Team 21

Pain Level Measurement Device

Team Members:

Rachel Boylan

Paulette Iniguez Erunez

Michelle Rodriguez

McKenna Godman

Joseline Salinas

Team Mentors:

Jeff Skiba - CEO at Desert Valley Technologies

Dr. Christopher Zarembinski - Joint Vitality at The Pain Center

Dr. Vincent Pizziconi - SBHSE ASU

YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/83077619893

Abstract

Our device will serve as an alternative to the visual analog scale (VAS) in pain level assessment. Current VAS methods are subjective and may misrepresent the pain level experienced. Pain Medication is prescribed based on a number of clues from the patient, such as, communication, facial expression, mood, or body movements. However, with the focus today on the misuse of pain medication there is a need to objectify the pain level. The hypothesis is that the human brain will sense pain at the highest source and if a device can apply an external stimulus that can redirect the pain reception, then the stimulus can be quantified and measured. Our device is essentially a dynamometer, which is a pressure sensor that we plan to equip with a handle that is uncomfortable to grip. A patient would be instructed to grip the device until the pain they are experiencing elsewhere can no longer be felt, and the number of pounds shown to be their grip strength on the device would correlate with a certain pain level, giving us a quantifiable and reliable pain measurement that can be used to prescribe medication. The device is quick and easy to use, even to those in much pain. We conclude that the results of the pain level measurement device will provide a more objective, accurate result than the VAS, the standard of the pain measurement at the moment. This will prevent patients from overdosing, underdosing, or any other misuse of the medication. In 2019, the global pain management device market size was 5.54 billion United States dollars (USD) with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2027 to be 9%. With this information, our device will serve one of the largest markets in the medical community.