Larval zebrafish electrocardiography electrodynmaic modelling and sensor design

Crowcombe, James Edward (2017). Larval zebrafish electrocardiography electrodynmaic modelling and sensor design. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Crowcombe17PhD.pdf
PDF - Accepted Version
Download (13MB)

Abstract

This thesis presents the first model of the electrical activity of the larval zebrafish heart as well as the design and fabrication of novel electrode arrays that were created to measure the electrocardiogram. The model consists of realistic 3D geometry of a 3 day’s post fertilisation zebrafish heart and body with a bidomain electrical model that uses the Fitzhugh-Nagumo equations as the ionic model. The model is able to replicate experimentally observed conduction velocities and action potentials by using region specific parameters and simulate electrocardiograms that are comparable to measurements. The electrode arrays are constructed from flexible polyimide films with gold microelectrodes. These devices have the potential to improve the measurement of the electrocardiogram for drug screening applications as an alternative to the use of micropipette electrodes. Gold plating and PEDOT:PSS coating techniques were applied to the devices to successfully reduce electrode impedance with the effectiveness of each technique categorised using impedance spectroscopy. The devices were tested \(in\) \(vivo\) with larval zebrafish with limited success and so \(in\) \(vitro\) tests were conducted using an artificial current source.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):