Vanderbilt University
BME 272
NCIIA Grant Proposal
Ultrasound Probe Stabilization Arm
Team Members:
Brian Moraguez
Ashley Morgan
Ryan Murphy
Rajnish Gupta (Advisor)
Eric Briggs (Advisor)
Abstract
Currently, in the Anesthesia department at Vanderbilt Hospital localized pain surgery is
performed with the help of ultrasound imaging. The problem is that the surgery requires two
physician hands, and the only thing available to hold the ultrasound in place is another physician
or technician. This can get in the way and waste the resources of an employee whose services
could be better allocated elsewhere. In order to fix this problem, we wish to create a mechanical
arm to aid in ultrasound guided surgery which would allow for free range of motion when the
physician is finding the location to place the ultrasound, which would then lock into place and
become rigid once the ideal position has been located. Every clinic or hospital that does pain
management or anesthesia will need one of these stabilization arms. This overall goal can be
accomplished by achieving the following objectives:
Objective One: To research existing technologies in flexible stabilization arms and adapt a new
idea around these existing one.
Objective Two: To design a flexible arm with interlocking and flexible joints for use with
ultrasound probes to aid in surgery
Objective Three: To produce a working prototype for future modification and development
Narrative
I. Introduction
When physicians perform localized pain management surgeries for patients with nerve
block, they require the use of three hands: one to insert a needle next to the nerve, one to hold an
ultrasound probe, and one to thread the catheter. Therefore, this procedure requires the use of an
additional assistant or technician to suit up and lend the extra hand. This increases the risk of
contamination and the costs of the procedure. We propose to create a rigid stabilization arm to
hold the ultrasound probe and eliminate the need for a second person. Current stabilization arms
do exist on the market; however, they do not lock exactly in place or provide fine enough
motion. The arm will need to have a free range of motion when the physician needs adjust the
ultrasound probe's location, while still having the ability to perfectly lock in place.
II. History and context
Thus far, our team has met with our mentors on two occasions, first to introduce us to the
project and start brainstorming, and second to narrow down ideas. We started with a few main
ideas from our mentors, and then did some research on our own to see what was already on the
market and where patent infringement could occur. We found the following patents of similar
design: US 6,405,451 and US 6,730,030. We produced sketches of major and minor
specifications as well as brainstormed material choices (Figures 3 and 4). Our target customers
will be ultrasound companies, hospitals, and small therapy clinics.
III. Team
A team of three senior biomedical engineers from Vanderbilt University will be
conducting this ultrasound stabilization probe. The student team consists of Brian Moraguez,
Ashley Morgan, and Ryan Murphy. Brian Moraguez will bring to the group knowledge of good
business practices and teamwork skills with his background in engineering management. He will
also play a crucial role in the technical drawing and visualization of the designs. Ashley Morgan
will use her organization skills to keep the team on track and do the majority of the
administrative work, in addition to researching for the design process. Ryan Murphy will use his
background in mechanical work to help create and visualize the designs.
Our advisors, Eric Briggs and Rajnish Gupta, from the Vanderbilt Department of
Anesthesiology will provide insight into the medical needs and specifications of the design based
on their experience working with pain management surgeries. They will provide the physician
prospective as well as aide in the grant writing process and fund procurement.
IV. Work plan and outcomes
Figure 1: Gantt chart of work plan
*Note actual start and end dates 8/26/2010 and 4/27/2011 respectively. Program would not allow
for date range more than 32 weeks.
Possible profit from design or selling of working product would be directed toward
hospitals. If the project is successful, we hope to produce multiple models and prototypes for the
possibility of retail and research as well as use in the medical field. The process we plan to
follow for design is shown in figure 1. The project should succeed because we have valid ideas
that have a real chance of working. If it does work, it will be the only type of this device in the
medical field.
V. Evaluation and Sustainability Plan
Our project would be considered a success if a functional protocol for a device is created.
This protocol will to mimic how the real device will work and would demonstrate that the design
is feasible. The mechanical arm protocol will need to have full range of motion while the
physician is trying to position the ultrasound and then be able to lock into place once that
position is found. The device has to be stable enough when locked so that the ultrasound would
not move during surgery. If all of these conditions are met, then the protocol would be
considered a valid design for an actual model to be built after.
Internal measures of success would be how well we work as team. We will set goals for
ourselves and judge success based on the timely completion of those goals. Group cooperation
and equal division of the work will be important over the course of the year.
VI. Basic Criteria
Weight – Lightweight and less than five pounds.
Size – Two feet long flexible arm plus length of supports.
Pressure - TBD
Expected cost - $899
Appendices
Figure 2: Budget Table
Budget
-PVC Piping
-Fishing Line
-Plastic Pulleys
-Screws/Nails
-PVC cement
-Rubber Caulking
Raw Materials Total
Prototyping Costs
-Drill
-Drill Bits
-Machine Shop*
Equipment Total
Total Costs
Reimbursement (Grant Money)
Net Costs
-$50
-$10
-$10
-$15
-$5
-$15
$105
$500
-$70-100
-$15
-N/A
$85-115
$615
$2000
(+)$1385
Ashley Morgan Resume
EDUCATION
Undergraduate at Vanderbilt University (cumulative GPA of 3.449/4.00)
Biomedical Engineering May 2011
Medicine, Health and Society Minor May 2011
HONORS AND
AWARDS
Early Acceptance Program- Vanderbilt Medical School
University of Cincinnati Medical School ROSE Early Acceptance
2009 Global Summer Fellows Scholarship
Paul Harrawood Honors Undergraduate Scholarship
Dean’s List Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
Grant from the school of engineering for the 2007-2008 school year
American Youth Foundation “I Dare You Scholarship”
RESEARCH
EXPERIENCE
SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP Cincinnati Children's
Hospital Medical Center
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in the division
of Clinical Pharmacology (2008-2009 school year). Research Aid. Cell culture of HL-1 cells
and protein concentrating for use of western blotting later. Real Time PCR About 5 hours a
week. Transcriptional remodeling of rapidly stimulated HL-1 atrial myocytes exhibits
concordance with human atrial fibrillation. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2009 Oct;47(4):485-92. Epub
2009 Jul 15.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the
department of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology. Research Aid for the 2008 summer. HL-1 cell
characterization project. Learned real time PCR, western blotting, cell culture, harvesting of
RNA and protein. About 35 hours a week
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP. Summer Undergraduate Research
Program in Molecular Cardiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, (Summer
2007) Performed genotyping PCR to correctly indentify rabbits used in experiments. Also,
observed and assisted in rabbit aortic banding surgeries.
AFLLIATIONS
Alpha Epsilon Delta- Webmaster ('08-'09), President-elect ('09-'10), President ('10-'11)
Alpha Chi Omega- Mystagogue Chair ('08-'09), Social Chair ('10-'11)
Society of Women Engineers- Engineering Council Representative ('08-'09)
Club Tennis
Circle K
Engineers Without Borders – Membership Chair (’07-’08)
WORK
EXPERIENCE
PAINT AND PLAY (2006) Coordinated children’s birthday parties and worked the floor of the
store.
ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH (2007) Model/general employee
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
Ronald McDonald House (2007-present)
Sunrise Nursing Home (2004-2006)
Community Service Leadership Board (2006-2007)
Relay For Life
Red Coat Volunteering at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2008-2009)
Medical Mission trip to Jaumave, Mexico (2009)
Medical Mission trip to Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica (2010)
Tennis Masters Tournament Cincinnati (2010)
Brian Moraguez Resume
EDUCATION
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Biomedical Engineering Major, Engineering Management Minor
GPA: 3.254/4.0, May 2011
SELECTED
Engineering Management, Applied Behavioral Science, Biomechanics,
COURSEWORK
Biomaterials, Biological Sciences/labs, Circuits I&II, Systems Physiology,
Physiological Transport Phenomena, Analysis of Biomedical Data, Chemistry/labs, Computer Science,
Physics I&II.
EXPERIENCE
Gordon CenSSIS Research Experience for Undergraduates Boston, MA
Radiation Researcher, Summer of 2010
 Worked at Massachusetts General Hospital in a team of 3 and tracked the
motion of 25 liver tumor cases using 4D CT treatment planning software
for proton radiotherapy.
 Analyzed the use of swine lung as a biological phantom for lung cancer
treatment.
Project C.U.R.E
Nashville, TN
Service Learning Volunteer, fall of 2010
 Fixed ventilators and other biomedical devices that were then shipped to
third world countries.
Café Tex Mex
Miami, FL
Shift Manager, Waiter, Bus Boy, 2005-Present
 Oversaw 10 employees and kitchen operations.
 Waited tables and provided customer services.
ACTIVITIES
Vice President, BMES Student Society, 2010-Present
 Mentored seven first year biomedical engineers.
 Worked with faculty to organize meetings and tours.
 Managed the 100 person roster and scheduled guest speakers.
Member, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, 2010-Present
 One of 15 members who helped restart SHPE at Vanderbilt.
 Organized guest speakers and events.
Co-Founder, Act on a DREAM Incorporated, 2007-Present
 Started Dream Act campaign at Vanderbilt to get students involved in
immigration legislation.
 Over a hundred & fifty Vanderbilt Students are now advocates in
supporting the DREAM Act.
SKILLS &
LANGUAGES
Rush & Social Chair Committee, Lambda Chi Alpha, 2008 - Present
 Designed and implemented recruitment operations, activities for
potential members.
 Organized social events for potential members.
Matlab, Mathematica, Windows (XP, Vista & 7), Microsoft & Adobe Products,
Labview, ImageJ,
Knowledge of CT Imaging, Statistical and Data Analysis Techniques, Proficient
in Spanish.
RYAN MURPHY RESUME
2000 Grand Avenue | Nashville, TN 37212 | 713-907-4274 | Ryan.a.Murphy@vanderbilt.edu
OBJECTIVE
An Engineering Job or Medical School
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Engineering Biomedical Engineering
Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN.
 Major: Biomedical Engineering (3.4/4.0 GPA)

May 2011
Select Courses: Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Systems Physiology, Biomedical
Instrumentation, Circuit Design, Physiological Transport Phenomena, Bio-nanotechnology
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Research
 University of Texas Health Science Center under Dr. David McPherson
 Worked with air encapsulated liposomes for use as ultrasound contrast agents.


Researched new drug and gene delivery methods using echogenic lipososmes for
enhanced targeting
Designed protocol for testing air encapsulation efficiency of liposomes.
Intern Experience
 University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, TX

Worked on numerous research tasks varying from lab bench work to small rodent and
animal surgeries.
EXPERIENCE
V-Squared Engineering Mentor
Biomedical Engineering Rep.
 Hosted panel discussion for incoming freshman as well as
mentored incoming freshman engineering students in the
Biomedical Engineering Curriculum.
Project Cure
 Fixed used medical equipment to ship around the world to
countries in need
Biomedical Engineering Society
Vanderbilt University
 Member since August 2007

Chair of Educational outreach Program (Aug 2009- May 2010)
2009 to 2010
Figure 3: Flexible arm design
Figure 4: Handle grip design
References
Shimamura, Y., T. Takemura, K. Agematsu, and T. Yamazaki. "A New End Graft Holder for
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting." Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 11.5 (2005): 350-51.
Pub Med. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16299467>.