Weekly Summaries
Week 1 Summary (September 15, 2017)
This week, we finalized who we will be working with for the year as our client, Dr. Richard Chen, as well as the problem we will be focusing on. Here is some background on our problem:
Minimally invasive surgeries are performed without direct vision and tactile feedback, which makes it difficult for surgeons to detect blood vessels near the tissue they are working with. Those undetected blood vessels are often mistakenly cut, resulting in unnecessary damage to patient tissue; repairing these mistakes also prolongs the surgery. Therefore, we propose a method to detect and alert surgeons of nearby blood vessels in order to minimize
tissue damage and reduce operating time for minimally invasive surgeries.
This week, we finalized who we will be working with for the year as our client, Dr. Richard Chen, as well as the problem we will be focusing on. Here is some background on our problem:
Minimally invasive surgeries are performed without direct vision and tactile feedback, which makes it difficult for surgeons to detect blood vessels near the tissue they are working with. Those undetected blood vessels are often mistakenly cut, resulting in unnecessary damage to patient tissue; repairing these mistakes also prolongs the surgery. Therefore, we propose a method to detect and alert surgeons of nearby blood vessels in order to minimize
tissue damage and reduce operating time for minimally invasive surgeries.
Week 2 Summary (September 22, 2017)
This week we focused on background research regarding our target problem. Current techniques for identification of blood vessels include ICG dye, ultrasound, lasers, and Doppler imaging. However, these techniques are not commonly used to detect blood vessels during surgical procedures since they require an additional imaging modality. We are examining these past techniques to understand more about available detection methods to adapt to our surgical device. Additionally, we looked into the prevalence and background of minimally invasive blood vessel ruptures for our preliminary report and presentation. Finally, we brainstormed 13 specifications we will consider for our Pugh chart, with our highest weight focusing on the cost, safety, and integration of the detection device into the current surgical tools. Moving forward, we are meeting with our client this weekend to discuss our progress and any additional specifications he would like us to focus on.
This week we focused on background research regarding our target problem. Current techniques for identification of blood vessels include ICG dye, ultrasound, lasers, and Doppler imaging. However, these techniques are not commonly used to detect blood vessels during surgical procedures since they require an additional imaging modality. We are examining these past techniques to understand more about available detection methods to adapt to our surgical device. Additionally, we looked into the prevalence and background of minimally invasive blood vessel ruptures for our preliminary report and presentation. Finally, we brainstormed 13 specifications we will consider for our Pugh chart, with our highest weight focusing on the cost, safety, and integration of the detection device into the current surgical tools. Moving forward, we are meeting with our client this weekend to discuss our progress and any additional specifications he would like us to focus on.
Week 3 Summary (September 29, 2017)
This week we did background research on current blood vessel detection methods, including ICG dye, Doppler laser, ultrasound, and resistance techniques. The ICG process involves injecting a fluorescent dye into the blood circulatory system and using the bright green glow as a detection method for vessel location. The ICG method is already FDA approved but is not commonly used in surgeries. Next, Doppler laser and ultrasound techniques focus on using the Doppler effect to characterize the change from tissue to pulsating blood flow. Doppler ultrasound is commonly used in determining the perfusion level or blockage within a blood vessel, but it is currently difficult to manage the ultrasound device concurrently while performing electrosurgery. Finally, resistance techniques were found during a literature search and they use a constant current source and feedback resistance measurements to detect changes in tissue resistance that occur with pulsatile blood flow. Moving forward, we are considering a combination of the Doppler effect and ICG dye, but we need to first brainstorm more possible solutions. Our next steps are to do more background research on the problem and to prepare for our upcoming paper and presentation due next week.
This week we did background research on current blood vessel detection methods, including ICG dye, Doppler laser, ultrasound, and resistance techniques. The ICG process involves injecting a fluorescent dye into the blood circulatory system and using the bright green glow as a detection method for vessel location. The ICG method is already FDA approved but is not commonly used in surgeries. Next, Doppler laser and ultrasound techniques focus on using the Doppler effect to characterize the change from tissue to pulsating blood flow. Doppler ultrasound is commonly used in determining the perfusion level or blockage within a blood vessel, but it is currently difficult to manage the ultrasound device concurrently while performing electrosurgery. Finally, resistance techniques were found during a literature search and they use a constant current source and feedback resistance measurements to detect changes in tissue resistance that occur with pulsatile blood flow. Moving forward, we are considering a combination of the Doppler effect and ICG dye, but we need to first brainstorm more possible solutions. Our next steps are to do more background research on the problem and to prepare for our upcoming paper and presentation due next week.
Week 4 Summary (October 6, 2017)
This week, our group focused on quantifying the specifications, wrapping up background research, and finalizing our preliminary report. To help accomplish these tasks, we first spoke to Dr. Yin and he helped us refine our specifications and need statement. Next, we spoke with our client, Dr. Chen, to finalize our specifications. Our most important final specifications include spatial resolution, temporal resolution, depth detection, and weight added to the electrosurgical pencil. Additionally, we concluded our research on the seven current techniques used to detect blood vessels: laser induced pressure waves and photoacoustic detection, laser doppler flowmetry, coherence gated doppler, indocyanine green dye, doppler ultrasound, near infrared spectroscopy, and impedance-based vessel detector. Finally, we submitted our preliminary report and prepared for our presentation for next week.
This week, our group focused on quantifying the specifications, wrapping up background research, and finalizing our preliminary report. To help accomplish these tasks, we first spoke to Dr. Yin and he helped us refine our specifications and need statement. Next, we spoke with our client, Dr. Chen, to finalize our specifications. Our most important final specifications include spatial resolution, temporal resolution, depth detection, and weight added to the electrosurgical pencil. Additionally, we concluded our research on the seven current techniques used to detect blood vessels: laser induced pressure waves and photoacoustic detection, laser doppler flowmetry, coherence gated doppler, indocyanine green dye, doppler ultrasound, near infrared spectroscopy, and impedance-based vessel detector. Finally, we submitted our preliminary report and prepared for our presentation for next week.
Week 5 Summary (October 13, 2017)
This week, the three of us met on two occasions to help Paige with her presentation. For the first meeting, she ran through what she had for her presentation and asked us our opinions on the general layout. For the second one, we checked over and helped finalize her presentation for Wednesday, and she did a practice run of the presentation in its entirety. On Wednesday, Paige presented while Carly and Nima took notes on the presenters for the week to learn how to better present when our time comes later in the semester. Now we will meet over the weekend to begin working on our website, and have been throwing around names for consideration for our future product.
This week, the three of us met on two occasions to help Paige with her presentation. For the first meeting, she ran through what she had for her presentation and asked us our opinions on the general layout. For the second one, we checked over and helped finalize her presentation for Wednesday, and she did a practice run of the presentation in its entirety. On Wednesday, Paige presented while Carly and Nima took notes on the presenters for the week to learn how to better present when our time comes later in the semester. Now we will meet over the weekend to begin working on our website, and have been throwing around names for consideration for our future product.
Week 6 Summary (October 20, 2017)
This week our team reviewed our preliminary report as well as our presentation. We made sure to note what we can do better for future papers and presentations. Carly met with Dr. Richard to continue discussion about our project. We recognized that one of the primary concerns moving forward is related to our technology’s capacity to monitor 3-D space and give meaningful feedback. Additionally, we recognized it essential to change our specification relating to the weight of our product—the weight was changed from 1 ounce to 3 ounces to better reflect realistic expectations. We also set up and developed a website for our product.
This week our team reviewed our preliminary report as well as our presentation. We made sure to note what we can do better for future papers and presentations. Carly met with Dr. Richard to continue discussion about our project. We recognized that one of the primary concerns moving forward is related to our technology’s capacity to monitor 3-D space and give meaningful feedback. Additionally, we recognized it essential to change our specification relating to the weight of our product—the weight was changed from 1 ounce to 3 ounces to better reflect realistic expectations. We also set up and developed a website for our product.
Week 7 Summary (October 27, 2017)
This week we met with Richard and cleared up many concerns about our project. We have shifted our focus from an auditory alert signal for blood vessel detection to providing a visual aid for the surgeon. Our main concern with the auditory alert was that if the device effectively detected an artery, the surgeon would not know where in three dimensional space the artery was in respect to the electrosurgical pencil. Additionally, we are no longer making it a requirement that the device fits on the pencil, since it might not be realistic to add an imaging tool that is less than one ounce. Our current goal is to produce a device that can detect blood vessels in the operating region. Now, we are looking into how the vein finder works and how this technology can potentially be adapted for use in our device. Finally, we learned about FDA classifications and regulations during one of the class lectures this week that will be helpful moving forward.
This week we met with Richard and cleared up many concerns about our project. We have shifted our focus from an auditory alert signal for blood vessel detection to providing a visual aid for the surgeon. Our main concern with the auditory alert was that if the device effectively detected an artery, the surgeon would not know where in three dimensional space the artery was in respect to the electrosurgical pencil. Additionally, we are no longer making it a requirement that the device fits on the pencil, since it might not be realistic to add an imaging tool that is less than one ounce. Our current goal is to produce a device that can detect blood vessels in the operating region. Now, we are looking into how the vein finder works and how this technology can potentially be adapted for use in our device. Finally, we learned about FDA classifications and regulations during one of the class lectures this week that will be helpful moving forward.
Week 8 Summary (November 3, 2017)
This week we brainstormed ideas and started making our Pugh chart. We realized we had started narrowing our focus onto a single method – the range scanner approach – before taking the time to consider everything, so we took a much-needed step back. We also continued to research past technologies and techniques that Richard had mentioned during our meeting.Finally, we started looking over the sample paper due in December to ensure we are on track and are heading in the right direction for the next steps.
This week we brainstormed ideas and started making our Pugh chart. We realized we had started narrowing our focus onto a single method – the range scanner approach – before taking the time to consider everything, so we took a much-needed step back. We also continued to research past technologies and techniques that Richard had mentioned during our meeting.Finally, we started looking over the sample paper due in December to ensure we are on track and are heading in the right direction for the next steps.
Week 9 Summary (November 10, 2017)
This week our team met to discuss potential designs and concepts. We discussed many of the pros and cons associated with different potential designs, and are planning to finalize them into a meaningful Pugh chart in the near future. We noticed that each potential design would have two or three meaningful permutations, and determining which specific permutation of the design chosen will be important. We recognized that an important step in determining which design we would eventually use would be to learn more about the feasibility of each design. To do this, we are reaching out to individuals who work in the particular fields that each design would use. In doing so, we hope to gain more information to help us narrow our designs and help us with the pros and cons of each potential type.
This week our team met to discuss potential designs and concepts. We discussed many of the pros and cons associated with different potential designs, and are planning to finalize them into a meaningful Pugh chart in the near future. We noticed that each potential design would have two or three meaningful permutations, and determining which specific permutation of the design chosen will be important. We recognized that an important step in determining which design we would eventually use would be to learn more about the feasibility of each design. To do this, we are reaching out to individuals who work in the particular fields that each design would use. In doing so, we hope to gain more information to help us narrow our designs and help us with the pros and cons of each potential type.
Week 10 Summary (November 17, 2017)
This week we focused on talking to Wash U professors and physicians to gain more knowledge about each of the technologies we are focusing on. Our two main concerns are cost and feasibility of completing the device in the allotted time and with the resources we have. First, we spoke to Dr. Moran about an impedance based monitoring system which we were considering. If we move forward with this idea, he said we could use his impedance monitor on a piece of fresh meat to see if we can use it to locate blood vessels. Additionally, we spoke to Professor Widder, and she said we can use a frog to test our prototype in the spring. Finally, today we are meeting with Dr. Chapman about a laser-range scanning system and looking at the structured light system in Dr. Quing’s lab. This weekend we will finalize our Pugh Chart to determine our design moving forward.
This week we focused on talking to Wash U professors and physicians to gain more knowledge about each of the technologies we are focusing on. Our two main concerns are cost and feasibility of completing the device in the allotted time and with the resources we have. First, we spoke to Dr. Moran about an impedance based monitoring system which we were considering. If we move forward with this idea, he said we could use his impedance monitor on a piece of fresh meat to see if we can use it to locate blood vessels. Additionally, we spoke to Professor Widder, and she said we can use a frog to test our prototype in the spring. Finally, today we are meeting with Dr. Chapman about a laser-range scanning system and looking at the structured light system in Dr. Quing’s lab. This weekend we will finalize our Pugh Chart to determine our design moving forward.
Week 11 Summary (December 1, 2017)
This week we spoke with Professor Hong Chen and Dr. Chapman to complete our Pugh Chart analysis columns for Ultrasound and Laser Range Scanning Techniques. Both researchers provided us with valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the techniques for our device, and most importantly, helped us better estimate the feasibility of implementing these techniques. Based off of feedback from Dr. Chapman, we believe that while laser range scanning is most likely the best solution for mapping blood vessel location to a surgical pencil, it will be too difficult to complete in the four months we are allotted and with our limited experience and resources as undergraduates. After completing our Pugh Chart analysis, the top two techniques for our device were ultrasound and spatial frequency domain imaging. Ultimately, with the help of Dr. Chen, we decided that we will continue with spatial frequency domain imaging moving forward since it does not require the needed tissue contact ultrasound imaging requires. With this knowledge, we were able to complete and turn in our progress report.
This week we spoke with Professor Hong Chen and Dr. Chapman to complete our Pugh Chart analysis columns for Ultrasound and Laser Range Scanning Techniques. Both researchers provided us with valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the techniques for our device, and most importantly, helped us better estimate the feasibility of implementing these techniques. Based off of feedback from Dr. Chapman, we believe that while laser range scanning is most likely the best solution for mapping blood vessel location to a surgical pencil, it will be too difficult to complete in the four months we are allotted and with our limited experience and resources as undergraduates. After completing our Pugh Chart analysis, the top two techniques for our device were ultrasound and spatial frequency domain imaging. Ultimately, with the help of Dr. Chen, we decided that we will continue with spatial frequency domain imaging moving forward since it does not require the needed tissue contact ultrasound imaging requires. With this knowledge, we were able to complete and turn in our progress report.
Week 12 Summary (December 8, 2017)
This week Carly prepared and presented the Progress Report. She did a wonderful job, and we received valuable feedback from Professor Yin and Kristina for moving forward with our project. Saturday the whole team will meet to discuss next project steps and to communicate progress with our mentors and client before leaving for winter break.
This week Carly prepared and presented the Progress Report. She did a wonderful job, and we received valuable feedback from Professor Yin and Kristina for moving forward with our project. Saturday the whole team will meet to discuss next project steps and to communicate progress with our mentors and client before leaving for winter break.
Semester 2 Week 1 Summary (January 26, 2018)
This week we made significant changes to our project based on feedback from Dr. Yin in our Progress Report and reassessment of our project goals over break. At the end of last semester, we had chosen to pursue spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) as our technique for blood vessel detection in minimally invasive surgery. However, the main component we were hoping to adapt and change in the current SFDI systems was to make the size of the device smaller in order to make it fit into laparoscopic ports. Based on this constraint and our past discussion with Dr. Zhu, it was increasingly likely our final device would not be unique since it will be extremely difficult to reduce the object’s size. As a result, we have decided to pursue an ultrasound attachment to an electrosurgical pencil as our final design that will provide a color-based output detailing if an artery is beneath the surgical plane prior to cutting the tissue.
Moving forward with our new design, we have begun planning and anticipating obstacles we may run into through the course of the semester while implementing the design. First, one of the main concerns our client had about using ultrasound was that we could cut off blood flow when applying pressure with the device, thus preventing us from receiving a reading of blood vessel location based on Doppler ultrasound techniques. Therefore, we have limited our scope to detect arteries, which has been approved by our client since arteries are more difficult to see visually when compared with veins during surgery. In order to verify the device can detect blood vessels without cutting off blood flow, a part of our testing model will involve using a frog and seeing the amount of pressure we can use on the tissue while still detecting blood flow. Additionally, this will need to show if the device is capable of making proper contact with tissue and detecting the distance of the blood vessel from the surface. The other component of our model will include a jello body tissue with fluid flowing in vessels made from a mold we received from Dr. Chen.
Finally, we have started to further our knowledge about ultrasound systems and looked for possible materials we can use in our device. First, we ordered a fetal doppler device so we have a relatively cheap ultrasound that we can break apart and brainstorm how we will configure the additional processing to form our output on the attachment. Additionally, we met with Dr. Klaesner about his A-mode ultrasound device, and while his device most likely will not provide a large enough signal for vessel detection, he let us borrow his piezoelectric crystals and probe if we need it in the future. Finally, we contacted Dr. Richard about meeting to see if he can help us with the card and coding required for our device, and we will meet with him next week.
This week we made significant changes to our project based on feedback from Dr. Yin in our Progress Report and reassessment of our project goals over break. At the end of last semester, we had chosen to pursue spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) as our technique for blood vessel detection in minimally invasive surgery. However, the main component we were hoping to adapt and change in the current SFDI systems was to make the size of the device smaller in order to make it fit into laparoscopic ports. Based on this constraint and our past discussion with Dr. Zhu, it was increasingly likely our final device would not be unique since it will be extremely difficult to reduce the object’s size. As a result, we have decided to pursue an ultrasound attachment to an electrosurgical pencil as our final design that will provide a color-based output detailing if an artery is beneath the surgical plane prior to cutting the tissue.
Moving forward with our new design, we have begun planning and anticipating obstacles we may run into through the course of the semester while implementing the design. First, one of the main concerns our client had about using ultrasound was that we could cut off blood flow when applying pressure with the device, thus preventing us from receiving a reading of blood vessel location based on Doppler ultrasound techniques. Therefore, we have limited our scope to detect arteries, which has been approved by our client since arteries are more difficult to see visually when compared with veins during surgery. In order to verify the device can detect blood vessels without cutting off blood flow, a part of our testing model will involve using a frog and seeing the amount of pressure we can use on the tissue while still detecting blood flow. Additionally, this will need to show if the device is capable of making proper contact with tissue and detecting the distance of the blood vessel from the surface. The other component of our model will include a jello body tissue with fluid flowing in vessels made from a mold we received from Dr. Chen.
Finally, we have started to further our knowledge about ultrasound systems and looked for possible materials we can use in our device. First, we ordered a fetal doppler device so we have a relatively cheap ultrasound that we can break apart and brainstorm how we will configure the additional processing to form our output on the attachment. Additionally, we met with Dr. Klaesner about his A-mode ultrasound device, and while his device most likely will not provide a large enough signal for vessel detection, he let us borrow his piezoelectric crystals and probe if we need it in the future. Finally, we contacted Dr. Richard about meeting to see if he can help us with the card and coding required for our device, and we will meet with him next week.
Semester 2 Week 2 Summary (February 2, 2018)
This week we focused on designing our testing apparatus for our device as well as obtaining an ultrasound device. For the testing apparatus, we have three possible main experiments we will try. First, based on online ultrasound testing resources, we will use a block of extra firm tofu as tissue and place silicone tubes inside with syringe-pumped water to model blood flowing through arteries. This apparatus will test the distance measurements between the ultrasound and arteries to ensure the warning output is accurate. The second experiment includes chicken breast with silicone tubes to test differences in pressure on the tissue to ensure correct contact can be made to produce accurate measurements. Finally, we will use a frog to test if our device is accurate with more realistic blood vessels in an animal model. In terms of obtaining an ultrasound, we have contacted Dr. Pamela Woodward at the MIR, and we are meeting with Dr. Richard today.
This week we focused on designing our testing apparatus for our device as well as obtaining an ultrasound device. For the testing apparatus, we have three possible main experiments we will try. First, based on online ultrasound testing resources, we will use a block of extra firm tofu as tissue and place silicone tubes inside with syringe-pumped water to model blood flowing through arteries. This apparatus will test the distance measurements between the ultrasound and arteries to ensure the warning output is accurate. The second experiment includes chicken breast with silicone tubes to test differences in pressure on the tissue to ensure correct contact can be made to produce accurate measurements. Finally, we will use a frog to test if our device is accurate with more realistic blood vessels in an animal model. In terms of obtaining an ultrasound, we have contacted Dr. Pamela Woodward at the MIR, and we are meeting with Dr. Richard today.
Semester 2 Week 3 Summary (February 9, 2018)
This week we met with Dr. William Richard, obtained 60ml syringe catheters for our prototype testing, continued ultrasound research, and met with Dr. Richard Chen. During our meeting with Dr. William Richard, we recognized some of our next steps, learning that we need a Pulser-Receiver, transducer, digitizer, and processing unit. At this point, we have contacted Dr. Hong Chen, Dr. Klaesner, and Dr. Woodward for a pulser-receiver system and a transducer that would work for our application. Based on our continued research, we will be using a continuous wave A-mode Doppler system. Additionally, we met with Dr. Richard Chen and we will go to the hospital this weekend to try out some of their Doppler ultrasound devices to further narrow down our specifications. After testing different conditions, we will re-contact Dr. William Richard for help and start developing our prototype.
This week we met with Dr. William Richard, obtained 60ml syringe catheters for our prototype testing, continued ultrasound research, and met with Dr. Richard Chen. During our meeting with Dr. William Richard, we recognized some of our next steps, learning that we need a Pulser-Receiver, transducer, digitizer, and processing unit. At this point, we have contacted Dr. Hong Chen, Dr. Klaesner, and Dr. Woodward for a pulser-receiver system and a transducer that would work for our application. Based on our continued research, we will be using a continuous wave A-mode Doppler system. Additionally, we met with Dr. Richard Chen and we will go to the hospital this weekend to try out some of their Doppler ultrasound devices to further narrow down our specifications. After testing different conditions, we will re-contact Dr. William Richard for help and start developing our prototype.
Semester 2 Week 4 Summary (February 16, 2018)
This week, we met with our client, Dr. Richard Chen, and Christopher Pacia, a member of Dr. Hong Chen’s lab, to further our knowledge on ultrasound devices and start narrowing down parameters for our prototype. On Friday last week, Paige went to Barnes Jewish Hospital and met with Dr. Richard Chen to look at the parameters for an A mode Doppler ultrasound and a B-mode ultrasound system that are currently used in the clinic. Paige and Dr. Chen also discussed different applications for our artery detection device in other areas of minimally invasive surgery that we will continue to look into moving forward. Additionally, on Tuesday, we looked at the ultrasound system in Brauer with Christopher Pacia. We were able to test different frequency transducers along with different sampling rates to look at arteries at different depths below the skin. After a couple of trials, we found that a transducer frequency of 24 MHz, Doppler gain of 36 dB, and a frame rate of 16 frames per second was able to visualize an artery 5.5mm below the surface with a limited view of deeper depths. These parameters fit our specifications well since moving forward, we do not need visualization of an artery, but we simply need detection of blood flow within 5mm of the surface, which is close to what we were able to achieve with these parameters. The Chen Lab is receiving their pulser-receiver system next week, and we will use their system after we buy our own transducer to complete the testing and further narrow down the parameters we need for our device. Finally, we emailed Dr. Richard to meet with him again to go over the signal processing we will need for our system.
This week, we met with our client, Dr. Richard Chen, and Christopher Pacia, a member of Dr. Hong Chen’s lab, to further our knowledge on ultrasound devices and start narrowing down parameters for our prototype. On Friday last week, Paige went to Barnes Jewish Hospital and met with Dr. Richard Chen to look at the parameters for an A mode Doppler ultrasound and a B-mode ultrasound system that are currently used in the clinic. Paige and Dr. Chen also discussed different applications for our artery detection device in other areas of minimally invasive surgery that we will continue to look into moving forward. Additionally, on Tuesday, we looked at the ultrasound system in Brauer with Christopher Pacia. We were able to test different frequency transducers along with different sampling rates to look at arteries at different depths below the skin. After a couple of trials, we found that a transducer frequency of 24 MHz, Doppler gain of 36 dB, and a frame rate of 16 frames per second was able to visualize an artery 5.5mm below the surface with a limited view of deeper depths. These parameters fit our specifications well since moving forward, we do not need visualization of an artery, but we simply need detection of blood flow within 5mm of the surface, which is close to what we were able to achieve with these parameters. The Chen Lab is receiving their pulser-receiver system next week, and we will use their system after we buy our own transducer to complete the testing and further narrow down the parameters we need for our device. Finally, we emailed Dr. Richard to meet with him again to go over the signal processing we will need for our system.
Semester 2 Week 5 Summary (February 23, 2018)
We spent the week making phone calls and sending emails to individuals who could help us get an ultrasound system. Nima called Koven technology to follow up on the request for a no charge purchase request form for an ES100X ultrasound pencil. We learned that this request form would need to go through Barnes Jewish if we wanted to borrow one for research. From there we contacted Richard Chen, who should be able to help us get our order form through Barnes. We hope to be in possession of our own ultrasound system for testing within two weeks, so that we will be allowed to do testing for a month. Furthermore, Paige reached out again to Chris Pacia to request for us to use his ultrasound system again while we wait for our own. Otherwise, we have been working on our Verification & Validation Paper and Nima has been working towards his presentation.
We spent the week making phone calls and sending emails to individuals who could help us get an ultrasound system. Nima called Koven technology to follow up on the request for a no charge purchase request form for an ES100X ultrasound pencil. We learned that this request form would need to go through Barnes Jewish if we wanted to borrow one for research. From there we contacted Richard Chen, who should be able to help us get our order form through Barnes. We hope to be in possession of our own ultrasound system for testing within two weeks, so that we will be allowed to do testing for a month. Furthermore, Paige reached out again to Chris Pacia to request for us to use his ultrasound system again while we wait for our own. Otherwise, we have been working on our Verification & Validation Paper and Nima has been working towards his presentation.
Semester 2 Week 6 Summary (March 1, 2018)
We had a meeting with Dr. William Richard last Friday to go over specifics for our ultrasound system—during the meeting we realized that developing the entire system up from scratch would take too much time and also be a waste of our resources, given that so much of the digital side of ultrasound has been produced and distributed already. We decided to focus more specifically on the ultrasound transducer and probe, given that that would be the attachment to the electrosurgical pencil. We also decided to make this pivot of focus because we believe that to be the area where, as BME’s, we would be able to add the most. The rest of the system can be downloaded fairly easily, and the circuitry could be made later on with a bit of electrical expertise. Since then, we have been focused on finding a transducer that fits our needs, messaging Xeucang Geng at Blatek. He responded saying that he does in fact have a transducer for us, and we are currently waiting for a quote on the price for it. Aside from that, we have met with our client once more to keep on track with them, and they have remained satisfied with our trajectory. We also took a few moments to meet with Professor Yin to make sure we are still on track. Finally, we have been spending the majority of our time this week working on our Verification & Validation paper. Nima has spent some time preparing his presentation as well.
We had a meeting with Dr. William Richard last Friday to go over specifics for our ultrasound system—during the meeting we realized that developing the entire system up from scratch would take too much time and also be a waste of our resources, given that so much of the digital side of ultrasound has been produced and distributed already. We decided to focus more specifically on the ultrasound transducer and probe, given that that would be the attachment to the electrosurgical pencil. We also decided to make this pivot of focus because we believe that to be the area where, as BME’s, we would be able to add the most. The rest of the system can be downloaded fairly easily, and the circuitry could be made later on with a bit of electrical expertise. Since then, we have been focused on finding a transducer that fits our needs, messaging Xeucang Geng at Blatek. He responded saying that he does in fact have a transducer for us, and we are currently waiting for a quote on the price for it. Aside from that, we have met with our client once more to keep on track with them, and they have remained satisfied with our trajectory. We also took a few moments to meet with Professor Yin to make sure we are still on track. Finally, we have been spending the majority of our time this week working on our Verification & Validation paper. Nima has spent some time preparing his presentation as well.
Semester 2 Week 7 Summary (March 8, 2018)
This week we mainly focused on preparing for Nima’s presentation and modifying our plan given the feedback from Professor Yin and Kristina. We have continued contact with our Blatek contact, Dr. Geng, and realized based on the most recent email that our specifications were not as clear as we had thought. We are waiting for his response to finalize our transducer purchase. Until then, we are currently trying to modify the transducer size of our current fetal doppler transducer, which is set at 2 cm, to see if we can work to get our reading without purchasing another transducer. We are both nervous given the state of the project, but Paige will be in St. Louis this spring break and is planning on meeting with our client, Richard Chen, to reopen the possibility of getting a test transducer from Koven.
This week we mainly focused on preparing for Nima’s presentation and modifying our plan given the feedback from Professor Yin and Kristina. We have continued contact with our Blatek contact, Dr. Geng, and realized based on the most recent email that our specifications were not as clear as we had thought. We are waiting for his response to finalize our transducer purchase. Until then, we are currently trying to modify the transducer size of our current fetal doppler transducer, which is set at 2 cm, to see if we can work to get our reading without purchasing another transducer. We are both nervous given the state of the project, but Paige will be in St. Louis this spring break and is planning on meeting with our client, Richard Chen, to reopen the possibility of getting a test transducer from Koven.
Semester 2 Week 8 Summary (March 22, 2018)
This week, we were forced to re-direct to the final iteration of our ultrasound device design. After continuing to email these past couple of weeks about the transducer for our device, we received notice on Monday that it would cost $1500 dollars to make and would take 8 weeks to complete. Unfortunately, we do not have the time or budget to spend on the transducer, so we are following our back-up plan and developing adjustments to an 8 MHz Doppler ultrasound that will arrive on Saturday and create an ultrasound standoff to limit the Doppler range to 5mm below the surface. We realize that this is not the optimal solution to our device, but it is the third iteration of our design and based on our current design of the ultrasound standoff, we believe it will be a useful solution to our client. Moving forward, for the final report we are going to provide details both on what we have been able to accomplish, as well as modifications to our design we would make if we had more time and resources (mainly, our first iteration of building a Doppler ultrasound from scratch, and our second iteration of adapting the transducer to create a focal distance of 5mm to our fetal Doppler probe). Our final product will still include a designed probe, clip attachment, and standoff component. Ideally, we will encase our transducer and chip components from the 8 MHz probe into our designed attachment. However, we will first make the needed measurements and provide verification of our product with the original 8 MHz probe and then place the components into our probe to ensure that we do not break the electronics before proving our product works.
This past week, we printed our ultrasound clip, purchased the ultrasound standoff, and purchased the 8 MHz fetal Doppler probe. Additionally, Paige was able to go to Barnes Jewish over spring break to test out the electrosurgical pencil on the tissue model. After speaking with our client, Richard Chen, he mentioned that narrowing down parameters such as the fastest the surgeon can move with the probe will be valuable even if our depth detection does not work. In the end, we remain confident we will be able to provide an improvement to current standards in locating blood vessels during surgery. Additionally, we have designed and 3D printed a clip to test out with the electrosurgical pencil, standoff, and ultrasound probe when it arrives on Saturday. We unfortunately also broke our 3 MHz fetal Doppler probe while trying to alter the size of the transducer ourselves to see if we could change the focal distance ourselves. If we need it again in the future, we will re-visit trying to repair it.
This week, we were forced to re-direct to the final iteration of our ultrasound device design. After continuing to email these past couple of weeks about the transducer for our device, we received notice on Monday that it would cost $1500 dollars to make and would take 8 weeks to complete. Unfortunately, we do not have the time or budget to spend on the transducer, so we are following our back-up plan and developing adjustments to an 8 MHz Doppler ultrasound that will arrive on Saturday and create an ultrasound standoff to limit the Doppler range to 5mm below the surface. We realize that this is not the optimal solution to our device, but it is the third iteration of our design and based on our current design of the ultrasound standoff, we believe it will be a useful solution to our client. Moving forward, for the final report we are going to provide details both on what we have been able to accomplish, as well as modifications to our design we would make if we had more time and resources (mainly, our first iteration of building a Doppler ultrasound from scratch, and our second iteration of adapting the transducer to create a focal distance of 5mm to our fetal Doppler probe). Our final product will still include a designed probe, clip attachment, and standoff component. Ideally, we will encase our transducer and chip components from the 8 MHz probe into our designed attachment. However, we will first make the needed measurements and provide verification of our product with the original 8 MHz probe and then place the components into our probe to ensure that we do not break the electronics before proving our product works.
This past week, we printed our ultrasound clip, purchased the ultrasound standoff, and purchased the 8 MHz fetal Doppler probe. Additionally, Paige was able to go to Barnes Jewish over spring break to test out the electrosurgical pencil on the tissue model. After speaking with our client, Richard Chen, he mentioned that narrowing down parameters such as the fastest the surgeon can move with the probe will be valuable even if our depth detection does not work. In the end, we remain confident we will be able to provide an improvement to current standards in locating blood vessels during surgery. Additionally, we have designed and 3D printed a clip to test out with the electrosurgical pencil, standoff, and ultrasound probe when it arrives on Saturday. We unfortunately also broke our 3 MHz fetal Doppler probe while trying to alter the size of the transducer ourselves to see if we could change the focal distance ourselves. If we need it again in the future, we will re-visit trying to repair it.
Semester 2 Week 9 Summary (March 30, 2018)
This week we produced an ultrasound standoff for our 8 MHz fetal doppler probe and did the testing on both our arms and our tofu tissue model. Originally, we had read on an NIH article that the 8 MHz ultrasound waves travels through 3.5 cm of tissue. However, by stacking our ultrasound standoffs, it took three 2cm (6cm total) ultrasound standoffs until the 8 MHz fetal Doppler probe read 5 mm below the surface of the tissue and our radial artery. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to have a 6 cm standoff for a transducer, and we looked into building our own standoff online, and it would cost more than $200. As a result, we spoke with Professor Klaesner and Professor Yin and we are planning on using the 8Mhz transducer to show our proof of concept that we can read 5mm below the surface with an upscale model of ultrasound. Additionally, we have identified the 50 MHz transducer we need to read 5.08mm below the surface, and we are designing the clip needed to encase the transducer in our final design. We have three iterations of clips we are going to use, and are currently working on using a goniometer, Arduino, and angle detector to produce the angle necessary to rotate the ultrasound probe relative to the tissue surface. Finally, we worked using the VEVO Lazr system and identified it as a useful tool to determine the depth of a blood vessel in real time, but you are forced to look at the screen instead of the surgical area. We have realized our fetal doppler system needs to move very slowly to detect a blood vessel, which will be a spec we most likely will fail in our final report. Our final turn-in will include a small theoretical clip and transducer as well as a life-size 8Mhz transducer with a standoff. This next week will focus on narrowing down clip designs and testing our angle output.
This week we produced an ultrasound standoff for our 8 MHz fetal doppler probe and did the testing on both our arms and our tofu tissue model. Originally, we had read on an NIH article that the 8 MHz ultrasound waves travels through 3.5 cm of tissue. However, by stacking our ultrasound standoffs, it took three 2cm (6cm total) ultrasound standoffs until the 8 MHz fetal Doppler probe read 5 mm below the surface of the tissue and our radial artery. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to have a 6 cm standoff for a transducer, and we looked into building our own standoff online, and it would cost more than $200. As a result, we spoke with Professor Klaesner and Professor Yin and we are planning on using the 8Mhz transducer to show our proof of concept that we can read 5mm below the surface with an upscale model of ultrasound. Additionally, we have identified the 50 MHz transducer we need to read 5.08mm below the surface, and we are designing the clip needed to encase the transducer in our final design. We have three iterations of clips we are going to use, and are currently working on using a goniometer, Arduino, and angle detector to produce the angle necessary to rotate the ultrasound probe relative to the tissue surface. Finally, we worked using the VEVO Lazr system and identified it as a useful tool to determine the depth of a blood vessel in real time, but you are forced to look at the screen instead of the surgical area. We have realized our fetal doppler system needs to move very slowly to detect a blood vessel, which will be a spec we most likely will fail in our final report. Our final turn-in will include a small theoretical clip and transducer as well as a life-size 8Mhz transducer with a standoff. This next week will focus on narrowing down clip designs and testing our angle output.
Semester 2 Week 10 (April 6, 2018)
This week we started working on adding Arduino components to our design, making further proof-of-concept adjustments to our 3 MHz ultrasound Doppler probe, testing the electrosurgical pencil and ultrasound simultaneously, and completing tofu testing with our 8 Mhz Doppler ultrasound probe. After revisiting our scope last week with Dr. Yin, we realized we had clarified that we would deliver a proof of concept as our final project, and not necessarily a working prototype. As a result, it is ok that we will not have our finalized ultrasound probe incorporated into our device. As such, we wanted to implement components to stabilize our theoretical probe attachment to ensure that the future product is as easy to use for the surgeon as possible. We are working on adding an accelerometer and goniometer to read the change in angle that a surgeon holds the electrosurgical pencil relative to the tissue surface that will serve as the input to changing both the position of the probe vertically as well as changing the angle of the probe so that it is perpendicular to the tissue surface. After speaking to Richard, we can also use the accelerometer to provide information about how quickly the surgeon is moving the electrosurgical pencil while making incisions. This is important since depending on the tissue type, moving the cauterizer too quickly across the tissue surface will not give the heat enough time to cook the tissue, leading a blood vessel to lacerate even if it normally would not if the surgeon was moving slower. On the other hand, if a surgeon moves the electrosurgical pencil too slowly while cutting, the surgeon is cooking and injuring the tissue. As a result, we might try to incorporate a speed output reading for our client as an additional application to help early-stage surgeons navigate general surgery.
During what we initially planned as our finalized tofu testing with the 8 MHz probe, we recognized multiple considerations and changes we would like to make this weekend to enhance visibility of our testing in our final presentation. First, compared to last week’s testing, the Doppler signal was easier to read, mostly due to a better protocol for regulating the pulsatile flow in our model vessel. Additionally, instead of reading 6 cm from the surface, our probe stopped detecting at around 3 cm. This is most likely due to a smaller vessel size we used as it was more accurate compared to the size of our own arteries. Moving further, we are going to change our tissue type to Jello so it is easy to visualize during our final presentation and we can easily manipulate the depth of the model vessels.
Our final focus for the week was in altering our 3 MHz ultrasound probe to disconnect the transducer from the internal chip and components. We already broke our 3 MHz probe when trying to alter it last week, but we soldered additional wires to disconnect the transducer from the main compartment as a proof-of-concept, and tried to improve the electrical connection that we believe was broken. Trying our separated transducer and probe out, there was a slight improvement in Doppler signal compared to the past broken version, but there was noise due to additional wire movement compared to the prior compartmentalized wires. We are going to continue working on this and potentially try this method out with the 8 MHz probe after we finalize our validation testing in case we break it and can no longer use it.
This week we started working on adding Arduino components to our design, making further proof-of-concept adjustments to our 3 MHz ultrasound Doppler probe, testing the electrosurgical pencil and ultrasound simultaneously, and completing tofu testing with our 8 Mhz Doppler ultrasound probe. After revisiting our scope last week with Dr. Yin, we realized we had clarified that we would deliver a proof of concept as our final project, and not necessarily a working prototype. As a result, it is ok that we will not have our finalized ultrasound probe incorporated into our device. As such, we wanted to implement components to stabilize our theoretical probe attachment to ensure that the future product is as easy to use for the surgeon as possible. We are working on adding an accelerometer and goniometer to read the change in angle that a surgeon holds the electrosurgical pencil relative to the tissue surface that will serve as the input to changing both the position of the probe vertically as well as changing the angle of the probe so that it is perpendicular to the tissue surface. After speaking to Richard, we can also use the accelerometer to provide information about how quickly the surgeon is moving the electrosurgical pencil while making incisions. This is important since depending on the tissue type, moving the cauterizer too quickly across the tissue surface will not give the heat enough time to cook the tissue, leading a blood vessel to lacerate even if it normally would not if the surgeon was moving slower. On the other hand, if a surgeon moves the electrosurgical pencil too slowly while cutting, the surgeon is cooking and injuring the tissue. As a result, we might try to incorporate a speed output reading for our client as an additional application to help early-stage surgeons navigate general surgery.
During what we initially planned as our finalized tofu testing with the 8 MHz probe, we recognized multiple considerations and changes we would like to make this weekend to enhance visibility of our testing in our final presentation. First, compared to last week’s testing, the Doppler signal was easier to read, mostly due to a better protocol for regulating the pulsatile flow in our model vessel. Additionally, instead of reading 6 cm from the surface, our probe stopped detecting at around 3 cm. This is most likely due to a smaller vessel size we used as it was more accurate compared to the size of our own arteries. Moving further, we are going to change our tissue type to Jello so it is easy to visualize during our final presentation and we can easily manipulate the depth of the model vessels.
Our final focus for the week was in altering our 3 MHz ultrasound probe to disconnect the transducer from the internal chip and components. We already broke our 3 MHz probe when trying to alter it last week, but we soldered additional wires to disconnect the transducer from the main compartment as a proof-of-concept, and tried to improve the electrical connection that we believe was broken. Trying our separated transducer and probe out, there was a slight improvement in Doppler signal compared to the past broken version, but there was noise due to additional wire movement compared to the prior compartmentalized wires. We are going to continue working on this and potentially try this method out with the 8 MHz probe after we finalize our validation testing in case we break it and can no longer use it.
Semester 2 Week 11 (April 13, 2018)
This week we focused on finalizing our prototype, completed Design Safe, and attempted to test our large-scale ultrasound device using Jello as mentioned in last week’s report. In terms of our prototype, we currently have three projects going to ensure something works for our final product. Our work-in-progress prototype includes a probe with a set angular orientation under the electrosurgical pencil. The probe has a built in clip that attaches underneath the electrosurgical pencil to allow surgeons to remove and replace the ultrasound throughout the procedure. Additionally, it has a maximum diameter of 7 mm so that it can be used in conjunction with the electrosurgical pencil during preliminary surgical stages, or can be placed into the trocars independently to monitor blood flow inside the surgical area during later surgical stages. Our second project includes an accelerometer and gyroscope to input a change in angle of the pencil and output a change in angle of a servo to change the vertical position of the slider, the accelerometer/gyroscope is potentially going to be replaced with a flight to distance monitor depending on if a second Arduino arrives in time. Finally, we are including data from the accelerometer/gyroscope to alert the surgeon in training if they are moving too quickly or too slowly. Altogether, we believe we can deliver as much as we can given our obstacles recently in design and ordering our parts. Moving forward, we will need to repeat our ultrasound testing since we had problems with transporting the Jello mold this weekend, and then finish testing our final prototypes.
This week we focused on finalizing our prototype, completed Design Safe, and attempted to test our large-scale ultrasound device using Jello as mentioned in last week’s report. In terms of our prototype, we currently have three projects going to ensure something works for our final product. Our work-in-progress prototype includes a probe with a set angular orientation under the electrosurgical pencil. The probe has a built in clip that attaches underneath the electrosurgical pencil to allow surgeons to remove and replace the ultrasound throughout the procedure. Additionally, it has a maximum diameter of 7 mm so that it can be used in conjunction with the electrosurgical pencil during preliminary surgical stages, or can be placed into the trocars independently to monitor blood flow inside the surgical area during later surgical stages. Our second project includes an accelerometer and gyroscope to input a change in angle of the pencil and output a change in angle of a servo to change the vertical position of the slider, the accelerometer/gyroscope is potentially going to be replaced with a flight to distance monitor depending on if a second Arduino arrives in time. Finally, we are including data from the accelerometer/gyroscope to alert the surgeon in training if they are moving too quickly or too slowly. Altogether, we believe we can deliver as much as we can given our obstacles recently in design and ordering our parts. Moving forward, we will need to repeat our ultrasound testing since we had problems with transporting the Jello mold this weekend, and then finish testing our final prototypes.
Semester 2 Week 12 (April 20, 2018)
This week we finished our testing and prototypes. We made significant progress since last week on finalizing our prototypes for the final design as well as testing our large-scale ultrasound probe. Since this is the final week, we spent a significant amount of time writing and finalizing our paper which was submitted today. We will now prepare for next week’s presentation.
This week we finished our testing and prototypes. We made significant progress since last week on finalizing our prototypes for the final design as well as testing our large-scale ultrasound probe. Since this is the final week, we spent a significant amount of time writing and finalizing our paper which was submitted today. We will now prepare for next week’s presentation.