Catriona Rogers
Ankle Fracture Trainer
The product that has been designed is an Ankle Fracture Trainer, which is not only teaching users how to correctly reset an ankle fracture but also the anatomy of the lower limb.
Since every patient’s ankle will be different, there is an adjustable tension cog hidden at the back of the leg which will alter the tension of the ankle mechanism spring, creating multiple training experiences to give the trainees wider training knowledge. The minimum force required to pull the ligaments in the ankle and therefore the spring, a required distance of 5mm, was calculated to be 206N. This data allowed me to calculate the correct dimensions the spring should be to create this necessary force. The mechanism has been designed so that when the manoeuvre has been completed, the magnets within are aligned, completing the circuit, allowing the LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights to turn on, symbolising the return of blood flow.
The product is not just the leg but also the case which houses it and the other teaching aids within; including the teaching tablet, the leg securing plate and casting materials.
The tablet is used to heighten the patient-doctor (in training) simulated experience by playing audible patient cues such as crying and moaning, these of which can be a part of the trainee's bed side manner development. Additionally, the trigger buttons on the top of the tablet are used to engage AR (Augmented Reality) mode which can be enabled once the user has reset the ankle. The built-in app has several modes which teaches the user about the different layers of anatomy within the leg; such as the bones, muscles, ligaments, veins, and arteries etc.
Two different replacement skin covers come with the case and are available in multiple skin tone ranges, as inclusivity and diversity within the representation of different medical conditions is lacking, i.e., Skin Bruising appears differently on contrasting skin complexions. They have been injection moulded from a resilient silicone resin material that has been textured and coloured to best resemble skin.
Realism is the key for the user experience of this training simulator and has been the focus of this project.
Catriona Rogers's designs
Student Biography
I want to be a part of the innovation of using recent technology to further the designs of products that will help people to heal, live and learn. Therefore, studying Product Design and Manufacture was a fantastic way of combining my creativity, with engineering and applying it to real world applications in ways that look new and exciting.
The initial stages of the product life cycle have always been an interest of mine. Being able to put pen to paper (or screen) and sketch out my ideas, then carrying it through to create concept boards either by hand or computer rendering is fascinating to see what crazy ideas could come to fruition. Additionally, CAD (Computer Aided Design) modelling is a very demanding aspect of the process that I love to reflect through, as it gives you the time to fully refine the details of the design, to then transfer it to the rendering stage to communicate it to people that may never have seen a product like it.
My main area of interest is medical product/device design, but I love to design so I am always open to anything design based. I enjoy having tasks to do or new skills to learn as it keeps my mind engaged and body active so I can keep learning new things and let my creativity thrive. I like to channel this when I roller-skate and when I played rugby at University, where I developed myself so much.