P14042: UNA-CRUTCH2 Crutches to 1

Final Presentation

Team IntroductionMember RoleAna Allen Industrial and Systems Engineer

Joanna Dzionara-Norsen Mechanical EngineerBeverly Liriano Mechanical Engineer

Dan Sawicki Mechanical EngineerKyra Wilson-Houck Customer (Industrial Design)

Beth DeBartolo (not pictured) Team Guide

AgendaProject Description• Customer Needs• Engineering Specifications

MSD I Review• Design Summary• Testing Results

MSD II Review• Refinement of Project Description• Refined Design• Testing Results

Moving Forward• Design for Manufacturability• Project Evaluation

Project Description

Motivation: •To redesign the standard axilla crutch for users to combine two individual crutches into one and separate the crutches back into two.

Goals: •Ensure user comfort•Conform to safe medical device conditions

Current Situation •The standard axilla crutch is the current normal

•Customer’s prototype was not load bearing

Deliverables •Functional Prototype•Easily manufactured product•Patent Documentation

Problem Statement

Current State

• Standard axilla crutches• A prototype was developed by Kyra, but

the product is non-load bearing and has no effective connective mechanism

Desired State

• A functional product which is ergonomically friendly, has a quick and intuitive method of connection, and can be marketed to companies

Project Goals

• Perform analysis of standard axilla crutches, crutch patents, and assistive technologies used specifically for lower body injuries

Constraints• Consider Intellectual Property for the

connective mechanism

Kyra Wilson-Houck

(customer)

Patients with short-term leg

injuries

Crutch manufacturers

Hospitals Physical therapists MSD team

Research clinics RIT

Stakeholders

Customer Requirements

Engineering Requirements

MSD I REVIEW

MSD I Design Summary

Testing Results

Final Design From MSD I

MSD II REVIEW

Refinement of Project Description

Refined Handle DesignIteration One: Basic shape,destroy rivets to assemble

Iteration Two: Two pieces,design reduces gaps

Iteration Three: Eliminates sharp corners, two pieces,design reduces gaps

Latch Add-on• Option for users who like the original handles• Only one handle is gripped during connected crutch use• More components needed for assembly than handle design• (Iteration Two pictured)

Testing Results

Sliding Button Handle

• Quick connection time• More secure connection• Include magnets?• Users prefer this design

Latch

• Quick connection time• Unsure whether crutches

are connected• Extended handles for

comfort

Engineering Requirements

MOVING FORWARD

Design for Manufacturability• Rapid Tooling Molds vs. Metal Molds• Breakeven point: 10,000 Units

Source: custompart.net

Project Evaluation

Successes Shortfalls

What We’ve Learned

• Always consider bottlenecks when prototyping• Iterations with a focus on user input are necessary• Communication with the customer is important• Constant check on design drivers• Keep the solution as simple as possible• Compromise between aesthetic appeal and

functionality

THANK YOU!• Our customer, Kyra Wilson-Houck• The Simone Center• The participants of our user feedback groups• Nazareth Clinic• The Multidisciplinary Senior Design faculty and staff• Dan Harel and the Industrial Design faculty and staff• Dr. Denis Cormier, Mike Bufflin, Rob Kraynik, Jan Maneti,

and Dave Hathaway, and the Brinkman Lab faculty and staff• Our guide, Dr. Beth DeBartolo

QUESTIONS?For more information visit our website athttp://edge.rit.edu/edge/P14042/public/Home

BACKUP SLIDES

The Current Situation

The Una-Crutch

Additional Project Deliverables

Functional prototype which will be targeted towards the majority of crutch users and

will be available as a household item.

The product will have an aesthetic appeal

and will have the potential to be

manufactured right away.

Patent Documentation• Logbook• Prove the concept

– prototyping• Protection of

Intellectual Property

• Conduction of market research