Eva Charles
Research Mentor(s): Julia Kramer
Mentor Department: Mechanical Engineering
Authors: Eva Charles, Julia Kramer, Dhanu Thiyag
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 52
Abstract
Intravenous administration (IV) is the method of delivering medication or other fluids into the bloodstream through insertion of a needle into a vein. The use of rate-controlled IV equipment is crucial in healthcare settings to provide precise medication dosing and immediate concentration to patients. Rate-controlled IV equipment, such as perfusors and infusion pumps, are less accessible in resource-constricted environments due to high costs of materials and reliance on electricity. A fully mechanical, low-cost IV device prototype was previously developed to be employed in low-resource clinical settings. This study focuses on the iterative refinement of the prototype to enhance its functionality and usability, as well as the development of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application to be employed in Ghana for clinical user-testing. The device is powered by a user-wound power spring, which was refined to include a higher-tolerance axle and spring with increased torque capacity. The rate of medication infusion and duration is controlled by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and regulated by an escapement mechanism. The CVT was enhanced to facilitate improved user-input and adjustability. An improved pendulum weight mechanism connected to the escapement was designed and integrated into the device, facilitating user-input to select desired flow rate. The flow rate range was increased from the original prototype’s 2.9-7.5 ml/hr to 1-10 ml/hr with 1 ml/hr increments. A lead screw is employed to depress the syringe’s plunger, allowing for medication to be released through the needle. The IRB application facilitated the collection of feedback from clinicians and nurses working in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Device usability will be assessed and evaluated through simulated user-testing, and device acceptability will be reviewed through standardized quantitative and qualitative questionnaires. Feedback will be utilized to iteratively refine the device for future clinical implementation.
