Meeting minutes¶
25/2/2020 – FYP 1st Meetup¶
We had a meeting with Dr. Ashan Amarasinghe and three other people who work with him. We discussed about what we have mentioned in our proposal regarding the implementation of the project. Dr. Ashan pointed out that in addition to temperature and pressure there are several other factors which affect for the formulation of pressure ulcers like moisture, friction and most importantly micro-organisms like bacteria which can grow due to secretion of body fluids. We were convinced that we have to consider much more in gathering correct data on parameters which cause for formulation of ulcers. We have found a feasible way of measuring pressure but measuring body temperature is still unsolved problem for us. Temperature sensors available in the market are bulky and hard. If we used them to prepare the mattress cover that will be uncomfortable for the patient and that may cause to the formation of ulcers itself. Finding enough funds to buy sensors to cover the whole mattress was another issue for us.
At the end of the meeting we agreed on following decisions to overcome problems we are facing:
Get information about body parts, skin type, age group, gender which are more prone for ulcer formations by referring internet and visiting hospitals
Reducing the scope of the project by focusing only on body parts which are highly prone for ulcer formation. (Founded by information gathered above)
Finding suitable pressure and temperature sensors do get readings. (which will be more easy to do as area to be covered is reduced)
Preparing a machine learning model which address all the parameters which affect to formation of ulcers and output correct predictions.
Increasing the efficiency of re-positioning by considerable percentage to make our system valuable and marketable.
Date : 25/05/2020¶
Which people we are targeting? Types of Ulcers?
There are people who already have ulcers and who do not but are prone to formation of ulcers.
Ulcers are of different types mainly ulcers that cause due to diabetes and bedsore.
- Resolution
In our project we are planning to handle both kind of people and both kind of ulcers taking their differences into consideration.
- Discussed Matters
Not having proper evaluation criteria for ulcer prevention
- Resolution
Introduce such criteria through this project
- Discussed Matters
Not having proper method for calculating temperature
- Resolution
Unsolved
:Discussed Matters:How to take other factors such as activities of micro-organisms (in sweat or other secretions from body), garment that patient is wearing into consideration in ulcer formation and taking measurements
- Resolution
Need to consult nurses or other care takers and prepare a logical model to understand how to in-cooperate those factors for a sophisticated model
- Discussed Matters
What are the interferences/noises that can add when measuring pressure with proposed velostat sheets? How much will it cost for sensors?
- Resolution
Cannot say precisely. Will have to build a prototype and test. Measure pressure in a laboratory environment as a proof of concept do not necessarily need patients.
- Discussed Matters
Will need to build a flexible PCB for sensor matrix
- Resolution
Possible to do it locally by contacting synergen company or will have to send it to china
- Discussed Matters
Not having enough data to train machine learning models
- Resolution
May have to limit machine learning section only for posture detection
New Ideas
- New Ideas
Possibility of attaching sensors directly for patients’ body or cushioning mattress with sensors only for areas where body parts that have high risk to form ulcers will lay-on.
- Comments
Will be uncomfortable for patient. 2. Reduce the complexity and cost of the project
- New Ideas
Prepare a document summing up all the details that related to ulcer formation into one place and keep on updating it while continuing the project
- New Ideas
Design ulcer prevention method with minimal repositioning of patients so as it will suit for coma and other similar types of patients as well
Date: 10/6/2020¶
Necessity of improving (delaying) repositioning time + Comfortable for patient + Convenient for nurses who are taking care of the patients
Setting up time interval to reposition and prioritize patients who needs to reposition first + More practical than alarming at the exact predicted time to reposition + Can give prominence to patients with high risk of ulcer formation in case where many patients are assigned to a caretaker
Presenting all factors which affect for ulcer formation and describing what factor/s which are taking into consideration in this project. For the time-being we are going consider only about the pressure
Necessity of visiting nursing homes and investigating over what type of mattresses we are going to lay our smart mat What will be the material over which we place our smart mat (Hard foam mattress??)
Justifying selection of velostat for creating the mattress over other type of materials Checking the durability of the material and its suitability in producing mattress commercially
What are the other alternative methods being used to prevent pressure ulcers??
Targeting a specific place to implement our solution General Hospital? Private nursing home? Private hospital?
August 14, 2020¶
Location: https://learn.zoom.us/j/68780348442?pwd=R2k3VmtmWUhTL0hoNktYRGxKQ04rdz09 Date: August 14, 2020 Time: 2.00pm
Attendance:
Dr. Pujitha Silva
Thamalu Piyadigama
Adrian Perera
Buddhini Edirisinghe
Helik Tribuwan
Action Items:
ound an application to validate that Velostat can be used for measuring pressure. - Imperial Institution has used it to make pressure sensors to measure interface pressure to treat scoliosis.
We could not find velostat in Sri Lanka, so we had placed an order to buy them from china via e-bay
Discussed alternatives for velostat in producing pressure sensors.
FSR sensors
Too expensive – Single 0.5’’ diameter sensor costs about US $13.90
Making sensors using PVDF
PVDF material is expensive to buy
Making the sensor is a complicated process (as described in paper https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323763957_Ultra-Sensitive_Strain_Sensor_Based_on_Flexible_Polyvinylidene_fluoride_Piezoelectric_Film)
Required the need to investigate the methods used to measure pressure in previous projects done by our department.
Demonstrated the User Interfaces in mobile app and got feedback on importance of considering practical use of the app
Future plans: + Track the current placement of ordered items + Contact Ms. Chathurani Dias to get details about previous pressure measuring projects + Contact Imperial Institution to find the possibility of obtaining velostat.
August 27, 2020¶
Location: https://learn.zoom.us/j/68780348442?pwd=R2k3VmtmWUhTL0hoNktYRGxKQ04rdz09 Date: August 27, 2020 Time: 4.00pm
Attendance: + Dr. Pujitha Silva + Thamalu Piyadigama + Adrian Perera + Buddhini Edirisinghe + Helik Tribuwan
Review from previous meeting: Order we placed in China for velostat got cancelled because of temporary unavailability of air-mail due to COVID-19 It was not possible to obtain velostat from imperial institution and found that they have ordered it from Alibaba express. Did not get a reply from Ms. Chathurani Dias.
Action Items: Adrian has placed order to buy velostat from France via e-bay. Items we have ordered so far, and their current placements are given below
Velostat Material – Just left France on August 24, 2020
Conductive Threads – KUALA LUMPURC, Item dispatched out COLOMBO on August 24, 2020
Neoprene Sheets and Cu foil– Last mile => Destination country post on August 19, 2020.
Discussed the possibility of gathering at university as it is difficult to collaborate and make much progress while staying at home Received the contact of Ms. Chathurani Dias to contact her directly.
Future plans:
+Enabling the communication between Node MCU and server +Make further improvements in Mobile App