Title page for ETD etd-11082004-140016

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Lorek, James D,

URN

etd-11082004-140016

Title

A Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device for Quantifying Estradiol Levels in Human Saliva.

Degree

Master of Science

Graduate Program

Mechanical Engineering

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
M.K. Ramasubramanian	Committee Chair
Kara Peters	Committee Member
Stefan Seelecke	Committee Member

Keywords

diagnostics
cfd
in vitro
product development
photoelectrochemistry

Date of Defense

2004-10-06

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

This study was carried out focusing upon two primary objectives: the first being to
investigate experimentally the merit of a photoelectrochemical process for quantifying
estradiol by salivary assay and the second to investigate numerically a novel method of
accelerated sedimentation for use in sample processing and purification as an alternative to
centrifugation. The presented work began initially in pursuit of an improved means of
diagnostic testing for estradiol levels in patients undergoing infertility treatment. The
validity of using saliva as an alternative diagnostic medium to serum has been investigated
and tested experimentally, demonstrating that saliva may be used as a means to quantify
estradiol levels. Initial experimental results of the proposed assay technique hold promise,
with an observable photocurrent response relative to the presence of E2-[Ru(bpy)3]2+;
however, further experimentation is necessary in full development of an assay. Results of a
CFD analysis reveal the proposed actuation method for diagnostic sample purification to
perform well in comparison to that of a centrifuge and to offer advantages in a potentially compact design well suited to a fully-integrated point-of-care diagnostic device.

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