Engineering Commons^™

Applying An Innovative Idea To Kidney Stone Removal, Jack Beaty

Honors Theses

Renal lithiasis, commonly referred to as “kidney stones” is a condition in which the urine composition crystallizes and cannot pass through the ureter, causing pain and discomfort. Renal lithiasis can be caused by diet, infection, reduced water retention, or hereditary disorders; each of which results in a distinct stone composition [1]. Stone compositions can vary between calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, and cystine[2]. Each stone type, however, provides the same pain to the patient and the same potential risk of blocking the urinary system.

Kidney stone symptoms may include but are not limited to: pain in the lower back, the …

The Theia Soteria: Alternative Design For Safer Initial Entry During Laparoscopic Procedures, Kayla Dubois, Patrick Ryan, Madelyn Joanis

Honors Theses

Laparoscopic procedures account for 15 million surgeries worldwide [1], with the initial entry into the peritoneal cavity accounting for 33-50% of all major laparoscopic complications [7]. This initial entry is the most dangerous as surgeons must enter the cavity using a sharp object with no visibility and space between the outer surface of the cavity and internal tissues. During the initial entry into the peritoneal cavity, the patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures are at a high risk for damage to internal organs and vasculature, necessitating the development of a device to protect these internal tissues and increase patient safety.

Designing A Low-Cost Ultrasound Pulser, Andrea Huey

Honors Theses

Ultrasound imaging allows for those studying living beings to see inside a subject without causing it harm. This allows for real-time images to be taken, leading to ease of observational research. However, while this technology is beneficial to those who utilize it, the devices used to create and receive ultrasound pulses can be incredibly complex, allowing for precise adjustment of the output signal and various other functions, and therefore expensive. The focus of this senior project is the design of a low-cost pulser for use with an ultrasound transducer. While it does not have all the high-level functions of the …

Ar Blockers, Emma Merlino, Charles Nelson, Brendan Laing

Honors Theses

Access Recirculation (AR) severely decreases the efficiency of dialysis while having the potential to lead to a variety of complications (Fig. 3). If recirculation occurs during treatment, the patient may be at risk of developing stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels), leading to thrombosis (the local coagulation/clotting of blood) [4]. The most influential cause of recirculation results from the misplacement of the arterial and venous needles that will significantly harm the patient, wasting both money and resources. It is clear that the medical community has focused their energy on developing a proactive approach to monitoring AR, instead of preventing it. Creating …

Prevention Of Access Recirculation During Hemodialysis Treatment, Brendan Laing, Emma Merlino, Charles Nelson

Honors Theses

Approximately 660,000 Americans are being treated for kidney failure or end stage renal disease annually. Access recirculation can happen to any patient, varying from treatment to treatment, as it is a problem with the current technology of two butterfly needles used during a dialysis procedure and not with the patient. Access Recirculation severely decreases the efficiency of dialysis while having the potential to lead to a variety of complications.There is a clear need for a device that can be implemented during hemodialysis treatments to reduce the percentage of recirculated blood, thusly reducing the occurrence of treatment for an individual and …

Cuffed Pediatric Endotracheal Tubes, Jennifer Nutter, Emmanuela Oppong, Colleen Pouliot

Honors Theses

Endotracheal tubes (ET) are used to provide patients with an adequate airway when they are unable to breathe on their own. ET tubes can be used in emergency situations, surgical procedures, and on-floor intubations. The two main types of ET tubes are cuffed and uncuffed. Due to the fragile structure of a child's throat, uncuffed tubes are primarily used in pediatric patients. Uncuffed tubes can slip out of place resulting in air leakage and improper oxygenation. In contrast, cuffed ET tubes provide a proper seal to the airway and prevent against aspiration. The following work proposes an improved design for …