Skip to main content

A device to reliably collect bronchoalveolar lavage effluent during flexible bronchoscopy

Design Award

  • Tong Biomedical Design Award Honorable Mention

Project Overview

In order to diagnose respiratory problems in immunosuppressed patients, bronchoalveolar lavage is used to obtain a bronchiole fluid sample. A bronchoscope is guided through the respiratory tract and wedged into a bronchiole, which is then flushed with saline solution. The solution is then extracted with a vacuum and accumulates in the collection trap. In the current procedural setup, the collection trap is free-hanging and unstable. Manipulation of the bronchoscope and surrounding movement can displace the trap resulting in loss of sample to the vacuum line. To prevent unnecessary expense and patient inconvenience from sample loss, a new trap needs to be developed.

Team Picture

Left to right: Kim Kamer, Ali Johnson, Elise Larson and Laura Zeitler
Left to right: Kim Kamer, Ali Johnson, Elise Larson and Laura Zeitler

Image

Solidworks image of our final prototype
Solidworks image of our final prototype

Files

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Laura Zeitler - Team Leader
  • Elise Larson - Communicator
  • Kimberli Kamer - BSAC
  • Allison Johnson - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Brenda Ogle - Advisor
  • Dr. Chris Green - Client
Back to Top