Improved techniques for early and cost effective diagnosis of pediatric sleep apnea

How to Apply

Interested in participating in this research project? Contact the professor or graduate student listed below.

Professor

Dr. Ajay Mahajan (Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering) | majay@uakron.edu

Graduate Students

Padmini Selvaganesan | ps120@zips.uakron.edu
Ishor Gautam | ig23@zips.uakron.edu

Project Description

It is estimated that up to 15% of children may have some form of sleep disordered breathing, however 90% of them go undiagnosed. Additonally, studies have suggested that as many as 25% of children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may actually have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and that much of their learning difficulty and behavior problems can be the consequence of chronic fragmented sleep. Bed-wetting, sleep-walking, retarded growth, other hormonal and metabolic problems, even failure to thrive can be related to sleep apnea. Several recent studies show a strong association between pediatric sleep disorders and childhood obesity. This project involves current work with Akron Children’s Hospital (ACH), and entails finding new and cost-effective ways of diagnosing pediatric sleep apnea using new tools such as low-cost Arduino micro-processors, new low-cost sensors, wireless technology, advanced signal procssing algorithms such Wavelets, etc. Selected students will work within a research group and may be onboarded at ACH so that they can help in clinical tests at the hospital.

Project Dates

Fall 2019, Spring 2020

Search Terms

Biomedical, Non-Credit, Funded, Non-Funded, STEM