2024 COES Design and Research Conference

Environmental Health Risk Mitigation System for Electrical and Telecommunications Workers

Team Members: Austin Broussard, Carter Ledbetter, Nicholas Levet, Alexia Romero

Sponsor: Dr. Randy Aldret/Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Advisor: Dr. Bryant Hollins

For this project, we aim to create a device that can monitor the health status of workers to prevent injuries that cause this occupation to be so hazardous. The designed solution externally collects the workers’ core temperature and heart rate to prevent exertion-related injuries. Electrical and telecommunication maintenance positions are considered one of the top 10 most dangerous occupations in the US. The team interviewed a worker who described the 12–16-hour days he would work when major outages occurred. We researched to discover two core temperature equations that utilize ambient temperature, skin temperature, and heart rate. The device uses a temperature sensor embedded into a strap attached to the thorax to record the skin temperature. Another temperature sensor is secured on the exterior side of the dorsal controller unit to record ambient temperature. Finally, a photoplethysmography sensor is attached to the earlobe to record the heart rate. This device connects to a Bluetooth touchpad display that indicates the core temperature and heart rate. The device will vibrate the chest unit when the core temperature reaches dangerous levels. This device will allow a safer future for powerline workers as they restore power and connection around the globe.

OsteoX: A Neurosurgical Bone Removal Device

Team Members: Joseph Bollinger, Kolby Gary, Christi Kruger, Rebekah Lindblade

Sponsor: Dr. Jamie Toms, Louisiana State University – Health Shreveport

Advisor: Dr. Bryant Hollins

The Kerrison Rongeur is an archaic and inefficient tool used to remove bone from around the central nervous system during cranial and spinal surgery. As the mean age of our population increases, so does the need for surgeries on the central nervous system, like laminectomies or spinal decompressions. Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of individuals show signs of disc degeneration by age 60, increasing the number of patients in need of surgical intervention. With lower surgical times relating to better surgical outcomes, we need a more effective and efficient bone removal tool. The OsteoX is specifically designed to achieve this goal. The OsteoX tool removes bone using a milling process similar to horizontal or lateral drilling. This lateral cutting motion ensures the safety of the underlying tissues while allowing surgeons to cut out the necessary sections of bone. The device has an accelerometer that triggers an emergency shutoff in response to unexpected or excessive movement, thereby preempting potential risks and ensuring procedural integrity.

A Debris-Collection System to Decrease Neuro-Surgical Time

Team Members: Matthew English, Emma-B. Faul, Benjamin Kubicek, Daniel Rivera

Sponsor: Dr. Jamie Toms, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – Shreveport

Advisor: Dr. Bryant Hollins

The Kerrison Rongeur (KR) is an archaic medical instrument commonly used to take bites of bone during craniotomies and laminectomies. The bites of bone taken during these procedures lead to continual cleaning of the KR after each bite is taken. This cleaning process increases surgery time, thus increasing cost. The senior design team has undertaken the task of redesigning the archaic KR. The redesign focuses on inserting a hollow, plastic (TPU) chamber housed inside the top sliding piece of the KR. The plastic chamber contains a series of one-way valves that push the bitten-off bone fragments up the plastic chamber, clearing the bite profile of the rongeur. This disposable plastic chamber allows the surgeon or surgery team to discharge and replace it easily once it is filled. Additionally, with the increased time saved due to the plastic chamber, the surgeon can take more bites during a given amount of time. The design also incorporates a battery-powered handle to decrease the risk of grip fatigue due to the increased bite capability.

External Liquid Separation Apparatus (ELSA) for Female Bladder Relief

Team Members: Connor Huggins, Catherine Lacey, Lucas Norris, McKinley Sherman

Sponsor: Dr. Cindy Bimle, Legacy Pediatrics

Advisor: Dr. Bryant Hollins

Every year, an estimated 13,000 people die from catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in the United States. These infections are inherent to catheters, as they require indwelling urine tubing to accomplish bladder relief. The current alternatives for female patients, including diapers and external catheters, fail to reduce the risk of infection without compromising the patient’s dignity or increasing nurse workloads. This project focuses on developing an external, user-friendly urine collection device tailored to the female anatomy. During urination, the ELSA is designed to automatically transport the urine via a funnel secured against the patient into a collection bag without electrical components. The system attaches to a patient lying down with special briefs that connect around the legs and waist to avoid the glutes. An absorptive pad with a hole for the funnel catches any drippage and can be changed without removing the entire system when the front of the brief is folded down. Lastly, the funnel will connect to on-the-market urine bags for easy implementation in hospitals. The ELSA reduces the difficulty of implementation and care associated with urine collection for female hospital patients, which is crucial for improving overall healthcare outcomes for female patients.

Feedback Session with Advisory Board