3D Printing Prosthetics

The process of designing prosthetics is both time-consuming and costly, because it's a labor intensive, multi-stepped procedure and also since the different materials used need to be durable and long-lasting. As a result, I chose to focus this week's research on a relatively recent development within this field: 3D printing prosthetics. 

To read my analysis, click here.

Mentor Visit #4

Because I had already given my Original Work speech on February 17th, I spent most of my time this week in ISM studying for tests in other classes and working out the details for my Final Product. As other students were still giving their speeches during class, I was able to organize my portfolio and all the assignments I've done so far this year. Looking through some of my older research assessments, I could clearly see just how much I've grown and learned since then. Even though I've only been in ISM for a few months now, it's very apparent that I've not only become more knowledgeable about biomedical engineering, but I've also increased my self-confidence and comfort in professional settings. One of the greatest things about ISM is the fact that I'm able to witness my fellow classmates learning about their own fields, and it's truly amazing to realize just how diverse our interests are. Also this week, I had another mentor visit with Mr. Wilson at UT Southwestern. During our meeting, we went through and finalized minor details from both my Final Product Proposal and calendar. We're already ahead of schedule, so I'm glad that I'll have plenty of time to make sure that my product is completed to the best of my ability and truly reflects all the information I've learned about prosthetics. This upcoming week, I want to fully update my blog with all the assignments I've completed so far and schedule a phone call with Mr. Wilson to iron out details for after Spring Break.

Looking Ahead

This week in ISM, I gave my Original Work speech, completed all the assignments on the current due date calendar, and started the background research for my Final Product. Because the Original Work speech needed to be between 20-25 minutes, I spent a few hours the night before practicing. Initially, my greatest concern was that I wouldn't be able to meet the time constraints, but as I continued to rehearse my speech, I realized that I knew a lot more about my field than I thought I did. As a result, I was able to expand significantly upon the topics I had included in my slides, so time was no longer the issue. Instead, I chose to focus more on engaging the audience and making sure that they understood the material I was covering. Since most people don't know much about prosthetics, I wanted to make the most of this opportunity to share my knowledge with others. On the day of my speech, I was a little more nervous than I had been for the previous speech, even though I had practiced this speech many more times. Overall, my speech went pretty well, but I have a few areas I want to improve upon before the next speech and Final Presentation Night. Furthermore, because I have finished all the assignments on the due date calendar, I now have more time to focus on the initial steps of my Final Product and relax before Spring Break. This upcoming week, I will have another mentor visit and iron out all the details for my Final Product, so that my mentor and I can start putting things together after Spring Break.

Original Work Speech

This week in ISM, I finished my Original Work report and started planning out my Original Work speech. As I wrapped up my report and drew my final conclusions, I was able to discern several trends within my data, such as the correlation between the type of suspension system incorporated, the overall comfort level for the individual, and the typical usage of the device. From my statistical analysis of the survey responses, I was able to justify and support the hypothesis I had drawn before beginning my report, affirming that above knee users of prosthetics did receive a lower level of functionality and satisfaction from their prosthesis. As a whole, I'm extremely proud of how the finished report turned out, and I believe that I learned a lot of valuable information that will definitely benefit me as I consider my final product. Also this week, I started planning out my Original Work/ Reflections speech, which I'm giving on February 17th. Because this speech is meant to be more of a discussion/ presentation rather than a formal speech, I'm thinking of ways to get the audience engaged and involved throughout the speech to ensure that I keep their attention. This upcoming week, I will revise both my Final Product proposal and calendar to create a finalized version, write another Evidence of Learning, and continue to prepare for my Original Work speech!

Original Work Report

This week in ISM, I had another mentor visit, researched the Exo Prosthetic Leg for my Evidence of Learning, and finished most of my Original Work Report. During my mentor visit, my mentor and I tested out several ideas for Final Product, because prosthetics is such a huge field that encompasses so many other topics within it. As a result, I still haven't been able to pinpoint a specific idea that I can then incorporate into a product that's both interesting and informative. I also learned about another form of suspension that's essentially a variation of the shuttle lock system. It's called a lanyard, and it adheres the socket to the leg through a series of velcro straps. It offers a slightly tighter fit and also minimizes any rotation of the limb within the socket a little more than a regular shuttle lock can. Furthermore, because the cost of prosthetics is one of the biggest detriments to their effectiveness, I researched how 3D printing these devices reduces cost and the time it takes to create each prosthesis. With a machine making each device, the potential for human error significantly decreases as well, so I believe 3D printing could play a major role in this field in the future. I also completed most of my Original Work Report this week, and even though I wasn't able to draw any revolutionary conclusions, I still gathered some great data and was able to reaffirm the hypothesis I created before my statistical analysis. As a whole, I'm proud of how the report turned out, and I'll wrap it up this upcoming week and do some final revisions and edits before turning it in.

Work Week

This week in ISM was mainly focused around individual work time and a self-paced schedule, which allowed me to get started on several long-term assignments and stay ahead of the due date calendar. Because I had a mentor visit last week, I wrote an Evidence of Learning detailing the differences between some of the most commonly used suspension systems for prosthetics. Even though it was initially difficult to understand how each system worked, seeing them in person during the visit really helped me integrate the descriptions I had read with the functions and purposes of each system. For example, I learned that a suction system is more passive than a vacuum, because suction simply pushes air out from the socket through a valve while a vacuum actively pulls air out using either electronic or mechanical means. Also, I had a short phone call meeting with my mentor during the week, and we discussed Final Product ideas some more and spoke about the progress I had made on my Original Work report. I believe we're getting closer to finalizing an idea for Final Product, so then I will be able to write the Product Proposal and create a calendar with deadlines to help my mentor and me plan out the remainder of this year. This upcoming week, I want to finish the majority of my Original Work report and write another Evidence of Learning. 

Suspension Systems

One of the biggest factors in the overall comfort and effectiveness of a prosthesis is the suspension system used to attach the device to a patient. Three of the most commonly used suspension mechanisms are suction, a vacuum, and a shuttle lock, and there are several variations of each of these that can be adapted to better suit a patient's needs. 

To read my analysis, click here.