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Melissa Tsang
PhD Proposal Presentation
Monday, November 17th, 2014
9:00 AM
Georgia Tech, UAW 4101
Thesis committee members:
Advisor: Mark G. Allen (ECE, BME)
Robert E. Guldberg, (ME, BME)
Johnna S. Temenoff, (BME)
Oliver Brand, (ECE)
Farokh Ayazi, (ECE)
Title:A Microfabricated Biodegradable Strain Sensor for the In Situ Monitoring of Acute Bone Fracture Healing
Abstract
Current techniques for monitoring bone fracture healing in orthopedic research and clinical therapy are unable to continuously monitor mechanical loading within a subject or to directly measure mechanical properties of the fracture site. The ability to monitor mechanical strain local to the bone‑implant site during the initial phase of fracture healing would expand upon current understanding of the mechanical cues mediating bone fracture healing, as well as direct more individualized patient care. This study proposes the development of a microfabricated biodegradable strain sensor for the in situ monitoring of bone fracture healing. Due to the transient nature of fracture healing, the proposed device will degrade into non‑toxic products after a functional lifetime of three months. Electromechanical testing will be conducted in two phases, beginning with benchtop experimentation and a custom‑designed platform to deliver dual mechanical and biodegradation conditioning. Phase two will be conducted in a critically‑sized segmental bone defect rodent model. The conclusion of this study will deliver microfabrication technologies for the integration of biodegradable materials in microelectronics, biodegradable devices that either passively degrade after the functional lifetime or actively harness the degradation process to electrically power the sensor, and a strain‑sensing system that provides wireless monitoring of mechanical strain in vivo.
