Supervisor: Carlo Menon

Background:

Diseases of the heart are the leading cause of death in North America, with higher mortality rate than cancer. Over 7 million men and 6 million women are living with some form of coronary heart disease. Over a million people suffer a (new or recurrent) coronary attack every year, and about 40% of them die as a result of the attack.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) or heart attack is most often caused by a blood clot, also known as thrombus, in the arterial vasculature surrounding the heart. MI refers to myocardial cell death and occurs due to a complete coronary obstruction which results in a profound blood flow impairment causing inadequate oxygen delivery to the heart muscle. Once such an obstruction begins, cell death can occur in as little as 20 minutes. Complete death of all myocardial cells at risk can occur in, at the earliest, 2 to 4 hours. Various methods have been developed to treat thrombus before MI occurs. The techniques vary from surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting to minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty, atherectomy, thrombectomy, and intra-arterial thrombolysis.

In Menon’s research laboratory, a new method that could be safely applied by unspecialized personnel on-site or during patient transportation to the hospital has been proposed. The method consists in applying low frequency mechanical vibrations synchronized with heart cycle of the patient, preferably along with injection of thrombus dissolving drugs.

Research done so far in Menon’s research laboratory:

Research is summarized in the following paper:

Zaidi, S.A., Marzencki, M., Menon, C., and Kaminska, B. (2010) Non-invasive method for pre-hospitalization treatment of heart attack patients, The 3^rd International Multi-Conference on Engineering and Technological Innovation (IMETI), Orlando, USA.

Research to be performed:

Tasks to be performed include:

1)             Identify suitable actuation system.

2)             Identify suitable sensors.

3)             Design control system.

4)             Design interface vibrator/chest.

5)             Prototype the diastolic timed vibrator.

6)             Test the device.

The student will work with the assistance of graduate students and Post doctorate fellows.

There is a strong possibility to be involved on the publication of a scientific article.

Required skills:

Prerequisite: at least 100 credit hours.

The ideal candidate would like to contribute in applied research and be willing to work on an applied biomedical project.