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University of California, San Diego
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 156B: Senior Design Project (Winter 2024)
Problem Overview
Problem Overview
A mastectomy is a procedure to remove breast tissue during chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment for breast diseases like cancer
For aesthetic purposes, a breast reconstruction procedure is recommended after mastectomy
The tissue expander is placed under breast tissue during mastectomy to be filled with saline
Its purpose is to stimulate cells to grow and stretch skin for further breast implant or autologous tissue placement
The tissue expander will then be removed 3-6 months after being placed
In order to prevent large incisions and further complications, an extremely small needle is used to penetrate the expansion/aspiration ports
Lots of pressure is needed to pump saline into the tissue expander
Healthcare providers often physically struggle with the process due to the high force and long period of time (~10 minutes)
In addition to the short term struggling during the procedure, a nurse who routinely performs this procedure may develop carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis overtime
Project Objective
Project Objective
Create a mechanism that makes it easier for the saline to be injected and extracted from the tissue expander
The device should be as low-cost as possible to be accessible to all, including lower-funded clinics
Solution
Solution
Motorized syringe pump
Straightforward design makes this product easy to use
Features a 3-position switch with options to move forward, backward, and hold position
Limit switches ensure that adapter overtravel does not occur
Simply load the filled syringe into the device, turn it on, and utilize the 3-position switch to push or pull the syringe plunger
Low cost
The current final cost of materials estimate is $227 and the product list price will be $500
39% less expensive than comparable syringe pumps on the market!
Diagram depicting the product in use. The syringe is loaded into the device and the needle is inserted into the aspiration port of the tissue expander so that fluid may be injected into the expander.
Note: Image is not drawn to scale
Summary of Performance Results
Summary of Performance Results
Theoretical flow rate was predicted to be 1.70 cc/s:
Experimental results yielded a flow rate of 2 cc/s, meaning that the operation would take 6 minutes and 40 seconds to perform
Therefore, this device allows for the operation to be performed 33% faster than it is currently
Product Demonstration
Product Demonstration
Final Presentation
Poster
MAE 156B Final Design Review (1).pdfMAE 156B Poster.pptx (1).pdfExecutive Summary
Executive Summary (1).pdfPage updated
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