Engineering Commons^™

Optimum Double Rhombic Flap Design For Z-Plasty, Abdullah Khan

Honors Theses

In the medical field, especially in plastic surgery, Rhombic flap and z-plasty are common methods in surgical procedures to treat and close complex wounds of different types of injuries/surgery. Each conventional surgical method has its own pros and cons. When both conventional methods join, it would complement each other weaknesses. This senior design project purpose is to investigate the magnitude of stresses build on skin due to transposing of skin in these methods when the wound is close after the surgical procedure is done. In this project a combination of rhombic flap and z-plasty is studied which is Double Rhombic …

Ece Senior Design Project - Cost-Effective Diy Electrometer, Benjamin Hahn

Honors Theses

An electrometer is a critical electrophysiology instrument used to generate minuscule currents for intracellular stimulation of biological neurons. An electrometer also enables simultaneous measurement of the neuron membrane voltage response. This device is necessary to perform accurate stimulation of neurons. However, the cost of commercial electrometers, around $5000, is prohibitive to many researchers, particularly at the high-school or introductory college level. A recent Western Michigan University graduate student, Lucas Essenburg, designed a basic electrometer for $210. His thesis proved that quality electrometers can be constructed for a fraction of the price of commercial-grade equipment.

This project focused on the improvement …

Subtalar Fusion Fixture Design And Test, Nathan Ortiz

Honors Theses

Subtalar arthrodesis is performed when cartilage in the talo-calcaneal (the ankle) joint is degraded in a patient and there are multiple approaches to this surgery. Using synthetic bone material, fixtures were cast from aluminum, using the process of evaporation pattern casting, and epoxy. This casting was used to grip the calcaneus bone of the foot in order to load it mechanically, simulating different scenarios that would be encountered during walking. The relative displacement of the ankle joint was measured using a digital image correlation (DIC) program that was modified to work in both two- and three-dimensional space. This program can …