A. James Clark School of Engineering

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The collections in this community comprise faculty research works, as well as graduate theses and dissertations.

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    PRINCIPLES FOR NEW OPTICAL TECHNIQUES IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR mHEALTH APPLICATIONS
    (2014) Balsam, Joshua; Bruck, Hugh A; Mechanical Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Medical diagnostics is a critical element of effective medical treatment. However, many modern and emerging diagnostic technologies are not affordable or compatible with the needs and conditions found in low-income and middle-income countries and regions. Resource-poor areas require low-cost, robust, easy-to-use, and portable diagnostics devices compatible with telemedicine (i.e. mHealth) that can be adapted to meet diverse medical needs. Many suitable devices will need to be based on optical technologies, which are used for many types of biological analyses. This dissertation describes the fabrication and detection principles for several low-cost optical technologies for mHealth applications including: (1) a webcam based multi-wavelength fluorescence plate reader, (2) a lens-free optical detector used for the detection of Botulinum A neurotoxin activity, (3) a low cost micro-array reader that allows the performance of typical fluorescence based assays demonstrated for the detection of the toxin staphylococcal enterotoxin (SEB), and (4) a wide-field flow cytometer for high throughput detection of fluorescently labeled rare cells. This dissertation discusses how these technologies can be harnessed using readily available consumer electronics components such as webcams, cell phones, CCD cameras, LEDs, and laser diodes. There are challenges in developing devices with sufficient sensitivity and specificity, and approaches are presented to overcoming these challenges to create optical detectors that can serve as low cost medical diagnostics in resource-poor settings for mHealth.
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    VIBRATION DOSAGE FOR HANDHELD POWER TOOLS BASED ON EXPOSURE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP FOR WHITE FINGER DISEASE
    (2013) Levin, Erik David; Thamire, Chandrasekhar; Mechanical Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Power-tool vibrations can cause a variety of health disorders, ranging from inconsequential to disastrous. These vibrations may not be harmful when received in small doses but can cause vasospastic disorders, such as vibration-induced white finger disease (VWF), with frequent use or accumulated over time. Existing occupational guidance does not adequately describe the health risks associated with power-tool vibrations. In the current study, vibration levels for major brands of reciprocating saws and impact drivers were measured under typical use conditions, along with user comfort levels after different usage times. Results are provided in terms of acceleration and comfort levels as a function of usage time, varied grip-force conditions, and with or without use of gloves. Based on the VWF-incidence data from prior occupational studies, guidance on restrictions on usage of power tools is provided. It is found that existing ISO guidance for Europe overestimates allowable times, compared to those determined here.