Senior Design Projects 2006-07
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1st Place Undergraduate Expo Award Senior Design Projects
Design and Development of a CPR Mattress
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Advisor: Dr. Ryan Gilbert |
Sponsor: Portage Health |
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. |
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3rd Place Undergraduate Expo Award Senior Design Projects
Effects of Stent Occlusions on a Coronary Arterial Side Branch
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Advisor: Dr. Jeremy Goldman |
Sponsor: Boston Scientific |
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. |
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Infant Heart Rate Monitor
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Advisor: Dr. Keat Ong |
Sponsor: Dr. Toke Hoppenbrouwers |
| Team Members: Gizem Zorba, Matt Nielsen, Joseph Prestegaard |
Project summary
Dr. Toke Hoppenbrouwers is conducting a sleep research on infants in rural Torajan, Indonesia, and would like a heart rate recorder suitable for her work. The key requirements of this device are: its capability to record beat-to-beat heart rate and recording time; must have its own power supply; capable to upload data to a computer for further analysis; not look medical; and be safe. The project budget is $750 and the device should cost no more than $500. Our solution is to modify a commercial heart rate monitor, redesigning and fine-tuning its functions so it can satisfy the requirements. The year long tasks of constructing the heart rate monitor consisted of: in-depth research, designing, modifying, testing, and troubleshooting of the commercially available device. |
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Modifications to an Indoor Rower
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Advisor: Dr. Debra Chalesworth, |
Sponsor: Terry Smyth |
| Team Members: Megan Benam, Heidi Mulheron, Daniel Oravec |
Project summary
Our senior design group is working on modifying an existing rowing machine for body types other than the physically fit. The idea is to make the machine more user friendly for larger body types as it is becoming a more prominent form of exercise. Modifications to the machine include a newly designed handlebar with adjustable length, newly designed foot brackets that are adjustable for and aft, and a larger seat. These modifications will be tested using digital camera analysis. |
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Development and Characterization of Novel Process to Create Micro-structured Bio-mineral Substrates to Study Vascular Cell
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Advisor: Dr. Rupak Rajachar |
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| Team Members: Eric Muller, Benton Martin, Dustin Lucarelli, Michael Doran |
Project summary
Currently, only an especially stable form of Hydroxyapatite (HA) is available on the market as a film thin for use in cellular response research (BD BioCoat™ Osteologic™ Bone Cell Culture System). HA is more stable than forms of HA found in vivo such as tricalcium phosphate, amorphous calcium phosphate, and octacalcium phosphate. HA also has a calcium phosphate ratio of 1.67, which is higher than the 1.33-1.55 ratio that is found physiologically. This means there is no adequate model for studying the effects of these minerals in vitro. Design a uniform biomineral surface with a calcium phosphate ratio of 1.33-1.55 that allows for ease and reliability in quantifying specific cellular response. |
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Evaluation and Testing Method of Total Knee Arthroplasty Cement Baseplate Interface
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Advisor: Dr. Seth Donahue |
Sponsor: Stryker Orthopaedics |
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. |
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Wearable Heating Pad
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Advisor: Dr. Michael Neuman |
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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. |
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