Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/732
Browse
6 results
Search Results
Item Widefield micro-camera integrated into the objective lens of a reflectance confocal microscope for concurrent image registration(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2023) Aist, Joseph Nicholas; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David L. DickensheetsWith millions of new skin disease cases reported annually, non-invasive imaging methods have been developed to diagnose skin disease accurately. Reflectance confocal microscopes (RCM) have led these new technologies with high sensitivity and specificity. However, current methods use multiple devices: a digital camera, a dermoscope, and an RCM, which are not co-registered. Therefore, locating small, microscopic RCM fields-of-view (0.5x0.5 mm) at specific suspicion sites within the larger dermoscopic field-of-view (10x10 mm) is extremely difficult. This 'blind' RCM imaging results in lower and more variable diagnostic accuracy, particularly sensitivity, where positive and negative predictive values can drop by up to 30%. Our team has designed a new objective lens with an integrated micro-camera to deliver a concurrent widefield image of the skin surface surrounding the location of microscopic RCM imaging. The widefield image can be used directly to provide context for RCM or can be registered to a previously stored high-resolution clinical image to show where RCM imaging is occurring. In this thesis, the micro-camera is characterized and tested in laboratory and clinical settings. In addition, this thesis investigates a co- and cross-polarized micro-camera and LED system. It compares them to the non-polarized system to explore whether the cross-polarized version enhances feature contrast and enables better dermoscopic imaging. Non-polarized, co-polarized, and cross-polarized mock-up probes of the objective lens with a micro-camera were designed and built for testing. Images of resolution targets, color charts, and skin were taken to obtain modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements, color analysis data, and representative skin images. The results showed improvement in the MTF for the cross- polarized probe when compared to the co- and non-polarized probes. It was also found that the polarization of the imaging system did not significantly affect the color quality of the images. When tested by scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, sub-surface features not seen with the co- and non-polarized probes were observed with the cross-polarized probe. The cross-polarized probe suppressed the surface reflections, allowing for sub-surface information to be captured.Item MEMS 3-dimensional scanner with SU-8 flexures for a handheld confocal microscope(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2018) Liu, Tianbo; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David DickensheetsThe conventional method for diagnosing skin cancer is to perform a biopsy followed by pathology. However not only are biopsies invasive and likely to leave permanent scarring, they also sample the body sparsely. Fortunately, a non-invasive method of imaging called confocal laser scanning microscopy has shown great potential to replacing invasive biopsies. Confocal microscopy can use light to achieve high-resolution imaging of cells that lie underneath the surface of the skin. However, the large size of current confocal microscopes limits their application to all but the most accessible sites. In this dissertation, I address the miniaturization of confocal microscopy through the development of a new microelectromechanical systems scan mirror that can scan a focused beam in three dimensions. The scanner has a 4 mm aperture, and has the capability to replace all of the bulky beam scanners and focus mechanisms that contribute to the large size of current confocal microscopes. The fabrication of the scanner explores the use of the polymer SU-8 for its mechanical structures. The gimbal mirror has demonstrated scan angles in excess of plus or minus 3° mechanical for lateral scanning, and its deformable surface provided controllable deflection up to 10 microns for focus control. This newly developed scanner was integrated into a confocal system to test its imaging capabilities. The device demonstrated high-resolution scanning with simultaneous focus adjustment suitable for the next generation of miniaturized confocal laser scanning microscopes.Item Safety improvement in biologic therapy for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a pilot project and quantitative analysis(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2016) Addison, Kara Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jennifer SofieBiologic Response Modifier (BRM) medications are indicated for moderate to severe psoriasis and demonstrate high efficacy for disease reduction. Although BRM medications are considered the most effective therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, their side effect profile can be severe. Using BRMs may increase the risk of infections, demyelinating disease, and malignancy (Reich, Burden, Eaton, & Hawkins, 2012). With such established risks, baseline assessments and monitoring have been recommended. However, no standardized guidelines exist for the monitoring of BRM medications (Hanson, Gannon, Khamo, Sodhi, Orr, & Stubbings, 2013). Therefore, the objective of this scholarly project was to implement a BRM monitoring protocol into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) of a Montana dermatology clinic to improve provider monitoring compliance and therefore improve psoriasis patient outcomes, safety, and education. Monitoring criteria were developed based on recommendations from the University of Illinois Medical Center Clinical Care Guidelines and the American Academy of Dermatologists Biologic Monitoring guidelines. A BRM Electronic Medical Record (EMR) template was then created to utilize such guidelines to improve clinical compliance and patient safety. Seven main criteria were measured for completion including laboratory studies, physical assessment, patient education, follow up, psoriasis severity scale, immunizations, and vital signs. Side effects experienced and patient comorbidities were also recorded. Completion rates of the protocol were analyzed using before and after comparisons, the paired t-test, and McNemar's test. Before the intervention was implemented, 54% of charts had completion of all seven categories and after the intervention 98% of charts were completed, illustrating a 44% improvement in provider compliance and monitoring. The paired t-test illustrated an average difference of 0.43 with a standard error of .029. The McNemar's test established a positive association between implementation of the BRM protocol and improvement in provider compliance. 40% of patients experienced co-morbidities associated with psoriasis and 25% of patients experienced side effects related to BRM therapy. These project findings demonstrated the efficacy of a BRM monitoring template for improving provider-monitoring compliance and improving patient safety through early identification of comorbidities and side effects.Item Acanthosis nigricans and risks for type 2 diabetes in children(Montana State University - Bozeman, 2002) Mullenberg, Erin; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Vonna BranamItem An investigation into why people tan despite the known health risks(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2010) McCarthy, Lindsay Renae Tudor; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Karen ZulkowskiSkin cancer is a major health concern in the U.S. today. The incidences of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are rising at an alarming rate. It is thought this is partly due to the increasing numbers of people using indoor tanning facilities. Ultraviolet radiation exposure from indoor tanning bed use is a major risk factor the development t of skin cancer. Public health campaigns have attempted to increase people's knowledge about skin cancer and UV exposure. This study attempts to explore what dermatology patients know about UV exposure and skin cancer. Thirty three dermatology patients participated in a multiple choice survey about various UV and skin cancer related knowledges. Results were analyzed based on certain themes that developed from the question scores. Overall, dermatology patients demonstrated certain knowledge deficiencies in what they know regarding UV exposure, indoor tanning, and skin cancer. The results from this study indicated a need for skin cancer awareness campaigns to include additional information about UV exposure and tanning beds. This study also demonstrated a need for routine physicals to include a history of ultraviolet radiation exposure. And finally, the results illustrate the importance for healthcare professionals to educate patients on how to do a self exam.Item A combined confocal imaging and raman spectroscopy microscope for in vivo skin cancer diagnosis(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2008) Arrasmith, Christopher Lyman; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David L. DickensheetsConfocal microscopy has provided a useful tool for imaging biopsied tissue samples. The cross sectioning ability inherent in confocal microscopes provides a method for viewing of cellular structure at different layers of a histology sample, allowing for optical cross sectioning and viewing structures below the surface of the sample. As a cancer diagnosis technique, confocal microscopy has been shown to provide valuable information showing differences in cell morphology of malignant and benign regions. Raman spectroscopy has also been shown to be a useful tool for cancer diagnosis in skin tissues due to its ability to distinguish different types of chemical bonds. While both of these methods may be used for cancer detection, current devices are limited to ex vivo samples. The goal of this project was to design and build a hand held microscope which could be used for in vivo confocal imaging and Raman spectroscopy of suspected malignant lesions in skin. This thesis describes the optical, mechanical and electrical design and fabrication of the microscope, as well as performance testing and initial in vivo skin data collected with the microscope. It is our hope that this instrument will be used to gather important in vivo skin cancer data and spur future developments in small diagnosis tools that can be used in a clinical setting.