Product Progress Report

This week in ISM, I wrote an Evidence of Learning, had a phone call meeting with my mentor, and completed a Product Progress report. During my phone call meeting with Mr. Wilson, we discussed the estimated costs of a shuttle lock system vs. an electronic vacuum and the role of insurance in helping patients cover these costs. I realized that a complete prosthesis with a vacuum is approximately three times more expensive than a temporary one with a shuttle lock, and this difference is most likely due to the amount of technology in a vacuum that supports a higher activity level for the patient. A complete prosthesis includes the prosthetic leg, any adjustments that are made, and all patient visits under that single device, so the price seems much more reasonable for a final vacuum because these legs can typically last about five years before they need replacement. Also, some patients are able to use the same socket when transitioning from a temporary prosthesis to their final device, so this will significantly decrease the overall cost. In my Product Progress report, I described everything I have accomplished so far in regards to my Final Product and what else I have left to complete before Final Presentation Night. As of right now, my mentor and I are ahead of the deadlines on my Final Product Calendar, so I can spend more time testing out various combinations before I choose the best version for my finished product. I'm planning on fully finishing both prosthetic legs by May 8th, which will ensure that I have enough time to account for any potential setbacks while I'm building my Final Product and focus on other aspects of Final Presentation Night as well. This upcoming week, I have scheduled another phone call with my mentor, and I will draft out the information for my FPN program brochure.

Information about FPN

This week in ISM, we discussed the different components of Final Presentation Night and a general to-do list before the actual event. So far, I've been focusing exclusively on developing my Final Product and updating my portfolio every few weeks, but there are several other tasks I need to complete as well, such as creating invitations and door signs, making a program brochure, coming up with a guest list, choosing a classroom, and starting to draft my 30-35 minute speech outlining my ISM experience and Final Product. Even though FPN is still two months away, I know that time will fly by, so staying organized and ahead of schedule will definitely ensure that I'm fully prepared by May 20th. I also had a mentor visit this week, and during this visit, Mr. Wilson and I pulled a clear test socket for my Final Product and decided on the majority of the patient's characteristics. Because we are going to be building two separate prosthetic legs for this individual, we talked about why we chose the specific suspension systems and what reasons could justify different design elements of the prosthesis in regards to the patient. Pulling the test socket was really interesting, and I was surprised by how quickly the plastic cooled and molded to the plaster model. I was also able to see how small changes could be made later to the socket by heating a small section of the plastic and pushing on it to reduce pressure on specific areas of the patient's leg. This upcoming week, I will write another Evidence of Learning and read through notes my mentor sent to me about types of suspension systems for specific patient types.

Choosing a Patient

This week in ISM, I had a phone call meeting with my mentor, updated my blog, and discussed my Original Work with classmates. During our phone call, mentor and I revised our previous idea of designing two prosthetic legs: one for an above the knee patient and another for a below the knee patient. Because an above knee device is significantly different from a below knee, building this product would essentially mean that I'll have to create two patients, instead of one. As a result, the purpose behind having an above knee and below knee device would be lost, because each prosthesis wouldn't be fundamentally identical, despite the use of the same suspension system. And since I was initially trying to compare a single suspension system within the category of type of prosthesis, I would no longer be able to draw as strong of a conclusion at the end. Therefore, my mentor and I decided to create a single patient with specific characteristics and then design two prosthetic legs for that individual: one immediately following surgery and another approximately a year later, when the leg has stabilized and is no longer rapidly losing muscle mass. I think this idea will allow me to not only incorporate different suspension systems but also practice a realistic approach to treating a patient. Furthermore, I will choose this patient by looking through several links my mentor sent me describing actual patient experiences, so I can either base the patient for whom I'm designing this prosthesis off a real individual or through compiling various characteristics from several people. This upcoming week, I have scheduled a mentor visit, so I plan on finalizing the details for my patient and pulling the sockets for my final product.

Mentor Visit #3

During my third mentor visit with Mr. Wilson, we tested out several ideas for my Final Product and discussed the socket making process. The previous week, we had scheduled a phone call, and through this phone call, my mentor and I brainstormed several different options and types of products. Therefore, we were able to determine the feasibility of each idea and also had the ability to determine what materials, parts, and tools were available to us at UT Southwestern, so that we would be able to understand how realistic each option was.

To read my analysis, click here.

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.