Problem
I have recently pivoted my problem from designing a guide for blind people towards combatting excess recovery time by making a 3D printed cast with the implications of PEMF built in. This problem is being solved for primarily athletes which could enable them to recover damaged tissue and bones faster with the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields. My definition statement is
“When designing a cast with implications of using built in PEMF to enhance tissue and bone recovery I must consider the strength of the elctromagnetic field, the safety of the device, and the many prototypes that must be made to make the 3D printed cast function.”
Research
I have gone over the internet and researched whether PEMF was made into casts before and turns out noones ever attempted it. After this first bit of research I began to look into the implications of PEMF in a cast. This system would allow athletes to power on the PEMF device for hourly segments throughout the day to incrase bone recovery. This choice of hourly segments is to provide extra safety as studies have shown that if constantly being in a PEMF it could cause small excess bone and tissue fusion limiting mobility. However these results were only produced by people over 50 or smokers meaning for the average young athlete this would not be a problem. I also used the FDA’s official website to verify whether PEMF is safe for humans and since the 1980’s all the cases done have returned back with PEMF being deemed safe in medical use.
My sources:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?id=MBQ
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5895946/#abstract1
Solution
My solution to the problem is to make a cast that will incorporate PEMF which would allow for bones and damaged tissue to recover quicker because of the presence of a controlled, pulsing, electromagnetic field. I will 3D print a cast that will hold a magnetic coil which with the press of a button could send a pulsing signal of power to the coil with the help of a arduino to control the device. I will test my progress against my definition statement by fabricating a 3D printed cast that can compress my arm, hold all the components for a PEMF device, and if I have extra time I may test if PEMF can increase my rate of muscle recoverery after working out the verify if this PEMF device in the cast actually functioned.
My Progress
Aftere doing my research I have began to make a BOM while also making my first CAD Protoype. Keep in mind that my cad protoype is not going to be made out a a flexible PLA and that the use of cushioning inside will be present unlike the 3D printed cast shown above.
My BOM is incomplete but I do know I will be using rectangular magnets to put on and remove the cast. I also know that I’m using an enameled copper wire to create the electromagnetic field.
Images listed below:
Forseen Challenges
I know that I will need to leave myself time to create the circuit for my prototype. I would think this could take me one week but I anticipate it will take me weeks to create a prototype for the cast that works especially with the challenges I’ve experience when designing the thumb portion of the cast.
Next Steps
I will need to complete my BOM, print my first CAD design, and create another couple CAD designs over the break to allow me to have enough time to create a functioning cast and to implicate a PEMF system into it.
My AI Uses
This is my AI transcript with Gemini:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17HxftwukFmtnIlRRGDtpk3Ge9BjRLzBKLVtSYNSHWVs/edit?usp=sharing
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