Digital Commons Network^™

A Protocol For Achieving Adherent Cell Culture Within A Microfluidic Device, Tarra Danielle Sanders

Master's Theses

The goal of this study is to design a protocol for the adherent cell culture within a novel microfluidic device. Microscale cell culture protocols were developed for loading cells using poly-L-lysine to enhance adherent cell culture of murine derived NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This work sought to develop a method for adherent microculture by examining various sterilization, surface treatment, and seeding techniques. Using a vacuum suction loading technique, air plasma treatment and a poly-L-lysine surface treatment adherent cell culture was observed within the device. The work presented here is part of a collaborative effort that aims to develop protocols for the …

Smart Motor Syringe System, Conard Chan, Jenny Chiao

Electrical Engineering

Syringe pumps are widely used in many research applications especially in the applications that need precise control. Today most medical research utilizes syringes to control the fluid being pumped to the experiment objects. In most cases microscopic or nano-scopic motion control is required to acquire optimal results, such application includes purification of DNA/RNA from contaminants[1]. The high precision required to control the syringe pump makes it difficult to perform manually. This paper focuses on the design of an intelligent syringe pump motor control system to achieve reliable and precise control for biomedical experiments. This project improves medical research quality with …

Finite Element Analysis Of Total Knee Arthroplasty, Sean Yueh

Master's Theses

The total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine, with an average of over 966,000 operations performed a year. Since its introduction in 1968, the TKA’s surgical process and implant designs have continuously been improved to increase survivability. However, the need for a revision TKA – due to aseptic loosening – continues to be a problematic aspect of the procedure. Stress shielding induced by different design parameters of the implant has generated controversy in the determination of an ideal configuration. The purpose of this study is to investigate how implant design parameters …

Analysis Of Electroanatomic Mapping System Accuracy Using X-Ray Reconstruction Of Electrode Locations In A Porcine Animal Model, Hana Boudlali

Master's Theses

Fluoroscopy is considered the gold standard for locating catheters during cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedures. However, fluoroscopy emits ionizing radiation which can lead to adverse health effects when exposed to in high doses (World Health Organization, 2016). Electroanatomic mapping (EAM) systems display the three-dimensional location of EP catheters and measure the local electrical activity of the heart. They can minimize a physician’s reliance on fluoroscopy and can help reduce radiation exposure during a case (Casella, 2011).

EAM systems are diagnostic medical devices that inform the placement of ablation therapy and must accurately locate catheters to be deemed safe. Test methods to …

A Novel Method To Commercialize Medical Devices Initially Developed At California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Christina Grigorian

Master's Theses

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a university that encourages students to approach learning hands-on. As such, there is cutting-edge technology being developed by students in all departments on campus. Being that the university possesses an outstanding biomedical engineering department, there are groundbreaking medical devices that students are creating at Cal Poly SLO. These are devices that can better the lives of individuals suffering from ailments or fulfill needs in the medical industry. Subsequently, it is vital that these devices make it out of campus laboratories and into the hands of consumers. In order to move a product …

Understanding The Effects Of Long-Duration Spaceflight On Fracture Risk In The Human Femur Using Finite Element Analysis, Keyanna Brielle Henderson

Master's Theses

Long-duration spaceflight has been shown to have significant, lasting effects on the bone strength of astronauts and to contribute to age-related complications later in life. The microgravity environment of space causes a decrease in daily mechanical loading, which signals a state of disuse to bone cells. This affects the bone remodeling process, which is responsible for maintaining bone mass, causing an increase in damage and a decrease in density. This leads to bone fragility and decreases overall strength, posing a risk for fracture. However, there is little information pertaining to the timeline of bone loss and subsequent fracture risk.

This …

Effects Of Marathon Training On Male And Female Femoral Stress Fracture Risk, Clara Lin

Master's Theses

Marathon runners are prone to femoral stress fractures due to the high magnitudes and frequencies of lower extremity loads during training. Female runners tend to have a greater incidence of stress fracture compared to male runners. Sex-specific differences in body structure, joint pressure, and muscle activation patterns that influence bone remodeling may cause this observed difference in stress fracture occurrence. The goal of this thesis was to develop a finite element model of the femur during marathon training, then determine if marathon training affected bone properties of male and female runners differently. To achieve this goal, a finite element femur …

Optimal Parameter Values For Accurate And Repeatable Nanoindentation Of Human Trabecular Bone, Stephen Matthew Kmak

Master's Theses

Nanoindentation techniques have not been standardized for use on bone tissues, making comparison of bone material properties obtained via nanoindentation across studies difficult and unreliable. This study determined a set of optimal parameter values for thermal drift correction time, dwell time, and loading rate that can be used to obtain accurate and repeatable material properties from human femoral trabecular bone through experimentation and statistical analysis. All testing was conducted using a single nanoindenter on a single trabeculae, with the assumption that material properties within the individual trabeculae were internally consistent. Parameters not of interest during this study, such as ambient …

Development And Optimization Of Imaging And Image Quantification Techniques For Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel Mimics, Ashley Turcott

Master's Theses

Blood vessels mimics (BVMs) are tissue-engineered blood vessels used to test vascular devices in an environment that mimics some simple anatomical factors of native blood vessels. It is important to accurately and consistently assess tissue-engineered blood vessels, although there is currently a lack of standardization in Cal Poly’s Tissue Engineering Lab and in the entirety of the field. The goal of this thesis was to develop and optimize imaging and image quantification techniques for tissue-engineered blood vessels.

The first aim of this thesis optimized and compared imaging and assessment techniques for electrospun scaffolds. Images from different SEMs were compared to …

Mountain Arm, Conner Magnuson, Amanda Lingle, Jordan Ambrose, Marco Lopez

General Engineering

QL+ Challenger, US Navy Veteran, and transhumeral amputee Cassie Perando needed a way to backpack comfortably and independently while wearing a transhumeral prosthesis, as this is something that she enjoys doing often. The current prosthesis she wears causes pinching while wearing a backpack. To eliminate this issue, we decided to design and create a dynamic, pin-lock socket. This design decision allowed for a comfortable fit for Cassie that will not interfere with the backpack straps. As a secondary suspension system, we designed a sports bra with straps that attach to her opposing side and connect to the front and the …

Sandy Feet, Garrett E. Herbst, Jacqueline Chuang, Jerin T. Brust, Parker S. Duncan

General Engineering

Sgt. Brady is a former armed forces member with a transtibial amputation. He walks on sand frequently for work and leisure, but experiences severe pain and inconvenience because his current prosthesis is not meant for use on sand. Sand Foot V2 is a prosthesis that allows Sgt. Brady to walk on sand for long periods of time without issue.

Reading Robot, Gillian Watts, Andrew Myers, Sabrinna Tan, Taylor Klein, Omeed Djassemi

General Engineering

Presently, there is an insufficient availability of human experts to assist students in reading competency and comprehension. Our team’s goal was to create an improved socially assistive robot for use by therapists, teachers, and parents to help children and adults develop reading skills while they do not have access to specialists. HAPI is a socially assistive robot that we created with the goal of helping students practice their reading comprehension skills. HAPI enables a student to improve their reading skills without an educator present, while enabling educators to review the student's performance remotely. Design constraints included: physical size, weight, duration …

Concussion Detection Device, Jenna C. Sussex, Mark B. Edin, Bianca X. Aleman

Biomedical Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Distal Core Flattening And Heat Treatment On 304 Stainless Steel Guide Wires, Andrew Spencer Yap, Bryce Eric Veit, Matthew Frederick Lopez Villena

Materials Engineering

The mechanical response of 304 stainless steel guide wires due to different temper conditions and amounts of flattening is to be explored in this project. For this specific project, there is no public literature on the mechanical properties of guide wires with the above conditions through tensile testing or Turns to Failure Testing. To address this, the project with Abbott Vascular will measure the mechanical properties of guide wires using the aforementioned factors. Due to a lack of previous literature on this research topic, there are no quantitative goals for the project, however, any new research compiled in this area …

Surf Sled, Marius Jatulis, Arthur Zaayer, Griffin O'Malley, Jose Covarrubias

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review document outlines the process by which we designed and built a surfboard sled, nicknamed the “Beachin’ Buggy”, for the AmpSurf program. The document describes the goals and services that AmpSurf provides for those living with disabilities, and the current methods that volunteers use to transport people from to beach to the water and onto a surfboard. It then identifies the need for a new system for beach-to-water transportation, along with all specifications, constraints, and goals for the system. Background research will be introduced to relate similar products to this project, and their relevant features and parameters …

Prosthetic Foot Shell, Ql+, Kathryn Victoria Versteeg, Jackson A. Tucker, Ethan William Frey

Mechanical Engineering

This final design review includes an overview of our project and the steps we have taken to create our final product. We discuss the background research conducted, including various products like the foot shell we are trying to design and its related patents, along with similar past senior projects. As our product is considered a medical device, there are also certain standards that we must comply with. After determining our problem statement, we established what we believe to be the wants and needs of our user. These wants and needs were converted into specifications for our design, with durability as …

Alternative Epinephrine Auto-Injector, Joshua Wong, Uriel Nieves-Cruz, Tara Howard

Biomedical Engineering

Project: Alternative Epinephrine Injector started as a solution for Bianca Aleman’s little brother however the scope has evolved to include the many millions of individuals across the world who struggle with a life-threatening allergen. The stakeholders of this project are Cal Poly and Dr. Michael D. Whitt. Our goals are the following:

● Develop a foolproof method of injection that consistently delivers a dosage of epinephrine

● Be equal or less than the current size of an EpiPen (6 in)

● Be easy to transport or store when not-in-use

● Create an isolated environment where the epinephrine will not be …

Septal Closure Device, Olivia N. Welch, Hillal H. Jarrar, Kai Harrison

Biomedical Engineering

The septal closure device was designed to seal defects in the atrial septum. To fully seal an atrial defect, the device was designed to consist of two circular seals to cover the defect in both the right and left atria, attached with a central rod. The materials were chosen for compressibility (for ease of insertion), biocompatibility, and tissue ingrowth. A CAD model was drafted in SolidWorks. Key customer requirements include ease of implantation (specifications: adjustable sizing and clear directions for use), physician controlled (specifications: short implantation time and compatibility with current catheter/scope techniques), and a long lifetime (specifications: materials that …

Non-Invasive Peripheral Venous And Arterial Line Air Detector For Embolization Prevention, Alexandria Kwong, Kevin Shu, Dylan Meinster

Biomedical Engineering

The scope of this project includes designing a non-invasive bubble detector for peripheral venous and arterial lines. For minimally invasive cardiac procedures, arterial and venous access is necessary for these procedures as is constant flow through the tubing to prevent clotting and to administer drugs. Air bubbles are common in these lines and can be consequential if enough air is introduced into the human system. Air embolisms are the most common and relevant issues during these procedures. The goal of this device is to create an attachable detector for air bubbles in saline that can also terminate flow and alert …

Virtual Stethoscope - Otoscope, Ermen J. Elenes-Cazares, Ceasar A. Hurtado, Thomas M. Margolle

Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of this report was to develop a working prototype for a virtual stethoscope and otoscope. Sponsored by Courtney Farr, the virtual diagnostic care system – HouseCalls Mobile digital stethoscope/otoscope is meant for use by medical professionals and non – medical professionals for preliminary medical exams while physically not in a medical setting. The HouseCalls Mobile device is to characterize key biometric parameters such as breathing patterns, heart irregularities, and visual clinical evaluation of the inner ear. This device is intended for pediatric use.

Tmtt Chimera Valve Attachment Process, Paulina Nguyen, Devin Debouk, Tamar Kazazian, Noah Thompson

Biomedical Engineering

No abstract provided.

D.I.Y. Clean Hood, Samuel G. Porter, Ryan E. Shimogaki, Ryan S. Staples

Biomedical Engineering

The DIY Clean Hood is a low-cost, sterile, and accessible scientific workspace intended for installation in the BioElectroFluidics Lab of California Polytechnic State University’s (San Luis Obispo) Biomedical Engineering Department (BMED), under the sponsorship of Dr. Benjamin Hawkins, PhD. As normal Clean Hood, Biosafety Cabinets, and the like are generally too expensive for a university, a competitive solution to an expensive problem can assist research students and professors alike continue their own work with an inexpensive yet effective environment.

Specific design elements that the customer requirements entailed for the project include a low-particle-count air filtration system, positive pressure air flow …

Smartphone-Tape Method For Calculating Body Segment Inertial Parameters For Analysis Of Pitching Arm Kinetics, Jay Sterner

Master's Theses

The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a non-invasive method (referred to as Smart Photo-Tape) to calculate participant-specific upper arm, forearm, and hand segment inertial properties (SIPs) (e.g. mass, center of mass, and radii of gyration) and (2) use those Smart Photo-Tape properties in inverse dynamics (ID) analyses to calculate injury-related pitching arm kinetics. Five 20- to 23- year-old baseball pitchers were photographed holding a baseball and analyzed using the Smart Photo-Tape method to obtain 3-D inertial properties for their upper arm, forearm, and hand. The upper arm and forearm segments were modelled as stacked elliptic cylinders and …

Design Of Prototype Prosthesis For A Canine With A Right Front Limb Deformity As An Alternate Approach To Stabilize Gait And Withstand Gait Forces, Tayler R. Kastlunger

Master's Theses

Congenital and developmental limb deformities in canines are rare and can occur as a genetic disorder or be caused by extrinsic factors. Without surgery to correct the deformity, conservative management can be implemented to manage exercise and restrict high-intensity activity of the canine. However, any alteration to the normal gait and locomotive biomechanics of a canine can have significant long-term effects on the musculoskeletal health and quality of life of the canine. To improve quality of life and provide an alternative and more cost-effective approach to surgery, a custom prosthetic was designed and developed for a canine born with a …

Investigation Of Experimental Variation Of Bovine Sphingomyelin As A Novel Ingredient For Ultraviolet Protection, Esther Chen

Master's Theses

Skin cancer is a prevalent disease that globally affects 2-3 million people per year [1]. This number is expected to grow tenfold as depletion of the ozone layer contributes to harsher rays reaching Earth’s surface [2]. A common way to protect against those ultraviolet waves is to apply sunscreen, however, recent reports call into question the safety of some active ingredients as they can enter through the skin into the bloodstream [3]. This thesis aims to investigate an alternative solution that uses bovine sphingomyelin (BSM) as photoprotective solution against UV irradiation.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of BSM against …

Opendrop Elisa: Surface Development For Digital Microfluidic Elisa Testing, Michaela Q. Mead, Madeline G. Jackson, Jacob G. Taylor

Biomedical Engineering

This project aimed to develop a process to create a hydrophobic coating with capture antibodies attached. This process was developed in an attempt to create a digital microfluidic platform upon which an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could be run, indicated for clinicians and educators in low-resource settings. Four requirements dictated the course of the design process: 1) the contact angle with water of the hydrophobic layer must be greater than 90º, 2) the colorimetric response of a positive ELISA result on our platform must be at least 85% of that run on polystyrene with the same result, 3) the platform …

On-Body Pressure For Subcutaneous Infusion Of Drug, Hannah Cole, Kayla Meacham, Eleanor Moran, Kaylee Voss

Biomedical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Pulsed Electrical Field Ablation Modulation, Camille Lousie Dozois, Jason Tyler Arias, Courtnee Lin Madsen

Biomedical Engineering

This document comprises the steps taken by the senior project team to create a Proof-of-Concept Review for a Variable Pulsed Electric Field Ablation Catheter. First, the team did a significant amount of background research on related literature to better understand the current status of the project topic. After sufficient background information was obtained, project objectives and deliverables were finalized. Once customer requirements and the indications for use were completed, engineering specifications for the product and project were documented. All key customer requirements and engineering specs were related to the variable pulse functionality, maneuverability, as well as overall dimensioning of the …

Solostand, Hau Nhat Doan, Sydney Gray, Celina Dioso

Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of this scope of work is to highlight the progress and development of SoloStand sponsored by Derek Herrera, chief technical officer and founder of SpinalSingularity. SoloStand is an attachment to a wheelchair that will benefit paraplegics that use wheelchairs. A portable and customizable attachment to a wheelchair will allow the user to do everyday tasks without transferring into a separate standing wheelchair and travel more easily. This document outlines everything that has been done in fulfillment of our senior project requirements.

Diy Incubator, Aryan Zia, Grace Spurlock, Garrett Janney

Biomedical Engineering

This project report provides detailed information on designing and building a DIY Incubator. The device is indicated for growing and maintaining BSL-1 mammalian or bacterial cell culture with a temperature control in the range of 25-45°C ± 1°C. The device is made fully programmable via an Arduino, and is structurally designed to fit two T75 cell culture flasks at a time. The device is able to return to a specified temperature set point within 10 minutes and maintains 5% CO2 partial pressure conditions. The incubator has a small physical footprint, with an overall dimension of 22in x 16in x 15.5in …