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The goal of our project is to develop a safer method of treating esophageal strictures. An esophageal stricture is a collection of scar tissue partially blocking the esophagus pathway limiting food flow and giving the patient a choking sensation. Currently, a pressurized balloon dilation method is used to break the strictures, but can lead to tearing of the esophagus. We intend to instrument the esophageal dilation system to obtain accurate measurements of balloon pressure and volume during dilation. The instrumented system and a computer-readout of the results would be available to the surgeon during the dilation. By measuring the pressure on the esophagus, the surgeon may avoid over pressurization and prevent the tearing of the esophagus tissue.
Team Picture
Balloon Dilation System
Design Sketch
Final Assembled Prototype
Currently, we have met with the client to discuss his needs and expectations for the project. This week we are in the process of investigating transducers for our final design. We hope to get the parts ordered before break in order to begin assembly when we return. We discussed our design ideas with our client and consulted with other areas of medicine in which our device would be useful. The parts for the prototype have all been ordered and the team is in the process of organizing the parts for construction. Prototype testing is scheduled for the Wednesday of week 13. The final paper is finished and posted below. Potentiometer problems led to further delays in prototype testing. But the finalization of the LabView program and completion of prototype construction led to graphical results. Our prototype is in working order, but needs further testing before any generalizations can be made about perforation ranges.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 20 | choose projects, meet team members, meeting with client |
| 2 | January 27 | background research, PDS draft, clarify goals with client. |
| 3 | February 3 | client meeting, brainstorming, research and development. |
| 4 | February 10 | brainstorming, alternative designs. |
| 5 | February 17 | client meeting, choose final design, work on midsemester, design matrix. |
| 6 | February 24 | Midsemester Presentation. |
| 7 | March 3 | parts research. |
| 8 | March 10 | parts research, LabView programming. |
| 9 | March 17 | prototype parts, client meeting, prototype revisions. |
| 10 | March 24 | finalize prototype, finalize programming, begin construction when parts arrive. |
| 11 | March 31 | collect and interpret usable data, update PDS. |
| 12 | April 7 | poster, final paper, |
| 13 | April 14 | Final Poster Presentation |
| 14 | April 21 | Final Report, Notebooks |
| 15 | April 28 | Final meeting with advisors, deliver prototype to client |
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Midsemester Presentation (Feb 23 2006, 541 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Mar 3 2006, 168 kb) |
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Updated Product Design Presentation (Apr 26 2006, 16 kb) |
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Final Report (Apr 28 2006, 294 kb) |
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Final Poster Presentation (May 4 2006, 0 kb) |
