Thèse d'exercice : Médecine : Nancy 1 : 2008. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre.

Thèse de doctorat : Bioingénierie. Ingénierie Cellulaire et Tissulaire : Nancy 1 : 2007. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre.

Laser micromachining has become increasing prominent in various industries given its speed, lack of tool wear, and ability to create features on the order of micrometres. Inherent stochastic variations from thermal ablation along with detrimental heat effects, however, limit the feasibility of achieving high precision. The high number of control parameters that make laser micromachining versatile also hinders optimization due to high exploration time. The introduction of high intensity nonlinear ablation leads to more precise cuts but at a much higher, often restrictive, cost. The work here shows that by combining an imaging technique frequently used in ophthalmology called optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a machining platform, in situ observation of ablation can be made. This combination, known as in-line coherent imaging (ICI), allows information to be gathered about the dynamics of the ablation process. Experimental results show that quality cutting of silicon can be achieved with thermal ablation and at a wavelength of 1070 nm. This result is surprising as silicon absorbs this wavelength very weakly at room temperature. It is shown here that a nonlinear thermal dependence in absorption allows a cascaded absorption effect to enable machining. With the aid of ICI, the model shown here is able to accurately predict the thermal ablation rate and help understand the ablation process. The high quality cutting achieved allows for a more cost efficient alternative to current techniques using ultraviolet diode-pumped solid state (UV DPSS) systems. Where thermal effects such as heat-affected zones (HAZ) cannot be overcome, high intensity nonlinear ablation allows the processing of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) for high frequency arrays (used in ultrasound applications) at speeds two orders of magnitude greater than found in the literature, and potential feature sizes (< 100 µm) in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) unachievable by thermal ablation. The ablation mechanism here is Coulombic explosion (CE), which is a non-thermal process. Coupled with demonstrated manual and automatic feedback abilities of ICI, the processes shown here may open up new avenues for fabrication. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2011-05-31 15:02:55.547

Two types of core/shell nanoparticles (CS-NPs) generation based on laser ablation are developed in this study, namely, double pulse laser ablation and laser ablation in colloidal solutions. In addition to the study of the generation mechanism of CS-NPs in each scheme, the optical properties of designed CS-NPs are determined with UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and EM field simulation. In the first scheme, which is double pulse laser ablation, two laser beams are fired in a sequence on two adjacent targets with different material. We have successfully demonstrated the generation of Sn/Glass, Zn/Glass, Zn/Si, Ge/Si, and Cu/Zn CS-NPs. Key factors affecting the generation of CS-NPs are (1) surface tensions of the constructing materials affecting the associated Gibbs free energy of CS-NPs, (2) physical properties of selected background gases (i.e., He and Ar), (3) delay time between two laser pulses, and (4) the amount of laser energy. The second scheme examined for the generation of CS-NPs is through laser ablation of solid targets in colloidal solutions. Compared to the double pulse laser ablation, this second approach provides better control of the size and shape of the resulting CS-NPs. Two colloidal solutions, namely, Au and SiO2 colloidal solution are applied in the second scheme. Key factors affecting the formation of CS-NPs with the second scheme and are (a) the adhesion energy between the shell and the core material, (b) the diameter of the core and (c) the laser ablation time and the laser energy. Red shift of absorption peaks are measured in both SiO2/Au and SiO2/Ag colloids compared with pure nanoparticles (NPs). The amount of red-shift is very sensitive to the shell thickness of the CS-NPs. The same red shift is reproduced with the corresponding full wave analysis. The observed red shift can be attributed to the additional surface plasmon resonance at the interface of metal/dielectric of the CS-NPs compared with pure nanoparticles. Through adjusting the material and size combination, the absorption peak of the CS-NPs can be tuned in a limit range around the intrinsic absorption peak of the metal of the CS-NPs. The freedom of adjusting the absorption peak makes CS-NPs is favorable in bio and optical applications.

Mémoire (M.Sc.A.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1987. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

L’objectif de cette thèse a été de développer et de valider une méthodologie d'analyse en ligne et en continue des nanoparticules (NPs) dans l'atmosphère qui permet d'effectuer des analyses mono-particulaires et donnant accès à la taille et à la chimie des NPs simultanément. Ce travail a été réalisé à l'aide d'un instrument nommé LAAP-ToF-MS (Laser Ablation Aerosol Particle - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer). Il est constitué de quatre parties principales qui sont : des lentilles aérodynamiques pour introduire les aérosols dans le spectromètre, un système optique de détection des particules afin de déterminer leurs tailles et de synchroniser le tir laser, un dispositif d'ionisation basé sur l'ablation laser et enfin un analyseur de masse à temps de vol pour l'analyse des ions produits. Les travaux de cette thèse se sont organisés en quatre parties principales :La première a été consacrée à la caractérisation du LAAP-ToF-MS afin de déterminer les performances individuelles des quatre éléments constitutifs de cet analyseur. Ces travaux ont fait l’objet d’un article publié dans le journal international "Atmospheric Measurement Techniques".La deuxième partie est dédiée au développement d'une méthode d'analyse quantitative, ces travaux ont fait l’objet d’un article publié dans le journal "Talanta".La troisième partie est consacrée au développement instrumental qui a été réalisé afin d’analyser les NPs non associées à des aérosols (Ø<100 nm). Ce développement a fait l’objet d’un brevet en cours de validation. La dernière partie donne quelques exemples concrets des applications et de l'utilité de cet instrument pour l'étude des NPs en laboratoire et sur le terrain. / The aim of this thesis is the development and the validation of an online analytical methodology for continuous measurements of nanoparticles (NPs) in the atmosphere. The particularity of this method is the capacity to determine the size and the chemical composition of each particle simultaneously, what we call mono-particular method. This work was conducted using the instrument LAAP-ToF-MS (Laser Ablation Aerosol Particle - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometer). Being dedicated for single aerosol measurements, four parts constitute this instrument: aerodynamic lenses are used to introduce aerosols into the instrument, an optical detection system to determine the particles size and synchronize the laser shot used for the ionization process, and the produced ions are then analyzed by a Time of Flight (ToF) analyzer.The work is organized in four parts:The first part consists in the characterization of the LAAP-ToF-MS in order to determine the performances of each of its four parts. The results of this work were published in the international journal "Atmospheric Measurement Techniques".The second part is dedicated to the development of a quantitative analytical method and published in "Talanta" journal.The orientation of the third part is going into the direction of instrumental development to measure NPs not associated to aerosols (Ø<100 nm). Being the first development of this kind using the LAAP-ToF-MS, the work is highlighted by a patent which is under validation.In the end, the last part is dedicated to examples of concrete applications and the usefulness of the LAAP-ToF-MS instrument to study NPs during laboratory experiments as well as for field campaigns.

Computer tomography (CT) guided ablations of liver tumors using microwaves is a relatively new type of treatment. Studies examining treatment results and complications have been made but how the patients undergoing the treatment experience the care process has not yet been described closely. The aim of this study was thus to describe the experiences of patients undergoing CT-guided ablations of liver tumors using microwaves, focusing on identifying suffering during the time of care. A qualitative method was chosen, with a somewhat deductive approach. Eight semi-structured interviews were held and the data was analyzed using direct content analysis. For deductive application of categories, terms from Katie Erikssons theory on suffering were used. Both experienced actual suffering as well as potential suffering prevented or lessened was identified to present positive as well as negative experiences. The result was identification of suffering of illness such as pain, weariness, mictional dysfunction, breathing difficulties and anxiety directed towards a variety of aspects concerning situation and care; suffering of care such as lack of information, powerlessness, guilt and the feeling of being exposed; suffering of life such as regret and the feeling of mortal threat. Findings also include the opposite of many of the sufferings mentioned above, for example feeling of ease, thankfulness, hope and relieved pain. The conclusion was that the result largely confirms previous findings concerning complications from this kind of surgery as well as patient’s experiences of cancer and going through surgery. The respondents’ overall experience of the healthcare was found to be positive.

De nombreux domaines, tels que le biomédical, la micro-fluidique ou l’optique quantique, sont demandeurs de nanoparticules présentant des propriétés optiques spécifiques. L’ablation laser en liquide, PLAL (Pulsed Laser Ablation induced in Liquid) est une méthode de synthèse permettant d’élaborer rapidement des nanoparticules dans une large gamme de matériaux, et donc de tester la conservation ou la modification des propriétés optiques originales identifiées dans certains matériaux lorsque l’on passe aux tailles nanométriques (scintillation, thermoluminescence, photo-stimulation, haut rendement de luminescence...). Dans ce travail de thèse la synthèse, la caractérisation optique et structurale de nanoparticules dopées a été développé. Différents types de matériaux ont été testés dont l’oxyde de gadolinium dopé, l’yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), l’alumine etc. Cela a permis de montrer la faisabilité et la potentialité de cette technique d’élaboration sur différents matériaux. Par ailleurs un outil de diagnostic du plasma par spectroscopie optique résolue en temps a été mis en place afin de comprendre les processus des croissances des particules formées. / Many domains, such as biomedical, micro-fluidic or quantum optics, applications are in need of nanoparticles with specific optical properties. Laser ablation in liquid PLAL is a synthesis method that can rapidly screen nanoparticles in a wide range of materials, and thus test the preservation or modification of the optical properties, identified in the bulk material, when downsizing to nanometers (scintillation, thermo-luminescence, photo-stimulation, high luminescence efficiency ...). In this work doped nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized both optically and structurally. Different materials were tested, including doped gadolinium oxide, yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), alumina etc. This showed the feasibility and potential of this technique developed on different materials. Also this research activity is focused on the development of a diagnostic tool for plasma, by time-resolved optical spectroscopy, to understand the growth process of the particles formed.

Le traitement des arythmies cardiaques par ablation radiofréquence est une procédure thérapeutique permettant de restaurer un rythme normal par destruction thermique des tissus arythmogènes. A l'heure actuelle, l'intervention est réalisée sans imagerie temps réel permettant de visualiser la lésion pendant l'ablation. La thermométrie IRM permet de mesurer la température du tissu en chaque pixel et d'estimer directement l'étendue de la lésion via le calcul de la dose thermique cumulée. Si cette technique est déjà établie pour guider l'ablation de tumeurs dans différents organes, elle reste difficile à mettre en œuvre sur le cœur, notamment à cause des mouvements de respiration et de contraction myocardique. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, une méthode de thermométrie cardiaque a été implémentée pour réaliser une cartographie temps réel de la température du myocarde en condition de respiration libre. Plusieurs séquences IRM rapides ont été développées pour permettre l'acquisition d'environ 5 coupes par battement cardiaque avec une taille de voxel de 1.6X1.6X3 mm3. Plusieurs solutions de réduction des mouvements hors plan de coupe ont été évaluées : positionnement des coupes dans le sens principal du déplacement, suivi dynamique de la position des coupes en fonction de l'état respiratoire (navigateur, mesure de la position du cathéter). Le mouvement résiduel et les artéfacts de susceptibilité associés sont corrigés par des algorithmes temps réels pour permettre une précision de la thermométrie IRM à ±2°C sur les ventricules. Ce protocole a été utilisé avec succès pour le suivi d'ablations radiofréquences chez la brebis (N=3), permettant une corrélation (R=0.87) entre la dose thermique et la taille réelle des lésions induites. Les résultats sont très prometteurs quant à la pertinence de cette mesure pour une estimation en ligne de l'étendue de la lésion pendant l'ablation. Ces méthodes permettent d'envisager une évaluation clinique à court terme. / Radiofrequency ablation is a therapeutic procedure for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by inducing a local necrosis of the arrhythmogenic tissue. This intervention is currently performed without online imaging of the lesion formation during radiofrequency delivery. MR thermometry provides a monitoring of temperature in the targeted tissue in each pixel and an immediate estimation of lesion via the calculation of the thermal dose. If this technique is well established for the guidance of tumor ablation in various organs, it remains challenging in the heart due to motion (breathing and myocardial contraction). In this work, a cardiac MR thermometry method was developed to perform a real-time temperature mapping of the heart under free-breathing conditions. Several MR pulse sequences were designed to ensure the acquisition of up to 5 slices per heartbeat with a voxel size of 1.6X1.6X3 mm3. Different solutions of minimization of out-of-plane motion were evaluated: alignment of the slices in the main direction of displacement, dynamic update of slice position depending on the respiratory state (echo-navigator, measure of the catheter position). Residual in-plane motion and associated susceptibility artifacts were corrected by real-time algorithms to allow a precision of MR thermometry of ±2°C in ventricles. This protocol was successfully used for the monitoring of radiofrequency ablation in sheep (N=3), allowing a correlation (R=87) between thermal dose maps and sizes of created lesions. These results are promising regarding the relevance of this measure for an inline estimation of the lesion extent during ablation.

Responsable d’un quart des accidents vasculaires cérébraux, la fibrillation auriculaire (FA) est l’arythmie cardiaque la plus répandue. La thérapie d’ablation par cathéter (CA) est de plus en plus utilisée pour traiter la FA, mais ses effets sur le substrat cardiaque ne sont pas suffisamment compris, d’où un taux de réussite très variable. L’électrocardiogramme (ECG) à 12 voies représente un outil non invasif peu coûteux pour caractériser la FA à partir de l’activité électrique du cœur. Cependant, les prédicteurs classiques de l’issue de la CA présentent plusieurs inconvénients, notamment leur calcul manuel sur une seule voie de l’ECG. Cette thèse exploite explicitement le caractère multi-capteur de l’ECG au moyen de techniques de décomposition multivariées, démontrant qu’elles peuvent améliorer la puissance prédictive de certaines propriétés de l’ECG dans le cadre de la CA. L’amplitude des ondes fibrillatoires est corrélée avec le résultat de la CA, et traitée par une méthode multi-capteur basée sur l’analyse en composantes principales (PCA). Des variantes comme la PCA pondérée (WPCA) et la factorisation en matrices non négatives (NMF) peuvent aussi quantifier la variabilité spatio-temporelle de la FA sur l’ECG. La théorie de l’information permet également d’estimer le niveau de corrélation entre les voies de l’ECG, mis en relation avec le résultat de la CA grâce à des approches multi-capteurs. Enfin, une dernière ligne de recherche concerne la réponse ventriculaire manifestée sur la variabilité cardiaque. L’approche paramétrique de processus ponctuel est capable de souligner certaines propriétés de cette variabilité, améliorant ainsi la caractérisation de la FA. / Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, and one of the main causes of stroke. Yet its thorough characterization and treatment remain an open issue. Despite the increasing popularity of the radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) therapy, very little is known about its impact on heart substrate, leading to rather uncertain success rates. This calls for advanced signal processing tools for quantitatively assessing CA outcome. The surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), a noninvasive and cost-effective cardiac activity recording modality, provides valuable information about AF. However, some issues affect most of the standard CA outcome predictors, e.g., manual computation and limited single-lead perspective. This thesis aims at explicitly exploiting the ECG’s multilead character through multivariate decomposition tools, so as to enhance the role of some ECG features as CA outcome predictors. Fibrillatory wave amplitude is correlated with CA success in a multilead framework through principal component analysis (PCA). Multivariate approaches also enhance AF spatiotemporal variability measured on the ECG (e.g., weighted PCA, nonnegative matrix factorization), evidencing that the less repetitive the AF pattern, the less likely CA success. Information theory also quantifies interlead similarity between AF patterns, and is linked with CA outcome in a multilead framework. Another perspective focuses on the ventricular response as reflected on heart rate variability (HRV). Point process modeling can highlight certain HRV properties typical of AF in a parametric probabilistic context, helping AF pattern recognition.