September Update 2019
After spending the summer researching on Cystic Fibrosis and various Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) devices/physical therapies, the team reconvened in August to discuss their findings with each other as well as update their project adviser on their current progress. The next step in the project process was to work on a list of requirements and specifications which will satisfy their intended device design.
October Update 2019
In October, the team was able to polish our specifications and requirements for our device to ensure it met our problem statement. Through design matrices and increased research, design inputs were created to hit all components to mitigate the difficulties of Cystic Fibrosis. The project advisor was updated to gain feedback on which parts to improve for the device. The next step for the project will be to fix minor issues in what the device will actually accomplish, as well as figuring out the mechanism of action on breaking down the mucus. The team has also made up the Gantt chart to keep ourselves in check.
Interim Design Progress
Initially, the team had trouble with determining the correct and ideal design inputs for the CF – POD device. With help from peers and the professors in the Biomedical Engineering department, the team feels confident in their design inputs. Along with the inputs, the team has also thought of design solutions as well as verification and validation activities for the design inputs. There is still a lot to be done but the progress of the project shows that the team has been working hard and have come a long way since the beginning.
November Update 2019
We are into the last month of our first semester. The team is finalizing the design inputs requirements and specifications while working on the verification and validation. We are off into the design phase. We have our solid works models and we presented our project to the department. After receiving much feedback, the team has concluded this semester with a good amount of work done but much more to be done too. But we will push through. Wish us luck for finals!
Winter Break Goals 2019
The team will be working through the winter break. The team will be sorting out the design interface, mainly the mouthpiece, filtering pad and the current draw of the required device along with sourcing various material properties suited to the requirements listed. The main area to work on will be the electrical components of the device with the motor and the battery. As we look at intellectual patent devices, we will be figuring out our vibration mechanism and the production of positive pressure waves. By Jan 2020, the team aims to have a budget ready for the dean’s approval along with an order list with the relevant materials required for the device. We will also be doing our IRB protocol for approval, that will help us with our validation of our design inputs. Due to the valuable inputs that we receive during our presentation, we will also look into having anatomical diagrams of the bronchi to show how the device functions and how it creates the positive pressure waves to loosen the mucus.
January Update 2020
We are back with plenty of research on our backs and ready to start this new semester! We are understood more of our design requirements and our we decided to revamp our design inputs to be more detailed and specific. We are working in a tight timeline so stay tuned and let’s get the ball rolling! Solidworks pictures to be posted along with our material purchasing!
February Update 2020
We have done our 1st draft of our solidworks drawing! Check them out!
Much works to be done but this is a start. We have also done our budget calculations and requested for the purchase of material. Let’s hope it arrive on time to start constructing the device. We are very excited to see our device coming into shape.
March Update 2020
COVID-19 has struck the shore of East Coast of USA! School is closed currently but we are still working not he project. Submission of our 3D models are done and we are awaiting for it to be 3D printed! Our motor has arrived and we are putting the codes into the Arduino to test for the verification and validation.
March MidUpdate 2020
School has announced the closure for the rest of the term and we will not be heading back to school. We are disappointed and devastated about the situation and our final year as seniors but this will not stop us from finishing the project! As we might not be able to test our device, we are still able to model the simulation through Matlab. We will be modelling the effects of pressure wave generated from the device into a small section of the lungs.
April Update 2020
We have managed to model the simulated pressure wave through Matlab. The results are astounding. It has shown that our device will help patients loosen the mucus through the oscillatory pressure wave generated from our device. TCNJ BME department has announced that we will not be graded on the construction of our device but rather the report that will be written by us. As we move to virtual classrooms and virtual simulation, we are constantly updating and reporting our progress for our project. We are grateful at this time for all the essential workers that are still working hard. Please stay safe everyone and wash your hands!
May Update 2020
We have submitted our first draft of our papers and we have received enormous feedback from our advisor, Dr Anthony Lau. Feedback for the paper is positive and we are working to finish up the documentations and the guidelines required. As we embark on the last 2 weeks of our undergrad career, we will do our best and finish off strong in the midst of this pandemic.
Final May Update Post ( May 22 2020)
This sums up the end of our time at TCNJ and our undergrad career as a biomedical engineer. Despite the challenges we have faced this semester along with the pandemic that swept everyone off their work routine. We are grateful for everyone who has contributed to this project. CF-POD( CF-MED) would like to extend their utmost sincere appreciation for Dr Anthony Lau for his dedication and time spend guiding us on this project. Dr Christopher Wagner for his inputs and time spent looking through our specs and requirements making sure they are attainable and reasonable. Dr Constance Hall for her speciality in biofluids that helped us understand the rheology of mucus more. Dr Brett BuSha for physiological modelling class and helping us with the Matlab modelling of the pressure wave. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us out in one way or another.
As the current pandemic continue to swept through our country, we hope that everyone stays safe and be well. Congratulation to all seniors who have graduated from TCNJ or around the world. Go Lions! Till then, have a great summer!