Project One: GI Joe - The Endoscopy Unit
Introduction to the Gastrointestinal Tract
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a main component in the digestive system that is found in almost every single animal. this part of the digestive system is called the alimentary canal and consists of several organs including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. The digestive system also refers to additional organs that aid in digestion such as the liver and pancreas.
The alimentary canal is the main course that any ingested food will take upon entering the body. Throughout this long tube-like pathway, nutrients will be absorbed from the food we eat and be stored for later use. Water will also be absorbed in this canal.
The digestive system is the target of many diseases that range in severity. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a group of diseases that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. There are two main types: ulcerative colitis, which primarily affects the large intestine and rectum, and Crohn's disease which most often affects the ileum of the small intestine but can impact anywhere along the digestive tract.
The digestive system is also susceptible, like other parts of the human body, to cancer, or a malicious growth of cells. Colon cancer is typically found in the large intestine and usually, symptoms do not appear until later stages. It is treated using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and potentially resection or removal of the colon. Stomach cancer, like colon cancer, is not usually detected until later stages. In Canada, about 25% of people diagnosed with stomach cancer will survive more than five years. this statistic includes the combined average 5-year survival of people diagnosed at all stages.
Project One Objectives
Zuri has a colostomy and uses a two-piece system which includes a drainable ostomy pouch and a convex Flextend skin barrier. the skin barrier has an integrated floating flange that includes a plastic ring that the pouch connects to, which creates an audible "snap", thus providing a secure connection. Zuri is physically active and goes for a daily run, and his job requires frequent twisting of the abdomen and bending over. Unfortunately, it is during these types of activities that Zuri experiences frequent failure of the snap-in coupling between the flange and the pouch. With regular use, including a frequent need to adjust bag positioning, Zuri has found that the coupling loses its secure connection (i.e. failing to "snap-in" properly). This has resulted in his ostomy pouch falling off on a number of occasions especially during the activities described above.
Zuri has experimented with ostomy belts that are meant to offer improved support. it has been his experience that these belts are only comfortable for a short duration, and he finds them to get in the way and to be distracting over longer periods of time (e.g., more than an hour).
The project requires that your team:
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Translate the assigned problem into a set of objectives and constraints
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Your team is required to gather and document information pertaining to the assigned problem
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Your team is required to list attributes and behaviors that a design solution should have or exhibit
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Your team is required to list restrictions on the design solutions behaviors or attributes
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Design a solution for management of medical device
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Your team is required to generate several concept solutions for your design problem
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Your team is required to develop detailed sketches and schematics that clearly describe both form and function of one proposed concept
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Your team is required to conceptualize a prototype of your design
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Your team is required to clearly describe how your design will interact with the existing medical device, and what modifications to the existing medical device are necessary for implementation
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Justify consideration of your design solution for further development
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Your team is required to justify how the form and function of your design addresses your assigned design challenge
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Your team is required to justify the proposed materials, means of fabrication, and (if applicable), assembly
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Your team is required to justify any device/user interactions or device modifications
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