Swelling properties of hydrogel coatings on neural devices
Name
890129390-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
2.7 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
3e3908591b62c8d035c1f644bd3a7017
Author(s)
Deng, Di Judy
Advisor(s)
Michael J. Cima.
Date Issued
2014
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Glial scarring is a major problem seen in brain electrode implants that can hinder electrode function. One major contributing factor is the mechanical mismatch between the stiff electrode and the soft brain tissue'. Hydrogel coatings are being investigated to determine their effectiveness in providing the necessary biocompatibility. Polyethylene glycol hydrogels of various formulations were fabricated and produced elastic moduli ranging from 13kPa to 687 kPa, which lie within two orders of magnitude of the elastic moduli of the brain (6kPa). Dehydration of the hydrogels provides the mechanical rigidity necessary for implantation into the brain. The surrounding aqueous environment allows the dried hydrogel to return to its swollen state. The swelling process in the brain phantom is slower than in unconstrained swelling. The equilibrium swollen hydrogel was also slightly smaller in the constrained state, implying the strain is being distributed between the hydrogel and the brain phantom.
Description
Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 2014.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 30).
Subjects
Materials Science and Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Terms of Use
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