Guan Tian

2001 - 2006        Master & Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University 

1997                   Bachelor of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University

2022.12 - present    Professor, Division of Life Science & Health, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University 

2013 - 2022.11  Associate Professor, Division of Life Science & Health, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University 

2009 - 2012        Lecturer, Divsion of Life Science & Health, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University 

2007 - 2009        Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Information Science and Technology, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University 

2006 - 2007        Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Electronics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Deputy Director of Engineering Laboratory, City of Shenzhen

Secretary of Key Laboratory, City of Shenzhen

Senior Consultant of Cochlear Implant and Deep Brain Stimulator Project, LifeTech Scientific Corporation

Officer of IEEE EMBS Shenzhen Chapter

Hearing rehabilitation is in great demand. By 2050, there will be over 32 million people suffering from hearing loss in China. Cochlear implant (CI) is an available treatment for people with profound hearing loss, but the high cost and speech recognition inability for the Chinese language are two main problems for existing imported CI devices. 

Prof. Guan’s research aims to solve these current challenges and focuses mainly on the following six areas: noise-suppression algorithms, harmonic complex tones, virtual channel, spectral cues encoding strategy, optical cochlear implant, self-training software and new low-cost cochlear implant product development. In the future, Prof. Guan will focus on the interdisciplinary research on acoustics and optics, such as photoacoustic phenomenon and optical detection.

Analysis and Processing of Biomedical Acoustics  (Awarded Top 5% of Graduate Course Evaluation in Tsinghua University, 2017)

Start-up and Management for Hi-Tech Enterprises 

Prof. Guan has designed and specifically tailored the teaching content to professional master’s students. Apart from basic acoustics knowledge, the course “Analysis and Processing of Biomedical Acoustics” also includes lectures on medical knowledge, animal experiments, computer design experiments, lung sound auscultation video learning, and flipped classrooms. The course “Start-up and Management for Hi-Tech Enterprises” includes an entrepreneurship pitch competition to allow graduate students to put into use what they have learned.

       Students and Their Research Areas:

- Tao Hu, 2016-2019, Optical Coherence Tomography 3D Fingerprint Extraction

- Delai Wang, 2016-2019, Research on Digital Holographic Microscopic Imaging System Based on FPGA

- Xiangnan Wang,2016-2019, Application Research of Tumor Marker Detection Based on Weak Measurement Sensors

- Yuxuan Yang,2016-2019, Research on the Detection of DNA Unwinding and Refolding State based on Frequency Domain Weak Measurement

- Hui Zhang,2015-2018, Single Excitation Nuclear Magnetic Image Bladder Wall Segmentation

- Xiaodong Chang,2015-2018, Research of Cochlear Rich Auditory Perception Based on EEG ERP

- Jiafei Wang,2015-2018, Research on the FPGA-based Active Noise Control Platform and Signal Prediction Algorithm

- Sheng Ye,2015-2018, High Frequency Signal Acquisition and Processing System for Photoacoustic Imaging Based on FPGA

- Yao Li,2015-2018, Study of Photoacoustic Imaging Based on Linear Array Ultrasound Transducer

- Shiyin Cheng,2015-2018,  Study of Carotid Artery Segmentation of SNAP MR Angiogram

- Yuhang Jiang,2014-2017, Research on the Active Noise Control System

- Zikun Wei,2014-2017, Research on Tone Enhancement and Speech Enhancement In Noise Algorithm for Cochlear Implant         

- Junlong Du,2013-2016, Research on Deep Learning Based Cell Recognition and Tracking System

- Guang Chu,2013-2016, Assessing the Segmental Contribution of Level-dependent Sentences and Study about Tinnitus Treatment

- Kai Li,2013-2016, Research on the Mechanism of the Optical Stimulation Auditory Nerve

- Shuai Liu,2012-2015, Research on the algorithm of Cochlear Implant Mandarin tone enhancement

- Wenchao Qin,2012-2015, Design and Realization of Microwave Tumor Therapy Apparatus

- Mocun Wu,2012-2015, Research on the Mechanism of the Optical Stimulation Cochlear Implant

- Tian Liang,2011-2014, Design and Development of Portable Cell Trajectory Detection Device

-  Zhaohuan Cui,2011-2014, Epilepsy monitoring and research on Therapy equipment based on deep brain stimulation

- Zhipeng Chen,2011-2014, Research on Cell Viability Evaluation and Detection System

- Yujie Zheng,2010-2013, Research on the Method and Apparatus for Renal Sympathetic Denervation

Hearing rehabilitation is in great demand. By 2050, there will be over 32 million people suffering from hearing loss in China. Cochlear implant (CI) is an available treatment for people with profound hearing loss, but the high cost and speech recognition inability for the Chinese language are two main problems for existing imported CI devices.

Prof. Guan’s research aims to solve these current challenges and focuses mainly on the following six areas: noise-suppression algorithms, harmonic complex tones, virtual channel, spectral cues encoding strategy, optical cochlear implant, self-training software and new low-cost cochlear implant product development. In the future, Prof. Guan will focus on the interdisciplinary research on acoustics and optics, such as photoacoustic phenomenon and optical detection.

Government-funded

1.     Research on the Data Processing Algorithm and Device for Major Malignant Tumor. 03/2019-03/2022. Science and Technology Research Foundation of Shenzhen (JCY20180508152528735).  Co-PI

2.     Research on Key Technologies of Optical Cochlear Implant. 06/2016-06/2019. Science and Technology Research Foundation of Shenzhen (JCY20160324163759208).  PI 

3.     Hearing and Balance Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Technology. 01/2015-01/2019. Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory Project (S2014000680004).  Co-PI. 

4.     Research on Biophysical Mechanisms of Multi-channel Optical Stimulation of Auditory Nerve. 01/2013-12/2016. National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (31271056).  PI

5.     Research on Monitoring and Treatment of Epilepsy Based on Deep Brain Stimulation. 01/2011-12/2013. Industry-University-Research Cooperation Foundation of Guangdong Province (2011B090400315).  Co-PI 

6.     Research on the Mechanism of Optical Cochlear Implant. 04/2011-04/2014. Science and Technology Research Foundation of Shenzhen (JC201005270305A).  PI

7.     Research on Speech Processor of Cochlear Implant for Chinese Users. 10/2010-09/2012. Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (10151805702000000).  PI

8.     Research on the Mechanism and Application of Combined Electrical and Acoustic Hearing Technology. 03/2009-02/2011. Special Foundation of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (200902105).  PI

9.     Research on the Mechanism of Combined Electric-Acoustic Stimulation. 07/2009-06/2012. Science and Technology Research Foundation of Shenzhen (JC200903180546A).  PI

10.  Development of Detecting Instrument of Fatigue based on Multi-Features Fusion. 01/2008-12/2010. Industry-University-Research Cooperation Foundation of Shenzhen (SY200806300239A).  PI

11.  Research on Pitch Encoding Mechanism in Electric Hearing. 01/2009-12/2011. National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (30800234).  PI

12.  Research on Pitch Encoding Mechanism in Electric Hearing. 01/2009-12/2011. Matching Foundation of NSFC of Shenzhen (ZYC200903260230A).  PI

13.  Research on the Mechanism of Cochlear Implant. 01/2008-12/2009. China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (20070420377).  PI

Industry-funded

LifeTech Scientific Corporation (01302.HK) Cochlear Implant Product Evaluation.10/2012-12/2013, PI 

University-funded

1.     Research on Speech Training System. 01/2010-12/2011. Seed foundation of Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University.  PI

2.     Neural Engineering Software Testing Project.06/2013-12/2014. Foundation of Harbin Institute of Technology.  PI

My team has developed an innovative tone processing algorithm for tone extraction and coding, which can be applied to hearing rehabilitation cochlear implant devices for Chinese users. We encoded the tonal information of Mandarin using 9 levels of stimuli and from clinical trials, we drew the conclusion that this new 9-level strategy could lead to remarkable progress. The new algorithm can also be applied to fundamental frequency variation, which means it could be used in all kinds of dialects for people with profound hearing loss.

We also tried to enhance spatial selectivity by using a 980nm pulsed laser as a new stimulus source of cochlear implant. We investigated the effects of optical parameters on the evoked optical compound action potentials (oCAPs) using guinea pigs, and successfully recorded oCAPs in a deafened guinea pig. We found that more power corresponded to an increased amplitude and decreased latency of the oCAPs. Most previous studies in this area have focused on visible light and long-wavelength near-infrared light. Our experiments proved that a shorter wavelength near-infrared pulsed laser could also evoke CAP from the cochlea of a deafened guinea pig.

In further experiments, we innovatively demonstrated a system of two-channel pulsed laser stimulation using 980nm and 465nm lasers. We found that both wavelengths could evoke oCAPs, however, the 980nm laser triggered a higher amplitude of oCAPs than the 465nm laser. This phenomenon might be caused by the different absorption coefficients between the two wavelengths.

Through our research, we discovered that a shorter wavelength pulsed laser could evoke CAPs. This new optical stimulus provides many potential advantages, such as smaller diameter, no current steering, no stimulation artifacts, and no electrode interaction. Therefore, laser stimulus appears to be ideal for the next generation of cochlear implant.

Prof. Guan has published 93 papers in total. Below are ten representative papers in different research topics.

1. He QH, Chen XJ, He YH, Guan Tian*, Feng GX, Lu BR, Zhou XS, Hu LS, Cao DL*. Spectral-Optical-Tweezer-Assisted Fluorescence Multiplexing System for QDs-Encoded Bead-Array Bioassay. Biosensors & bioelectronics. 2019, 129:107-117

2. Xu Y, Shi LX, Guan Tian*, Zhong SY, Zhou XS, Li DM, Guo CX, Yang YX, Wang XN, Li ZY, He YH*, Xie LY, Gan ZH. Multifunctional Weak Measurement System that Can Measure the Refractive Index and Optical Rotation of a Solution. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS. 2019, 114(18):181901

3. Chen XJ, He QH, Guan Tian*, He YH*, Feng GX, Wang B, Lu BR, Ji YH. Dual-Digital Encoded Suspension Array Based on Raman Spectroscopy and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Multiplexed Biodetection. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL. 2019, 282:457-468

4. Guan Tian*, Yang YX, Zhang QW, He YH*, Xu NH*, Li DM, Shi LX, Xu Y, Wang XN. Label-Free and Non-Destruction Determination of Single- and Double-Strand DNA Based on Quantum Weak Measurement. Scientific reports. 2019,9(1):1891

5. Chen XJ, Shen ZY, He YH, Guan Tian*, He QH, Wang B, Xie LY, Feng GX, Lu BR, Zhou XS. Dual-Wavelength Digital Holographic Phase and Fluorescence Microscopy Combining with Raman Spectroscopy for Micro-Quartz Pieces-Based Dual-Channel Encoded Suspension Array. OPTICS EXPRESS. 2019, 27(3):1894-1910

6. Xu Y, Shi LX, Guan Tian*, Zhong SY, Zhou XS, Li DM, Guo CX, Yang YX, Wang XN, Li ZY, He YH*, Xie LY, Gan ZH. Rapid Separation of Enantiomeric Impurities in Chiral Molecules by a Self-Referential Weak Measurement System. SENSORS.2018, 18(11):3788 

7. Li DM, Guan Tian, He YH*, Liu F, Yang AP, He QH, Shen ZY, Xin MG*. A Chiral Sensor Based on Weak Measurement for the Determination of Proline Enantiomers in Diverse Measuring Circumstances. BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS. 2018, 110:103-109

8. Guan Tian*, Wang XN, Li DM, Zhang YL, He YH*, Shi LX, Liu YQ, Yang YX, Xu Y, Cui R. Determination of Tumor Marker Carcinoembryonic Antigen with Biosensor Based on Optical Quantum Weak Measurements. SENSORS. 2018, 18(5):1550 

9. Feng GX, He QH, Xie WY, He YH*, Chen XJ, Wang B, Lu BR, Guan Tian*. Dual-spectra Encoded Suspension Array Using Reversed-Phase Microemulsion UV Curing and Electrostatic Self-Assembling. RSC ADVANCES. 2018, 8(38):21272-21279 

10. Guan Tian, Chu Guangxing, Tsao Yu, Chen Fei*. Assessing the perceptual contributions of level-dependent segments to sentence intelligibility. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2016, 140(5):3745-3754

- Linfeng Outstanding Mentor, Tsinghua University (2018)

- The 5th Guangzhou University Student Entrepreneurship Competition Bole Award, Mentor for the winning team (2016)

- Outstanding Individual of Career Services Mentor, Tsinghua University (2011)

- Outstanding Academic Report Award of the 2nd Doctoral Forum of School of Medicine, Tsinghua University (2003)

- Student Leadership Award, Tsinghua University (2003)

- Excellent Graduate Assistant, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University (2003)

- Second Grade Guanghua Scholarship, Tsinghua University (2002)

- Excellent Graduate, Tsinghua University (2001)

- Second Grade Scholarship, Tsinghua University (1998)