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Areas of Research Concentration
• Bioengineering
• Computational and Applied Mechanics
• Design and Optimization
• Dynamics, control and mechatronics
• Fluid and Thermal Sciences
• Materials
Facilities
SEAS Laboratories
Research Centers
Latest Research - Recent Ph.D. Dissertations
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Bioengineering
Faculty
Affiliated Faculty
Laboratories
Research summaries
- MICROFLUIDIC LAB-ON-A-CHIP -- We are interested in the development of multi-functional microfluidic chips, a technology commonly referred to as "lab-on-a-chip". The research is primarily focused on developing novel fluid sensing and actuation mechanisms, studying fluid dynamics in microfluidic systems, as well as applying them to various biomedical applications. We have successfully developed a microfluidic platform that utilizes electrolytic bubbles as actuators for fluid manipulation; we are now focused on developing a versatile sensing scheme using the same electrolytic bubble principles to monitor fluid flow in microfluidic systems. This effort enables us to integrate both fluid actuators and sensors on a single platform using the same microfabrication steps and to develop a complete Lab-on-a-Chip. -- S. Z. Hua.
- CELL-BASED BIOSENSORS -- Cell volume is an integrated function of cell's physiological activity. Changes in cell volume accompany various cell processes, such as metabolism, excitation, hormone release, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. We have developed a cell-based volume sensor using nanofabrication technology to monitor in real-time factors that affect cell's volume. Our current research is focused on design, nanofabrication, and development of a new group of cell-based sensors for applications in biology and physiology. We use the biosensors to study various cellular activities and cell response to different chemicals, pharmaceutical agents, and environmental toxicity. One of our main interests is to study time resolved ion transport in renal cells and cell volume regulation. -- S. Z. Hua.
- NON-INVASIVE SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOFT TISSUE --The specific goal of this project is to develop a Virtual Reality based diagnostic system for medical examination of the human abdomen. It is expected that the system could be used in conjunction with telemedicine systems for remote applications.The primary need that will be met by this research is to accurately convey the essential components of abdominal exam information to a distant consultant. Current decision making in emergency telemedicine systems relies on the observed patient examination by a trained assistant at the remote site. Our data shows a high rate of patient transfers from the remote site staffed by nurses and paramedics due to an uneasiness of emergency physicians with this examination's ability to rule out serious disease. Having accurate, sensitive and objective information at the point of decision making by the consultant is essential to avoiding the discharge of a possible appendicitis or other intra-abdominal crisis. -- T.KESAVADAS, J. Mayrose, K.Chugh
- IMAGE GUIDED SURGERY IN NEURO-ENDOVASCULAR PROCEDURES --Assist interventionalists in making decisions about accessibility by providing them with information on vessel curvatures and position and orientation of intervention devices. Endovascular neurologic interventions are increasing in frequency and complexity. However, currently interventionalists judge accessibility using only subjective estimations from 2D angiograms. The goal of this project is to provide the interventionalist with information on vessel tortuosity, accessibility, position and orientation of catheters, angioplasty balloons, and stents relative to vessel walls using angiography data. -- T.KESAVADAS, K.Hoffmann, N.Subramanian, Anant Gopal
- LIVING ANATOMY PROJECT -- In advancing our capabilities in the realm of virtual reality based simulators, the development of haptic technology has been a rate limiting factor. The living anatomy program seeks to obviate the need for such technology by designing physical objects based on anatomical components that feel realistic to the touch. In a virtual environment, the sense of touch can provide a very valuable enhancement towards the immersive nature of the experience. This is more profound in the case of surgical simulators. This is because a surgeon develops mature palpation skills for differentiating between normal and diseased organs and tissues. In the living anatomy system, the physical/virtual object synchronization is achieved by taking a physical model of the organ and a 3 dimensional model of the surface of the model and linking them in real-time using a position tracking system. For example a physical model of the spleen was created using a platinum-based pourable silicone. This material was chosen as it roughly approximates the tactile qualities of an in vivo spleen. The physical model was then scanned using a laser scanner and a triangle mesh representation of the model is created out of this scanned data. This mesh is texture mapped to look like an intra-operative spleen. A "Flock of Birds" DC magnetic spatial tracking system is used to register the physical object's position onto the virtual object. Students and surgeons will benefit from this new training technique for instruction in organ palpation and visualization. -- T.KESAVADAS, David Fineberg, A.Kamerkar, N.Subramanian
- DISTAL FEMORAL FRACTURE REPAIR -- Conventional fracture repair plates are inadequate for fractures of the distal femur. A new device is being investigated experimentally and compared to several others. -- J. MEDIGE, L. Bone, J. Bustillo, D. Schlatterer.
- FORCE TRANSMISSION IN THE WRIST -- The irregularly shaped bones of the human wrist are subjected to widely varying forces depending on anatomical position. We are planning to quantify some of these forces particularly in the scaphoid during flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, and pronation/supination., -- J. MEDIGE, B. Sampson, O. Moy.
- ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION IN SMALL ANIMALS USING AN INSTRUMENTED WALKING TRACK -- To study the recovery of nerves after injury and repair, we have constructed a walking track for small animals which contains a force plate in its floor that is capable of measuring force vectors in three dimensions. This apparatus can be used to study normal and abnormal gait, involving injury to bones, ligaments or muscles as well. -- J. MEDIGE, D. Blakeney, C. Howard, O.Moy.
- THE USE OF ULTRASOUND TO PREDICT BONE PROPERTIES -- Ultrasound velocity and attenuation are being used to predict various mechanical and densitometric bone properties. Separate studies involve variation with orientation to assess anisotropy, rate effects, and combinations of parameters in human and bovine cancellous bone. Relationships are determined with values obtained by CT scanning, weight and volume measures, and mechanical testing of various bones and specimens. -- J. MEDIGE, S. Han, J. Davis, K. Faran.
- INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS -- At the Hemodynamics Lab at the Toshiba Stroke Research Center, we aim at understanding pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms and improving their diagnosis and treatment, by combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and engineering design with medical imaging and molecular biology techniques. We analyze aneurysm rupture risk, evaluate endovascular device for stroke intervention, and develop patient-specific image-based computational fluid dynamics analysis to provide input for treatment. We also employ in vivo and in vitro models to study flow-mediated vascular responses and aneurysm pathogenesis. -- H. MENG. Sponsors: NIH, NSF, IRDF (UB).
- UNDERGRADUATE BIOENGINEERING DESIGN PROJECTS -- The main output goal of this activity is to custom-design and construct devices to aid the disabled. Additionally, a specific objective is to provide a meaningful design experience for Engineering Undergraduates that will directly aid specific disabled individuals. This real world experience gives students a sense of accomplishment and pride while serving the community and increasing student interest in Graduate Education. -- J.C.MOLLENDORF, Sponsor: National Science Foundation.
- DESIGN AND TESTING OF A TOTAL DIVER THERMAL PROTECTION GARMENT -- The aim of this program is to develop a proof-of-concept diving suit that combines passive and active technologies to protect divers in warm and cold water while wearing thermal protective gear or Chemical Warfare Gear. This garment has seven principal components that will be integrated: super insulation, a zoned total body liquid cooling and heating suit, heat storage capacity, active heating or cooling, a heat exchanger to dump excess heat, rechargeable power supply, and a physiological monitoring system. These elements would be combined into a diver thermal protection suit that will have durability and protective characteristics to meet the needs of Navy divers J.C.MOLLENDORF, CO-Pl, Dr. David Pendergast, Pl. Sponsor: Office of Naval Research.
- CHANGES IN CHONDROCYTE VIABILITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ARTICULAR CARTILAGE SOFTENING IN A RABBIT MODEL OF OSTEOARTHRITIS -- Articular cartilage has a limited capacity for healing due to the avascular nature of the tissue, the lack of mesenchymal stem cells, and the highly specialized nature of existing chondrocytes. Treatments like abrasion chondroplasty, subchondral drilling, and micro fracture technique, introduce blood supply and mesenchymal cells that differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells. However, when fibrocartilage is formed as a result of the mesenchymal differentiation, it has inferior function when compared to hyaline cartilage, due to the increased ratio of Type I to Type II collagen. The hypothesisis in that introduction of articular cartilage and cancellous bone paste into a cartilage defect will stimulate mesenchymal cell differentiation into the more specific articular chondrocytes that can produce and maintain a functional hyaline cartilage. The objective of this research is to compare the cartilage renewal that occurs when using a paste-graft technique with normal intact articular cartilage and the healing that occurs after traditional subchondral drilling -- ISRAEL ZIV, Madhura Gole.
- OSTEOCHONDRAL AUTOGRAFT TRANSPLANT SYSTEM (OATS) -- In early osteoarthritis, OATS may be used to replace damaged cartilage in synovial joints. The autograph OCP (Osteochondral Plugs) are harvested from a non-weight bearing surface with a thinner and weaker bone/cartilage structure that may fail when put under high load. Allografted osteocartilaginous plugs taken from a weight bearing area of donor may be a solution to this problem. However, the supply of fresh allografts is limited and current storage techniques may interfere with cartilage cell viability. Improved methods of preservation are needed to enhance the use of allografts as an alternative to autografts. The objective of this study will be to compare the effects of glycerol vs. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on cartilage cell viability when used as cryoprotective agents on osteochondral allograft plug (OCP) transplants in the knee. Sponsors: Arthrex Inc. (Naples, FL). -- ISRAEL ZIV, M. Gole, D. Poulsen.
- THE CHANGES IN HIP BIOMECHANICS FOLLOWING TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY (THA) -- Component placement critically affects the performance and longevity of total hip replacements (THR's) and will determine hip biomechanics. Studying the biomechanics, as apparent on hip radiographs, may lead to a better understanding of prosthesis placement and improve the outcome of the surgical procedure. By evaluating the biomechanics of the hip before and after THA and comparing this to the clinical outcome of the procedure, we will be able to determine which parameters are the most important for a successful outcome. To evaluate the biomechanics of the hip after THA, we utilize patients whose x-rays were taken at the Veteran's Administration Hospital. The x-rays will be digitized and analyzed using Adobe Photoshop and ImageJ, NIH. The femoral offset, neck-shaft angle, proximal femoral length, limb length, abductor moment arm, body moment arm, acetabular index, and height of insertion of the gluteus medius muscle will be analyzed to determine the biomechanics of the hip. The clinical outcome will be assessed using two questionnaires, the Harris hip scoring system and the HOOS system. Initial analysis has shown an increase in the abductor moment arm as well as a decrease in the body moment arm, both contributing to a smaller force acting on the hip joint post-operatively. -- ISRAEL ZIV
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