Rochester Institute of Technology Day Labs: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) Research
Goal - Develop and iterate on a extracorporeal membrane oxygenator to increase diffusion rates and allow for more efficient blood flow.
Tenure - Sep 2023 to May 2024
Role:
Undergraduate Researcher - Develop prototypes, tools, and models for testing. Collect data and gain a better understanding of fluid dynamics, diffusion rates, and material properties.
Objectives:
- Create a chip that mimics the air sacs of a lung with efficient diffusion rate and proper resilience.
- Design and print various tools that can be used in fluid testing to pump different gases simultaneously.
- Test designs in experimental conditions using cow blood, nitrogen gas, and various other substances.
Tools & Technologies & Skills
- CAD: SolidWorks, Fusion360.
- Tools: MATLAB.
- Skills/Developed: PreForm; 3D printing;
Contributions:
Air Reservoir
- Created redesign CAD of air reservoir in solidworks incorporating more inlets to allow different gases to interact with fluid.
- 3D printed a CAD-designed reservoir using resin material, optimized for improved fluid flow and capable of withstanding higher pressure.
- Researched the interaction between various gases and found that creating a gaseous layer with nitrogen allows better fluid diffusion within air reservoir.
- Learned/Developed: Better understanding of pressure, fluid dynamics, and properties of gases; How to 3D print and design with resin.
Blood Boat
- Designed and printed a "Boat" used in blood pressure experiments to reduce air bubbles from the blood.
- Tested various different materials and shapes to maximize buoyancy while decreasing bubbling.
- Learned/Developed: Skills with modeling in Fusion360; Familiarity with testing with blood and gases.
