Over
the years, the Artificial Heart Program at the University
of Pittsburgh has had several surgical residents pass through
its doors. Since its inception men and women have continued
their studies through this program. Today, the University
can boast former residents with current positions spanning
the globe.
However, the Artificial Heart Programs has not
only concentrated its academic efforts on those seeking residencies.
The program offers to students of all academic levels (high
school through graduate level) the opportunity to learn more
about mechanical circulatory support (MCS) technology through
formal courses, summer internships and program tours. Students
in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering
can enroll in a number of different courses through the
Department
of Bioengineering (listed below). Students and teachers
not affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh should contact
the program directly to schedule tours or to discuss summer
internship opportunities.Credits: 1 to 6
Term: Fall, Spring and Summer
Description: Individual student program under guidance of faculty member.
BioE 2250 - Cardiovascular Clinical Internships
Credits: 6
Term: Fall and Spring
Description: Professional application training in cardiovascular
medicine and surgery. Students will spend three months
each in bioengineering practice training programs within
cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and vascular surgery.
BIOE 3095 - Graduate Projects
Credits: 1 to 6
Term: Fall, Spring and Summer
Description: Individual study program under guidance
of faculty member.
Example of Graduate Research project
Development of a Mock Circulation Loop for the Testing of a Continuous-flow Ventricular Assist Device
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to augment or assume the workload of one or both ventricles in a patient suffering from heart failure. VADs currently approved by the FDA are pulsatile in nature and their performance characteristics are well established. The next generation of VAD technology utilizes rotary pump technology (axial and centrifugal). The performance characteristics of these continuous-flow pumps are not well established and their behavior in patients promises to be vastly different from existing VADs. This project has involved the construction of a mock circulation loop that simulates the pressures, flows and resistances seen within the body in order to test the behavior of a rotary blood pump. This project has also involved the design and implementation of a data acquisition system, development of a test matrix and data collection and analysis.
Credits: 3
Term:
Description: A research project or clinical rotation involving a literature search, planning, design, fabrication, experimentation, analysis, and technical report writing performed by the student. The work is completed under the guidance of a faculty member on an approved subject and culminates in an oral presentation at a technical symposium. A minimum of 9 hours per week must be present in the laboratory or clinical setting.
Course Objectives: To give students practical experience within an academic research environment that includes project planning, design or experimentation, and analysis. Oral presentation and technical writing skills are introduced as well as the critique of research projects.
Topics Covered:- Project planning
- Oral and written progress report
- Formal oral presentation
- Technical report
Class/Laboratory Schedule: Students work in laboratory / Clinical facilities throughout the term. Also, class meets about every other week to review progress learn presentation and writing skills.
BIOE 1095 - Special Projects
Credits: 1 to 12
Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Student develops an individual
project under supervision of a faculty member. Project
maybe experimental, design-oriented, or instructional.
A written report is prepared.
Example of Undergraduate Research project
Residual Blood Volume Estimation in a Ventricular Assist Device Using Monochromatic Light
Complete ejection of the blood from a ventricular assist device (VAD) is imperative. Residual blood in the device can increase the risk of thrombus formation and subsequent thromboembolic events. The current method of detection of residual blood volume in a transparent, extracorporeal VAD involves subjective assessment of white light transmission through the blood sac at the end of pump systole. This project involves a more quantitative measure of residual blood volume in this device using the transmission of monochromatic light through the blood sac as measured with a photodiode. This project involved the construction of the laser emission and measurement systems (laser diode, photodiode, appropriate circuitry), measurement of transmission through known fluid volumes (calibration) and in-vitro testing.
Description: Engineers from the Artificial Heart Program have hosted tours for classes visiting UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. These tours highlight the role of bioengineers in the clinical care of patients being supported with MCS devices. Our engineers have also traveled to schools to present lectures highlighting this technology and the role of bioengineers in the clinical setting.