MDR Vacation Bursary Project: Particle manipulation in liquid using ultrasonic methods
by Noorvir Aulakh
By Noorvir Singh Aulakh, undergraduate student, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment
Cell sedimentation in micro-cannulae posses a fundamental impediment in homogenous cell-delivery, during neurosurgical operations. The procedure requires the injection of neural stem-cells, directly into the patient’s brain. The injection procedure is realised through one of two methods. The former method involves the cell-containing cannula, oriented perpendicularly to the ground (the vertical configuration), while the latter bears the cannula parallel to the ground (the horizontal configuration). Sedimentation results in vastly inhomogeneous cell distribution across different injections from the same cannula. The aim of this project is to minimise this phenomenon using acoustic forces to levitate cells, in the suspension medium. To conduct the initial experimentation, I will be employing florescent micro-beads, suspended inside a capillary.
With the use of acoustic techniques, it possible to set up ultrasonic standing waves in the capillary. A PZT transducer attached to the capillary converts an electric signal input to a mechanical output. By modulating the experiment variables (frequency, amplitude etc. of the input signal), the particle suspension can be manipulated. Ideally, the cells would be forced into the mid-plane of the capillary, away from the walls.
There are, however, fundamental stipulations considering the design of the device. Proximity to brain tissue limits the size of the cannula, as well as strength of the ultrasonic forces. Furthermore, acoustic levitation of particles in stagnant flow conditions still remains a relatively unexplored topic.
I will be working under the supervision of Professor Martyn Hill, Dr. Dyan Ankrett along with, Dr. Dario Carugo. This project was conceived through the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where the neurosurgeons observed this cell-sedimentation predicament. It has therefore come to the attention of Southampton University Engineering Department, and successful results can be directly applied to today’s medical industry.
Categories: Blog. Tags: engineering, engineering and environment, epsrc, martyn hill, noorvir singh aulakh, Particle manipulation in liquid using ultrasonic methods, and vacation bursary. Project names: Particle manipulation in liquid using ultrasonic methods.