Woong Hee Lee

Title: Innovations in Microdialysis Probes by Woong Hee Lee

Introduction

Woong Hee Lee is an accomplished inventor based in Goleta, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of neurochemical monitoring through his innovative work on microdialysis probes. His research focuses on enhancing the capabilities of these probes to improve spatial resolution and reduce tissue damage during in vivo sampling.

Latest Patents

Woong Hee Lee holds a patent for the "Microfabrication of a microdialysis probe with nanoporous membrane." This invention addresses the limitations of conventional dialysis probes, which are typically over 220 μm in diameter. The new microfabricated probes are only 45 μm thick and 180 μm wide, featuring a buried U-shaped channel that is 30 μm deep and 60 μm wide. The probes are covered with a 5 μm thick nanoporous membrane, allowing for a cross-sectional area that is 79% less than that of the smallest conventional microdialysis probes. This design yields a relative recovery of 2-7% at a 100 nL/min perfusion rate for various small molecules.

Career Highlights

Woong Hee Lee's work has been successfully tested in vivo, demonstrating the ability to sample from the striatum of live rats. The analysis of collected fractions revealed reliable detection of 13 neurochemicals, including dopamine and acetylcholine. Notably, the microfabricated probes showed a 43-fold rise in dopamine following amphetamine injection, comparable to results obtained with conventional probes.

Collaborations

Woong Hee Lee has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Robert T Kennedy and Hyeun Joong Yoon, who is a woman. Their combined expertise has contributed to the advancement of microdialysis technology.

Conclusion

Woong Hee Lee's innovative work in microdialysis probe fabrication represents a significant advancement in neurochemical monitoring. His contributions have the potential to enhance research capabilities while minimizing tissue disruption. The future of microdialysis technology looks promising with such innovations.