Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Normal And Abnormal Loading Conditions On Morphogenesis Of The Prenatal Hip Joint: Application To Hip Dysplasia, Mario Giorgi, Alessandra Carriero, Sandra J. Shefelbine, Niamh C. Nowlan

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Faculty Publications

Joint morphogenesis is an important phase of prenatal joint development during which the opposing cartilaginous rudiments acquire their reciprocal and interlocking shapes. At an early stage of development, the prenatal hip joint is formed of a deep acetabular cavity that almost totally encloses the head. By the time of birth, the acetabulum has become shallower and the femoral head has lost substantial sphericity, reducing joint coverage and stability. In this study, we use a dynamic mechanobiological simulation to explore the effects of normal (symmetric), reduced and abnormal (asymmetric) prenatal movements on hip joint shape, to understand their importance for postnatal …

Using Opensim To Predict Knee Joint Moments During Cycling, Karim C. Dudum, Jake E. Deschamps, Juan D. Gutierrez-Franco, Luke I. Kraemer, Alejandro M. Gonzalez-Smith, Eshan M. Dandekar, S. J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Biomedical Engineering

Cycling is a relatively low impact activity conventionally recommended as a rehabilitative or fitness sustaining exercise for patients at a high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA) [1,2]. Expanding our understanding of knee joint loads is necessary to develop and improve evidence-based prescriptions for cycling as a rehabilitative and fitness therapy that limits the risk for knee OA.

OpenSim (www.simtk.org) is an open source biomechanical analysis software that can partition predictions of external joint loads (or net muscle moments) into muscle and joint contact loads [3]. Joint contact loads more accurately represent cartilage tissue loading and hence risk for cartilage damage …

Human Knee Joint Finite Element Model Using A Two Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Validation And Gait Analysis, Nicholas A. Czapla, Meghan K. Sylvia, Zachary F. Lerner, David J. Tuttle, Otto J. Schueckler, S. J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Biomedical Engineering

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient individuals are at a much higher risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) compared to those with intact ACLs, likely due to altered biomechanical loading [1]. Research indicates the ACL is comprised of two “bundles”, the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles [2]. Although the function of both bundles is to restrain anterior tibial translation (ATT), each bundle has their own distinct range of knee flexion where they are most effective [3].

Articular cartilage contact stress measurements are difficult to measure in vivo. An alternative approach is to use knee joint finite element models (FEMs) to predict …

Development Of A Human Knee Joint Finite Element Model To Investigate Cartilage Stress During Walking In Obese And Normal Weight Adults, Meghan K. Sylvia, Nicholas A. Czapla, Zachary F. Lerner, David J. Tuttle, Otto J. Schueckler, Scott Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Biomedical Engineering

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition characterized by the breakdown and loss of joint articular cartilage. While the cause of OA is not precisely known, obesity is a known risk factor [1]. Particular effort has gone towards understanding the relationship between obesity and knee OA because obesity is more strongly linked to OA at the knee than at any other lower extremity joint [2]. Although the relationship between obesity and knee OA is well established, the mechanism of pathogenesis is less understood. Excess body weight generates greater joint contact forces at the knee. However, obese individuals alter their gait, resulting …

Design And Implementation Of An Instrumented Pedal For Cycling Biomechanics Research, Luke I. Kraemer, Juan D. Gutierrez-Franco, Jake E. Deschamps, Karim C. Dudum, Eshan M. Dandekar, Scott Hazelwood, Hemanth Porumamilla, Stephen M. Klisch

Biomedical Engineering

Cycling is a common, low-impact activity used for recreation, exercise, and rehabilitation. Knee joint loading can be predicted using inverse dynamic analyses of pedal load cell and kinematic data measured during cycling biomechanics experiments. Several studies have successfully measured foot loading at the pedals, e.g. by using custom instrumented pedal spindles outfitted with strain gauges and a potentiometer to measure crank angle [1-3]. Such designs are relatively complex, requiring difficult machining and component fabrication, and require post-processing of strain gauge data.

The long-term goal of this study is to calculate knee joint loading and, ultimately, cartilage tissue stress to provide …

Use Of Mobile Learning Strategies And Devices For E-Portfolio Content Creation In An Engineering Thermodynamics And Fluid Mechanics Classes: Student Perceptions, Devshikha Bose, Krishna Pakala

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Use of mobile learning strategies and devices for e-portfolio content creation in an engineering Thermodynamics class: Student perceptions Mobile devices can be useful for creating educational content and to help students to learn better (Benedict & Pence, 2012; Tabor & Minch, 2013; Pereira, Echeazarra, Sanz-Santamaria, & Gutierrez, 2014). The purpose of this study is to determine student perceptions on the efficacy of using mobile learning strategies and devices to create electronic content for inclusion in an engineering individual e-portfolio. Students enrolled in an undergraduate 300-level engineering Thermodynamics class, created multimedia videos and produced content demonstrating course content summaries, problem solving …

Device, Method, And Algorithm To Assess Changes In Cardiac Output Via Intracardiac Impedance Monitoring, Geoffrey Fredrick Schau

Dissertations and Theses

Cardiac output, the volume of blood pumped by the heart over time, is a powerful clinical metric used by physicians to assess overall cardiac health and patient well-being. However, current cardiac output estimation methods are typically invasive, time-consuming, expensive, or some combination of all three. Patients that receive artificial cardiac pacemaker devices are particularly susceptible to cardiac dysfunction and often require long-term cardiac monitoring support.

This thesis proposes a novel cardiac output monitoring solution which leverages an implantable intracardiac medical device. The principles of traditional impedance cardiography, an established cardiac output monitoring technique in practice for over fifty years, have …

Compression Transmission Collar For Fastening, Patrick Atkinson, David Lecronier

Mechanical Engineering Patents

A compression transmission collar apparatus (20) for implantation into a bone (22) with a hole (28) having a hole wall (32) comprising an intramedullary nail (34) defining a bore (40) and a threaded fastener (42) and a compression transmission collar (58) including an exterior face (64) and a top edge (60) and a bottom edge (62) and a first end (70) intersecting the top edge (60) at an acute angle and the bottom edge …

A Tale Of Two Nucleases: Using Talens To Edit The Genome Of C. Elegans, Clare Bartlett, Kriszten Kocmond, Erin Root

Bioengineering Senior Theses

Genetic engineering is an emerging technology that offers the potential to prevent, treat, or cure genetic diseases. The technology can permanently alter the genome, providing an alternative therapy to drugs and surgery. Specifically, gene therapy is a promising treatment option for many incurable genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and muscular cell dystrophy. Our project gives rise to a better understanding of TALENs and its uses in the genetic engineering field. TALENs, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, are a genetic engineering technology that can be used for targeted gene modification. They are engineered proteins that can bind to specific sequences of …

Micro-Motion Controller Ii, Bergren Antell, Michael Mcnaul, Steve Shushnar

Bioengineering Senior Theses

The purpose of this project was to improve upon the functionality of a micro-motion controller designed by another senior design group at this university. The original controller design facilitated motion in only two dimensions, and by modifying the platform of the design to accommodate another axis of rotation, we were able to achieve a full range of 3-D motion in our own product. Additionally, we designed a new system in which a motor could be mounted on the base plate of the device which would rotate the upper platform on its own through a simple belt-and-pulley system. And lastly, we …

Toe Joint Replacement Models, Tarun Goswami, Allison L. Van Horn, Alexander O. Sheets

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

In various embodiments, provided are implantable devices for replacing all or a portion of a metatarsophalangeal joint, comprising (i) a metatarsal component comprising a Substan tially convex bearing Surface; or (ii) a phalanx component comprising a Substantially concave bearing Surface; or (iii) both. In various embodiments, also provided are methods of treating hallux Valgus by replacing all or a portion of a meta tarsophalangeal joint with one or more of the provided implantable devices.

The Orisome: Structure And Function, Julia E. Grimwade, Alan C. Leonard

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Faculty Publications

During the cell division cycle of all bacteria, DNA-protein complexes termed orisomes trigger the onset of chromosome duplication. Orisome assembly is both staged and stringently regulated to ensure that DNA synthesis begins at a precise time and only once at each origin per cycle. Orisomes comprise multiple copies of the initiator protein DnaA, which oligomerizes after interacting with specifically positioned recognition sites in the unique chromosomal replication origin, oriC. Since DnaA is highly conserved, it is logical to expect that all bacterial orisomes will share fundamental attributes. Indeed, although mechanistic details remain to be determined, all bacterial orisomes are capable …

Analysis Of Neurite Outgrowth On Electrospun Fiber Scaffolds In The Presence Of Blebbistatin And Paclitaxel, A. R. D'Amato, N. J. Schaub, C. D.L. Johnson, J. Cardenas, R. J. Gilbert

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In an attempt to increase the rate of neurite extension from E9 chick embryo dorsal root ganglion (DRG) on electro spun fiber scaffolds we experimented with two drugs that have been used previously to affect neuronal growth. Blebbistatin and paclitaxel were added to DRG cultured on electro spun fibers in an attempt to increase the rate of neurite extension along fibrous scaffolds. Blebbistatin increased the length of neurites extending from the DRG explant in comparison to the drug-free control group. In contrast, paclitaxel completely eliminated all neurite extension from the DRG explant when compared to the control. A third treatment …

Initial Astrocyte Response To Electrospun Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fibers Of Varying Nanoscale Diameters, C. D.L. Johnson, J. M. Zuidema, G. P. Desmond, A. R. D'Amato, N. J. Schaub, R. J. Gilbert

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We hypothesized that fiber diameter within an electro spun fiber scaffold would affect astrocyte elongation and maturation. To examine the relationship, astrocytes were seeded on 400nm and 800nm diameter electro spun PLLA fibers. Immunohistochemistry was used to monitor cell morphology, and GLT-1 expression over the first 96 hours after seeding. The results indicate that astrocytes extended along the primary axis of the 800nm fibers more rapidly than astrocytes seeded on fibers of half the size. While GLT-1 was expressed diffusely throughout the surface of the astrocytes, elongated cell processes exhibited dense regions of GLT-1. These results show that 800nm fibers …

Astrocyte Response To Nanoscale Topography On Anodized Alumina Surfaces, D. Ganguly, C. D.L. Johnson, D. A. Borca-Tasciuc, R. J. Gilbert

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Astrocytes are one of the most important and abundant resident glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They play a critical role in the foreign body response, by participating in the formation of the glial scar sunouncling implants. As part of the effort to minimize the foreign body response, biomaterials strategies einployiug engineered surfaces topographies are being explored. In this context, we have investigated the response of astrocytes to surface topography of alumiua, a material used in CNS applications. Specifically, astrocytes were seeded oil alumina surfaces with nanopores 20 nm and 100 nm in diameter, respectively. Pore-free alumina …

Effects Of Strontium Substitution On Bioactivity Of Hydroxyapatite, Chokchai Yatongchai, Lana M. Placek, Mark R. Towler, Anthony W. Wren

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Effect of strontium (Sr) substitution on bioactivity of hydroxyapatite (HA) was investigated. The substitution of Sr²⁺ for Ca²⁺ in the HA lattice increases biodegradability of Sr-substituted HA (Sr-HA) and accelerates the formation of apatite crystals on the Sr-HA surface. Moreover, the dissolution products from HA and Sr-HA samples are not cyto-toxic.

What Does The Time Constant Of The Pulmonary Circulation Tell Us About The Progression Of Right Ventricular Dysfunction In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?, Alessandro Bellofiore, Z. Wang, Naomi Chesler

Faculty Publications

Compliance (C) and resistance (R) maintain a unique, inverse relationship in the pulmonary circulation, resulting in a constant characteristic time that has been observed in healthy subjects as well as patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, little is known about the dependence of right ventricular (RV) function on the coupled changes in R and C in the context of this inverse relationship. We hypothesized three simple dependencies of RV ejection fraction (RVEF) on R and C. The first model (linear-R) assumes a linear RVEF-R relation; the second (linear-C) assumes a linear RVEF-C relation; and the third one combines the …

Assured Bacterial Detection Towards Paper-Based Microfluidic Chip For Resource-Limited Areas, William Leineweber, Mallory Williams

Bioengineering Senior Theses

There is a significant and urgent need for affordable, fast, and accurate pathogen detection methods in resource-limited settings. Currently, accurate pathogen detection methods are dependent upon special equipment or reagents, specialized training to operate such equipment, electricity or cold storage, or sterile environments not feasible outside of the laboratory. Here we present a functionalized cellulose paper device towards an autonomous 3- dimensional microfluidics chip to detect bacterial pathogens. The microfluidic device utilizes a nucleic acid sandwich assay that detects the presence of bacterial RNA through complementary strand binding. An oligonucleotide “capture strand” immobilizes the targeted RNA sequence to the device, …

Micro-Motion Controller, Kapoor Karan, Chu Cameron, Adem Sandeep

Bioengineering Senior Theses

Micro-motions in surgical applications are small motions in the range of a few millimeters and are common in ophthalmic surgery, neurosurgery, and other surgeries which require precise manipulation over short distances. Robotic surgery is replacing traditional open surgery at a rapid pace due to the obvious health benefits, however, most of the robotic surgical tools use robotic motion controllers that are designed to work over a large portion of the human body, thus involving motion of the entire human arm at shoulder joint. This requirement to move a large inertial mass results in undesirable, unwanted, and imprecise motion. This senior …

Molecular Dynamics Investigation Of The Arabinan-Cellulose Interface For Cellulose Nanocomposite Applications, Luke Thornley

Materials Engineering

Atom level computer simulations of the arabinan and cellulose interface were performed to better understand the mechanisms that give arabinan-cellulose composites (ArCCs) their strength with the goal to improve man-made ArCCs. The molecular dynamics (MD) software LAMMPS was used in conjunction with the ReaxFF/c force field to model the bond between cellulose and arabinan. A cellulose nanocrystal with dimensions 51 x 32 x 8 Å was minimized with various weight percent of water, 0%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, and 12%. After the system was equilibrated for at least 100,000 femtoseconds, an arabinan molecule composed of 8 arabinose rings was added …

Analysis Of Particles Thorough The Aortic Arch During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Andrew Joseph Janicki

Master's Theses

Ischemia caused by particles becoming dislodged during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a possible complication of TAVR. The particles that become dislodged can travel out of the aortic valve, into the aortic arch, and then into either the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, the left subclavian artery or continue into the descending aorta. If the particles continue into the descending aorta it poses no risk of causing ischemia however if it travels into the other arteries then it increases the possibility of the particle causing an ischemic event. The goal of this study is to determine what …

Immunization Of Mice With Anthrax Protective Antigen Limits Cardiotoxicity But Not Hepatotoxicity Following Lethal Toxin Challenge, T. Scott Devera, Dawn K. Prusator, Sunil K. Joshi, Jimmy D. Ballard, Mark L. Lang

Bioelectrics Publications

Protective immunity against anthrax is inferred from measurement of vaccine antigen-specific neutralizing antibody titers in serum samples. In animal models, in vivo challenges with toxin and/or spores can also be performed. However, neither of these approaches considers toxin-induced damage to specific organ systems. It is therefore important to determine to what extent anthrax vaccines and existing or candidate adjuvants can provide organ-specific protection against intoxication. We therefore compared the ability of Alum, CpG DNA and the CD1d ligand alpha-galactosylceramide (alphaGC) to enhance protective antigen-specific antibody titers, to protect mice against challenge with lethal toxin, and to block cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. …

Sapien3 Comb Stitch Improvement For Edwards Lifesciences, William Harley, Thomas Pluschkell, John Mctigue, Garrett Reed

Mechanical Engineering

The complete senior project report was submitted to the project advisor and sponsor. The results of this project are of a confidential nature and will not be published at this time.

Transcatheter Heart Valve Subassembly Device, Adam Aslam, Matthew Bezkrovny, Daniel Degree

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Neuromusculoskeletal Model Calibration Method On Predicted Knee Contact Forces During Walking, Gil Serrancolí, Allison Kinney, Benjamin J. Fregly, Josep M. Font-Llagunes

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This study explored the influence of three model calibration methods on predicted knee contact and leg muscle forces during walking. Static optimization was used to calculate muscle activations for all three methods. Approach A used muscle-tendon model parameter values (i.e., optimal muscle fiber lengths and tendon slack lengths) taken directly from literature. Approach B used a simple algorithm to calibrate muscle-tendon model parameter values such that each muscle operated within the ascending region of its normalized force-length curve. Approach C used a novel two-level optimization procedure to calibrate muscle-tendon, moment arm, and neural control model parameter values while simultaneously predicting …

A Comprehensive Review Of The Food And Drug Administration, The 510(K) Application Process, And Fda Certification For A Diagnostic Device, Taylor Davis

Biomedical Engineering

The company G-Force CRC LLC is currently experiencing the dichotomy of the FDA's conflicting role right now as they begin to approach FDA approval. G-Force CRC LLC is a small medical device company headquartered in San Diego, CA. The owner of the company, Dr. Ian Purcell, is an Otoneurologist apart of Alvarado Hospital. His medical practice mainly deals with patients who have balance disorders and therefore the devices that he has developed over the last 6+ years are primarily used to assist in the diagnosis of those balance disorders. G-Force CRC LLC was officially created in the summer of 2013 …

Multiphysics Modeling To Enhance Understanding Of Microwave Heating Of Food In Domestic Ovens, Jiajia Chen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nonuniform heating is the biggest issue in the microwave heating of prepared meals. Multiphysics based models are promising tools to improve microwave heating uniformity by properly designing the food product. However, limited availability of accurate temperature-dependent material properties, inadequate model prediction accuracy, and high computational power and complexity in model development are three gaps that greatly limited the application of these models in the food industry.

To fill in the gaps, firstly, we developed a multitemperature calibration protocol to measure temperature-dependent dielectric properties (dielectric constant and loss factor). The temperature-dependent dielectric and thermal (thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity) properties …

Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix: An Alternative Cell Culture Substrate That Alters Lung Cancer Cell Line Phenotype., Michael Thomas Scherzer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Poor lung cancer survival can largely be contributed to the metastatic cells that invade and spread throughout the body. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of multiple cell types, as well as non-cellular components. The TME plays a critical role in the development of metastatic cancers by providing migratory cues that change the growing tumor’s properties. The Extracellular Matrix (ECM), a main component of the TME, has been shown to change composition during tumor progression, allowing cancer cells to invade tissue and survive away from the primary cancer site. Although the ECM is well-known to influence the fate of tumor …

Renal Artery Stent Fatigue Test, Braden Cooper, Munir Eltal, Jennifer Hawthorne, Ashley Schaefer

Mechanical Engineering

In today’s world of medical innovation, regulations and requirements set by organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) can inhibit rapid innovation by demanding rigorous testing of new designs. For arterial stents, the standard is that each design must be tested to simulate 10 years of life in an environment congruent to an in vivo environment. Endologix in Irvine, California develops and manufactures minimally invasive treatments for aortic diseases, with a focus on stent grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). …

Heart Valve Leaflet Deflection Testing Apparatus, Brandon Cunnane, Andrew Krasts, Jackson Kunz, Steven Warnert

Mechanical Engineering

The information contained in this report is confidential and proprietary information of Edwards Lifesciences.