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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) AssureFlow is designed to support, or act on behalf of, the natural function of the bladder and lower urinary tract, in storing and allowing the controlled periodic expulsion of urine by the user or carer. The product is designed to promote patient dignity, comfort, and assist patients in achieving self-care and independence.The internal valve consists of three co-centric stent-like tubes embedded within a layer of silicone that is inserted into the urethra at the bladder neck. Through the shape memory properties of Nitinol, the valve is able to open and closed with the use of an external handheld actuator. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? Urinary incontinence affects over 2 million Australians and over 200 million people worldwide. Assureflow is designed to relieve and manage urinary incontinence by recognising and minimising the risks of secondary complications.The design features two elements: 1. Internal valve 2. Actuator The internal valve consists of three co-centric stent-like tubes. The two inner tubes, made of Nitinol (a shape memory metal where a reversible phase transformation exists between the two states of martensite and austenite that is thermally or stress induced), are what make the valve function. The two tubes have different temperature and stress thresholds inherent in their material properties. The outer tube when heated to the body’s temperature turns rigid to austenite. This tube compresses the inner tube (which is still in its soft martensite state), and the silicone to form a watertight seal. The inner tube has a higher temperature threshold. This tube (a coil to localise the energy) is heated via the external actuator (through inductance). When the inner tube is heated, it begins to expand. The stress of this tube expanding overcomes the austenitic state of the outer tube and applies enough stress to revert the outer tube back to its soft martensite state. Therefore the tube is able to be forced open and allow urine to pass. When the heat from the external actuator is removed, the inner tube reverts back to its soft martensite state, and the outer tube becomes rigid austenite at the body’s temperature, closing the valve once again. The intention was to design the valve as simple as possible, (not unsophisticated) to eliminate potential malfunction. THE ACTUATOR To open and activate the device, the user simultaneously presses the two outer side buttons (that avoids inadvertent release). Once open, the user can program the device or activate the valve. The actuator features a recharging port, USB port and memory to store information from the patient’s voiding patterns. The device doubles as a powerful and accurate diagnostic tool for clinicians. The aesthetics of the device provide a discreet yet sophisticated product. As the design is a medical product, the semantics required a non-threatening, approachable aesthetic. The white and grey colours evoke a clean, sterile and discreet presence. The choice of material and textures is used to communicate function as the grey Santoprene parts are all elements that the user interacts with for function. The environment of use assisted material choice. By using ABS with high impact resistance, takes colour well and can be easily molded, and Santoprene, the product is able to withstand constant everyday use whilst retaining the aesthetic finish. The actuator is designed to accommodate anthropometric and ergonomic considerations of the hand, addressing functional affordances, constraints and feedback. All parts have been designed to be injection molded and to minimise the line of draw. The parts feature snap-fits and use minimal external fastenings such as screws to reduce time and cost with manufacturing and assembly. Assureflow materials are biocompatible (TGA/ FDA approved), and can be sterilised and reused, reducing the need for disposable items such as pads that contribute to landfill. |
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