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Prostate Cutting Device

Project Overview

Prostate cancer affects 1 out of 6 men in the United States. A normal prostate weighs 20-30g, while a diseased prostate can weigh up to 100 grams. In order to properly diagnose this cancer, a biopsy must be performed on a dissected prostate sample. Our client would like us to fabricate a device that secures the prostate while the pathologist slices 3mm segments. This device should contain a measurement grid that allows the pathologist to easily dissect the prostate into the 3mm segments and should be adjustable to accommodate varying prostate sizes. Eventually, our device could be used to cut and examine tissues other than the prostate.

Team Picture

This is a picture of our team with our client. From left; Client Wei Huang,BSAC Katie Pollock, BWIG Kim Safarik, Co-Leader Becca Clayman, Communicator Terra Gahlman, and Co-Leader John Cheadle
This is a picture of our team with our client. From left; Client Wei Huang,BSAC Katie Pollock, BWIG Kim Safarik, Co-Leader Becca Clayman, Communicator Terra Gahlman, and Co-Leader John Cheadle

Images

This picture depicts the procedure and analysis our client performs on a prostate. As, seen the entire prostate is dyed, the left black and the right red, merely for orientation purposes. Next, a series of slices are taken, each of which are approximately 3mm in thickness. From these slices, the odd numbered ones are situated for fixation in formulin for at least 5 hours and then approriately analyzed and diagnosed. The even number slices are divided into four quadracnts, stained, froze and stored for future parafin slide processes.
This picture depicts the procedure and analysis our client performs on a prostate. As, seen the entire prostate is dyed, the left black and the right red, merely for orientation purposes. Next, a series of slices are taken, each of which are approximately 3mm in thickness. From these slices, the odd numbered ones are situated for fixation in formulin for at least 5 hours and then approriately analyzed and diagnosed. The even number slices are divided into four quadracnts, stained, froze and stored for future parafin slide processes.
These two images are representative of our final design. As you can see the side wall have a series of 8 slices, which was a number specifically delegated by our client. The top is now open, which was altered from previous designs we had considered. This is for increasing the ease of use for our client. The slidding wall along the base does lock into place with a bolt and hex nut system.
These two images are representative of our final design. As you can see the side wall have a series of 8 slices, which was a number specifically delegated by our client. The top is now open, which was altered from previous designs we had considered. This is for increasing the ease of use for our client. The slidding wall along the base does lock into place with a bolt and hex nut system.

Files

Contact Information

Team Members

  • John Cheadle - Co-Team Leader
  • Rebecca Clayman - Co-Team Leader
  • Terra Gahlman - Communicator
  • Katie Pollock - BSAC
  • Kimberly Safarik - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Dr. Willis Tompkins - Advisor
  • Wei Huang - Client
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