Imagine a sensing device about the size of a grain of rice that could help provide more accurate radiation monitoring for cancer patients.
That’s what Carleton PhD student Behzad Yadegari is researching.
While working on his master’s degree at Carleton in Electrical and Computer Engineering, he developed a prototype sensor and, now for his PhD research, is upgrading the sensor to be battery-less, wireless, inexpensive and even more accurate.
“I’m making a very small and sensitive sensor that is placed on a patient during treatment that monitors and reports the radiation dosage he/she receives as the treatment goes on,” explains Yadegari. “This will help minimize the adverse radiation effects on healthy tissues, sparing healthy cells surrounding the tumor.”
Yadegari points out that another direct application of his research is blood irradiation. He explains that blood donated by donors needs to be irradiated in order to cleanse it before it can be transfused into another person. If the blood is under- or over-irradiated, it could go to waste so a monitoring device (a radiation sensor) is again needed.
Having lost his grandmother to breast cancer last year, Yadegari says that his research has become particularly meaningful. “I have gained more motivation and strength in doing something that will benefit the well-being of human beings.”
Yadegari says that, while he has a deep appreciation for all of his supervisors, Dr. Langis Roy has been extremely helpful and encouraging. “As a recognized researcher, Dr. Roy has a great understanding of the field of analog sensors especially biomedical sensor design. As a friend, he is always available to listen to and provide suggestions and guidance with my research and non-research-related issues and concerns. He is a very outgoing and easy-to-approach person who always makes me feel welcome and motivated.”
Last year, Yadegari and Dr. Roy, successfully presented their research findings to Best Medical Canada Ltd. The Ottawa-based company is co-operating with a Carleton research team by providing financial aid, in-kind support such as testing facilities, and also sharing their valuable expertise in this field. The company, which has a long history of collaboration with Carleton, is an internationally recognized leader in the development and manufacturing of radiation measurement devices.
Yadegari says he is determined to continue his research until a functional sensor device has been created that will benefit medical practitioners and their patients.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 in Grad Student Research, News
Share: Twitter, Facebook
