b:  Joystick response system for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Many functional neuroimaging experiments require more information than a simple choice (e.g., yes or no) response from study subjects. A joystick provides for proportional responses and two dimensional input, allowing for more complex visual/spatial tasks including targeting and maze completion. Standard joysticks contain ferromagnetic parts and may emit radiofrequency noise. Both effects have the potential to degrade fMRI image data. This project involves the design, construction, and testing of a non-magnetic, electrically and radiatively isolated joystick suitable for use in an MRI scanner and for interfacing to a remote computer.

c:  Physiological recording system for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This project involves the design and implementation of a computer-based system for recording physiological signals from study subjects in an MRI scanner. The system should record ECG, respiratory, SpO2, and skin conductance signals using LabVIEW software running on a remote computer. Hardware added to the scanner room must be non-magnetic and must not introduce radiofrequency noise.

MicroNova Technology, a Nashville-based micro-component and medical device company, is developing an implantable temperature sensor and ECG, as well a pulse oximeter, appropriate for use in murine research.  This work is in conjunction with Dr. Timothy S. Blackwell and Dr. John W. Christman in the Cell Biology and Critical Care Departments at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  The NovaMouse™ project will involve key areas of Biomedical Engineering, including:    Analog circuit design,   Biomedical sensors and instrumentation,  Optical sensing,  Radio frequency (RF) telemetry and power ,    Data acquisition (DAQ) hardware design, and  DAQ software design.

Working on the NovaMouse™ project will afford the unique opportunity to work directly with leading researchers in a medical center setting and to see the exciting possibilities present in today’s Biomedical Engineering industry.  MicroNova Technology is looking for between three and six senior design students to help us develop this product line.                                        

·         High-Flow High-Pressure Gas Blender for mechanically ventilated patients

Ventilated patients often breathe gases other than air.  As such, there is a need for a device to pre-mix a user settable concentration of gases, such as oxygen, at a sufficiently high pressure that can be used in conjunction with a mechanical ventilator.  The ventilator controls the flow of the combined gas mixture delivered to the patient.  The pressure drop across the blender must be small to allow for adequate working pressure to operate the ventilator.

·         Multi-IV fluid feed system

Design a low cost fluid feed system that delivers multiple fluids through a single tubular outlet without solute and retrograde bacteria cross-contamination.   

·         Human Patient Simulator for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

During a cardiac arrest, patient heart stops beating.  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using closed chest compression is used to provide blood flow to the brain and heart.  Simulators are used to teach the correct technique in CPR.  However, none gives a visual indication if blood actually flows in the two vital organs.  As such there is a desire to design an anatomically and physiologically representative model that can visually and qualitatively demonstrate effects of CPR.  This is a great project for engineering EXPO.  Also, such a device can be instrumented (to apportion and measure “blood” and gas flows to vital organs of interest) to test the efficacy of devices used to augment CPR. 

 ·         Electromechanical adjunct for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation with closed chest compression when administered in the first 10 minutes arrest provides good clinical outcome.  Its efficiency declines thereafter and patient suffers from irreversible damages.  Several devices been proposed to augment the standard CPR, each with limitations.  Design a non-invasive adjunct device targeted for in-hospital use that will assure adequate blood flow and oxygenation to vital organs 30 minutes into cardiac arrest. 

·         Device to aid communication between intubated patients and care providers

Intubated patient cannot talk and is often restraint to prevent self-extubation.  Design a communication system that will help with the communication process.  Address the issue of portability, availability, user interface and flexible configuration to meet the needs in various situations and care areas. 

 ·         Portable computer-aided drug dispenser

Medication errors remain a significant problem in health care.  Elderly patients suffer fail to comply with the simplest medication regime – missing medication, wrong time and dosage, catching up on medication, wrong medication, etc.  There is a need for a device to assist with the timely and appropriate dispensing of medication to improve compliance.  Event specific and good visual instructions is also beneficial. 

·         Device to move patient in, out and between beds

Moving patient is a backbreaking job – literally.  While devices exist to assist with these tasks, they are not ideal.  Care provider ignore such devices for sake of expediency and end up with injury.  Is there a device that is always accessible that can assist with movement of patient?   

·         Cable and fluid line management

Many wires and tubes are connected to patients in the intensive care units.  They get entangled and get into the way when patient is turned or transported.  Medical errors have been associated with wrong identification of device connected to the cables and IV lines.  Managing the cable and tube mess is a time consuming task.  Design a solution to eliminate the problem of entangled cables and wires.