High-Frequency Ultrasound of Intervertebral Disc Strain and Microrobot Drug Delivery Systems

High-frequency ultrasound is an excellent non-invasive imaging technique that we utilized in both the quantification of intervertebral disc strain and microrobots for targeted drug delivery systems due to its ability to provide real-time, high-resolution images of soft tissues without the need for invasive procedures. In the intervertebral disc study, it allows us to capture detailed strain measurements across time during dynamic loading, offering insights into tissue deformation under physiological conditions. Similarly, in the microrobot study, high-frequency ultrasound enables precise visualization and tracking of the microrobots within the tissue environment, ensuring accurate navigation and monitoring during targeted drug delivery.

Understanding the mechanics of intervertebral disc injury and validating computational models requires accurate measurement of internal disc strain. While noninvasive imaging and advanced image processing have enabled strain quantification, these methods often depend on visual markers that may alter tissue behavior. Furthermore, they are typically limited to static testing, which does not fully capture physiological loading conditions. This study aims to utilize high-frequency ultrasound combined with texture correlation techniques to quantify strain within intervertebral discs during dynamic axial loading. This study demonstrates that high-frequency ultrasound is an effective tool for measuring disc strain under dynamic loading conditions.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Common treatments for IBD, such as oral and injectable medications, are selected based on disease severity but present significant challenges. These include systemic toxicity, non-specific drug targeting, and degradation of the therapeutic agents in the upper gastrointestinal tract, which reduces treatment effectiveness before reaching the colon. The goal of this research is to develop and test microrobots for targeted drug delivery to inflamed regions of the colon in IBD patients. The microrobots are guided by external magnetic torque and aim to overcome the limitations of traditional IBD treatments by delivering smaller, more effective drug payloads directly to the site of inflammation. The study demonstrates that microrobots, guided by magnetic torque, can effectively deliver targeted drug payloads to inflamed regions of the colon. This method allows for a smaller drug payload compared to traditional treatments, offering a more precise and efficient approach for treating IBD.