Theses and dissertations

This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students. 

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Lightweight Transradial Prosthetic Able to Withstand Mechanical Forces during a Human Fall

Description
This paper proposes a new framework design for the lightweight transradial prosthesis. This device was designed to be light-weight, easily manufactured, inexpensive, and to have a high interstitial free space volume for electrical components and customization. Press-fit junctions between fins allow for little or no adhesives, allowing for easily replaceable…

This paper proposes a new framework design for the lightweight transradial prosthesis. This device was designed to be light-weight, easily manufactured, inexpensive, and to have a high interstitial free space volume for electrical components and customization. Press-fit junctions between fins allow for little or no adhesives, allowing for easily replaceable parts. Designs were constructed out of chipboard and run through an assortment of tests to see if each design iterations met structural design specifications. There were four main design iterations tested: 4, 8, 12 fin designs, and a 4 fin design with additional angled fins for torsional support (4T). Compression, torsion, and 3-point bending tests were all performed on each cylindrical iteration. Basic tensile and material testing was done on chipboard to support results. The force applied to a human arm during a fall is approximately 500 lbf [13]. Compression tests yielded a strength of approximately 300 lbf for the cylindrical designs. ANOVAs and T-tests were performed to find significance in compressive strength between the design iterations with the varied number of fins (p<<0.05). The torsional strength of the human arm, without causing great strain or discomfort has a max value of approximately 15 Nm [14]. This matched the torsional values of the 4T. design [14]. The 4, 8, and 12 designs' torsional strengths were linear with values of approximately 4, 7, and 12 Nm respectively. The 3-point bending test yielded the flexural stress and strain values to find compressive strength in the convex direction as well as the displacement and deformation in each sample. The material chipboard was found to be variable with elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and tensile strength. Each experimental procedure was done as a proof of concept for future prosthesis design.
ContributorsMcbryan, Sarah Jane (Author) / LaBelle, Jeffrey (Thesis director) / Lathers, Steven (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
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Detecting Oligomeric Forms of Alpha-Synuclein in Cell and Mouse Tissue

Description
Misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (a-syn) has been strongly correlated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Reagents such as single chain antibody fragments (scFv) that can interact with specific aggregate forms of a-syn can be very useful to study how different aggregate forms affect cells. Here we utilize two…

Misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (a-syn) has been strongly correlated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Reagents such as single chain antibody fragments (scFv) that can interact with specific aggregate forms of a-syn can be very useful to study how different aggregate forms affect cells. Here we utilize two scFvs, D5 and 10H, that recognize two distinct oligomeric forms of a-syn to characterize the presence of different a-syn aggregates in animal models of PD.
ContributorsAlam, Now Bahar (Author) / Sierks, Michael (Thesis director) / Pauken, Christine (Committee member) / Williams, Stephanie (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2013-05

Electromagnetic Field Strength Analysis with Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Patients

Description
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a stimulating therapy currently used to treat the motor disabilities that occur as a result of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous literature has proven the DBS to be an effective treatment in the effects of PD but the mechanism to validating this phenomenon is poorly understood.…

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a stimulating therapy currently used to treat the motor disabilities that occur as a result of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous literature has proven the DBS to be an effective treatment in the effects of PD but the mechanism to validating this phenomenon is poorly understood. In this study, an evaluation of the DBS mechanism was analyzed in patients who received both contralateral and ipsilateral stimulation by the DBS electrode in relation to the recording microelectrode. I hypothesize that the data recorded from the neural tissue of the Parkinson’s patients will exhibit increased electromagnetic field (EMF) fall-off as spatial distance increases among the DBS lead and the microelectrode within the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as a result of the interaction between the EMF exuded by DBS and the neural tissue. Results depicted that EMF fall-off values increased with distance, observable upon comparing ipsilateral and contralateral patient data. The resulting analysis supported this phenomenon evidenced by the production of greater peak voltage amplitudes in ipsilateral patient stimulation with respect to time when compared to contralateral patient stimulation. The understanding of EMF strength and the associated trends among this data are vital to the progression and continued development of the DBS field relative to future research.
ContributorsKiraly, Alexis B (Author) / Greger, Bradley (Thesis director) / Muthuswamy, Jitendran (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12
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The Development of a Comfortable Myoelectric Prosthetic Socket \u2014 Fishbone

Description
This paper proposes a new socket design to complement Project Fishbone, a design project focused on creating a lightweight transradial prosthetic device. The socket has a simple concept of introducing perforations on the surface of the socket using cost effective, and rapid manufacturing methods such as vacuum thermoforming and drilling.…

This paper proposes a new socket design to complement Project Fishbone, a design project focused on creating a lightweight transradial prosthetic device. The socket has a simple concept of introducing perforations on the surface of the socket using cost effective, and rapid manufacturing methods such as vacuum thermoforming and drilling. The perforations on the socket allows for greater air ventilation to the prosthetic user's residual skin thus reducing the temperature within the socket. There were nine primary design iterations that were tested: 0.125, 0,187, 0.25-inch-thick designs, and 3/16, 15/64, 17/64-inch perforation sizes, and 12, 18 and 24 count of perforations. Initial test was done using the sockets of different thickness without any perforations to check for uniformity in design and manufacturing method using a regression test. It was found that an increase in thickness directly related to an increase in temperature cooling time. The temperature cooling test was run using a three-factor DOE method and no clear interaction between the factors was observed, thus the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test along with the post hoc Mann-Whitney test to check for significance among the factors as well as significance of groups within the factors. Statistical significance (p<0.05) was found in the socket thickness and size of perforations. Additionally, significance (p<0.02) was found in the 0.125 and 0.187-inch thickness and the 3/16-inch size perforations. Based on the significance between each group, the best combination for increased cooling time reduction was thus found to be with the 0.125-inch thick HDPE sheet and 3/16-inch sized perforation while the number of perforations did not make much difference. These results proved the concept of this new socket design that could be implemented into existing upper limb prosthetic systems.
ContributorsSebastian, Frederick (Author) / LaBelle, Jeffrey (Thesis director) / Lathers, Steven (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
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EMG-Interfaced Device for the Detection and Alleviation of Freezing of Gait in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Description
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in the central nervous system that affects a host of daily activities and involves a variety of symptoms; these include tremors, slurred speech, and rigid muscles. It is the second most common movement disorder globally. In Stage 3 of Parkinson's, afflicted individuals begin to…

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in the central nervous system that affects a host of daily activities and involves a variety of symptoms; these include tremors, slurred speech, and rigid muscles. It is the second most common movement disorder globally. In Stage 3 of Parkinson's, afflicted individuals begin to develop an abnormal gait pattern known as freezing of gait (FoG), which is characterized by decreased step length, shuffling, and eventually complete loss of movement; they are unable to move, and often results in a fall. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a diagnostic tool to measure electrical activity in the muscles to assess overall muscle function. Most conventional EMG systems, however, are bulky, tethered to a single location, expensive, and primarily used in a lab or clinical setting. This project explores an affordable, open-source, and portable platform called Open Brain-Computer Interface (OpenBCI). The purpose of the proposed device is to detect gait patterns by leveraging the surface electromyography (EMG) signals from the OpenBCI and to help a patient overcome an episode using haptic feedback mechanisms. Previously designed devices with similar intended purposes utilize accelerometry as a method of detection as well as audio and visual feedback mechanisms in their design.
ContributorsAnantuni, Lekha (Author) / McDaniel, Troy (Thesis director) / Tadayon, Arash (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05

Sustainable Manufacturing of PETG 3D Printed Prosthetics

Description

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for…

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for juvenile use, more sustainable, and more accessible for those without insurance. Although they are typically not outfitted with the same complex grip patterns or durability of a traditional myoelectric prosthetic, they offer a sufficient durability (withstanding up to 150 N on average) and allow for new opportunities in prosthetic development. Devils Prosthetics, a student research and development group associated with Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), has investigated the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) for 3D printing prosthetics as well as combining a MyoWare EMG sensor with machine learning for optimal control of the prosthetic.
ContributorsAlessio, Gabriella (Author) / Gryskiewicz, Jarek (Co-author) / Hiramine, Jason (Co-author) / Schoepf, Jared (Thesis director) / Shimono, Satoshi (Committee member) / Nemgar, Noah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor)
Created2023-05

Sustainable Manufacturing of PETG 3D Printed Prosthetics

Description

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for…

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for juvenile use, more sustainable, and more accessible for those without insurance. Although they are typically not outfitted with the same complex grip patterns or durability of a traditional myoelectric prosthetic, they offer a sufficient durability (withstanding up to 150 N on average) and allow for new opportunities in prosthetic development. Devils Prosthetics, a student research and development group associated with Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), has investigated the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) for 3D printing prosthetics as well as combining a MyoWare EMG sensor with machine learning for optimal control of the prosthetic.
ContributorsGryskiewicz, Jarek (Author) / Alessio, Gabby (Co-author) / Hiramina, Jason (Co-author) / Schoepf, Jared (Thesis director) / Shimono, Satoshi (Committee member) / Nemgar, Noah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2023-05

Sustainable Manufacturing of PETG 3D Printed Prosthetics

Description

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for…

3D printing prosthetics for amputees is an innovative opportunity to provide a lower cost and customized alternative to current technologies. Companies, such as E-NABLE and YouBionic are developing myoelectric prosthetics, electrically powered terminal devices activated by electromyography (EMG), for transradial amputees. Prosthetics that are 3D printed are less expensive for juvenile use, more sustainable, and more accessible for those without insurance. Although they are typically not outfitted with the same complex grip patterns or durability of a traditional myoelectric prosthetic, they offer a sufficient durability (withstanding up to 150 N on average) and allow for new opportunities in prosthetic development. Devils Prosthetics, a student research and development group associated with Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), has investigated the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) for 3D printing prosthetics as well as combining a MyoWare EMG sensor with machine learning for optimal control of the prosthetic.
ContributorsHiramine, Jason (Author) / Alessio, Gabriella (Co-author) / Gryskiewicz, Jarek (Co-author) / Schoepf, Jared (Thesis director) / Shimono, Satoshi (Committee member) / Nemgar, Noah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-05

The Effects of Reactive Step Training on Muscle Onset Latency in People with Multiple Sclerosis vs Parkinson's Disease

DescriptionFalling incidents in neurological populations, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, remain prevalent. In this study, we investigate the effects of reactive step training on muscle latency in those with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.
ContributorsNikjou, Devin (Author) / Bowman, Sean (Co-author) / Peterson, Daniel (Thesis director) / Schaefer, Sydney (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05
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Identifying Metabolites Produced During Gut Microbial Metabolism of Parkinson's Medication

Description
The current gold standard treatment for Parkinson’s Disease is levodopa, which is an orally ingested central nervous system agent that gains therapeutic efficacy after being converted into dopamine in the brain. While current methods exist to evaluate treatment efficacy and prescribe targeted therapies to prevent its premature metabolism, they do…

The current gold standard treatment for Parkinson’s Disease is levodopa, which is an orally ingested central nervous system agent that gains therapeutic efficacy after being converted into dopamine in the brain. While current methods exist to evaluate treatment efficacy and prescribe targeted therapies to prevent its premature metabolism, they do not consider the presence of drug-metabolizing enzymes encoded by bacteria in our microbiome. An interspecies bacterial pathway has recently been identified that prematurely converts L-dopa to dopamine in the gut and reduces the available concentration to carry out the target effect. In this work, an untargeted, metabolomic approach was used to detect and quantify volatile metabolites produced during levodopa metabolism in E. faecalis OG1RF cultures. The compounds produced during this process serve as the direct products of bacterial drug modifications by E. faecalis that solely occur in the presence of levodopa. By employing GC-MS techniques to quantify these products, potential confirmative biomarkers can be identified that evaluate treatment efficacy across patients. The unique metabolites identified in this study hold the potential to eventually serve as biomarkers for Parkinson’s treatment efficacy and provide insight to the functional characteristics of E. faecalis levodopa metabolism across the 10 million patients of Parkinson’s Disease. In future efforts, the identity of these metabolites will be verified along with their significant association to L-dopa metabolism.
ContributorsPennington, Taylor (Author) / Smith, Barbara (Thesis director) / Eshima, Jarrett (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-05