Final Project¶
The Assignment¶
What will it do?¶
My project consists on the creation of an electronic device to function as a pelvic floor muscle trainer (PFMT), intended for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It will be able to provide sequence of seven home based workouts (one for each day of the week). Programming through a computer sets the chronology, pace and intensity of each exercise within a workout. A button allows for navigation between workouts.
Who has done it beforehand?¶
Apparatus for the improvement of the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle group are being constantly created, produced and marketed in abundance; specially since the last ten years.
These type of devices fall in one of two categories (i.e., 1. for internal and 2. external use), however, some of them often fall on both.
My proposal is meant to be of the second kind, in order to be suitable for a wide range of individuals, regardless of their sexual identity, cultural background, religious believes and socioeconomic condition and visual/auditive capabilities.
Some examples are: Kegel Trainer; Kegel Trainer PFM Exercises; Elvie Trainer; Magic Kegel; kGoal; Perifit; Kegel – Pelvic Floor Exercise; Easy Kegel; Squeeze Time. Note: all previous alternatives are applications for smartphone.
What will you design?¶
I will design a small device to program it with a set of instructions for it to guide individuals through a well-rounded variety of movements to strengthen the PC muscle group.
The gadget would be expected to provide users with visual, auditive or tactile cues, and the possibility to navigate through the exercise sets by pressing a button; touch a conductive surface, or by activating a movement sensor in the PCB.
What part and systems will be made?¶
PCB plates will be produced with electronic components available at the Fab Lab Barcelona.
Packaging and object constructions will be produced from raw materials, either with the Barcelona’s machinery or by hand.
What processes will be used?¶
Except the electronic components, I will be fabricating all the other parts and elements of the project.
- 2D and 3D design on Rhino and laser cut for variant a. (wooden container)
- Additive fabrication process on the production of the variant b. (clay container)
- Subtractive fabrication processes for cutting out wood and scrap wood found in the lab for variant a. (wooden book ) and wax milling for the production of variant c. (wax container) moulding and casting
- Electronics design and production for the creation of three PCB boards
- Microcontroller interfacing and programming with PFMT instructions
How will it be evaluated?¶
Firstly, the object must function as an PFMT in all variants, and versions b. and c. double as a night-light.
Secondly, the project should have been produced [on its majority] by sourcing already existing materials within proximity to the FabLAb. Low ecological impact during production is to be observed and with a minimal disposal and waste of resources possible.
Thirdly, it ought to abide to the following conditions: it should be possible to reduce it, reuse it, repair it, rebuilt it, refurbish it, refinish it, recycle it and/or compost it (as a whole or it’s parts). Otherwise, it should be restricted, redesigned and/or removed from the possibility of it ever being produced at a larger scale.
Lastly, the project files should be made available under a “Free Cultural Works” license; that is: at no cost, for it to be replicated by any individual at any place in the world with components of similar specifications.
The Scope¶
The project’s scope is conformed of two main parts: 1. the hardware and 2. the firmware.