Biomedical Engineering
Capstone archive for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
The Biomedical Engineering Capstone event incorporates student-led research projects from both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The following project collection represents the archive of projects presented during the 2025-2026 academic year.
This project presents the development of a wearable sleep mask system designed to enable infrared imaging of pupil dilation and movement through closed eyelids to enhance sleep studies. Currently, typical sleep studies use electrodes applied to the scalp and body to track sleep, breathing, cardio-respiratory activity, gross motor movement, and neural activity. The system integrates…
This project looks into the neural and behavioral mechanisms that are present during physical cooperation in human-human interaction using a dual-robot KINARM system. By analyzing the force exchange and the movement coordination between participants, along with directional causality metrics, the study examines how individuals influence each other during shared motor tasks under different conditions like…
MicroDose Diagnostics is developing an automatic bench-top verification system designed to check the contents of returned PCA bags in hospital diversion workflows. The device uses a withdrawn micro-sample, UV-Vis absorbance analysis, and reference-based matching to determine whether the residual liquid matches the expected narcotic, such as morphine, hydromorphone, or fentanyl. By adding an automatic and…
This project proposes an in vitro macrophage-based model as an alternative to animal testing for evaluating biomaterials. THP-1 monocytes are differentiated into macrophages and used to simulate inflammatory responses through cytokine analysis. This model demonstrates how biomaterial biocompatibility for medical devices can be assessed using a controlled, ethical, and scalable system, providing an alternative to…
How does mental fatigue impact your reaction time on the court? This project measures how basketball players respond under increasing cognitive load using reaction drills and wearable sensors. The results aim to improve performance insights and reduce injury risk in high-speed sports. Video Research poster View the poster Faculty mentor Aurel CozaCenter Director and Professor…
This project simulates magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects in blood and cerebrospinal fluid during high-field MREIT using a tissue-specific human head model in COMSOL. Time-dependent velocity fields generated by Lorentz-force interactions under 1.5–18.8 T were extracted and analyzed to quantify fluid motion. These simulations provide a foundation for predicting MRI phase artifacts caused by MHD-induced flow, extending…
This project investigates how the brain estimates arm position during movement planning when visual and proprioceptive information conflict. Using the KINARM robotic system, participants performed reaching tasks while visual feedback of hand position was systematically shifted in multiple directions and magnitudes. By analyzing movement biases, we reconstructed internal hand position estimates and showed that sensory…
FlexiValve is an applied design project developing a portable, flexible valved holding chamber for asthma and COPD patients who use pressurized metered-dose inhalers. Because many existing VHCs are bulky and inconvenient to carry, this project uses SolidWorks-based CAD and iterative prototyping to create a mouthpiece-only chamber that can compress for storage in a small pouch…
Piezoelectric materials contain massive capability of converting mechanical energy to electrical energy and these materials allow for the development of medical sensors, energy harvesting, drug release and control systems. The project aims to evaluate the dimensions of lead-free piezoelectric alternatives such as Barium Titanate that could produce a voltage output equal or comparable to the…
This project explores the mechanical characteristics of medium-viscosity alginate hydrogels with CaCO3 and GDL using Rheology. In this context, hydrogels are being used as a scaffold to hold islet cells to treat Type I diabetes. The objective is to better quantify the gelation timing and mechanical properties of varying concentrations of CaCO3 and GDL components….
Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide, and most seizures happen without warning, leaving patients at risk of serious injury. While researchers have tried to predict seizures using brain wave patterns, existing methods struggle to work across different patients. I developed a machine learning system that analyzes EEG signals and achieved 87.5% accuracy in detecting pre-seizure…
My project investigates how tumor cells switch between dormant and actively dividing states (quiescence) using single-cell RNA sequencing data from breast cancer tumors. I analyze the data using computational tools in R to classify cells by their cell-cycle phase and measure how many quiescent-like cells are re-entering the cell cycle, particularly the S-phase where DNA…
It has been found that by implanting a diode into the body and applying a high frequency AC field in the area of the diode, precise, batteryless, and leadless peripheral nerve stimulation is possible. There has been minimal work on discovering the ideal configuration that can maximize stimulation while still being safe for patients. Using…
This project presents a low-cost system designed to measure task time and motor behavior using an interactive, sensor-based task. The system captures precise timing data during user interactions to assess motor–cognitive performance in a controlled yet accessible format. While not diagnostic, it demonstrates the potential for scalable behavioral tools to contribute to early screening of…
Our applied project focuses on the development of an affordable, portable wearable device that delivers targeted brain cooling as a neuroprotective therapy for conditions such as cardiac arrest and stroke, while minimizing the complications associated with whole-body hypothermia. We integrated COMSOL simulations with physical prototyping to model heat transfer using Peltier elements positioned at key…
This project develops a smart corrective insole for children with idiopathic toe walking, a gait pattern in which the forefoot contacts the ground instead of a consistent heel strike. The device combines plantar force sensors, an adjustable heel air bladder, and a Bluetooth-connected smartphone application to monitor gait in real time, encourage a heel-down walking…
This project develops a smart insole system that uses an array of pressure sensors to capture plantar pressure during walking. A machine learning model is trained to estimate ground reaction forces and center of pressure from this wearable data, reducing the need for traditional lab-based equipment. The system aims to enable portable, real-world biomechanical analysis…
Hydrocephalus diodes have a difficult time maintaining current while the human body attacks it. Our lab is testing several different encapsulation materials to ensure the longevity of the diode connection and maintenance of the current throughout. The end result is that the silicone double diode setup has that maintenance and longevity as previously mentioned and…
This project is a safety simulation based assessment using electromagnetic modeling to investigate how MRI radiofrequency fields interact with conductive deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants. A patient inspired phantom was simulated in a 1.5 T MRI environment to gain insights on incident electric fields and localized specific absorption rate (SAR) hotspots. The aim of the…
This project focuses on the validation and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines generated via prime editing to knockout the BIN1 gene, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease. Through genomic sequencing, protein analysis, and pluripotency assays, it was confirmed that these edited isogenic lines maintain cellular health and differentiation potential….
This project, Characterization of Intrinsic Visual Biases in Arm Position Estimation, examines how visual information influences the brain’s estimate of arm position during movement planning under changing visual conditions. Using the KINARM End-Point robotic system, participants performed center-out reaching tasks while a visual hand cue was systematically shifted across multiple magnitudes. By analyzing movement errors…
This project aims to provide insights into how humans perform dexterous manipulation by simultaneously preventing object slip and control object pose (position and orientation). We pursued this aim by asking subjects to lift an object with different masses or mass distribution. In our project, we used a force decomposition technique to separate grasp from manipulation…
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which CD45 immune cells destroy the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreatic islets, leading to loss of glucose homeostasis. This project investigates whether mated female NOD mice have delayed T1D and also if subcutaneously transplanted JAR placental trophoblast cells, encapsulated in alginate hydrogel spirals, can…
This project investigated the feasibility of fabricating miniaturized implantable duckbill valves for hydrocephalus treatment using cleanroom-free methods and alternative elastomeric materials. A benchtop pressure flow testing system was developed and validated to characterize valve performance. While functional valves were not successfully fabricated outside of cleanroom conditions, the study identified key limitations in material compatibility and…
One-way duckbilled valves acting as artificial arachnoid granulations (aAGs) serve as a promising alternative to existing shunt systems utilized in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage for hydrocephalus. Video analysis was utilized to measure the valve opening’s maximum deformation under a range of different flow rates and fluids/viscosities and ensure that its dimensions remain within acceptable limits….
Wearable Monitoring of Exercise Intensity and Its Impact on Sleep Quality and Heart Rate Variability
This project investigates how short-term variations in exercise intensity influence sleep quality and heart rate variability (HRV) using wearable technology. Participants followed a structured ten-day protocol with alternating-day cardiovascular exercise while continuously wearing a device to collect physiological data. By combining wearable-derived metrics with daily sleep surveys, the study evaluates how exercise duration and intensity…
This project focused on predicting grasp force (FG) and manipulation force (FM) from high-density EMG signalsrecorded during dexterous object manipulation tasks. A condition-wise CNN-LSTM framework was used to model the relationship between multi-channel EMG input and force output, supported by preprocessing steps such as bad-channel correction, interpolation, and down-sampling. The results showed that the model…
This project provides hands-on research experience while supporting the development of a skin-on-a-chip device in the Nikkhah Lab. The work involves collaborating with a PhD student to 3D print, assemble, and test prototype designs while learning the scientific background behind the model. It will also include the use of simulation tools to analyze and better…
Pediatric medical devices are often adapted from adult designs, leading to inefficiencies in clinical procedures. This project analyzes workflow challenges in pediatric settings by measuring device changes, manual corrections, and procedure time during clinical immersion at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The results highlight how non-pediatric-specific devices increase clinician workload and identify opportunities for improved device design….
This project focuses on improving the efficiency of Deuterium Chemical Shift Imaging (CSI) by optimizing k-space undersampling strategies and reconstruction performance. Undersampling mask strategies including pseudorandom, a priori (FLASH, T1W, T2W), and a central weighted variable density mask were evaluated across multiple acceleration factors. Reconstruction accuracy was quantified using normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE)…
The growing obesity epidemic in the United States has led to a cascade of health problems throughout the population. One of the most prominent side effects of obesity is loss of proper adipose tissue (AT) function, which then leads to increasing levels of leptin production, overexpression of inflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance, and ultimately debilitating conditions…
Due to the unreliable nature of visual identification of deer mice in the field, we aimed to use a species-specific gene (cytochrome b) to characterize Peromyscus species within the Santa Catalina mountains of the Madrean Sky Islands. By extracting DNA using ear tissue, amplifying the cytochrome b gene, and ensuring its presence using gel electrophoresis,…
My project consists of an in-vitro model of encapsulated JAR Trophoblast cells cultured with excised NOD mouse splenocytes post-diabetic onset for 72 hours used to mimic pregnancy in mice prone to spontaneous autoimmune diabetes onset. The inspiration for this project stems from pregnancy in animals which induces a tolerogenic immune environment that could potentially be…
Our team developed a fully autonomous UAS capable of flying 20 miles while providing real-time telemetry throughout the mission. Designed for humanitarian relief, it can deliver supplies to areas affected by natural disasters where access is limited or infrastructure is damaged. The system is modular and built from off-the-shelf components to keep costs low and…
Hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures with over 20 million performed each year worldwide. Current meshes are supplied in limited sizes, requiring pre-operative trimming and creating unnecessary inventory surplus. These limitations increase the risk of recurrence, post-operative complications, and patient discomfort. Additionally hospitals face excess waste and financial losses from unused/expired…
Several studies have demonstrated that certain types of noise exposure have a significant impact on an individual’s cognitive performance. This study aims to quantify the effect of different noise exposures on cognitive performance. A total of 15 young subjects participated in the study in a calm, relaxing environment, to prevent other stress factors from interfering…
Wearable ultrasound emitters are used to power implanted devices or modulate neuronal function. Variation in placement of an external wearable can result in reduced efficiencies, improper stimulation of a biotarget, or inaccurate sensor readings. Using the K-Wave Toolbox in MATLAB a 10 kHz pulse was simulated to test different linear ultrasound emitter configurations were tested…
This paper presents the design, development, and experimentation of a wireless, battery-free neural stimulation system utilizing an intraoral pathway for power delivery to deep brain targets for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Traditional neuromodulation systems require implantable pulse generators and wired leads. This introduces surgical risks and hardware complications. To address these limitations, a resonant…
Immune-Active Ionic Liquid (HistaGE) for Transdermal Delivery of Histamine in Diabetic Wound Healing
Diabetic foot ulcers are difficult to heal due to impaired blood circulation, chronic inflammation, and the strong barrier function of the stratum corneum, which limits the effectiveness of topical therapies. Histamine is a vasodilatory and immune-active molecule with potential to enhance local perfusion and support tissue repair, but its therapeutic use requires a formulation capable…
Dipole antennas are being widely used in ultra-high field (UHF) MRI systems due to their deeper penetration depth of the transmit magnetic field (B1). However, traditional rigid dipole designs do not conform well to the highly curved anatomical regions such as neck, wrist, shoulder, etc., resulting in reduced electromagnetic coupling in tissues, increased localized electric-field…
Tissue marking, or tattooing, is used during endoscopic procedures to identify lesions for follow-up and surgical resection. However, existing tattoo inks diffuse extensively, reducing the accuracy of later localization. Tissue-Adhesive Tattoo, Generation 2 (TAT2) is a novel mucoadhesive ink that improves spot containment by more than 90% compared with current clinical inks. Although TAT2 enables…
Individuals with profound hearing impairment often face difficulty experiencing the emotional richness of live acoustic environments such as concerts. Although assistive technologies improve communication, they frequently fail to reproduce the subtle, emotional characteristics of sound essential for a deeply immersive experience. Current haptic feedback devices typically convert sound into vibrations using a unidirectional transformation of…
Proprioception is essential for body awareness and motor planning; however, its role in multisensory integration during movement planning remains poorly understood. Most existing tests only assess conscious proprioception through position-matching and localization tasks, overlooking the role of proprioception in movement planning, which occurs at a largely unconscious level. We recently developed a method to reverse…
Home-based rehabilitation post orthopedic lower-extremity interventions is difficult to monitor objectively, as clinic-based gait labs are expensive, inaccessible for frequent use, and impractical for everyday settings. Patients also often have no clear feedback on whether they are performing prescribed exercises correctly, which may slow recovery and increase the risk of re-injury. This study aims to…
Information overload is a growing concern in manufacturing environments where operators must make rapid decisions under conditions of uncertainty, ambiguity, and escalating task demands. This study investigated how progressively degraded instructions and increasing informational load affect cognitive performance and physiological stress during a simulated assembly task. Ten participants completed a 49-step digital LEGO assembly set…
Of millions of individuals in the U.S. with diabetes, a large percentage will suffer from diabetic foot ulcers—chronic, non-healing wounds that can lead to amputation and death. Available remedies for diabetic foot ulcers include topical therapies or scaffold-based wound dressings. Despite availability, current solutions do not provide sufficient antioxidant release to counteract oxidative stress that…
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the wrist is difficult because the wrist has a complicated structure and the limitations of the conventional rigid radiofrequency (RF) coils. This research investigates the design and electromagnetic performance of a 4-channel flexible RF coil array intended to improve high-field (7T) wrist MRI imaging. The primary aim is to evaluate…
Understanding how alternating current (AC) signals propagate through soft tissue is essential for optimizing implantable neurostimulation systems. This study quantifies frequency- and depth-dependent attenuation of AC signals transmitted through ex vivo porcine skin using inductive volume coupling and an implanted Schottky diode circuit. Signals at 50 kHz, 500 kHz, and 1 MHz were delivered through…
Validation of core needle biopsy (CNB) devices currently relies on the use of fresh porcine tissue (shoulder, kidney, and connective tissue) which presents significant drawbacks for laboratory testing. Biological tissues inherently vary in mechanical properties and decay rapidly over time leading to inconsistent results, leaving room for improved test evaluation models. To address these challenges,…
The increasing prevalence of skin tears among elderly populations presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly in long-term care settings where fragile skin and reduced mobility elevate injury risk. These wounds not only compromise patient comfort and quality of life but also increase the likelihood of infection, prolong healing time, and raise healthcare costs. Current interventions…
Our concept works to prevent image disturbances in pathology scans by automating the Coverslipping process. The design will reproduce the slide preparation process using robotic automation, applying the appropriate PBS solution and a coverslip. CND Life Sciences aids in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s through skin biopsy to successfully provide a diagnosis before clinical onset. Current…
Silicone transfer solutions currently on the market are expensive, lack the adaptability to work with different batches or kinds of silicone, or require manual labor that ultimately produces waste that drives up the price of medical-grade silicone devices. Transferring silicone remains an arduous task, but it is required for many businesses, whether it is a…
Medical documentation is vital in the healthcare setting; however, completing this documentation is a time-consuming process that prevents medical professionals from focusing on other tasks and assisting patients. ORAI Solutions has developed the operating room charting assistant (ORCA), which automatically charts surgical data, utilizing voice data during surgery, allowing medical staff to reduce time spent…
Extremely high temperatures in Phoenix lead to a proportionally larger amount of heatstroke cases. EMS staff must treat patients in mobile ice baths, requiring quick and accurate core temperature readings. Current thermometers lack the accuracy, speed, and temperature ranges necessary for early intervention. More accurate esophageal thermometers are difficult to position during field airway management,…
Eye-related complaints are increasingly prevalent in emergency departments, where access to ophthalmologists is often limited. This gap can delay diagnosis and treatment, particularly for conditions requiring timely evaluation. A rapid, accessible method for capturing and sharing diagnostic-quality eye images would improve triage efficiency and support remote clinical decision-making in both hospital and resource-limited settings. TeleVision…
Calcinosis, a debilitating complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), affects up to 40% of patients and is typically identified only after symptom onset, when tissue damage and pain have already progressed. Current diagnostic workflows rely on reactive, high-cost imaging modalities such as MRI or CT, creating barriers to early detection and limiting routine screening in outpatient…
Each year, millions of patients undergo radiation treatment utilizing medical linear accelerators (linacs) due to their noninvasiveness and submillimeter precision. Although linacs offer innovative and advanced treatment plans, some mechanical QA procedures remain subjective due to human error. One of these being the verification of the optical distance indicator and vertical offset between the linac…
Affecting approximately 3 million people in the United States, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness that manifests due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) damaging the optic nerve. Early detection of glaucomatous ocular environments allows for improved prognosis of the disease in an effort to reduce the rate at which symptoms become prevalent. Since glaucoma…
Major traumatic injuries to lower limbs require tourniquet intervention in nearly 90% of cases. Overtightening and improper application result in about 23% of patients experiencing long term nerve and tissue damage. These complications significantly lower the quality of life of the patient and can be a future roadblock to rehabilitation and prosthetic implementation. The Smart…
Effective clinical communication is central to patient outcomes, yet nearly 50% of medical malpractice claims cite communication failures as a contributing factor. Current training relies on expensive, unscalable actor-based simulations that are cost-prohibitive. There is a critical need for an automated, data-driven coaching tool that provides objective, ongoing feedback on real patient interactions to reduce…
Accurate urine output monitoring is essential in hospitals because changes in urine volume, color, and clarity can indicate dehydration, infection, kidney dysfunction, or worsening patient condition. Despite its importance, urine output is still commonly measured manually by nurses, which can be time-consuming, inconsistent, and prone to error during long shifts and high patient loads. UroTrack…
Hospitalized adult inpatients and clinical staff are poorly served by current overbed table designs, which lack maneuverability, ergonomic adaptability, and adequate storage. Surveys of Mayo Clinic staff confirm this need, with over 96% reporting difficulty moving existing models, compromising patient independence and obstructing critical workflow during emergencies. The AtlasWorks Omni-Axis Overbed Table reimagines the conventional…
Jointelligence addresses the growth modulation surgery implant problem in collaboration with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Dr. Mohan Bethlur, Dr. Subham Badhyal, and Benjamin Fife. Genu Valgum and Genu Varum (known as knock and bowed knees, respectively) are orthopedic conditions affecting pediatric patients. This condition is treated with titanium 8-plates being surgically fixed near the knee…
The Caribbean region reports the world’s highest lower-extremity amputation rates, with approximately 80% of Grenadian patients presenting with advanced diabetic foot ulcers requiring enzymatic debridement. Current treatment costs of $50–$150 weekly are financially prohibitive for households with a median annual income of $8,000, creating a critical need for affordable, locally-sourced wound care. WoundWorks Bio developed…
There are over 1 million meniscus tears treated each year in the United States. Current interventions include sutures and partial/total menisectomies, which can leave patients with impaired or limited shock absorbance in the knee. This increases the risk of osteoarthritis and further joint deterioration. While current devices are in development, the attachment mechanisms require drilling…
Injury resulting from high-impact forces, such as those experienced during vehicular collisions or sudden mechanical loading events, remains a significant contributor to morbidity and long-term disability. Existing protective solutions often lack sufficient adaptability or efficiency in reducing force transmission to the human body, creating a need for improved impact mitigation technologies. This project presents the…
Anesthesiologists in busy perioperative settings may supervise several operating rooms at once, while patient data remain confined to individual bedside anesthesia machines. This creates a risk of delayed recognition of physiologic deterioration, increases cognitive load, and forces repeated room-to-room transitions that can reduce situational awareness and response efficiency. VitalSync is a centralized monitoring platform that…
The Syn-One skin punch biopsy test, developed by CND Life Sciences, provides pathological evidence for Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and related synucleinopathies. However, a 20-month review revealed high rates of unusable samples due to technique variability. The current multi-instrument workflow requires tweezers, a metal push rod, and a standard punch tool, contributing to…
Internal hemorrhaging remains a leading cause of preventable death in trauma scenarios, yet the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) protocol requires specialized sonographic expertise that is often unavailable in remote or extreme environments. Non-experts often struggle with the complex landmark identification and proper probe orientation, leading to diagnostic delays and catastrophic patient outcomes…
Dental caries remain one of the most common chronic oral health conditions worldwide, often progressing to cavities that require restorative treatments such as fillings. Traditional intervention methods typically begin after significant enamel damage has occurred, creating a need for earlier, less invasive treatment options. To combat this problem, DentaNova has developed DentaDefend, a two part…
Despite being the clinical standard and a primary means of intrapartum assessment, current fetal monitoring devices have extremely high false positive rates (up to 99% for fetal distress signs like fetal acidosis). This means clinicians are often reacting to signals that don’t reflect the baby’s true condition. This not only creates confusion but also causes…
Cervical stabilization during gynecological procedures commonly relies on traditional tenacula, which use sharp hooks to grasp tissue. The current tenaculum, modeled after a civil-war era device designed to extract bullets from soldiers’ bodies, is often associated with tissue trauma, bleeding, and severe pain. There is a clear clinical need for a less invasive solution that…
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) provides valuable metabolic information for diagnosing and monitoring neurological conditions; however, its clinical and research use is limited by fragmented, non-standardized analysis workflows. Differences in scanner vendor formats require users to manually convert files, resolve metadata inconsistencies, and rely on multiple software tools, slowing data interpretation, increasing error risk, and…
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by immune-mediated damage to esophageal tissue. This inflammation leads to symptoms such as dysphagia, food impaction, and structural changes over time. Current treatment strategies for EoE include dietary restrictions, proton pump inhibitors, and glucocorticoids, but they are often burdensome, inconsistent, and associated with many long-term side…
Over 400,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the United States, yet limited intraoperative visualization remains a significant contributor to surgical complications. Surgeons frequently report difficulty visualizing the cervical-vaginal junction during colpotomy, increasing the risk of injury to surrounding structures such as the bladder and ureters. Current uterine manipulators lack integrated illumination, creating a critical unmet…
Endovascular procedures require controlled guidewire manipulation; however, manual torque devices often cause inconsistent rotation, slippage, and operator fatigue [1]. These limitations can lead to procedural delays and complications. Surgeon surveys and stakeholder interviews show clinical need for improved torque precision, reduced fatigue, and safer wire handling. There are over 1 million annual endovascular procedures; demand…
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects approximately 30% of women worldwide, with up to 80% of patients experiencing recurrence within one year of treatment. Current therapies, including antibiotics and over-the-counter treatments, often fail to address the underlying cause of recurrence due to bacterial biofilm formation and disruption of the protective vaginal microbiome. This leads to repeated infections,…
This paper presents the design, development, and experimentation of a wireless, battery-free neural stimulation system utilizing an intraoral pathway for power delivery to deep brain targets for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Traditional neuromodulation systems require implantable pulse generators and wired leads. This introduces surgical risks and hardware complications. To address these limitations, a resonant…