response to the biological environment

e.g. biodegradation

 swelling (phase change)

 Galvanic coupling

(Functional batteries)

Can we achieve temporal distribution of function?

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Control at the Nano Level

e- e-

N

N

N

N

H

H

H

H

A-

+ +

A-

N

N

N

N

H

H

H

H

2A-+ + e-

- e-

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 Advanced Cochlear Electrodes

(with an Eye on the Eye)

 Nerve Regeneration

(Peripheral and Spinal Cord)

 Muscle Regeneration

 Epilepsy Detection and Control

 Bionic Stents (Boston Scientific)

ACES - BIONICS

Infection Control

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Bionic Implants - Advanced Cochlear Implant Electrode

Safety studies commenced

Electrochemical data obtained

Carbon nanotube structures as implant electrodes

Electrode-Cellular Interface, G.G. Wallace, S.E. Moulton, G.M. Clark, Science 2009, 324, 185-186.

Nerve cell body

Nerve fibres

Spiral Ganglion Neurite

Explant Nerve cell body

Nerve fibres

Spiral Ganglion Neurite

Explant

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Nanobionics – Advanced cochlear implants

GCLARK FOUNDATION/NLA

Organ of

Corti

Basal (High frequency)

Auditory Nerve

Fluid canals

Apical (Low frequency)

Mastoid

Brain Middle

Ear

Cochlea (Inner Ear)

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Organ of Corti

Basilar membrane

Peripheral auditory nerve fibres

Brain

Inner hair cell

Outer hair cell

Nanobionics – Advanced cochlear implants

GCLARK FOUNDATION/NLA

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Cochlea and Auditory Nerves

Electrode Brain

Nanobionics – Advanced cochlear implants

GCLARK FOUNDATION/NLA

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PPy/pTS PPy/pTS/NT3 PPy/pTS/NT3/BDNF

N o

n -s

ti m

u la

te d

El e

ct ro

-s ti

m u

la te

d Introducing an Additional Growth Factor (BDNF)

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Dual Neurotrophins: Synergy at Work

Electrical stimulation

No Electrical stimulation

BDNF

NT-3 Cochlear explant

PPy/pTS/NT-3/BDNF

NT-3/BDNF

BrainBrain

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SIBS

PEDOT

MWNT

forest

Ppy/pTS/NT-3

SIBS

PEDOT

MWNT

forest

Ppy/pTS/NT-3

SIBS = poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene)

non-conducting, very stretchy polymer used in

several tissue engineering applications recently

FDA-approved as coronary stent coating

PEDOT = Polyethylenedioxythiophene

conducting polymer which has been used for

several cell culturing application, but not widely

explored as a biomaterial

MWNT= multi-walled carbon nanotubes

there is lots of controversy about the

toxicity/biocompatibility of nanotubes, so the

compatibility of tissues with this component is

one matter that needs to be addressed

A Nanostructured Platform (Patent Pending)

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PPy deposited

on tips of CNTs

Comparison of CNT Array to Flat Film

Nanostructured PPys for Controlled Release

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Conductive polymer materials for controlled release

Wet fibre spinning to produce microdimensional structure

Spinal Cord Regeneration

Injured Spinal Cord Repair of Lesion

Biodegradable Fibre Constructs

Hydrogels and

Fibres

Injured Spinal Cord Repair of Lesion

Biodegradable Fibre Constructs

Hydrogels and

Fibres

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spoollinear controller

coagulation baths

syringe and pump

PLGA:PLA fibers

(a)

(c)(b)

(a)

spoollinear controller

coagulation baths

syringe and pump

PLGA:PLA fibers

(a)

(c)(b)

(a)

Schematic Representation of Wet-spinning Fibers

Scale bars are 100 m

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Vapour phase PPy/pTS on glass – oxidant printed with 10pL cartridge

Ink Jet Printing Fibre Spinning

75:25 PLA/PLGA fibers

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Nanofabricated Platforms

C

E

G

PPPPyy MMyyllaarr

PPPPyy MMyyllaarr

AAxxoonnaall

ggrroowwtthh

ffrroonntt

SScchhwwaannnn cceellll

mmiiggrraattiioonn

ffrroonntt

DRG

DRG

PPLLAA//PPLLGGAA ffiibbrreess

PPLLAA//PPLLGGAA ffiibbrreess

Scale bar = 50 m

Scale bar = 500 m

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MUSCLE REGENERATION

Muscular Diseases

 Damage Due to Trauma

 Grow / Replace Muscle Tissue

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1. Wet-spun PLA:PLGA fibers on

gold-coated mylar substrate

2. PPy polymerization of the

exposed gold surface

1. Myoblast proliferation (2 days) 2. Myotube differentiation (4 days)

(a)

(b)

1. Wet-spun PLA:PLGA fibers on