S. V. Selishchev

A study of preparation techniques and properties of bulk nanocomposites based on aqueous albumin dispersion

Bulk nanocomposites prepared from an aqueous albumin dispersion with carbon nanotubes by removing the liquid component from the dispersion have been investigated. The composites were obtained by thermostating and exposure to LED and IR diode laser radiation. The nanocomposites obtained under laser irradiation retain their shape and properties for several years, in contrast to the composites fabricated in different ways (which decompose into small fragments immediately after preparation). The low density of the composites under study (∼1200 kg/m3), which is close to the density of water, is due to their high porosity. The hardness of stable nanocomposites (∼300 MPa) was found to be at the same level as the hardness of polymethylmethacrylate, aluminum, and iron and close to the hardness of human bone tissue. The cluster quasiordering of the inner structure of nanocomposites revealed by atomic force microscopy indicates the possibility of forming a bulk nanotube framework in them, which can be caused by the effect of the electric field of laser radiation and ensure their stability and hardness. The presence of a framework in nanocomposites provides conditions for self-assembly of biological tissues and makes it possible to apply laser-prepared nanocomposites as a component of surgical implants.

Design and Evaluation of an Inductive Powering Unit for Implantable Medical Devices Using GPU Computing

Nowadays inductive powering has become a widely spread technique in existing and emerging implanted medical devices (IMD). The geometry of coils couple plays a key role in the design, optimization and evaluation of a biomedical inductive powering unit (IPU). We have proposed a relatively fast method for an execution of these procedures, which is based on a mutual induction calculation using GPU parallel computing. Generally, our approach is to calculate mutual inductance as a function of uncontrolled (axial distance, lateral distance, inclination) and controlled (coils radii, turns numbers, distance between turns) geometric parameters of a coil couple. Calculated geometric functions in its turn are used in the design and optimization procedure to evaluate an IPU performance (e.g., load power). Achieved time gain of the GPU calculations in comparison with the host CPU computing is up to 80 for sequential summation and up to 8 for parallel computing. Also, it is shown that precision of our method is comparable to the precision of existing electromagnetic field solvers, and at the same time, computation time is substantially less (time gain is about 7 . . . 8 for 2D case and about 100 and higher for 3D case). Additionally, we have verified our method experimentally and shown that results of the calculations are accurate enough to predict real IPU performance. Finally, we have given an example of an IPU design optimization using geometric functions calculated with the help of the proposed method.

Optimisation of the Sputnik-VAD design

Purpose Miniaturisation of VADs can offer important benefits, including less invasive implantation techniques and more versatility in patient selection. The aim of this work was to reduce the weight, size, and energy consumption of the Sputnik VAD. Methods The second generation of the Sputnik VAD was developed with a set of changes in construction. The head pressure-flow rate (H-Q) and power consumption-flow rate curves for the Sputnik VADs were measured at different rotational speeds. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were used for operating condition simulation and the LVADs were compared under the simulated physiological conditions. Results The slope of the H-Q curves for the Sputnik 1 VAD remains almost invariable over the entire range of the measured flow rate, in contrast to the curves for the Sputnik 2 VAD, which become flat in the high flow-rate region. Despite the design modification, the operating rotor speed remained invariable. The preload sensitivity of the Sputnik VAD is higher than that of the other rotary blood pumps and amounts to 0.111 ± 0.0092 L min−1 mmHg−1. The power consumption for the Sputnik 2 VAD is lower over the entire speed range, except for at 5,000 rpm. Conclusions The pump weight was reduced from 246 to 205 g, the pump length was decreased from 82 to 66 mm, and the pump diameter was decreased from 32 to 29 mm. The total energy consumption of the pump was reduced by 15%.

Nanocomposite solder for laser welding of biological tissues

The properties of biosolders for the laser welding of tissues are studied. High thermal- and photostability of solder compositions based on aqueous dispersions of albumin with single- and multilayer carbon nanotubes is demonstrated. As biological tissue samples, in vitro bovine trachea cartilage and pig skin are studied. The use of nanobiosolders makes it possible to increase the tensile strength of laser welds severalfold in comparison with commonly used solders based on albumin dispersion. The results of the study show the potential of laser solder application for the welding of biological tissues.

The tensile strength characteristics study of the laser welds of biological tissue using the nanocomposite solder

Laser welding device for biological tissue has been developed. The main device parts are the radiation system and adaptive thermal stabilization system of welding area. Adaptive thermal stabilization system provided the relation between the laser radiation intensity and the weld temperature. Using atomic force microscopy the structure of composite which is formed by the radiation of laser solder based on aqua- albuminous dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes was investigated. AFM topograms nanocomposite solder are mainly defined by the presence of pores in the samples. In generally, the surface structure of composite is influenced by the time, laser radiation power and MWCNT concentration. Average size of backbone nanoelements not exceeded 500 nm. Bulk density of nanoelements was in the range 106-108 sm-3. The data of welding temperature maintained during the laser welding process and the corresponding tensile strength values were obtained. Maximum tensile strength of the suture was reached in the range 50-55°C. This temperature and the pointwise laser welding technology (point area ~ 2.5mm) allows avoiding thermal necrosis of healthy section of biological tissue and provided reliable bonding construction of weld join. In despite of the fact that tensile strength values of the samples are in the range of 15% in comparison with unbroken strips of pigskin leather. This situation corresponds to the initial stage of the dissected tissue connection with a view to further increasing of the joint strength of tissues with the recovery of tissue structure; thereby achieved ratio is enough for a medical practice in certain cases.

Investigation of cell proliferative activity on the surface of the nanocomposite material produced by laser radiation

A new method for the formation of composite nanomaterials based on multi-walled and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a silicon substrate has been developed. Formation is carried out by ultrasound coating of a silicon substrate by homogenous dispersion of CNTs in the albumin matrix and further irradiation with the continuous laser beam with a wavelength of 810 nm and power of 5.5 watts. The high electrical conductivity of CNTs provides its structuring under the influence of the laser radiation electric field. The result is a scaffold that provides high mechanical strength of nanocomposite material (250 MPa). For in vitro studies of materials biocompatibility a method of cell growth microscopic analysis was developed. Human embryonic fibroblasts (EPP) were used as biological cells. Investigation of the interaction between nanocomposite material and cells was carried out by optical and atomic force microscopy depending on the time of cells incubation. The study showed that after 3 hours incubation EPP were fixed on the substrate surface, avoiding the surface of the composite material. However, after 24 hours of incubation EPP fix on the sample surface and then begin to grow and divide. After 72 hours of incubation, the cells completely fill the sample surface of nanocomposite material. Thus, a nanocomposite material based on CNTs in albumin matrix does not inhibit cell growth on its surface, and favours their growth. The nanocomposite material can be used for creating soft tissue implants

Space-Frequency Approach to Design of Displacement Tolerant Transcutaneous Energy Transfer System

One of the main concerns for transcutaneous energy transfer via inductive coupling is misalignments of coils, especially in the case of mechanical circulatory support systems, when coils placed on a chest wall or an abdomen. We proposed a space-frequency approach to this problem. It is possible to find values of so called splitting frequency by expression which incorporate the value of coupling coefficient. Given that coupling coefficient depends on the system geometry, it allows one to determine the optimal operating frequency for the specified relative position of the coils. Numerical calculations of transcutaneous energy transfer parameters show the capability of the proposed method. It was found that the operation at splitting frequency provided more stable output with respect to changes in a system geometry. The output power of the proposed system changes for not more than 5% for a distance in a range of 5-25 mm. At the same time, the output power of the system which operates at fixed resonant frequency changes for about 40%. Similar results were obtained for lateral displacements in a range of 0-20 mm.

The method of laser forming of nanocarbon biocompatible coatings for implants

The work is devoted to laser method of biocompatible coatings forming to create implants of the human body ligaments. Coating is a carbon nanotubes scaffold formed in the water-protein dispersion by the electric field of the laser radiation. Study has been conducted on the structure and properties of carbon nanotubes coatings and proliferative activity of biological cells on its surface.

Laser-limiting materials for medical use

The important problem of modern laser medicine is the decrease of an exposure of biological tissues outside of an operational field and can be solved by optical radiation limiting. Organic dyes with reversibly darkening can be placed onto surfaces of irradiated tissues or can be introduced in solder for laser welding of vessels. The limiting properties of a set of nontoxic organic compounds were investigated. Nonlinear optical properties of dyes having reverse saturable absorption (pyran styryl derivatives, cyanine and porphyrine compounds) were studied under XeCl and YAG:Nd (II harmonics) lasers excitation. The effect of attenuation of a visible laser radiation is obtained for ethanol solutions of cyanines: radiation attenuation coefficient ( AC) = 25-35 at N/S = 100-250 MW/cm2. In water solutions of such compounds in UV spectrum range AC ≈ 10. The spectral characteristics of compounds appeared expedient enough to operational use in laser limiters (broad passband in visible range of a spectrum). Under the data of Z-scanning (the scheme F/10) value AC ≈ 70 was reached. The limiting of power laser radiation in visible (λ = 532 nm) and UV- (λ = 308 nm) spectral region and nanosecond pulse duration (7 -13 ns) across porphyrine solutions and their complexes with some metals (13 compounds) was investigated too. The comparative study of optical limiting dependence on intensity of laser radiation, solvent type and concentration of solutions was carried out for selecte wavelength. There was shown a possible use of pyran styryl derivatives DCM as limiters of visual laser radiation. To understand a mechanism of laser radiation limitation the light induced processes were experimentally and theoretically studied in organic molecules. The quantum-chemical investigation of one cyanine compound was carried out. There were noted the perspectives of laser radiation limiting by application of inverted schemes of traditional laser shutters. Usage of phenomena of light -induced opalescence in one-component liquids and spinodal decay in stratifying liquid solutions is proposed.

Nonlinear threshold effect in the Z-scan method of characterizing limiters for high-intensity laser light

A threshold model is described which permits one to determine the properties of limiters for high-powered laser light. It takes into account the threshold characteristics of the nonlinear optical interaction between the laser beam and the limiter working material. The traditional non-threshold model is a particular case of the threshold model when the limiting threshold is zero. The nonlinear characteristics of carbon nanotubes in liquid and solid media are obtained from experimental Z-scan data. Specifically, the nonlinear threshold effect was observed for aqueous dispersions of nanotubes, but not for nanotubes in solid polymethylmethacrylate. The threshold model fits the experimental Z-scan data better than the non-threshold model. Output characteristics were obtained that integrally describe the nonlinear properties of the optical limiters.