Ankle distractor: Design of a personalized hinged ankle distractor for people with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis

Ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD ) of the ankle, is a progressive condition characteristic by the thinning of cartilage between the tibia and talus bone. Eventually, this leads to complete ankle joint loss. When looking at surgical treatments, joint sacrificing treatments are the golden standard. Young active people...

Improving social support for teenagers with parental loss in secondary school environment

This research aims to explore the experiences and needs of social support after the teenager’s parental loss within the secondary school environment and proposes a design intervention. <br/><br/>Teenagers perceive grief more intensely compared to younger ages and adults since it aligns with the rapid transitions of their adolescence. In this...

An Upgrade for the Kato Katz Method

The kato katz method was, and still is, an invaluable tool to diagnose schistosomiasis mansoni en masse in high and medium intensity infection areas that are economically backward. Due to the current sensitivity capabilities of 24 EPG, the standard kato katz method is unable to diagnose very low intensity infections. And even though alternatives...

Embodiment design of a hi-fi speaker with a full range cardioid radiation pattern

This master thesis described the embodiment design process of a new full-range directional hi-fi loudspeaker using a cardioid radiation pattern for Dutch &amp; Dutch. Directional speakers minimize room boundary reflections to ensure the listener listens only to the direct sound waves coming from the speaker instead of also listening to the non...

The design and development of a human centred and sustainable low field MRI scanner for Uganda

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 100,000 infants develop hydrocephalus yearly. Unfortunately, due to the lack of diagnostic tools, many children are poorly treated and not diagnosed. <br/>Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) is the most preferred medical diagnostic technology for diagnosing and treating diseases such as hydrocephalus. Yet, it is...

COEVOLVE: a design journey towards more inclusive and circular medical practices

The industry devoted to keeping us healthy is also one of the largest contributors to climate change: one of the greatest threats to our well-being. Medical devices and services are often designed in and for high-income countries. However, they are also used in low- and middle-income countries. Due to this mismatch of context, they are often not...

3D printing for Frugal Innovation in Kenya: the design of a hand grip tool

This thesis is concerned with exploring just how to develop products in line with this frugal methodology through the case study of a hand exerciser. This main research question for this design project asks to what extent can FDM 3D printing be applied to assist Kenyan occupational therapists in the provision of therapy to individuals with hand...

Improving the use of surgical suction pumps in Sierra Leone

In Low-to-Middle-Income Countries more than 95% of the medical equipment are devices donated by NGOs, usually second hand, refurbished devices from High Income Country Hospitals. However, the lack of consumables and spare parts and infrastructural limitations lead to 70% of that equipment not working, or working improperly shortly after being...