Sarah Kolpin Kevin Wright Hani Bou Reslan

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Whale Blood Sampling Technique

• Sarah KolpinKevin WrightHani Bou Reslan

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Overview

• Problem statement
• Background information
• Design objectives criteria
• Product design specifications
• Product design
• Design alternative
• Conclusion future plans

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Problem Statement
Currently there is no device that allows field
researchers to extract blood samples from
free-ranging large cetaceans. Developing a tool
where blood can safely be taken from whales in
the wild would mark a breakthrough in current
technology and allow for subsequent studies to
focus on critical physiological indices necessary
for maintaining the general health of cetacean
populations.
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Background Information

• Obtaining blood
• Humpback whale anatomy

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Similar Field Work

• Biopsy darting

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Objectives Criteria

• Capable of extracting 1 cc of blood
• Capable of penetrating 4 inches of skin
• Capable to be shot from crossbow
• Extracted blood should not mix with sea water

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Objectives Criteria

• Cheap to produce
• Should not harm whale
• Easy to retract
• Light weight

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Key PDS

• Shape cylindrical
• Size at most 12 inches
• Safety releases after extracting blood
• Accuracy hits vein (or artery) in tail fluke

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Product Design

• 8 inch needle
• Stopper
• Outer Cylinder
• Fins for stability

5. Penetrable material 6. Vacuum cylinder 7. Site
for retracting
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Design Alternative

1. Penetrable material
2. 10 inch needle

3. Cylinder 4. Vacuum
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Design Alternative (Cont.)

1. Pressure sensitive chemicals
2. Expandable balloon

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Design Alternative (Cont.)
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Design Alternative (Cont.)
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Conclusion

• The proposed design takes the key product
  design specifications into consideration, and
  fulfills needs of our client.

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Future Plans

• Build an operational prototype
• Design dart for use with smaller crossbow
• Test prototype