Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: Spencer Brown, PhD
Department: Plastic Surgery
Room number: WA4.408
Mail Code: 9132
Phone number: 214-645-3138
E-mail: spencer.brown@utsouthwestern.edu

Project # 1

Project title: Understanding the mechanism of the Contour I Ultrasound device

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 2007-0261

Project Type animal-based research

Brief Description of Project:

The use of ultrasound to ablate and destroy fat tissue non-invasively will be examined using a new device under investigational license [UltraShape Inc].

This study is a pig in vivo study. It was designed to understand the Contour I mechanism
of action while treatment and tissue repair mechanism in the post-treatment stage.

The primary objective is to determine the character of the damage induced by Contour I
based on histology and molecular methods as described hereafter.
This objective is divided by the following sub-objectives:

1. Characterization of the effect of Contour I on adipose tissue (size, hole shape).
2. Safety and selectivity: Are other cellular components affected during the treatment?
3. Comparing the affect of one node (pulse) with full treatment. Is there any influence of one node on the adjacent one?
4. Comparing the current settings affect with new settings in order to evaluate the possibility of decreasing treatment time

The student will perform the histological assessment of specimens for hemotoxylin and eosin staining as well as specimen preparation for skin and adipose tissues. They will assist in learning about and participating in large animal studies.

Project # 2

Project title: Biomechanical assessment of human skin using BTC2000 cutometer

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): pending

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research)

Brief Description of Project:

The biomechanical assessment of human skin can now be performed using the BTC2000 cutometer. Using the laser-driven hand held device which draws the human skin gently under a vacuum. Six (6) major biomechanical parameters can be measured non0invasively and quickly.

This project will measure and determine trends of the basic properties of subjects with regards to age, gender, and other skin conditions (scar, etc). Other ongoing clinical trails are biopsing small specimens for histological analysis. The histological results will be examined in terms of collagen organization to the biomechanical endpoints.

The framework of biomechanical parameters with regards to age and gender on various areas of the face has not been performed or published to date using this technology.

The student will be responsible for taking measurements, data analyses and reading histological slides to grade collagen organization.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

9+ years of mentoring medical students, residents, and fellow, and faculty