Design
Dream Team Engineering’s design branch is made up of a multitude of teams that focus on using 3D-modeling skills to fulfill healthcare needs.
Cardiothoracic
The physiological lung model builds on the basic concept of the water bottle and balloon model, used for the purpose of in class learning and discussion. Our model aims to provide innovative changes to already existing lung models to improve the student learning experience, ultimately improving the knowledge of future engineers and medical professionals. We aim to incorporate a pressure sensor to better display changes in the lung system as different stimuli are applied.
Feeding Tube Cleaner
GI Tube cleaner will be a device that can clean debris from feeding tubes to prevent replacement. Currently, interventional radiologists use some kind of wire to try to push any debris into the tube. There are also products that use a syringe with a solution to push any debris through the tube. In this project, a device that uses ultrasonic waves to loosen debris will be combined with a flushing mechanism to dislodge and remove debris that can remain trapped in a GI tube.
Infantile IV
The Infantile IV team works alongside CSSALT (Center for Safety, Simulation & Advanced Learning Technologies) to design a mixed reality trainer for students, physicians, and nurses to practice administering a leg IV to an infant. The physical aspect of the trainer consists of a life-sized leg, modeled from scans of a real infant and cast with silicone rubber. Users can insert a needle into this model as if they were performing the procedure on a real infant.
Liver Transplant
The liver transplant training model project is designed to provide surgical residents with hands-on experience to master complex surgical procedures. Utilizing anatomically accurate liver models, surgical residents will be able to practice various transplant techniques with synthetic and genuine organs.
Cardiac Data Device
The Cardiac Data Device is a wearable solution that continuously tracks heart rate and symptoms without requiring patient activation. Unlike current monitors that are costly and only capture brief data, this device offers extended monitoring, sends data to patients’ smartphones, and allows for private sharing with healthcare providers. Designed for compatibility with Apple Watch, it aims to empower patients in managing their cardiovascular health effectively.
Launchpad
This is a volunteer-based team dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of all DTE projects, both past and present. What makes this team unique is the opportunity to be directly involved in a wide variety of projects, gaining exposure to different skills and areas within DTE. Our first project will be Biofluid Analyzer!
Caudal Block
The Neonatal Caudal Block Simulator is an innovative modeling tool designed to enhance medical students' and physicians' ability to perform the challenging caudal block surgery. This simulator aims to improve physicians' skills in accurately inserting a needle into the sacrum bone to administer local anesthetic around the pelvic region. By leveraging the power of Unity, Materialize, and advanced 3D modeling software, this project seeks to create a realistic and interactive simulator model with integrated success testing.
MixAbility
Current DJ controllers are designed with small knobs, sliders, and densely packed controls that pose challenges for individuals with reduced dexterity, limb differences, or one-handed operation. This project seeks to design a simplified, adaptable DJ interface that maintains essential mixing functionality (volume control, crossfading, track triggering, and effects) while enabling accessible control layouts. It will interface directly with laptops through common software platforms such as Serato, Rekordbox, or Ableton Live via USB or MIDI. The design will focus on customizable button/slider placement, larger tactile controls, and alternative actuation options (e.g., foot pedals, adaptive switches, or pressure sensors) and motion capture for inclusive live performance.
OR Table
The OR Table team seeks to reduce waste in open (non-laparoscopic) surgical procedures by identifying and cataloging the usage of surgical tools during operations. Dr. Jeremy Balch, a general surgery resident at UF, currently uses GoPro footage to capture video footage of the mayo stand, back table, and tray with a GoPro, analyzing tool usage with GAN-based model. This project aims to design a lightweight, sterilizable camera system (potentially Raspberry Pi-based) that can unobtrusively record surgical tools, and assist in collecting feasible surgical tool usage data. Ultimately, this will help assess and minimize unused instruments, reducing OR waste and costs.
