Research

INTERVENTIONAL MRI:

MRI has become a popular medical imaging modality thanks to its ionizing radiation free mechanism, excellent soft tissue contrast and 3D anatomical imaging ability in arbitrary planes simultaneously. The advancements in MRI technology have enabled real time MRI with frame rates up to 20 frames per second with functional anatomical assessment. With these technical advances, MRI gained a growing interest also as a therapeutic tool and became a strong candidate to replace the X-Ray fluoroscopy and ultra-sound for image-guided interventional procedures. However, interventional MRI procedures are still hampered by the lack of clinical grade available MRI compatible devices (e.g. guidewires and catheters) for safe and effective interventions in patients.

            Conventional interventional devices generally incorporate metal braiding and sometimes ferromagnetic metal parts to afford sufficient mechanical performance and they are visible under X-ray thanks to their intrinsic material properties. Since, MRI technology benefits from a strong magnetic field and a relatively high RF power deposition, the use of ferromagnetic metals and long metal wires should be eliminated for the MRI compatible device design. On the other hand, active, passive or semi-active RF markers are needed to provide a distinguishable device visibility under MRI.

            At Biodesign lab, we aim to design and fabricate clinical grade MRI compatible interventional devices which safely provides sufficient mechanical performance and visible under MRI, using microfabrication and MEMS techniques combining biomedical, RF and mechatronics engineering skills.

MICROFLUIDICS:

Microfluidics, studies the behavior of fluids through micro-channels or the technology characterized by the engineered manipulation of fluids at the micro-scale. Concerning properties such as surface tension, energy dissipation and fluidic resistance, the behavior of fluids differ at the microscale. Microfluidics, studies how these behaviors change and can be manipulated for new uses and methods. Microfluidics research makes it possible to successfully perform experiments, analytical tasks or laboratory functions on a single integrated circuit called lab-on-a-chip.

            Microfluidics shows a substantial promise for replacing traditional experimental approaches and techniques by decreasing sample and reagent consumption, improves resolution and sensitivity, and shortens the time of experiments. A microfluidic device makes it possible to mimic the behavior of human and animal tissues, and creates a dynamic system which different cell cultures can interact continuously. By this way microfluidics creates easy to perform organ-on-a-chip devices that will replace animal experiments.

 

BIODESIGN:

In BioDesign Laboratory, designing, quick prototyping and fabricating medical devices is performed to be used for research or novel applications of new technologies in the medical field. The main objective of the lab is performing Interdisciplinary biomedical engineering methodologies on human physiology for developing new therapeutic and diagnostic solutions