Week 3: Start of Project

This week we got our chair that we will be modifying for the project. Also we complied a list of materials that we need for the project. The MatLab code is also underway, with a rough outline of what it is supposed to do and how it is supposed to look. The design of the chair has been made in ProEngineer so that we can make modification from there, and model the design using ProEngineer.

Week 2: Revised Topic Selection

The new topic that was selected was more appropriate for freshmen. The previous topic was deemed unrealistic for individuals that were freshmen because of the complexity that was associated with it. Therefore, the new topic is more practical and is much more easy to test. The new project involves EMG signals that were acquired from electrodes that are hooked up to certain neck muscles. These signals will then be used to allow individuals to rotate around in computer chair with the use of only their neck muscles. In addition to rotating the chair almost effortlessly, a thrust of the neck up or down will enable the individual to elevate the chair higher or lower, depending on the desired tasked. This sort of technology will allow individuals who are in wheelchairs to navigate more freely within their environments. Materials that will be needed for the project have been located and a budget has also been made that approximates how much the whole project will cost.

Week 1: Topic Selection/ Background Info.

This week's goal was to select a topic that would allow us to help individuals in need, while tackling a problem that can be solved with the knowledge that we have. In a syncopal episode, you basically faint due to a decreased amount of blood reaching your brain, usually due to decreased blood pressure. A way to combat this is with a similar drug delivery system that individuals with extreme allergies often use. Except in this design we will be examining heart rate and blood pressure to determine whether or not the patient will be having a syncopal episode, in which case we can design the system to inject the proper dosage of medication to prevent fainting and also provide an early warning system. We believe that this will be useful because it will give the elderly peace of mind and it is also as small and unassuming as an insulin pump.