Transcript Tulane University Biomedical Engineering Senior Team Design Show February 26, 2011 Change slide by clicking on background.

Tulane University
Biomedical Engineering
Senior Team Design Show
February 26, 2011
Change slide by clicking on background.
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On Saturday, February 26, the Tulane Department
of Biomedical Engineering held its annual Senior
Team Design Show in the Lindy Claiborne Boggs
Center for Energy and Biotechnology. Four teams
presented their assistive technology designs for
their clients with disabilities.
By Betsy Kirkland, Photographer and Editor
Sound Bytes
Assistive Musical Technologies
First Place Winner
The team is developing a
prosthesis to assist a
client, a transradial,
congenital amputee, in
playing the violin. While
her current myoelectric
prosthesis allows her to
easily grip objects and
perform everyday tasks, it
presents a challenge
when executing the
mechanics necessary for
playing the violin.
Current problems: The
client's current myoelectric
prosthesis inhibits
comfortable and efficient
bowing because of
excessive weight (2.2
lbs), excessive length (16
in.), loose, unsecure grip
of the violin bow, and
limited range of bowing
motion.
Team members: Hudson Chien, Joan Lien, John Pitre, Jr.
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Sound Bytes
Assistive Musical Technologies
First Place Winner
The design: The bow consists of two pieces of ABS plastic designed to fit securely around the frog of the violin
bow. The pieces are held together by a velcro hinge. This reduces the number of mechanical parts, thus
increasing reliability. In addition, the velcro provides a simple, easy-to-use locking mechanism that holds the two
clamp halves together while playing.
1. A comfortable, biocompatible socket was produced by Lambert's Prosthetics using Duraplex plastic. This
custom fitted socket ensures that the prosthesis remains securely in place during playing.
2. A tight-fit connection provides a modular interface between the socket and connecting rod. This allows the
client to separate or adjust the orientation of components.
3. A lightweight connecting rod minimizes the weight of the prosthesis and allows for an appropriate bowing
length.
4. A custom bow clamp provides a steady, firm grip on the violin bow. This clamp is fabricated from ABS plastic
and features a velcro hinge and closing mechanism allowing for easy one-handed operation.
Demonstration
Close up of device
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Sound Bytes
Assistive Musical Technologies
First Place Winner
Design Criteria: The prosthetic
bowing arm for the violin is
designed to assist the client by
maintaining a steady, firm grip on
the violin; minimize weight to
allow the client to practice
comfortably for extended periods
of time; assist the client in
controlling bowing motions by
optimizing extremity length;
feature a comfortable,
biocompatible socket to secure
the device to the client's terminal
limb; and provide easy onehanded operation for any
clamping mechanism.
Discussion of prosthetic bowing arm
Bowing techniques to obtain
good tonal quality and proper
resonance include: keeping the
bow parallel to the bridge
(perpendicular to strings), greater
bowing length for longer and
louder notes, and proper pressure
and speed of bowing.
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TEAMOCiL
The Gyro- Rider
A Horseback Riding Stimulator
Runner Up
The Client attends an autistic class in which each student takes weekly horseback riding lessons. The
students ride once around an arena with a front walker guiding the horse. Many students are either
disinterested in grasping the reins, hold the reins incorrectly, or do not understand that pulling the reins
will turn the horse. The client needs a device that will improve the students' control of the horse during
the riding session.
Team Members: Seth Figueros, Tyler Humphrey, Lindsey Shepard, Christina Yee
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TEAMOCiL
The Gyro- Rider
A Horseback Riding Stimulator
Runner Up
The device is a fun horseback riding simulator
which teaches students proper steering technique.
The stimulator encourages students to pull the
reins and teaches them the concept of turning by
rotating to the left or right when the reins are pulled.
The device is appropriate and adaptable to
students of all skill levels. In order to increase the
probability of skills being transferred between the
simulator and actual horseback riding, the simulator
is transportable between the school and stables.
This feature allows students to transfer the steering
skills learned in the classroom to the horse stable
environment. In order to assist with the familiarity
of steering between the simulator and horse,
students will use the same reins in both scenarios.
Color-coded reins will promote proper hand
positioning and simplify the riding instructor's
turning commands.
Goals are to improve the students' steering of the
horse, encourage them to grasp the reins, promote
correct hand positioning on the reins, and create an
active learning environment through a kinesthetic
means.
Demonstration
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TEAMOCiL
The Gyro- Rider
A Horseback Riding Stimulator
Runner Up
The most unique feature of the device is the gyroscopic turning mechanism, which enhances the simulator's
portability and ease for repair. The simulator increases students' practice time due to its availability during
school hours. It also requires only one instructor to be present during lessons. Lastly, the variety of reins can
appeal to a wide range of skills and personal preferences.
Design criteria in an importance-based ranking that has guided the product development:
1. Goal fulfillment: Accomplishes all goals
2. Safety: Safe for use at the school and stables
3. Transferability: Skills learned on the Gyro-Rider will transfer to on-horse riding.
4. Portable: Device can be transported between the school and stables.
5. Weight limit: Supports up to 200 pounds
6. Repairable: Easy to fix
Closeup of the Gyro-Rider
Color coded reins
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Team Pudding
Iterative Approach to Behavioral Modification in Self-Abusive Autism
The Client: A thirteen year old autistic boy with self-abusive tendencies has a fixation on harming himself
with either hands on either side of his neck. Abusive tendencies stem from anxiety, discomfort, and inability
to communicate because he is nonverbal. Psychiatric therapy, physical restraints, educational redirection
have proven ineffective in reducing his manic behavior.
Team members: Lydia Barret, Renee Huval, Nathan Pham, Theodore Brown
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Team Pudding
Iterative Approach to Behavioral Modification in Self-Abusive Autism
The Conventional Approach Included
* Restriction
* Medication
* Psychological therapy
Our iterative devices
* Expose the client to stimuli, vibration,
audio, etc.
* Provide opportunity to gauge response
through observation
* Modify behavior through gradual
redirection
Stimulatory Neck Device
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Team Pudding
Iterative Approach to Behavioral Modification in Self-Abusive Autism
Benefits of the Approach
* Non-restrictive: dexterity and
functional degrees of freedom are
maintained
* Safe: No harm to client
* Drug free therapy to alleviate
anxiety
Acclimation to the restrictive collar
prevents skin irritation. The wedge
on the device prevents neck
slapping and a compression sleeve
underneath prevents slipping.
However, the abuse is redirected to
other parts of the body. The button
activated neck vibrator alleviates
the client's stress, reducing
slapping.
This device can cause a change in
behavior which will allow the
student to proceed from a
restrictive behavioral setting to a
behavioral modification program.
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Victorious Secret
The Rockaway
A Rocking Chair Platform for Wheelchair Users
The design was developed for St.
Margaret's Health Care Community.
Residents are elderly who are no
longer able to effectively care for
themselves due to physical and/or
mental disabilities. St. Mary's staff
wanted to expand the types of
activities available to the residents
with a specific focus on intergenerational activities. Chief among
these is allowing residents the
opportunity to hold and rock young
children.
The team's objective was to design a
rocking chair platform for wheelchair
users. The goal was a low profile, lowmaintenance device to be used
independently by the residents.
Team members: Martin Sosa, Amaris Genemaras, James
Barrios, Miko Altenberg, client (center in platform) and judge
(far left)
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Victorious Secret
The Rockaway
A Rocking Chair Platform for Wheelchair Users
Functional requirements:
Tier 1: Motion and Ease-of-Access include comfortable rocking motion, nominal falling sensation,
no transfer required, usable independently, little or no physical effort to move.
Tier 2: Safety requires user to be secured while in motion, sturdy device that can bear heavy
loads, movement will not injure users or others.
Tier 3: Client standards include aesthetically matches destination decor, durable, easy to
maintain, easy to manufacture
Back View of Rockaway
Demonstration of entering
Rockaway
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Victorious Secret
The Rockaway
A Rocking Chair Platform for Wheelchair Users
Key features required that the platform be low to the ground, easy to rock, parallel motion, and easy
maintenance.
The Rockaway design consists of a suspended platform that swings back and forth while maintaining a
parallel relationship with the floor. This platform will be less than an inch from the ground drastically
simplifying the entrance and exit components of the design. Since the platform is always stable, the
falling sensation experiences by users has been reduced.
Backview of Entrance to Rockaway
Foot pedals
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Interesting Snapshots
Best in Class
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