D2.2: Student Design Competition

Year 2:

Coordinator: John Enderle

Process for 2004-2005 Competition:

For this second year, we plan for funding roughly ten design teams. The announcement that follows was distributed to design programs (early August 2004), and covered three target areas for the 2004-2005 competition. See also the contest rules for 2004-2005.

Here is a list of the participating universities:

Catholic University
Marquette University
North Carolina State University
Texas A&M
University of California - San Diego
University of Connecticut
University of Georgia
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of Tennesee
University of Toledo
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin
University of Wyoming
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Tech

The design reports for the 2004-2005 competion, as provided by each team through web pages, can be viewed for each of the three categories:

A collection of 9 judges were assembled, with judging between June 1 to June 15. The results of the judging process are as follows:.

First prize ($1000 for team of Megan Damcott, Ling Dong, Amy Chi-Yun Huang, Laura Katzenberger):

VersaErg (University of Rochester)

Second prize ($750/team, also top in their category):

High Capacity Audible Weight Scale (Texas A&M)

Accessible Syringe Dosing (Marquette University)

Third prize ($500/team, each 2nd in their category):

Accessible Ergometer (Univ. Wisconsin-Madison)

Accessible Weight Scale (Catholic Univ. America)

Syringe Dosing Device (Univ. of Connecticut)

A web version of the 2004-2005 announcement follows. The categories for competition during the 2005-2006 academic year are expected to be announced in late July of 2005.

2004-2005 National Student Design Competition

Open to programs in biomedical and mechanical engineering, industrial design, and others.

Programs receive up to $2000 in reimbursement for design costs.

First prize: $1000, Second prize: $750, Third prize: $500.

Also $500 award for registration/travel to present a related paper accepted at a major conference.

Contact: John Enderle, Ph.D., e-mail: jenderle@bme.uconn.edu, phone: 860-486-5521

Design teams are welcome to enter in any of three target design areas for the imaginary clients indicated:

Accessible Blood Glucose Monitor Interface:

Problem: People who have diabetes need to measure their blood glucose levels manually, usually with a portable, battery-powered meter, generally several times a day. Diabetes can cause disabilities, especially visual impairments, which can make using these meters a very difficult process. Talking meters exist but are not designed for optimal ease of use, particularly by people who are blind.

Aim: A portable, reliable, low-cost interface that is easy to use, works with or is based on an existing, commercially available blood glucose monitor, and meets the needs of the clients below.

Specs: The blood glucose monitor must communicate effectively with the user through both a visual display and audio output If the device uses test strips, consider their use, calibration, and expiration dates, and the use of multiple types and vials of insulin. Consider ease of learning, storage of all components, cleaning and maintenance.

Clients:

Bruce, Joan, Mary, Lloyd, Sophia, Dave, Wanda, Bob

Accessible Syringe Dosing:

Aim:

A reliable, low-cost, easy-to-use mechanism for enabling automated dosing of medications.

Specs:

It must be able to dose reliably to the nearest 0.01cc [using standard 1 cc syringes (¼” dia) that are common for delivery of insulin, heparin], be able to gently mix before dosing, and be universally easy to use.

Clients:

Lloyd, Sophia, Arnold, Dave, Wanda (and Bob)

Accessible Ergometer:

Aim:

A creative cycle ergometer that is usable by individuals with a diversity of abilities.

Specs:

It must be easy to get into, feel stable, be easy to adjust even with low strength or flexibility, have an easy-to-view display, and be targeted for under $1000 retail. (Can start with existing unit, if less than $500 retail.)

Clients:

Joan, Lloyd, Sophia, Arnold, Wanda, Bob

Bruce was born in 1960. He is an aerospace engineer and vehicle enthusiast who lives with his wife and one cat. In 1999, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which resulted in the paralysis of his legs and now he uses a manual wheelchair. He experienced renal failure in 2003 and takes a large number of medications daily

Joan. Born in 1919, Joan has raised 5 children and has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Now a widow and living in a convalescent home with heart failure, she is relatively sedentary and is fragile and weak.

Mary. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1994, Mary’s condition has declined steadily over the past 10 years. Now age 50, she uses a walker and is able to stand without support for 1 minute. She also has poor eyesight.

Lloyd. Lloyd, a retired pharmacist, was born in 1926. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 1989, Lloyd has poor eyesight and some hearing loss, and due to poor diet and lack of exercise, is very overweight (400lbs).

Sophia. Sophia was born in 1970 and emigrated to the U.S. from Poland in 1987. In relatively good health, Sophia had several small strokes in 2003, and now takes heparin as a precautionary measure. Sophia has limited right arm function and walks using a cane, but she continues her job as a social worker and is very active in the community.

Arnold. Arnold was born in 1952 and since his heart attack in 1999 has worked in the mailroom of a large manufacturing company. He has diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and experiences slight to moderate tremors. He lives alone.

Dave. Now 22, Dave was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000. He has limited use of his right arm and leg due to a head injury he sustained while playing football in college. Dave uses a cane and sometimes an electric scooter.

Wanda. Born in 1994, Wanda has low vision and diabetes. Wanda weighs 80 lbs. She is being encouraged to start administering insulin to herself, as her mother recently passed away and her live-in grandmother, Rose, is blind.

Rose. Born in 1941, Rose is blind and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. With the recent death of her husband, Rose is about to move in with her daughter and son-in-law and her granddaughter, Wanda, but she wants to maintain her independence as well as help out around the house as much as she can.

Bruce. Bruce was born in 1960. He is an aerospace engineer and vehicle enthusiast who lives with his wife and one cat. In 1999, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which resulted in the paralysis of his legs. Due to renal failure in 2003 he now needs to weigh himself every day; he needs a convenient weight scale.

Lloyd. Lloyd, a retired pharmacist, was born in 1926. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 1989, Lloyd has poor eyesight and, due to poor diet and lack of exercise, is very overweight (400lbs).

Sophia. Sophia was born in 1920 and emigrated to the U.S. from Poland in 1937. In relatively good health, Sophia suffered a stroke in 2002. She had several small strokes in 2003, and now takes heparin as a precautionary measure. She has limited right arm function, walks using a cane, and needs an exercise bike that is more stable.

Arnold. Arnold was born in 1952 and works as a janitor in a large manufacturing company. He has diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and experiences slight to moderate tremors.

Dave. Retired from the Navy in 1989 after a serious heart attack, Dave was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2000. Dave has limited use of his right leg due to an injury sustained while serving in the Navy. He uses a cane.

Wanda. Born in 1994, Wanda is deaf and has diabetes. Wanda weighs 80 lbs. She is being encouraged to start administering insulin to herself, as her mother recently passed away and her father, Bob, is blind. She and her father would like to start an aerobic exercise routine together.

Bob. Born in 1956, Bob is blind and works as an accountant for the State of Connecticut. His weight fluctuates a lot, and he likes to stay fit by exercising on a cycle ergometer. With the recent death of his wife, Bob would prefer to exercise less at the local YMCA more with his daughter, Wanda, at home.