Nireekshan Sodavaram
Doctor of Philosophy, (Engineering)
Study Completed: 2019
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Micro-Implantable Pressure Sensor for Lifetime Monitoring of Intracranial Pressure
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
The elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions is a serious concern. In New Zealand 34 out of 60,000 are born with congenital hydrocephalus. Similarly, around 700,000 children and adults are fighting with hydrocephalus. Currently, ICP is treated with the insertion of catheters, which is an invasive procedure that introduces vulnerability to infection. The risk of infection would be overcome by a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) membrane-based fully implantable pressure sensor. However, the accuracy in terms of long-term drift is a serious concern. Mr Sodavaram completed a comprehensive analysis of issues surrounding the drift by studying suitable biomaterials, modelling, simulation and testing of thin film Ti-6Al-4V alloy structures for fatigue life. The results showed that the thin film membrane under 4 micrometres thick and above 900 nanometres would have a better life and pressure transmission in brain fluid.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Khalid Arif
Professor Johan Potgieter
Associate Professor Fakhrul Alam