Team Members & Role: 

Michele Caggioni: Team Lead 

Thomas Vo: Analysis/Evaluation  

Saud Mehboob: Analysis/Evaluation

Lee Brual: Design Lead  

Matthew Curtice: Fabrication Lead 

Devesh Maheshwari: Evaluation Lead 

Abstract:

This project aims to address a critical issue faced at Bay State Hospital regarding patient mobility with chest tubes. Patients and healthcare providers frequently bump or dislodge their chest tubes accidentally due to lack of secure attachment, posing safety risks and interruptions to care. Additionally, tubes stretched during unassisted movement often get pulled out completely. To tackle this problem and enhance patient care, our team explored designs to connect chest tubes to IV poles, conceptualizing the design using inspiration from a previously patented concept that was abandoned. The goal was to create a holding mechanism to attach a chest tube to an IV pole for ease of patient transport and to improve patient care. Using engineering analysis through measures such as the House of Quality matrix and FEA simulations, we conceived an optimized solution. Conducting usability testing with nurse volunteers and receiving user feedback, guides the future of this design. Our systematic design approach combines concepts from proven methodologies with cutting-edge prototyping. Through an iterative build-test-feedback loop, we refined our design transforming and improving patient care.