Intraocular Pressure Sensor Design Challenge
Glaucoma causes loss of peripheral vision, as indicated by the darkness surrounding the center of the image.Copyright Apple Valley Eye Care. Used with permission. http://aveyecare.com/photolibrary_rf_photo_of_glaucoma_vision.jpg
Acting as if they are biomedical engineers, students design and print 3D prototypes of pressure sensors that measure the pressure of the eyes of people diagnosed with glaucoma. After completing the tasks within the associated lesson, students conduct research on pressure gauges, apply their understanding of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and its components, iterate their designs to make improvements, and use 3D software to design and print 3D prototypes. After successful 3D printing, teams present their models to their peers. If a 3D printer is not available, use alternate fabrication materials such as modeling clay, or end the activity once the designs are complete.
Biomedical engineers rely on modeling to design and create prototypes for devices that may not yet be approved for testing. In order to prepare for the cost of manufacturing a device, careful consideration goes into the potential constraints of that device. Using various software programs, engineers design and visualize the device they wish to create in order to determine whether the future device is worth the effort, time and expense. Mirroring real-world engineers, in this activity, students play the role of engineers challenged to create intraocular pressure sensor prototypes to measure pressure within the eyes of people with glaucoma.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Design and 3D print an at-scale prototype of a pressure sensor.
- Apply an understanding of radio-frequency identification (RFID) to the design of prototype pressure sensors.
- Explain how their prototype devices use RFID technology to provide a tool to help people with glaucoma.