Proj. Manag.

Project Management 

Gantt Chart

• • Overview of Project Context

  • A colonoscopy is a medical examination of the colon which consists of inserting a colonoscope (essentially a tube with a camera at the end of it) through the anal canal into the patient’s colon. The human colon naturally rests in a shriveled state with many folds that can conceal cancerous cells or other problems. Therefore, in order to have better visibility of the colon walls, it is necessary to pressurize the colon to an expanded state by filling it with either air or water. This technique of pressurizing the colon is only successful if the patient’s sphincter can create a tight enough seal around colonoscope tube. In cases where this seal is not sufficient, the air/water escapes from the colon and visibility is compromised. This issue can be resolved if some artificial seal can be created that can hold the pressure while also allowing the colonoscope to move freely through the anus.

  • Project Objectives

  • High Priority Objectives

    • Sufficient seal against the anus

    • Sufficient seal against the colonoscope

    • Safe Installation (w/o causing trauma to anal canal)

  • Second Priority Objectives

    • Minimal Friction

  • Other Constraints and Issues

    • Disposable

    • Cheap, Biocompatible Materials

  • WOW Design Solution

    • Can be attached onto the colonoscope AFTER the scope has been inserted

    • Installation is intuitive, fast, and easy

    • Entirely 3D printable

  • Risk Reduction Objectives

    • Develop a prototype of our inner seal design ---> High Risk Component

    • Research the amount of pressure the seal will need to hold against

    • Test the seal against various pressures of water

    • This will be done by attaching the prototype at the bottom of a tank of water where the pressure can be calculated and adjusted by the amount of water in the tank.

  • Intermediate Milestones

  • Milestone 1: Inner Seal Design Success (fabricated and tested)

  • Milestone 2: Clamping Design with Inner Seal Success (fabricated and tested)

  • Milestone 3: Outer Seal Testing Method Developed

  • Milestone 4: Outer Seal Design Success (fabricated and tested)

  • Milestone 5: All Components (Inner & Outer Seals, Clamp design) integrated into one piece

  • Milestone 6: Final Testing Method Developed

  • Milestone 7: Successful Integration and Testing of Final Design

  • Individual Component Analysis Topics

    • Inner Seal Design

    • Outer Seal Design

    • Clamping/Installation

    • Biocompatible Materials

  • Weekly Meeting Time with sponsor:

    • Winter Quarter:

      • Sponsor meeting: Thursday Afternoon 2pm

      • Colonoscopy Procedures: Wednesday Mornings 8am-12pm

  • Spring Quarter:

    • Wednesdays 3pm