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Pancreatic Enzyme Delivery (PED) Device. Group Members : Todd Dhavale Erica Osadzinski Advisor : Dr. Dennis Stokes. What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)? . Inherited disease which causes exocrine (outward secreting) glands in the body to fail to function normally.
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Pancreatic Enzyme Delivery (PED) Device Group Members: Todd Dhavale Erica Osadzinski Advisor: Dr. Dennis Stokes
What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)? • Inherited disease which causes exocrine (outward secreting) glands in the body to fail to function normally. • Mucus-producing exocrine glands often produce thick, sticky secretions which plug-up ducts and other passageways. • This occurs in the lungs and intestines and interferes with breathing and digestion.
Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: • Suffer from nutritional problems • Do not gain weight properly • Have improper pancreatic function • Need pancreatic enzymes to help digest food: • protease • amylase • lipase
Effects of Cystic Fibrosis on Digestion • Occurs in 8 out of 10 of all CF patients • Pancreatic enzymes do not reach intestinal tract • Patients do not gain weight • Malabsorption occurs--growth impairment • Therefore, above average caloric intake is needed along with supplemental enzymes
PED Device is designed to: • Deliver commercially available pancreatic enzymes directly to intestinal tract • Deliver enzymes to patients receiving overnight supplemental feedings via a gastrostomy tube
Past Work: • Researched pancreatic enzymes function • Observed CF patients in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital • Assessed the current methods of obtaining the necessary pancreatic enzymes • Met with pharmacist for advice and recommendations
Current Work: • Testing microsphere stability in the fluid delivery vehicle • Determining the minimum fluid vehicle volume necessary for overnight enzyme delivery • Investigating the capabilities of available pumps, both injection and peristaltic.
Future Work: • Integrate pump fittings with connectors to gastrostomy tube (G-Tube) • Formulate limited Human Trials to evaluate the effectiveness of PED delivered enzymes • Obtain funding from Solvay Pharmaceutical to improve the current crude PED model