The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics - within the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, opens an external URL in a new window -  bridges different matters in Chemistry, Technology, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Bioanalytics, Electrochemistry and Environmental Chemistry and unifies basic with applied sciences & technologies within one institution, which is a unique combination found in Central and Eastern Europe.

The scientific focus of the institute is on one hand development of analytical strategies and instrumentation (e.g. (bio)sensors, omics-techniques, mass spectrometry, imaging techniques, ultra trace separation and detection techniques on the elemental as well as molecular level). On the other hand the focus is related to technology of speciality materials, ranging from metals, less common metals, high performance ceramics, thin films and composites to biomedical materials, as well as energy storage and conversion devices in connection with electrochemical technologies. The development of powerful analytic techniques for structure elucidation as well as for environmental technologies is another focus of research within the institute.

The strength of the institute lies in the remarkable combination of industrially driven applied research and development with an exceptional range of analytical, chemical and structural characterization methods, represented by a large pool of "high-end" scientific equipment. As an example, the institutes has in-house access to an array of excellent analytical instruments pooled in the X-ray Center, opens in new window and Analytical Instrumentation Center, opens in new window allowing competitive research in a large number of application fields (e.g. ranging from inorganic metallic materials to biological tissues).

The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics is organized in five research divisions and consists of 12 research groups headed by international renown scientists and high potential young scientists.

164-01

Imaging and Instrumental analytical chemistry

164-02

Environmental analytics, Process analytics and Sensors

164-03

Chemical Technologies

164-04

Technical Electrochemistry

164-05

Structural Chemistry

Biofeedback-based auricular vagus nerve stimulation at critical covid-19 patients

On October 12, 2022, an exhibition and lecture by Univ.Prof. Eugenijus Kaniusas and Dipl.-Ing. Babak Dabiri will take place as part of Blickpunk Forschung: Assistive Technologies @ TU WIEN.

Vagus nerve stimulator shown on the left activates nerve endings in the ear which then stimulate the brainstem shown on the right

© Eugenijus Kaniusas

Biofeedback-based auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Biofeedback-based auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) is a novel neuromodulatory therapy used for treatment of various chronic systemic disorders such as chronic back pain. Currently, aVNS is non-individualized, disregarding the physiological state of the patient and therefore making it difficult to reach optimum therapeutic outcomes.

A closed-loop aVNS system is required to avoid over-stimulation and under-stimulation of patients, leading to personalized, side-effects free and thus improved therapy. This can be achieved by continuous monitoring of individual physiological parameters that serve as a basis for the selection of optimal aVNS settings.

In this work we developed a novel aVNS hardware for closed-loop application, which utilizes cardiorespiratory sensing using embedded sensors (and/or external sensors), processes and analyzes the acquired data in real-time, and directly governs settings of aVNS. We show in-lab that aVNS stimulation can be arbitrarily synchronized with respiratory and cardiac phases (as derived from respiration belt, electrocardiography and/or photo plethysmography) while mimicking baroreceptor-related afferent input along the vagus nerve projecting into the brain. Our designed system identified >90% of all respiratory and cardiac cycles and activated stimulation at the target point with a precision of ± 100ms despite the intrinsic respiratory and heart rate variability, reducing the predictability.

The developed system offers a solid basis for future clinical research into closed-loop aVNS in clear favor of personalized therapy (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10470-022-02037-8, opens an external URL in a new window).

Percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces inflammation in critical Covid-19 patients

Covid-19 is an infectious disease associated with cytokine storms and derailed sympatho-vagal balance leading to respiratory distress, hypoxemia and cardiovascular damage.

We apply the auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) to modulate the parasympathetic nervous system, activate the associated anti-inflammatory pathways, and reestablish the abnormal sympatho-vagal balance. aVNS is performed percutaneously using miniature needle electrodes in ear regions innervated by the auricular vagus nerve.

In terms of a randomized prospective study, chronic aVNS is started in critical but not yet ventilated Covid-19 patients during their stay at the intensive care unit. The results show decreased pro-inflammatory, e.g. a reduction of CRP level by 32% after one day of VNS and 80% over 7 days or similar a reduction of TNFalpha level by 58.1% over 7 days and coagulation parameters and increased anti-inflammatory parameters, e.g. a decrease of IL-10 level by 66% over 7 days over the aVNS duration without collateral effects.

aVNS proved to be a safe clinical procedure and could effectively supplement treatment of critical Covid-19 patients while preventing devastating over-inflammation (https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.897257, opens an external URL in a new window).

 

Event: Blickpunkt Forschung "Assistive Technologien für Arbeit und Alltag" @ TU Wien, opens an external URL in a new window

Venue: TUtheSKY, opens an external URL in a new window, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna

When: October 12, 2022