Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

High Frequency Field Potentials Of The Cerebellar Cortex, Jonathan David Groth

Dissertations

The cerebellum plays a crucial role in motor coordination along with basal ganglia and the motor areas of the cerebral cortex. Both somatosensory and the cerebro-cerebral pathways bring in massive amounts of neural information to the cerebellum. The output of the cerebellar cortex projects to various motor cortices as well as down to the spinal cord to make its contributions to the motor function.

The origin and function of the field potential oscillations in the cerebellum, especially in the high frequencies, have not been explored sufficiently. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the spatio-temporal characteristics of high …

Piezoelectric Scaffolds For Osteochondral Defect Repair, Sita Mahalakshmi Damaraju

Dissertations

Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent causes of disability affecting nearly 27 million Americans. Osteoarthritis is caused when extensive damage occurs to the articular cartilage later spreading to the underlying subchondral bone, resulting in osteochondral defects. The current clinical therapies aim at regenerating the hyaline cartilage, but instead fibrocartilage forms at the osteochondral defect site, which is inferior in structure and function and fails to integrate with the surrounding tissue. A biomimetic scaffold, which can provide cues similar to the native extracellular matrix, may facilitate osteochondral defect repair. Articular cartilage and bone extracellular matrix have been shown to produce …

Differentiation Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Into Insulin-Producing Cells: Optimization To Enhance The Overall Differentiation Efficiency, Xiaotang Ma

Theses

Embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types including insulin-producing cells (IPCs), which is becoming one of the promising cell sources for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, in order to achieve functional stem cell-derived cells, it is important to generate more mature IPCs and to keep long-term viability post differentiation process. In this study, we varied several factors including different embryonic body culture conditions, digested cells seeding density and various coatings required for differentiation to optimize a previously established protocol to enhance the overall differentiation efficiency. Moreover, a three-dimensional in vitro collagen tissue culture system …

Tendon Reflex Protocol For Exploring The Mechanisms Associated With Whole Body Vibration, Ikechukwu Okeke

Theses

Whole body vibration (WBV) machines have in recent years been widely used as rehabilitation equipment. Whole body vibration has been shown to have positive effects on muscle response. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental condition that includes a group of non-progressive, but often changing, motor impairment syndromes arising in the early stages of human development. The aim of this project was to design a protocol and related instruments to assess the tendon reflex in response to WBV. Both a press pedal used for measuring the force exerted by the foot and a hammer used for measuring the stimulating force were …

Behavior Of Deformed Dermal Fibroblasts Seeded On A Silicon Membrane Under High Levels Of Strain, Laura Osorno

Theses

The main objective of this thesis is to understand, from a molecular perspective, the morphological and functional abnormalities of human dermal fibroblasts as a response to deformation produced by a normal force that can lead to the potential formation of stretch marks in pregnant women, adolescents, and people with Cushing's syndrome. The main function of dermal fibroblasts is to produce the essential fibrous components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin.

In order to study the mechanism of stretch mark formation, neonatal human dermal fibroblasts were seeded on a silicon membrane for controlled deformation. Upon reaching a confluence of …

Significant Degradability Enhancement In Multilayer Coating Of Polycaprolactone-Bioactive Glass/Gelatin-Bioactive Glass On Magnesium Scaffold For Tissue Engineering Applications, Mostafa Yazdimamaghani, Mehdi Razavi, Daryoosh Vashaee, Venkata Raveendra Pothineni, Jayakumar Rajadas, Lobat Tayebi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Magnesium (Mg) is a promising candidate to be used in medical products especially as bone tissue engineering scaffolds. The main challenge for using Mg in biomedical applications is its high degradation rate in the body. For this reason, in this study, a multilayer polymeric layer composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (Gel) reinforced with bioactive glass (BaG) particles has been applied on the surface of Mg scaffolds. The materials characteristics of uncoated Mg scaffold, Mg scaffold coated only with PCL-BaG and Mg scaffold coated with PCL-BaG and Gel-BaG have been analyzed and compared in detail. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped …

Effects Of Individualized Centrifugation Training On Orthostatic Tolerance In Men And Women, Nandu Goswami, Joyce Evans, Stefan Schneider, Melanie Von Der Wiesche, Edwin Mulder, Andreas Rössler, Helmut Hinghofer-Szalkay, Andrew P. Blaber

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

AIMS: Exposure to artificial gravity (AG) at different G loads and durations on human centrifuges has been shown to improve orthostatic tolerance in men. However, the effects on women and of an individual-specific AG training protocol on tolerance are not known.

METHODS: We examined the effects of 90 minutes of AG vs. 90 minutes of supine rest on the orthostatic tolerance limit (OTL), using head up tilt and lower body negative pressure until presyncope of 7 men and 5 women. Subjects were placed in the centrifuge nacelle while instrumented and after one-hour they underwent either: 1) AG exposure …

Method And Apparatus For Treating Centralized Pain, Jeffrey Hargrove

Mechanical Engineering Patents

A method for alleviating centralized pain in human subjects includes assessing the brain of a subject suffering from pain, diagnosing abnormal brain function associated with centralized pain, locating at least one area of abnormal brain function associated with the centralized pain, and alleviating the abnormal brain function by applying a cortical stimulation signal to tissues corresponding to the at least one area of abnormal brain function.

Gold Nanostructures For Sensing And Functional Bioimaging, Maximilian Y. Fei

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Gold nanostructures offer an extremely promising path forward in the fields of imaging and sensing because of their unique optical and chemical properties. Here, we demonstrate that plasmonic nanostructures can be employed as nanoscale transducers to monitor the growth and phase transitions in ultrathin polymer films. In particular, gold nanorods with high refractive index sensitivity (~150 nm / refractive index unit (RIU)) were employed to probe the growth and swelling of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM). By comparing the wavelength shift and extinction intensity of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the gold nanorods coated with PEM in air and water, …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Applied To The Analysis Of Blood Flow Through Central Aortic To Pulmonary Artery Shunts, Carey Celestin Jr

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research utilizes CFD to analyze blood flow through pathways representative of central shunts, commonly used as part of the Fontan procedure to treat cyanotic heart disease. In the first part of this research, a parametric study of steady, Newtonian blood flow through parabolic pathways was performed to demonstrate the effect that flow pathway curvature has on wall shear stress distribution and flow energy losses. In the second part, blood flow through two shunts obtained via biplane angiograms is simulated. Pressure boundary conditions were obtained via catheterization. Results showed that wall shear stresses were of sufficient magnitude to initiate platelet …

Portable Polarimetric Fiber Stress Sensor System For Visco-Elastic And Biomimetic Material Analysis, Mark C. Harrison, Andrea M. Armani

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Non-destructive materials characterization methods have significantly changed our fundamental understanding of material behavior and have enabled predictive models to be developed. However, the majority of these efforts have focused on crystalline and metallic materials, and transitioning to biomaterials, such as tissue samples, is non-trivial, as there are strict sample handling requirements and environmental controls which prevent the use of conventional equipment. Additionally, the samples are smaller and more complex in composition. Therefore, more advanced sample analysis methods capable of operating in these environments are needed. In the present work, we demonstrate an all-fiber-based material analysis system based on optical polarimetry. …

A Space-Variant Model For Motion Interpretation Across The Visual Field, Guido Maiello, Manuela Chessa, Peter J. Bex, Fabio Solari

MODVIS Workshop

We implement a neural model for the estimation of the focus of radial motion (FRM) at different retinal locations and we assess the model by comparing its results with respect to the precision with which human observers can estimate the FRM in naturalistic, moving dead leaves stimuli. The proposed neural model describes the deep hierarchy of the first stages of the dorsal visual pathway [Solari et al., 2014]. Such a model is space-variant, since it takes into account the retino-cortical transformation of the primate visual system through log-polar mapping that produces a cortical representation of the visual signal to the …

Implementation Of Raman Spectroscopy At Manufacturing Scale: Overcoming Modeling Challenges While Implementing Advanced Process Control, John Smelko, Thomas Matthews, Brandon Berry, Douglas Osborne

Cell Culture Engineering XV

In order to improve glycation control in our new high intensity platform process, we investigated implementation of Raman spectroscopy to monitor and control glucose at low levels throughout the process. Using Raman allows a way to measure glucose near real time which in turn allows for a more responsive and flexible control algorithm. Prior literature has shown connections between elevated glucose levels and glycation when in presence of high protein concentrations, which was indicative of our process. Using Raman along with advanced process control (APC), allowed us the flexibility to reduce glycation back towards historical process levels.

We will share …

New Design Of Nasogastric Decompression Tube That Incorporates A Self-Cleaning Brushing Mechanism, Nichole Abla, Lindsay Rucker, Paige Schroder

Senior Theses

Many hospitalized patients require the removal of secretions that accumulate in the stomach and must be removed by a nasogastric tube, which unfortunately clogs often. This project outlines the redesign of the nasogastric tube that will ideally prevent nasogastric tube clogging by incorporating a brush mechanism and a contracting tip mechanism, to act as preventative measures against clogging.

Towards A Dynamic Clamp For Neurochemical Modalities, C. M. Rivera, H.-J. Kwon, A. Hashmi, Gu Yu, J. Zhao, J. Gao, J. Xu, Wei Xue, A. G. Dimitrov

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

The classic dynamic clamp technique uses a real-time electrical interface between living cells and neural simulations in order to investigate hypotheses about neural function and structure. One of the acknowledged drawbacks of that technique is the limited control of the cells’ chemical microenvironment. In this manuscript, we use a novel combination of nanosensor and microfluidic technology and microfluidic and neural simulations to add sensing and control of chemical concentrations to the dynamic clamp technique. Specifically, we use a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip to generate distinct chemical concentration gradients (ions or neuromodulators), to register the concentrations with embedded nanosensors and use the processed …

3d Printing In Healthcare, Caleb Branch

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Technology is everywhere. Technology surrounds every aspect of 21^st century life. It is in the cell phones we use, the cars we drive, and even the food we eat. A large portion of modern technology used is taken for granted and overlooked. Despite this, some technology fields continue to grow. Biomedical engineering, specifically 3D printing’s applications to healthcare, has been often overlooked until. Regardless of its status in the mainstream, 3D printing is prosperous in healthcare and its future looks bright. This piece analyzes 3D printing in healthcare. It hones in on the finer details of each specific topic, …

Section Abstracts: Biomedical And General Engineering

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Biomedical and General Engineering Section for the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 21-23, 2015, James Madison University, Richmond, Virginia

A Comparative Evaluation Of Cadaveric And Composite Femur Models For Total Hip Arthroplasty, Anderson Lynn Adams

Graduate Theses - Biology & Biomedical Engineering

Composite bones are often used in testing of orthopedic implants due to their relative ease of use and low inter-specimen variability when compared to cadaveric bones. Tests were run to ensure that the composite bones remained an acceptable model for cadaver bones throughout surgical manipulation. Composite (n=6) and cadaver (n=6) femur specimen were subjected to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). Flexural rigidity, axial stiffness, and axial strain measurements were taken at various stages in the surgical process. The composite and cadaver specimen were not found to behave similarly in either flexural rigidity or axial stiffness tests. The results showed a …

Mobile Health Sensing With Smart Phones, Abby Logan Wise

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Depression is a serious mental condition affecting many Americans and people across the world. Postpartum depression is a form of depression affecting women who have recently gone through childbirth. Postpartum depression can have serious symptoms that may affect not only the mother, but her newborn as well. Early detection of these symptoms is of critical importance to the welfare of the mother and her child. Many medical professionals express the need for postpartum screening being that treatment has proven to be very effective. This project aims to make early symptom detection convenient and reliable for mothers with newborns. This will …

Characterization Of Novel Chitosan/Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles, Michaela Wynne Mertz

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chitosan-based nanoparticles are under investigation as delivery vehicles for drugs, genes, and proteins. Due to the biocompatibility, mucoadhesive nature, and biodegradable nature of chitosan and binding qualities, anionic nature, and biocompatible qualities of heparin, chitosan/heparin nanoparticles (CHNPs) are a promising platform for the delivery of labile proteins. However, the literature lacks a definitive process to control the size, efficiency, and yield of CHNPs at higher concentrations of reagents. Additionally there is a need to improve loading efficiency of CHNPs. In this study CHNPs have been synthesized and characterized for size, yield, protein loading efficiency, and release. The CHNPs were prepared …