About The Team
The Queen's Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT) aims to introduce undergraduate students to biomedical engineering, explore practical applications of the engineering curriculum and promote interdisciplinary collaboration to solve common problems within the field of medicine. QBiT strives to develop projects spanning multiple areas of biomedical technology. Our projects aim to utilize cutting-edge mechanical, electrical, and biochemical systems to design and manufacture physical solutions. The team is comprised of 60-80 undergraduate students spanning all years and faculties of study at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is supported by a handful of professors and graduate student advisors.
Project 1 Overview: Adaptable Knee Brace
The objective of this project is to develop a knee brace that automatically compresses in response to swelling and temperature. The device will also track healing progress over time and offer functionality for rehabilitation purposes. It will be connected to a user-friendly mobile application that provides real-time data visualization, personalized settings, and a competitive reward system to enhance user engagement.
Sub-team 1: Electrical
The electrical sub-team will be responsible for designing and integrating sensors and electrical components, producing readings for data tracking and automatic compression.
- Readings must be accurate enough to properly adjust the compression of the knee brace and effectively monitor patient progress over time
- Electrical system must be wirelessly connected to the app
- Knee brace must be battery operated and rechargeable
Sub-team 2: Software
The software sub-team will be responsible for creating the user interface which is to be used for storing data and visualizing progress and integrating it with the electrical system.
- The user interface will be a phone app
- Users must be able to access their live data
- The app will have a “physio” mode, used to log completion of physio exercises, with a reward system for motivation
Sub-team 3: Physical
The physical sub-team will be repsonsible for the physical components of the knee brace, which must provide proper knee support compression, and storage for the electrical components.
- The knee brace must be fitted to the knee adequately
- The best method for physically increasing and reducing compression must be determined and implemented
- The heat from the electrical components must not be felt by the patient
Sub-team 4: Research
The research sub-team will be responsible for understanding knee injury and rehabilitation, and the fundamental concepts related to creating a knee brace.
- Physiotherapists must be consulted to ensure the knee brace will be useful in a real rehabilitation situation
- The relationship between inflammation (measured by temperature and swelling) and needed compression must be modelled so that a control loop for automatic compression can be created
Project 2 Overview: High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillating Vest
Treatment for incurable respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis can be done with the use of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO). The treatment is provided in the form of a vibrating vest worn by the patient which clears mucus from the lungs to provide relief. “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019.” [1]. Research also shows that "Nearly 90% of COPD deaths in those under 70 years of age occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)." [1]. Existing HFCWO devices range in cost between $24,856 to $37,290 USD [2]. To put these costs into perspective, Liberia is classified as a low-income country with an average annual income of $680 USD [3]. Guinea is classified as a lower-middle income country with an average annual income of $1190 USD [4]. Paraguay is classified as an upper-middle income country with an average annual income of $5920 USD [5]. These income statistics elucidate the dire need in LMIC for a cost-efficient model of HFCWO.
Sub-team 1: Electrical
The electrical sub-team will be responsible for the vibration mechanism in the vest and collaborating with the user interface subteam to facilitate the patient's treatment needs.
- Vibrating capabilities must vary between 2 and 25Hz
- Utilize Arduino or similar to program a vibrating motor (or researched alternative)
Sub-team 2: Software
The software sub-team is responsible for programming the user interface that patients will use to turn on/off and personalize their vest.
- User can select the vibration frequency
- Incorporate findings from research sub-team
Sub-team 3: Physical
The physical sub-team will research material options for the vest and are responsible for creating the physical prototype incorporating the work of the electrical and UI subteams.
- Material must allow for the vibration to be felt without reducing frequency
- Must contribute to reducing the cost
- Reduce weight (8kg) by at least 1kg
- Vest prototype size will be based on research into most impacted population
Sub-team 4: Research
The research sub-team will focus on the patient requirements such as range of vibration speed and work with patients to facilitate needs assessment.
- Access to HFCWO experts can be difficult in LMIC, this sub-team will research ideal treatments (vibration, timing, frequency of coughing) so this can be incorporated into the UI so patients can use the vest unaided
- Make relationships with hospitals or patients in LMIC to gauge needs
Outreach Coordinator
Role Overview
The position of outreach coordinator is a key position for getting exposure for QBiT and maintaining relationships both within the university as well as the greater community. The outreach coordinator will be in charge of planning events and workshops then communicating with other executive members such as the COO to coordinate logistics.
Job Details
Responsibilities
- Maintain relationships with other university clubs and organizations
- Start relationships and maintain them throughout the year with external sponsors
- Plan and execute events and workshops with help of the COO in collaboration with other university teams and external organizations
- Regularly attend executive meetings and update everyone on current events and relations
Requirements
- Demonstrate strong self-initiative
- Demonstrate strong communication skills
- Demonstrate excellent teamwork when collaborating with executives
- Takes initiative outside of regular meeting times to further create relationships and promote QBiT
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Applications are due June 30th at 11:59PM.
Interviews will be held over Zoom between July 2nd and July 11th.
If you have any questions regarding the position or your application feel free to reach out to the co-captains Lauren Windover and Alina Gammage at qbit @engsoc.queensu.ca
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[1] “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).” Accessed: Jun. 05, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)
[2] “Cystic Fibrosis Vest: Use, Cost, and More,” Healthline. Accessed: Jun. 05, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.healthline.com/health/cystic-fibrosis-vest
[3] “Liberia: country data and statistics.” Accessed: Jun. 05, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.worlddata.info/africa/liberia/index.php
[4] “Guinea: country data and statistics.” Accessed: Jun. 05, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.worlddata.info/africa/guinea/index.php
[5] “Paraguay: country data and statistics,” Worlddata.info. Accessed: Jun. 05, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.worlddata.info/america/paraguay/index.php