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Arthritis in canines often leads to joint degeneration and rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Diagnosis of this condition is often difficult because the current methods used are non-quantitative. The aim of this project is to quantify the amount of tibial translation in a canine’s leg caused by a known applied force in order to determine the severity of an ACL rupture. Preliminary parts for a device that can accomplish this have been developed and it is the goal of this team to create and test a working model.
Left to Right: Alex Bloomquist, James Madsen, Mike Nonte, Graham Bousley
Force measurement and displacement measurement devices have been fabricated. Calibration testing shows both devices have repeatable output values. Cadaver testing shows that the displacement device is sensitive enough to detect full ACL rupture.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 4 | First Team Meeting-Team roles assigned and meeting time chosen |
| 2 | September 11 | Meeting with graduate students that began designing this device |
| 3 | September 18 | Meeting with client to discuss device requirements |
| 4 | September 25 | Testing of hall effect sensor and load cell; Training on LabView software |
| 5 | October 2 | Further testing of hall effect sensor |
| 6 | October 9 | Preparation of mid-semester presentation |
| 7 | October 16 | Preparation of mid-semester report and determination of materials needed for final prototype |
| 8 | October 23 | Finished mid-semester report |
| 9 | October 30 | Met with client for preliminary cadaver testing |
| 10 | November 6 | Finalized device design. Purchased materials for displacement measurement device. Attended LabView seminar. |
| 11 | November 13 | Fabrication of force measurement device. |
| 12 | November 20 | Obtained final parts for displacement measurement device. Machined base for force measurement device. |
| 13 | November 27 | Soldered circuits for hall effect sensor. Finished fabrication of both devices. |
| 14 | December 4 | Calibration and testing of both devices using LabView program. Final cadaver testing and preparation of final presentation. |
| 15 | December 11 | Finished final report. |
| Product Design Specification (Oct 16 2009, 13 kb) | |
| Mid-Semester Presentation (Oct 16 2009, 385 kb) | |
| Mid-Semester Presentation (Oct 16 2009, 7096 kb) | |
| Mid-Semester Report (Oct 21 2009, 496 kb) | |
| Final Presentation Poster (Dec 7 2009, 6893 kb) | |
| Final Report (Dec 10 2009, 1461 kb) |