MEMORANDUM

TO:

Ethan Whittet

FROM:

Zachary Deschaux

DATE:

February 11, 2016

SUBJECT: Proposal for researched argument paper: What steps are necessary in order to create a
3D model of a subcutaneous injection using x-rays where the camera and x-ray source are stationary?
Subject and Purpose of the Proposal:
While there is a significant amount of research done on CT (computed tomography) modeling, there is
very little information regarding this specific problem. Within my work at Portal Instruments, there is a
significant need for the ability to model a subcutaneous injection in order to do a direct comparison
between my company's device and needles and syringes. This knowledge can improve the quality of
my company's device, which in turn will create a safer and more effective product for patients to use. In
addition, a more widespread knowledge of this application can be used in a multitude of other scenarios
where resources necessary for a full CT scanner are unavailable.
My objective is to create a report that will serve two functions: the first is find out how to use x-ray and
CT technologies for subcutaneous injections, and the second is to develop a set of steps in order to
apply it to our scenario where the subject moves within the x-ray source instead of the source and
camera around the subject.
Rationale for the Topic and Approach Its Importance as an Issue:
The needle and syringe is one of the few devices that has continuously been stagnant in development as
technological advancements have been integrated into practically every facet of the healthcare industry.
At Portal Instruments, we are developing a device that can bring injections into the modern era with a
portable, digital, needle-free platform.
Currently, we are studying injections in order to determine both how to improve our device and how
our device performs in comparison to a needle and syringe. We have already constructed an x-ray unit
and are studying injections as they occur in high speed; however, our next step is to model where the
injection occurs as well as how it diffuses over time in a three-dimensional space. This data is
instrumental for developing improvements and building a case for replacing needles with our device.
The main issue with developing this modeling system is that this is an application that has very little
research in relation to this problem. CT technology could work for creating 3D models, but because we
do not have a CT scanner and it is our subject that moves instead of our camera and source, the
mathematics necessary to adjust the images must be changed in order to accurately create our models. I
will research where established knowledge about these technologies intersects with our current imaging
setup and from this evidence will develop a series of instructions that will be used as an algorithm for
rendering 3D x-ray subcutaneous injection models.
My Report Will Address the Issues Of:
What computed tomography (CT) is
X-ray vs. regular light behavior

Constructing an in-house CT system

Resources that are necessary to construct the system
Mathematical operations and software used in 3D modeling of x-ray images
Using CT to render an injection model

Methods I Will Use to Research the Report:

I will use peer-reviewed studies and articles from journals and databases written by specialists involved
in the x-ray and CT fields to gather data about both technologies. I will also need to use online media,
such as video footage or photographic evidence in order to discover similarities that relate directly to
our application. To gather articles I will use databases and Google Scholar, and I will use simple web
search services such as Google in order to gather online media of interest.