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The image above shows our finalized low-fidelity prototype of the FLEX Belt
Our first design project had us design and prototype a device to lengthen the lifespan of ostomy bags by reducing leaks. As we progressed, we were assigned a fictional patient, Carla Tortelli, whose needs we accommodated for with our design. So, we were tasked with making a product that was economical and suited her active lifestyle. In the end, my group and I produced the FLEX Belt - a multidimensional series of straps attached to a pair of shorts - that would better secure ostomies, thereby extending their lifespan. We settled on this design because it fulfilled Carla’s needs by being:
| Strengths | Learning Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Pragmatic idea generation | Gained experience researching scientific papers |
| Leadership | Learned to generate novel designs |
| Meticulous time management | Learned to use a sewing machine |
| Eloquent writing | |
| Engaging presentations |
During the brainstorming phase of our project I generated the basis of what would become our final design. I focused on crafting a pragmatic design that would fit our patient’s needs, fit within the scope of the project, and be easily “prototypable”. In the end, I determined that mechanically fixing the bag to the body in a more secure fashion would be the best route, which led to the FLEX Belt. My initial sketches and ideations can be seen in the images to the right.
As the team manager I was responsible for leading the team and ensuring that we made steady progress towards our goals on a reasonable timeline. At the beginning of the project, I was tasked with producing a preliminary Gantt chart (as seen below) which outlined a rough project timeline. Doing this required some meticulous planning and strong time management.
Over the course of the project, I monitored our progress and was a liaison between my team and our TA. To do this, I made a weekly meeting agendas (below to the right) which highlighted our progress from the previous week, next steps, and concerns. During this process, I made sure that my team members were involved so I could include any questions they had for the TA.
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My clear and concise writing style was another asset I brought to the team dynamic. My affinity for creative writing proved to be useful towards the end of the project, when we had to complete our final deliverables. One example of this was when I aided the team by writing a snappy hook to catch the audience’s attention and make an engaging presentation:
“I am sure that most of you know how uncomfortable it can be to exercise. You are likely familiar with the slow, stinging buildup of lactic acid in your muscles and the sticky feeling of sweat soaked clothing sticking to your skin. It certainly isn’t a joyride. Now, imagine that, on top of all that, you have to worry about the possibility that a stream of digestive fluids could come rushing down your leg every time you go to exercise. It’s a nightmare, right? Well, this is a legitimate problem that ostomates like Carla Tortelli face on a regular basis.”
I was also a major contributor to the executive summary we included in our final project report. Below is another sample of my work from the summary:
“To formulate an effective solution, the team needed to identify the factors that caused the degradation of the adhesive binding the ostomies to the skin. It was concluded that a mixture of chemical and mechanical issues contributed to the shortened ostomy lifespan. Acid, perspiration, and strain due to vigorous, athletic movements, were found to weaken the bond.”