Bianka Valecruz

2024 Engineering Prize

Test Bench Development for Enhancing Sensor and Catheter Design to Prevent Hydrocephalus Shunt Blockages

Bianka Valecruz

Under the mentorship of Dr. Enrique Alvarez

 

Undergraduate student, Bianka Valecruz developed a physical system to mimic the dynamic pressure, flow, and conditions within the brain. This provides a platform to analyze intracranial pressure and CSF flow in real-time in a controlled environment. The ultimate goal of this project is to mimic the conditions found inside the brain of a patient with hydrocephalus, which is crucial for testing and improving sensors and devices that can be used to monitor and treat shunt blockages.

This test bench system integrates advanced sensors and an Arduino microcontroller to measure pressure and temperature within a simulated brain environment. It is designed to manage fluid flow both automatically and manually, closely replicating how a shunt functions in a patient. Bianka found that her system accurately simulates physiological conditions, providing real-time data that could enable early detection of shunt failures or infections, potentially reducing the need for surgery. In the future, Bianka and her team plan to refine the system by developing a more realistic brain simulation and creating specialized sensors to better detect and prevent shunt blockages, a common complication in hydrocephalus treatment. This innovation in shunt testing technology could lead to more reliable and less invasive approaches for managing hydrocephalus.