MEMS-based Approaches for Overcoming Sensory Loss in the Vestibular and Auditory Systems
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Abstract
Dysfunctions in the vestibular (balance) system often lead to debilitating symptoms of
vertigo, disorientation, visual blurring and falls. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and
non-fatal injuries for persons over 65 years of age. A vestibular prosthesis could greatly
improve the quality of life for individuals with bilateral vestibular dysfunction who currently
have no other therapeutic option. In such a prosthesis otherwise-absent head angular and
linear motion cues are captured via inertial sensors, processed, and replaced by direct and
selective electrical stimulation of vestibular nerve elements. In this talk I will discuss our
Micro-electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based approach to realizing this class of
next-generation sensory replacement implants where there exists a need to significantly
reduce system power and effectively stimulate vestibular nerve fibers. As a passive alternative to commercial gyroscopes to measure angular head rotations, we are developing
a microfabricated fluidic sensor inspired by the human angular rotation sensor, the
semicircular canal. Parallel to sensor development is our effort in providing low-power
analog signal processing circuitry to effectively code head motion and generate appropriate
electrical stimuli. Laying the foundation for vestibular prosthesis, cochlear prostheses provide functional
hearing to nearly 200,000 profoundly hearing-impaired or deaf patients worldwide by
electrically stimulating auditory nerve fibers. Although such implants have been remarkably
effective, there remains significant variation in speech perception as well as difficulty in
perceiving speech in noisy environments. I will discuss our ongoing work in advanced
electrode array development to more effectively activate the cochlea’s surviving neural
population, as well as reduce surgical trauma introduced during array insertion.
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Date
2014-03-25
Extent
50:21 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture