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A Miniature Ultrasound Source for Neural Modulation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A Miniature Ultrasound Source for Neural Modulation

Samantha Schafer, Haley Croke, Andres Kriete, Hasan Ayaz, Peter A. Lewin, Catherine R. Von Reyn and Mark E. Schafer
IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control, v 70(11), pp 1544-1553
2023
PMID: 37812556
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10751802View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified) Open

Abstract

Brain modeling Drosophila hydrophone Langevin stack Neuromodulation neurostimulation Probes Ultrasonic imaging Ultrasonic variables measurement ultrasound (US) Wires Acoustics
This work describes a unique ultrasound (US) exposure system designed to create very localized ( \sim 100 ~\mu \text{m} ) sound fields at operating frequencies that are currently being used for preclinical US neuromodulation. This system can expose small clusters of neuronal tissue, such as cell cultures or intact brain structures in target animal models, opening up opportunities to examine possible mechanisms of action. We modified a dental descaler and drove it at a resonance frequency of 96 kHz, well above its nominal operating point of 28 kHz. A ceramic microtip from an ultrasonic wire bonder was attached to the end of the applicator, creating a 100- \mu \text{m} point source. The device was calibrated with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophone, in a novel, air-backed, configuration. The experimental results were confirmed by simulation using a monopole model. The results show a consistent decaying sound field from the tip, well-suited to neural stimulation. The system was tested on an existing neurological model, Drosophila melanogaster, which has not previously been used for US neuromodulation experiments. The results show brain-directed US stimulation induces or suppresses motor actions, demonstrated through synchronized tracking of fly limb movements. These results provide the basis for ongoing and future studies of US interaction with neuronal tissue, both at the level of single neurons and intact organisms.

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Web of Science research areas
Acoustics
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
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