The design and development of a context-specific medical washer for laparoscopic instruments for rural Indian hospitals

Rural India faces many challenges in providing adequate health care for all. Health awareness among the Indian population is low due to poor functional literacy and low emphasis on education within the health sector.<br/><br/>Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), such as laparoscopy, offers many advantages, including smaller incisions, less tissue...

Designing a sustainable transition in the MedTech industry: An analysis of the current challenges for the implementation of the circular economy on surgical devices like the single-use endocutter

This graduation project explored how the circular economy could be implemented for single-use surgical devices like the endocutter. Design for reprocessing appears to be the best strategy, but modular solutions should be considered when reprocessing the entire device is not feasible. The project followed a transition management approach; a...

Evaluation of a Low-Cost Videolaryngoscope: By Conducting a Manikin Study

Background: Existing videolaryngoscopes do not meet the needs, budgets, and cleaning protocols of low- and middle-income countries. To solve these problems, a new videolaryngoscope, the Goodscope, has been developed which is less expensive, reusable and easy to clean. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Goodscope compared...

Sustainable embodiment of a digital microscope to be produced in Africa: Reasearch to and iteration on a previous automated diagnostic microscope with regard to interaction, portability and robustness

Nectlected Tropical diseases (NTDs) is a designation of a group of 20 different (often parasitic) diseases. These are mostly prevalent in tropical areas like Nigeria and Gabon, affecting the health of the poor remote communities significantly. <br/><br/>Current diagnosis is done by manual microscopy. This is too expensive and not time and cost...

Archimede, Research and design of a direct solar heated thermoplastic extruder for Ulundi Local Municipality

As we all know, plastic pollution is a global problem that is constantly growing, with adverse effects on societies, humans, and wildlife. <br/>Many initiatives are focusing on reducing and lowering the effects of plastic pollution. Nevertheless, this phenomenon is growing on a daily basis. <br/>Most of the harmful effects of plastic pollution...

Towards Circular ICUs: Reuse of intubation devices as a catalyst for systemic change

This project aims to reduce the environmental impact of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the department which provides constant care to critical patients. One of the most common and wasteful ICU procedures is intubation. Intubation is needed when patients cannot breathe by themselves. Can we design a circular intubation procedure as a catalyser...

Parasite Detection using Hyperspectral Microscopy: Hyperspectral microscopy in Malaria and Schistosoma diagnostics: the approximation and detection of spectral signatures

Parasitic diseases such as malaria remain a mayor burden on global health. One of the biggest challenges still to be overcome is that of inadequate diagnoses. This research explores the opportunities that Hyperspectral Imaging yields in this field. The first goal is to estimate the spectral signature of Malaria parasites in non-stained or Giemsa...

Development of a Vacuum Extraction System for Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Redesign of a state-of-the-art vacuum extractor

Vacuum extraction is a form of assisted vaginal birth where a vacuum cup is attached onto the fetal head by means of suction on which traction force is then exerted to facilitate birth. Vacuum extraction is often regarded as a safer option than the cesarean section and forceps delivery, due to decreased risk of maternal en fetal complications....

Design of a support system for 121: A case study on digital aid for undocumented migrants in the Netherlands

This graduation project is about digital product 121. This product is developed by 510, the data and digitalization imitative of the Netherlands Red Cross. Through 121, a person affected (PA) by a humanitarian disaster, can receive Cash Based Aid (CBA) and Information as Aid (IAA). CBA is new form of aid, where the PA receives digital money...

Design of a novel laparoscopic instrument with combined functionality of a grasper & needle holder

Laparoscopy involves the use of various instruments for performing different functions. As a consequence, time is spent in exchanging the various instruments, adding to the overall operation time. In order to reduce this overall operation time and solve this problem, the number of instrument exchanges need to be reduced. Reducing the number of...

BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO LIFE: Increasing the amount of in-service medical equipment by developing a MOOC to train Biomedical Equipment Technicians in Low-/ Middle Income Countries

Currently between 30% till 50%, some even state up to 70%, of medical and laboratory equipment is reported as out of service, due to small or large technical failures or due to missing knowledge of how to use well-functioning equipment in Low-/ Middle- Income Countries (LMIC). This is not due to the complexity of the required repair, but due to,...

Optimising the Design of a Medical Device Intended for Use in Low- and Middle Income Countries

Introduction: Smart Medics Company is a startup from the Delft University of Technology, looking to bring an affordable Video laryngoscope (VL) into hospitals in low-resource regions. This research aims to seek the best suitable transparent material to act as a lens, sealing off a compartment containing an endoscope, as well as, bring forth a...

Methanol from sunlight and air: A guide towards the embodiment design of the micro plant

The carbon emission of fossil fuels contributes to global warming. The start-up ZEF develops a sustainable alternative to create fuel. By capturing CO2 and H2O from the air, the energy from PV solar panels, and the right technology, they create methanol. Methanol can, among other things, be used as a fuel or to create plastics. This product is...

Automating the Diagnosis and Quantification of Urinary Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects around a quarter-billion people worldwide. Most of the infected people live in tropical regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is limited access to diagnostic and other relevant medical facilities. The current reference standard diagnostic procedure - conventional...

Unraveling decision-making in irrigated farming in Malawi: Using Q methodology to develop typologies on water transport technology adoption

Despite the strong emphasis on irrigation development in Southern Africa, different initiatives from technology developers, policy developers and development organizations to encourage water transport technology adoption have often been disappointing. The lack of long-term success can partly be contributed to a mismatch between farmer realities...

Adapting a mosquito trap for future deployment in African communities

Malaria is a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with as a result over 400,000 deaths each year. With pesticide resistance on the rise, new methods have to be developed that will reduce malaria transmission. The mosquito trapping method, in combination with bed nets, has been proved to be effective. The M-Tego is a mosquito trap embodiment...

Exploring Conceptual Variation by Design for the aQysta pump placement process

aQysta is a company that has developed spiral pumps that can deliver water for irrigation through hydraulic energy (aQysta, 2018). That makes these pumps very dependent on the location where they are placed for their water delivery. Their dependency on hydropower also impacts the water supply of these pumps to surrounding irrigation fields ...

Critical Design Requirements for an Electrosurgical Unit used in Low-Middle Income Countries

Introduction: Over five billion people in mainly low and middle income countries (LMICs) do not have access to safe surgery. This is due to a lack of available and functional medical equipment, where up to 70% of the existing equipment is broken. Some reasons for this shortage in medical equipment are a lack of funding, maintenance, training,...