Workshops and Short Courses

Electromagnetic fields from low frequency to millimeter wave are presenting lots of interests for biomedical applications. Among them is emerging the possibility to non-invasively investigate the living at various levels from tissue/organ to cellular, with the objective to early diagnose diseases and improve the efficiency of prognostic and therapies. This workshop will consequently address the latest advances on the biomedical use of electromagnetic waves and covers: (1) bio-sensor/stimulator-concept for biological cells, blood, tissue and organs analysis, (2) microelectronics for bio-signals sensing and readout processing, (3) body-centric wireless communication and wireless power transfer for medical devices, (4) dosimetry issue related to electromagnetic fields. The first presentation focuses on the development of implantable wireless micro devices for clinical applications (US). The second talk will highlight recent advances in the design of tissue-equivalent phantoms for body-centric communication studies at millimeter-waves and their applications to antennas & propagation studies in V band (FR). The third presentation deals with the design of a wearable neuromodulator using computational models (UK). The fourth presentations are dedicated to the dosimetry of electromagnetic fields in bio-matter (IT). The fifth talk deals with the biological cells analysis in a lab-on-chip (FR) and the last presentation will adresses the use of a microwave waveguide-based dielectrometry for the discrimination of healthy and diseased human erythrocytes (Ukraine). The workshop provides a large overview of actual “hot topics” in bio-electromagnetism. Worldwide and outstanding researchers will share their expertise and latest results in the field. Programme 13:50 14:00 Welcome 14:00 – 14:30 Implantable Wireless Medical Devices J.-C. Chiao, University of Texas at Arlington, USA  Abstract 14:30 15:00 Body-Centric Wireless Communications at Millimeter Waves: from Experimental Modeling of the Human Body to Antenna & Propagation Studies Maxim Zhadobov, Nacer Chahat, Anda Guraliuc, Carole Leduc, and Ronan Sauleau. IETR, Rennes, France and JPL/NASA, Pasadena, USA  Abstract 15:00 15:30 Using Computational Models to Optimise a Neuromodulator Arsam Shiraz and Andreas Demosthenous, University College London, UK  Abstract 15:30 16:10 Coffee Break 16:10 16:40 Microdosimetry point of view in biomedical and biotechnological framework Caterina Merla, Francesca Apollonio, and Micaela Liberti, ENEA, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy  Abstract 16:40 17:10 Microwave Dielectric Spectroscopy for Cellular Analysis Katia Grenier and David Dubuc, LAAS-CNRS, Toulouse, France  Abstract 17:10 17:40 Microwave Waveguide Dielectrometry of Human Erythrocytes as a Tool for Discrimination of Health Status Kateryna Arkhypova, Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Ukraine  Abstract 17:40 17:50 Discussion WORKSHOPS AND SHORT COURSES 14:00 – 14:30 Implantable Wireless Medical Devices J.-C. Chiao, University of Texas at Arlington, USA Abstract The presentation focuses on the development of implantable wireless micro devices for clinical applications. These devices include sensors and stimulators. Wireless communication and wireless power transfer are utilized to remove constrains of wires and reduce implant sizes due to battery capacity. Technology advances also enable low-power electronics and miniaturization. These features will assist patients to have a better quality of life. Quantitative electronic data continuously recorded provides better diagnostic information and individual control of dosages empowers patients with personalized medicine. Two examples will be given. The first one is a wireless networking system integrating neurorecorders to digitize pain signals and neurostimulators to inhibit pain. The second one is a batteryless device platform that can harvest wireless energy for sensing physiological parameters or stimulating tissues. These examples can be applied to many different types of implants for practical applications. 14:30 15:00 Body-Centric Wireless Communications at Millimeter Waves: from Experimental Modeling of the Human Body to Antenna & Propagation Studies Maxim Zhadobov, Nacer Chahat, Anda Guraliuc, Carole Leduc, and Ronan Sauleau. IETR, Rennes, France and JPL/NASA, Pasadena, USA Abstract In the last years, the interest to millimeter-wave body-centric applications has significantly increased due to technological progress and some advantages offered by this frequency band. The presentation will highlight recent advances in the design of tissue-equivalent phantoms for body-centric communication studies at millimeter-waves and their applications to antennas & propagation studies in V band. 15:00 15:30 Using Computational Models to Optimise a Neuromodulator Arsam Shiraz and Andreas Demosthenous, University College London, UK Abstract After spinal cord injury, lower urinary tract dysfunction is likely. Before the advent of relatively more effective treatment and management techniques, these dysfunctions posed as the first cause of death in spinal cord injury patients. The dominant treatment and management use a combination of drugs and catheterisation. A range of other solutions involving surgical operations are also available. The side effects of the drugs, frequent episodes of rehospitalisation due to catheterisation, and costly and intrusive nature of surgical operations indicate the need for alternative forms of treatment. Trans-rectal stimulation of the pudendal nerve may provide such a solution. It has been demonstrated that pudendal nerve stimulation leads to bladder voiding or continence depending on the stimulus pulse frequency. Also, the stimulus current can be applied transrectally via surface electrodes, constituting a minimally invasive solution. However, the level of the required current may be the limiting factor of this solution as reported previously in the literature. A finite element model of a neuromodulator in pelvic region was developed, considering the main anatomical features. For a variety of electrode configurations, the electric potential along the nerve was simulated. This extracellular electric potential was then coupled with a double layer cable model of mammalian axon to investigate the dynamic response of the nerve. The outcome of the modelling study showed that by optimising the electrode configuration, it is possible to considerably reduce the amplitude of the stimulus current. 16:00 16:30 Microdosimetry point of view in biomedical and biotechnological framework Caterina Merla, Francesca Apollonio, and Micaela Liberti, ENEA, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Abstract Microdosimetry deals with the quantitative study of the spatial, temporal, and spectral distributions of electromagnetic (EM) fields imparted to cellular and subcellular structures. To approach microdosimetry two steps are needed. The first one involves the setup of a dielectric cell model. First models used a frequency-independent behavior of the cell. However, the different nature of microscopic structures implies differentiation in the polarization phenomena and different frequency responses of the cell individual parts. Recently frequency-dependent models with dielectric relaxation have been considered unavoidable at microwaves. The second step concerns the setup of appropriate EM solutions. Both analytical methods applied to simplified cell shapes (multi-shelled spheres or ellipsoids) and numerical ones applied to irregular-shaped cells were used studying cell response under different frequencies, shapes, dielectric properties, and exposure conditions. In this scenario, microdosimetry seems to play a crucial role in single cell microwave sensing approaches, in developments of implantable micro-devices as well as in emergent medical EM field applications (e.g. controlled drug delivery). Aim of this presentation is to establish the shared scientific bases and main results of microdosimetry, and to identify the needs for future research. 16:40 17:10 Microwave Dielectric Spectroscopy for Cellular Analysis Katia Grenier and David Dubuc, LAAS-CNRS, Toulouse, France Abstract Due to the convergence of microfluidics and microwave technologies, broadband electromagnetic sensing at the cellular levels is now accessible. It permits to provide to the biomedical community a new way to observe the living, in complementarity with existing techniques (optical ones notably). Given this framework, the presentation will focus on the development of microwave and millimeter wave microsystems and associated technique for the broadband dielectric analysis of living cells and cancer cells (human lymphoma cells) notably. Latest results on the microwave dielectric spectroscopy of cells suspensions will be presented and emphasis will be given on the medical use of such a technique for cancer fight applications notably. 17:10 17:40 Microwave Waveguide Dielectrometry of Human Erythrocytes as a Tool for Discrimination of Health Status Kateryna Arkhypova, Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Ukraine Abstract Different cellular malfunctions provide the basis of most common diseases, which are failed to detect in the early stages. One of the possible ways to evaluate the defect is to monitor functional activity of different cells, the red blood cells, for example. Due to their high sensitivity as well as ability to monitor in real time, the label-free microwave techniques are very suitable for this purpose. The presentation will focus on the results of experimental study to detect the functional activity of erythrocytes by tracing their dielectric characteristics and cellular receptors' activity indicators in health and disease. The approach we propose is intended to supplement current cellular analysis used for healthcare, which will allow obtaining more information about health status of the patients at the cellular level.