TY - GEN
T1 - Microfabricated structures for evaluation of tactile sensitivity
AU - Cibuzar, G.
AU - Von Dissen, L.
AU - Fisher, M.
AU - Kennedy, W. R.
AU - Selim, M.
AU - Brink, T.
AU - Wendelschafer-Crabb, G.
AU - Simone, D.
AU - Foster, S.
AU - Nolano, M.
AU - Provitera, V.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - A novel, sensitive, inexpensive test platform for rapid assessment of touch sensation is presented. The device translates basic research performed on the physiological properties of skin touch receptors into a clinical test for early diagnosis of diabetic and other types of neuropathy. The platform consists of a series of coin-shaped structures (550μm diameter, 1.5 to 30μm high) that a test subject attempts to feel by touch using a fingertip. The structures are made using a simple SU-8 process, standard lithography and dry etching. Early results show that there is some variability in sensitivity based on age, but "normal" subjects of most ages can readily detect bumps of heights below 5 microns, whereas subjects with neuropathy cannot. We believe that this new marker for tactile deficiency can rapidly be brought into clinical use. This paper demonstrates a successful collaborative project between a university microfabrication facility and a physician-led clinical study.
AB - A novel, sensitive, inexpensive test platform for rapid assessment of touch sensation is presented. The device translates basic research performed on the physiological properties of skin touch receptors into a clinical test for early diagnosis of diabetic and other types of neuropathy. The platform consists of a series of coin-shaped structures (550μm diameter, 1.5 to 30μm high) that a test subject attempts to feel by touch using a fingertip. The structures are made using a simple SU-8 process, standard lithography and dry etching. Early results show that there is some variability in sensitivity based on age, but "normal" subjects of most ages can readily detect bumps of heights below 5 microns, whereas subjects with neuropathy cannot. We believe that this new marker for tactile deficiency can rapidly be brought into clinical use. This paper demonstrates a successful collaborative project between a university microfabrication facility and a physician-led clinical study.
KW - Medicine
KW - Optical lithography
KW - SU-8
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77955741697&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77955741697&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/UGIM.2010.5508926
DO - 10.1109/UGIM.2010.5508926
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77955741697
SN - 9781424447329
T3 - Biennial University/Government/Industry Microelectronics Symposium - Proceedings
BT - 2010 18th Biennial University/Government/Industry Micro-Nano Symposium, UGIM 2010 - Proceedings
T2 - 18th Biennial University/Government/Industry Micro-Nano Symposium, UGIM 2010
Y2 - 28 June 2010 through 1 July 2010
ER -
