Department of Biomedical Engineering
Tulane University
500 Boggs Center
New Orleans, LA 70118
http://www.bmen.tulane.edu
Department Chair: Donald P. Gaver
Supervising Professor: David A. Rice
rice@tulane.edu
http://www.tulane.edu/~rice
Faculty Coadvisor: Richard Witzig, Infectious Diseases, Tulane Medical Center
BME-IDEA Team 2008-2009 project:
Thermal therapy (TT) device for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a flesh eating protozoal disease
transmitted by sand flies. It is endemic in both the new and the
old world, and is recognized by the World Health Organization
(WHO) as a neglected tropical disease, and its increasing
prevalence classifies it as an emerging infectious disease.
CL attacks at least 12 million people in 82 countries, including
Mexico and the USA (Texas). Children are particularly
susceptible. Disfiguration of the face and other parts often
result, disrupting the individual and his/her social structure
by, for example, reducing chances of marriage.
Treatment is expensive and often ineffective, toxic, or
teratogenic. Three main treatments are recognized: Injected
compounds of antimony, antibiotics, and thermal therapy (TT)
using radio frequency hyperthermia.
The former two treatments require a 20 day regimen of injected
and costly drugs ($40-$100), and there is an increase of drug-
resistant strains (e.g. >60% in India). The only currently
available TT device has FDA approval, but it costs more than
$25,000 per unit. As a result of these factors, CL often goes
untreated, particularly in the third world.
We are developing an TT device that costs under $20, is easily
transported, stores indefinitely, is reusable, and can be safely
operated by minimally trained individuals. This device heats the
skin lesion to about 50 degrees C for 30 seconds, shown to be a
safe and effective level.
When made widely available, this device will reduce morbidity and
improve the quality of life as many as twelve million infected
individuals.
See our business plan and technical documents
(This link is a dummy until our IP is protected. If you need further
information, contact Dr. Rice using his link above.)
IDEA Team Members: Jacques Levet, Chris Rodell, Ashlee Riden,
Majdouline Asher, Christine Dozier, Danielle Gill, Scott Vermeulen,
Jennifer Robichaux, Peter Stapor, Steven Folz, Russell Wolfe,
Nicolle Perez, Emma Pineda Fortin