Winning design by students improves cancer detection
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that millions of Americans undergo each year to detect esophageal cancer, which is one of the fastest growing lethal forms of cancer in the United States.
This year's competition challenged students to develop a novel endoscopy loop sensor for upper endoscopy, a medical procedure that allows doctors to get a micro view of a patient's upper gastrointestinal tract without having to perform invasive surgery.
Two students in the UH College of Technology Engineering Technology Department formed a team to create "iLOOP", which is a smart endoscope that uses sensors to make endoscopy safer and more effective. Their design improves the ability of the scope to trace the direction of the tubing and provides real-time graphical feedback, detects loop formations, and tracks flexion during operation. Amir Ali and Zainab Kassem, earned an award for the "most creative design" at the American Society for Engineering Education and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (ASEE – SME) Third Annual Design and Manufacturing Competition in June.
Dr. Luca Pollonini, Research Assistant Professor, Abramson Center for the Future of Health, and Dr. Mequanint Moges, Instructional Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, advised the team.
"We are all so proud of our students and faculty for winning this significant award at this widely renowned conference. Their design is quite impressive and we are honored to learn that our team has come out with the most creative design award," said Dr. Moges.
Prizes include plaque, $200, software from MathWorks and several books.