Graduate Students
Fady Hanna
MHSc. Candidate (Clinical Engineering)
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Advisors: Dr. Tom Chau and Dr. Catriona Steele (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute)
Education & Training:
Fady achieved his BASc. at the University of Waterloo in Electrical Engineering , with an option in Biomechanics. His current research involves determining how swallowing pattern variations in healthy adult subjects are affected by different body types and compositions. His work will be used in the development of the adult Aspirometer His fourth-year design project at the University of Waterloo involved developing a prototype for a cerebrospinal fluid flow measurement device for hydrocephalus patients.
Research Project:
An Investigation of Variation in Dual-axis Accelerometry Signals for Saliva and Water Swallows in Healthy Adults According to Anthropometric Variables
Research abstract:
Purpose: This study attempts to explore whether swallowing accelerometry signals vary according to differences in anthropometric variables including participant height, weight, body composition, jaw-length and neck circumference. Prior studies have described shared accelerometry patterns among healthy swallows as opposed to delayed or absent signals observed for dysphagic patients. This study attempts to identify variations in healthy adult swallowing signals as correlated to anthropometric variables. Participants: 480 healthy adults (between ages 18-80) will be asked to participate. Swallowing signals will be obtained for 5-saliva and 10-water swallows. The aforementioned anthropometric variables will be recorded. The duration for the single reading is 15 minutes. Participants with histories of stroke, neurological conditions, swallowing difficulties, head or neck cancer, tracheostomies or are unable to stand by themselves will be excluded.
Methods: Participants will be assessed by a Speech Language Pathologist to verify the absence of swallowing difficulties and anthropometric measurements will be taken. Height and weight will be used to calculate the participant’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Data collection will begin by placing a dual-axis accelerometer on participant’s necks (anterior to the cricoid cartilage). Participants will be cued to perform 5-saliva swallows, 5-water swallows in a natural position and 5-water swallows in the chin-tucked position. 7200 swallows will be captured and used to develop a new, non-invasive accelerometry device (“Aspirometer”) designed to detect aspiration from the analysis of neck vibratory signals.
Conclusion: This study aims to determine the relationship between varying anthropometric variables and vibratory swallowing signals in order to determine variations of normality among healthy adult swallows. Variations will enhance the accuracy of aspiration detection using Aspirometer.
Other Interests:
Fady is actively involved in his local parish as a youth instructor and mentor. In his spare time he enjoys reading “non-engineering” books as well as playing various sports such as Hockey, Basketball and soccer.
