Custom CPAP Mask Add-On

https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/intern_reports_2022/1009/thumbnail.jp

Using 3D printing to develop a personalized solution for COPD patients and CPAP users

Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea and resort to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines to provide relief while asleep. However, many experience discomfort and functionality issues with their standard equipment. The goal of the business project was to devise a personalized and 3D printable solution for current CPAP users that would improve compliance with their machines. To identify the critical problems faced by CPAP users, online interviews and survey polls were utilized alongside external research. With this information, further research on viable materials, 3D printing and scanning methods, and design requirements were conducted to produce an effective solution. Over the course of the business project, it was found that 3D scanning patients and resin 3D printing an elastic add-on to exisiting CPAP mask frames would be the most viable solution for users and VisMed3D. The project’s results would be beneficial to the business in developing a new product for consumer purchase and also in addressing the evergrowing compliance issues CPAP users face with their masks

Using 3D printing to develop a personalized and viable solution for COPD patients and CPAP users

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines offer relief to millions of people suffering from sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, more than a third of CPAP users stop using their equipment due to compliance issues such as discomfort and air leakage. The goal of the business project was to devise a solution that would address these issues while producing a profitable product for VisMed3D. Since this is an ongoing project, the previous year was focused on creating a product workflow that would meet the necessary criteria for the solution. Throughout this academic cohort, the workflow was tested by conducting trials with the 3D scanner application, refining a patient’s scan, and creating a 3D model that would be compatible with their CPAP machine. Along with this, a business model canvas was developed to demonstrate the viability of this solution both as profitable product for the company and an effective solution for patients

Inequality of Mental and Emotional Health at IMSA

Residential living is one of the most distinguishing factors of IMSA that differentiates it from other public high schools. While this does promote independent living, several students often feel homesick when not being close to their homes. With students coming in from all over Illinois, those in the academy can live from 15 minutes to over five hours away from their home. This range in distances also offers a variety of ways that living at IMSA impacts students’ wellbeing. In this study, we will be addressing UNSDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, where we analyze the discrepancies as to how living away from home influences a student’s mental and emotional health. To do this, we will be surveying each class at IMSA (2020-22) on how they rate their mental/emotional health as well as how far away their home is from the academy. Using this data, we will interpret and draw conclusions on how the differences in home distance impact health as well as how these disparities fluctuate amongst sophomores, juniors, and seniors