Date of Last Revision
2023-05-03 12:52:47
Major
Biomedical Engineering - Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2019
Abstract
Patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) requiring tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation secondary to respiratory failure encounter increased difficulty in removing pulmonary secretions from the airways. To combat issues associated with current treatment modalities for insufficient cough efficacy (cost, poor mobility, discomfort, lack of evidence), we have developed an instrumentational proximal airway clearance technique (ACT) which augments a manual proximal ACT developed by a client with NMD. QuickCough is a 3D-printed PLA attachment to the tracheostomy apparatus which has demonstrated its ability to facilitate pressure changes necessary to increase patient’s peak cough flow (PCF) by providing a stronger exsufflation for the patient. QuickCough meets client needs by providing a machine-washable, inexpensive method of facilitating secretion expulsion without the use of bulky equipment in-transit. This novel instrumentational augmentation of a manual ACT was designed using the engineering design process discussed in The University of Akron’s biomedical engineering design course 4800:470. Future work ought to focus on development of an automated procedure to allow application of QuickCough in cases of global paralysis or insufficient home-care.
Research Sponsor
Dr. James Keszenheimer
First Reader
Dr. Luis Proenza
Second Reader
Brittany Sommers
Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Sean X.; Catania, Russell K.; Plaster, Madison K.; Kandray, Sydney E.; and Costa, Mariah, "QuickCough: An instrumentational proximal airway clearance technique (ACT) for select patients with Neuromuscular Disease (NMD)" (2019). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 828.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/828
Included in
Biomedical Devices and Instrumentation Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Primary Care Commons, Pulmonology Commons, Respiratory Therapy Commons