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Blood Sampling Tool for Free-Ranging Whales

Blood Sampling Tool for Free-Ranging Whales. Researchers: Brad Baum & Rajit Chakravarty. Presentation Overview. Design Problem and Specifications Background Anatomy and Behavior Current Techniques and Equipment Design Ideas Proposed Solution and Why Future Problems Questions.

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Blood Sampling Tool for Free-Ranging Whales

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  1. Blood Sampling Tool for Free-Ranging Whales Researchers: Brad Baum & Rajit Chakravarty

  2. Presentation Overview • Design Problem and Specifications • Background • Anatomy and Behavior • Current Techniques and Equipment • Design Ideas • Proposed Solution and Why • Future Problems • Questions

  3. Design Problem • Estrous cycles & mating behavior are unknown • Hormones in blood are crucial to understanding behavior & cycles • No current blood extraction technology • Design Problem - Blood obtaining instrument needed

  4. Project Design Specification Summary • Requirements: - Collect 1cc of uncontaminated blood - Retrievable sample - Minimal harm to whale - Accurate and reliable - Compatible with crossbows

  5. Anatomy & Behavior • ~ 15 meters in length • Thick and strong skin • Surface for 3-4 breaths after 10-45 minute dive • Major blood vessels located in tail

  6. Existing Technology • Biopsy darts - little blood collected - fired using a high-powered crossbow • Contacted other researchers

  7. Suction Cup Solution • Recommended by researcher • Abrasive to skin of whale • Absorbs blood • Dissolvable plugs

  8. Advantage • Not partial to blood vessels Disadvantages • No blood collection method • Tracking of whale required • Harmful to whale • Not feasible Pros/ Cons

  9. Needles & Vacuum Tubes • Used on humans • Needles - vary in length and thickness • Vacuum Tubes - self sealing - glass/ plastic - rapid filling

  10. Single Needle Vacuum System • Double sided ten gauge wide bore needle • 2.5 inches in length • Plastic vacuum tube • Utilizes momentum to puncture seal • High strength fishing line

  11. Advantages • No contamination • Rapid blood extraction • Minimal harm to whale • Easily retrievable Disadvantages • Small chances of hitting blood vessels • High chances of breaking • Must penetrate thick skin Pros/ Cons

  12. Multiple Needle Vacuum System • Similar to single needle system • 7 needles • Varying lengths of needles (1.5-2.5 inches) • Proposed idea

  13. • All the advantages of a single needle system • Increased chance of blood collection • Increased strength of needle system • Fits majority of required specifications Pros/ Reasons for Choice

  14. Future Problems to Consider • Force required to puncture skin ? • Flight path ? • Maybe more harm to the whale ? • Mechanical problems ? - needle extraction from seal - sufficient momentum • Size of blood vessels ?

  15. Question/ Comments

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