Sean Isomatsu Sciences
A Wearable, Wireless, and Beamforming Device for Transcranial Focused Ultrasound for Small Animal Models
Scholars Journal
Transcranial focused ultrasound is an emerging technology that can non-invasively stimulate deep regions of the brain using sound waves. It holds promise for treating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, depression, epilepsy and a variety of other neurological conditions. However, current studies in animals require the use of bulky equipment and anesthesia, which limits our ability to observe natural behavior and may alter the brain’s response. Sean's project seeks to develop a lightweight, wireless device that can deliver focused ultrasound to rodents while they are awake and freely moving. This will allow researchers to study how brain stimulation affects behavior in a more natural and realistic setting. By enabling precise, non-invasive stimulation in freely behaving animals, this tool has the potential for advancing the development of more effective, targeted therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Major: Bioengineering
Mentor: Liwei Lin, Mechanical Engineering