Tulane University

1
Tulane University Biomedical Engineering
Department Spring Design Show March 7, 2009
Biomedical Engineering students made made their
best showing ever in the BME design show held on
Saturday, March 7, on the Tulane main campus.
These are students who spent their first semester
as freshman off campus evacuated for Hurricane
Katrina. Although the number of teams was down
by half from previous years, the quality of
product showed dedication and excellent
engineering skill.
Teams First Place Winner
C.R.A.F.T.E.E. Second Place Winner Team
Optimus Third Place Winner
Team Green Wave Modern Innovations Scissor Vent
ure Design
2
Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E. Automated Leg Rests for a
Wheelchair First Place Winner
The team designed leg rests lifts for a client
who depends on a wheelchair for mobility. Leg
elevation relieves discomfort from arthritis and
edema. Assistance was required to adjust the
original leg rests due to the location of the
manual controls and physical strength required.
In addition, the client's feet need to reach the
floor to propel along because arthritis in her
shoulders prevent maneuvering the chair with her
arms. The success of the project enables the
client to be more independent in day-to-day
routine by allowing for autonomous control of the
leg rests. The existing design utilizes manual
controls which cause discomfort and limited
mobility. Investigation indicates a large demand
for cost-effective, actuated leg rests. The
current budget is approximately half of the cost
required to add this option to a powered
wheelchair.
Team Members Danielle Gill, Chris Millan, Chris
Rodell, Scott Vermeulen
3
Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E. Leg Lifts for a
Wheelchair First Place Winner
The client's requests constitute two separate
problems (1) Powered elevation of leg rests,
(2) Re-design and automation of calf pad
mounting. Design Goals Minimize noise, ease
of use, retain detachability of leg rests, allow
for a reasonable recharging schedule for battery,
proper range of motion, including correct
elevation and calf-pad position. Solution
Elevation is accomplished with an integrated
linear actuator system. Actuators are mounted
beneath the chair and operate independently by
means of a single control.
Chair with powered elevation leg rests
Remote control
Battery
4
Team C.R.A.F.T.E.E. Leg Lifts for a
Wheelchair First Place Winner
Calf pad automation Rotation of the calf pads
is accomplished using a solenoid operated locking
mechanism. This required re-design of the
mounting bracket and connection of solenoids.
Both the selenoids and actuators are controlled
by an integrated control system. Power is
supplied by a standard uninterruptable power
supply.
Elevated leg rests
Team member with client
Team demonstration
5
Team Optimus Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer
System Second Place Winner
The client is an elementary school
wheelchair-dependent student who needs assistance
using the restroom. Caregivers have difficulty
transferring her from her wheelchair to the
toilet, a physically demanding process that
currently takes 15-20 minutes. Design Solution
Wall-mounted steel track spanning entire width of
restroom, low-resistance trolley with magnetic
brake, mechanical pulley rated at 1000 lbs.,
Hoyer cradle and sling designed for 400 lbs.
Team Members Brooks D. Fowler, Jacques P.
Levet, Jr., Nicole C. Perez, Ashley L. Riden.
Volunteer model on lift.
6
Team Optimus Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer
System Second Place Winner
Design Goals Decrease physical demand on
caregivers have little impact on normal
restroom usage compact design that will fit in
bathroom allow for undressing and cleaning of
client create a comfortable, sturdy device
provide a safe, reliable, and robust device
provide adequate support at all times require
minimal support from single caregiver. Safety
Features Weakest link is the cradle at 400 lb.
Capacity, but statics and mechanics calculations
show system can support weight of client cradle
padding magnetic break rubber stops on track to
keep trolley from running into the wall easily
detachable components to ensure the device is not
operated without proper supervision. Cost
Similar commercial lifts start at 2500 while
this one was assembled for approximately 700
can be made with off-the-shelf-parts can be
modified to wall-mounted or free- standing can
be used by a variety of clients.
Toilet, wheelchair, and hoist
7
Team Optimus Wheelchair to Toilet Transfer
System Second Place Winner
Operating Procedure (1) Position client and
wheelchair next to the toilet and below the
hoist. (2) Lower cradle to allow the caregiver to
position the client in the harness. (3) Raise the
client to clear any obstacles. (4) Roll the
trolley along the beam to position the client
above the toilet. (5) Lower the client onto the
toilet. (6) Raise the client and return her to
the wheelchair. Constraints Ease of use, cost,
hygiene, size of bathroom, future user
adaptability, transfer time

Client assists in hoisting self
Client in harness
Large pulley system
Client positioned on toilet
Client positioned over toilet
8
Team Green Wave Challenge Course
Third Place Winner
The clients are students at Banneker Elementary
School who use walkers and wheelchairs. They
need to practice the necessary skills associated
with using a wheelchair or walker, but are
limited in utilizing typical playgrounds in a
number of ways. Our challenge course will
provide the students with a play area that will
help to develop these skills while at the same
time allowing them to enjoy success. Goals
Develop a safe challenge course specifically
designed for the children's needs create an
atmosphere of recreation and competition among
the students incorporate therapeutic components
for the children to develop necessary muscles and
skills add a recursive element to encourage
repetitive use.
Team Members Christine Dozier, Spencer Hay,
Kristin Lynch, David Martin
9
Team Green Wave Challenge Course
Third Place Winner
Side view of challenge course
Front view
The design is composed of a ramp and a set of
platform stairs leading up to a landing. A
basketball system was modified to return the
balls to a return ramp on the platform. The
dimensions of the structure were chosen based on
ADA regulations. The basketball game acts as
the motivational component of the course. It
encourages the students to go back up the
ramp/stairs in order to release the next set of
balls.
10
Team Green Wave Challenge Course
Third Place Winner
Ball travels through extended net system
Ball is thrown into hoop
Typical playgrounds are not geared for children
in wheelchairs and walkers. This structure is a
cost-effective design that can be installed on
any playground, and enjoyed by all children,
whether or not they utilize wheelchairs or
walkers. Safety Concerns Handrails are
designed to withstand significant lateral,
withdrawal and bearing forces non-slip grips are
installed along the flooring to prevent
accidents railings are sanded to prevent
splinters to prevent children climbing up the
net, it will be rolled up while not in use and a
warning sign will be posted on the course.
Ball drops out of extended net into return ramp.
11
Modern Innovations Desk/chair System
for Children with Arthrogryposis

The client is a third grade student suffering
from arthogryposis, a congenital disorder
characterized by multiple joint contractures,
muscle weakness and fibrosis causing limited
flexion and extension. This has affected the
client's performance in academic tasks, mainly
writing at the speed of other students due to the
lack of resources to accommodate her specific
needs. The goal is an ergonomic desk/chair
system that would improve the client's writing
abilities while providing the physical comfort
needed to complete daily work without becoming
fatigued. The device will also decrease
dependency on teachers and classmates. Design
Criteria A writing surface that is ergonomic,
conducive to writing, and prevents damage to
hand lumbar/thoracic support side bolstering
to provide support as the client angles her body
to write adjustable height to accommodate for
growth swivel and lock mechanism at base of
chair to maneuver to a different place chair
compatibility with other desks/tables available
at school cost effectiveness.
Team Members Majdouline Asher, Joseph Berenblit
, Timothy Hrinak, Joseph Shadduck
12
Modern Innovations Desk/chair System
for Children with Arthrogryposis
Solutions Use of a commercially available
office chair that is compatible for the design
and reasonable in price. Adjustments and
additions that were made include Desk surface,
customized arm rests, thorax and lumbar support,
chair adjustability
Pivot joint
Desk surface is attached to one side of the chair
and can easily fold away to the side for
transport. When fully folded out, it is
positioned over the user's lap. The height of
the desk will provide easy access in and out of
the chair by easily pushing the desk in/out via a
pivot joint. This also addresses the issue of
the client slamming hands onto the desk.
Setting up the design
13
Modern Innovations Desk/chair System
for Children with Arthrogryposis
Customized arm rests match the level of the desk
surface and provides the comfort and support
required. The thorax and lumbar support are
custom made to fit the client's body. It will
provide bolstering on the client's right side to
prevent exhaustion while writing as well as
insuring adequate back support. Chair
adjustability allows the chair bottom to swivel
for transport and lock in place via casters when
not in use. The chair's height is adjustable to
accommodate for the client's growth to provide
compatibility when using other desks/tables than
the one attached.
Writing tray in down position
Tray in writing position
Tray moved aside
14
Team Venture Design Augmentative
Communication Board
The Chartwell Center is a non-profit organization
serving children with autism and autism spectrum
disorders. It offers best-practice training and
support to teachers and professionals in the
Greater New Orleans community. The Center
directly serves children from ages three to
eighteen on an Uptown New Orleans campus. The
team designed a device for the preschool class.
Autism frequently causes sensory processing and
integration problems as well as communication
difficulties. One common assistive technology
solution is a communicator board which typically
has 8 to 64 buttons, each playing a prerecorded
message when pressed. Chartwell requested a
communicator that could be used in the
classroom's play area to allow the students to
communicate their choice of toy.
Team Members Daniel Haber, Lucas Marsh, Kate
Schimmer, Ali Thariani
15
Team Venture Design Augmentative
Communication Board
The client requested a communicator with 6
buttons, each at a minimum size of 5 by 5, an
interface that would catch and hold the student's
attention for the length of interaction with the
board, minimal required activation force with
tolerance for larger forces, a system to prevent
repeated playback of the same message, the
ability to record and store multiple levels of
messages for limited reprogramming, and the
ability to easily replace picture on button.
Communicator boards are available from
companies specializing in assistive technology.
However, these devices generally have buttons
with a maximum size of 2.5 by 2.5, does not
allow replacement of a single picture-- all must
be replaced at once, have no mechanism to prevent
multiple activation of same button. Solution
The design board uses existing device, the
Tech/Talk 6 x 8 BG from AMDi. A custom built
case allows for 5 by 5 buttons as well as
vertical wall mounting. A layer of logic between
team-built buttons and the AMDi board will allow
for the additional features requested.
AMDi communicator
Custom built case with 5 by 5 buttons
16
Team Venture Design Augmentative
Communication Board
Logic circuit
Team design attached to AMDi
The design includes a 24 x 16 case housing six
5 by 5 buttons, the AMDi communicator and the
team's logic circuit. Each button will be
surrounded by 4 bright LEDs indicating the state
of the buttons. The buttons rest on springs and
slide along guides made of PVC which also
function as a stop. PVC stops limit play in
button to 1/4 with minimum of force transmitted
to pushbutton switch. Makrolon sleeves on button
faces allow individual pictures to be replaced
quickly. Corner brackets will allow for
horizontal wall mounting of communicator.
Controls will be located on the top surface of
the communicator. Device Functionality When
turned on, all buttons will be in the on state
with LEDs turned on. When a button is activated,
the logic will turn off the LEDs and play back
the corresponding message on the AMDi board.
Once a button's LEDs go dark, additional presses
will have no effect. A master reset button will
reset the device turning all buttons back to the
on state.
17
Team Scissor Exercise System for Special
Needs Client
The client has osteogenesis imperfecta which
causes brittle bones and stunted growth. She
cannot support her full weight and desires a
device to help exercise her lower body. Design
criteria include an exercise device that is
safely operable, afford variable resistance,
easily transported, durable, operate quietly,
afford comfort, provide feedback on resistance
level.
Team Members Mario Aragon, Alexander Cigan,
Daniel Pardo, Jonathan Garrett (absent)?
18
Team Scissor Exercise System for Special
Needs Client

Side view of exercise device
Front View
Model features include 10 levels of resistance,
collapsible, wheels for easy transport,
lightweight (less than 25 lbs.), durable wooden
frame, designed with custom ergonomics for
client, indexed load settings.
Back view
19
Team Scissor Exercise System for Special
Needs Client

Future Directions An additional feature of the
device is a set of interchangeable lengths of
surgical tubing that serve as a
displacement-dependent load. The client can lay
the device horizontally and work against various
strengths of tubing, set the device to a desired
incline for a constant load, or some combination
thereof. In the coming months, a workout plan
will be devised. In addition to the Operation
Safety Manual, placards enveloped in plastic will
be devised to help walk the client through
various workouts and detail which muscle groups
are being worked.
Inspection of device
Collapsible device
20
People Page
Professor with client
Future college professor
The end until next year!
Discussion
Project viewing