Design Award

• Tong Biomedical Design Award Winner

Project Overview

During neurosurgery, an endoscope provides real-time imaging of the cranial surface and a port for introducing surgical instruments. A non-peristaltic flow of saline over the cranial surface clears debris for visualization of the surgical field, and flow is disrupted with the introduction of surgical instruments. The disruption of flow may cause either excessive saline flow onto the brain or improper flushing and poor visibility of the surgical field. The current system will be redesigned with one of the following approaches: modifying an existing prototype that incorporates a Medtronic centrifugal pump, creating a new prototype incorporating a more ideal pump, or creating a new prototype with optical or magnetic feedback of the rate of saline flow and an alternative method for flow regulation.

Contact Information

Team Members

• Holly Liske - Team Leader
• Claire Flanagan - Communicator
• Laura Piechura - BSAC
• Kellen Sheedy - BWIG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. William Murphy - Advisor
• Dr. Joshua Medows - Client