Biological Stiffness Measurement

The aim of the project is to design and develop a handheld device that can accurately measure the stiffness of a biological tissue, specifically a brain in a medical environment.

Background
Currently doctors have just been using their fingers to attempt to get an estimation on brain stiffness for use as a symptom of a disease. Doctors can use magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to obtain stiffness, but there really isn't a device in place to in a matter of moments determine biological tissues stiffness. Brain stiffness has been investigated increasingly as an indicator of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.

Deliverables

 * Concept sketches/CAD models of the device with sensors in place
 * Final machined device
 * Matlab and Arduino programs used to obtain raw data from sensors and send it to computation in order to establish a best fit modulus of elasticity