Array Of Microcoils Research Articles

Transparent and conformal microcoil arrays for spatially selective neuronal activation

Micromagnetic stimulation (μMS) using small, implantable microcoils is a promising method for achieving neuronal activation with high spatial resolution and low toxicity. Herein, we report a microcoil array for localized activation of cortical neurons and retinal ganglion cells. We developed a computational model to relate the electric field gradient (activating function) to the geometry and arrangement of microcoils, and selected a design that produced an anisotropic region of activation <50 μm wide. The device was comprised of an SU-8/Cu/SU-8 tri-layer structure, which was flexible, transparent and conformal and featured four individually-addressable microcoils. Interfaced with cortex or retina explants from GCaMP6-expressing mice, we observed that individual neurons localized within 40 μm of a microcoil tip could be activated repeatedly and in a dose- (power-) dependent fashion. These results demonstrate the potential of μMS devices for brain-machine interfaces and could enable routes toward bioelectronic therapies including prosthetic vision devices.

Design and fabrication of a microcoil metamaterial absorber for the sub-terahertz region.

The development of electromagnetic wave absorbers operating in the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) region is necessary in 6G communications. We designed and fabricated a sub-THz metamaterial absorber based on metal microcoils embedded and periodically arranged in a dielectric substrate. The microcoil parameters were optimized by calculating the electromagnetic response of the metamaterial using finite element analysis. An actual metamaterial was then fabricated based on the optimized parameters and characterized using THz time-domain spectroscopy. Our microcoil absorber exhibits an absorptance of >80% and a high shielding performance at about 250 GHz. The resonance frequency can be precisely adjusted by modifying the microcoil array dimensions.

Novel Coil Array Design and Modeling for Independent Control of Multiple Magnetic Microrobots

The independent control of microrobot swarms is a major challenge in the field of micro/nano manipulation. In this paper, a new localized magnetic field generating system is presented that can be used for the independent control of multiple magnetic microrobots. Such a system will allow for cooperative or parallel microassembly tasks with teams of magnetic microrobots. Firstly, the performance of the novel circular microcoil is modeled by analyzing the effect of input current to study the magnetic field distribution characteristics in the workspace, which is validated by finite element analysis and simulation; then, an actuation and control strategy of microrobots for microcoil array is proposed. Meanwhile, the independent closed-loop control of the microrobot is realized based on visual feedback; finally, an experimental platform for the microcoil actuation system is built to validate the newly designed structure. The results show that the microrobot can move flexibly and accurately with the tracking error within 0.444mm. At the same time, the system is capable of independently controlling multiple microrobots and holds great potential in performing micromanipulation tasks.

Passive array micro-magnetic stimulation device based on multi-carrier wireless flexible control for magnetic neuromodulation.

Objective.The passive micro-magnetic stimulation (µMS) devices typically consist of an external transmitting coil and a single internal micro-coil, which enables a point-to-point energy supply from the external coil to the internal coil and the realization of magnetic neuromodulation via wireless energy transmission. The internal array of micro coils can achieve multi-target stimulation without movement, which improves the focus and effectiveness of magnetic stimulations. However, achieving a free selection of an appropriate external coil to deliver energy to a particular internal array of micro-coils for multiple stimulation targets has been challenging. To address this challenge, this study uses a multi-carrier modulation technique to transmit the energy of the external coil.Approach.In this study, a theoretical model of a multi-carrier resonant compensation network for the arrayµMS is established based on the principle of magnetically coupled resonance. The resonant frequency coupling parameter corresponding to each micro-coil of the arrayµMS is determined, and the magnetic field interference between the external coil and its non-resonant micro-coils is eliminated. Therefore, an effective magnetic stimulation threshold for a micro-coil corresponding to the target is determined, and wireless free control of the internal micro-coil array is achieved by using an external transmitting coil.Main results.The passiveµMS array model is designed using a multi-carrier wireless modulation method, and its synergistic modulation of the magnetic stimulation of synaptic plasticity long-term potentiation in multiple hippocampal regions is investigated using hippocampal isolated brain slices.Significance.The results presented in this study could provide theoretical and experimental bases for implantable micro-magnetic device-targeted therapy, introducing an efficient method for diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases and providing innovative ideas for in-depth application of micro-magnetic stimulation in the neuroscience field.

Cutting without a Knife: A Slice-Selective 2D 1H-13C HSQC NMR Sequence for the Analysis of Inhomogeneous Samples.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful technique with applications ranging from small molecule structure elucidation to metabolomics studies of living organisms. Typically, solution-state NMR requires a homogeneous liquid, and the whole sample is analyzed as a single entity. While adequate for homogeneous samples, such an approach is limited if the composition varies as would be the case in samples that are naturally heterogeneous or layered. In complex samples such as living organisms, magnetic susceptibility distortions lead to broad 1H line shapes, and thus, the additional spectral dispersion afforded by 2D heteronuclear experiments is often required for metabolite discrimination. Here, a novel, slice-selective 2D, 1H-13C heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) sequence was developed that exclusively employs shaped pulses such that only spins in the desired volume are perturbed. In turn, this permits multiple volumes in the tube to be studied during a single relaxation delay, increasing sensitivity and throughput. The approach is first demonstrated on standards and then used to isolate specific sample/sensor elements from a microcoil array and finally study slices within a living earthworm, allowing metabolite changes to be discerned with feeding. Overall, slice-selective NMR is demonstrated to have significant potential for the study of layered and other inhomogeneous samples of varying complexity. In particular, its ability to select subelements is an important step toward developing microcoil receive-only arrays to study environmental toxicity in tiny eggs, cells, and neonates, whereas localization in larger living species could help better correlate toxin-induced biochemical responses to the physical localities or organs involved.

Development and Characterization of a Micromagnetic Alternative to Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays.

To stimulate the auditory nerve, cochlear implants directly inject electrical current into surrounding tissue via an implanted electrode array. While many cochlear implant users achieve strong speech perception scores, there remains significant variability. Since cochlear implant electrode arrays are surrounded by a conductive fluid, perilymph, a spread of excitation occurs. The functionality of the cochlea is spatially dependent, and a wider area of excitation negatively affects the hearing of the user. Importantly, magnetic fields are unaffected by the material properties of biological components. To utilize the electromagnetic properties of the human ear, a microcoil array was developed. The microcoils are 4-turn solenoids with a 250- [Formula: see text] turn radius and a 31.75- [Formula: see text] wire radius, coated with Parylene-C. The efficient design was implemented to accelerate testing. The obtained results describe stimulation capabilities. Functionality was validated using a frequency response analyzer to measure how the generated electromagnetic power radiates in space. 99.8% power loss was observed over a 100- [Formula: see text] separation between a pair of identical microcoils. Obtained through finite-element modeling, the microcoils can be driven by a 60 mA, 5 kHz, sinusoidal input for 10 minutes before predicted inflammation. Rattay's activating function was calculated to evaluate the magnetic stimulation effect of external fields on target neurons. Combined with the frequency response analysis, magnitude and spatial effects of the generated potential is established. As a result, each microcoil requires a 400- [Formula: see text]-wide area for each independent stimulation channel, which is 84% narrower than a commercial cochlear array channel, thereby suggesting greater spatial selectivity.

Characterization and Miniaturization of Silver-Nanoparticle Microcoil via Aerosol Jet Printing Techniques for Micromagnetic Cochlear Stimulation

According to the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders 2012 report, the number of cochlear implant (CI) users is steadily increasing from 324,000 CI users worldwide. The cochlea, located in the inner ear, is a snail-like structure that exhibits a tonotopic geometry where acoustic waves are filtered spatially according to frequency. Throughout the cochlea, there exist hair cells that transduce sensed acoustic waves into an electrical signal that is carried by the auditory nerve to ultimately reach the auditory cortex of the brain. A cochlear implant bridges the gap if non-functional hair cells are present. Conventional CIs directly inject an electrical current into surrounding tissue via an implanted electrode array and exploit the frequency-to-place mapping of the cochlea. However, the current is dispersed in perilymph, a conductive bodily fluid within the cochlea, causing a spread of excitation. Magnetic fields are more impervious to the effects of the cochlear environment due to the material properties of perilymph and surrounding tissue, demonstrating potential to improve precision. As an alternative to conventional CI electrodes, the development and miniaturization of microcoils intended for micromagnetic stimulation of intracochlear neural elements is described. As a step toward realizing a microcoil array sized for cochlear implantation, human-sized coils were prototyped via aerosol jet printing. The batch reproducible aerosol jet printed microcoils have a diameter of 1800 m, trace width and trace spacing of 112.5 m, 12 m thickness, and inductance values of approximately 15.5 nH. Modelling results indicate that the coils have a combined depolarization–hyperpolarization region that spans 1.5 mm and produce a more restrictive spread of activation when compared with conventional CI.

Ferrofluid droplet manipulation using an adjustable alternating magnetic field

Magnetically actuated droplet manipulation offers a promising tool for biomedical and engineering applications, such as drug delivery, biochemistry, sample handling in lab-on-chip devices and tissue engineering. In this study, characteristics of an adjustable alternating magnetic field generated by a magnetic coil for droplet manipulation was investigated which enables more control on droplet transport, and it can be considered as a suitable alternative for moving magnets or an array of micro-coils. By adjusting the magnetic flux density, the duty cycle and applied magnetic frequency, the manipulation of water-based ferrofluid droplets with a bio-compatible surfactant for different volumes was comprehensively examined. Also, the platform was able to manipulate the ferrofluid droplets completely immersed in oil. This solves the problem with droplet evaporation which has previously been reported for droplet manipulation on the surface. Furthermore, an analytical model is proposed for the movement of the ferrofluid droplet on the hydrophobic surface. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results. Also, the effects of magnetic flux density, duty cycle, frequency and the distance between the coils on the mixing process were studied. Results showed that the droplet movement on the hydrophobic surface was fully synchronized with the generated signal while the droplet moved backward in the oil after the magnetic field was turned off. By decreasing magnetic flux density, droplet volume, duty cycle, as well as increasing applied magnetic frequency, the step lengths become more uniform, the resolution of droplet displacement increases, but the average-velocity decreases.

Magnetic stimulation in the microscale: the development of a 6 × 6 array of micro-coils for stimulation of excitable cells in vitro

In this study we present the development of a prototype device, designed for micro-magnetic stimulation of excitable cells in vitro. Each platform consists of a 6 × 6 two-dimensional array of micro-coils, in an attempt to achieve highly localised magnetic flux patterns. The coils are fabricated with standard micro-fabrication techniques, including steps of photolithography, dry etching and electroplating. The further interfacing of the micro-magnetic chip into a biocompatible platform is also described. The samples are characterised electrically, while a finite element method simulation study is performed and reveals a 141 mV-strong electric potential induced in the vicinity of a micro-coil. Since applications in neuronal cells is our primary focus, modelling with NEURON software is used for demonstrating the capability of the platform to activate adjacent cells. Finally, an experimental validation of the proof of concept is performed with the measurement of induced current into a custom-made phantom gel that shows similar electric properties with brain tissue.

MEMS NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MICROCOIL

NMR is one of the important analytic tools which is used to obtain certain information such as metabolic concentrations in neural or muscular tissues. In some other important applications such as proton decoupling, it is necessary to design NMR transmitters/receivers capable of operating at multiple frequencies, while maintaining a good performance at each frequency. In this work, a new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) receiver microcoil based on MEMS technology is proposed. The designed structure uses MEMS microswitches with low contact resistance and NMR-based actuation mechanism. The proposed device can detect carbon (13C), proton (1H), and phosphorus (31p) nucleus with larmor frequencies of 96.36[Formula: see text]MHz, 383[Formula: see text]MHz, and 155.11[Formula: see text]MHz at 9 T magnetic field, respectively. The designed microcoil achieves three important goals: (1) Getting high SNR, high Q and high filling factor which are key parameters in NMR performance, by changing number of turns. (2) Turning into the array of microcoils to obtain better SNR. (3) Turning into two or three microcoils inside of each other for simultaneous detection. The MEMS microswitch in this paper uses static magnetic field of the NMR for its operation ([Formula: see text]T) which simplifies the switch mechanism. This switch is small (150[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m), scattering parameters of 43.2[Formula: see text]db isolation and 0.0059 insertion loss and maximum displacement of 2.03[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m due to the magnetostatic actuation. In this work, the models and investigations are conducted using finite element simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics. The switch scattering parameters are obtained by HFSS 12.0.

Designing local magnetic fields and path planning for independent actuation of multiple mobile microrobots

Autonomous manipulation at the microscale has applications in both the manufacturing and biomedical industries. However, independent actuation of multiple robots equipped with different manipulators is important for the speed and success of manipulation. In this paper, we have developed a specialized substrate with an array of microcoils that can generate local magnetic fields to control multiple microrobots independently. We have developed a physics based planning approach to compute the paths for the microrobots that can avoid obstacles and are well-suited for execution by the array of microcoils for autonomous navigation. We have demonstrated the capability of the planner with simulation experiments and the effectiveness of the microcoil array in independent actuation of the microrobots with physical experiments. The limitations of the current system are presented and a modified microcoil array is proposed and analyzed for increased performance.

Developing and Evaluating a Flexible Wireless Microcoil Array Based Integrated Interface for Epidural Cortical Stimulation.

Stroke leads to serious long-term disability. Electrical epidural cortical stimulation has made significant improvements in stroke rehabilitation therapy. We developed a preliminary wireless implantable passive interface, which consists of a stimulating surface electrode, receiving coil, and single flexible passive demodulated circuit printed by flexible printed circuit (FPC) technique and output pulse voltage stimulus by inductively coupling an external circuit. The wireless implantable board was implanted in cats’ unilateral epidural space for electrical stimulation of the primary visual cortex (V1) while the evoked responses were recorded on the contralateral V1 using a needle electrode. The wireless implantable board output stable monophasic voltage stimuli. The amplitude of the monophasic voltage output could be adjusted by controlling the voltage of the transmitter circuit within a range of 5–20 V. In acute experiment, cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP) response was recorded on the contralateral V1. The amplitude of N2 in CCEP was modulated by adjusting the stimulation intensity of the wireless interface. These results demonstrated that a wireless interface based on a microcoil array can offer a valuable tool for researchers to explore electrical stimulation in research and the dura mater-electrode interface can effectively transmit electrical stimulation.

Using Pot-Magnets to Enable Stable and Scalable Electromagnetic Tactile Displays.

We present the design, fabrication, characterization, and psychophysical testing of a scalable haptic display based on electromagnetic (EM) actuators. The display consists of a 4 × 4 array of taxels, each of which can be in a raised or a lowered position, thus generating different static configurations. One of the most challenging aspects when designing densely-packed arrays of EM actuators is obtaining large actuation forces while simultaneously generating only weak interactions between neighboring taxels. In this work, we introduce a lightweight and effective magnetic shielding architecture. The moving part of each taxel is a cylindrical permanent magnet embedded in a ferromagnetic pot, forming a pot-magnet. An array of planar microcoils attracts or repels each pot-magnet. This configuration reduces the interaction between neighboring magnets by more than one order of magnitude, while the coil/magnet interaction is only reduced by 10 percent. For 4 mm diameter pins on an 8 mm pitch, we obtained displacements of 0.55 mm and forces of 40 mN using 1.7 W. We measured the accuracy of human perception under two actuation configurations which differed in the force versus displacement curve. We obtained 91 percent of correct answers in pulling configuration and 100 percent in pushing configuration.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to High Throughput Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a non-contact, powerful structure-elucidation technique for biochemical analysis. NMR spectroscopy is used extensively in a variety of life science applications including drug discovery. However, existing NMR technology is limited in that it cannot run a large number of experiments simultaneously in one unit. Recent advances in micro-fabrication technologies have attracted the attention of researchers to overcome these limitations and significantly accelerate the drug discovery process by developing the next generation of high-throughput NMR spectrometers using Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). In this paper, we examine this paradigm shift and explore new design strategies for the development of the next generation of high-throughput NMR spectrometers using CMOS technology. A CMOS NMR system consists of an array of high sensitivity micro-coils integrated with interfacing radio-frequency circuits on the same chip. Herein, we first discuss the key challenges and recent advances in the field of CMOS NMR technology, and then a new design strategy is put forward for the design and implementation of highly sensitive and high-throughput CMOS NMR spectrometers. We thereafter discuss the functionality and applicability of the proposed techniques by demonstrating the results. For microelectronic researchers starting to work in the field of CMOS NMR technology, this paper serves as a tutorial with comprehensive review of state-of-the-art technologies and their performance levels. Based on these levels, the CMOS NMR approach offers unique advantages for high resolution, time-sensitive and high-throughput bimolecular analysis required in a variety of life science applications including drug discovery.

Magnetically actuated transport of ferrofluid droplets over micro-coil array on a digital microfluidic platform

Magnetic manipulation of liquid droplets in microfluidic environment offers a promising tool for sample handling in lab-on-chip devices. Biofunctionalized ferrofluid droplets can effectively carry a measured volume of analytes or reagents on a flat microfluidic platform, executing key tasks of a micrototal analysis system (μ-TAS). However, achieving precise control using on-chip miniaturized magnetic coils is challenging and requires delicate combination of operating parameters, e.g., magnetizing current and timing of switching, fluid viscosity, droplet size, etc. Here we present a numerical analysis of magnetic manipulation of an immiscible, microliter-scale ferrofluid droplet over a thin aqueous film on a solid substrate using embedded micro-electromagnet coils. The numerical model is first validated against the experimentally observed droplet trajectory in a simple, single-coil configuration. Subsequently, two-dimensional manipulation of the ferrofluid droplets on the liquid film is predicted numerically when the magnetic field is produced by a sequentially switched array of square spiral microelectromagnets. By adjusting the operating parameters, we show that the droplet can be moved in predefined meandering path over an active substrate area. The transport is broadly classified into viscosity- and inertia-influenced regimes. Transport time of the droplet for the viscous regime is expressed in terms of a generalized group-variable involving the operating parameters. The study is important for selecting the design bases for a magnetically manipulated sample handling system for digital microfluidic platforms.

Towards Independent Control of Multiple Magnetic Mobile Microrobots.

In this paper, we have developed an approach for independent autonomous navigation of multiple microrobots under the influence of magnetic fields and validated it experimentally. We first developed a heuristics based planning algorithm for generating collision-free trajectories for the microrobots that are suitable to be executed by an available magnetic field. Second, we have modeled the dynamics of the microrobots to develop a controller for determining the forces that need to be generated for the navigation of the robots along the trajectories at a suitable control frequency. Next, an optimization routine is developed to determine the input currents to the electromagnetic coils that can generate the required forces for the navigation of the robots at the controller frequency. We then validated our approach by simulating an electromagnetic system that contains an array of sixty-four magnetic microcoils designed for generating local magnetic fields suitable for simultaneous independent actuation of multiple microrobots. Finally, we prototyped an -scale version of the system and present experimental results showing the validity of our approach.

High-level integration of three-dimensional microcoils array in fused silica.

Rapid and facile creation of three-dimensional (3D) microcoils array in a "lab-on-a-chip" platform is a big challenge in micromachining. Here we report a method based on an improved femtosecond-laser wet-etch (FLWE) technology and metal-microsolidifying process for the fabrication of 3D microcoils array inside fused silica. Based on this approach, we fabricated microcoil arrays such as 3×3 O-shaped microcoils array and 4×4 liner microcoils array. By injecting high-melting-point alloy, the electrocircuit of microcoils array can hardly be disconnected. The microcoils array also exhibits good uniformity and a high integration level. It shows promise as a real application device.

A Microsystem for Magnetic Immunoassay Based on Planar Microcoil Array.

This work focuses on the circuit and system implementation of a microsystem platform for magnetic immunoassay, which is a novel type of diagnostic method using magnetic beads as labels. Three main challenges facing this work-design of a high performance sensor, packaging technique and design of integrated circuits are discussed. Planar microcoil array are exploited as sensor of magnetic beads, whereas ultra thin bottom microplate in traditional ELISA is used for the assay. Main circuits blocks include bidirectional current supply circuit, magnetic field sensing circuit and on-chip temperature sensor. Experiments using mouse IgG with different densities were performed on the proposed platform, results show that a minimum density of 100 pg/mL can be detected, which is a comparable sensitivity to conventional optical ELISA, and a quantitative relationship can be acquired in the range from 1 ng/ml to 1 ug/ml, thus this platform is suitable for quantitative analysis in practical health and environment application and has potential for medical diagnostics, food pathogen detection or water analysis.

A BioMEMS chip with integrated micro electromagnet array towards bio-particles manipulation

We propose in this paper the design and implementation of a novel BioMEMS chip towards the manipulation of magnetic micro/nano particles. Our proposed device integrates a planar microcoil array and a microfluidic structure on a single chip, without any post-fabrication process. Meanwhile, a multiple coil cooperation regime is studied from simulation by Finite Element Software and applied in application to increase the manipulation efficiency. Taking advantage of computer-aided microplotter to introduce microfluidics to the chip, the traditional microtubes and syringe pump are avoided. Hence, this chip is compact, low-cost and mass-producible. Experiment is performed using antibody coated magnetic particles with mean diameter 1.5μm, and the results reveal that this chip can achieve a high efficiency with trapping rate over 90% while consuming a current of 40mA, thus it has a great potential in bio-particles manipulation for point of care diagnostics.

Design of a low cross-talk micro-coil array for micro-scale MRI

Design of magnetic resonance micro-coil arrays with low cross-talk among the coils can be the main challenge to improve the effectiveness of magnetic resonance micro-imaging because the electrical cross-talk which is mainly due to the inductive coupling perturbs the sensitivity profile of the array and causes image artifacts. In this work, a capacitive decoupling network with N(M − 1) + (N − 1)(M − 2) capacitors is proposed to reduce the inductive coupling in an N × M array. A 3 × 3 array of optimized micro-coils is designed using the finite element simulations and all the needed elements for the array equivalent circuit are extracted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed decoupling method by assessing the reduction of the coupled signals after employing the capacitive network on the circuit. The achieved results for the designed array show that the high cross-talk level is reduced by the factor of 2.2–3.4 after employing the capacitive network. By employing this method of decoupling, the adjacent coils in each row and inner columns can be decoupled properly while the minimum decoupling belongs to the outer columns because of the lack of all necessary decoupling capacitances for these columns. The main advantages of the proposed decoupling method are its efficiency and design easiness which facilitates the design of dense arrays with the properly decoupled coils, especially the inner coils which are more coupled due to their neighbors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 353–359, 2013