Author: ICES

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Sanna Gaspard

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Background

Degrees
BS (2004) in Biomedical Engineering - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
MS (2005) in Biomedical Engineering - Carnegie Mello University, Pittsburgh, PA.
PhD candidate (2010) in Biomedical Engineering - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA.

Masters
Research

PhD
Research

TLneoCare

PhD Thesis Topic
The Development of a Point of Care Diagnostic Device, the Rubitect, for Stage I Pressure Ulcers
PhD Advisors
Todd Przybycien, PhD - Biomedical Engineering Department
Mel Siegel, PhD - Robotics Institute
Contact
5000 Forbes Avenue
Doherty Hall 2100
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15218
412 268 5213
Recent Press
2010 IEEE Change the World Competition Outstanding Student Humanitarian
2010 National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators (NCIIA) BMEidea Honorable Mention
2010 IEEE New Faces of Engineering Recognition
2010 IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Gold Member Representative
2009 CIMIT Prize in Primary Health Finalist
2009 BMES Graduate Student Award
Carnegie Mellon Press Release
Pittsburgh Tribune Newsmaker Announcement

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Sanna Gaspard
Background

Home

Background

Masters
Research

PhD
Research

TLneoCare

Academic Background
On May 2004 I graduated from the University of Miami (Miami, Fl) with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. I am currently enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University as a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Department.
On December 2005, I received my MS degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Biomedical Engineering. For my master’s research I established the aims of the research, and designed and constructed a benchtop flow-loop system and protocol to investigate flow dynamics through embolic protection filters. I designed the benchtop flow-loop system to be controlled by a custom LabView program and a National Instruments data acquisition card. The benchtop flow-loop system also includes pressure transducers, flow meters, a patient specific silicone carotid artery, and a computer for data acquisition. This flow-loop system, after minor modification, is currently being used at the Vascular Biomechanics and Biofluids Laboratory headed by Ender Finol, PhD at Carnegie Mellon University to experimentally validate computational results and testing of synthetic artery models. An additional component of my master’s research included developing a novel design for an embolic protection filter which addressed the problem of passing the filter guidewire through the anterior opening of a very small stenosis opening to access the posterior region of the stenosis for embolic filter deployment to prevent plaque from the carotid artery from entering the brain.
In 2006 I began my PhD research focused on designing a novel point of care device to diagnosis pressure ulcers. As part of my PhD research I established the aims of the research and work with my advisors towards constructing and testing a functional alpha prototype.
Research Interests
My research interests include projects where I can apply my knowledge of engineering, biological sciences, creativity, and ingenuity to design and develop novel medical device and instrumentation and products in all areas of in biomedical engineering research. I am also interested in entrepreneurship and commercialization.
Extracurricular Activities
Academic Organization:
I co-founded the Graduate Biomedical Engineering Society (GBMES) at Carnegie Mellon University in 2005. I served as the founding president until 2007. GBMES strives to provide support to its members, to promote comradery between its members, and to build a positive relationship between the Biomedical Engineering industry and faculty. In 2009 I served as the newsletter editor and the public relations chair. Honors received for my involvement in GBMES are listed below.
Honors
2009 National Biomedical Engineering (BMES) Student Chapter Commendable Achievement Award for GBMES
2008 Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Honorable Mention

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Sanna Gaspard
Master’s Research

Home

Background

Masters
Research

PhD
Research

TLneoCare

Thesis Title
The Design of a Novel Distal Protection Filter and A In-Vitro Protocol for the Evaluation of Cerebral Protection Devices
Advisor
Ender Finol, PhD
Overview
Carotid Artery Disease occurs when artery become clogged by athersclortic plaque build up. Carotid Artery Stenting, an non invasive intravenous procedure, is used to treat Carotid Artery Disease. During Carotid artery stenting, a stent is permanently placed to in the artery to keep it open. During the stent placement an embolic protection device, preferably a filter, is used to capture any plaque released during the procedure. The embolic protection filters increase the safety of the procedure by diminishing the risk of a fatal perioperative stroke.
For my Masters research I designed a novel embolic protection device to minimize the loss of captured emboli during retrieval and to allow the filter delivery system to cross the stenosis while minimizing the dislodgement of plaque. I also designed and constructed a novel bench top flow loop system to experimentally evaluate flow profiles using patient specific carotid artery models and commercially available embolic protection filters. This flow-loop system, after minor modification, is currently being used at the Vascular Biomechanics and Biofluids Laboratory headed by Ender Finol, PhD at Carnegie Mellon University.
Publications
Accepted Conference Abstracts:
In vitro performance assessment of cerebral protection devices in carotid artery stenting (Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2005)
Design of a Novel Distal Protection Filter for Carotid Artery Stenting and an In Vitro Protocol for the Evaluation of Cerebral Protection Devices. (National Black Engineering Society National Conference 2006)
Published Literature:
Finol, E.A., Gaspard, S., and Wholey, M.H., 2005, "In vitro performance assessment of cerebral protection devices in carotid artery stenting," American Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 96, No. 7, Suppl. 1, pp. 146H.
Gaspard, S., Siewiorek, G.M., and Finol, E.A., 2006, "Experimental and computational flow modeling of cerebral protection devices for carotid artery stenting," Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 39, Issue null, pp S308-S308.

Sanna Gaspard
PhD Research

Home

Background

Masters
Research

PhD
Research

TLneoCare

Title
The Design of a Point of Care Device to Diagnosis Stage I Pressure Ulcers
Advisors
Todd Przybycien, PhD - Biomedical Engineering Department
Mel Siegel, PhD - Robotics Institute
Overview
The main objective of my PhD research is to design a point of care diagnostic tool for the quantitative identification of stage I pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are a prominent and persistence problem in nursing homes and hospitals. Therefore pressure ulcer management strategies rely on early diagnosis and prevention. Early stage pressure ulcers are diagnosed by identifying persistent redness over a boney prominence. However, the variation in skin pigmentation poses a significant challenge when diagnosing pressure ulcers accurately in all patients since it masks the diagnostic cures of pressure ulcers.
Publications
Published Literature:
Gaspard, D. et al, inventor; 2007 November 27. Medical Device for Diagnosing Pressure Ulcers. US 20090234206, pending.
Gaspard, S.; Przybycien, T.; Siegel, M. "Skin-Color-Compensated Colorimeter for Detection and Classification of Pressure Ulcers," 2008, I., 'Ed.' IEEE: Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings, 2008, Victoria, BC, May 12-15 2007; pp 1542-1547.
Accepted Conference Abstracts:
Gaspard, S; Gaspard, S.; Przybycien, T.; Siegel, M. A Point-of-Care Device for Quantitative Stage-I Pressure Ulcer Diagnosis Regardless of Skin Color (National Biomedical Engineering Society meeting 2009).
Honors
2010 IEEE Change the World Competition - Outstanding Student Humanitarian
2010 National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators (NCIIA) BMEidea Honorable Mention
2010 IEEE New Faces of Engineering Recognition
2010 Donald H. Jones Center (DJC) Business Plan Competition Winner
2009 National Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Honorable Graduate Student Award
2009 Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovation Technology Prize for Primary Healthcare Finalist
IEEE International Measurement University (2008,2009): 6 continuing education credits

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Sanna Gaspard
TLneoCare

Home

Background

Masters
Research

Overview
I founded TLneoCare, LLC to develop and commercialize a pediatric device to help deliver a potentially life saving physiotherapy to infants. In 2007 TLneoCare took first place in the Wake Forest Elevator Pitch Competition and went on to compete in the Moot Corp Business Plan Competition, where it won best market. TLneoCare,LLC is currently a Carnegie Mellon Project Olympus Probe. To learn more about TLneoCare visit: www.TLneoCare.com

PhD
Research

TLneoCare

Honors and Press
Receives KIZ-CMU Gap funding (2009)
Becomes Carnegie Mellon Project Olympus Probe (2009)
Best Market - Moot Corp Business Plan Competition (2007)
1st Place: Wake Forest Elevator Pitch Competition(2007)

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