The objective of this research was to develop methodologies for early warning of the abnormal conditions from Intensive Care Unit (ICU bedmaster and electronic health record (EHR) data that can lead to outcomes such as cardiovascular events, mortality, cardiac arrest and long stay in critical care units.  The technical framework includes data quality control and sequential temporal data for prototyping a Clinical Decision Support System (CDS).

There is a need for breath sampling that is more convenient for diagnostics in particular for children and the elderly. In total almost twenty percent of school children in Georgia have asthma. The ability to collect samples with minimal pressure drop and in a shorter duration without the need for cryogenic gases and complex instrumentation would make sample collection more convenient and lower the cost to administer in a clinical or research setting.

Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a musculoskeletal disorder predominantly found in the elbow, ankle and knee. This condition can cause significant morbidity in young population. JOCD of the knee in particular is the most common and well described, even though etiology of the condition is uncertain. If left untreated, JOCD can result in premature osteoarthritis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are revolutionizing basic research, helping to constantly improve our understanding of genetic mechanisms in biological systems.

In pediatric populations it is challenging to monitor the success of a bone fusion procedure. The objective of this project was to develop Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors that will measure local mechanical strain as a readout for bone fusion progression, such as a spinal implant. Established sensor technology was re-engineered for optimal size and sensitivity in a preclinical small animal model of bone repair. Long-term outcomes from these studies will establish the ability of the strain sensor to monitor bone fusion.

The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate the first mobile platform decision support tool for behavioral feeding intervention to address chronic feeding problems in pediatric populations that is manual-based and technology-supported. Twenty children ages 13 to 72 months (12 boys and 8 girls) received treatment for 5 consecutive days in a day treatment program (n=10) or waitlist (n=10). Primary outcome measures were bite acceptance, disruptions, and grams consumed during meals.

Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common form of childhood arthritis and one of the more common chronic illnesses of childhood. Sequelae of JIA can affect patients throughout their life. Thus, there is a great need to minimize joint damage starting as early as possible. We aim to create new biomarkers for children with JIA based on sounds emitted from their joints. Ultimately, we would like to use these physiological biomarkers to enable feedback-controlled therapies (i.e., titration of care).