PDE Degree Show

Paediatric Spinal Simulator

The Problem
Over 1,000,000 lumbar punctures were performed world-wide last year, increasing 300% over the last decade. This burst has caused succession rates to fall just as drastically. An investigation to determine the issue found that medical students are having trouble understanding exactly how the patient is positioned. If this key step is amiss, the chances of a successful procedure drop significantly

The Solution
I propose a system designed to more closely mimic the interaction that a doctor would have with the patient receiving a lumbar puncture. The design utilises a gas spring and double hinge, which mechanically echoes how the spine moves. This allows the medical student to better learn the correct method of holding the patient in position, and puncture the correct area of the spine. A supervising member of staff will also be able to better comment on the student's form and progress, giving feedback and validating the process for the student.

My Transition
My interests lie in hands-on interactive design with a pragmatic engineering approach. This course is uniquely suited to educate students on both design development and technical knowledge, which has given me a deep and diverse set of skills. I intend to continue my education through a post-graduate course next year.