Final Idea

The final idea chosen is the Jell Insert.

Storyboard

Video

Slides

I created a google form and posted it to subreddit r/SampleSize. I also created a mechanical turk HIT. The survey got 25 responses.

Survey Questions:

What do you think of this idea? (included a sketch of idea)

Would you use this?

Do you know someone who would?

Could you see yourself buying this?

How much would you pay for this?

What is your age?

What is your gender?

For Compartments Idea:

Willingness to pay Graph:

Temperature Resistant Idea:

Willingness to pay Graph:

Kinetic Battery Idea:

Willingness to pay Graph:

Lattice Structure Idea:

Willingness to pay Graph:

Jell Insert Idea:

Willingness to pay Graph:

Benchmarking 2x2s and Patent Search

Benchmarking these ideas with a 2x2 was quite difficult. I would say that a 2x2 is not a good way to benchmark prosthetic device ideas. Firstly, prostheses are medical devices or equipment. Prostheses can only be obtained through a prosthetist. One needs to set up an appointment and get a fitting done. Then the prosthetist or hospital orders the prosthetic from the manufacturers. This means that prostheses cannot be obtained through the manufacturers. Only way to buy a prosthetic directly would be from an online site (eBay) or through some other method (word of mouth per-say). Consequently this makes estimating costs for prostheses extremely difficult. They are often covered by insurance and vary depending on the degree of amputation. I used CostHelper to help estimate the costs for prostheses assuming no insurance. However, prostheses can vary in price from around $5,000–$100,000 according to CostHelper. On eBay they varied from $200–500+ for legs, and 200–400+ for arms.

It was also hard to benchmark the state of the art since prosthesis manufacturers don’t advertise what they offer. It is very difficult to see what products are available for comparison due to manufacturers going through a prosthetist.

CostHelper Health & Personal Care

Compartments

This patent aims to invent a one size fits all prosthetic.

US4161042A - Adjustable prosthetic limb - Google Patents

Jell Insert

This patent aims to provide an air inflatable insert for a limb socket.

US5156629A - Pneumatic prosthetic insert - Google Patents

Kinetic Battery

This patent aims to integrate a movement powered generator into a prosthetic

Patent US20090259320 - Generator for prosthesis and orthosis

Lattice Structure

This patent aims to integrate additive manufacturing techniques to produce free form wound coverings.

US20140163445A1 - Lattice structure made by additive manufacturing - Google Patents

Temperature Resistant

This patent aims to cover various cushion and gel based liners for limb sockets

US20050101693A1 - Gel and cushioning devices - Google Patents

Feasibility Concerns

I am not sure if the Kinetic battery prosthetic is feasible. It might require too much movement in order to produce a usable charge.

The Jell Insert would probably be average at cooling to residual limb. Also, it would probably be high cost in development for a material that forms to the residual limb.

I am unsure how the temperature resistant could be achieved. It would most likely need to focus on either cooling or heating.

The Compartments idea I think is feasible, but I think it might increase the overall weight of the prosthesis.

The Lattice idea is feasible, but it would be very expensive. It would need to be 3D printed and the prosthetic would need to be custom designed to the user.

Can I replace or change any parts in the SaeboFlex?

Switch springs with mini hydraulics

Switch wrist wrap with a more comfortable form

Replace metals to reduce weight

Rigid cloth instead of plastic, form and comfort

Custom fit foam for more comfort

Best Idea:

Combine

What ideas or parts can be combined with the Ottobock Dynamic Arm?

Two hand prosthetic, one side hand, then flips to show tool hand

Smart phone embedded into prosthetic arm

Nerf gun launcher instead of hand

Best Idea:

Adapt

What else is the OttoBock DynamicArm like?

Use bird bones as prostheses structure to reduce weight

Color changing prosthetic like a chameleon

Octopus suction cups to hands or leg prostheses to had grip

Best Idea:

Magnify/Modify

What can I add to the Ottobock DynamicArm?

Add skin sleeve to simulate real arm

Add super grippe material to hand

Add padding with cover for muscular arm

Best Idea:

Put to other Use

What else can the Ottobock DynamicArm be used for?

Use for holding up a table, as table legs

Use as a shovel

Use limb socket as a drinking glass

Best Idea:

Eliminate

How can I simplify the Ottobock DynamicArm?

Eliminate the hand, use a claw instead

Eliminate electronics to reduce cost

Eliminate solid colors, have plastic material see through

Best Idea:

Reverse/Rearrange

Can I interchange components in the Ottobock DynamicArm?

Redesigned as shoulder orthodic

Best Idea:

Table Based Tool or TRIZ

TRIZ for the Ottobock DynamicArm

How might we make Prostheses/Orthotics more adaptable?

Set up contradiction:

35. Adaptability or versatility vs 33. Ease of operation

This gives possible solutions from the TRIZ Matrix just as:

15. Dynamics: Allow (or design) the characteristics of an object, external environment, or process to change to be optimal or to find an optimal operating condition.

Divide an object into parts capable of movement relative to each other.

If an object (or process) is rigid or inflexible, make it movable or adaptive.

34: Discarding and recovering

Make portions of an object that have fulfilled their functions go away (discard by dissolving, evaporating, etc.) or modify these directly during operation.

Conversely, restore consumable parts of an object directly in operation.

1: Segmentation

Divide an object into independent parts.

Make an object easy to disassemble.

Increase the degree of fragmentation or segmentation

16: Partial or excessive actions

If 100 percent of an object is hard to achieve using a given solution method then, by using ‘slightly less’ or ‘slightly more’ of the same method, the problem may be considerably easier to solve.

Based on these possible solutions:

1: Variable padding for easy limb socket adjustment

2: Dynamically Morphing Prosthetic to fit occasions.

3: Battery prostheses use kinematics to charge the prosthetic

4: Prosthetic can be easily dissembled and packaged to go

5: Prosthetic is manufactured segmented, easy to replace broken parts

Best Idea:

10 Best Ideas So Far

1:

2:

3:

4:

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7:

8:

9:

10:

My General Ideas

New Warm-Up Game

“This is” is my new warm up game. A sheet of paper is first divided into a grid. Then one person draws three lines on the paper and hands the paper to the person on their left. The person on the left then says “this is…” and explains what the three lines are. They then draw three lines in a new square and hand the page to the person on their left.

Session Organization

In the brainstorming session I organized the participants were Zac, Victoria, Brady, and Sarah. Zac is my younger brother and does filmography. Victoria is a friend of mine and is studying accounting. Brady is a friend of Zac and he studies kinesiology. Sarah is a nurse and a coworker of my mother.

We meet at my younger brother’s apartment and I hosted the session in the living room area of the apartment.

We started the session by doing “This is”, Zip Zap Zop, Word Ball, and Yes And.

After warm-up games we then started the brainstorming and went for around 30 minutes. 50 ideas were generated by the end with an IPM of about 0.42.

Sorting and Voting

After 30 minutes I stopped the brainstorming and had everyone vote on the the overall ideas that they liked. Each person had five dots. Then the ideas were organized into 6 categories, and each person had two stars to vote on the best ideas within each category.

Top ideas

I was unfortunately only able to interview one person for this assignment. Other candidates for this assignment were unavailable due to the time constraints of the assignment, or they simply did not respond to my request for an interview.

I interviewed a lead mechanical engineer at Novo Engineering Inc. I interviewed him because Novo Engineering is an engineering and consulting firm for product development with experience in designing medical devices.

Some of the main questions I asked him were:

What was his background in design?

What was his experience in designing prostheses?

Was there anything he liked or disliked about designing prostheses?

He had a strong background and experience in designing for manufacturing, but in the last few years has been about to work on the design aspect of product development as well as manufacturing. When Novo Engineering was contracted to help design and develop prostheses they were mainly based out of California area. He liked to try and design the prostheses as efficiently as possible for “the simpler the design, the more likely it is to work.” However, he also stated that a design is a team effort and “it takes all the parts” for a design to work.

Observation

I was not sure where I could observe people with prostheses naturally. Also, I felt it would be inappropriate to go to a hospital waiting room lobby to make observations. Therefore, I utilized the internet for information.

Thus, I tried to get as thorough of an understanding as I could of people with prostheses. I tried to gain an understanding of daily life, challenges, what works for them, what does not, what would they like to be better, etc.

I utilized documentaries, online interviews, TED talks, Amputee and health forums, articles, and research publications.

Below are only a few examples of what I used:

• OpenProsthetics.org
• Amputation / Prosthetic Message Board & Forum Discussions - HealthBoards
• FAQs - Prosthetic Orthotic Solutions International
• Publications | American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists

Unpacking

Switch out your leg every 4 years

one women had 12 pairs of legs, each for a different occasions

3D printing options: helps lower costs and more available. $400 vs $9000

Prostheses are often expensive, ranging in the thousands of dollars. Complex ones can be as expensive as $73,669.28 (carbon-fiber and controlled by muscle signals)

Mechanical vs Electronic prostheses.

Major Insights

Prosthesis's limb socket needs to be comfortable

Prostheses are often expensive, especially high tech ones.

Takes time to readjust: mentally and physically

Phantom pain is an issue

depression often occurs post accident

Medications and physical therapy often required

Falling risks reopening wounds

Amputees often have a support group

Choosing to get amputated instead of keeping a non optimally functioning leg

Different prostheses for different occasions

Lack of mobility and confidence before prosthetic but increased mobility and confidence when prosthetic received

Poor limb sockets can cause many health issues

Problem Statements

Amputees need a way to maintain mental health because depression often occurs and can lead to unhealthy lifestyles

Amputees need a way to maintain physical health because of health issues like atrophy and skin.

Amputees need a way to gain mobility and functionality because they are missing a limb

Market Survey

Support groups are available to help amputees in avoiding poor mental health. This can be a good solution due to the fact that the individual then often feels like they are not alone. However, support groups are often family members. Thus, for someone with possibly a small social network this would not be a good solution.

A common issue with limb sockets is if they do not fit right, the socket can cause sores and irritation on the limb. A solution to this problem is custom made limb sockets utilizing 3D printing and MRI imaging. However, this service is not available to everyone, especially those with low income.

A prosthetic is a common solution for an amputee. This often allows them to get their life back to normal and regain a feeling of independence. However, they often need multiple prostheses based on their needs, and prostheses are often expensive.

I watched some stand up comedy, which I rarely watch. I have to say it was really refreshing to laugh because being in college it’s easy to stress about assignments and worry about the future.

Mind Map (image)

Mind Map (digitize)

I decided to use the mind map website. Usually I like to use paper and sketch, but I didn’t want to do the mind map twice by doing a paper one first.

Suggested Themes

• Comfortable chair
• Brain Games
• Vitamins

10 Silly Ideas

• Flexible pencil-bendy pen

• Inflatable bag de-stressor

• Untied shoelace detector

• Head massager

• Happy syringe

• Bendable Cross

• Turtle Helmet

• Monkey banana peeler

• Bunny Headphones

• Pillow Case

In trying to create a new cookie, I took inspiration from a jelly filled donut and my love spicy food in order to create the orange cream gingerbread tart. It was a fun process and experience taking a general idea and seeing it evolve, mix, and fuse with other ideas until it was a final product that I could be proud of. It took several iterations to reach the final product, but it also couldn’t have happened without the advice and the knowledge that my wonderful mother with more than 40 years of cooking experience provided.

Final Idea

The finalized cookie ended up being a fusion of the two top ideas. The orange cream gingerbread tart is a mix of a traditional spicy molasses gingerbread base with an orange flavored cream cheese filling. The cookie’s appeal and aesthetics is finalized with an orange flavored icing and a pinch of orange zest.

I think this cookie is creative because it combines a spicy molasses flavor with the tangy flavor of an orange. It also mixes a traditional cookie with a cream filling which is often in other deserts.

Recipe

Make about 24 Orange Cream Gingerbread tarts

For Gingerbread dough:

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp table salt

12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup dark molasses

Combine flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, until light and fluffy. Then add egg yolk, and vanilla. Add molasses after vanilla is mixed. Then combine flour bowl with butter bowl. Put the dough a refrigerator to chill.

Orange Cream Cheese filling:

2 oranges

2 8oz cream cheese packages

1 tsp Pure orange extract

Zest the oranges into a bowl. Then add cream cheese packages and mix. Then add orange extract and mix well. Then scoop out and roll filling into about 1/2–3/4 inch balls to place on a wax covered cookie sheet. Then chill in a refrigerator.

Orange Cream Gingerbread cookie:

Prepare a bowl with about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners. Then spray the mini cupcake liners with an oil baking spray. Once dough and filling are chilled, take out of refrigerator. Roll gingerbread dough into around 1 inch balls, roll lightly in sugar, and place in mini cupcake pan. Then take an orange cream filling and lightly press into gingerbread dough. Bake tarts at 375 for 10–12 min or until done. Take the tarts out when done and let tarts completely cool on a cooling rack.

Orange icing and zest:

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp orange extract

1 orange

Add powdered sugar and orange extract to a small bowl. Mix and add water until consistency of honey. Zest orange in a small bowl. Use a spoon or other utensil to drizzle the orange icing of the cooled tarts. Then add a pinch of orange zest. Can freeze to keep tarts fresh. Otherwise enjoy.

Idea Generation

I brainstormed with a notebook by trying to write down as many ideas for cookies as I could. It didn’t what the idea was, I just wrote it down, and just let my flow of thought go. Focused on different flavor ideas mainly then tried thinking of decoration and other ways to make a cookie unique or creative.

A main inspiration for a cookie was a jelly filled donut. I wanted to see if I could create that sense of creamy flavor when you bite into the middle.

I also really like spicy food, and was interested in translating that into a cookie.

I decided to test a creamy filling chocolate cookie and a spicy cookie.

I also verbally brainstormed with my mother to better refine my two main ideas.

Idea Test

The first idea I wanted to test was a chocolate cookie with an orange cream cheese filling. This cookie was kinda disappointing. The chocolate alone with just orange cream cheese was bland and lacking, even with icing or powder.

Idea Test 2

Quality documentation of testing a very different idea with clear photographs, a textual description of your evaluation and what you learned.

I then tested out a spicy molasses gingerbread cookie recipe and decided to try a tart with it. I originally though of adding a dove chocolate cherry in the tart, but then got the idea to add the orange cream filling to the gingerbread tart. The chocolate cherry filling didn’t work out because the chocolate and cherry flavor could barely be tasted since the molasses and spices were so strong. However, the orange cream filling turned out to be surprisingly good.

Iteration

With the orange cream filling, the cream ended up sinking in the gingerbread dough and creating a crater. I wanted to try and achieve an even and level surface. I tried deeper holes, wider holes, really shallow holes, lots of filling, chilled filling, and a wetter based filling. However the best tarts came out when the dough was chilled and cream filling was also chilled and relatively small.