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<b>Logic</b> | <b>Logic</b> | ||
</a> | </a> | ||
− | <a class="item" href="#ach" style="margin-left: 10%"> | + | <a class="item" href="//2016.igem.org/Team:Slovenia/Hardware" style = "color:#DB2828;"> |
+ | <i class="selected radio icon"></i> | ||
+ | <b>Ultrasound</b> <br /> | ||
+ | <b style="margin-left: 12%">controlling device</b> | ||
+ | </a> | ||
+ | <a class="item" href="#ach" style="margin-left: 10%"> | ||
<i class="selected radio icon"></i> | <i class="selected radio icon"></i> | ||
<b>Achievements</b> | <b>Achievements</b> | ||
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<a class="item" href="#mot" style="margin-left: 10%"> | <a class="item" href="#mot" style="margin-left: 10%"> | ||
<i class="selected radio icon"></i> | <i class="selected radio icon"></i> | ||
− | <b> | + | <b>Introduction</b> |
</a> | </a> | ||
<a class="item" href="#mod" style="margin-left: 10%"> | <a class="item" href="#mod" style="margin-left: 10%"> | ||
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<div class="main ui citing justified container"> | <div class="main ui citing justified container"> | ||
<div> | <div> | ||
− | <h1 class="ui left dividing header"><span id="ach" class="section"> </span>Ultrasound | + | <h1 class="ui left dividing header"><span id="ach" class="section colorize"> </span>Ultrasound |
controlling device</h1> | controlling device</h1> | ||
<div class="ui segment" style="background-color: #ebc7c7; "> | <div class="ui segment" style="background-color: #ebc7c7; "> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>Implementation of 90 W ultrasonic amplifier for pulsed cells stimulation.</b> | <li><b>Implementation of 90 W ultrasonic amplifier for pulsed cells stimulation.</b> | ||
− | <li><b>Optimization of developed system in a given frequency range around 310 kHz.</b> | + | <li><b>Optimization of the developed system in a given frequency range around 310 kHz.</b> |
− | <li><b>User friendly | + | <li><b>User friendly control interface of the device.</b> |
− | <li><b>Capability of providing | + | <li><b>Capability of providing 700 kPa of pressure 4 mm from ultrasonic transducer.</b> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="ui segment"> | <div class="ui segment"> | ||
− | <h4><span id="mot" class="section"> </span></h4> | + | <h4><span id="mot" class="section colorize"> </span></h4> |
<p>The ultrasound (US) wave interacts with tissue and reflects back depending on the | <p>The ultrasound (US) wave interacts with tissue and reflects back depending on the | ||
− | properties of the tissues such as velocity of sound in the | + | properties of the tissues such as velocity of sound in the tissues and its density, which |
− | can be modeled using <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Slovenia/Model">wave | + | can be modeled using <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Slovenia/Model#mod">the wave |
equation.</a> Higher frequencies have better resolution (shorter wavelengths) but | equation.</a> Higher frequencies have better resolution (shorter wavelengths) but | ||
− | cannot penetrate as deep into the | + | cannot penetrate as deep into the tissue. In diagnostic ultrasound frequencies above 1 |
MHz are used. For better tissue penetration frequencies of interest for our purposes are | MHz are used. For better tissue penetration frequencies of interest for our purposes are | ||
between 0.3 to 1 MHz yielding sufficient resolution and penetration at the same time | between 0.3 to 1 MHz yielding sufficient resolution and penetration at the same time | ||
− | <x-ref>Speed2001</x-ref> | + | <x-ref>Speed2001</x-ref>. Latest studies show that it is possible to use pulsed ultrasound for neurostimulation, |
− | + | ||
ultrasound therapy such as treatment of pain and the repair of various tissues, however | ultrasound therapy such as treatment of pain and the repair of various tissues, however | ||
without clear knowledge which receptors or cell types we are targeting, and what is the | without clear knowledge which receptors or cell types we are targeting, and what is the | ||
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</p> | </p> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | <h1><span class="section"> </span>Results</h1> | + | <h1><span class="section colorize"> </span>Results</h1> |
<div class="ui segment"> | <div class="ui segment"> | ||
<div> | <div> | ||
− | <h3><span id="mod" class="section"> </span>MODUSON - Generating ultrasonic power | + | <h3><span id="mod" class="section colorize"> </span>MODUSON - Generating ultrasonic power |
pulses for cell stimulation</h3> | pulses for cell stimulation</h3> | ||
<p>For the simple setup of the ultrasonic stimulation of cells we initially used ultrasonic | <p>For the simple setup of the ultrasonic stimulation of cells we initially used ultrasonic | ||
− | baths ( | + | baths (<ref>1</ref>) for cleaning the laboratory equipment, small devices to clean jewelry or |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
ultrasonic cell disruptors, which however offer little control over the intensity, | ultrasonic cell disruptors, which however offer little control over the intensity, | ||
frequency or pulse shapes and numbers of repetitions and are not appropriate to monitor | frequency or pulse shapes and numbers of repetitions and are not appropriate to monitor | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
<div> | <div> | ||
− | <h3><span id="rel" class="section"> </span>The basic requirements for the device and | + | <h3><span id="rel" class="section colorize"> </span>The basic requirements for the device and |
realizations</h3> | realizations</h3> | ||
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device is based on Linux system and can be completely customized to the user’s needs. | device is based on Linux system and can be completely customized to the user’s needs. | ||
Furthermore, it can be Wi-Fi controlled so the final application is based on modern | Furthermore, it can be Wi-Fi controlled so the final application is based on modern | ||
− | programming tools such as JavaScript, C++, HTML, etc. The final application is | + | programming tools such as JavaScript, C++, HTML, etc. The final application is essentially |
− | a web page, accessible with any computer | + | a web page, accessible with any computer with a Wi-Fi connection. This |
− | application gives complete control | + | application gives complete control over all stimulation parameters and operation of the |
device. Another advantage of the platform used is its capability of simple integration | device. Another advantage of the platform used is its capability of simple integration | ||
with | with | ||
− | Matlab through so-called SCPI commands, usually used in the instrumentation for easy | + | Matlab through a so-called SCPI commands, usually used in the instrumentation for easy |
− | control and data acquisition making the device perfect research and development tool. | + | control and data acquisition making the device a perfect research and development tool. |
Simple example of SCPI commands in Matlab for pulsed bursts is shown below:</p> | Simple example of SCPI commands in Matlab for pulsed bursts is shown below:</p> | ||
<div style="float:left; width:100%"> | <div style="float:left; width:100%"> | ||
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<h5>Simple graphical user interface</h5> | <h5>Simple graphical user interface</h5> | ||
<p>Users of the device do not need to be computer experts and do not need to have knowledge | <p>Users of the device do not need to be computer experts and do not need to have knowledge | ||
− | on | + | on signal generators, amplifiers and oscilloscopes. Therefore, the motivation was to |
design and develop a simple user-friendly graphical interface with all the relevant | design and develop a simple user-friendly graphical interface with all the relevant | ||
parameters that need to be set in order to run the experiments from the Web page. To | parameters that need to be set in order to run the experiments from the Web page. To | ||
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<h5 style="clear:both">Signal amplifier</h5> | <h5 style="clear:both">Signal amplifier</h5> | ||
− | <div style="width: | + | <div style="width: 50%; float:left;"> |
<figure data-ref="4"> | <figure data-ref="4"> | ||
<img class="ui medium image" onclick="resize(this);" | <img class="ui medium image" onclick="resize(this);" | ||
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</figure> | </figure> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | <div style="width: | + | <div style="width: 50%; float:left;"> |
<figure data-ref="5"> | <figure data-ref="5"> | ||
<img class="ui medium image" onclick="resize(this);" | <img class="ui medium image" onclick="resize(this);" | ||
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</figure> | </figure> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | <div style="width: | + | |
+ | <p style="clear:both;"></p> | ||
+ | <p>We built the circuitry with real elements on a prototype board where several additional | ||
+ | alterations were required, as the real elements do not have ideal characteristics as the | ||
+ | ones included in the simulation (<ref>7</ref>). Another challenge was the design of a suitable | ||
+ | transformer to increase the voltage amplitude of the signal. The transformer is also | ||
+ | required to operate as an impedance transformer. Lowering impedance of the ultrasonic | ||
+ | transducer enables higher current levels and consequently higher power values.</p> | ||
+ | <div style="width:70%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"> | ||
<figure data-ref="6"> | <figure data-ref="6"> | ||
− | <img | + | <img |
src=" https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/0/0a/T--Slovenia--5.1.10.png"> | src=" https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/0/0a/T--Slovenia--5.1.10.png"> | ||
<figcaption><b>Final look of the Moduson device from the inside and outside.</b><br/> | <figcaption><b>Final look of the Moduson device from the inside and outside.</b><br/> | ||
<p style="text-align:justify">Constructed device was equipped with a simple interface; an ON/OFF button, a BNC output for the | <p style="text-align:justify">Constructed device was equipped with a simple interface; an ON/OFF button, a BNC output for the | ||
transducer and a button to trigger stimulation pulses. All parameters are set by the Web interface that also provides the ability | transducer and a button to trigger stimulation pulses. All parameters are set by the Web interface that also provides the ability | ||
− | to trigger the stimulation pulses. | + | to trigger the stimulation pulses. When we have more time we will develop a new version with more neatly arranged wiring. |
</p> | </p> | ||
</figcaption> | </figcaption> | ||
</figure> | </figure> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | <p>Once a suitable signal is generated, it needs to be amplified from a signal level | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
(amplitude of 2 V) to several hundred volts or even above 1000 V, which poses a serious | (amplitude of 2 V) to several hundred volts or even above 1000 V, which poses a serious | ||
engineering challenge. For this purpose, we first designed a circuitry on a conceptual | engineering challenge. For this purpose, we first designed a circuitry on a conceptual | ||
− | level and simulated it with LT Spice ( | + | level and simulated it with LT Spice (<ref>4</ref>). In the simulations an electric model of a transducer was considered as a combination |
− | + | of capacitors, inductors and resistors wired in parallel (<ref>5</ref>). This model enables simulation of ultrasonic transducers with several resonant | |
− | + | ||
− | of capacitors, inductors and resistors wired in parallel ( | + | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
frequencies. Simulations show that our device can reach the power at transducer around | frequencies. Simulations show that our device can reach the power at transducer around | ||
92W, which is close to the measured 86W in the real system. | 92W, which is close to the measured 86W in the real system. | ||
Line 271: | Line 271: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div> | <div> | ||
− | <h3><span id="eva" class="section">nbsp;</span>Evaluation of the developed device | + | <h3><span id="eva" class="section colorize">nbsp;</span>Evaluation of the developed device |
</h3> | </h3> | ||
Line 293: | Line 293: | ||
<p>Developed device was tested with several transducers with resonance frequencies ranging | <p>Developed device was tested with several transducers with resonance frequencies ranging | ||
from 300 kHz up to 1 MHz. Most experiments were performed with an unfocused transducer | from 300 kHz up to 1 MHz. Most experiments were performed with an unfocused transducer | ||
− | Olympus V318-SU ( | + | Olympus V318-SU (<ref>8</ref>) with a waterproof case, allowing it to be used in <i>in vitro</i> experiments. |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
</p> | </p> | ||
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<p>With compensation, voltage was considerably increased at contacts of transducer and | <p>With compensation, voltage was considerably increased at contacts of transducer and | ||
− | reached around | + | reached around 900 Vpp as shown in |
<ref>10</ref> | <ref>10</ref> | ||
. | . | ||
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<p>We measured the emitted ultrasonic pressure indirectly with a hydrophone RP 31l shown in | <p>We measured the emitted ultrasonic pressure indirectly with a hydrophone RP 31l shown in | ||
<ref>11</ref> | <ref>11</ref> | ||
− | . This hydrophone has a sensitivity of | + | . This hydrophone has a sensitivity of 50 mV/100 kPa at a frequency of 310 kHz. It can be |
connected directly to the oscilloscope input to detect the pressure of the ultrasonic | connected directly to the oscilloscope input to detect the pressure of the ultrasonic | ||
− | waves. Pressure measured 4 mm from the transducer reached | + | waves. Pressure measured 4 mm from the transducer reached 700 kPa which gives the |
intensity of 33 W/cm<sup>2<sup>.</p> | intensity of 33 W/cm<sup>2<sup>.</p> | ||
Line 379: | Line 377: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div> | <div> | ||
− | <h3><span id="set" class="section">nbsp;</span>Set-up for experiments with ultrasonic | + | <h3><span id="set" class="section colorize">nbsp;</span>Set-up for experiments with ultrasonic |
pulses</h3> | pulses</h3> | ||
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the position of a transducer was fixed with a suitable holder. Several models of holders | the position of a transducer was fixed with a suitable holder. Several models of holders | ||
were designed for different experimental configurations and a 3D-printer was used to | were designed for different experimental configurations and a 3D-printer was used to | ||
− | fabricate a dedicated holder ( | + | fabricate a dedicated holder (<ref>13</ref>). This allowed positioning of the transducer at the fixed height above the bottom of a |
− | + | well (<ref>14</ref>), which was crucial due to the series of maximal and minimal intensity of generated | |
− | + | ||
− | well ( | + | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
pressure. | pressure. | ||
<p> | <p> | ||
Line 421: | Line 415: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | < | + | <h3 class="ui left dividing header"><span id="ref-title" class="section colorize"> </span>References |
− | </ | + | </h3> |
<div class="ui segment citing" id="references"></div> | <div class="ui segment citing" id="references"></div> | ||
</div> | </div> |
Latest revision as of 20:47, 8 November 2016
Ultrasound controlling device
- Implementation of 90 W ultrasonic amplifier for pulsed cells stimulation.
- Optimization of the developed system in a given frequency range around 310 kHz.
- User friendly control interface of the device.
- Capability of providing 700 kPa of pressure 4 mm from ultrasonic transducer.
The ultrasound (US) wave interacts with tissue and reflects back depending on the
properties of the tissues such as velocity of sound in the tissues and its density, which
can be modeled using the wave
equation. Higher frequencies have better resolution (shorter wavelengths) but
cannot penetrate as deep into the tissue. In diagnostic ultrasound frequencies above 1
MHz are used. For better tissue penetration frequencies of interest for our purposes are
between 0.3 to 1 MHz yielding sufficient resolution and penetration at the same time
Results
MODUSON - Generating ultrasonic power pulses for cell stimulation
For the simple setup of the ultrasonic stimulation of cells we initially used ultrasonic baths (1) for cleaning the laboratory equipment, small devices to clean jewelry or ultrasonic cell disruptors, which however offer little control over the intensity, frequency or pulse shapes and numbers of repetitions and are not appropriate to monitor activation of mechanosensors under the fluorescence microscope. However, one member of the team is a student of electrical engineering and this was the right challenge for him.
For the generation of specific shapes of ultrasound pulses researchers usually use a setup consisting of two signal generators (one for switching on and off the train of US pulses and the other one to produce the sinusoidal signal of suitable frequency). This signal is further fed to the amplifier and then to the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, an ultrasonic sensor is required to evaluate and control the magnitude of the ultrasound. Usually a hydrophone is used in combination with an amplifier and an oscilloscope. This setup is complex to establish and difficult to use. Therefore, the goal of a part of the iGEM 2016 group (student of electrical engineering) was to develop a device (named Moduson), which would be capable of providing appropriate signals required to perform specific ultrasonic experiments in a single apparatus and as such easy to use. The research and development of the device was performed in the Laboratory for Bioelectromagnetics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana under the supervision of prof. dr. Dejan Križaj and a company Noeto.
The basic requirements for the device and realizations
Adaptability
The device should be designed to be as flexible as possible in order to be capable of delivering a wide range and different shapes of stimulation signals to stimulate cells under the microscope, cells in a petri dish, cells in a microplate immersed into a bath and to stimulate animals. In order to fulfill this requirement we selected a dedicated embedded measurement card Red Pitaya acting as an embedded computer. This embedded device is based on Linux system and can be completely customized to the user’s needs. Furthermore, it can be Wi-Fi controlled so the final application is based on modern programming tools such as JavaScript, C++, HTML, etc. The final application is essentially a web page, accessible with any computer with a Wi-Fi connection. This application gives complete control over all stimulation parameters and operation of the device. Another advantage of the platform used is its capability of simple integration with Matlab through a so-called SCPI commands, usually used in the instrumentation for easy control and data acquisition making the device a perfect research and development tool. Simple example of SCPI commands in Matlab for pulsed bursts is shown below:
On the 2 a typical sequence of a stimulation signal constructed of a set number of sine waves of defined frequency that is repeated for required number of times with selected repetition period is shown.
Simple graphical user interface
Users of the device do not need to be computer experts and do not need to have knowledge on signal generators, amplifiers and oscilloscopes. Therefore, the motivation was to design and develop a simple user-friendly graphical interface with all the relevant parameters that need to be set in order to run the experiments from the Web page. To accomplish this, dedicated software was written that enables users to design and run the experiment and evaluate the results. 3 presents a developed user interface. On the right side (US burst settings -> STIMULATION PULSE) we can set parameters, such as the amplitude of the signal, frequency and number of sine waves. Below these settings, repetition parameters of the signal (PULSE REPETITION) such as the number of pulse repetitions and its frequency can be set. When all parameters are set, the signal can be previewed by clicking the SHOW BURST button. The pulse sequence is initiated with the START button. The acquired signal from hydrophone is seen on the main plot. At the top of the interface, there are options to export the image of a graph and csv data of the acquired signal. Chosen values of parameters can also be saved for the next use of the device.
Signal amplifier
We built the circuitry with real elements on a prototype board where several additional alterations were required, as the real elements do not have ideal characteristics as the ones included in the simulation (7). Another challenge was the design of a suitable transformer to increase the voltage amplitude of the signal. The transformer is also required to operate as an impedance transformer. Lowering impedance of the ultrasonic transducer enables higher current levels and consequently higher power values.
Once a suitable signal is generated, it needs to be amplified from a signal level (amplitude of 2 V) to several hundred volts or even above 1000 V, which poses a serious engineering challenge. For this purpose, we first designed a circuitry on a conceptual level and simulated it with LT Spice (4). In the simulations an electric model of a transducer was considered as a combination of capacitors, inductors and resistors wired in parallel (5). This model enables simulation of ultrasonic transducers with several resonant frequencies. Simulations show that our device can reach the power at transducer around 92W, which is close to the measured 86W in the real system.
nbsp;Evaluation of the developed device
Functionality of the Moduson was first tested without any connected load. 7 presents a typical output measured with an oscilloscope for a signal of frequency 310 kHz.
Developed device was tested with several transducers with resonance frequencies ranging from 300 kHz up to 1 MHz. Most experiments were performed with an unfocused transducer Olympus V318-SU (8) with a waterproof case, allowing it to be used in in vitro experiments.
9 presents measured electric power using the transducer V318-SU. After partial compensation of reactive part, the measured real power reached 86 W. This result exceeded the set requirements.
With compensation, voltage was considerably increased at contacts of transducer and reached around 900 Vpp as shown in 10 .
We measured the emitted ultrasonic pressure indirectly with a hydrophone RP 31l shown in 11 . This hydrophone has a sensitivity of 50 mV/100 kPa at a frequency of 310 kHz. It can be connected directly to the oscilloscope input to detect the pressure of the ultrasonic waves. Pressure measured 4 mm from the transducer reached 700 kPa which gives the intensity of 33 W/cm2.
Example of an output signal measured by a hydrophone is presented in the 12 .
nbsp;Set-up for experiments with ultrasonic pulses
After we successfully tested the Moduson device, we aimed to design measurement set-up for stimulation of cells cultivated in plastic 6-well plates, which allows insertion of the ultrasound transducer. In order to ensure repeatable conditions in every experiment the position of a transducer was fixed with a suitable holder. Several models of holders were designed for different experimental configurations and a 3D-printer was used to fabricate a dedicated holder (13). This allowed positioning of the transducer at the fixed height above the bottom of a well (14), which was crucial due to the series of maximal and minimal intensity of generated pressure.