ATDF Project (A resolution to Bedsores)

Team Members Anthony Spencer Senior at BMHS Antonia Gruning Senior at TMHS Ali Welch Junior at CHS

Requirements/Constraints Safety (Must have NO sharp edges) Construction time (3 months) Battery that can be rechargeable and long lasting (approx 12 hours). Cost (only have $150) Durability and Efficiency. Clean-looking and presentable Must be easy to control Size Weight Must keep the spine strait at all times

Client Our client’s name is Mrs. Gibbs. Mrs. Gibbs awhile back went into a surgery to get her stomach stapled. When she came out, she was paralyzed from the waist down. The main problem Mrs. Gibbs faces and has faced is bedsores. Statement of Need: Our client needs her wheelchair to prevent bedsores instead of causing them.

Pressure Sores Areas of dead tissue caused by the irritation of pressure on concentrated points of the skin. The tissue dies because of a lack of circulation. Bedsores develop quickly and are hard to remedy once they begin. In the case of wheelchairs, they are most likely to develop anywhere that comes in frequent contact with the chair such as the tailbone, buttocks, shoulder blades, spine, or the backs of arms or legs.

On the Market The closest product to preventing pressure sores caused by wheelchairs are the type of products made for massage chairs. None specifically for curing pressure sores. None have been made readily for the wheelchair, and it is hard to find one that can fit. Many do not have batteries, thus eliminating the movement done by a wheelchair. Another product that could be used, is a gel pad seat made for wheelchairs.

The Magnetic Ball Plan The idea behind this design is to increase blood circulation in our client as she is sitting in her wheelchair. There would be metal balls under the gel pad, with electromagnetic walls on either side. We are going to shift the North and South poles, causing the metal balls to move back and forth underneath the gel pad. This will then stimulate blood circulation, and stop the blood veins from being blocked up. Parts needed And Prices Electro magnet Gel pad Metal Balls Frame for Magnets Total Price: $90 each $360 total $104 $12 $5 $481

Magnetic Ball Plan Pros and Cons Pros Cons Will increase circulation. Would be quite. Electro magnets needed to move the balls under a person would need to run on AC power. Thus we can’t use batteries. Strong magnets are expensive. Size, each magnet is 3 in. wide.

Gel Pad This design is essentially a massage pad for a chair covered by a gel pad layer to relieve pressure. The movement of the massage pad would stimulate circulation, preventing the sores from forming. Would need a linear actuator strong enough to adjust the weight of our client.

Gel Pad Pros and Cons Pros Gel Pad creates comfort, and spine secure placement Cons The Gel Pad is similar to other products on the market. The massage pad needs to run on AC power not DC, meaning we can’t use batteries.

Popcorn Machine Another method was based off the idea of a popcorn machine. The purpose of this method, was to alleviate different pressure points, in a random order. The randomness would eliminate the problem of consistent pressure.

Popcorn Machine (cont.) Four linear actuators will push the client up every thirty minutes. The linear actuators would create a popcorn like effect. Thus switching the pressure points constantly.

Pros and Cons PROS Popcorn machine creates random pressure relief The linear actuators only require 12 volts. CONS The expense is the only really problem, but we will be able to get a lot donated.

Final Design We are going to use the popcorn machine idea. There will also be a vibrating back.

Flow Chart Power is on It has been 30 minutes, switch positions. Vibrations is on, vibrate

Parts List - Lithium Battery - Gel Pad (bike) - Massage Seat - Resistors - Transformers - Relays - Touch Sensors - Wheelchair - Linear Actuators Order Form: Touch Sensors (switches) 3 Massage Pad Timer