The Altrix Precision Temperature Management System regulates patient temperature by circulating water through wraps or pads applied to the patient. Students on the Stryker team will design and prototype a docking station for the Altrix that automates disinfection of the unit to ensure operational safety.
Abstract:
Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, and, together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. Stryker is a Fortune 500 company based in Kalamazoo, MI. They offer innovative products and services that help improve patient and hospital outcomes.
Targeted temperature management, maintaining a specific body temperature, has been shown to improve health outcomes during recovery after a period of stopped blood flow to the brain, such as cardiac arrest or stroke. Stryker’s Altrix device performs targeted temperature management by monitoring patient core temperature and circulating cooled or heated water through wrapsattached to the patient’s body.
Sterility of the water is important, as contaminated water could transmit bacteria through the air (aerosolize) through the device’s exhaust vent or come into direct contact with a patient during surgery if a wrap is punctured. Sterility is currently maintained by a manual disinfection process. Disinfection is a time-consuming activity that involves draining the unit, running a cleaning solution through the unit, and then draining, rinsing, and draining again. This process places a large burden on hospital staff.
The students on this team will design, prototype, and validate a docking station for the Altrix that automatically disinfects the unit, with minimal caregiver interaction, through the circulation of heated water.
The Altrix device in use
Impact:
Since 2015, the FDA issued three safety communications about a potential association between patient infections and water-based heater/cooler devices. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) might have aerosolized into the operating room from the devices and caused serious illness and death of patients. The creation of an automated disinfection dock can lead to better patient outcomes by ensuring compliance with disinfection protocols while also reducing caregiver burden caused by time intensive manual disinfection procedures.
Mechanical Design (3 Students)
Specific Skills: Thermodynamics, Prototype Design/Build, Basic electrical circuit and controls development
(Completion of ME 314 a plus)
Likely Majors: ME, BME, ChE
Embedded Systems and Controls (2 Students)
Specific Skills: Controls system design, Embedded systems design and integration
Likely Majors: CE, EE
Clinical Disinfection Protocol (2 Students)
Specific Skills: Antibacterial/antimicrobial disinfection process design, Design of validation experiments
Members of this subteam will also support prototype development. Mention any hands-on experience in your personal statement.
Likely Majors: PUBHLTH, BME, ChE, Microbiology, BIO
Sponsor Mentor
Matt Thielking
R&D Senior Staff Engineer
Matt is a Senior Staff Engineer in Research and Development at Stryker. He has been with Stryker for nine years and has previously worked with the Department of Defense at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Matt has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech.
Executive Mentor
Jeremy Dunn
Engineering Manager, Stryker Medical
Jeremy has spent the last 8 years at Stryker, most recently managing the software/electrical team for patient intervention and stabilization. He heads Product Security for the division and drives software process improvement and adoption of DevOps practices. He has over 20 years of experience designing embedded systems including radars, missile defense, surgical robotics, and hospital beds.
Faculty Mentor
David Chesney
David is a Toby Teorey Collegiate Lecturer in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. David brings his passion for accessible design to the courses he teaches, including ENG 100: Gaming for the Greater Good, and EECS 495: Accessible Software Systems Design. He holds degrees in both mechanical engineering and computer science, with a PhD in computer science. David is an experienced MDP mentor.
Citizenship Requirements:
- This project is open to all students
- International students on an F-1 visa will be required to declare part-time CPT during Winter 2023 and Fall 2023 terms.
IP/NDA: Students will sign IP/NDA document(s) that are unique to Stryker.
Internship/Summer Opportunity: Students will be guaranteed an interview for an internship for the summer of 2023 between project semesters. Our paid internship programs are perfect for talented students looking to gain valuable hands-on experience. The 12-week summer internship will build more than just your resume — it will challenge your knowledge, build your network, and drive your career path. Through these experiences, you will build a unique foundation on which to build your career, your abilities, and your dreams.
- The interviews will take place between January and February of 2023.
- Internship Qualifications:
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- Achieved a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
- Student must be able to work in the US without sponsorship or restriction
- Studentsmustcompleteadrugscreen,backgroundcheck,I9,etc.
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