BioMechanical Engineering Lab

The BioMechanical (Biomedical) Engineering Research Lab (BME Lab) is established to design and manufacturing orthoses and devices for people with all sorts of deformity. The patented biomedical devices are composite devices comprised of polymer, and carbon fiber (or metal).

We are currently looking for licensees/manufacturers who can help us bring the composite biomedical supports to the market. Please email the inventor.

The BME lab is designed to integrate mechanical testing with experimental techniques from fundamental anatomy to clinical studies (including direct patient studies). This BME laboratory includes facilities for 3D printing, mechanical testing, deformity measurements. The results are then compared with the results obtained by advanced computer simulation (using Solidworks, MATLAB, etc.).

Projects People Equipment

 

Patents and Papers News/ Media Appearance

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Projects

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  Finger Support

  Finger deformation is very common and has many causes and severity. Most of the available finger supports are not resizable and comfortable. They are mainly designed to fully restrict the finger’s motion when there has been any type of injury. However, for example in the case of early stages of arthritis, the patient should be able to use them whenever they want. Furthermore, the available finger supports cannot be adjusted considering various fingers’ sizes and positions. In this research, seven models of a polymer-metal composite finger support are designed. They are made of a soft polymer with inserted sheets of aluminum, steel or carbon-fiber. The optimal models are strong, and allow for size and finger position adjustments, and can be used for patients who already have distorted fingers and are working on them to regain some functions. Extensive finite element analysis of the support under the distributed loads of the finger, confirmed by the results obtained by a MATLAB program, shows that the new support tolerates the applied forces without any permanent deformation. Finally, the fabricated part using 3D printing validates the results.

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  Foot Support

  This work details the development and fabrication of an external support, designed to noninvasively correct mild to moderate cases of hallux valgus (HV), or bunions. Current methods for HV correction require extensive surgery and extended recovery times. The use of an external support will allow the patient to wear a device daily, providing a noninvasive method to correct the deformity. 

  Two external orthopedic models, constructed from composite materials, are developed. These models are based on previously designed, fabricated and mechanically tested finger support investigated before (Nasseri, et. al., 2017). Each model consists of a polymeric shell wrapping around the foot and two toes, and an insert that keeps the large toe straight. The models allow for the toes to stay spaced and parallel. The second model was designed to accommodate various foot sizes easily. The top part has an adjustable closure, which makes the support ‘one size fits all.’ It has many holes on one side and a snap closure on the other side. It also allows the rotation of the ball of the foot with respect to the toes via three different mechanism.

  Features were built into the design to allow for simple manufacturing and changes to be made as the patients’ recovery progresses. The models were designed using Solidworks and analyzed with the included finite element analysis (FEA) package. The trial inserts have been made of aluminum, steel and carbon fiber. The first model was constructed using 3D printing techniques to validate the findings. An insole, a composite band-aid and flip-flop are also conceptualized and designed. 

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  Spine Support

  Many patients suffering from back deformity (such as scoliosis, kyphosis and Scheuermann's diseases) can benefit from the newly designed spine or back support, which is designed to correct deformity in the whole spine (not just back or just neck). 

  The new support is strong, and allow for size and position adjustments, and can be used for patients who already have distorted members and are working on them to regain some functions. These accommodations have not been addressed by any current support and currently, there are no support in the market which can accommodate these advantages. The available supports are made of rough fabrics/Velcro straps, or thermoset plastics without any flexibility. Also, most of them cannot be used for functional positions, whereas with this new support, the patients can wear them and do their normal life tasks.

  The spine or back support is designed based on the same idea of a composite polymer-metal finger or foot support. For this new invention, a model is selected to have the least effect on the user’s everyday life and still provide correction for the patient. 

  The model developed has very thin wraps or belts for around the head, for under the chest and for around the waist connected by a strong beam inside the polymeric shell. These locations are selected to provide correct alignment for the whole spine and neck. This arrangement helps to correct the deformity by pulling the upper body and neck in the opposite direction of the deformity. The dimensions of the thin wraps are designed in a way to be modified easily. Both the diameters of the wraps and also the distance between them can be adjusted via the modular supporting beam. The beam has many holes which allow the wraps to be relocated.

  The spine support is constructed of a polymer based material and a solid support beam used to correct the deformity. The solid support beam is going to be simulated to be three different materials and results will be gathered. The support will be constructed using a 3d printed polymer such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPU or TPE) which is soft, extensible and tear resistant.

  The beam is designed in a way that its length can be shortened. This not only accommodates the height of various people, but also, it can accommodate the deformity only in the lower part of the spine region and not the upper part or neck. In that case the upper wrap can be completely removed. So the model allows the user to have only two wraps instead of three, for targeted areas of deformity.

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People

Simin Nasseri (Ph.D., P.E.), Currently a full professor at Kennesaw State University

Dr. Simin Nasseri currently works at the department of mechanical Engineering, Kennesaw State University (USA) as a full professor. She is recognized as the University's Distinguished Professor. Simin does research in Mechanical Engineering. At the moment, her recent projects are related to manufacturing engineering and biomechanical engineering. Formerly, she conducted research projects related to Rheology and viscoelasticity, Polymer processing, Biomechanical engineering (artificial organs and soft tissue rheology), Computational Mechanics and CFD (Parallel Computing via PVM, Finite Element Method, Boundary Element Method, Completed Double Layer Boundary Element Method), Robotics, and Micromachinery. See more here.

Dr. M. Jonaidi obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney and is currently working at Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, KSU. Over 38 years of research and industry experience, he has been involved in the analysis and design of complex structural projects, including FEA of high-rise buildings and steel structures, floor vibration analysis for concrete slabs and pedestrian bridges, serviceability vibration analysis of high-rise buildings, earthquake engineering, post-tensioned concrete structures, nonlinear and buckling analysis of thin-walled cylinders, analysis of long-span spatial steel structures, analysis of glazing facades, below-grade shoring walls, retrofit of concrete structures using Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP), and the strengthening of structures to resist progressive collapse. See more here.

Kyle Vitale Castellano (Lead Student), Ph.D., 

Vitale "Kyle" Castellano obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Auburn University in 2022. He recieved the Auburn University Presidential Research Fellowship. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) at Kennesaw State University, formerly Southern Polytechnic State University. He graduated with his Bachelors of Science Summa Cum Laude and was the 2017 MET Student of the Year. Kyle was Dr. Nasseri's student in five classes and a Reserach Assistant in 2017, on projects related to Manufacturing and Biomedical engineering. Kyle has extensive knowledge in machine design, 3D printing, and computer aided engineering. He has been using computer aided design software for over ten years and holds the Certified SolidWorks Professional License. He is an expert when it comes to implementing the engineering design process to solve complex problems in a timely manner.

George Williams (Lead student), Currently a Mechanical Engineer at Compass Technology Group

George Williams obtained his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from KSU in 2021. He worked with Dr. Nasseri's BME team from 2019 to 2021 to develop noninvasive orthoses for treating musculoskeletal pathologies; and with Dr. Jonaidi in CEE department, to develop novel relief details for column-slab connections in reinforced concrete. As a former president of Kennesaw Motorsports, he designed and manufactured performance IC/EV powertrain components for Formula SAE vehicles. He currently works as a mechanical engineer at Compass Technology Group, LLC, focusing on electromechanical design/drafting, conventional/ computational analysis in structural, fluid/thermal/EM systems (FEA, CFD, CEM), manual and CNC machining, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and industrial control systems integration. See more here.

Timothy Plowman, Currently working as Continuous Improvement Engineer at StimLabs

Tim Plowman graduated from Auburn University with a B.Sc. Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Industrial/Graphic Design. In 2020, Tim obtained his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from KSU. He joined Dr. Nasseri’s research team in 2021, where he worked as a Research Assistant in the BME research group, performing extensive computer simulations using SolidWorks for foot, spine and shoulder supports. Tim currently works as a Quality Engineer for Stimlabs, a local regenerative medicine company, where he uses Lean Six Sigma methods to analyze and improve equipment processes and write and execute equipment validations.

Salim Kortobi (Lead student) is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with minors in Engineering Design Graphics and Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University. He has extensive experience in SolidWorks and is a Certified SolidWorks Expert in Mechanical Design (CSWE). Salim also has extensive knowledge in 3D printing and has used that knowledge to assist in equipment procurement and the establishment of the BioMechanical Engineering Lab (BME Lab) at KSU. As Dr. Nasseri’s research assistant, his work has included various research projects including the finger support, foot support and spine support. He also has used his knowledge in Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) to run various SolidWorks simulations as part of the BME research. 

Logan Willis graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at KSU, he joined Dr. Nasseri’s team as a research assistant to help create custom orthotic devices for foot and spine support. Shortly after graduating, Logan obtained a full-time position as an engineer and worked on predictive maintenance systems for water transportation systems. See his current status here.

 

 

Cap Pruitt began at Kennesaw State University in 2020, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Environmental Engineering. In early 2023, he joined the BME Lab team. Cap is experienced with 3D printing which is mostly self taught and learning advanced FEA methods for composite materials. As part of the KSU Innovation Launch Pad, he attended the BIOMEDevice Conference in Boston in Sep 2023, where he met and networked with engineers and executives from various medical companies. Overall, he intends to make real progress in the various projects encompassed by this lab.

 

 

 

Marie-Paule Aguegue joined KSU in 2021 with a major in Mechanical Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. She took Machine Dynamics and Vibrations with Dr.Nasseri, and became interested in the research she was involved in. She is interested in the work that can be accomplished using 3D printing, especially as it pertains to the field of Biomedical Engineering. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Cho is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She is interested in the clinical applications of mechanical principles and biomedical research.

 

 

 

 

 

Solomon Olamidipupo Ibiloye began studying at Kennesaw State University in fall 2023, aiming for a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Aerospace Engineering. He is also part of a team at the university that is building a small, self-flying drone, where he is gaining hands-on experience. Solomon has learned to use Solidworks design software and some laser cutting tools, and he is currently learning programming with MATLAB and Python.

 

Former students in this research group:  Jesse Pressley, Bailee Garcia, Mushfequr Kotwal, Levi Brindle, Shanice White, Tammy Ong, Barrett Tallant and Anthony DeDiego Jr. 

Click on each image to see a larger size.

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Patents and Papers

Patents:

• Full or Non-provisional patent: Systems and Methods for Appendage Support, 2021-2024 (EFS ID TBA, and Application number TBA). Filed on 01/14/2021. For modified bunions supports,  bunions insoles, bunions band-aids and spine supports. Application Number: 17/148891, Publication Number: US2021212850A1 (07/15/2021). Ranking: Top Assignees for A61F.
• Patent: Systems and Methods for Appendage Support, 2020 (EFS ID 38293251, and Application number 16742520). For finger and foot supports.
• Designing the spine supports for patients with deformity, 2020 (EFS ID 38293386, and Application number 62960984).
• Designing finger and foot supports for patients with deformity, 2019 (EFS ID 34846513 and Application number 62792099). Patent Application Publication: US20200222222A1.

Papers and Posters:

• Nasseri S., Jonaidi, M., Kortobi, S., Williams G., and Willis L. (2023) Design, Finite Element Analysis and Fabrication of Composite Orthoses for Bunions; A Comprehensive Study. Int. Journal of Product Sound Quality, Special Issue: Structural, Vibration Analysis, Design, Control and Applications.  1(1)- 59-77.

• Nasseri S., Jonaidi, M., Kortobi, S., Williams, G. and Plowman, T. (2023) Design and Evaluation of a New Composite Spine Support. Int. Journal of Product Sound Quality, Special Issue: Structural, Vibration Analysis, Design, Control and Applications.  1(1)- 78-90.

• Design, Simulation and Fabrication of  a composite Food support for Bunions, Presented at National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Kennesaw, Ga, April 2019.
• Design, simulation and fabrication of a new finger support. International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol 8, No 4, July/Aug 2018.
• On fabrication and mechanical testing of a new finger support. International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol 8, No 4, July/Aug 2018.
• "Research methods in designing various finger supports for patients with deformity," Presentation in the 6th Annual Southeast Preeminent Regional Research & Creative Endeavors Conference, Georgia College & State University, Oct 27-28, 2017.

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Equipment

          

• Dell Precision 5570  i9 processor for Parallel Virtual Machine Projects (PVM) ( total of 3)
• 3D Printer (Raise 3D Pro3)
  • Build Plate with Protector Pro 3 / Pro 3 Plus
  • Interchangeable Hot End Assembly Pro 3 / Pro 3 Plus (total of 4)
  • V3 Hardened Nozzle - 0.4mm (total of 5)
  • Infinite Material Solutions AquaSys 120 1.75mm
  • Filament Guide Tube - Pro 3 / Pro 3 Plus
  • PrintDry Filament Dryer PRO
  • PrintDry Vacuum Container
  • Overture TPU Filament
  • CC3D Silk PLA
  • Neoprene Rubber Sheet (1/32")
• Einstar 3D Scanner
• BEAMNOVA 6" Metal Sheet Cutter 
• Pipe/Tube Cutter
• Digital Protractor
• Digital Level
• Digital Hand Dynamometer
• Digital Newton Meter
• Digital Goniometer
• Flexible Ruler
• Strain Gauges
• Angle Vise with Swivel Base
• HATCHBOX TPU
• Carbon Fiber Sheet 1mm
• 3M Micropore Paper Tape
• Digital Caliper 8"
• Digital Dial Gage
• Weight Set
• Socket Wrench Set
• Pliers

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Media Appearance:

• SCREECH News, on Full Patent and Journal papers
• KSU news: Engineered Recovery (Designing finger and foot supports to correct deformities)
• Medical Design Briefs
• Cobb Chamber
• Synectic
• KSU News on George Williams

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