Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
Nanomedicine. 2013 Nov;9(8):1135-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2013.08.002. Epub 2013 Aug 20.
Laser-based diagnostics and therapeutics show promise for many neurological disorders. However, the poor transparency of cranial bone (calvaria) limits the spatial resolution and interaction depth that can be achieved, thus constraining opportunity in this regard. Herein, we report preliminary results from efforts seeking to address this limitation through use of novel transparent cranial implants made from nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia (nc-YSZ). Using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of underlying brain in an acute murine model, we show that signal strength is improved when imaging through nc-YSZ implants relative to native cranium. As such, this provides initial evidence supporting the feasibility of nc-YSZ as a transparent cranial implant material. Furthermore, it represents a crucial first step towards realization of an innovative new concept we are developing, which seeks to eventually provide a clinically-viable means for optically accessing the brain, on-demand, over large areas, and on a chronically-recurring basis, without need for repeated craniectomies.
In this study, transparent nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized-zirconia is used as an experimental "cranium prosthesis" material, enabling the replacement of segments of cranial bone with a material that allows for optical access to the brain on a recurrent basis using optical imaging methods such as OCT.
基于激光的诊断和治疗方法在许多神经疾病中显示出了前景。然而，颅骨（颅骨）的透光性差限制了可以达到的空间分辨率和相互作用深度，从而限制了这方面的机会。在此，我们报告了通过使用新型透明颅植入物（由纳米晶氧化钇稳定氧化锆（nc-YSZ）制成）来解决这一限制的初步结果。在急性鼠模型中，我们通过光学相干断层扫描（OCT）对脑下进行成像，结果表明，与天然颅骨相比，通过 nc-YSZ 植入物进行成像时，信号强度得到了提高。因此，这为 nc-YSZ 作为透明颅骨植入材料的可行性提供了初步证据。此外，这代表了朝着我们正在开发的创新概念迈出的关键的第一步，该概念旨在最终提供一种可行的临床方法，以便按需、在大区域和慢性重复的基础上通过光学方式进入大脑，而无需反复开颅手术。
在这项研究中，透明纳米晶氧化钇稳定氧化锆被用作实验性“颅骨假体”材料，允许使用光学成像方法（如 OCT），通过材料来替代颅骨的部分，从而实现对大脑的反复光学访问。
