Biomedical Device Laboratory Dr. Duncan Maitland Associate Professor – Department of Biomedical Engineering Texas A&M University Mary Biediger John Marshall High School Northside Independent School District – San Antonio, Texas

Facts about Stroke 750,000 cases per year 150,000 deaths per year (3 rd leading cause of death) 30,000 hemorrhagic strokes (treatable) Leading cause of disability $40 billion spent on treatment and rehabilitation annually

Historical Treatment (since 1937) Surgical Clipping – via craniotomy

If it’s working, why change it? Surgery on any one area may cause problems with speech, memory, muscle weakness, balance, vision, coordination, and other functions. Blood clot or bleeding in the brain Seizures Stroke Coma Infection in the brain, in the wound, or in the skull Brain swelling Source: surgery/overview.html

Timelines Hospitalization – 5 to 7 days Recovery time before returning to work – 6 to 12 weeks Source:

Alternative Treatment (since 1991) Detachable coil embolization -Can reach previously inoperable aneurysms

Risks Catheter-related risks: Intra-arterial catheterization involves a risk of bleeding, infection and arterial damage. Surgical risks: As with any invasive procedure, there is a slight risk of death or illness. Approximately 7% of cases require additional treatment or surgery. Source:

Additional Complications Surgery time (varies with number of coils being implanted) ◦ Doctors not happy ◦ Patients not happy  Customers not happy – product less likely to sell Clots forming in the blood stream ◦ Problems downstream

Timelines Hospitalization – 2 days Recovery time before returning to work – about a week Source:

Cutting Edge Treatment SMP Foam – made to fill aneurysm

Cutting Edge Treatment Crimped to a cylindrical shape to be fed through a micro-catheter and actuated at the site.

Why do it? Catheter and Anesthesia Foam is more biocompatible Healing time significantly reduced *This is one aspect of the work going on in the lab. It is nearly ready for animal trials, not yet used in humans.

Another treatment (currently in use) - Metal Stent Reinforce the weak artery wall Encourage normal blood flow Reopen partially blocked passages

Angioplasty vs. Stent Source:

Stent use for aneurysm treatment In combination with coiling ◦ For “wide-neck” aneurysm. Source: neck%20to%20asisst%20coiling.jpg

In the lab SMP plastic tube

Why do this? Can you tell me

What I will do Use an MRI from a current patient

What I will do Make a model using 3D printer

What I will do Make a negative model

What I will do Create a SMP plastic stent to treat the aneurysm and test it in the model.

Summary Focus of the lab: ◦ Design devices to treat aneurysms, fistulas, and stroke ◦ Improve treatment options from what is currently used in practice ◦ Use Shape Memory Polymers to create devices that will be more readily accepted by the human organism

Acknowledgements TAMU E 3 program NSF, NPI, and TWC Dr. Duncan Maitland, PhD.

Acknowledgements John Horn – Graduate student who is graciously donating his time to teaching me about the work in the lab. All of the graduate students in the biomedical lab who gleefully answer my queries about their various projects.

QUESTIONS?