Cadet%20Biszko%20and%20the%20Engineers

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Team Kiss
Cadet Biszko and the Engineers
Team Workr
Team Handicapable
Tulane University Biomedical Engineering Spring
Design Show February 24, 2007
Team Triple Crown
Team esCape
Team Doodle
Team High Life
Team America
Team Asclepius
Team B2S
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First Place Winners Team Asclepius Voice Level
Trainer
Objective An instrument to assist teachers in
helping autistic children control their voice
level during class. Design The initial design
provides visual feedback to the student. A
column of LEDs guides the student to the proper
voice level. A voice activated book light allows
the student to read a book while getting visual
feedback without head movement. The teacher uses
the column to analyze the students voice level
without looking over the childs shoulder to see
the page. Signal conversion The device
converts the audio signal to visual output,
analyzes the volume after it is picked up by a
microphone, removes any background noise, and
lights up the proper set of LEDs. While the
child reads orally, the voice level is picked up
through a Nady SPC-25 condenser Microphone.
Team Members Paul George, Ziev Moses, Will
Glindmeyer, Jonathan Byrd
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First Place Winners Team Asclepius
Voice Level Trainer
The microphone signal attaches to a circuit made
of parts comprised in this order Voltage
follower, rectifier, potentiometer, and an LED
driver. Signal is sent to a rectifier to convert
from AC to DC, allowing only one set of LEDs to
light up for a single voice level. A
potentiometer is put into the circuit to allow
the teachers to adjust the resistance in the
circuit, allowing control of the desired voice
level. This will allow the students to be taught
not only a reading volume voice, but anything
from whispering to shouting. The LEDs are
controlled by a LM3915 LED Driver, which lights
up a certain set of LEDs based upon the decibel
level of the voice.
Feedback Methods The color of the light that is
illuminated on the page will tell the children
their speech volume in relation to the desired
level, with red and blue being above and below
the level, respectively. They will be able to
understand the simple feedback design and adjust
their voice to fit in a desired range. Device
Design The book light is a box with a mirror
that reflects the light of LEDs onto a page. This
allows the light to be spread out and cover the
page.
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First Place Winners Team Asclepius
Voice Level Trainer
The column is a series of LEDs arranged in order
of the voice level, with higher levels being at
the top of the box, and lower ones at the bottom.
The middle level is the ideal speaking range. The
black box, holding the circuit itself, provides
two female inputs, a wire connected to the power
supply to plug into walls, an on/off switch, and
a knob for adjusting the reading level. The
teacher can adjust the range by adjusting a knob
that is set to a 1-5 scale (1 being the lowest).
This will enable the children to learn anything
from whisper to shouting volume. The female
inputs are 25 pin printer cable inputs, allowing
the removal of the book light or the column.
The printer cables were cut in order to access
each individual wire for hook up to LEDs. The
female inputs are connected to the circuit
itself.
Demonstration
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Second Place Winners Team America Communication
Device
Motivation The patient suffered a seizure
resulting in anoxic brain damage in her freshman
year of college. Most of her speech and motor
skills were lost. She currently has a laminated
alphabet sheet where she spells out thoughts by
pointing her index finger to individual letters.
Her lack of communication is due to the fact that
she has no means of easily communicating her
thoughts or needs to others. She is an excellent
speller. She is not constrained to one place,
and takes trips to the zoo and movies. The
communication device had to be portable enough
for home or travel use.
Team Members Sam DeStefano, Jeremy McShane,
Robbie Whitman, Matt Riser
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Second Place Winners Team America Communication
Device
Design Team America designed a computer based
program to help non-verbal patients communicate
their thoughts into action. These thoughts would
otherwise be kept to themselves. The patients
have the risk of eventually become brain dead.
This product is used not only to communicate, but
also to keep the patients brain
functioning. Equipment Compaq Presario Laptop,
Big Keys keyboard, Verbose text-to-speech,
remapped keyboard, infrared joystick mouse,
carrying package Safety Features (1) Rubber is
placed around the laptop and keyboard to prevent
damage if dropped. (2) Carrying package protects
laptop while being transported. (3) Lamination on
the keyboard prevents damage to the keys
Modified keyboard
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Second Place Winners Team America Communication
Device
Goals (1) Develop an easy and efficient
communication device (2) Make the device
portable to allow interaction outside the
household. (3) Make the device usable to create
more brain stimulation.
Client operating the communication device
Computer and keyboard
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Third Place Winners Team High Life Custom
Workstation
The Goal The client is a wheelchair user who
cannot use her right arm and has limited strength
in her left arm. Hurricane Katrina destroyed her
previous office and work station. She is now in
a different location and needs a new workstation
that accommodates her needs and the new office
location. The team designed a workstation that
provides maximum accessibility and ease of use.
Team Members Stephanie K. Fiebrink, David B.
Lipps, David D. Simon, David J. Welch
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Third Place Winners Team High Life Custom
Workstation
Design Criteria (1) Keyboard and mouse
accessible from chair, (2) File cabinet
accessible from the top at an appropriate level,
(3) Location for respirator and its hose The
Design. The workstation was designed in three
sections for easy transport. Table height
enables her to move in under the tabletop where
the keyboard and mouse are located. Adjustable
feet were attached to change the top surface
height if needed. The client wanted a filing
system allowing storage of at least ten file
folders without decreasing of the table top
workspace. Two filing systems were created with a
portion of the tabletop attached to sliders.
This allows for the top to be pushed back to
access files and pulled closed to provide needed
workspace. Metal rods were inserted into the
framework beneath sections of the tabletop to
allow storage of hanging file folders. The
respirator is placed on a shelf beneath one of
the filing systems. The hose of the respirator
is attached to the workstation with nylon clips
to keep from being entangled in the wheelchair.
Workstation
Respirator
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Third Place Winners Team High Life Custom Work
Station
Product demonstration
Client in workstation
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Team B2S Golf Putter
Client The client is a high school teacher who
has commissioned a 9-hole putt-putt golf course
for the use of the schools disabled students.
Problem The client has worked with previous
design teams in the past. His wish is to improve
on the prior designs allowing the putter to make
the swinging motion while the users wheelchair
remain stationary.
Team Members Brandy Alvarez, Selma Hokenek,
Bryan Bell (not pictured)
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Team B2S Golf Putter
Goals The putter is designed to meet the
following criteria (1) Ability to strike the
ball without movement of the wheelchair, (2)
Durability to stand up to years of use, (3) Easy
to use controls, (4) Battery powered, (5) Safe
to use, Solution A motorized cocking
mechanism locks the putter in a ready state. The
user then presses a button which releases the
putter and strikes the ball. The putter is
slowed down at a variable speed. This variable
allows the user to achieve different strengths of
putting dependent on ball location relative to
the putter.
Motorized cocking mechanism
Frontal view of chair and switch
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Team B2S Golf Putter
Design The putter system employs the use of
spring power to give the energy necessary to
strike a golf ball. A motor is used to A motor
is used to set the putter in its cocked position
ready for a golf swing. Relay logic is utilized
to automatically reset the putter after a swing
and to limit the user from discharging the putter
during its cocking phase. A dashpot is used to
slow the putter down and allow the user to putt
variable distances.
View of the design
Switch
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Cadet Biszko and the Engineers School Desk with
Motorized Slantboard
Project goals The client is a kindergarten
student with Arthrogryposis, a genetic condition
causing muscles to atrophy and severely limiting
joint movement. The client uses her mouth to
power her wheelchair and to perform all of her
class activities. To write or draw, she needs
her desk surface tilted towards her.
Team Members Grace Ledet, Beth Doughty, Justin
Cooper, Samy Abdelghani
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Cadet Biszko and the Engineers Workstation
Solution The desk has adjustable legs and a
magnetic motorized slantboard that raises and
lowers at the touch of a button. It also has
cubbies for storage, and a surface to assist the
client with daily schoolwork. The desk surface
is designed to allow the clients wheelchair to
fit between the side storage spaces. The desk
requires little to no maintenance and will follow
the client throughout her elementary school
years. Methods and Materials A linear
actuator with a six inch stroke lifts the hinged
slant board, using 12v DC voltage which draws 3
to 4 amps. It can lift with a force of 110
pounds, can hold a load to 550 pounds in static
equilibrium, and can easily lift a 20 pound
weight on the slant board. The actuator is
controlled by a double pole double throw (DPDT)
toggle switch which has three positions. The
slant board is stationary when the toggle is in
the middle position, moves up when the switch is
thrown in one direction, and down when it is
thrown in the opposite direction. The actuator
has built in limiting switches so that it will
shut off when fully extended or retracted
Desk with motorized slantboard
Control panel for slantboard
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Cadet Biszko and the Engineers Workstation
Biscuit Joints The wooden panels of the desk
are glued together using compressed wood joiners
called biscuits. A semicircular notch is cut
into each of the two panels using a biscuit
cutter. The biscuit expands to make a strong
joint after it is glued between the two panels.
This makes for strong joints without
necessitating unsightly screws and nails in the
desks exterior. .
Underside of desk
Design demonstration
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Team Doodle Pole Transfer Aid
The client A twelve year old girl who has
cerebral palsy has decreased tone and weakness in
the trunk of her body. She also has increased
muscle tone in her arms and legs. She wishes to
reduce caregiver assistance needed in transfers.
A transfer pole will allow her to more easily
transfer herself from one station to the next.
Team Members Cindy Lumby, Dena Wiltz, William
Heim, Karalyn Tellio
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Team Doodle Pole Transfer Aid
Design Goals (1) autonomous movement from one
stationary setting to the next, (2)
Adjustability, (3) Maximum stability
Design setup
Transfer pole
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Team Doodle Pole Transfer Aid
Solution (1) Double ring system that allows
grasping from sitting and standing positions, (2)
Height adjustable rings via removable bolts that
allow adjustments with age, (3) Grips to inhibit
sliding, (4) Flanges to secure system to ceiling
and floor Solution (1) Double ring system that
allows grasping from sitting and standing
positions, (2) Height adjustable rings via
removable bolts that allow adjustments with age,
(3) Grips to inhibit sliding, (4) Flanges to
secure system to ceiling and floor
Double ring system
Model of floor attachment
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Team esCape Remote Control Easel
Background The client, an avid artist has
osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder
causing brittle bones and a limited free range
of motion. She moves via a motorized wheelchair
and paints while lying on her side. She
requests a motorized easel that can support a
maximum canvas size of 36 x 36. The canvas
should move in such a way that she can reach all
areas of the canvas while lying stationary. The
easel needs to move the canvas in four degrees of
motion, the x, y, and z directions with a small
degree of tilt. Also the design needs to be
compact for movement to various locations,
through doors, light enough for an individual to
manipulate, and aesthetically constructed.
Design The design allows the client to control
the mechanical functions with minimal strain.
The remote control will send a signal to a
receiver located on the frame, and then relayed
to a microcontroller system that correctly
activates each motor system.
Team Members Front Cole Johnson, Emily Florine
Back Sara Thorson, Caroline Haas
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Team esCape Remote Control Easel
. Drive System (Forward/Backward) The easel
is mounted on a motorized base which will sit on
four wheels. The front wheels are motorized and
powered by a 12 volt battery. A system of
motorized pulleys controls the horizontal and
lateral movement of the canvas. Two motors
facilitate movement of the canvas, left and
right, up and down, respectively. Mounted slide
rails will guide the movement.
Back view
Top view
Front view
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Team esCape Remote Control Easel
Frame and Structure The portion that holds the
canvas will fold down onto the base. A handle is
attached to allow the entire device to be wheeled
around with a majority of the mass located at the
lower wheeled fulcrum (back wheels).
Folded view
Transport view
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Team Kiss Sensory Training System
Background The client is a 22-month old boy
attending a local daycare center. He is
developmentally behind his age group in speech,
fine motor skills, and mobility. An interactive
sensory tool would aid his fine motor skills,
tactile development and interaction with his
peers. Goals (1) A useful interactive
tactile sensory system to increase mental and
physical awareness, (2) A mobile system
utilizable in different environments, (3) A
project safe for small children, (4) Panels
capable of functioning vertically and
horizontally to maximize usage, (5) A design
entertaining and enjoyable to children while
maintaining the educational value.
Team Members Elliot Hardy, Helen Witt, Sarah
Flanders, Kimberly Bordeaux
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Team Kiss Sensory Training System
Solution The team used an indoor/outdoor
device made of hard plastic that can be fashioned
in a cubic shape or used as individual, flat
panels to extend the life of the project. Snap
WallsR pieces have a sturdy design that allow for
a safe structure and enable easy incorporation of
tactile features. These panels can be taken
apart and used in smaller groups or individually,
so that the sensory system can be utilized in
several areas of the nursery and easily stored.

Project layout
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Team Kiss Sensory Training System
Design The base shapes are Snap WallsR pieces
with a central, circular cutout. A ½ sealed
plywood square is attached to one side of the
shapes with mollybolts to provide a durable
surface for adding the textures. A wide array of
textures were chosen to promote various levels of
tactile awareness. The team allowed the children
to experience these textures to get their input.
From this feedback, the team incorporated the
most well received textures into the system.
Safety (1) A non-slip backing on the plywood
in each panel provides friction against movement
when the panels are used horizontally, (2) The
team recommends that at least two panels remain
connected at all times when used horizontally to
prevent the pieces from being relocated during
play, (3) The team used ½ plywood to allow the
children to walk atop the panels when laid flat.
Horizontal layout
Vertical layout
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Team Handicapable Motorized Rocking chair

Goal The design is a tool that will function as
a calming device for autistic students. The
gliding chair will help the teachers keep the
class organized, effective, and structured. The
chair will remain in a quiet corner of the room
where students will use it as needed without
further distraction to the rest of the
class. Background The Chartwell Center is a
specialized school in New Orleans catering to the
needs of autistic children of all ages. The
teachers expressed a need for a device to calm
overly excited children. This project is
specific to elementary students who often become
over stimulated and are in need of a soothing
device to keep the classroom functional.
Team Members Rachael Dula , Cameron Charbonnet,
Preston Smith Seated Dave Siet
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Team Handicapable Motorized Rocking chair
Solution A motorized gliding chair can be
utilized by all students. The device is designed
to allow the teacher to control the chair easily.
It is also designed to be safe and enjoyable for
all students. Design Scheme The chair was
purchased and a motor was attached to allow
smooth and consistent motion. The teacher can
control the power switch to maintain motion for
optimal relaxation and leisure.
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Back of rocking chair and switch
Front view of design
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Team Handicapable Motorized Rocking chair
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switch
Demonstration
Undercarriage
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Team Workr Mechanical Bull
Motivation A nine year old boy with cerebral
palsy has very weak trunk tone making it
difficult to maintain an upright upper body
position. The hypertonicity of his legs cause
adduction which leads to scissoring while
walking. His lack of body movement might
contribute to digestive problems. Our trunk tone
trainer is an exercise device intended to address
these issues. Design The trainer simulates
the movements of a mechanical bull. Under the
supervision of an adult, the client straddles
the bull. While the device moves in an
unpredictable pattern, it forces the client to
adjust his trunk position to avoid falling. The
device also causes leg abduction throughout the
riding session
Team Members Anna Brahm, Amy Levelle, Nicole
Lehrer, Justin Lipner
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Team Workr Mechanical Bull
Design Features The frame is a 10 long, 6
wide and 8 wide. The bull is a padded PVC pipe
suspended by four ropes which attach the pipe at
its four extreme points. These ropes run through
pulleys and attach to the bottom of the frame.
The bull is narrow enough for the client to
straddle, but sufficiently wide enough to stretch
his legs apart. An assistant pulls the ropes
manually to simulate the motion of a mechanical
bull. Overhead ropes provide an additional option
for the client to support himself and remain on
the bull. The ropes also offer an additional
challenge to exercise his trunk muscles.
Overhead ropes and padded bull
Front view of project
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Team Workr Mechanical Bull
Exercise Benefits (1) Forward tipping exercises
the lower back and medial abdominal muscles, (2)
Lateral rotation exercises external and internal
obliques, (3) Saddle abducts thighs and stretches
the hip flexors and medial thigh muscles Safety
Features (1) Helmet and ground padding, (2)
Appropriate padding and rope hand grips in the
front .
Conclusion The dynamic body motion should
assist with digestion. Experience with the
prototype has shown that proper motion is easily
achieved without motors. It appeals to the
client and his family, which should lead to
frequent use. The system also provides a fun and
useful way for the client to get the exercise and
muscle development that he needs.
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Team Triple Crown Miracle Station
The Design The Miracle Station is a custom desk
for a client who uses a wheelchair. This desk
will allow the client to work from home and
optimize space in his house by granting easy
access to files, a computer and a fax machine as
though he were in an office. The design ensures
stability, maneuverability and comfort.
Team Members Front Jenae Guinn Back Adam
Herder, Brett Weiner
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Team Triple Crown Miracle Station
Desk Dimensions (1) 28 from the floor, (2) 24
deep, (3) Lshaped design 75.5 and 51.5
long CPU Stand dimensions (1) 18 in height
(excluding casters), (2) Top and bottom shelf 16
by 17.25. All dimensions were precisely
optimized for the client and his
home Customizable Features (1) Adjustable and
moveable computer tower, (2) Pencil splash
guard, (3) Mission style design, (4) Colonial
stain, (4) Appalachian white oak, (5)
Pre-drilled for easy electrical outlet and
internet jack access
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Team Triple Crown Miracle Station
Safety Features Along with the clients
aesthetic wishes, his safety was taken into
consideration at several steps of the design
process by modeling the workstation in SolidWorks
using the COSMOSWorks add-in. The sturdiness of
the working surface was analyzed in a static
analysis by simulating a 200-pound person
standing on top of the desk at the weakest point.
Red indicates point of highest deflection
(0.24). The durability of the supporting legs
was analyzed in a buckling analysis to ensure an
adequate foundation. A factor of safety of 5 was
introduced by experimentally determining the
modulus of elasticity for the birch plywood and
then using a number one-fifth that value.
Setting up the design
Surface strength analysis
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