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- Creators: Barrett, The Honors College
- Creators: Pal, Amrita
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Description
The purpose of this thesis experiment was to design and create an Acoustically Active Cannula (AAC), which is furnished by a piezoelectric crystal placed at its tip that produces an acoustic navigation signal. I tested the functionality of the cannula in vitro and demonstrated its navigational abilities in vivo in anesthetized pigs. This experiment was based upon ultrasound science and technology, and thus some practical experience with conventional (B-mode) and Doppler ultrasound was achieved as well. The results of bench and experimental animal studies indicated proper functionality of the AAC for identification and spatial navigation of its tip with color Doppler ultrasound imaging.
ContributorsShamsa, Kayvan (Author) / Tyler, William (Thesis director) / Belohlavek, Marek (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The purpose of this study was to examine swallowing patterns using ultrasound technology subsequent to the implementation of two therapeutic interventions. Baseline swallow patterns were compared to swallows after implementation of therapeutic interventions common in both feeding therapy (FT) and orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT). The interventions consist of stimulation of the tongue by z-vibe and tongue pops. Changes in swallowing patterns are described, and similarities of interventions across the two professions are discussed. Ultrasound research in the realm of swallowing is sparse despite having potential clinical application in both professions. In using ultrasound, this study outlines a protocol for utilization of a hand-held probe and reinforces a particular protocol described in the literature. Real-time ultrasound recordings of swallows for 19 adult female subjects were made. Participants with orofacial myofunctional disorder are compared to a group with typical swallowing and differences in swallowing patterns are described. Three stages of the oral phase of the swallow were assigned based on ultrasonic observation of the tongue shape. Analysis involves total duration of the swallow, duration of the three stages in relation to the total duration of the swallow, and the number of swallows required for the bolus to be cleared from the oral cavity. No significant effects of either intervention were found. Swallowing patterns showed a general trend to become faster in total duration subsequent to each intervention. An unexpected finding showed significant changes in the relationship between the bolus preparation stage and the bolus transportation stage when comparing the group classified as having a single swallow and the group classified as having multiple swallows.
ContributorsMckay, Michelle Diane (Author) / Weinhold, Juliet (Thesis director) / Scherer, Nancy (Committee member) / Department of Speech and Hearing Science (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The primary objective of this research project is to develop dual layered polymeric microparticles with a tunable delayed release profile. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) phase separate in a double emulsion process due to differences in hydrophobicity, which allows for the synthesis of double-walled microparticles with a PLA shell surrounding the PLGA core. The microparticles were loaded with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and different volumes of ethanol were added to the PLA shell phase to alter the porosity and release characteristics of the BSA. Different amounts of ethanol varied the total loading percentage of the BSA, the release profile, surface morphology, size distribution, and the localization of the protein within the particles. Scanning electron microscopy images detailed the surface morphology of the different particles. Loading the particles with fluorescently tagged insulin and imaging the particles through confocal microscopy supported the localization of the protein inside the particle. The study suggest that ethanol alters the release characteristics of the loaded BSA encapsulated in the microparticles supporting the use of a polar, protic solvent as a tool for tuning the delayed release profile of biological proteins.
ContributorsFauer, Chase Alexander (Author) / Stabenfeldt, Sarah (Thesis director) / Ankeny, Casey (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
With microspheres growing in popularity as viable systems for targeted drug therapeutics, there exist a host of diseases and pathology induced side effects which could be treated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA] microparticle systems [6,10,12]. While PLGA systems are already applied in a wide variety the clinical setting [11], microparticles still have some way to go before they are viable systems for drug delivery. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of fabrication processes and systems which produce monodisperse particles while also being feasible for industrialization [10]. This honors thesis investigates various microparticle fabrication techniques \u2014 two using mechanical agitation and one using fluid dynamics \u2014 with the long term goal of incorporating norepinephrine and adenosine into the particles for metabolic stimulatory purposes. It was found that mechanical agitation processes lead to large values for dispersity and the polydispersity index while fluid dynamics methods have the potential to create more uniform and predictable outcomes. The research concludes by needing further investigation into methods and prototype systems involving fluid dynamics methods; however, these systems yield promising results for fabricating monodisperse particles which have the potential to encapsulate a wide variety of therapeutic drugs.
ContributorsRiley, Levi Louis (Author) / Vernon, Brent (Thesis director) / VanAuker, Michael (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-12
Description
Ultrasound is a sound wave that produces acoustic pressure and is most commonly known as a noninvasive technique for bodily imaging. However, high-intensity focused ultrasound can be used for noninvasive physiotherapy. An example of this the treatment of tumors in the kidneys, as the sound waves of HIFU interacts with tissues in the body. For this thesis, the necessary parameters for ultrasonic stimulation of the central nervous system in rats were characterized.
ContributorsHughes, Brett William (Co-author) / Castel, Nikki (Co-author) / Hillen, Brian (Thesis director) / Helms Tillery, Stephen (Committee member) / Lozano, Cecil (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
Research on /r/ production previously used formant analysis as the primary acoustic analysis, with particular focus on the low third formant in the speech signal. Prior imaging of speech used X-Ray, MRI, and electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer systems. More recently, the signal processing technique of Mel-log spectral plots has been used to study /r/ production in children and female adults. Ultrasound imaging of the tongue also has been used to image the tongue during speech production in both clinical and research settings. The current study attempts to describe /r/ production in three different allophonic contexts; vocalic, prevocalic, and postvocalic positions. Ultrasound analysis, formant analysis, Mel-log spectral plots, and /r/ duration were measured for /r/ production in 29 adult speakers (10 male, 19 female). A possible relationship between these variables was also explored. Results showed that the amount of superior constriction in the postvocalic /r/ allophone was significantly lower than the other /r/ allophones. Formant two was significantly lower and the distance between formant two and three was significantly higher for the prevocalic /r/ allophone. Vocalic /r/ had the longest average duration, while prevocalic /r/ had the shortest duration. Signal processing results revealed candidate Mel-bin values for accurate /r/ production for each allophone of /r/. The results indicate that allophones of /r/ can be distinguished based the different analyses. However, relationships between these analyses are still unclear. Future research is needed in order to gather more data on /r/ acoustics and articulation in order to find possible relationships between the analyses for /r/ production.
ContributorsHirsch, Megan Elizabeth (Author) / Weinhold, Juliet (Thesis director) / Gardner, Joshua (Committee member) / Department of Speech and Hearing Science (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
The basis of this project was to analyze the potential cost savings derived from the implementation of an ultrasonic flaw detector for gas pipes in factories. The group began by researching the market of the Industrial Internet of Things. IIoT is a very attractive market for investment, as connected technologies are become both more advanced and more affordable. Factory automation also saves costs of human capital, maintenance, and bad product cost as well as safety. After doing this preliminary research, the group continued by identifying potential solutions to current shortcomings of the manufacturing status quo. After narrowing down the options, the ultrasonic flaw detector appeared to have the highest potential for success in Company X's factories. The group began doing research on what physical components would go into this solution. They found pricing for all of the various parts of such a device as well as estimated labor, maintenance, and implementation costs. After estimating these costs, the team began the construction of a detailed financial model to generate the hypothetical net present value of such a tool. After presenting two times to a panel of Company X employees, the group decided to focus only on cost savings for Company X, and not the potential revenues of selling the whole solution. They ran a sensitivity analysis on all of the factors that contributed to the NPV of the project, and discovered that the estimated percentage of scrapped product resulting from gas leaks and the percentage of gas lost to leaks contributed the most to the NPV.
ContributorsFlick, Jacob (Co-author) / Alam, Mustafa (Co-author) / Nguyen, Mong (Co-author) / Zhang, Zihan (Co-author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Hertzel, Michael (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Culture (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
An improved system for wireless neurostimulation was investigated through the design and development of sub-millimeter piezoelectric devices. The devices build on prior work in the lab, which was limited by device size and required surgical implantation. A method of manufacturing sub-mm devices was developed, and utilized to construct this new design. The device frequency response was characterized and its resonant modes and output voltages determined through a Fast Fourier Transform. The fundamental thickness mode frequency was found to be 15.4MHz with a corresponding 10.25mV amplitude, and a longitudinal resonant frequency of 3.1Mhz with a corresponding 2.2mV amplitude across a 50Ω resistor. The high miniaturization of the device holds promise for future work for creating an injectable, wireless system for the treatment of neurological disorders.
ContributorsCatchings, Michael Thomas (Author) / Towe, Bruce (Thesis director) / Muthuswamy, Jitendran (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
This purpose of this study was to develop reliable methods for ultrasound measurements of skeletal muscle architecture, and to identify which specific quadriceps measurements most closely relate to peak isometric torque of the leg extensors. These data were obtained as part of a larger research study and consist of 9 total subjects (4 males, 5 females; age (30.6 ± 13.6yr). Ultrasound images for muscle thickness and pennation angle were obtained for each subject during two separate testing days (separated by 5-10 days). Images were acquired at various anatomical sites of the quadriceps and each image was analyzed using Image J software. Quadriceps muscles assessed for muscle thickness and pennation angle included the vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus intermedius (VI), while rectus femoris (RF) was assessed only for muscle thickness. Peak isometric torque measurements were obtained at 60 degrees of knee angle for knee extension using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results show that the methods chosen for ultrasound measurement produced reliable inter-day results for muscle thickness and pennation angle. VL muscle thickness and pennation angle obtained at the lateral site corresponding to 39% of leg length was highly related to peak isometric torque for knee extension. The results of this study identify specific measurement sites that are related to muscle function. In addition, these data further validate that ultrasound measurement is reliable to measure muscle thickness and pennation angle in skeletal muscle.
ContributorsSkotak, Nathaniel James (Author) / Dickinson, Jared (Thesis director) / Vidt, Meghan (Committee member) / Luden, Nick (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Nerve endings are particularly difficult to target during peripheral nerve block (PNB) procedures, so ultrasound-guided needles are of immense importance to guarantee safe and efficient delivery of the anesthetic to the target nerve. Despite significant progress in needle visualization with ultrasound imaging, there are still several factors that lead to poor needle visibility, the main factor being insertion angle. Introducing cavities and holes in the needle at specific intervals through pitting corrosion may alter the ultrasonic feedback from the sensor, thereby resulting in improved clarity of the reconstructed image. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the effectiveness of two novel pitting designs on the needle’s visibility under ultrasound. Two different designs and two depths of cut are tested in a 22 factorial that is blocked by insertion angle: a uniform and a non-uniform design. Needles were cut using a Plain Jane and Igor laser cutter and imaged using a GE Logig e BT12 ultrasound imaging machine. Images were compared visually and objectively by using a tool in Photoshop to calculate the luminosity of the needle. Two videos were also taken capturing the difficulty of imaging surgical needles. Results showed that pitting had a major impact on needle visibility at 30° and a marginal impact at 0°. The videos supported these results as it was considerably more difficult to locate the control needle than the experimental needle. This suggests the probe must be in a specific plane with the control needle for it to be visible while the experimental needle is much more lenient. Results from the two depths of cuts showed similar results in that the designs which were cut twice were more visible than their counterparts at 30°. The study showed that pitting has positive effects on needle visibility; it improves visibility by increasing the luminescence of the needle and by decreasing its sensitivity to probe position.
ContributorsTze, David (Author) / Muthuswamy, Jit (Thesis director) / Towe, Bruce (Committee member) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05