An investigation of vibration-induced protein desorption mechanism using a micromachined membrane and PZT plate

Abstract

A micromachined vibrating membrane is used to remove adsorbed proteins on a surface. A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) composite (3 x 1 x 0.5 mm) is attached to a silicon membrane (2,000 x 500 x 3 microm) and vibrates in a flexural plate wave (FPW) mode with wavelength of 4,000/3 microm at a resonant frequency of 308 kHz. The surface charge on the membrane and fluid shear stress contribute in minimizing the protein adsorption on the SiO(2) surface. In vitro characterization shows that 57 +/- 10% of the adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA), 47 +/- 13% of the immunoglobulin G (IgG), and 55.3~59.2 +/- 8% of the proteins from blood plasma are effectively removed from the vibrating surface. A simulation study of the vibration-frequency spectrum and vibrating amplitude distribution matches well with the experimental data. Potentially, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based vibrating membrane could be the tool to minimize biofouling of in vivo MEMS devices.

Emerging synergy between nanotechnology and implantable biosensors: A review

“…Such functionality can be used to impart fissures on the adsorbed protein(s) to re-establish efficient analyte transport. An extension to this approach has been the incorporation of magnetostrictive materials to induce local oscillating/vibration motions upon the application of external stimuli (Ainslie et al 2005; Yeh et al 2008). While these vibrations/oscillations are intended to cause protein desorption, the incorporation of such elements may prove costly and difficult, especially considering the miniaturization requirements of all implantable systems.…”

Macroscopic porosity generation in outer hydrogel membranes to offset sensitivity loss in implantable glucose sensors

“…However, such 'static' approaches do not completely eliminate biofouling due to 'dynamic' nature of protein adsorption that constantly replenishes the sensor surface with fresh proteins and cells. 'Active' strategies to mitigate biofouling include the use nanoporous and nanocomposite hydrogel-based materials that change their permeability or hydrophobicity in response to various stimuli (such as, temperature [5] as well as magnetic and electric fields [6,7]). These architectures employ reversible expansion and contraction to assist in dislodging any surface adsorbed proteins.…”

“…These architectures employ reversible expansion and contraction to assist in dislodging any surface adsorbed proteins. [6,7] However, the success of these approaches is limited, [8,9] and may prove challenging to incorporate within the 3D architectures of implanted sensors.…”

Microsphere Erosion in Outer Hydrogel Membranes Creating Macroscopic Porosity to Counter Biofouling-Induced Sensor Degradation

“…12-14 ‘Active’ strategies to mitigate biofouling include the use of nanoporous hydrogels that change their permeability in response to various stimuli ( i.e. temperature, 15, 16,17 magnetic 18 and electric fields 19 ). These strategies employ reversible expansion and contraction to assist in dislodging of the surface-adsorbed proteins.…”