This semester, course instructor Professor Ann Rundell and our students will have 12 unique design solutions to be presented by the Fall 2012 senior design class:

Quantifying the Progression of Peripheral Neuropathy

Current solutions to monitor peripheral nerve activity degradation due to chemotherapy or diabetes are customarily qualitative, with available quantitative solutions being both time-consuming and invasive. The NeurD device is able to quantitatively define and monitor the progression of peripheral neuropathy (PN) by evaluating changes in skeletal muscle electrical activity, sweat gland function, and muscle tension during ankle reflex. This innovative solution integrates the PN indicators into a sock that the patient will wear during a ten minute test. Data from the tests are analyzed through a computer program that assigns a number based upon the PN severity. Results from this device should enable physicians to create effective patient treatment plans.

Thermal Regulation for Quadriplegics

Spinal cord injury often leaves patients, particularly quadriplegics, unable to maintain a safe and comfortable core body temperature (CBT), exposing them to a higher risk of hypothermia or hyperthermia. We have developed a companion device to an electric wheelchair utilizing an automated feedback system to regulate an external temperature being applied to the surface of the user. Wearable sensors provide real-time automatic temperature feedback to our device to control heating and cooling of the user. The user also has the option to override the cooling and heating system as they choose. The combination of these design functions allows for a safe, portable, and low-cost device that provides comfort for the user and can help maintain CBT for quadriplegics.

Hospital Readmission Prediction

Heart failure patients currently have the highest rate of hospital readmission. The hospital care systems need a quantifiable system to aid in the discharge decision-making process to decrease heart failure patient readmission without increasing the healthcare cost. We have developed a hospital software application that can provide physicians and nurses with an assessment of the likelihood that a patient will be readmitted if discharged based upon an analysis of the patient's diagnosis and compliance. The system will also provide a recommendation for patient care that includes discharging to home, or to a care facility. This software application is able to integrate with electronic hospital records system. Employment of this system will be an optimal step to prevent hospital readmission.

A Novel Approach to the Left Ventricular Assist Device

Use of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to treat congestive heart failure involves a lengthy hospital stay and recovery time, due in part to the patient's sternum having to be cut in order to implant the device. We have developed a novel electro-magnetic pumping system that provides pulsatile blood flow to the patient. Research suggests pulsatile flow can reduce the current bleeding side effects of continuous flow LVADs. Additionally, our design allows for it to be implanted through the rib cage making the surgery less invasive. By reducing length of recovery and current side effects, our LVAD technology is an attractive solution for congestive heart failure.

Detection of Iron Deficiency in Infants

Iron deficiency is the leading nutritional disorder in the world and can have detrimental intellectual, physical, and social effects for infants and children. We have developed a low-cost, innovative chemical approach using the infant's urine to diagnose iron deficiency. Our design uses an iron specific indicator to bind the iron in the urine and create a visible color output. The color output is used to diagnose an infant as having a normal, below normal, or above normal iron level. Our solution has the potential to be expanded to meet additional requirements as well as evolving into an all-inclusive nutritional diagnostic tool that can test for a wide range of other nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D, calcium and folic acid. This project was done in partnership with Abbott Nutrition

New SuperWalker Device Accurately Predicts and Detects Falls in Elderly

Falls are a common problem for the elderly population that uses walkers, often resulting in injury and fatality. Our team has developed the SuperWalker, which reduces the risk of falls by monitoring heart rate and detecting obstacles in the user's path. Heart rate is continuously measured by specially-designed sensors placed on the hand grips of the walker. Meanwhile, infrared sensors monitor the walker's path and send an alert to the user if an object in the path may cause a fall. The device is also equipped to alert proper authorities in the event a fall does occur. The device has great potential to minimize injuries and fatalities as a result of falls experienced by the elderly.

Detection of Potential Traumatic Brain Injury

We have developed a method to detect mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) in order to prevent further injuries that may result from high risk behaviors. Our design to detect the onset of TBI is based on the presence of the protein S100b in the blood. Since, S100b is a unique protein found in the brain its presence in the blood is an indicator that the blood brain barrier has been compromised. As such we have developed a fluorometric assay and device to measure the presence of S100b in blood. Our method will be revolutionary in the medical community by providing a cost effective TBI detection method.

Pacemaker Lead Placement Feedback System

The current methods of determining pacemaker lead stability are highly subjective and occasionally result in dislodged leads, which make control of abnormal heart beats inefficient. We have developed a new device that is able to provide physicians with a visual feedback system for lead placement. Our solution consists of two parts connected by magnets that attached to the proximal end of current pacemaker leads. After the lead has been fixed into the heart, the device is attached and pulled. If the lead is not mechanically stable, the lead will be pulled out as the feedback system is pulled on. If the lead is mechanically stable, the back end of our device will disengage indicating that the lead is stable. Implementation of this device in conjunction with current feedback systems will minimize the chance of improper heart lead placement for pacemakers.

Endotracheal Tube Allowing Patient Speaking

Current methods of mechanical ventilation prevent patients from being able to communicate verbally, leading to psychological trauma. In addition, traditional mechanical ventilation methods cause physical damage to the mouths and trachea of patients. We have developed a novel endotracheal tube design that causes less physical trauma and allows patients to verbally communicate while undergoing mechanical ventilation. Our unique design consists of an inner tube, a tube cuff, and an outer tube. Our unique design can also be used for patients under anesthesia since the inner tube is capable of keeping the exhaled air within the system. Our product meets the current standards for air delivery of mechanical ventilator tubes, and provides the ability to speak which is not offered in any commercially available product. With further improvements to design and manufacturability, our tube has the potential to replace current endotracheal tubes in! hospitals around the world.

Athletic Advantage Swimming Aid

A major limitation for coaches to improve swimmers' stroke technique is the lack in ability to provide real-time feedback. To address this issue we have developed a waterproof device that a swimmer would wear on their forearms that consists of an accelerometer and a gyroscope to calculate the orientation of their hand-arm position. Through an audio tone the device will signal to the swimmer when their arm is not in an optimal orientation. This innovative device has the potential to be used as a training aid for many other biomechanical uses.

Custom Gear Prosthetic for a Patient with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD)

PFFD is a very rare disease where the femur does not develop normally causing the upper leg to be shorter. A common solution to this disorder is an intensive surgery that rotates the lower limb 180 degree to then be coupled with a below the knee prosthetic. To remove the need of surgical intervention for these patients we have developed a prosthetic in which a gear box is used to give the user a 90 degree bending motion at an artificial knee joint. As such this device allows users to have better mobility while allowing them to participate in everyday activities such as running, walking, and biking.

Mechanical Prosthetic Hand for Sewing

The objective of the project is to develop a hand prosthetic device that would allow a person who has lost a portion of their fingers to sew. The design uses a four-bar mechanism in order to use the movement of what remains of each finger of the user as an input. A strap that wraps around the hand is used to help hold the mechanism in place, and ensure that it is securely attached to the patient's hand and fingers. Our design will provide a very cost-effective way for those with lost fingers to regain some use of their hands.