Initial Background Research for Interview Preparation – R15001
Current projects/research in the Bio-medical Engineering Department - JT
It seems as if the current projects/research (w.r.t. BME) at RIT is quite diverse. According to the
RIT BME website, here are a few of the main faculty members that are currently working in the
biomedical field:
Thomas Gaborski, Ph.D - His work in ultrathin nanomembranes creates solutions to the
challenges of understanding how cells and biomolecules interact in both healthy and
disease states. Even at the cellular and molecular scale, seeing is believing and an
important part of his work is imaging. His imaging needs range from assessing the atomic
structure of silicon-based nanomaterials using electron microscopy to realtime
quantitative fluorescence imaging of cellular processes. Dr. Gaborski has an
advertisement for some Ph.D work in exploring cellular interactions in co-culture
microenvironments.
Behnaz Ghoraani, Ph.D - Dr. Ghoraani’s research interests include cardiovascular
engineering and instrumentation, medical instrumentation and techniques, audio and
speech processing, signal and image processing, and time-frequency signal feature
extraction. Her current projects are focused on a collaborative research with clinicians to
investigate the pressing technology problems and limitations in order to find solutions for
a successful atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment. Dr. Ghoraani currently has an
advertisement for three separate projects. The first wouldinvestigate merging anatomy
and electrophysiology behaviour of atrium to understand AF phenomenon and refine
existing AF ablation techniques. In the second, imaging methods would be investigated to
map the atrial anatomy and also to determine the quality of RF ablation lesions that are
delivered during an AF ablation. The third would focus on optical methods to track the
catheter during the ablation procedure and preventing or reducing x-ray exposure during
an AF ablation.
Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas, Ph.D - Dr. Lapizco-Encinas’s research interests are in the
multidisciplinary area of microfluidics with a focus on cell and macromolecule
manipulation using electrokinetic methods (dielectrophoresis, electrophoresis and
electroosmosis). Research efforts involve mathematical modeling to unveil the
fundamentals of microscale electrokinetic techniques, supported by experiments that are
directed towards practical applications. She has a project that would explore the
following aspects: i) effect of insulator geometry on particle trapping, ii) effect on the
shape of AC applied potentials on particle manipulation, iii) integration of multi-stage
iDEP systems for the purification of complex mixtures of bioparticles and iv)
development of specific applications with bioparticles, such as viability assessment and
pathogen detection.
Christian A. Linte, Ph.D - Dr. Linte’s research interests have focused on exploring the
use of medical imaging to generate new paradigms for image-guided visualization and
navigation for minimally invasive therapy. Dr. Linte’s research endeavors have employed
both technologies (image acquisition, surgical tracking, visualization and display) and
techniques (image analysis, modeling, evaluation and validation) toward the
development, evaluation and pre-clinical integration of image guidance environments for
surgical navigation of minimally invasive cardiac interventions.
Dan Phillips, Ph.D - Dr. Phillips' main research interests are related to processing of
complex biomedical signals for the purposes of developing and enhancing technologies
for assistive devices with the goal of improving clinical diagnosis, treatment and
rehabilitation.
MR System compatible CO2 monitor - Travis
http://www.mrisafety.com/SafetyInfov.asp?SafetyInfoID=186
Due to the strong magnetic field used in MRI procedures, special support devices have to be
made that are capable of functioning properly in these harsh magnetic resonance environments.
Any time a sedative or anesthetic is used, respiratory depression and upper airway obstruction
are common complications so it is necessary to have the patients respiratory conditions
monitored. If the patient is in the MRI machine through, visual observation is difficult so a
monitor is needed. One of the ways that it is monitored is through an end-tidal carbon dioxide
monitor, which measures carbon dioxide levels at the end of the respiratory cycle. These
monitors can also be used to determine aspects about a patient's gas exchange, and if the patient
is having difficulties breathing. Typically the device is a nasal or oro-nasal cannula made from
plastic.
An example of this type of device can be found at the following link:
http://www.biopac.com/researchApplications.asp?Aid=46&AF=414&Level=3
“Record end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), volume of
carbon dioxide produced (VCO2), and Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) inside the MRI with
the CO2100C carbon dioxide module and O2100C oxygen module.
The CO2100C and O2100C respiratory gas analysis modules interface with longer lengths of gas
sampling tubing to give breath-by-breath values from a subject inside the MRI. The gas analysis
modules have internal pumps that compensate for the additional length of tubing that is required
to interface between the control room and the chamber. By increasing the pump speed, the units
can handle the extra length of the tubing to provide real-time values for percentage of O2 and
CO2.”
Low-cost Medical Devices - Peter
Access to sterile, functioning, affordable, and reliable medical equipment in developing nations
is very limited. There are several areas of improvement that are currently being implemented
outside of RIT. We are not limited to these technologies; this is just to get a quick understanding
of what is already being done.
● D-Rev: non-profit design firm http://d-rev.org/
○ Jaundice Phototherapy Devices: blue light breaks down bilirubin in the blood of
newborn babies
■ Reduced product cost by $2,650 and reduced electricity consumption
■ Increased bulb lifetime by 10 (LED’s instead of CFL bulbs)
○ ReMotion Prosthetic Knee
■ Made a quality prosthetic knee available for $80 (high-tech prosthetics can
cost $100K)
■ 30% increase in success rate than competitor
■ 30% increase in customer satisfaction (made several iterations and worked
closely with the end users to increase this)
● MIT’s D-Lab: http://d-lab.mit.edu/courses/health
○ Solar-Powered Medical Instrument Sterilizer
■ Eliminates need to purchase expensive autoclave units
■ Sterilizes existing metal equipment
○ Glucodetect
■ Used local materials in Nicaragua to produce glucose test strips
○ Cyclone
■ Centrifuge powered by a foot pedal
● Other projects;
○ Smartphone compatible ultrasound transducer
■ https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/2011/06/02/ultrasound_is_no
w_on_smart_phones.html
○ Solar powered blood pressure monitor
■ http://www.omron-healthcare.com/eu/en/our-products/blood-pressuremonitoring/hem-solar
Several characteristics of these projects involve:
● Final product cost reduction from traditional methods
● Utilization of locally available materials for production in the developing nation
○ This would depend on the target location
● Reducing or eliminating use of electricity
○ Use the sun’s power to sterilize, boil water, distill, charge/power, etc.
● Working closely with the end user to create an effective product
Brain Phantom - Camila
An imaging phantom is a scanned object used to evaluate, analyze and tune the performance of
various imaging devices. Medical research has focused on ways to provide consistent results and
avoid exposing a living subject to risky procedures. Phantoms have evolved from simple
quadratic equations to voxel phantoms, based on actual medical images of the human body. The
variety of phantoms allows for many kinds of simulations. Nevertheless, demand has continued
to increase for the validation of computer-aided techniques used for the quantitative analysis of
medical imaging data. Using computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
devices could generate highly accurate images on 3D.
CIRS: Tissue Simulation & Phantom Technology
● http://www.cirsinc.com/
CIRS is recognized for tissue simulation and technology and the manufacture of
phantoms and simulators for quantitative measurements, calibration, quality control and
research in medical imaging. The link is to CIRS website where different products can
be study for the analysis and integration into the Biomedical Project Opportunities
proposal.
“An MRI digital brain phantom for validation of segmentation methods,” by Bruno
Alfano
● http://www.medicalimageanalysisjournal.com/article/S1361-8415(11)000053/abstract
The brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. There is a lack of
knowledge on the exact spatial distribution of brain tissues in images acquired by MRI.
In the search to validate computer-aid techniques, the paper proposes the use of a new
digital phantom based on relaxometric tissue characteristics used to create realistic
magnetic resonance brain images. The simulated datasets allow voxel to voxel
verification of tissue classification. Therefore, allowing the measurement and comparison
of the performance of segmentation algorithms. This new technique is analyzed for
possible applications of the phantom.
Current research / developing technology in bio-medical engineering - Negar
1. Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
a. Case Western University
i.
https://bme.case.edu/Research/biomaterials
ii.
Areas of research
1. Exploring material that are not walled off by the body and can actively
participate in the body’s effort to repair itself.
2. Research in drug delivery and creating micro and nano drug carriers.
Applications include cancer treatment, HIV, surgical site infections, and
etc.
2.
b. Johns Hopkins University
i.
http://www.bme.jhu.edu/research/cell-tissue-engineering
ii.
Areas of research
1. Using biomaterials as a means for time-controlled and tissue-specific
drug delivery.
2. Using biomaterials as a means for time-controlled and tissue-specific
drug delivery.
3. Using biomaterials as a means for time-controlled and tissue-specific
drug delivery.
a. Characterizing cardiac cells derived from embryonic stem cells
and their use for cell-based therapy of dysfunctional cardiac tissue.
Biomedical Imaging
a. Johns Hopkins University
i.
http://www.bme.jhu.edu/research/medical-imaging
ii.
Areas of Research
1. Creating new systems and methods for measuring and analyzing
imaging data in humans, developing mathematical and computational
approaches to compare data across individuals, and applying these
techniques to understand, diagnose and treat disease.
2. Using novel imaging techniques to provide information on threedimensional structure and function at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ
and organism level.
b. Duke University
i.
http://bme.duke.edu/research/biomedical-imaging
ii.
Areas of Research
1. Biomedical photonics research to detect early stage cancer, or help
determining if tumor excision margins are cancer free.
2. Developing novel ultrasonic imaging methods. There are four research
groups:
a. Transducer design
b. Design of advanced ultrasound systems and applications
c. Real-time image processing
d. Acoustic radiation-force based imaging
Companies around the area - Elise
Bausch and Lomb: http://www.bausch.com
This company designs and manufactures contact lenses and solution,
pharmaceutical products, and cataract and vitreoretinal surgery products. It is an
international company but began in Rochester, NY in 1853. Valeant Pharmaceutical
International acquired B&L in 2013. The pharmaceutical products treat eye conditions
such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis, eye allergies, and dry eye. This company also produces
intraocular lenses and other surgical eye instruments.
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics: http://www.orthoclinical.com/en-us/Pages/Home.aspx
This company specializes in transfusion medicine devices. These devices do a
number of testing including blood screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and confirming
diseases. They are an international company. Their machines are located in hospitals,
laboratories, and blood centers. Also, this company continues to design new products and
improve existing machines.
Getinge: http://www.getinge.com/us-ca/
This company consists of two divisions: Healthcare and Life Sciences. The
healthcare division involves solutions for infection control. The Life Sciences sector
provides solutions for contamination prevention. The main products of the healthcare
division regard washer-disinfectors. This includes both the washer itself as well as
detergents and testers. This division also includes sterilizing products and monitoring
systems. The Life Sciences part focuses on researching and chemical handling systems.