Research
" If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”
Albert Einstein
Doctor of Philosophy [2018-2023]
Medical Optics and Sensor Laboratory (MOS LAB), Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, India
Title: Elastography studies on biological samples
Description: This project is highly focused on the assessment of mechanical stiffness for investigating the biomechanical properties of biological tissues. The Optical elastographic platform has been developed for the quantification of elastic along with viscous parameters for tissue characterization. First, the proof of concept studies has been conducted on tissue-mimicking phantoms of varying biomechanical properties and then, the same study has been performed on biological samples e.g. ex-vivo caprine liver, ex-vivo chicken liver, ex-vivo caprine kidney for qualitative along with a quantitative estimation of mechanical properties. The current studies are promising towards a non-invasive or minimally invasive imaging for in-vivo and ex-vivo mechanical characterization of tissues with future clinical applications.
Schematic of the optical elastography platform for imaging surface acoustic wave (top view) on ex-vivo tissue surface and flow diagram representing the phase map reconstruction process.
In the work, we report the feasibility of the elastographic set-up on homogenous and heterogeneous tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex-vivo caprine liver tissue using high frame-rate optical interferometry through imaging the SAW. The mechanical excitation produced by an electromechanical actuator at variable frequencies results in the propagation of the surface wave onto the sample and is imaged using a high-speed camera. A phase-shifting algorithm is used to reconstruct the phase map of the SAW on the tissue and the Young’s modulus map of the tissue can be extracted using the surface wave equation. The mechanical stiffness quantified by the elastographic system is validated through mechanical compression testing studies on the samples.
The phase map reconstruction of various surface waves on various tissue-mimicking phantoms and the quantitative results of surface wave velocities.
Junior Research Fellow [2017-2018]
Bio-Nanophotonics Lab (BioNap Lab), Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali
Title: Foot Pressure map scanner using Optical technique for diabetic patients.
Description: A pressure mapping scanner for diabetic patients suffering from foot ulcers using an optical technique was developed. The pressure scanner had the merits of being portable, lightweight and compact. Resolution is the key parameter that is enhanced by using a low coherence optical imaging system. In the proposed device, effects due to intervening media are removed naturally in the measurement procedure. Minimal contact with the device reduces the chances of affecting the ulcer. In addition to overcoming the previous limitations, our imaging device will offer features viz. direct imaging provides the correlation between the appearance of the foot and the pressure profile of the foot.
3d CAD model of design for imaging platform to know feet pressure distribution map.
Master Thesis [2015-2016]
Department of Physics, Panjab University Chandigarh, India
Title: To generate a facility for automated calibration of RPC (Resistive Plate Chambers) detector.
Description: The proposed automated machine can be used to calibrate the RPC detector. We have developed a CNC machine to get the motion in three axis in order to provide ionizing particles to be detected in the resistive plate chamber (RPC) at different positions precisely.The automated machine that we have made can be used for the calibration of RPC detector. We have developed a CNC like machine to get the motion in three axis in order to provide ionizing particles to be detected in resistive plate chamber (RPC) at different positions precisely. Resistive plate chamber is a combination of two parallel plates, these plates are coated with graphite to increase the surface resistivity acting as two electrodes. The surface resistivity of these resistive plates can also be measured with the help of this machine at different pre-determined positions and a resistive profile can be made and hence the uniformity can be checked.