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| Engineering Design & Optimization Group |
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332 Leonhard Building Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 863-7523 |
A collaborative effort by faculty in: Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering and Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering |
  
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| About | Kristin Culkar | ||||||
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Title: Undergraduate Student (B.S.)
Department: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Office: 332 Leonhard Building Phone: (814) 863-7523 Fax: (814) 863-4745 E-mail: kmc262@psu.edu Project Title: Optimal Design of Smart Tools for Minimally Invasive Surgery Project Supervisor: Dr. Mary Frecker Project Description: Minimally invasive surgery is a constantly expanding area of medical science and has many advantages over open surgery. Most existing tools for these procedures are single function by design, requiring the surgeon to constantly withdraw and re-insert new tools into the patient. Continually switching instruments can lengthen time in operation and compromise patient safety. Combining multiple functions into a single tool, particularly functions that are often used consecutively, will result in reduced surgery time and decreased danger to the patient. Design procedures and methodologies are very lacking in this area. The goal of this research is to develop design methodologies leading to the design and development of multifunctional minimally invasive surgery tools. Both piezoelectric ceramic and electroactive polymer materials may be used. Project Sponsor: The Whitaker Foundation Biomedical Engineering Research Grant
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