Multi-disciplinary Senior Design

• Intraoperative Parathyroid Identification Device

  PROJECT PARTNER // Bluegrass Biodesign

  PROJECT DESCRIPTION

  This device is a hand-held device that can be used to identify a patient’s parathyroid gland through autofluorescence imaging. There is a need for a device that is able to perform this task due to post operative complications such as hypocalcemia to occur. Hypocalcemia is when the body calcium levels are low which is caused by the accidental damage or removal of a parathyroid gland or glands. These complications have significant effects on a patients quality of life as well as an increase in emergency visits, lengthen hospital stays for patients, and increase hospital costs. The device can differentiate the parathyroid gland from the thyroid gland or other surrounding tissue during a thyroidectomy operation which is either the partial or full removal of the thyroid gland which could lead to damage or the removal of a parathyroid gland.

  BENEFITS TO PROJECT CLIENT

  1. This device is more cost effective then existing devices on the market.

  2. The device is smaller and lighter making it easier to use.

  3. The device is rechargeable making it more reusable.

  PROJECT GOAL

  The main goal of this product is to produce the most cost effective device to increase the adoption of a parathyroid identification device during thyroidectomy operations. This would save both the patient and the hospital significant amounts of money and time.

  TEAM MEMBERS

  • Yu Han Lai (BE student)
  • Evan Swofford (BE student)
  • Brooke Barrow (Med Student)
  • Elizabeth Grau (Med Student)
  • Kevin Jacob (Med Student)

• SOS App

  PROJECT PARTNER // Bluegrass Biodesign

  PROJECT DESCRIPTION

  Create a smartphone application that can screen for and detect signs of stroke in a user relative to a personalized baseline.

  BENEFITS TO PROJECT CLIENT

  1. Determine whether or not they’re having a stroke relative to a personalized baseline
  2. Reduce the need to visit the hospital
  3. Give them the option to contact EMS and/or emergency contacts in case of an emergency
  4. Allow medical professionals to gain access to detailed patient previous results.

  PROJECT GOAL

  Help at-risk stroke patients quickly and effectively pre-determine whether they’re having a stroke or not using only their smartphone.

  TEAM MEMBERS

  • Justin Baker (BE Student)
  • Ramy Emam (BE Student)
  • Sneha Chhachhi (Med Student)
  • Kelly Klump (Med Student)
  • Oladele Osisami (Med Student)
  • Hanna Thompson (Med Student)