Cool Guys Cortex Design Challenge

Inspiration

Our inspiration for this project stemmed from a desire to push the boundaries of our CAD and mechanical design skills, applying the knowledge acquired over the course of the year. Eager to challenge ourselves, we sought to create a meaningful and practical application of our CADing expertise, leading us to tackle the intricacies of designing a diagnostic reader for medical applications. This endeavor allowed us to not only showcase our proficiency in CAD but also contribute to the field of healthcare technology, merging our passion for design with a real-world, impactful application. Through this project, we aimed to demonstrate our growth in CAD and mechanical design while addressing a relevant and challenging problem in the medical diagnostic device space.

What it does

In our innovative diagnostic reader solution, we seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design to enhance the home diagnostic experience. Leveraging a user-centric approach, we've incorporated an intuitive actuator mechanism into the reader, allowing users to effortlessly deposit the sample onto the lateral flow assay with precision. The reusable design enables easy loading and unloading of cartridges for multiple uses, promoting convenience and sustainability.

Moreover, our reader features a well-thought-out space for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that efficiently controls various electrical systems, such as buffer sample reservoir actuation, lighting control, and camera image capture. The incorporation of controlled lighting ensures optimal imaging conditions for accurate and reliable results. To enhance user engagement, we've integrated a Graphic User Interface (GUI) that intuitively presents diagnostic outcomes, providing users with clear and easily interpretable feedback. As a bonus, our portable design ensures that users can access diagnostic capabilities on the go, expanding the reach of healthcare solutions beyond traditional settings. With this holistic approach, we envision revolutionizing home diagnostics by combining simplicity, reusability, and advanced technology in a single, user-friendly package.

How we built it + Issues + Next Steps

We constructed our diagnostic reader using Autodesk Inventor, leveraging our CAD and mechanical design expertise acquired over the year. The process began with encapsulating the cartridge and subsequently building the intricate mechanism around it. Challenges arose during the project, particularly in constraining elements and dealing with issues like missing files and occasional difficulties with Inventor's file-saving functionality. Despite these obstacles, we take pride in successfully overcoming them, showcasing our resilience and problem-solving capabilities. Through this project, we deepened our understanding of CAD intricacies and the importance of meticulous file management. Moving forward, we aim to refine our design, addressing any remaining constraints and optimizing the overall functionality of the diagnostic reader, signaling an exciting next step for the Cool Guys Cortex Design Challenge.

Built With

• inventor