Karibuni Tena!! Welcome back to my blog!
Week 5 was filled with amazing progress on all four of our projects, valuable feedback from clinicians, and even more unforgettable memories!
On Monday, we hit the ground running by brainstorming design ideas for the photolight therapy device. There were multiple ideas discussed involving modelling our device off of current prototypes that NEST360 has developed. These included the different models of Colibri, one that featured an adjustable panel with blue lights attached and another with two strips of lights with a gap in the middle to allow for the use of a radiant warmer. After much brainstorming, we ended up deciding to move forward with a design that incorporates both models. Our proposed design looks very similar to the Colibri model with two separated light strips, however, it will feature both a sliding mechanism to join the two fixtures if a radiant warmer is not being used in tandem and a rotating mechanism as to provide the maximal light intensity to the baby to treat Jaundice as necessary by the nurse.
On Tuesday, we met with Dr. Evelyn, a neonatologist working at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) where we received valuable feedback on the gastroschisis bag project. Initial meetings with Dr. Evelyn provided us with enough guidance to pivot from the original IV bag design into one that resembled the Alexis Wound Retractor that is currently being used for babies with gastroschisis. After designing and producing multiple types of the redesigned gastroschisis bag, with different ring sizes and bag materials, we presented them to Dr. Evelyn, who was very impressed with our progress. Although impressed, she mentioned that it was of utmost importance to test whether the bag material would be able to withstand UV-C radiation for sterilization purposes. Additionally, she mentioned leakage tests and tests with simulated gastroschisis treatment protocols should be conducted to further test the validity of the prototype. With such valuable feedback gained from Dr. Evelyn, we headed back to the design studio to prepare for such tests throughout the week.
As for the photolight therapy project, we began testing on what the exact power specifications of the lights were. By noting the power consumption and overall layout of the different LEDs, we can have a better idea of how the entire system with all components can fit together.
On Wednesday, we decided to work more on NICU-T, the continuous temperature sensor for newborns. Seeing as we completed the design of the electronics on the breadboard, it was now time to translate this onto a printed circuit board (PCB). Completely new to circuit designing, I was incredibly grateful that the students at DIT were kind enough to teach me all about the different aspects the PCB software included. After lots and lots (and lots) of trial and error, I was finally able to design a fully functional (hopefully) PCB that included all necessary parts for the final device! Below you can see images of the different components and connections as well as a 3D rendering of the PCB:
Later in the day, we celebrated Cleria’s birthday, a fellow design studio student! It was incredible to see just how close each student was with one another and even the design studio coordinator. While experiencing this fun event, it really felt as though we were all celebrating a family member’s birthday. After eating delicious chocolate cake and drinking apple cider, we then celebrated even further with some dancing.
On Thursday Ali, one of the students at DIT, took me along on a short 5 minute walk to a nearby printing service where we could print the circuit design on gloss paper. Once we had this precious printed PCB design, we could then begin with the PCB making process. We used an iron to melt the ink of the PCB design onto the actual copper plate. Then, using vinegar, table salt, and hydrogen peroxide with all amounts used according to Ali’s expert opinion, we were able to create the desired solution. This solution reacted with the exposed layer of copper and left the copper beneath the ink untouched, which will now be the routes of the different connections of our circuit! It was now time to drill the pin holes for each connection on the PCB.
Seeing as this was my first time ever designing and building a PCB, it was an extremely grateful and humbling experience being taught both the mechanics and principles behind circuit design and knowing that this process is repeated dozens of times each week for all kind of projects students here at DIT work on. After soldering most of the pins, all that is left to do is solder the rest, 3D print the case for the device and assemble everything and the first prototype of NICU-T should be complete!
Friday morning, we continued work on the last project, the transport incubator for infants. We first began by brainstorming what heating mechanism would be best suitable for the device such that it remains effective and rapidly heating the crib but also portable and maintains a low power consumption. We narrowed it down to two different heating mechanisms: multiple, small heating pads that can line the inside of the crib and a small heating rod with an accompanying small fan to lightly fan the warm air throughout the crib. We first tested the heating pads and initial tests suggest that the heat output of the pads were relatively low, so next week we plan on testing the heating rod and fan mechanism to determine which one to move forward with.
Later in the day, we began working on our independent project. When we visited MNH hospital, Aryun and I noticed lengthy queues in the waiting area to get into the hospital as well as those waiting to pick up prescription medication from the pharmacy connected to MNH. We discussed this issue with several students from the connected Muhimbili University of Health and Applied Sciences (MUHAS) as well as students from DIT and were able to further identify a specific problem space where doctors often prescribe patients medication, but when the patients wait in line and finally arrive at the pharmacy to pick up their medication, it may be out of stock or expired so they have to return at a later date. After working with Josh, one of my great friends I have made at DIT, we began initial work on a rudimentary software application where pharmacists can input their stock of medication where doctors can access this stock before the prescribe medication to see which medication is available. Seeing as I am completely new to database coding and application building, it was quite a challenge to begin working on this project but with the immense help from students at DIT, I am confident we can create something operational by the end of the program!
After a long day and even longer week of work on all four of the prototypes, Aryun and I, along with our friends from DIT decided to go out for dinner and watch the Euros knockout game on our phones. Everyone had different teams that they supported so it was incredibly fun to watch the game and everyone’s differing reactions.
I began this internship feeling a mix of nervous excitement and anxiety. The prospect of working on four projects, plus an independent project, seemed incredibly daunting, especially with the added challenge of collaborating with people I had never met before. However, all the stress and uneasiness I felt before the program quickly vanished, as this experience has already been truly life-changing. Over the past five weeks, we have achieved more than I ever imagined and formed connections with some of the most genuine people, who I can confidently say are now lifelong friends. It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of Week 5. While I’m sad that we’re more than halfway through, I’m excited to see what the next few weeks have in store for Aryun and me!
Thanks for sticking to the end of my blog and I’ll see you again in a couple weeks!
Asante Sana!!!
College on the pre-med track majoring in BioScience and minoring in Global Health Technologies. This summer, I have the opportunity to work with the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies to address various global health issues. I’m very excited to document my experiences and findings through this blog, and I hope you’ll follow along!
obal Health Technologies. My journey into global health began my freshman year, when I enrolled in the class Intro to Global Health. It was in this course, where I learned the stark global health disparities across low-resource settings all across the world and what Rice360 was specifically developing to help address these issues. Through this course, I developed a passion to contribute to a world where equity and access to healthcare are fundamental rights and discovered the unique position I was in to employ my biomedical device knowledge to positively impact a global population.
