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Our client desires a peak inspiratory and peak expiratory flow meter in a single device to monitor for symptoms of asthma and vocal cord dysfunction. It should measure flows up to about 700 liters per second for adults, be cheap, durable, and easy to use with clear measurement readings.
My team researched new designs and patents and also researched what type of equipment that was available for our use. After exhaustive research we decided to construct a peak expiratory and inspiratory flow meter using a single tube design. Our design consists of a clear plastic tube, metal rod, two springs, and a plunger whose origin is located at the center of the tube. Since the plunger will remain in the center when no force is applied, any inspiration or expiration will cause the plunger to move depending on the direction of the force. The device will contain indicators that will mark the greatest change in position of the plunger. A picture of our final device can be seen below in Figure 3.
Figure 1: Our team members, listed from left to right: Sarah Offutt, Darshan Patel, Andrew Eley,and Eric Bader.
Figure 2: Our initial altered design from a previously existing peak expiratory flow meter.
Figure 3: Our original design and construction of a peak inspiratory and expiratory flow meter.
Figure 4: The calibration and testing of our peak inspiratory and expiratory flow meter by means of a rota meter.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 8 | Research current peak flow meter designs and search for patents. Brainstorm questions and prepare for our meeting with the client. Meet with Dr. Green and discuss the details of the project. |
| 2 | September 15 | Research current methods of measure the flow rate in peak flow monitors. Continues searching for patents and new peak flow monitor designs. Take team photo and set up a weekly meeting time with our client. |
| 3 | September 22 | Narrowed down our plans to three main ideas. Continue to research further methods of testing and testing our device. |
| 4 | September 29 | Research methods of testing our device and continues desinging and narrowing down or plans. |
| 5 | October 6 | Continue researching our product, start searching for building material, and work on our mid-semester progress report. |
| 6 | October 13 | Work on mid-semester presentation, midsemester report, and continue researching our design. |
| 7 | October 20 | Start designing and constructing our device with materials, continue researching on methods of testing. |
| 8 | October 27 | Work on the construction of our prototype and buy all of the materials we need. |
| 9 | November 3 | Continue working on the construction of our prototype. |
| 10 | November 10 | Continue working on the construction of our prototype. |
| 11 | November 17 | Continue working on the construction of our project |
| 12 | November 24 | Finalize construction of our prototype, test our prototype using a rotameter. |
| 13 | December 1 | Work on presentations, and final paper. |
| 14 | December 8 | Attend poster presentations and give our presentation. |
| 15 | December 15 | The project is concluded. |
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Midsemester Presentation (Oct 19 2005, 885 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Oct 19 2005, 85 kb) |
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Final Presentation and Poster (Dec 6 2005, 4631 kb) |
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PDS (Dec 6 2005, 11 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 7 2005, 204 kb) |
