1. Quad-Rat Vitals Monitor
Advisor: Paul Thompson
Client: Dr. Alex Converse

2. Overview PET Imaging Requirements Existing Devices
Previous Semester’s Work
Pulse Oximeter Probe Design Options
LabVIEW Interface Design Options
Where do we go from here?
Acknowledgments

3. PET Imaging of Rats
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans to monitor location of tracers in rats
Client scans four anesthetized rats at a time
Needs to monitor the rats’ vitals
_s09/reports/FinalPaperSpring09.pdf

4. Requirements: Quads Vitals Monitor
Client needs to simultaneously monitor four rats
SpO2 levels, accuracy of ±2%
Heart rates up to 500 beats per minute
Respiratory rates of 20 to 30 breaths per minute
Rectal temperatures of ° F
Non-invasive probes and user-friendly interface

5. Existing Devices Existing devices:
Client currently uses rudimentary devices to monitor vitals
Available: Pulse oximeter for mice and rats
Over $7000, one rat at a time

6. Previous Semester’s Work
Developed circuit for detecting breathing rate using force sensing resistor
Designed and calibrated thermistor to detect temperature
Designed Graphical User Interface (GUI) in LabVIEW displaying breathing rate and temperature
Attempted to reverse engineer existing Pulse Oximeter
Force sensing resistor
LabVIEW interface

7. General Probe Requirements
Applicable for rats of varying size
Reusable
Sufficient blocking of ambient light
Compatible LED and Photodiode

8. Foot Clip Pros: Cons: Similar to current device Easy to reposition
Positioned far from the head
Cons:
Can displace easily
Risk of LED/Photodiode misalignment
Potential to apply excessive pressure

9. Foot Wrap Pros: Cons: No displacement once attached
Alignment of LED/Photodiode maintained throughout testing
Cons:
Not adjustable
More involved cleaning process

10. Tail Clip Pros: Cons: Easy to attach Adjustable
No confusion over placement location
Adjustable
Cons:
May interfere with catheter in tail
Potential to apply excessive pressure

11. Design Matrix – Pulse Oximeter Probe
Criteria (Weight)
Foot Clip
Foot Wrap
Tail Clip
Ergonomics(20) 18 12 14
Cost (5) 4 5
Accuracy (50) 46 35
Safety (10) 8 9
Durability (10) 6
Feasibility (5)
Total (100) 89 83 74

12. Four Corners with Buttons
Full display

13. Four Corners with Buttons
Pros:
Logical layout
Important information visible
Cons:
Extra clicking
History graphs incomparable
Less robust
A sample quarter of the final display

14. Tab Interface Pros: Cons: Uncluttered interface Easy to program
Inefficient
Data hard to compare
Full display

15. Four Corners with Histories
Full display

16. Four Corners with Histories
Pros:
All data on one screen
Easy to compare trends
Cons:
Cluttered interface
Tiny on small screen
A sample quarter of the final display

17. Design Matrix – LabVIEW Interface
Criteria (Weight)
4 Corners with Buttons
Tabs
4 Corners with Histories
Ergonomics (45) 38 25 44
Programming Feasibility (35) 26 32 30
Aesthetics (20) 15 18 14
Total (100) 79 75 88

18. Where do we go from here? Finish LabVIEW GUI
Determine how data will be collected from Pulse Oximeter
Design pulse-ox probe to fit rat’s hind paw
Integrate with signal received from Graduate Students’ circuit
Print circuit boards
Fabricate housing apparatus

19. Acknowledgements Professor Paul Thompson Dr. Alex Converse
Amit Nimunkar
Tim Balgemann
Liz Ahlers
Nate Werbeckes

20. Questions?