Week 2: Deliverable 3 (9/18/2017 - 9/24/2017)

The following task were able to be accomplished this week:

• Deliverable 3

The team gathered on Thursday to work on completing the deliverable 3 task for this week

• Brainstorming

The team got together on Tuesday to work on brainstorming concepts to aid circulation while sitting

• Meeting with wheelchair user

On Friday, the team met with a wheelchair user to get feedback and ideas on the pressure ulcer prevention device

1. Cushion he used lasted for three years
2. If we plan on creating a compress and decompress type device, we must keep in mind not to fully decompress the cushion to avoid contact from the patient to the hard surface of the wheelchair.
3. Powered wheelchair seems inconvenient since there is a significant difference to lightweight wheelchair which allows the user more mobility
4. Some spring system added to the wheelchair may reduce the risk of injury caused by the bumpiness
5. Back of wheelchair may also need special cushion instead of regular cushion with just foam material
6. Armrest could increase surface area. Could be a lightweight component that can easily be added or removed to the wheelchair.

• Research

The team did research on the ratio and comparison of manual and powered wheelchairs used, and it was found that in stroke patients, At discharge, 40 people (40%) were using manual wheelchairs, 1 person (1%) was using a powered wheelchair, and 59 (59%) were not using a wheelchair.

Week 1: Deliverable 1 (9/11/2017 - 9/17/2017)

The goal this week for the Flow Riders team was accomplished as follows:

  - Interview with the client to ask the specifications and expectations of what is needed to design and establish a device for wheelchairs that offer different methods of prevention for pressure ulcers on individuals who use wheelchairs.

 - The team performed research on the background of the leading causes of pressure ulcers on various parts of the body due to sitting in a wheelchair or bed for extended periods of time.

o   Pressure

o   Friction

o   Shear

o   Temperature

o   Lack of blood flow

   - Furthermore, research was also done on the current technologies available that exist that aid in the prevention of prevention of pressure ulcers.

o   Passive support: cheaper than active support. Materials that conform to the body, reducing pressure by increasing the contact surface area. Materials include foam and sheepskin, as well as gel, fiber, air, water, and bead-filled cushioning.

o   Active support: measurable pressure, circulation, and climate-regulating advantages over passive supports.

    - The team created a FRDPARRC table to establish different functional requirements of the assistive device and the design parameters, analysis, references, risks, and countermeasures to those functional requirements

Brainstorming