Reusable Radiofrequency Electrodes
By Group 314, The ECE Department, and The BME Department
Sponsored by Abbott Laboratories
By Group 314, The ECE Department, and The BME Department
Sponsored by Abbott Laboratories
Radio Frequency (RF) Spinal Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic nerve pain along
the spinal cord. During the process, a small portion of nerve tissue is heated up, which stops pain signals
from being sent to the brain. The medical device company, Abbott Laboratories, makes a reusable device for this procedure that
can withstand up to fifty repeated uses. They have challenged our team with increasing the reusability of the device
to one hundred uses or more, whilst keeping the manufacturing price down. The device is composed of three main elements: the shaft,
the hub, and the RF transmission cable. The shaft is a thin metal cylinder that's inserted into the body; the hub is a
plastic component that connects the shaft to the RF transmission cable. After receiving test data from our sponsor, we found that
the hub is the problem. Due to the repeated stress of the sterilization procedure, the plastic hub is the first element of the
probe to break down. To fix this, we will swap out the hub's material with a different polymer.
To select the new material, we found polymers that are suitable for medical devices. From these materials, we choose the one
best suited for our needs. Using the new material, Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), we are making prototypes of the hub. Using these
prototypes, we can compare the new material to the old one through different testing PROCEDURES. These tests will include cleaning
the probe with an enzyme solution, followed by sterilization using an Autoclave machine. To test the material properties of our
prototype, we will run tensile stress tests. These results will help us determine how well our prototype will perform and if it
will be suitable for increasing the probe's reusability.
Financial Advisor
Lead Computer Engineer
Testing and Design Engineer
Lead Electrical Engineer
Lead Biomedical Engineer
Project Manager
Adam Chebali grew up in Orlando, FL. He is graduating with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Florida State University. He is planning on working as a software engineer after graduation.
Brooke Bielski grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is graduating with her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a focus in Cell and Bioprocessing from Florida State University. She plans to work in the biotech industry post-graduation. Her interests are in the areas of cell and tissue engineering as well as medical devices.
Carolina Hau Loo grew up in Panama City, Republic of Panama. She is graduating with a double major in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Florida State University. She hopes to pursue higher education and get a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Her interests are in the area of circuit design and harsh environment testing.
Joshua Mechler is a senior Electrical Engineering student studying at the Famu-FSU College of Engineering. Originally from Georgia, he came to Florida to complete his college education at Florida State University and plans on pursuing a career in the United States Navy following his graduation.
Shannon Kelley grew up in Fort Myers, Florida, and is graduating with her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Florida State University. She plans to pursue higher education in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. She is interested in pursuing a career in the medical device industry once she finishes her education.
Tariq Hopkins is a senior studying Electrical Engineering at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. He is from Jacksonville, Florida and is interested in Intelligent Transportation systems and power generation. After graduation he plans to work in the automotive industry.