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The goal of this project is to improve and optimize the design of an endotracheal tube adapter that will be used to consistently deliver aerosolized medications to anesthetized patients during surgery. We are continuing our design project from last semester (Spring 2008). We already have a working prototype, but there are several key changes we would like to make this semester. First, we intend to modify the nozzle piece to enhance the spray characteristics of our prototype. Second, we want to modify the geometry to allow our prototype to be injection molded. We will also perform laser diffraction and cascade impactor tests to assess the efficacy of our different designs. The ultimate goal of this semester is to develop an injection-moldable prototype that can then be mass-produced and commercialized.
Team members from left to right:
Ryan Childs, BSAC
Tim Barry, BWIG
Evan Joyce, Leader
Ozair Chaudhry, Communicator
We are currently applying for a utility and method patent for our prototype and determining what structural changes need to be made to allow for injection molding. We have met with several fluid dynamics professors to assess the nozzle geometry of our prototype and how our spray characteristics can be improved. We have developed three design alternatives, and have chosen a final design with which to proceed.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 4 | Assigned team roles, developed preliminary schedule, began brainstorming potential design modifications for the semester |
| 2 | September 11 | Independent research of possible structural changes, patent search on prior art |
| 3 | September 18 | Researched injection molding and rapid prototyping, met with client to discuss design changes, completed Product Design Specifications |
| 4 | September 25 | Team meeting to brainstorm possible changes to nozzle portion of adapter, found useful literature regarding spray orifice length and diameter |
| 5 | October 2 | Set meeting times with several professors on campus, brainstormed design alternatives, conducted independent research |
| 6 | October 9 | Decided on final three design alternatives, met with professors Samuelson, Bower and Reitz, began work on mid-semester presentation |
| 7 | October 16 | Finished and delivered mid-semester presentation, created SolidWorks models of design alternatives, started work on mid-semester report |
| 8 | October 23 | Finished mid-semester report, met with engineers at 3M to discuss injection molding, obtained valuable feedback from medical supply companies our client spoke with |
| 9 | October 30 | Finalized dimensions for new contour taper prototype, submitted 2D Solidworks model of new prototype to Physics Lab for fabrication, looked over relevant prior art patents |
| 10 | November 6 | Contacted fluid dynamics professor and set up time to run laser diffraction tests, waiting for part to be completed |
| 11 | November 13 | Fabrication of final prototype complete, received confirmation from our patent attorney Ted that he can proceed with filing a Design Patent, set up time to test prototype using Laser diffraction and photospectrometry |
| 12 | November 20 | |
| 13 | November 27 | |
| 14 | December 4 | |
| 15 | December 11 |
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Product Design Specifications (Oct 2 2009, 82 kb) |
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Midsemester Presentation (Oct 15 2009, 5327 kb) |
