Executive Summary

Problem, Research, and Testing

People who have had a stroke often experience various physical repercussions, such as loss of limb mobility, tactile sense, depth perception, and an overall decreased sense of proprioception. These effects tend to strip a sense of independence from stroke survivors, as they must depend on other people to help them with tasks they could previously complete individually. Our stakeholder, Courtney Celian, an occupational therapist at ShirleyRyan AbilityLab, connected our DTC section with Gregory, a patient who experiences the effects of stroke and wants to regain independence in the kitchen. Due to his loss of proprioception from a stroke, Gregory is unable to judge quantities of liquids and requires the assistance of his wife, Susannah. Gregory desires a device that will assist him in measuring different volumes of liquids in varying containers. The purpose of this project is to create a product that will enable Gregory—and other stroke survivors—to gain independence by allowing them to measure various volumes of ingredients on their own. While the scope of this project is intended primarily for stroke survivors who have lost their sense of proprioception, it can be expanded to include all users who have a disability that might alter their perception of measurements.

After observation and testing with our primary user, our team determined that Gregory can estimate the desired liquid level in an empty container and would prefer an auditory alert when the liquid reaches the desired level. Gregory’s wife and caregiver Susannah also emphasized that scratch-proof and easy cleaning qualities are necessary.

Design Overview

Taking into account this information amongst other observations, Team 3 developed a device that serves as an extension and modification to the preexisting MaxiAid Liquid Level Indicator, which provides an auditory alert when liquid hits its sensors, but is non-adjustable and not able to be used as widely as the primary user desires. Our team was allowed a 10-week design period to develop the prototype/proof of concept and a $100 budget for materials and processes.

The ProprioClamp satisfies the requirements of the user and stakeholders by featuring:

• A clamping mechanism of proper height and weight to be used on the majority of different sized pots, pans, mugs and cups

• Neodymium magnets strong enough to attract through the walls of different liquid vessels and hold the PropioClamp in place after it has been placed at the correct liquid level

• A removable and flexible MaxiAid Say When Liquid Level Indicator (an auditory alert device) that can be adjusted to different liquid volumes and removed for easy washing of the clamp device

• Temperature resistant handle coverings and colored indicators to show what side of the clamp is to be on the inner side of the container that is to hold the liquid

• Silicone padding of the magnets and ends of the clamp to allow for easy and scratch-proof sliding of the clamp mechanism

In overview, the ProprioClamp design allows a user with decreased proprioception to measure ingredients, specifically liquids, of varying volumes accurately without help. While not a polished final product, it can still effectively be used with varying liquid vessel size and with one hand.