Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Diagnosis Of Melanoma Disease State From Patient Blood Samples Using Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry, Jacob Salvatore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 1 in 50 Americans develop melanoma in their lifetime. Early detection of melanoma is pivotal to the survival of the patient, with a 99% survival rate for 5 or more years after an early diagnosis. Metastasis, or the spread of cancer, increases the chances of cancerous growth in other parts of the body. In this study, we propose the use of photoacoustic flow cytometry as a diagnostic of patient disease state, by closely monitoring the amount of circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) in a patient’s blood before and after chemotherapy treatments. Using this patient data, we were able to make …

Development And Applications Of In-Vitro And In-Silico Models Of The Cardiovascular System To Study The Effects Of Mechanical Circulatory Support., Moustafa Meki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally. With ongoing interest in CVDs treatment, preclinical models for drug/therapeutic development that allow for fast iterative research are needed. Owing to the inherent complexity of the cardiovascular system, current in-vitro models of the cardiovascular system fail to replicate many of the physiological aspects of the cardiovascular system. In this dissertation, the main concern is with heart failure (HF). In advanced HF, patients may receive Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy. However, LVADs have many limitations, including inability to adapt to varying tissue demand …

Quantifying Mucosal Hemodynamics In A Murine Model Of Ulcerative Colitis With Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Elizabeth A. Bullard, Ariel I. Mundo, Shelby N. Bess, Kathryn P. Miller

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a gastrointestinal, autoimmune disease that causes ulceration and inflammation of the colon with an incidence 10 out of every 100,000 people in North America and Western Europe. Though the exact etiology is uncertain, a number of studies have shown that inflammatory cells along with environmental factors, genetics, and lifestyle habits can contribute to the sustained inflammatory response. In order to determine the cellular mechanism behind relapse and remission of UC, researchers have frequently employed immunohistochemistry, western blotting and gene sequencing, but these destructive analysis methods require the removal of a sample, necessarily limiting these methods to …

New Force Transducer For Mitral Valve Chordae Tendinea, Joseph Berryman

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In order to inform the future of mitral valve repair and replacement, more investigation into the mechanics of the sub-valvular structure is needed. Understanding the roles of each chord during valve closure requires a sensor capable of detecting these small forces with enough sensitivity to determine the characteristics of each of the chordal types. The focus of the cantilever force transducer is to maximize this sensitivity while also minimizing the invasiveness of the sensor on the overall function of the chord. The design utilizes flexible yet strong 3D printed resin and cantilever arms to improve the strain exerted on a …

Use Of 3d-Printed Surgical Spoons Compared To Other Cystotomy Methods In Dogs, Davina D'Angelo

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bladder stones, also known as uroliths, are not an uncommon condition in domestic dogs. To remove these uroliths, which occur in various sizes, shapes, and compositions, veterinarians will perform a surgical procedure called a cystotomy. A cystotomy consists of creating a small incision into the lumen of the urinary bladder and the utilization of various methods to extract the uroliths. For general veterinary practitioners, the laparoscopic-assisted technique is unavailable. As a result, the methods available for urolith extraction are often limited to flushing the stones out by inserting a urinary catheter through the urinary tract and the use of off-label …

Development Of An Intraperitoneal Catheter Placement Device For Use On The Battlefield, Riley Reynolds

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objective of this project was to simplify peritoneal cavity access so an Airforce field medic can safely infuse oxygen microbubbles (OMBs) into the intraperitoneal space for the emergency treatment of hypoxia due to lung damage. To solve this problem, we created an intraperitoneal catheter placement device for use on the battlefield. The three common methods and some of the most common devices for peritoneal cavity access were reviewed. Injury frequencies for each of the three methods were analyzed. The results showed that each of the access techniques gives a similar rate of iatrogenic injury.

The battlefield conditions where the …

Design And Control Of A Peristaltic Pump To Simulate Left Atrial Pressure In A Conductive Silicone Model, Jeremy Collins

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

According to the CDC, atrial fibrillation is responsible for more than 454,000 hospitalizations and approximately 158,000 deaths per year. A common treatment for atrial fibrillation is catheter ablation, a process in which a long flexible tube is guided through the femoral artery and to the source of arrhythmia in the heart, where it measures the electrical potential at various locations and converts problematic heart tissue to scar tissue via ablation. This paper details the design and control of a low-cost ($400) peristaltic pump system using repetitive control to replicate blood pressure in the left atrium in a conductive silicone model …

Isomotive Dielectrophoresis For Enhanced Analyses Of Cell Subpopulations., Mohamed Zakarya Rashed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the relentless dream of creating a true lab-on-a-chip device is closer to realization than ever before, which will be enabled through efficient and reliable sample characterization systems. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a term used to describe the motion of dielectric particles/ cells, by means of a non-uniform electric field (AC or DC). Cells of different dielectric properties (i.e., size, interior properties, and membrane properties) will act differently under the influence of dielectrophoretic force. Therefore, DEP can be used as a powerful, robust, and flexible tool for cellular manipulation, separation, characterization, and patterning. However, most recent DEP applications focus on …

Improving The Efficacy Of Epinephrine Delivery For Anaphylaxis Through Development Of A Novel Auto-Injector Device And Increased User Education, Jennifer Ansley Myers

Honors Theses

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s overreaction to a certain allergen. The most widely accepted treatment for this condition is immediate administration of epinephrine, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that initiates the body’s fight or flight response, through an intramuscular injection. In most cases, patients that experience anaphylaxis are prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector to carry with them at all times which contains a single dose of epinephrine. Though these devices have been widely accepted for many years, there are many problems caused by their design and the lack of training that their users receive. The …

Promotion Of Human Schwann Cell Proliferation Using Heparin/Collagen Coated Nerve Conduits, John Magness

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Often in the aftermath of an injury or surgery, the sense of touch and muscle control is lost in the affected area as nerves are damaged or severed and fail to grow back completely. The regeneration of the nerve cells can be promoted by treating the nerves with nerve conduits. Nerve conduits are hollow cylinders of bio-compatible materials that can be surgically implanted to the disconnected nerve to promote and direct the growth of nerves. The objectives of this research are to investigate the ability of nerve conduits treated with layer-by-layer coatings to promote the growth of Schwann cells, to …

Development Of An Integrated Salt Cartridge-Reverse Electrodialysis (Red) Device To Increase Electrolyte Concentrations Of Human Blood Flow To Power Biomedical Devices, Caroline Campbell

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Emerging technologies in nanotechnology and biomedical sciences have led to an increase in biomedical implantable devices including cardiac pacemakers, artificial organs, drug pumps, and sensors. These devices require continuous stable and reliable power to operate, which creates the demand for the need to find a safe, reliable, and stable power source. A promising avenue for a power source for these devices is a miniaturized reverse electrodialysis (RED) biopower cell design that utilizes the salinity differences between bloodstreams that flow inside the human body. Initial results of the RED system demonstrate that higher gradient salinity differences between streams lead to a …

Healthy Aging In Place: An Integrated Smart Home Using Alexa-Compatible Technology, Tyler Kryst

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to address current healthcare concerns among the aging population. Around the globe, the average life expectancy is projected to continue increasing resulting in a higher prevalence of age-related disease. With the ever-increasing capabilities of modern technology, it is necessary to apply this technology to increase the health and safety of older adults. This work had three objectives. The first objective was the establishment of an integrated smart home aimed at creating a healthy aging-in-place environment through the use of Alexa. The second objective was the development and integration of a completely custom health device …

Patient-Specific Finite Element Analysis For Mandibular Fracture Fixation, Ethan Snyder

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis proposes an approach for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of mandibular fracture fixation. Using a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan of mandible obtained from a specific person, the material characteristics, density and modulus of elasticity, were determined from a set of discrete points within the mandible that are 1mm spaced based on the Hounsfield Units of these points. The mandible geometry was sectioned to simulate a fracture. Muscle and mastication forces were added to replicate post-surgery loading. Using a standard linear miniplate, this material model was compared with two commonly used mandibular cortical shell bone models: isotropic and orthotropic. A …

In Vivo Analysis Of A Proprietary Glass-Based Adhesive For Sternal Fixation And Stabilization Using Rabbit And Sheep Models, Cina Mehrvar, Emily Deignan, Mark Hurtig, Gideon Cohen, Paul Zalzal, Oleg Safir, Adel Alhalawani, Marcello Papini, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Wire cerclage remains the standard method of care for sternal fixation, following median sternotomy, despite being beset with complications. An emerging treatment option has been to augment the wires with an adhesive. A patented ionomeric glass (mole fraction: SiO₂:0.48, ZnO:0.36, CaO:0.12, SrO:0.04) has been used to formulate GPC+, a glass polyalkenoate cement (GPC), by mixing it with poly(acrylic) acid (PAA) and de-ionized water. In a human cadaver study, this material, when applied with wire cerclage, was able to significantly reduce sternal instability. However, the material has yet to be tested in pertinent animal models. Here, after a series …

Nitinol Robotic Arm, Brandon Cousino, Connor Sweatt

Thinking Matters Symposium

The goal of our project is to create a remotely controlled robotic arm using a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol) that exhibits “shape memory” tendencies and a 9-lumen tube. The arm must be able to move in all for directions (forward, left, right, backwards) with the control of a joystick and return to an upright position upon halting user input (thus requiring a two-way shape memory ability). The final product must operate without any unwanted twisting of the arm, crosstalk between the different nitinol wires due to heating, and be easily manufacturable. Easy replacement of the arm from the main mechanism is …

Preclinical Development Of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Optical Biosensors, Eric M. Hofferber

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

High resolution, long-term monitoring of key biological analytes would improve patient outcomes by providing earlier detection of disease states and improved efficacy of treatment. One class of biosensors that have gained much attention in recent years are optical biosensors. Optical probes are attractive biosensors due to their noninvasive nature of detection, as certain light can pass through tissue, water, and blood. Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are a specific type of optical biosensor that fluoresce in the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum and offer unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution. SWNT have been applied as biosensors in vitro, …

Surface-Eroding Drug Delivery Films For Sequential And/Or Intermittent Release Of Psychoactive Drugs, Jason Price

Honors Theses

ABSTRACT JASON BLAKE PRICE: Surface-Eroding Drug Delivery Films for Sequential and/or

Intermittent Release of Psychoactive Drugs For patients with psychiatric diseases, adherence to medication schedules, medication

errors, and abuse are common issues. Promising new forms of therapy for these patients, such as micro-dosed lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), where patients receive 10-20% of a full dose every third day, present further drug delivery challenges. Sequential or intermittent release of drugs from an implanted device could ensure long-term drug compliance, automate drug dosing during the life of the implant, and eliminate potential for abuse and medication errors. To this end, we generated …

Développement D'Une Méthode De Mesure De L'Exposition Sonore Effective Intraauriculaire Pour Une Utilisation En Milieu De Travail, Hugues Nélisse, Fabien Bonnet, Marcos Nogarolli, Jérémie Voix

Rapports de recherche scientifique

De nombreux travailleurs sont exposés quotidiennement à des niveaux de bruit susceptibles d'endommager leur audition. De ce fait, la mesure de l'exposition sonore est essentielle afin d'identifier et d’évaluer des solutions correctives pour protéger adéquatement les travailleurs. Cependant, les méthodes et les technologies de mesure actuelles ne permettent généralement pas de déterminer avec précision l'exposition au bruit subie par un individu sur son lieu de travail. La dosimétrie intraauriculaire est une solution prometteuse pour pallier un certain nombre de problèmes liés aux méthodes de mesure conventionnelles, mais cette méthodologie est fragilisée de trois façons : 1) l'exposition sonore mesurée dans …

Primer Payload System For Higher-Order Multiplex Lamp: Design And Development Of Unit Processes, Tochukwu Dubem Anyaduba

KGI Theses and Dissertations

Design and Development of Platforms for the Application of Loop-mediated Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification, LAMP, in the Diagnosis of Polymicrobial Diseases

Tochukwu Dubem Anyaduba, Travis Schlappi (PI)

For the past two decades, several isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies have emerged. These are mostly in response to the need for robust molecular diagnostic tools amenable to point-of-care and limited-resource settings. Of these, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP, stands out as a highly specific and rapid alternative to the polymerase chain reaction, PCR. One of LAMP's significant characteristics involves using four essential and two loop (rate increasing) primers to recognize six to eight …

The Tierni Resistance Training System, Michael J. Hansen, Abigail M. Youngblood, Gabriel M. Johnson

Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of the Tierni Resistance Training System project was to design and construct functional workout apparel that has built-in resistance. For this product, the key customer requirements we set out to address were most importantly material comfort and functionality, followed by stylishness, lack of latex, safety for injured and uninjured users, and washer safety. To meet these customer requirements, we started by researching current resistance training technology, and used the findings as a springboard for our own design development. After initial brainstorming, engineering specifications were generated based on the customer requirements. These specifications revolved around the thermal insulation, pressure, …

Electro-Muscle-To-Muscle Transfer, Hailey Quinn Casino, Jake Keola Javier, Samuel Joseph Borda, Charlotte Amalie Anderson

Biomedical Engineering

The Electro Muscle to Muscle Transfer (EMMT) system will entail designing, manufacturing, and providing a wearable device that stimulates paralyzed muscles in the hand by sampling and amplifying muscles from the forearm. With further development, the system may be capable of using different muscle inputs other than the forearm muscles along with different stimulated muscle outputs other than the hand. The system functions as a rehabilitative device for spinal cord injuries, irreparable nerve loss and/or damage, and improper neuromuscular function. It is not for total treatment nor for curing of the disabilities listed above but to alleviate the side effects …

Gyroscopic Human Balance Device, Randy Lam Hau, Spencer Ross, Yael Farkash

Biomedical Engineering

This project’s sponsor, Charlie Guitierrez, has decades of experience building assistive walking devices for the wheelchair bound population. During his work, he noticed that many of his clients retained some ability to balance themselves and so theorized that they would be able to walk independently if given some form of assistance. This assistance could potentially be in the form of a wearable gyroscope. Gyroscopes are commonly used to stabilize objects subjected to instability, such as bicycles, motorcycles, and ships. Thus, a wearable gyroscope would assist its user in maintaining overall stability by imparting reactive torques and forces if the user …

Hypoxic Incubation Chamber, Makenzie Jones, Andrea Skattenborg, Henry Elsner

Biomedical Engineering

In developing a model to test anti-tumor drugs, Dr. Christopher Heylman’s lab requires the ability to culture cells in a hypoxic environment. The purpose of this project was to make this possible. Funding for this project comes from the Biomedical Engineering Department, the Hannah-Forbes Fund, and Dr. Heylman’s lab. The chamber must be able to reach a user-defined oxygen concentration and hold that concentration for 48 hours while creating an environment conducive to cell culture. Importantly, the chamber must also be sterilizable and cleanable for repeated use. While several products exist to create hypoxic environments for cell culture, they are …

Biomechanical Analysis Of Distal Stent-Graft-Induced New Entry (Sine) Formation In Aortic Dissection Patients, Tan Wei Ting

Student Works (2020-2029)

Distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE) is a post-treatment complication with a mortality rate of 26.1-28.6% in patients with aortic dissection (AD). dSINE creates a new path for blood flow, leading to the formation of false lumen, aneurysmal expansion, and aortic rupture. These complications necessitate re-intervention in 30-60% patients. In this study, computational approach was used to investigate potential risk factors for dSINE in aortic dissection patients. Patient-specific simulations were performed based on post thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) computed tomography images acquired from six patients (3 dSINE and 3 non-dSINE) to analyse the correlation between anatomical characteristics and stress/strain …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Novel Titania-Containing Borate Bioactive Glass Scaffolds, Romina Shafaghi, Omar Rodriguez, Anthony W. Wren, Loraine Chiu, Emil H. Schemitsch, Paul Zalzal, Stephen D. Waldman, Marcello Papini, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Titanium-containing borate bioactive glass scaffolds (0, 5, 15, and 20 mol %, identified as BRT0, BRT1, BRT3, and BRT4) with a microstructure similar to that of human trabecular bone were prepared and evaluated in vitro for potential bone loss applications in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) cell viability assays of scaffold ion release extracts revealed that BRT0 scaffolds (0 mol % titanium) inhibited cell proliferation and activity at day 14. At day 30, all scaffold extracts decreased cell proliferation and activity significantly. However, live/dead cell assay results demonstrated that degradation products from all the scaffolds had …

Bone Cement As A Local Chemotherapeutic Drug Delivery Carrier In Orthopedic Oncology: A Review, Sunjeev S. Phull, Alireza Rahimnejad Yazdi, Michelle Ghert, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Metastatic bone lesions are common among patients with advanced cancers. While chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be prescribed immediately after diagnosis, the majority of severe metastatic bone lesions are treated by reconstructive surgery, which, in some cases, is followed by postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, despite recent advancements in orthopedic surgery, patients undergoing reconstruction still have the risk of developing severe complications such as tumor recurrence and reconstruction failure. This has led to the introduction and evaluation of poly (methyl methacrylate) and inorganic bone cements as local carriers for chemotherapeutic drugs (usually, antineoplastic drugs (ANPDs)). The present work is a critical …

Characteristics Study Of Carbon Fibre Material For Bioapps Romicp® Foot Prosthesis / Shen Wenhui, Shen Wenhui

Student Works (2020-2029)

In this research project, to study the characteristics of materials used in BioApps RoMicP® Foot Prothesis and improve its performance in diferrent parts which are in different positions and can withstand different types of force. The material studies is the composite including Onyx and Carbon Fiber(CF) which were utilized in markforged Mark-Two 3-D printer to produce a light foot prosthesis with high performance and low cost. To investigate the mechanical properties, samples with different CF contribution way and with different components of carbon fiber were produced. Three types of mechanical test involving tensile test, compression test and 3-point bending test …

Three-Dimensional (3d) Reconstruction Of Computer Tomography Cardiac Images Using Visualization Toolkit (Vtk), Mohammad Zahid Zamaludin

Student Works (2020-2029)

Cardiac study proves to be important to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease that accounts for 20% of death in the world. Three-dimensional (3D) images of the heart are important to understand its real structure, functions and physical abnormalities occurring in the tissue. The objective of this paper is to reconstruct 3D images from 2D CT Scan slices of the cardiac region of interest using Visualisation Toolkit (VTK). The Visualization Toolkit (VTK) is non-propriety software with state-of-the-art tools for 3D rendering that is easily customizable programming. 3D images are reconstructed using surface rendering technique and volume rendering technique. Volume rendering shows …

Estimating Affective States In Virtual Reality Environments Using The Electroencephalogram, Meghan R. Kumar

Theses and Dissertations

Recent interest in high-performance virtual reality (VR) headsets has motivated research efforts to increase the user's sense of immersion via feedback of physiological measures. This work presents the use of electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements during observation of immersive VR videos to estimate the user's affective state. The EEG of 30 participants were recorded as each passively viewed a series of one minute immersive VR video clips and subjectively rated their level of valence, arousal, dominance, and liking. Correlates between EEG spectral bands and the subjective ratings were analyzed to identify statistically significant frequencies and electrode locations across participants. Model feasibility and …

Assessing Heart Rate Using Consumer Technology Association Standards, Joel D. Reece, Jennifer A. Bunn, Minsoo Choi, James W. Navalta

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

It is difficult for developers, researchers, and consumers to compare results among emerging wearable technology without using a uniform set of standards. This study evaluated the accuracy of commercially available wearable technology heart rate (HR) monitors using the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) standards. Participants (N = 23) simultaneously wore a Polar chest strap (criterion measure), Jabra Elite earbuds, Scosche Rhythm 24 armband, Apple Watch 4, and Garmin Forerunner 735 XT during sitting, activities of daily living, walking, jogging, running, and cycling, totaling 57 min of monitored activity. The Apple Watch mean bias was within ±1 bpm, and mean absolute percent …