This week we started by going on hospital visits with our new teams and projects. We also had some time to begin working on the projects. My team is working on a device to turn of suction pump machines when the collection jar is full to avoid motor damage (The Novaflow).

 

Day 19

Monday June 25, 2018

Zomba aka Texas

 

Goals

1. Get specific information from nurses on the suction pumps
2. Get feedback on existing Novaflow prototype (no overflow device)

 

My team went to Zomba District Hospital first along with the Mathermal team. I traveled with Francis, Akshaya, Matthew, Taonga, Kristofer, Timothy, and Demobrey. One of my teammates (Demobrey) is from Zomba. Zomba is apparently nicknamed Texas (still not really sure why).  On our way to the hospital we played some ice breakers to get to know each other. The interns have also been teaching us Chichewa (the local language)! They often speak Chichewa so its useful to learn. The visit was really informational and we have a better idea of what kind of device is needed.

 

 

Day 20

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Thyolo

 

Goals

1. Get specific information from nurses based on our projects
2. Get feedback on existing Novaflow prototype (no overflow device)

 

The hospital visit in Thyolo was very informational as well. We found some discrepancies in the problems reported with the suction device but overall there definitely a need for the Novaflow device. On our ride to Thyolo we learned about some local Malawian myths. For example, there is a rock that was moved when the road to Thyolo was being built and it magically moved itself back so nobody wants to touch it because they believe the rock can make you disappear. On our ride back we also stopped at a local street market and bought fresh avocados, papayas, tangerines, bananas, and sugar cane.  The ride back was really fun because the Poly interns were teaching us to eat sugar cane. They were all super fast and we could barely chew through the bark!

Summary of Hospital Visit Observations

1. Hospitals have many different models of suction devices

1. 1. Different size containers
   2. Multiple containers vs one container
   3. Foot switch vs automatic
   4. Different suction seal

2. Many suction machines originally include overflow protectors

1. 1. Containers must be washed very often
   2. The floating protectors get lost when washing

3. Varying problems with the suction machine in each hospital
4. Operating theatre (surgery) experiences overflow of suction machine most often

 

Current Novaflow Prototype

 

How it works

The Current Novaflow prototype uses an infrared phototransistor and a transceiver on the same side of a small plastic attachment. When water reaches the level of the phototransistor, the water causes the light to bend. The light is then sensed by the transceiver and activates a circuit that shuts off the suction device.

Advantages

1. No contact with infectious fluids/secretions
2. Completely shuts off the device in case of overflow

Disadvantages

1. Only works for one type of glass container
2. Has only been tested with water like fluids

Next Steps Based On Hospital Observations

1. Create a new device with inspiration from hospital observations and feedback on existing prototype
2. New Design Criteria
   1. Adaptable to work with all suction pumps
   2. Low cost
   3. Easy to use
   4. Easy to disinfect

 

Day 21

Wednesday June 27, 2018

First Team Presentation

 

Goals:

1. Present Hospital findings.

 

After the hospital visits we had to present our findings to our peers and mentors. It was the first time my team had to truly work together. We were able to smoothly present despite only having a couple of hours to prepare for the presentations!

Day 22

Thursday June 28, 2018

A fresh start

 

Goals

1. Begin the engineering design process for our project

 

After the hospital visits, we decided to create a completely new Novaflow device (instead of improving the current prototype). Today we began researching some existing devices that shut off power from machines to get inspiration for our project. For example, we looked at how a surge protector works. We also began brainstorming possible ideas for our new Novaflow design.

 

Day 23

Friday June 29, 2018

Selecting a design concept

Goals

1. Select a final design concept for the Novaflow

 

Friday was busy because we went through the entire engineering process to finalize our design ideas. We were able to finalize our design criteria, as well as assign the criteria weights (rank them in order of importance). We also created Pugh scoring matrices to select our final design idea.  We will be creating a simple external connector to the suction device that is activated when liquids touch two metal contacts (close a circuit) and activate a normally closed relay to cut power from the machine.

 

Day 24

Saturday-Sunday  June 30-31, 2018

Braii!

 

This weekend we invited the Poly interns over to our lodge for a Braii (Malawian barbecue). We had a lot of fun making chicken, beef kebabs, rice, green beans, and fruit salad. We also listened to a lot of great Malawian music. On Sunday, I went to church with Nafe (one of the Poly interns). It was a very interesting experience. It was unlike any other church I’ve ever been to. There was a lot of dancing and shouting. I’m glad I went!