Client:
Victor Haughton
In order for accidental needle sticks from a
suturing device to a surgeon or staff member to be prevented, a disarming or
retracting sterilized suture needle must be developed that allows a reversible
action when placed into the underlying subcutaneous tissue, epidermis, dermis
or other tissue in the body. The device
must encompass all features of sharpness, stiffness, maneuverability, and
size/shape variance as a conventional needle with the added safety of needle
retraction. The goal is to permanently
eliminate the risk of needle puncture and infection to operator during the
procedure.
·
Obtain
a full text copy of Dr. Sidney Sontag’s patent.
·
Continue
collecting information that will aid in selecting a final design.
·
Obtain
signed permission slips for ME shops.
·
Order
materials for prototypes and make construction plans.
·
The
full text copy of Dr. Sontag’s patent is in our possession; however, the source
used did not include images or pictures.
There may not be any more than the one included in the Delphion
abstract, so this will be one of the questions asked of Dr. Sontag this Friday.
·
More
Internet research was done to find materials and ideas for manufacturing a
final needle prototype. MicroGroup,
Inc., is a company that manufactures small-scale tubing of medical grade
stainless steel, and seems like a likely vendor. A catalog was ordered from them over a week ago, but it has not
been received yet.
·
Everyone
has obtained signed ME shop permission slips except Angela, who will have hers
signed on Friday.
·
A
prototyping materials list was started last Friday. It appears that most of the materials needed for making simple
PVC prototypes will be available here in Madison. Transportation may be the only difficulty.
·
An
Ethicon representative responded to the e-mail questions. However, most of his responses were vague,
and only confirmed information that was already known.
·
Hold
teleconference with Dr. Sidney Sontag, owner of U.S. patent no. 5,236,443.
·
Obtain
prototyping materials and prepare to construct prototypes. The goal is to begin prototyping the three
needle designs before Friday’s class period next week.
|
Week |
In-Class |
Outside of Class |
|
10.17.2001 |
MIDSEMESTER |
Work
on design concepts and presentation |
|
10.24.2001 |
Select
final design concept |
Begin
developing final design |
|
10.31.2001 |
Discuss
final design, make prototype plans |
Document
design |
|
11.07.2001 |
Ethics
discussion, work on final design |
Obtain
prototype materials |
|
11.14.2001 |
Prototype/design
work, assign individual tasks for over break |
Begin
constructing prototype |
|
11.21.2001 |
THANKSGIVING BREAK |
Research/
work individually |
|
11.28.2001 |
Plan
final presentation, finish prototype |
Complete
& test protype |
|
12.05.2001 |
Discuss
test results, complete presentation |
Practice
final presentation |
|
12.12.2001 |
FINAL PRESENTATIONS |
|
|
17-21
Dec. |
--- |
MEET
WITH ADVISORS |
As mentioned last week, we still
haven’t been able to connect with Kelly Stevens to get the liver biopsy needle
drawings.
10.31.2001 Elizabeth- Update website. 0.25 hr
11.01.2001 Elizabeth- Send Appendix 6 in Word
format to Dr. Sidney Sontag. 0.25 hr
11.02.2001 Class time- Elizabeth & Briar-
Discuss mid-semester report. 2.00 hr
11.03.2001 Briar- Internet research. 1.00 hr
11.04.2001 Angela- Send needle manufacturing
questions to Ethicon. 0.25 hr
11.06.2001 Elizabeth- Talk to polymers prof.
about plastics for prototype. 0.25 hr
11.07.2001 Angela- Get full patent text from
Wendt library. 0.25
hr
11.07.2001 Angela- Write progress report. 0.50
hr