Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: VINICIUS DE PAULA SILVA
Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.STUDENT : VINICIUS DE PAULA SILVA
Date: 26/05/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Sala 107 Bloco Zeta Campus São Bernardo do Campo
TITLE:
An Integrated Hardware–Software Platform for Simultaneous Electrical and Optical Mapping of Perfused Hearts
PAGES: 90
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Biomédica
SUBÁREA: Bioengenharia
SPECIALTY: Processamento de Sinais Biológicos
SUMMARY:
Investigating the mechanisms underlying complex cardiac arrhythmias requires experimental platforms capable of simultaneously recording electrical and optical activity while providing precise control over stimulation, perfusion, and environmental conditions. This work presents the development of an integrated experimental platform designed to support high-resolution electrophysiological studies in ex vivo heart preparations. The system combines optical mapping, electrical mapping, programmable electrical stimulation, and real-time environmental monitoring within a unified hardware and software framework.
The experimental setup is based on a Langendorff perfusion system designed to maintain isolated hearts under controlled physiological conditions. Perfusion flow, pressure, and temperature are continuously monitored using inline sensors integrated into the perfusion circuit. These measurements are collected by a sensing network based on Arduino microcontrollers. Sensor data are transmitted wirelessly using nRF24L01 communication modules to a central ESP32-S3 controller, which aggregates the information and forwards it to a host computer for visualization and logging.
A key component of the platform is the development of a custom programmable cardiac stimulator designed for controlled pacing and arrhythmia induction. The stimulator is based on a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller and employs a high-resolution digital-to-analog converter and precision analog circuitry to generate constant-current stimulation pulses. The system supports multiple stimulation channels and allows flexible configuration of pacing parameters, including pulse amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and burst protocols. These capabilities enable the implementation of both regular pacing and arrhythmia induction protocols such as rapid burst pacing, which are commonly used to investigate mechanisms of reentry and fibrillation.
To coordinate the operation of the entire experimental system, a custom graphical user interface (GUI) was developed in Python using the Tkinter framework. The GUI serves as the central control hub for the platform, integrating stimulation control, serial communication, synchronization of acquisition hardware, experiment metadata management, and real-time sensor monitoring. Through the interface, users can configure stimulation protocols, monitor physiological parameters, and synchronize optical mapping cameras, LED illumination, and electrophysiological recording systems.
The platform supports simultaneous optical mapping using high-speed cameras and electrical recordings using multielectrode arrays and external acquisition systems. Synchronization signals generated by the control system ensure precise temporal alignment between imaging, stimulation, and electrophysiological recording. By integrating hardware control, stimulation, and data management into a unified system, the platform provides a robust and flexible tool for studying cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis. The modular architecture of both hardware and software components enables adaptation to a wide range of experimental configurations and future research applications.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - Interno ao Programa - 2188954 - ERICK DARIO LEON BUENO DE CAMARGO
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - XIN LI
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - JEFFERSON LUIZ BRUM MARQUES - UFSC
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1188948 - JOAO LAMEU DA SILVA JUNIOR
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - MATHEUS CARDOSO MORAES - UNIFESP
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - RENATA VALERI DE FREITAS - USP