Project Title: Variable Stiffness Guidewire for catheters

Client: Dr. Victor Houghton

Team Members: Kristi Hinner, Erik Birkeneder, Jeremy O’Brien, Hart Moss, Brian Asti, Nick Vandehey, John Puccinelli, Tom Pearce

Date: 12/5 – 12/11

Problem Statement: To design a guide wire of variable stiffness to be used in a catheterization procedure and in situations where the conventional guide wires fail. The wire must be of correct stiffness in order to reach the correct point in the vessel, but also provide enough force for the catheter to follow into the vessel.

Restatement of Team Goals:

1. Finish PDS revisions

2. Complete paper

3. Complete poster

4. Prototype of design

Summary of Accomplishments:

1. Worked on poster

2. Worked on paper

3. Final research for final design details

4. Revised PDS

Statement of Team Goals:

1. Complete poster

2. Complete paper

3. Prepare summary for poster session

4. Final presentation and meeting with Prof. Gruben

Project Schedule:

Week 1 (9/7- 9/11): Choose projects and form design teams; choose partners and team roles; contact client and set up client meeting.

Week 2 (9/12- 9/18): Meet with client; discuss PDS with group; begin first design steps with in pairs.

Week 3 (9/19 - 9/25): Background information on project; brainstorming; work on PDS.

Week 4 (9/26 - 10/2): Brainstorming; design ideas; begin working on presentation; PDS.

Week 5 (10/3 - 10/9): Brainstorming; design ideas; begin working on presentation; PDS.

Week 6 (10/15 - 10/16): Work on presentations; PDS.

OCTOBER 19 - MIDSEMESTER PRESENTATIONS

Week 7 (10/17 - 10/23): Break

Week 8 (10/24 - 10/30): Evaluate final designs; further research; contact client.

Week 9 (10/31 - 11/6): Pick final design; contact client.

Week 10 (11/7 – 11/13): Meet with client; research and development.

Week 11 (11/14 – 11/20): Research and development.

Week 12 (11/21 - 11/27): Research and development; begin work on presentation; PDS.

Week 13 (11/28 – 12/4): Research and development; work on presentation and PDS.

Week 14 (12/5 – 12/11):FINAL PRESENTATION

New Developments:

Guidewire:

A combination of two designs was chosen as our final design. It incorporates both the wedge-shaped beads and nitinol tube. The beads provide the desired range of motion and flexibility and the nitinol allows for enhanced steeribility as well as a low coefficient of friction for the beads to rotate.

Paper/ Poster:

Paper is nearly completed. The section discussing our alternative designs is not yet finished, and some more details on the final design are also being completed at this time.

Poster slides are roughly half completed, and the set-up will be laid out as soon as the slides are done.

Difficulties:

None

Activities:

This week:

Kristi (14 hrs)- poster, paper, progress report 12

Erik (5 hrs)- research, poster

Jeremy (3 hr)- research, poster

Nick (3 hrs)- poster

Tom (hrs)-

John (21.0 hrs) – paper work, research

Hart (hrs)-

Brian (13 hrs) – paper/poster graphics, PDS research

Totals to-date :

Kristi: 43.0 hrs

Erik: 27.25 hrs

Jeremy: 32 hrs

Nick: 31.0 hrs

Tom 29.5 hrs

John: 48.75 hrs

Hart: 25.0 hrs

Brian: 36.7 hrs