StretchPRO

Kevin Ritchey (LTU), Norah Hammad (LTU), Brendan O’Neil (UDM), Arafat Abdulmalek (UDM), David Duron (UDM), Ashley Gwiazdon

(UDM), Austin Carlisle (UDM)

Client Information

- 46 year old male involved in motorcycle accident 23 years ago

- Partial spinal cord injury → Brown Sequard Syndrome → Spasticity

- Requires two people to separate legs

- Cane or wheelchair

Current Treatment Options

- Leg separator machines- Expensive- Heavy- Won’t fit between patient’s legs

- Leg separator pillows- Will not fit between legs- Do not keep legs straight

- Muscle relaxers- Patient has tried them without success

- Physical therapy

Market Analysis

- Costs of treatment- Leg stretch machine = $175 - $350- Pillows = $20 - $50

- Medications- $120 -$2500/year

- Spasticity affects more than an estimated 12 million people worldwide

- 80% of people with CP experience spasticity

- 400,000/500,00 in U.S.- 80% of people with MS experience

spasticity- 320,000/400,000 in U.S.

Need Statement and Strategic Focus

Need Statement: Patients who suffer from spasticity in their legs and groin need to be able to stretch and separate their legs without assistance, in a safe and effective manner.

Strategic Focus: Create a convenient and cost-efficient device that will allow our client to accomplish tasks he is currently unable to do. We are interested in solutions that will increase the patient’s mobility and/or decrease his pain level.

Design Process

- Started with 3 ideas- Independence- Able to fit between legs, ease of

manufacturing, safety- Crank design provides

independence in a novel way with more control

Design ConceptsUnstretched View Top ViewStretched View

Scissor jack Locking leg braces

Lift off hinges

Crank

- Novelty comes from use of scissor jack and detachable leg braces

- Deliverables: 3-piece device and instruction manual

Design Concept

- Patient straps on leg braces- Attaches separator via lift off hinges- Patient turns crank wheel slowly

Bevel gear assembly LIft-off hinge

Methods

- Determine separation force- Static analysis of system- Manufacture using off-the-shelf

and custom fabricated components

- Design Validation- Post-IRB client test

Budget- Funding from UDM : 1000$

- Current total (minus manufacturing): $269

-

Item Cost Reasons

Ram Scissor Jack $25 - Lightweight- 2500 lbs capacity- 18-¾” lift

Ossur Knee Immobilizers

$54/each = $108 - Fully adjustable- Provides immobilization in extended position

6061 Al Plates $60/each = $120 - Most widely used Al- 35,000 psi yield strength- Better corrosion resistance and weldability than Al 2024 and 7075

Lift-off Hinges $8/ea = $16 - 270 degree ROM- Full surface mounting- 88 lb load capacity- 304 stainless

TimelineTask Time

Client update Week of 12/26

IRB, testing, static analysis, acquire materials

Month of January

Complete first prototype Week of 2/13

Testing and modifications Remainder of February

Build 2, client testing, and modification Month of March

Final build and presentation prep Month of April

Deliver product to client First week in May

- Weekly meetings with

whole team- Weekly

meetings with advisor

Team Structure

LTU Students UDM Engineers UDM Nurses All

Biomechanics - Kevin

Device mechanics Anatomy Design ideas

Ergonomics - Norah

Manufacturing Patient monitoring

Crank design - Both

Jack/plate/leg interfaces

Brace design/selection

Impact & Bigger Picture

- We take the ability to separate our legs for granted- Patient has been unable to do so for nearly half of his life- Increase mobility

- Device can have applications beyond our client’s needs- Fitness, martial arts- Other patients with spasticity- IP

References

1. @medchrome. "Brown-Sequard Syndrome - Anatomical Basis | Epomedicine." Epomedicine. N.p., 25 July 2016. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.

2. "Brown-Séquard Syndrome." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.3. 3. IngeborgK. "Bend Sheet Metal." WikiHow. N.p., 09 Dec. 2016. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.4. "Lift-Off Hinge, Natural, 2 X 1-11/16 In." Battalion Lift-Off Hinge, Natural, 2 X 1-11/16 In. 3HUF8 | Zoro.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09

Dec. 2016.5. "McMaster-Carr." McMaster-Carr. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.6. "Ossur Universal 3-Panel Knee Immobilizer." Ossur 3-Panel Immobilizer | The Brace Shop. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2016.7. "Ram Scissor Stabilizer Jack - 18-3/4" Travel - 2,500 Lbs - Qty 1 Etrailer Camper Jack TJSC-24." Etrailer.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

09 Dec. 2016.8. Saulino, Michael. "Economic Impact of Spasticity and Its Treatment." Spasticity: Diagnosis and Management. 2nd ed. N.p.:

Demos Medical, 2016. 479. Print.