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Technology Highlights
VTIP 22-108: “Programming of Liquid Metal-Composite Microstructures
(Shape, Orientation, and Connection)”
Problem:
DNA extraction has a variety of applications from molecular biology to forensic analysis. In the process of DNA extraction, a cell is broken down in order to expose the DNA. Some organisms, such as bacteria, are easy to break up using sonic cleaners to extract DNA. However, breaking down complex tissue matrices is a much more difficult process as the cells are so much stronger. Finding a way to easily break down these complex samples would significantly decrease the time of DNA extraction and result in much faster analysis process.
Solutions:
Hal Holmes and his team have developed a method of DNA extraction using ultrasonic pulses. The technology, named Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE), creates cavitation clouds using the ultrasonic pulses generated. These cavitation clouds then ablate the tissue that they are focused onto. This process of breaking up the tissue into small particles accelerates the release of DNA for collection and analysis. In a test scenario the FUSE process only took 6 minutes and 40 seconds while traditional enzymatic methods took 45 minutes and resulted in very similar levels of DNA extraction. This will greatly increase the speed of DNA extraction and allow for fast DNA analysis processes without a decrease in quality.
VTIP 22-034: “High-Degree-of-Freedom Forearm Exoskeleton for Tremor
Alleviation”
Problem:
Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor are the two most common causes of neurological tremors and together effect approximately eight million people in the US alone. These pathological tremors make many everyday activities—from writing to the most basic of tasks like eating and drinking— difficult or impossible for the patients afflicted with them. The incidence of these tremors increases with age, so any remedies need to account for decreased muscle mass and reduced physical stamina commonly associated with elderly populations.
Solutions:
Oumar Barry and his team at Virginia Tech have developed a novel forearm exoskeleton that can provide a non-invasive answer to the everyday difficulties associated with Essential Tremor and Parkinsonian tremors. Servo motors along the arm provide tremor alleviation and movement assistance with the help of algorithms designed to suppress tremors and aid voluntary movements. All of the joints within the exoskeleton take into account normal ranges of motion; linkages have six degrees of freedom and will not hinder any natural movements. The main electronic components that make up the majority of the device’s mass are attached to the upper arm to allow wearers to more efficiently bear the weight. To improve the ergonomics of the design and ensure increased compliance and stability, attachment of the exoskeleton glove to the arm is done via soft, non-binding interfaces including gloves, arm bands, and adjustable straps. This exoskeleton promises to be a life-changing innovation for patients suffering from tremors and could prove to be the deciding factor between independence and institutionalization.
