Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List

Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until August 16, 2026

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

AN ULTRASOUND NEUROMODULATION PLATFORM OPTIMIZED FOR THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Sobota, Michael Andrew
http://orcid.org/0009-0009-4815-6980
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1717197780238706

Abstract Details

2024, Master of Sciences (Engineering), Case Western Reserve University, EECS - Electrical Engineering.
Low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is increasingly being used in research as a modality of non-invasive and spatially precise neuromodulation. The use of LIFU for transcranial or tibial neuromodulation has the potential to treat movement disorders, neuropathic pain, and incontinence while avoiding the complications associated with surgery, implanted stimulators, and percutaneous treatments. Current LIFU neuromodulation experiments use large fixed-focus ultrasound transducers that require mechanical adjustment to change focal location. Efforts to address this have resulted in high element-count phased arrays that may be electrically steered and focused with millimeter precision, primarily for transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS). Focal depths and pressures required by tFUS are shallower and lower than those required for LIFU in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Therefore, arrays optimized for tFUS do not translate to the higher pressures and deeper foci needed for PNS targets. This work presents a low cost, low element-count platform for LIFU neuromodulation in the PNS, where inter-patient physiology introduces variation in neural target depth. An eight-element phased array with a focal range and area optimized for PNS depths is presented with a microcontroller-based control board used to sequence element excitation for beam steering and focusing. A graphical user interface was developed and used to serially control phased array focal location and sonication parameters. The assembled array was characterized and demonstrated focusing ability at a range of depths and pressures consistent with previous LIFU neuromodulation experimentation.
Allison Hess-Dunning, PhD (Committee Member)
Steve Majerus, PhD (Committee Chair)
Zonghe Chua, PhD (Committee Member)
102 p.
Acoustics; Electrical Engineering
Ultrasound Neuromodulation; Acoustic Neuromodulation; Non invasive Neuromodulation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sobota, M. A. (2024). AN ULTRASOUND NEUROMODULATION PLATFORM OPTIMIZED FOR THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1717197780238706

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sobota, Michael. AN ULTRASOUND NEUROMODULATION PLATFORM OPTIMIZED FOR THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. 2024. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1717197780238706.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sobota, Michael. "AN ULTRASOUND NEUROMODULATION PLATFORM OPTIMIZED FOR THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1717197780238706

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1717197780238706
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.