Testing Results & Analysis

The following figures present the pressure outputs over time collected from each of the tests. The orange series represents the tests run with the short tube, and the gray series represents the tests run with the long tube. Across each work ratio, the trend for pressure decrease is similar for both the short and long tube.

From these test results, the following conclusions were drawn. The desired pressure differential was achievable with the selected pump. A necessary pressure differential of 3.6 psi (arrived at based on literature review and calculations to 250mbar; see pump synthesis sections) was required to indicate a pump that met the teams requirements. The results show that this pressure differential is achievable for both the setup with the long and short tube at work ratios above 25%.

There was a difference seen between the results with the short and long tube. While the short tube achieved greater pressure differentials, both tube lengths met the requirement as previously mentioned. The long tube provided a smoother drop of pressure which is more desirable for measuring the viscoelastic properties of the skin. A long tub will also prove to be useful in the operational environment since the pump will likely be set up at a distance from the test subject or patient.

Across each test, it was seen that the main pressure drop off occurred around 5 seconds, and the desired differential is achieved within the first 10 seconds of testing. This is important information that will be useful in determining future testing and operational protocols. This time scale also proves viability in the measurement of the viscoelastic properties of the skin. If the skin is deformed too rapidly, incorrect measurements would be recorded. Ten seconds is an appropriate amount of time for the desired deformation.