abstract: Bioimpedance measurements have been long used for monitoring tissue ischemia and blood flow. This research employs implantable microelectronic devices to measure impedance chronically as a potential way to monitor the progress of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Ultrasonically powered implantable microdevices previously developed for the purposes of neuroelectric vasodilation for therapeutic treatment of PVD were found to also allow a secondary function of tissue bioimpedance monitoring. Having no structural differences between devices used for neurostimulation and impedance measurements, there is a potential for double functionality and closed loop control of the neurostimulation performed by these types of microimplants. The proposed technique involves actuation of the implantable microdevices using a frequency-swept amplitude modulated continuous waveform ultrasound and remote monitoring of induced tissue current. The design has been investigated using simulations, ex vivo testing, and preliminary animal experiments. Obtained results have demonstrated the ability of ultrasonically powered neurostimulators to be sensitive to the impedance changes of tissue surrounding the device and wirelessly report impedance spectra. Present work suggests the potential feasibility of wireless tissue impedance measurements for PVD applications as a complement to neurostimulation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Bioengineering 2015

Introduction: Skeletal expansion has been a treatment modality in orthodontics and orthopedics to correct skeletal transverse discrepancies with maxillary constriction. The utilization of microimplants in conjunction with these palatal expanders offers a higher degree of pure skeletal expansion and minimizes the dental side effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of the hard and soft tissues of the face after skeletal expansion for orthodontics. Methods: 36 patients who had received successful expansion with a microimplant assisted rapid palatal expander were compared to their pre-expansion records. All patients received CBCTs from which a 3-D analysis configuration was created to trace hard and soft tissue landmarks of the midface and nasal cavity regions. 3 judges analyzed each set of records and the average was used to calculate the amount of expansion experienced at each anatomical region. A paired T-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical comparison between time points. Results: Expansion can affect all of the midfacial hard tissues that support the overlying soft tissues. Increases in skeletal width from the Frontozygomatic suture down to the maxillary alveolar bone were all significant. The nasal cavity increased in width in all locations measured. Soft tissue changes were significant at the base of the ala suggesting a widening of the nose with expansion therapy. Conclusion: Maxillary expansion with microimplant assisted expanders can have skeletal changes throughout the entire midface and may affect the width of the nasal cavity. Soft tissue changes were less pronounced, and though a widening of the base of the nose may be expected this may not be noticed by the patient.

Introduction: When skeletal transverse discrepancies exist between the maxilla and mandible, they commonly manifest in dental malocclusion. If left uncorrected, the malocclusion can lead to periodontal issues, tooth fractures, tooth loss, or other significant dental problems. Utilization of microimplants in palatal expansion aims to correct transverse discrepancies between the maxilla and mandible by separating the palatal suture in a parallel manner aimed at maximizing skeletal changes and minimizing dental side effects. Overlying soft tissue changes can be affected by the induced skeletal changes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate skeletal expansion and the overlying soft tissue change that occurs using MARPEs (microimplant assisted rapid palatal expanders) at the end of orthodontic treatment in skeletally mature (Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CMV) ≥ 5) patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and to evaluate soft tissue changes that occur at the time of orthodontic treatment completion using CBCT imaging. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans from 19 patients who were treated using microimplant assisted rapid palatal expanders were traced and evaluated at three time points: Before orthodontic treatment (T1), post MARPE expansion with MARPE in place (T2), and after orthodontic treatment with MARPE removed. Fourteen hard tissue landmarks and six soft tissue landmarks in the midface and nasal cavity regions were traced by three judges at each time point. The traced landmark points were averaged among all three judges and comparisons were made between the three time points to see the amount of expansion that occurred at various anatomical 2 regions. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate inter-judge reliability for all measurements. A repeated measures ANOVA test was used for statistical comparison across all three time points and a Tukey post hoc test was used for comparison between time points. Significance was set to .05 and ICC was set to >.70. Results: Expansion with microimplant assisted rapid palatal expanders can affect the hard tissue of the midface region as well as the overlying soft tissue. Increases in skeletal width from the ANS down to the maxillary alveolar bone were statistically significant in both the short term (T1-T2) and long term (T1-T3). The nasal cavity width at inferior turbinate area increased significantly after expansion (T2) and remained increased at treatment completion (T3) and the increased soft tissue width of the alar base that presented after expansion therapy remained increased at treatment completion. Conclusion: Maxillary expansion with microimplant assisted expanders resulted in skeletal changes throughout the maxilla and led to a significant long-term increase in nasal cavity width. The soft tissue changes associated with MARPE treatment show that a widening of the base of the nose may be expected after expansion and can remain at treatment completion.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the types and prevalence of complications following MARPE protocol at University of the Pacific and to investigate the complication of asymmetry using CBCT analysis. Methods: In the first portion of this study, 97 patients who started treatment prior to July 2020 and who had MARPE expander treatment at the University of the Pacific were included. Chart review and evaluation of progress clinical photographs were used to report the following complications: inflammation, pain, appliance malfunction, broken microscrew, and pulpitis. In the second portion of this study, 77 patients from a private practice orthodontist who started treatment prior to January 2021 were included in this study. The complication of asymmetry was measured using CBCT measurements from T1 (prior to treatment start) and T2 (immediately following MARPE expansion). The change in U6 molar angulation changes was also assessed. Results: It was determined in the first portion of this study that the most common complication was inflammation around the MARPE site, with 82% of the study population exhibiting any severity of inflammation. 3 patients exhibited severe inflammation requiring removal of MARPE. 18% reported pain in the MARPE area. 9 patients exhibited appliance malfunction, 1 patient exhibited broken microscrew, and 1 patient exhibited pulpitis. It was determined in the second portion of this study that 47% of patients exhibited asymmetry greater than 1 mm and the average asymmetry at ANS was 1.47 mm. No correlation was exhibited between amount of asymmetric expansion and the following measures: age, molar inclination, palatal thickness, posterior screw expansion and palatal vault height. 3 Conclusions: Inflammation of the MARPE is the most common complication that can result in early removal of the expander. Other complications such as asymmetry and pain are common as well.