Tissue Sample Preparation Device for Biochemical Analysis

Table of Contents

• Project Overview.
• Project Status.
• Project Timeline.
• Presentations and Reports.
• Supplementary Information.
• Team Picture.
• Contact Information.

Project Overview

To design a device that completes the preparation process done manually to prep a tissue sample for biochemical analysis. The device should freeze the tissue (with liquid nitrogen), and grind it to a powder. Sample should be easily collected.

Our project's website last semester

Return to Contents.

Project Status

In our second semester on this project, we have tested to determine the appropriate liquid nitrogen quantities and the force needed to pulverize the sample. We ordered a pneumatic cylinder, solenoid valve, regulator, 1/8" tubing and 1/8" push and lock fittings. The machine shop made the sample chamber by welding a cylinder and half sphere together. Our cooling chamber is insulated with styrofoam. A support stand was built to mount the cylinder above the sample chamber. Our solenoid valve works but we have yet to stabilize the chamber mounting and adapt the 1/8" hosing to a lab air source. Final presentations were in the atrium of ECB on December 13, 2002 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Progress Report Archive.

1. Sept. 6-10, 2002
2. Sept. 11-17, 2002
3. Sept. 18-24, 2002
4. Sept. 25 - Oct. 1, 2002
5. Oct. 2 - 8, 2002
6. Oct. 9 - 15, 2002
7. Oct. 16 - 22, 2002
8. Oct. 23 - 29, 2002
9. Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 2002
10. Nov. 6 - 12, 2002
11. Nov. 13 - 19, 2002
12. Nov. 20 - 26, 2002
13. Nov. 27 - Dec 3, 2002
14. Dec. 4 - 10, 2002

Return to Contents.

Project Timeline

Week 1: Group chose same project, client was contacted for a meeting.
Week 2: Goals for semester established, tasks divided, client meeting
Week 3: Developed experimental protocols, researched methods of force testing, met with faculty
Week 4: LN2 Testing, Meetings with John Dreger, Prof. Terry Richards, and Prof. Fronczak for grinding mechanism and testing advice
Week 5: Force testing on force plate BMES Industry trip to Minneapolis so no formal meeting on Friday, materials research.
Week 6: Meeting with Prof. Fronczak, Analyzed testing data, pneumatic cylinder and valve decisions, mid-semester presentation
Week 7: Search for pneumatic cylinder, valve, and accessories, work on grinding head and chamber
Week 8: Cylinder specifications, chamber pressure calculations
Week 9: Final cylinder specifications, budget, chamber and overall design
Week 10: Pressure calculations, Solenoid selection
Week 11: Ordering cylinder, dimensions for lower chambers
Week 12: Drawings of chamber, Putting together cylinder/solenoid/filter
Week 13: Cylinder components arrived, electrical control work, insulation bought.
Week 14: Prototype Building, Paper and Poster Preparation

Detailed semester conclusion timeline

Return to Contents.

Presentations and Reports

Product Design Specification (PDS)

5. September 20, 2002
6. November 1, 2002

Midsemester Presentation

Powerpoint (zipped ppt file)

Final Presentation

Final Report (964 KB pdf file)
Digital copy of final poster

Return to Contents.

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members
Sara Alford - team leader
Christine Koranda - communicator
Carla Maas - BWIG
Ryan Roth - BSAC

Email all team members

Clients
Charles Tessier
Department of Oncology

Jeff Ross
Department of Oncology

Advisor
Paul Thompson
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

Special thanks to:
Prof. Fronczak - pneumatic information source

Return to Contents.