Developed with the University of Pittsburgh course, BIOENG 1024: Medical Product Design, this solo project sought to develop an improved method of teaching techniques used in bronchoscopy procedures. This prototype addresses needs of portability and variability in a device that teaches dexterity.
Relevant skills: ethnographic research and planning, Solidworks, Corel Draw, laser cutting, resin casting
Bronchoscopy Trainer Prototype: Developing endoscope dexterity
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Based on meetings with professional staff at the Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER) the need for an improved bronchoscopy trainer that allowed students to build their dexterity and endoscope technique while still being portable, economically feasible, having variation and escalating difficulty, and water resistance while still maintaining a degree anatomical accuracy. To do this I developed and implemented an ethnographic research plan--click here to learn more.
The redesigned prototype focuses on portability and variability. It features over 100 cubic inches of storage space to hold a variety of model trachea components that fit within and can be easily transported.
The user can build a variety of paths to follow with the endoscope. There are many combinations of the three different model tracheas with colored clay obstructions and four different end challenges (including a clock face, model carina, field of shapes and a blank template. The user can wayfind through this trachea and end challenge to build dexterity and endoscope navigation technique.
At the end of the four month project span, the final prototype was constructed out of laser cut polystyrene. The model trachea is formed from waterproof, clear PVC tubing with clay obstructions. The end challenges were modeled in Solidworks, printed out of PLA and then resin casted using silicone molding to promote water resistance. This prototype was sent to WISER for further testing.