MSc Thesis / Semester Project: Real-time control of focused ultrasound intensities using passive cavitation imaging (PCI): applications to targeted drug delivery

alternate text Figure 1: Future clinical concept for our technology.

Project:

Non-invasive, focal drug delivery in a controlled, reliable manner can lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of brain disorders. We recently developed a unique technology based on focused ultrasounds that can concentrate small molecules in target brain regions orders of magnitude more efficiently than systemic drug administration [1]. This has important applications for the treatment of chronic brain diseases, but also opens new opportunities for the non-invasive interrogation of brain circuits in large animal species.

To translate this technology to the clinic, we recently received a Bridge Discovery award [2] which will support further validation of our technology in large animals, and eventually humans. In this context, we are looking for a master student to help the development of algorithms and hardware for the real-time control of ultrasound intensities delivered to brain tissues, using acoustic feedback received from intravenous drug carriers. This system will be critical to the success of our technology, ensuring maximally-effective drug delivery while avoiding harmful sonication regimes. The student will be working within a large interdisciplinary team consisting of neurosurgeons, veterinary scientists, neuroscientists, and engineers. This is a unique opportunity to get exposed to cutting-edge, translational work in the field of neurotechnology.

 

Tasks:

  • - Familiarizing with focused ultrasound hardware and software, as well as drug-carrier physics.

  • - Development of a passive cavitation imaging (PCI) readout for the spatially-resolved monitoring of cavitation events.

  • - Development of a feedback control algorithm using readout from PCI to adjust delivered ultrasound intensities in real-time.

  • - In-vitro validation of the algorithm in the presence of ex-vivo human/sheep skulls.

Tasks will be adapted based on the student’s time and interests.

 

Pre-requisites:

  • - Strong motivation.

  • - Familiarity with common benchtop electronic equipment (e.g. oscilloscopes, amplifiers, function generators).

  • - Good understanding of signal processing basics as well as control theory.

  • - Experience with Python/MATLAB programming.

 

Project duration: 6-9 months, July 1st, 2024 (earliest start).

 

Contact: Please reach out to Jad Hanna (jahanna (at) ethz.ch) via email with CV and transcripts attached.

 

References:

[1] Ozdas, M.S., Shah, A.S., Johnson, P.M. et al. Non-invasive molecularly-specific millimeter-resolution manipulation of brain circuits by ultrasound-mediated aggregation and uncaging of drug carriers. Nature Communications 11, 4929 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18059-7

[2] https://ee.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-itet-news-channel/2022/12/prof-mehmet-fatih-yanik-and-his-team-receive-the-bridge-discovery-award.html

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