-
-
Skip navigation
(Access key: S).
Contact information.
Dr. George Newman, a stroke specialist at UW Hospital, uses MRI to study cerebral hemodyanmics in stroke patients.
Currently, patients receive gadolinium (contrast agent) and saline injections via a syringe pump during their MRI exam. However, the syringe pump has several limitations. Dr. Newman would like to have a new pump designed so that there is more flexibility with the contrast/saline injections during the exam. What he would like to have is a MRI compatible infusion pump that has flexible computer driven sequencing. The syringe pump that is currently used is limited in its sequence capability and fluid capacity. In addition, there is a great deal of time spent during the exam to load the contrast and saline. The patient is likely to move during this time, and this can lead to inconsistencies in image reconstruction.
There are several companies that have infusion pumps similar to our client’s interests. However, many do not deliver fluids at the rates he desires. In addition, many of them are extremely expensive.
What is used currently in the hospital is the Spectris Solaris® MR Injection system by Medrad (shown below).
Spectris Solaris® MR Injection System (by Medrad)
After doing some research on pumps that are appropriate for this study, we have decided that a peristaltic pump would best accomplish our client’s specifications. We had also developed two other pump possibilities, but several limitations would make them difficult to implement in the study (refer to mid-semester presentation).
We abandoned our initial design due to issues regarding shielding. Our initial design involved a stepping motor, and since there isn’t a feasible way to protect this from the magnetic field emitted by the MRI magnet, we had to find another way to drive our peristaltic pump.
After consultation with Professor Frank Fronczak of Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, we decided upon a mechanism where the movement of a ratchet and pawl due to an air-driven solenoid valve and linear actuator rotates a peristaltic pump to deliver fluids to the patient.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 23 | Assembled Group, chose project, assigned roles, contacted client |
| 2 | January 30 | Still trying to meet with client (still out of town). Did some preliminary research into project (MRI, contrast agents, pumps, etc.) |
| 3 | February 6 | Met with Dr. Newman and Frank Hospod (technician). Talked in great detail of what kind of pump they are in need of for their research. Did some minor brainstorming and started to plan for PDS. |
| 4 | February 13 | Met with Frank again to discuss specifications. Showed us typical peristaltic pump that he would like to get developed. |
| 5 | February 20 | Met with Prof. Fronczak and discussed numerous pump designs (very helpful). Did some more brainstorming on what we can do with these designs. |
| 6 | February 27 | We looked at the designs and decided on which 3 would be the most appropriate with the client’s specifications. Started preparing for mid-semester presentations. |
| 7 | March 5 | We thought a lot about possible designs and concluded that the peristaltic pump would be the best possibility. We also gave our mid-semester presentation. |
| 8 | March 12 | Worked on Mid-semester paper. Also looked into possible shielding options. |
| 9 | March 19 | Spring Break |
| 10 | March 26 | Contacted companies for prices on pumps and shielding. Made appt with Dr. Newman to discuss budget. |
| 11 | April 2 | Worked on design. Met with Dr. Newman. Discussed budget and problems with initial design. Started new design with ratchet and paul after meeting with Prof. Fronczak. Prakash met with Prof. Block and discussed shielding possibilities. |
| 12 | April 9 | Worked on design. |
| 13 | April 16 | Worked on design/Ordered parts from SMC Corp. |
| 14 | April 23 | Poster presentation |
| 15 | April 30 | Completed report. |
 |
Mid-semester Presentation (Mar 5 2004, 619 kb) |
 |
Mid-semester Report (includes PDS) (Mar 12 2004, 318 kb) |
|
Final Poster Presentation (Apr 30 2004, 698 kb) |
|
Final Report (includes PDS) (May 5 2004, 753 kb) |
