1. Right Move, Right Place, Right Time
P14042: Una-Crutch
Right Move, Right Place, Right Time

2. Today’s Agenda Who we are?- Team Introduction
The Current Situation and our Vision
Problem Statement
Stakeholders and Deliverables
Review of Requirements
Draft of Project Plan

3. Who is team P14042? Team Introduction
Member
Role
Beverly Liriano
Mechanical Engineer
Joanna Dzionara-Norsen
Dan Sawicki
Ana Allen
Industrial and Systems Engineer
Kyra Wilson-Houck (not pictured)
Customer (Industrial Design)
Beth DeBartolo (not pictured)
Team Guide

4. The Current Situation Inception in 1945 by A.R. Lofstrand, Jr.
Standard axilla crutches = current normal to patients.
Many designs all revolving around two SEPERATE crutches.
Uncomfortable, clumsy, and just not “cool”.
Ideal for open spaces and long distances, but NOT for smaller/household confined spaces.
When a leg injury occurs, medical axillary crutches are normally issued to the patient and become a very crucial piece to the injured person’s mobility. Crutches were initially created as a walking stick by A.R. Lofstrand, Jr in They are used to help the person move around by placing one crutch under each armpit and are subjected to the force from the person’s weight. Standard axillary crutches are mainly useful for open areas but for smaller and condensed spaces, it is easier to use one crutch. Therefore, it is important that a person can alternate between using one or two crutches. By creating the Una-Crutch, a person’s mobility can always be at its full potential with the capability of combining two individual crutches into one and combining them back together. With a simple locking mechanism, the Una-Crutch can easily be modified all while ensuring the person’s comfort. The device is always in a safe condition, no matter the modification of the crutch that it currently is in. The Una-Crutch will have more uses than a standard crutch as it is comfortable, easy to modify, and safe.

5. This is where we come in, Introducing the Una-Crutch
Imagine a Crutch that can combine from 2 separate pieces into 1 universal device…
In the “right” amount of time…
And be comfortable while in use.
Not to mention, it’s the new “cool”.

6. P14042 Problem Statement Current State Standard axilla crutches
A prototype was developed by Kyra, but the product is non-load bearing and has no effective connective mechanism
Desired State
A functional product which is ergonomically friendly, has a quick and intuitive method of connection, and can be marketed to companies
Project Goals
Perform analysis of standard axilla crutches, crutch patents, and assistive technologies used specifically for lower body injuries
Constraints
Consider Intellectual Property for the connective mechanism
The Una-Crutch is an assistive technology which supports and allows mobility for any user who has a lower body injury.  The device is a two-crutch design which snaps together to form one crutch when needed, thus eliminating the burden of handling an unused crutch.  The standard two-crutch design is not comfortable for the user and does not have any connective mechanism.  A current prototype of the Una-Crutch is not designed with load-bearing capabilities or cheap mass production, and refinement is required in ergonomics, comfort, and the connective mechanism.
The goals of this project are to analyze the current Una-Crutch prototype and identify opportunities to improve the comfort of the design, the adjustability, ease of use, and the production costs, while maintaining the functionality of a standard crutch.  The final result will be a functional prototype which will be manufactured for market production.

7. Additional Project Deliverables
Functional prototype which will be targeted towards the majority of crutch users and will be available as a household item.
The product will have an aesthetic appeal and will have the potential to be manufactured right away.
Patent Documentation
Logbook
Prove the concept – prototyping
Protection of Intellectual Property
Conduction of market research
Consistent, thorough, and chronological logbook notes and documentation
Design with manufacturing process identified
Testing / Analysis with ‘x’ number of people to demonstrate functionality
Exploration in materials
Design drivers: innovative design that is completely new

8. Kyra Wilson-Houck (customer)
P14042 Stakeholders
Kyra Wilson-Houck (customer)
Athletes
Crutch manufacturers
Hospitals
Physical therapists
MSD team
Research clinics
RIT
Mention Target Users

9. P14042 Customer Requirements

10. P14042 Engineering Requirements

11. Design Drivers

12. P14042 House of Quality

13. Action Items for Systems Design Phase (Weeks 4-6)
Benchmarking
Patents
Ergonomics
Other Assistive Devices
Manufacturing Techniques
Interviews
Customer
Nazareth Clinic
Brainstorming
Focus on Design Drivers
Focus on Unique Designs
Functional Decomposition

14. Issue and Corrective Actions
Nazareth Clinic
72 Hour Crutch Trial
Crutch Experience
Focus on function and not be biased by the standard design
Original Design

15. Questions? For more information visit our website at

16. Thank you!