Implementation and evaluation of team science training for interdisciplinary teams in an engineering design program.

INTRODUCTION: Interdisciplinary academic teams perform better when competent in teamwork; however, there is a lack of best practices of how to introduce and facilitate the development of effective learning and functioning within these teams in academic environments. METHODS: To close this gap, we tailored, implemented, and evaluated team science training in the year-long Engineering Innovation in Health (EIH) program at the University of Washington (UW), a project-based course in which engineering students across several disciplines partner with health professionals to develop technical solutions to clinical and translational health challenges. EIH faculty from the UW College of Engineering and the Institute of Translational Health Sciences' (ITHS) Team Science Core codeveloped and delivered team science training sessions and evaluated their impact with biannual surveys. A student cohort was surveyed prior to the implementation of the team science trainings, which served as a baseline. RESULTS: Survey responses were compared within and between both cohorts (approximately 55 students each Fall Quarter and 30 students each Spring Quarter). Statistically significant improvements in measures of self-efficacy and interpersonal team climate (i.e., psychological safety) were observed within and between teams. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored team science training provided to student-professional teams resulted in measurable improvements in self-efficacy and interpersonal climate both of which are crucial for teamwork and intellectual risk taking. Future research is needed to determine long-term impacts of course participation on individual and team outcomes (e.g., patents, start-ups). Additionally, adaptability of this model to clinical and translational research teams in alternate formats and settings should be tested.

An Inductive Sensing System to Measure In-Socket Residual Limb Displacements for People Using Lower-Limb Prostheses.

The objective of this research was to assess the performance of an embedded sensing system designed to measure the distance between a prosthetic socket wall and residual limb. Low-profile inductive sensors were laminated into prosthetic sockets and flexible ferromagnetic targets were created from elastomeric liners with embedded iron particles for four participants with transtibial amputation. Using insights from sensor performance testing, a novel calibration procedure was developed to quickly and accurately calibrate the multiple embedded sensors. The sensing system was evaluated through laboratory tests in which participants wore sock combinations with three distinct thicknesses and conducted a series of activities including standing, walking, and sitting. When a thicker sock was worn, the limb typically moved further away from the socket and peak-to-peak displacements decreased. However, sensors did not measure equivalent distances or displacements for a given sock combination, which provided information regarding the fit of the socket and how a sock change intervention influenced socket fit. Monitoring of limb⁻socket displacements may serve as a valuable tool for researchers and clinicians to quantitatively assess socket fit.

Microfluidic channel optimization to improve hydrodynamic dissociation of cell aggregates and tissue.

Maximizing the speed and efficiency at which single cells can be liberated from tissues would dramatically advance cell-based diagnostics and therapies. Conventional methods involve numerous manual processing steps and long enzymatic digestion times, yet are still inefficient. In previous work, we developed a microfluidic device with a network of branching channels to improve the dissociation of cell aggregates into single cells. However, this device was not tested on tissue specimens, and further development was limited by high cost and low feature resolution. In this work, we utilized a single layer, laser micro-machined polyimide film as a rapid prototyping tool to optimize the design of our microfluidic channels to maximize dissociation efficiency. This resulted in a new design with smaller dimensions and a shark fin geometry, which increased recovery of single cells from cancer cell aggregates. We then tested device performance on mouse kidney tissue, and found that optimal results were obtained using two microfluidic devices in series, the larger original design followed by the new shark fin design as a final polishing step. We envision our microfluidic dissociation devices being used in research and clinical settings to generate single cells from various tissue specimens for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Development of a magnetic composite material for measurement of residual limb displacements in prosthetic sockets.

INTRODUCTION: Wearable limb-socket displacement sensors may help patients and prosthetists identify a deteriorating socket fit and justify the need for repair or replacement. METHODS: A novel sensor using an inductive sensing modality was developed to detect limb-to-socket distances. Key detection elements were a coil antenna placed in the socket wall and a magnetic composite sheath worn over the outside of the prosthesis user's elastomeric liner. The sheath was a nylon or cotton prosthetic stocking coated with a polyurethane composite. The polyurethane composite contained embedded iron particles (75 wt%). RESULTS: Brushing γ-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane onto the sheath fabric, coating it first with unfilled polyurethane and then iron-filled polyurethane, enhanced bonding between the sheath and the composite and overcame mechanical degradation problems. A γ-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane-rich fumed silica layer applied to the outside of the sheath reduced friction and improved durability. Field testing demonstrated less than a 3% signal degradation from four weeks of field use. CONCLUSIONS: The developed wearable displacement sensor meets durability and performance needs, and is ready for large-scale clinical testing.