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Shrinking Analytical Instruments onto Tiny Chips

In clinical analysis, food analysis, environmental monitoring, and basic research of biotechnology, rapid sensitive analyses of compounds in sample solutions of small volumes are often required. To meet this demand, miniaturization of analytical devices has made a remarkable progress. We have developed various sensing devices based on electrochemical and photonic principles. In realizing sophisticated devices, efficient processing of solutions of nL volumes is indispensable. For this purpose, microfluidics can be a basis. In microfluidics, structures such as flow channels and reaction chambers are microfabricated. In an effort to realize efficient solution processing, we have also developed techniques such as electrowetting-based automatic/autonomous fluid transport and droplet-based solution processing. By taking full advantage of these techniques, we have realized microdevices targeting for practical applications [1-5]. Our progress related to this theme will be introduced.

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References:

  1. Satoh W, Takahashi S, Sassa F, Fukuda J, Suzuki H. On-chip culturing of hepatocytes and monitoring their ammonia metabolism. Lab Chip. 2009;9:35-7.

  2. Itoh D, Koyachi E, Yokokawa M, Murata Y, Murata M, Suzuki H. Microdevice for on-site fish freshness checking based on K‑Value measurement. Anal Chem. 2013;85:10962-8.

  3. Usuba R, Yokokawa M, Ackermann TN, Llobera A, Fukunaga K, Murata S, et al. Photonic Lab-on-a-Chip for rapid cytokine detection. ACS Sens. 2016;1:979-86.

  4. Kimura S, Fukuda J, Tajima A, Suzuki H. On-chip diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in cows by electrochemical measurement of neutrophil activity in milk. Lab Chip. 2012;12:1309-15.

  5. Itoh D, Koyachi E, Yokokawa M, Murata Y, Murata M, Suzuki H. Microdevice for on-site fish freshness checking based on K-value measurement. Anal Chem. 2013;85(22):10962-8.

Hiroaki Suzuki received his B.E. and M.E. degrees in applied physics and his Ph.D degree in bioelectronics and biotechnology from the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1981, 1983, and 1993, respectively. In 1983, he joined Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. as a researcher. In 1996, he moved to University of Tsukuba as associate professor. Since 2004, he has been a full-time professor at the Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba. Currently he is the president of the Japan Society of Chemical Sensors, fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and fellow the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.

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Hiroaki Suzuki, PhD

Professor
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
University of Tsukuba

Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Email: hsuzuki[at]ims.tsukuba.ac.jp

Soft, Wet and Ionic Microelectrode Systems

Recent strong demand for wearable and implantable electrical devices has encouraged researchers to develop biocompatible (soft, wet and ionic) electrodes that can form a smart interface between the electronic devices for sensing/treatment and biological targets. The artificial machines and devices are “electronically driven dry systems”, which is in contrast to the “ionically driven wet biosystem”. Therefore, in addition to the improvements in softness and stretchability, the moist and ionic features of electrodes should be considered to realize truly bioconformable interfaces [1]. We have developed electrodes made of organic materials containing hydrogels that are soft and moist like biological systems [2-4]. Conducting polymer-based and carbon nanotube-based composite electrodes have larger interfacial capacitance, which is of advantage for the low-invasive electrical stimulation of cells and tissues without cytotoxic faradaic reactions such as water electrolysis, and useful for bioassay and medical treatments. The development of medically available power sources is also an important research topic [5-7]. The performance of enzyme-modified electrodes was found to be greatly improved by utilizing carbon nanotube nanostructures. The self-powered sensors and stretchable skin-patch were realized by using a built-in biofuel cell with the soft enzyme electrodes.

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References:

  1. Nishizawa M., Soft, Wet and Ionic Microelectrode Systems (Award Accounts). Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 2018: 91: 1141-1149.

  2. Sasaki M et al., Highly Conductive Stretchable and Biocompatible Electrode-Hydrogel Hybrids for Advanced Tissue Engineering, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2014: 3: 1919-1927.

  3. Nagamine K et al., Contractile Skeletal Muscle Cells Cultured with a Conducting Soft Wire for Effective, Selective Stimulation, Scientific Reports, 2018: 8: 2253.

  4. Oribe S et al., Hydrogel-Based Organic Subdural Electrode with High Conformability to Brain Surface, Scientific Reports, 2019: 9: 13379.

  5. Ogawa Y et al., Organic Transdermal Iontophoresis Patch with Built-in Biofuel Cell, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2015: 4: 506-510.

  6. Kai, H et al., Accelerated Wound Healing on Skin by Electrical Stimulation with a Bioelectric Plaster, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2017: 6: 1700465-1700470.

  7. Kusama S et al., Smart Contact Lens with Electroosmotic Self-Moisturization, Advanced Materials Technology, 2019 in press.

Prof. Matsuhiko Nishizawa received his doctor’s degree in engineering from Tohoku University in 1994. He joined the Department of Applied Chemistry of Osaka University as an Assistant Professor (1995-1997). In 1997, he moved to Tohoku University and was promoted to Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2003. He also served as a team leader of JST-CREST (2008-2013), JST-MIRAI (2017-2018), and AMED-SENTAN (2018-). His main concern is BioMEMS technology, including the biological batteries, soft iontronic devices, and their applications in medical, cosmetic and healthcare fields. He received the 2000 Young Researcher Award from the Chemical Society of Japan, the 2000 Young Researcher Award from the Electrochemical Society of Japan, and the 2016 Academic Award from the Chemical Society of Japan.

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Matsuhiko Nishizawa, PhD

Professor
Graduate School of Engineering
Tohoku University

Aoba, Sendai, Japan

Email: nishizawa@biomems.mech.tohoku.ac.jp

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Advances in Biomechanics & Biomaterials for Medical Applications

Biomechanical analyses, especially in the areas of orthopaedics, dentistry and cardiovascular, has evolved from being purely experimental to a more advanced computational technique. These numerical methods have been successfully used for predicting the outcome of various surgical procedures. More intricate anatomical models can now be constructed, with time taken to solve the numerical analysis no longer becoming an issue. Short term and long term predictions of surgical outcomes in complex joints such as the spine and the wrist can be done with greater efficiency. Comminuted bone fracture healing can also be simulated with better accuracy. Other than biomechanics and related analysis, biomaterials also play a crucial role with research areas focusing on enhanced properties to promote better integration with human tissues for faster healing and recovery. Magnesium has been the centre of attention for its high specific stiffness as well as its degradation behavior inside human body. Enhancement of magnesium alloys include the addition of Calcium and Bismuth as well as coating of its surface with Silicon biopolymer, fluorine, hydroxyapatite and polycarbonate. Nanocomposites of Mg/HA/MgO and Mg/HA/TiO2 were also developed. Other biometals under investigation are silver nanoneedles and cobalt-chromium-based alloys. Research on the enhancement of HA includes the addition of Barium-fluoride and Erbium, as well as developing bioglass using rice husk. Quinone-rich polydopamine functionalization of yttria-stabilized-zirconia has also been found to enhance the growth of apatite biomineralization.

Mohammed Rafiq is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Dean Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of the largest engineering faculties in Asia Pacific with over 700 academics, 400 support staff and close to 10,000 students. His career brings over a wealth of experience in research, teaching, administration as well as practising engineer. On his academic brilliance assessment, he obtained his first degree in Mechanical Engineering from a renowned varsity, Imperial College London, and then spent a year at the University of Cambridge for postgraduate studies. He later returned to Imperial College London for a PhD research in Medical Engineering. His thesis on Cementless Hip Arthroplasty was accepted without correction. He attended the certification programme on Entrepreneurship Learning organized by Cambridge Judge Business School, and holds an Executive Certificate for Entrepreneurial Leaders from University of Swansea. He also holds the Certificate in Strategic Foresight for University Leaders from the Malaysian Institute of Management, and also one of the facilitators for the Harvard Business School Case Studies.

Following his successful trait in study, he continued to soar in his career. Upon completing his PhD in 2005, he joined UTM as an academic staff. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2008, Associate Professor in 2010, and three years later promoted to full Professor, at the age of 38. In a span of 10 years, he has secured 95 research grants for the research group that he pioneered – the Medical Devices & Technology Group. Professor Rafiq has published close to 300 indexed publications, 6 books and 93 conference proceedings. Besides his intellectual role in academics, he is also a prolific innovator. According to the Malaysian MyIPO Database on Patents (2001-2014), he is Malaysia’s #1 inventor with 27 patents granted. To date, he holds 35 granted patents and has filed 27 new inventions pending for MyIPO approval. Under his supervisions, 49 PhD students and 41 Masters by research have successfully graduated in various Biomedical engineering sub-expertise.

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Mohammed Rafiq bin Abdul Kadir, PhD

Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Johor, Malaysia

Email: rafiqkadir[at]utm.my

Training and Innovation in Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has undergone rapid evolution through new technology and new techniques,  including AI, tele-surgery, robotics, and many others. This poses a great challenge for practicing surgeons as well as training institutions to prepare surgeons. Ircad was established in Strasbourg, France, in 1994, and has become a global leader in providing scientific and practical platform for surgical education and innovation. Ircad Taiwan was established in 2008, and has trained thousands of surgeons and physicians in Asia since opening. It has also become an important hub for medical device research, incubation, by joining engineering and surgeons together in an ideal environment that fosters multilateral collaboration. It is the goal of the center to continue this effort and establish itself as a platform for start-ups, investors, and global medical device companies to work together and create a venue for success.

Dr.  Huang graduated  from Tulane school of medicine and Tulane school of public  health  in New  Orleans,  USA,  in  year 2005.   After that, he returned to Taiwan to start his surgical  residency  training.  After finishing residency training in Showchwan Memorial hospital, he spend 5 months in Ircad France to train in  Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery under professor Marescaux and  Professor  Dallemagne.  He has actively  participated in all activities in Ircad Taiwan, and has gained  reputation as a trainer in  MIS.  He has also been involved in developing surgical training  workshop in Ircad Taiwan.  He is invited internationally  for his expertise in surgical  education, laparoscopic surgeries  techniques, and  medical device  enterpreneurship.  He started the  role as director of Ircad Taiwan since 2018. He is currently undergoing PhD  in Tokyo  Women’s Medical  University  under Professor Yamamoto. 

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Wayne Shih-Wei Huang, MD, MPH

Director, Ircad Taiwan

Vice Superintendant, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital

Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Email: wayne0405[at]gmail.com

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