Medflight Helmet Design Patrick Schenk, Ben Roedl, Brett Mulawka, Joe Long, Mike Oldenburg Client: Dr. Michael Abernethy Advisor: Professor Willis Tompkins

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Overview  Problem Statement  Existing Helicopter Helmets and Communications  Client Requirements  New Designs  Future Work

Problem Statement  Our goal is to create a more practical helmet for a med- flight physician. Our client’s main concern is that the helmet is lighter and more comfortable than the current, military grade, helmet. Our design platform is based off of a bike helmet with med flight communications gear attached. The communications gear has to be attached in such a way that the microphone is positioned very close to the lips of the physician and the headphones block most of the extraneous noise of the helicopter. A final feature is an attachable light that can be used hands free in the helicopter.

What is Medflight???  Have provided emergency care and transport for victims of crashes and disasters for over 20 years  A specially trained team of physicians, nurses, pilots, and dispatchers  Work in a 225 mile radius of Madison  Have three rotating helicopters available at all times  Can be in the air within minutes of receiving words of an accident  Carry in flight emergency equipment such as: ventilator, blood pressure and heart monitors, IV equipment, defibrillators and pacemaker equipment, emergency medicine and drugs.

Existing Helmets and Communications Gear An example of a military grade helicopter helmet

US Navy Helicopter Helmet  Early helmet  Example of a situation in which maximum protection is needed. Very bulky Very bulky  Primary concern is protection.

Client Requirements  Ability to protect head in minor turbulence and from other head strikes Client is interested in an adapted bike helmet Client is interested in an adapted bike helmet  Needs to isolate from outside noise  Must have adjustable mic boom  Must have a chin strap  Optional Additions  1.Hands free light source  2. Camera Mount

New Designs  Ultra Light  Two Piece Compatible  Merged Bike Helmet

Ultra light  Designed for light weight  Utilizes a skateboard helmet  Noise Canceling ear buds hang from interior of helmet

Noise Canceling Ear Buds  Small, lightweight  Price range: $60 - $175  Earphone contains a microphone that monitors outside noise and produces an opposite “antinoise” to cancel ambient noise  sound waves are calibrated to line up in a phase out of configuration which exactly cancels out the external noise as they collide

Advantages and Disadvantages of The Ultra Light Design  Advantages Extremely light because of ear bud headphones Extremely light because of ear bud headphones Noise canceling technology Noise canceling technology Comfort Comfort Headphones fit inside earHeadphones fit inside ear  Disadvantages Mic boom attachment Mic boom attachment Have to electronically merge headphones and mic to fit communications gear Have to electronically merge headphones and mic to fit communications gear Cost Cost Noise canceling headphones, mic and boom will have to be purchased seperatelyNoise canceling headphones, mic and boom will have to be purchased seperately

Two Piece Compatible  User wears headset and fits helmet directly over the headset via the elevated ridge  Piece 1: altered skateboarding helmet Contains elevated ridge extending from ear hole to ear hole Contains elevated ridge extending from ear hole to ear hole  Piece 2: the existing communications headset

Advantages of The Two Piece Compatible  Separable helmet and communications gear Allows removal of helmet if it interferes with motion Allows removal of helmet if it interferes with motion  Easy transition for new communication gear  Smaller design than present helmet  Inexpensive

Disadvantages of The Two Piece Compatible  Helmet becomes an option Not required to wear one Not required to wear one  Bulky headset for communication gear  Could jeopardize the quality of the helmet safety

Merged Bike Helmet  The merged bike helmet design consists of combining a bike helmet with an existing communications headset

Advantages and Disadvantages of The Merged Bike Helmet Design  Advantages Uses existing communications gear Uses existing communications gear More cost effective More cost effective Comfort Comfort  Disadvantages Continued use of bulky headphones Continued use of bulky headphones Lack of headphone adjustment to conform to head Lack of headphone adjustment to conform to head

Additional Information  Possible attachments for light and camera Velcro Velcro Molded plastic clip-in device Molded plastic clip-in device Mic-Light Mic-Light Existing light that attaches directly to boom microphoneExisting light that attaches directly to boom microphone

Future Work  Meet with client to discuss designs and other possible design options  Discuss designs as a team  Choose a design  Create prototype

References  Mike Abernethy UW Medflight Flight Physician UW Medflight Flight Physician  Oregon Aero Dan Baxter Dan Baxter Communications Modifications SpecialistCommunications Modifications Specialist  Sporty’s Pilot Shop