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Defense Date
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Martin L. Lenhardt
Abstract
This study examines the possibility of the use of low frequency sound in the stimulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), an enzyme which regulates the synthesis of NO from the amino acid L-arginine. To test this hypothesis, oximetry was used to measure changes in hemoglobin saturation in a subject exposed to a 45Hz signal, and accelerometers were used to monitor attenuation of two source frequencies (45Hz and 8Hz) across 5 subjects at varying source transducer locations. The data from the oximetry monitoring was only suggestive, but its interpretation is encouraging for future avenues of study. Examining the attenuation of the applied frequencies showed, as expected, did not show a strong dependence on the height or weight of the subject, with little transmission loss throughout the body. These data establish the firm groundwork for future experimentation to reduce the methodology into a clinically feasible medical device
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
June 2008
VCU Only:
Off Campus Download
Comments
Part of Retrospective ETD Collection, restricted to VCU only.