Team Members: Andrew Delvaux, Josh Dykla, Chris Rivet, Matt Trombley

Project summary
Hospital patients with cardiovascular disease may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Currently, the bed headboard is placed under the patient to enable the compressive force to be dispersed into the thoracic cavity and not the underlying mattress. We have designed a mattress insert connected to a vacuum pump. With this design, the mattress underneath the chest cavity deflates, making the mattress a rigid surface. Using a device that measures compression depth (Thumper) with corresponding software (CPRView), we were able to show that our design yielded better compression depths than the current practice of using a headboard on top of the mattress.

3rd Place Undergraduate Expo Award Senior Design Projects

Team Members: Danielle McCabe, Paul Jermihov, Erik Rice, Jennifer Arnott

Project summary
Vascular stents are commonly used to open occluded coronary arteries and increase blood flow to the heart. Each coronary artery contains numerous side branches and stent deployment can often partially occlude a side branch. We have created a novel stent / side branch occlusion model in order to simulate the partial occlusion of a coronary artery side branch that may occur following stent deployment. This in vitro model allows for measuring the changes in pressure and flow that result in the side branch following stent deployment.

Team Members: Amber Bertoni, Ric Bolander, Nicole Demeuse, Lindsey Paananen, Nicole Pietrzak

Project summary
Based on the biomechanical loads in the knee joint, we developed a testing apparatus to simulate loading at the metal/bone cement (PMMA) interface in an orthopaedic knee implant. This apparatus was used to test the effects of different surface roughness treatments on the interfacial bond strength between the tibial metal baseplate and the PMMA . Through the use of various materials science techniques, the surface roughness was quantified on the cobalt chrome samples. Optimum surface treatment was then determined through the use of a push-out test carried out on materials testing machine.

Team Members: Aaron Maki, Jesse Rosenow, Meghan Donahue, Adam VanEssen

Project summary
Approximately 80 percent of all Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and heat therapy is an inexpensive, low-risk, effective treatment. Our goal was to develop a battery-powered electric heating pad incorporated into an orthopedic back support. It consists of a neoprene strap with heating wire sewn inside, which is wrapped around the waist. The rechargeable battery is small and easily carried. Preliminary evaluation on healthy adults showed it to provide heat at safe, therapeutic temperatures. This product is practical, maintains a constant temperature, and allows the user to remain mobile.