Transcript Tulane University Biomedical Engineering Department Spring Design Show March 7, 2009 Biomedical Engineering students made made their best showing ever in the BME design.

Tulane University
Biomedical Engineering Department
Spring Design Show
March 7, 2009
Biomedical Engineering students made made their best showing ever in the BME design show held on Saturday, March 7,
on the Tulane main campus. These are students who spent their first semester as freshman off campus evacuated for
Hurricane Katrina. Although the number of teams was down by half from previous years, the quality of product showed
dedication and excellent engineering skill.
Teams
First Place Winner
C.R.A.F.T.E.E.
Second Place Winner
Team Optimus
Third Place Winner
Team Green Wave
Modern Innovations
Scissor
Venture Design
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Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E.
Automated Leg Rests for a Wheelchair First Place Winner
The team designed leg rests lifts for a
client who depends on a wheelchair
for mobility. Leg elevation relieves
discomfort from arthritis and edema.
Assistance was required to adjust the
original leg rests due to the location of
the manual controls and physical
strength required. In addition, the
client's feet need to reach the floor to
propel along because arthritis in her
shoulders prevent maneuvering the
chair with her arms.
Team Members: Danielle Gill, Chris Millan, Chris Rodell, Scott Vermeulen
The success of the project enables
the client to be more independent in
day-to-day routine by allowing for
autonomous control of the leg rests.
The existing design utilizes manual
controls which cause discomfort and
limited mobility. Investigation
indicates a large demand for costeffective, actuated leg rests. The
current budget is approximately half
of the cost required to add this option
to a powered wheelchair.
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Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E.
Leg Lifts for a Wheelchair
First Place Winner
The client's requests constitute two separate problems:
(1) Powered elevation of leg rests, (2) Re-design and
automation of calf pad mounting.
Design Goals: Minimize noise, ease of use, retain
detachability of leg rests, allow for a reasonable
recharging schedule for battery, proper range of motion,
including correct elevation and calf-pad position.
Solution: Elevation is accomplished with an integrated
linear actuator system. Actuators are mounted beneath
the chair and operate independently by means of a single
control.
Chair with powered elevation leg rests
Remote control
Battery
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Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E.
Leg Lifts for a Wheelchair
First Place Winner
Calf pad automation: Rotation of the calf pads is accomplished using a
solenoid operated locking mechanism. This required re-design of the
mounting bracket and connection of solenoids. Both the selenoids and
actuators are controlled by an integrated control system. Power is supplied
by a standard uninterruptable power supply.
Elevated leg rests
Team member with client
Team demonstration
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Team Optimus
Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer System
Second Place Winner
The client is an elementary
school wheelchair-dependent
student who needs assistance
using the restroom.
Caregivers have difficulty
transferring her from her
wheelchair to the toilet, a
physically demanding process
that currently takes 15-20
minutes.
Design Solution: Wallmounted steel track spanning
entire width of restroom, lowresistance trolley with
magnetic brake, mechanical
pulley rated at 1000 lbs., Hoyer
cradle and sling designed for
400 lbs.
Team Members: Brooks D. Fowler, Jacques P. Levet, Jr., Nicole C. Perez,
Ashley L. Riden. Volunteer model on lift.
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Team Optimus
Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer System
Second Place Winner
Design Goals: Decrease physical demand on
caregivers; have little impact on normal restroom
usage; compact design that will fit in bathroom; allow
for undressing and cleaning of client; create a
comfortable, sturdy device; provide a safe, reliable,
and robust device; provide adequate support at all
times; require minimal support from single caregiver.
Safety Features: Weakest link is the cradle at 400 lb.
Capacity, but statics and mechanics calculations show
system can support weight of client; cradle padding;
magnetic break; rubber stops on track to keep trolley
from running into the wall; easily detachable
components to ensure the device is not operated
without proper supervision.
Cost: Similar commercial lifts start at $2500 while this
one was assembled for approximately $700; can be
made with off-the-shelf-parts; can be modified to wallmounted or free- standing; can be used by a variety of
clients.
Toilet, wheelchair, and hoist
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Team Optimus
Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer System
Second Place Winner
Operating Procedure:
(1) Position client and wheelchair next to
the toilet and below the hoist.
(2) Lower cradle to allow the caregiver to
position the client in the harness.
(3) Raise the client to clear any obstacles.
(4) Roll the trolley along the beam to
position the client above the toilet.
(5) Lower the client onto the toilet.
(6) Raise the client and return her to the
wheelchair.
Client assists in hoisting self
Constraints: Ease of use, cost, hygiene,
size of bathroom, future user adaptability,
transfer time
Large pulley system
Client in harness
Client positioned over toilet
Client positioned on toilet
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Team Green Wave
Challenge Course
Third Place Winner
The clients are students at Banneker
Elementary School who use walkers
and wheelchairs. They need to
practice the necessary skills
associated with using a wheelchair or
walker, but are limited in utilizing
typical playgrounds in a number of
ways. Our challenge course will
provide the students with a play area
that will help to develop these skills
while at the same time allowing them
to enjoy success.
Goals: Develop a safe challenge
course specifically designed for the
children's needs; create an
atmosphere of recreation and
competition among the students;
incorporate therapeutic components
for the children to develop necessary
muscles and skills; add a recursive
element to encourage repetitive use.
Team Members: Christine Dozier, Spencer Hay, Kristin Lynch, David Martin
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Team Green Wave
Challenge Course
Side view of challenge course
Third Place Winner
Front view
The design is composed of a ramp and a set of platform stairs leading up to a landing. A basketball system was modified to
return the balls to a return ramp on the platform. The dimensions of the structure were chosen based on ADA regulations.
The basketball game acts as the motivational component of the course. It encourages the students to go back up the ramp/stairs
in order to release the next set of balls.
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Team Green Wave
Challenge Course
Ball is thrown into hoop
Third Place Winner
Ball travels through
extended net system
Typical playgrounds are not geared for children in
wheelchairs and walkers. This structure is a cost-effective
design that can be installed on any playground, and
enjoyed by all children, whether or not they utilize
wheelchairs or walkers.
Ball drops out of extended net into return ramp.
Safety Concerns: Handrails are designed to withstand
significant lateral, withdrawal and bearing forces; non-slip
grips are installed along the flooring to prevent accidents;
railings are sanded to prevent splinters; to prevent
children climbing up the net, it will be rolled up while not in
use and a warning sign will be posted on the course.
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Modern Innovations
Desk/chair System for Children with Arthrogryposis
The client is a third grade student suffering
from arthogryposis, a congenital disorder
characterized by multiple joint contractures,
muscle weakness and fibrosis causing
limited flexion and extension. This has
affected the client's performance in
academic tasks, mainly writing at the speed
of other students due to the lack of
resources to accommodate her specific
needs.
The goal is an ergonomic desk/chair system
that would improve the client's writing
abilities while providing the physical comfort
needed to complete daily work without
becoming fatigued. The device will also
decrease dependency on teachers and
classmates.
Team Members: Majdouline Asher, Joseph Berenblit , Timothy
Hrinak, Joseph Shadduck
Design Criteria: A writing surface that is
ergonomic, conducive to writing, and
prevents damage to hand; lumbar/thoracic
support; side bolstering to provide support
as the client angles her body to write;
adjustable height to accommodate for
growth; swivel and lock mechanism at base
of chair to maneuver to a different place;
chair compatibility with other desks/tables
available at school; cost effectiveness.
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Modern Innovations
Desk/chair System for Children with Arthrogryposis
Solutions: Use of a commercially available office
chair that is compatible for the design and reasonable
in price. Adjustments and additions that were made
include: Desk surface, customized arm rests, thorax
and lumbar support, chair adjustability
Pivot joint
Desk surface is attached to one side of the chair
and can easily fold away to the side for transport.
When fully folded out, it is positioned over the
user's lap. The height of the desk will provide easy
access in and out of the chair by easily pushing the
desk in/out via a pivot joint. This also addresses
the issue of the client slamming hands onto the
desk.
Setting up the design
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Modern Innovations
Desk/chair System for Children with Arthrogryposis
Customized arm rests match the level of the desk surface and provides the comfort and support required. The
thorax and lumbar support are custom made to fit the client's body. It will provide bolstering on the client's right
side to prevent exhaustion while writing as well as insuring adequate back support.
Chair adjustability allows the chair bottom to swivel for transport and lock in place via casters when not in use.
The chair's height is adjustable to accommodate for the client's growth to provide compatibility when using other
desks/tables than the one attached.
Writing tray in down position
Tray in writing position
Tray moved aside
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Team Venture Design
Augmentative Communication Board
The Chartwell Center is a non-profit
organization serving children with
autism and autism spectrum
disorders. It offers best-practice
training and support to teachers and
professionals in the Greater New
Orleans community. The Center
directly serves children from ages
three to eighteen on an Uptown New
Orleans campus. The team designed
a device for the preschool class.
Autism frequently causes sensory
processing and integration problems
as well as communication difficulties.
One common assistive technology
solution is a communicator board
which typically has 8 to 64 buttons,
each playing a prerecorded message
when pressed. Chartwell requested a
communicator that could be used in
the classroom's play area to allow the
students to communicate their choice
of toy.
Team Members: Daniel Haber, Lucas Marsh, Kate Schimmer, Ali Thariani
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Team Venture Design
Augmentative Communication Board
The client requested a communicator with 6 buttons, each at a minimum size of 5” by 5”, an interface that would catch and
hold the student's attention for the length of interaction with the board, minimal required activation force with tolerance for
larger forces, a system to prevent repeated playback of the same message, the ability to record and store multiple levels of
messages for limited reprogramming, and the ability to easily replace picture on button.
Communicator boards are available from companies specializing in assistive technology. However, these devices generally
have buttons with a maximum size of 2.5” by 2.5”, does not allow replacement of a single picture-- all must be replaced at
once, have no mechanism to prevent multiple activation of same button.
Solution: The design board uses existing device, the Tech/Talk 6 x 8 BG from AMDi. A custom built case allows for 5” by 5”
buttons as well as vertical wall mounting. A layer of logic between team-built buttons and the AMDi board will allow for the
additional features requested.
AMDi communicator
Custom built case with 5” by 5” buttons
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Team Venture Design
Augmentative Communication Board
Team design attached to AMDi
Logic circuit
The design includes a 24” x 16” case housing six 5” by 5” buttons, the AMDi communicator and the team's logic circuit. Each
button will be surrounded by 4 bright LEDs indicating the state of the buttons. The buttons rest on springs and slide along
guides made of PVC which also function as a stop. PVC stops limit play in button to 1/4” with minimum of force transmitted to
pushbutton switch. Makrolon sleeves on button faces allow individual pictures to be replaced quickly. Corner brackets will
allow for horizontal wall mounting of communicator. Controls will be located on the top surface of the communicator.
Device Functionality: When turned on, all buttons will be in the “on” state with LEDs turned on. When a button is activated,
the logic will turn off the LEDs and play back the corresponding message on the AMDi board. Once a button's LEDs go dark,
additional presses will have no effect. A master reset button will reset the device turning all buttons back to the “on” state.
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Team Scissor
Exercise System for Special Needs Client
The client has osteogenesis
imperfecta which causes brittle
bones and stunted growth.
She cannot support her full
weight and desires a device to
help exercise her lower body.
Design criteria include an
exercise device that is safely
operable, afford variable
resistance, easily transported,
durable, operate quietly, afford
comfort, provide feedback on
resistance level.
Team Members: Mario Aragon, Alexander Cigan, Daniel Pardo, Jonathan Garrett
(absent)
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Team Scissor
Exercise System for Special Needs Client
Side view of exercise device
Front View
Model features include 10 levels of
resistance, collapsible, wheels for easy
transport, lightweight (less than 25 lbs.),
durable wooden frame, designed with
custom ergonomics for client, indexed load
settings.
Back view
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Team Scissor
Exercise System for Special Needs Client
Future Directions: An
additional feature of the device
is a set of interchangeable
lengths of surgical tubing that
serve as a displacementdependent load. The client
can lay the device horizontally
and work against various
strengths of tubing, set the
device to a desired incline for a
constant load, or some
combination thereof.
In the coming months, a
workout plan will be devised.
In addition to the Operation &
Safety Manual, placards
enveloped in plastic will be
devised to help walk the client
through various workouts and
detail which muscle groups are
being worked.
Collapsible device
Inspection of device
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People Page
Professor with client
Future college professor
The end
until next
year!
Discussion
Project viewing
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