MODIFY/ REDESIGN TO MAKE AN INNOVATION Modify/ Redesign To Make An Innovation



Modify-Redesign to Make an Innovation

Abstract

This report summarizes the design process for an adjustable height changing table. The table is needed for two parents raising a growing boy with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Cortical Blindness. He is getting too large to be lifted onto his current table and a table that can raise and lower him is needed. Three possible designs are presented, along with a design matrix that summarizes the merits and pitfalls of each design. Additionally, the future work for this project is addressed along with the final design.

1.0. Introduction

1.1 Problem

Marc Patterson is a seven year-old boy living in Oregon, WI. Unfortunately, Marc suffers from Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Cortical Blindness causing him to rely on his parents for many daily activities. He needs to be changed a few times a day and his parents do this by manually lifting him to his current changing table. As a growing boy he is becoming too large and heavy to lift many times a day. The goal for this project is to design and build a changing table that will raise and lower Marc so his parents do not have to. (Yost and Keifer 1998 283-99)

1.2 Background Information

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a serious disorder that affects almost 800,000 children and adults in the United States today . Cerebral Palsy is a broad term used to describe a group of neurological disorders that affects basic brain and nervous system functions.

Cerebral Palsy can impair, with varying severity, the individuals' movement, hearing, thinking/learning, vision, and other cognitive development. These symptoms can range from completely overbearing to minor inconveniences.

Cerebral Palsy is caused by injuries or problems to the brain. Some causes that are possible, but aren't limited to, include bleeding in the brain, head trauma, brain infection, and infections in the mother during development. Typically, these problems manifest within the first two years of an infants life or fetal development in the womb . Additionally, premature babies are at a higher risk of acquiring Cerebral Palsy. In some cases the cause of CP goes unknown. (Yorks 2005 183-12)

There are five main types of Cerebral Palsy. The portion of the brain that was harmed and the symptoms that are present classifies these types. The five types are spastic, ataxic, tremor, rigidity, and athetoid . Spastic CP is the most common of the five, which results in tense contraction of the muscles. Additionally, the most severe type is athetoid, which results in constant, uncontrolled motion of the head, limbs, and eyes. An individual with CP can either have one or a combination of these types . There are many other symptoms that are related to CP that do not involve a movement. Some of these symptoms include joint problems, unsteady gait, and digestive problems such as difficulty suckling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Additionally, Cerebral Palsy can affect the individual's speech, breathing, and cause an increase in drooling. (Stinson and Milter 1996 33-42)

Unfortunately, there are no known ...